Afterwards, Ren Yaoting and the Han siblings indeed found Ren Yaoyu. As it was already quite late, everyone decided to head back.
Only Ren Yaoyu was still clamoring to go through the Nine-Bend Eight-Trigram Lantern Maze once more and refused to return. Ren Yijun mercilessly mocked her a few times, leaving Ren Yaoyu utterly humiliated and furious. After finally persuading Ren Yaoyu, the group returned to where the carriages were parked to find Ren Yaohua.
Since Xiangqin had already told Ren Yaohua about Ren Yaoqi winning against Han Yunqian, when Ren Yaoqi boarded the carriage, Ren Yaohua, though still wearing a cold expression and refusing to speak to her, did not mock or ridicule her.
The Han Family lived closer, and Ren Yaoting insisted on escorting Han You, so the Ren Family carriage traveled alongside the Han Family’s for a while. When the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Han Family residence, Han Yunqian deliberately approached Ren Yaoqi’s carriage and said softly, “Tomorrow, Yunqian will visit the Ren Family.”
Though he only said this one sentence, Ren Yaoqi understood he was referring to the matter of the painting. She thanked him through the carriage curtain.
Listening to the sound of Han Yunqian’s footsteps fading away, Ren Yaoqi suddenly recalled the man she had encountered earlier.
When she snapped back to reality, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel astonished. She hadn’t even clearly seen his face, yet he had left her with an inexplicably profound impression. Could it truly be that she had encountered a ghost?
Nothing else happened that night.
The next day, Ren Yaoqi sought out Ren Shimin early in the morning.
At that time, Ren Shimin was in the western courtyard practicing swordplay with a bamboo sword he had carved himself. After he finished, Ren Yaoqi personally offered him tea and a towel, then told him about her desire to retrieve the painting he had given to Han Yunqian.
Upon hearing this, Ren Shimin frowned. “How can one ask for something back after giving it away? If Yaoyao likes it, Father can paint another one for you.”
Ren Yaoqi retorted confidently, “Another painting wouldn’t be the same one! I only want that particular painting!”
Ren Shimin tried to reason with her, feeling a headache coming on. “But that painting has already been given to Han Yunqian. Asking for it back would be unbecoming of a gentleman.”
“He lost it to me! It would be unbecoming of a gentleman if he didn’t give it to me!”
Ren Shimin was taken aback. “He lost to you?”
Ren Yaoqi then recounted how she and Han Yunqian had competed in the lantern maze the previous night and how Han Yunqian had lost to her.
Ren Shimin first burst into laughter upon hearing this, but after a moment, he suddenly glared at Ren Yaoqi angrily. “You actually used my painting as a wager!”
Ren Yaoqi quickly explained, “It was Third Brother who insisted we compete! And I really wanted your painting, so I agreed. If it weren’t for wanting to retrieve your painting, I wouldn’t have competed with him at all! Besides, since he was willing to use your painting as a wager, it shows he doesn’t truly cherish it. A fine horse longs for a hero, and a treasured sword should be gifted to a worthy warrior. That painting should belong to me, so as not to disgrace it!”
Ren Yaoqi shamelessly spun her tale without a hint of guilt, her integrity completely abandoned.
Ren Shimin’s expression softened slightly, and he hesitated. “Do you really want that painting so much? But you’ve never even seen it.”
“Isn’t there a saying, ‘spiritual connection despite never meeting’? I want that ‘Autumn Chrysanthemum’ painting so much that knowing it’s in someone else’s hands keeps me awake at night.” Ren Yaoqi’s last sentence was the truth. If she allowed Ren Shimin’s weakness to fall into the hands of the Han Family again in this lifetime, she truly would lose sleep every night.Ren Shimin was rather afraid of her pestering and could only compromise, "We'll talk about it when he comes."
Ren Yaoqi was finally satisfied and followed Ren Shimin into the study.
Ren Shimin looked at the tail behind him and said helplessly, "I'll accept the painting when he returns it. You don't need to follow me."
"I still have something to discuss with Father," Ren Yaoqi said with a smile, sitting down beside Ren Shimin at the desk.
Ren Shimin chuckled and glared at her, "Discuss what? Have you taken a fancy to something else I gave away? If you keep being naughty, I'll punish you... I'll make you copy 'Admonitions for Women'!"
After saying this, Ren Shimin thought this method was quite good and felt somewhat pleased with himself.
Ren Yaoqi's face darkened. After thinking for a moment, she said seriously, "The last time I fell ill, I was very sick and suffered every day. After recovering, I made a vow before the Bodhisattva, asking her to protect the health of myself and my family. I promised to do at least one good deed every year to help those in need."
Ren Shimin listened attentively.
Ren Yaoqi then told him about meeting Zhu Ruomei and his mother's illness: "...Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. Besides, I also hope for the safety and health of my own family, so I sympathize with Zhu Ruomei."
As she spoke, Ren Yaoqi's eyes reddened slightly. Her willingness to help Zhu Ruomei was not only because he could be useful but also because he reminded her of the despair she felt in her previous life when she was powerless to change the fate of her loved ones.
She wanted to help him within her means, hoping that in this life, she would be given a chance to change the fate of her loved ones.
Ren Shimin sighed, took out his handkerchief, and handed it to Ren Yaoqi. He patted her head and said, "Don't cry. It's just a matter of releasing someone, right? I'll go discuss it with your uncle."
