Ren Yaoqi looked at Han Yunqian.
Under the glow of the ice lanterns, the steady youth's dark eyes appeared deep and unfathomable. Ren Yaoqi liked to observe people's eyes, as a person's gaze was not easily feigned and could reveal much.
She felt somewhat curious—why did Han Yunqian, a teenager in his teens, possess the eyes of an adult? In their stillness, they seemed burdened with too many things.
Han Yunqian was also looking at Ren Yaoqi, examining her directly and openly.
Suddenly, he spoke: "I've heard that Fifth Miss Ren is highly skilled in chess." He only said this much, offering no follow-up.
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi glanced sideways at Ren Yijun standing nearby, wondering if he had learned about her speaking ill of him behind his back.
However, due to the incident involving Ren Yaohua and the Autumn Chrysanthemum Painting in her previous life, she held no favorable impression of Han Yunqian. So even if he knew she had spoken ill of him, she felt not the slightest guilt.
At that moment, Ren Yijun sneezed.
Ren Yaoqi frowned and said, "It's very cold here. Third Brother, why don't you go back to the carriage?"
Ren Yijun snorted lightly, turned his head away as if he hadn't heard, and muttered to himself, "Is anyone going into the maze or not? If you're not going, I'll go myself!"
Ren Yaoqi knew his temperament well and didn't press further. Instead, she turned and instructed the servant behind him to fetch a thicker cloak. Whenever Ren Yijun went out, the carriage was always fully equipped with supplies.
"Well? Can you get out within a quarter of an hour?" Ren Yijun looked at Han Yunqian, his tone challenging.
Han Yunqian examined the lantern maze, thought for a moment, and replied modestly, "I'll have to walk through it to know. I heard this year's lantern maze was designed by the Second Young Master of the Prince of Yanbei, which differs somewhat from previous years."
"Second Young Master Xiao?" Ren Yaoqi was somewhat surprised; she hadn't heard about this.
Han Yunqian nodded politely. "I heard it from Zishu earlier. Not many people outside know about it." Zishu was Yun Wenfang's courtesy name.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but examine the lantern maze with interest. Second Young Master Xiao of the Xiao Family, Xiao Jingxi, had always been a legendary figure. Since he went to the capital to offer birthday congratulations to the Empress Dowager, his fame in the capital had surpassed even that in Yanbei. Those who had seen him described him as an exceptionally refined and supremely intelligent person.
Suddenly, Ren Yijun stroked his chin and said to Ren Yaoqi, "Fifth Sister, why don't you give it a try? I'd like to go in myself, but I promised my mother before leaving that I wouldn't enter the maze. Yet, having come all this way, I'd be too unwilling not to see it. If you go in, you can tell me about the layout inside after you come out."
"What if you go in and can't get out!" Ren Yaohua frowned and retorted.
Ren Yijun glanced at her and scoffed, "People only walk in and come out the same way; no one goes in and fails to come out. Don't worry—if Fifth Sister doesn't come out within half an hour, I'll have someone dismantle the lantern maze. How about that?"
Then, Ren Yijun looked over Ren Yaoqi and Han Yunqian again. "How about this: both of you go in once and see who takes less time to get out."
Ren Yaoqi had never been one for competitiveness, so she normally wouldn't entertain such a whimsical and frivolous suggestion from Ren Yijun. However, just as she was about to refuse, a sudden idea struck her."I had originally intended to go in once myself, so Third Brother's suggestion isn't entirely unreasonable. However, if we are to compete, there should be some stakes for winning or losing," Ren Yaoqi said, smiling as she looked at Han Yunqian.
Han Yunqian couldn't help but be taken aback.
Ren Yijun, however, clapped his hands in delight. "Fifth Sister's words are brilliant indeed—there must be stakes. What do you think, Young Master Han?"
"Third Brother! How can you encourage her nonsense!" Ren Yaohua whispered, trying to stop him.
Ren Yijun rolled his eyes again. "I've always been one for nonsense! If you can't stand it, then stay away!"
"You—"
Ren Yaoqi smiled at Ren Yaohua. "Third Sister, it's just a bit of fun, don't worry."
Ren Yaohua wanted to flare up, but with Han Yunqian, an outsider, right in front of her, she couldn't make a scene and could only glare in frustration.
"What would Fifth Miss like to compete in?" Han Yunqian, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up, not opposing Ren Yijun's words.
Ren Yaoqi hadn't expected him to actually agree.
In this era, men and women were not considered equals, and men were often ashamed to compete with women. They felt that winning was no true victory, while losing would cost them all dignity and face. Only someone as eccentric and unrestrained as Ren Yijun would repeatedly compare her to Han Yunqian.
Pretending to ponder, Ren Yaoqi said, "The winner can make one request of the loser. Of course, to avoid the possibility of the loser being unable to fulfill it later, the request can be stated now. What do you think, Young Master Han?"
After a moment's thought, Han Yunqian nodded. "In that case, Third Miss Ren may state her request first."
