Li Tianyou stood at the doorway with his hands behind his back, watching them leave with a smile, calling out, "Come play again next time." Turning around, he whispered to Xia Sheng, who stood behind him, "That Yaohua girl is getting fiercer by the day!"
When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua stepped outside, the Ren Family's carriage was already waiting. After Xia Sheng found Ren Yaohua's attendants, some maidservants had followed them over, while a few older servants had been sent back to fetch the carriage.
Though it wasn’t too late, the sky had already darkened. Ren Yaoqi looked up and noticed dark clouds churning in the distance, as if another heavy rain was about to pour down.
After returning to White Dragon Temple by carriage, the two sisters went to see First Madam Wang Shi.
Upon their return, Wang Shi didn’t say much, only politely asking a few questions about their maternal grandfather’s family, which Ren Yaoqi answered appropriately.
Wang Shi said, "I was just about to send someone to fetch you. It’s getting late, and looking at the sky outside, it seems another heavy rain is coming. The servant I sent out said the lower roads ahead are already flooded. If you were caught in heavy rain halfway, it wouldn’t be good…"
Just as Wang Shi was speaking, everyone heard a sudden rumble of thunder outside, as if the ground itself shook, followed by shouts and the sound of people running, announcing the rain.
Wang Shi helplessly glanced at Zhao Shi. "Some things really shouldn’t be spoken of."
Zhao Shi shook her head with a bitter smile and walked to the window, pushing it open. Sure enough, heavy rain was pouring down again outside, accompanied by flashes of lightning and thunder.
"Mother, you were right. It seems we really won’t be able to return today."
First Madam nodded. "Send someone to inform the guest-monk. We’ll stay in their guest quarters tonight."
White Dragon Temple had guest quarters specifically prepared for female visitors, completely separated from the monks’ living areas yet still within the temple’s care, ensuring safety and convenience. Thus, First Madam had no qualms about staying overnight.
Zhao Shi went to make the arrangements, while First Madam sent someone to summon Ren Yaoyu, Ren Yijun, Qiu Yun, and the others.
The others had already returned when the rain started. Ren Yaoyu entered and leaned in to whisper something to Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang, covering her mouth, appearing quite familiar with them. Ren Yaoyin also came along.
As soon as Yun Wenfang entered, his gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi, looking somewhat displeased. As he approached, he said, "I sent people to look for you several times this afternoon but couldn’t find you. I originally wanted to take you down the mountain for a stroll."
Under Ren Yaoyu’s watchful gaze, Ren Yaoqi nodded politely. "Third Sister and I ran into our uncle, so we went to pay him a visit."
Ren Yaoyu curled her lip and laughed. "That uncle of yours, the one who’s like a nobleman’s son? I heard he can sing opera? When will he perform for us?"
Li Tianyou did enjoy singing opera, but it was purely for his own amusement. Ren Yaoyu’s words carried a hint of disdain.
Ren Yaohua gave Ren Yaoyu a cold, mocking look. "Are you worthy?"
Ren Yaoyu’s face darkened, ready to retort, but First Madam, seated at the head of the room, scolded, "What are you all doing? Have you no manners? Anyone who causes trouble again will be confined to their quarters when we return!"Ren Yaoyin pulled Ren Yaoyu aside and whispered, "Eighth Sister, you shouldn't speak of Third Sister and Fifth Sister's elders that way."
Ren Yaoqi had been somewhat distracted; she had no mind for these squabbles, worrying instead about Dongsheng's affairs and whether he had gone yet.
When the rain eased slightly, First Madam led the younger generation of the Ren Family to move into the guest courtyard prepared by White Dragon Temple.
It was a single-courtyard residence, somewhat similar to the one Li Tianyou had stayed in before, though one was on the mountain and the other at its foot.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua took the first room in the west wing, while Ren Yaoyu and Ren Yaoyin occupied the second room in the west wing. Qiu Yun, Yun Wenfang, Ren Yijun, Ren Yijian, and Ren Yihong were divided among the east wing rooms. First Madam and Eldest Young Madam stayed in the main hall.
Xiao Jingxi sat quietly at the kang table, studying a chess manual. The clamorous rain outside did not disturb him in the slightest; his calm and gentle face was relaxed yet focused.
Suddenly, the attendant Tong He, who had been standing guard outside, entered. He did not speak immediately but stood with bowed head and clasped hands before the kang, waiting.
"What is it?" Xiao Jingxi did not look up, still casually toying with a black piece. The dark jade chess piece gleamed softly between his slender fingers—a small gesture that could capture one's full attention.
Tong He lowered his voice and said softly, "Young Master, Li Tianyou's attendant Dongsheng requests an audience, saying he comes on behalf of his master." His voice was light, as if afraid of disturbing something, yet each word was clear.
Xiao Jingxi's hand paused, then slowly placed the piece on the board. His expression unchanged, he said calmly, "I will not see him."
