Given Xiao Jingxi's background and reputation, being noticed by him was naturally a cause for joy. Although Zhu Ruomei had once worked as a miner for the Ren Family out of necessity, deep down he still hoped for an opportunity to achieve something significant. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have trained diligently day and night over the years or stubbornly sought out Steward Yuan to teach him how to read and write.
Now that the opportunity was right before him, and he truly owed Xiao Jingxi his life, serving Xiao Jingxi for ten years was more than reasonable.
Yet Ren Yaoqi and Third Master Ren had also shown him kindness. Although he didn’t know the reason behind the task Ren Yaoqi had entrusted to him this time, he could guess that she might have some grievances with the Han Family.
He had secretly inquired about the Han Family and knew that Old Master Han and Han Yunqian were no ordinary individuals. If the Han Family discovered that Ren Yaoqi was scheming to stir up trouble within their household, her future would become difficult.
If he stayed by her side, he might not be able to offer significant help, but he could still assist with minor tasks like running errands, as he had done this time.
Ren Yaoqi naturally noticed the struggle on Zhu Ruomei’s face.
Although their interactions had been limited, Ren Yaoqi knew that Zhu Ruomei was a principled and grateful person. When she had decided to help him, it wasn’t with the intention of keeping him by her side for her own use. After all, given her status, Zhu Ruomei’s future prospects would at most make him a senior steward in one of her dowry shops. Yet in her previous life, Zhu Ruomei had become a fierce general under the second son of the Prince of Yanbei.
What she had truly hoped for was that if Zhu Ruomei ever achieved the same success as in her past life, he might lend her a hand in critical moments out of gratitude for her kindness.
Now that Zhu Ruomei himself was willing to work for Xiao Jingxi, what reason did she have to stop him?
“It just so happens that I previously suggested you find work in Yunyang City to better care for your mother and sister,” Ren Yaoqi said with a smile, glancing at Xiao Jingxi. “Now that Second Young Master Xiao has recognized your talent, and given his reputation for kindness and fairness, he will surely arrange for your family’s well-being, allowing you to focus without worry. That puts my mind at ease.”
Xiao Jingxi was taken aback for a moment, then gave Ren Yaoqi a knowing look before nodding in agreement. “Fifth Miss Ren speaks wisely.”
“Go and rest now. I should be leaving too,” Ren Yaoqi said to Zhu Ruomei, glancing at the sky.
Zhu Ruomei was at a loss for words. After hesitating for a long while, he realized that some things were better left unsaid in front of Xiao Jingxi. With a final struggle, he bowed and was helped away by one of Xiao Jingxi’s attendants.
Xiao Jingxi suddenly turned his gaze to Dongsheng, who was about to follow them, his expression meaningful.
Dongsheng kept his head lowered, not daring to look up.
Earlier, out of concern for Ren Yaoqi, he had subtly reminded Zhu Ruomei that she had arrived. Now, as Xiao Jingxi’s attendant, his lingering loyalty to his former master was something he knew masters frowned upon. Feeling guilty, he avoided meeting Xiao Jingxi’s penetrating gaze.
Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi merely glanced at him before motioning for him to leave.
Dongsheng turned away, realizing his back was soaked with sweat.After Dongsheng had left, Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said sincerely to Xiao Jingxi, "Second Young Master Xiao, if someone, after following you, shows no concern for the safety of their former master, would you dare to use such a person?" She had naturally guessed the reason from Dongsheng's expression earlier and Zhu Ruomei's sudden appearance.
Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly. "Then, Second Miss Ren, tell me: if one day his new master and old master become enemies, whose side should he take to be considered loyal?"
Ren Yaoqi pondered for a moment and also smiled. "That’s why most people dare not use someone else’s people. Only you, Second Young Master Xiao, have the courage to do so. I suppose you are confident and not worried about such matters, am I right?"
Xiao Jingxi mulled over Ren Yaoqi’s words and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His gaze at Ren Yaoqi, however, was deep and inscrutable. "Is Fifth Miss Ren digging another pit for me to jump into?"
The hidden meaning in Ren Yaoqi’s words was that since Xiao Jingxi had already used Prince Xian’s people, he had no intention of breaking ties with Prince Xian and would not become his enemy in the future. Otherwise, his actions would be self-contradictory.
She was seizing the opportunity to make him declare his stance.
Xiao Jingxi didn’t fall for it and skillfully changed the subject with a smile. "In that case, shall we call it a draw?"
Ren Yaoqi knew when to stop and didn’t press further. She nodded with a smile. "Please forgive me, Second Young Master Xiao. Your chess skills are too formidable. If I don’t resort to tricks, I can’t win against you." She openly admitted that her chess skills were inferior to Xiao Jingxi’s, not that she couldn’t lose, but that she was conceding defeat.
"My third brother often says that chess is like a battlefield. If you can avoid losing, you should try every means to do so. So, in war, all stratagems are fair," Ren Yaoqi said jokingly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but smile. "Your third brother once played a game with me. His chess skills... well, they’re passable."
Ren Yaoqi suppressed a laugh and said nothing. Although Ren Yijun loved playing chess and could win more than he lost against ordinary opponents, in the face of a master like Xiao Jingxi, his performance was pitiful.
"It’s getting late. My mother should be coming out soon, so I’ll take my leave now," Ren Yaoqi said, glancing at the sky again.