Without hesitation, Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "I recall my father once gave you a painting? If I win, you'll give the painting to me. How does that sound?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Han Yunqian's dark eyes, which Ren Yaoqi caught. Her heart tightened. Could it be that Han Yunqian had already planned to use that painting to stir up trouble when he received it from her father? If so, he would surely refuse her proposal.
"That painting was a gift from Third Uncle Ren to me, and I treasure it greatly..." Han Yunqian said carefully. "If I were to give it to you, I fear it would show disrespect to Third Uncle Ren."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi sighed. "That painting was originally something I asked my father to paint as a birthday gift for me. I've never been to the capital, and I was curious about what the annual Chrysanthemum Festival looked like. I never expected my father to give the painting to you instead. Later, when I asked Father for it, he was very hesitant. He said the painting had already been given to you and that it would be improper to ask for it back, and you might not agree anyway." As she spoke, she glanced up at Han Yunqian, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
Han Yunqian couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. A gentleman does not take what others cherish. Ren Yaoqi had made her intentions so clear that refusing would ultimately be discourteous. Moreover, she was only asking for the painting if she won the competition, not demanding it back outright.
Thus, Han Yunqian could only say, "If you win, I will ask Third Uncle Ren for his opinion. If he doesn't mind, I will give the painting to you. Otherwise, you may make any other request."
Though he said this, it was merely to save face for Ren Yaoqi. Han Yunqian did not believe he would lose to her.
Ren Yaoqi smiled gently. "Then it's settled! And what request would Young Master Han have if you win?"
Han Yunqian shook his head. "None needed."Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "How can that be? Since it's a contest, it should be fair!" So you don't try to weasel out later.
Han Yunqian thought for a moment. "I've heard the Fifth Young Lady is highly skilled in chess. If I win, I hope the Fifth Young Lady will honor me with a game."
This surprised Ren Yaoqi. After one contest, he wanted another? Just how exaggerated had Ren Yijun made her chess skills sound? Ren Yaoqi glared at Ren Yijun, who was watching the fun.
Ren Yijun blinked and turned to look at the lanterns.
Ren Yaoqi could only nod. "Alright. Young Master Han, you go first!"
Ren Yijun leisurely pulled a gilded pocket watch from his sleeve and waved it at the two of them. "I happen to have this with me, so I'll time you."
Han Yunqian nodded.
To ensure fairness, Ren Yijun showed Han Yunqian the time on the watch.
He also had Han Yunqian's attendant stand with him to wait for Han Yunqian's return.
Han Yunqian walked into the lantern maze with steady, unhurried steps.
Only then did Ren Yijun turn to Ren Yaoqi and ask, "Fifth Sister, how confident are you of winning?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head honestly. "I won't know until I come out."
They waited outside for a little over a quarter of an hour, and Han Yunqian indeed lived up to expectations, emerging from another entrance.
Looking at Han Yunqian, who had already walked up to them, and then glancing down at his pocket watch, Ren Yijun couldn't help but worry as he said to Ren Yaoqi, "A quarter and two marks."
Han Yunqian nodded to them, hesitated for a moment, and then said to Ren Yaoqi, "Second Young Master Xiao's maze is indeed different from ordinary lantern mazes. Since it's made of ice, it's quite cold inside. Fifth Young Lady, perhaps you shouldn't go in."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head seriously. "Going back on one's word is not the act of a gentleman. Though I am not a gentleman, I do not wish to break a promise." With that, Ren Yaoqi pointed to Xiangqin and a matron behind Ren Yaohua to accompany her inside. As a young lady, she couldn't be without attendants, and bringing people in didn't violate the rules.
"Fifth Young Lady, this place is beautiful, but it's really cold," Xiangqin shivered as soon as she entered.
Ren Yaoqi paused not far from the entrance to examine the branching paths and said with a smile, "With ice walls all around, how could it not be cold? Don't worry, we'll be out soon."
With that, Ren Yaoqi stepped toward the path she had chosen.
Xiangqin hurried to follow. "Fifth Young Lady, can we really beat that Young Master Han? Didn't Third Young Master say he's very skilled?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded but didn't speak, as she was quickly calculating the maze's key points in her mind.
Xiao Jingxi's maze was indeed ingenious; he must be a master of geomancy. However, since this lantern maze was set up for public enjoyment, it wasn't so difficult that no one could navigate it—otherwise, it would defeat its purpose. Still, an ordinary person without knowledge of the tricks would likely spend a lot of time stumbling around.
Ren Yaoqi had studied a wide range of subjects under Mr. Pei, including geomancy, the Nine Palaces maze, and even arithmetic. Though not an expert, she was quite adept at navigating such mazes.
To be fair, Han Yunqian's time of a little over a quarter of an hour was truly impressive.
Ren Yaoqi focused her mind on calculating the maze's key points, her feet never stopping. When she finally saw the exit, she couldn't help but smile.
"We're out."Thank you to the readers 090411115909555, Crescent Moon Princess, wingblue, and mengqianni for your pink votes.
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(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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