Ren Yaoqi looked up at Ren Shimin, her tears turning into a smile. "Thank you, Father."
Ren Shimin laughed, "Children are always so quick to cry."
After a moment of thought, he added, "But I usually don't get involved in such matters. Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, it might alarm your grandfather, and that would be troublesome. Fortunately, you only do one good deed a year, so it probably won't get me a beating from your grandfather."
Seeing Ren Shimin's furrowed brows, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh.
"When has Father ever been beaten by Grandfather?"
Ren Shimin's expression stiffened, and he was about to brush it off when someone outside announced that the young master of the Han Family had arrived.
Ren Shimin instructed them to bring the guest in, and Ren Yaoqi stood up and positioned herself properly behind him.
When Han Yunqian entered, his gaze briefly swept over Ren Yaoqi before he stepped forward to greet Ren Shimin.
Ren Shimin nodded and motioned for him to sit.
However, Han Yunqian remained standing. He explained the purpose of his visit and openly admitted to losing to Ren Yaoqi without any hesitation. He only expressed regret for having lost Ren Shimin's painting.
Ren Shimin glanced at Ren Yaoqi and did not make things difficult for Han Yunqian. Instead, he said, "Yaoqi has been spoiled by me. Please bear with her." In front of outsiders, Ren Shimin always maintained the demeanor of a gentleman.
Han Yunqian quickly replied, "It was my lack of skill and overconfidence."
Ren Shimin thought for a moment and said, "Well, the painting I gave you was a token of gratitude. Since you've returned it, I should give you something else instead."Ren Yaoqi, who had been keeping her head bowed in a docile manner, quickly looked up. "Father, didn't you recently acquire a fine inkstone? Why not give that inkstone to Young Master Han?"
Please, for heaven's sake, don't say you'll paint another picture for him.
Ren Shimin felt a pang of heartache at the thought of parting with his beloved inkstone, which he had only just obtained. But since Ren Yaoqi had already spoken up, he could only nod. "Then go to the inner room and fetch that inkstone for Yunqian."
Han Yunqian naturally noticed Ren Shimin's reluctance. Calmly, he cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, could Yunqian exchange the inkstone for a game with the Fifth Miss?"
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback and looked at Han Yunqian. Could this person truly be a chess fanatic?
Ren Shimin glanced back at Ren Yaoqi.
After a moment's thought, Ren Yaoqi nodded.
Thus, in Ren Shimin's study, Ren Yaoqi and Han Yunqian sat facing each other and set up the chessboard. Ren Shimin sat to the side to observe the game.
Ren Yaoqi looked up with a smile. "Young Master Han, please go first," indicating that Han Yunqian should take the black pieces.
Although Han Yunqian would not underestimate his opponent this time, he was unwilling to take advantage. Casually, he grabbed a handful of pieces from the chess pot. "Let's decide by guessing."
In the end, Ren Yaoqi guessed incorrectly, and Han Yunqian took the black pieces.
Both players were calm and composed, placing their pieces without a sound.
The game lasted for two hours, and before it was even finished, Han Yunqian conceded defeat by placing his pieces down.
Ren Yaoqi examined the board, then raised her eyes. "Young Master Han, the outcome is not yet decided."
Han Yunqian, however, smiled. Ren Yaoqi had never seen him smile before, and she hadn't expected his smile to be as radiant as spring blossoms, carrying an air of ease and leisure that was captivating.
To be fair, Han Yunqian was a true gentleman of remarkable appearance.
"No, it is decided. Yunqian's skill is inferior."
In chess, masters think three moves ahead.
Ren Shimin laughed from the side. "In chess, there are always wins and losses. How can one game determine the outcome?"
Han Yunqian glanced at Ren Yaoqi once more, then stood up and bowed to Ren Shimin. "Yunqian takes his leave. Could the Fifth Miss send someone to retrieve the painting with me?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded and also stood up.
Ren Shimin was engrossed in studying the previous game, casually waving his hand. "You two go ahead."
As the two left the study, Han Yunqian suddenly spoke up. "I did not bring the painting with me today."
Ren Yaoqi paused, frowning at Han Yunqian with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "What do you mean by that, Young Master Han?"
Han Yunqian turned to look at her for a moment, then smiled again. "That is why I asked the Fifth Miss to send someone with me to retrieve it."
"..."
"There is something Yunqian does not understand." Looking at Ren Yaoqi's expressionless face, Han Yunqian curled the corner of his mouth slightly and lowered his voice as he asked slowly.
"Young Master Han, feel free to speak," Ren Yaoqi replied very politely.
"Has Yunqian offended the Fifth Miss at some point, causing her to dislike me so?" Han Yunqian stopped walking and turned to face her, his dark, unfathomable eyes meeting Ren Yaoqi's.
The young man's eyes were as deep as a pond under the moonlight, and upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a lingering mist that refused to dissipate.
Ren Yaoqi met his gaze for a moment, then tilted her head in confusion. "Why would you say that, Young Master Han?"
Han Yunqian continued to look at her without speaking.
Ren Yaoqi's expression remained unchanged as she smiled candidly. "Young Master Han must be overthinking things, right? I have only met you a few times and am hardly familiar with you. How could there be any talk of 'dislike'?"Han Yunqian finally shifted his gaze away slowly and remained silent for a long while before saying, "That is good."
**********************************(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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