"Commandery Princess, could we slow down a bit?" Ren Yaoqi's hand was being held by her, forced to match her pace, and she couldn't help but speak with a hint of helplessness.
Xiao Jinglin paused her steps, glanced back at Ren Yaoqi, and slowed down slightly.
The two walked in silence the whole way.
Xiao Jinglin led Ren Yaoqi toward the guest quarters of White Dragon Temple. As they approached a relatively large, independent courtyard, Xiao Jinglin said to Ren Yaoqi, "Keep one or two people with you, and have the rest wait outside. I don’t like too many unnecessary people around."
Xiao Jinglin said this with complete confidence. No wonder she had no attendants with her—with her current attire and lack of entourage, no one would recognize her as the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince's Mansion on the streets.
Ren Yaoqi, with great patience, complied with her wishes and said to the maids and nannies following her, "Xueli, go inform Nanny Zhou that I’m having tea with the Commandery Princess. Pingguo, come along to serve. The rest of you, wait outside."
Everyone acknowledged her order. Xiao Jinglin continued to lead Ren Yaoqi forward, and Pingguo hurried to follow.
Compared to the guest courtyard Ren Yaoqi had stayed in last time, this one not only appeared more spacious but also had a garden as soon as one entered. The courtyard was planted with various flowers and plants—some in bloom, others with only a few leaves, making it hard to identify their varieties.
In the left corner of the wall, a grape trellis was set up, and beneath it stood a small table made from a tree stump. On the table was a tea tray holding a purple clay teapot and several small teacups. Beside the table, a bamboo rocking chair was placed.
Xiao Jinglin led Ren Yaoqi straight inside, but instead of stopping at the main hall, she turned left through a small arched gate leading to the backyard.
As they emerged from the gate, Ren Yaoqi realized the view suddenly opened up. The backyard had no buildings but resembled a garden, though this "garden" seemed neglected, with only unnamed wildflowers and weeds growing—no precious flowers or plants in sight.
"Baa—" A strange sound made Ren Yaoqi turn in surprise.
In the right corner of the backyard, there was a crude stone round table and stools. A small goat was grazing beside one of the stools.
And on the stone stool, sitting sideways to them, was a young man dressed in white.
The young man lowered his gaze, watching the goat graze, his expression seemingly focused. The gentle spring sunlight fell on half of his profile, his flawless features so beautiful that one couldn’t bear to disturb his peaceful and leisurely moment.
Hearing the commotion, he turned to look. Seeing Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin, he showed no surprise, only offering them a faint smile. The sudden smile made Ren Yaoqi’s heart skip a beat.
Xiao Jinglin released Ren Yaoqi’s hand and walked toward the young man. Seeing the small goat gently nudging the stone stool as if testing its strength, Xiao Jinglin bent down, grabbed the goat’s horns, and pulled it away.
"Baa—" The goat ran to the side, turning its head and bleating softly.
"This was brought for you to eat. Don’t feed it too much." Xiao Jinglin clapped her hands and tried to sit down by lifting her robe, but unfortunately, she was wearing a skirt, making the gesture impossible to complete.
Ren Yaoqi observed Xiao Jinglin’s words and actions, noticing they seemed somewhat different from before. She walked over and curtsied to the young man who was watching her. "Second Young Master Xiao."Xiao Jingxi smiled and nodded, gesturing gently to the stool opposite him. "Fifth Miss Ren, please have a seat."
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in thanks and sat down.
At that moment, a young man dressed as a servant boy brought over a tea tray. Without a word, he quietly placed a cup of tea before each person, then silently withdrew.
Xiao Jingxi gently rubbed the teacup in his hand with his right thumb, a faint smile on his lips as he quietly watched Ren Yaoqi.
Seeing that he remained silent, Ren Yaoqi also said nothing, seemingly oblivious to his gaze. She simply lowered her head and took a sip of tea, though in truth, she barely moistened her lips.
The teacup in her hand had a black glaze base with white carved peony patterns, appearing quite elegant. Yet Ren Yaoqi knew that such tea sets were mostly antiques from the previous dynasty, worth a fortune. The courtyard appeared simple and unadorned, and the two before her were dressed plainly and at ease. Yet even the teacups casually brought out for guests were luxurious and valuable.
As if unable to bear the silence, Xiao Jinglin patted her skirt and stood up. She frowned slightly, her delicate yet strong brows furrowing as she glanced at Xiao Jingxi and then at Ren Yaoqi, saying calmly, "I’ll take a walk in the front courtyard."
Xiao Jingxi glanced at her but did not stop her.
Xiao Jinglin took a few steps before suddenly pausing and turning to look at Pingguo, who stood stiffly behind Ren Yaoqi like a wooden post. "You come with me too."
Pingguo glanced at her, then lowered her head to look at her own toes, unmoving.
Xiao Jinglin frowned and looked toward Ren Yaoqi.
"Go ahead," Ren Yaoqi instructed.
Only then did Pingguo lower her head and follow Xiao Jinglin.
For a moment, only Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi remained in the rear courtyard, with not even a servant in sight. This was originally inappropriate, but no one would step forward to say it was wrong.