Tong He showed no surprise or hesitation, bowing his head in acknowledgment before turning to leave.
After Tong He departed, Xiao Jingxi gazed thoughtfully at the chessboard.
Outside, the rain continued to pour heavily. A flash of lightning split the sky, illuminating everything as bright as day for an instant. Bathed in this sudden light, Xiao Jingxi's face remained as serene and unperturbed as ever, steady as a mountain.
After a long while, Tong He quietly pushed the door open and entered again.
"Young Master."
Xiao Jingxi looked up. "What is it?"
Tong He replied, "I already informed him that you are not receiving guests. He said nothing but stood motionless at the entrance to our courtyard. I sent people to persuade him several times, but he neither spoke nor left. However, passersby have begun pointing and whispering. Some even recognized him as Li Tianyou's attendant. I fear..."
He feared that although Li Tianyou was now the deposed Prince Xian's heir, he still bore the surname Li. If someone were to insist on accusing his young master of disrespecting the imperial family, it would be an unjust burden.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxi showed no reaction, continuing to study his chess manual as if he had heard nothing. Tong He stood there uneasily; since his master had not dismissed him, he dared not leave.
After an indeterminate length of time, Xiao Jingxi placed the chess piece in his hand back into the pot and said calmly, "Let him in."
Tong He breathed a sigh of relief as if granted a reprieve, bowed, and withdrew.
Dongsheng was brought in, dripping wet. As he stood before Xiao Jingxi, water continued to drip from him onto the carpeted floor, leaving a damp patch in the center of the room. Tong He glanced at his feet several times.
Without a word, Dongsheng bowed to Xiao Jingxi with meticulous and impeccable etiquette, leaving no room for criticism.Xiao Jingxi calmly allowed him to complete the bow, nodding with a faint smile. "Please convey my regards to your master as well."
With that, he picked up the blue-and-white porcelain teacup beside him, signaling Tong He to see the guest out.
Tong He glanced at Dongsheng, waiting for him to leave.
Dongsheng, however, acted as if he hadn't noticed. He reached into the front of his robe and pulled out an already opened letter, placing it on Xiao Jingxi's kang table as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised. Looking at the letter before him—which Dongsheng had kept dry inside his robe—the smile on his face grew faint.
For some reason, Dongsheng felt a sudden stifling heaviness in the room, making it difficult to breathe.
"What does your master mean by this?" Xiao Jingxi suddenly chuckled lightly, his tone leisurely.
Dongsheng licked his dry, cracked lips. "This humble servant has come to seek Second Young Master Xiao's help."
Xiao Jingxi didn't glance at the letter again. His gaze remained fixed on Dongsheng, still carrying a smile, but one that was utterly detached. His tone was gentle as he spoke slowly, "Is this how you ask for help? Without regard for whether the other party is willing or not?"
For some reason, Dongsheng felt a sudden tightening in his chest, but he steeled himself and replied, "My master said that sometimes, even if one doesn't want to help, if someone insists on pushing their way forward, those with thinner skin might just go along with it. After all, it's often just a small effort—why refuse to save a life? Perhaps it could even forge a good connection, making the person you help remember the kindness and return the favor, maybe even saving your own life at a critical moment."
Xiao Jingxi couldn't help but look taken aback. He seemed to think of something, his expression turning somewhat odd. Suddenly, he let out a soft, amused laugh and shook his head, his voice still gentle. "Who exactly is your master? Is it someone surnamed Li or someone surnamed Ren?"
Seeing that he had guessed correctly, Dongsheng was surprised, but more than that, he felt embarrassed. Yet, he also felt a sense of relief, since Xiao Jingxi was now engaging with him. "There are those surnamed Li and those surnamed Ren."
Xiao Jingxi wore a half-smile. "Did your master say what should be done if that person doesn't know how to repay kindness?"
Unable to resist the urge to wipe the sweat from his brow, Dongsheng shook his head honestly under the pressure. "My master didn't say. He only said, 'Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.' One cannot forbid others from doing what they themselves do."
Xiao Jingxi fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then reached out and picked up the opened letter. "What does this letter say?"
Dongsheng swallowed hard, lowered his head, and recited the contents of the letter from memory without the slightest hesitation.
Xiao Jingxi glanced at him, then tossed the letter back onto the kang table, his tone indifferent. "You may go back first."
Xiao Jingxi's words offered Dongsheng no promise, leaving him uneasy. He couldn't help but add, "Second Young Master Xiao, this matter has nothing to do with my master. He doesn't know the contents of this letter; he knows nothing about it. If anything happens, this humble servant is willing to take full responsibility."
Xiao Jingxi tilted his head slightly, his tone both gentle and detached. "Oh? And how do you plan to take full responsibility?"
Thank you to sedepha for the three pink tickets.
Thank you to Danwang Gui for the pink ticket~ ^^************************************************************************************************(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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