Xiao Jingxi didn’t try to keep her and stood up with a smile to see her off.
Just as Ren Yaoqi turned to leave, she heard Xiao Jingxi say, "Do you have a grudge against the Han Family?"
Ren Yaoqi paused but did not turn back.
Given Zhu Ruomei’s personality, even if he had pledged allegiance to Xiao Jingxi, he wouldn’t have revealed the matter with the Han Family. So, Xiao Jingxi’s question was likely just speculation—a conclusion drawn from Zhu Ruomei’s movements and the recent events involving the Han Family in Jizhou.
"You could say so," Ren Yaoqi replied after a moment of silence, turning back to face him.
Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised by her candid admission. After a moment’s thought, he frowned and asked, "What grudge is there between the Han Family and the Ren Family?"
Ren Yaoqi’s heart stirred at this question. She looked at Xiao Jingxi, shook her head, and sighed. "There are some things I shouldn’t say too much about. There’s no grudge between the Han Family and the Ren Family, but as for the Han Family’s patriarch..."
Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment. "Did you send Prince Xian’s people to Jiangnan to investigate Han Yunshan’s background?"
Ren Yaoqi was slightly taken aback. Did Xiao Jingxi even know about this?
Of course, it made sense. Although the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion appeared indifferent to Prince Xian and his family on the surface, given Prince Xian’s sensitive status, it was impossible for the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion to truly ignore them.Since everything was now out in the open, Ren Yaoqi nodded and said, "That's right, I asked Xia Sheng to investigate Han Dongshan." Now she understood—just because she didn't say anything didn't mean Xiao Jingxi couldn't find out or guess.
"So that's how it is." Xiao Jingxi nodded in sudden realization, then smiled slightly, blinked, and said softly, "The reason I inquired about this matter is because the Yanbei Prince's Mansion intends to use the Han Family."
Ren Yaoqi was greatly startled upon hearing this and stared at Xiao Jingxi, repeating, "The Yanbei Prince's Mansion intends to use the Han Family?"
Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly without speaking.
Ren Yaoqi suddenly recalled the incident from the previous year when the Han Family had undertaken the printing of the Yanbei imperial calendar. Due to a misprint the year before, no printing houses in Yanbei dared to take on the task last year, yet the obscure Han Family had boldly stepped forward. If what Xiao Jingxi said was true, the Han Family must have already established connections with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion and had even earned the favor of their masters.
Ren Yaoqi's face paled slightly. No wonder the Han Family had risen so quickly in such a short time—they had the backing of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. If that were truly the case, how could she possibly contend with the Han Family? The status of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion in Yanbei was akin to that of the Li imperial clan in Jiangnan.
Noticing Ren Yaoqi's change in expression, Xiao Jingxi sighed softly and, after a moment's thought, said, "Since we are at a draw today, you naturally don't have to tell me these things. I will pretend I know nothing about this matter."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jingxi and asked, "Was it Han Yunshan who requested the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to investigate the Han Family's being secretly targeted?"
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi without speaking.
But Ren Yaoqi understood.
The Yanbei Prince's Mansion was the master of the Ren Family. When a servant suffered a hidden loss and couldn't uncover it themselves, they naturally turned to their master for help.
That was also why Xiao Jingxi had arranged to meet her here.
It wasn't because he was bored or deliberately teasing her.
"Fifth Miss Ren, take care of yourself." Xiao Jingxi offered a kind and well-intentioned reminder with a smile.
This time, he had unintentionally saved Zhu Ruomei and, by chance, learned that someone from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was investigating the matter, which led him to inadvertently get involved.
Ren Yaoqi fell silent for a moment but then keenly observed, "Just now, Second Young Master Xiao said the Han Family is to be used by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, but the Han Family is not under your command, is it?"
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow. "What difference does that make? I am also part of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion."
Ren Yaoqi smiled. "Thinking that way makes me feel a little more at ease." With that, she curtsied to Xiao Jingxi. "I was rude today. Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao."
Having said this, Ren Yaoqi turned and left.
She did not ask Xiao Jingxi to abandon the Han Family.
Xiao Jingxi was right—he was also part of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and naturally, he prioritized its interests. She had only met him twice and had no deep friendship with him. How could she expect him to act against his family's interests for the sake of her minor grievances? That would be asking too much.
However, the reason the Yanbei Prince's Mansion intended to use the Han Family was because the Han Family had value and could be of use to them. If she could uncover the details of this matter, there might still be an opportunity to bring down the Han Family.
The fact that the Han Family was to be used by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was something she had only learned from Xiao Jingxi today. Even in her previous life, she hadn't known about it. This suggested that the Han Family was likely to become a hidden pawn for the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, or that their tasks were secretive. Therefore, Xiao Jingxi would certainly not reveal anything to her.She constantly reminded herself to stay calm and not let this news throw her off balance.
However, Xiao Jingxi's willingness to cover for her today indicated that the interests between the Han Family and the Yanbei Prince's Mansion were not deeply entangled, and the Yanbei Prince's Mansion merely "intended to use the Han Family."
At this thought, she couldn't help but feel grateful to Xiao Jingxi, and the slight resentment she had harbored toward him earlier vanished without a trace. If Xiao Jingxi hadn't advised her, she might never have known how she would have met her downfall in the future. (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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