"I’ve always been curious..." Xiao Jingxi broke the silence first. His voice was low, soft, and unhurried, with a unique cadence that effortlessly captured attention.
Ren Yaoqi set down her teacup and met his gaze. Her bright, clear eyes were frank and transparent, like a shallow stream visible to the bottom under the radiant spring sunlight.
Xiao Jingxi paused, the smile at the corner of his lips deepening slightly. "Aside from being skilled at navigating lantern mazes, playing chess, and solving riddles... what else can Fifth Miss Ren do?"
Mention of the lantern maze suddenly reminded Ren Yaoqi of the carriage she saw on the night of the Lantern Festival and the man in black whose face she hadn’t clearly seen.
She couldn’t help but scrutinize Xiao Jingxi closely. The two were of similar stature, but the man had worn more layers, so he hadn’t appeared as slender as Xiao Jingxi. Still, if Xiao Jingxi were to wear a thick cloak... the two seemed somewhat alike yet not entirely.
However, Ren Yaoqi did not ask, "Have we met before?" After all, it was merely a chance encounter, a passing moment, hardly worth mentioning.
"How is Zhu Ruomei?" Ren Yaoqi asked directly instead.
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi with a slight smile but remained silent.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment before speaking again. "I can also write and paint, both taught to me by my father."
Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly and said in a low voice, "He is well, though he suffered some injuries—his right tibia is broken."
And that is considered well? Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel speechless. Still, she finally had definite news about Zhu Ruomei and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao, for saving him," Ren Yaoqi said sincerely.Xiao Jingxi neither affirmed nor denied, instead asking, "What did you send him to Jizhou for?"
Ren Yaoqi was momentarily at a loss for words upon hearing this.
Xiao Jingxi's smiling eyes fixed steadily on Ren Yaoqi, waiting patiently without hurry or impatience.
"Apologies, this is my family matter," Ren Yaoqi said, lowering her head.
Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "How about this—let's play a game of Go. If you win, I won't ask, and Zhu Ruomei goes with you. If you lose, you must tell me the reason, and Zhu Ruomei will be my person from then on, his life and death having nothing to do with you."
His voice remained unhurried, gentle and leisurely. Yet the words he spoke left Ren Yaoqi stunned.
Though the curve of Xiao Jingxi's lips was elegantly perfect, his words did not seem like a joke.
Ren Yaoqi felt a flicker of anger inside, but the smile on her face grew three degrees gentler: "Second Young Master Xiao, isn't this somewhat forcing someone into a difficult position?"
Xiao Jingxi smiled warmly and countered, "How is it forcing you? Zhu Ruomei was saved by me; otherwise, he would have long since fallen off the cliff with no life left. As for what you call a family matter..."
Xiao Jingxi glanced at Ren Yaoqi with a half-smile.
Ren Yaoqi was again at a loss for words.
Since opening her eyes once more, she had never been cornered by anyone. But this person was Xiao Jingxi.
Others always described him as exceptionally talented and extraordinarily intelligent. But the present Ren Yaoqi felt this man must be a thousand-year-old fox spirit.
Ren Yaoqi secretly bit her lip. Xiao Jingxi seemed to know she had already agreed, smiling as he said, "Bring my Go set."
His voice was not loud, but the servant who had earlier brought tea heard it. Soon after, he came out carrying a Go board. Following him, dressed similarly, was a man of average stature. Ren Yaoqi looked up and couldn't help but pause slightly.
Walking behind the servant, holding two Go containers, was Dongsheng.
Both Dongsheng and the servant kept their eyes straight ahead, gently placing the items in their hands on the stone table before quietly retreating. However, before leaving, Dongsheng couldn't help but glance up and look toward Ren Yaoqi.
Noticing Ren Yaoqi's gaze, Xiao Jingxi said with some amusement, "My servant Tong Xi also has some connection with Fifth Miss Ren."
Tong Xi? He even changed Dongsheng's name?
Ren Yaoqi took a few white stones in her hand and examined them for a moment, finding them identical to the set of clam-stone "Snow Seal" she had seen earlier at the abbot's place.
"That truly is an honor for this humble girl," Ren Yaoqi replied indifferently.
Xiao Jingxi was not offended, smiling slightly: "Then shall I let you take black?" His tone carried the indulgence one might use with a child.
Ren Yaoqi smiled back at him: "No, let's nigiri."
She dared not take advantage of his offer—Zhu Ruomei was a cautionary tale.
Xiao Jingxi didn't mind, smiling faintly as he gestured for Ren Yaoqi to begin.
Ren Yaoqi casually grabbed a handful of white stones and glanced at Xiao Jingxi.
"Even," he said leisurely, taking a sip of tea without even looking.
Ren Yaoqi opened her hand and counted: "It's odd." She would take black.
Mr. Pei was a Go fanatic. In her previous life, Ren Yaoqi had played countless games with Mr. Pei and even studied some endgame positions recorded in rare manuscripts with him. Her Go skills were honed day by day through such practice.
Thus, even Han Yunqian was no match for her.However, after just a few moves, Ren Yaoqi felt that Xiao Jingxi was different from any opponent she had ever encountered before.
Every move he made carried a sense of authority, not aggressive, yet impossible to evade. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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