Xiao Jingxi watched Ren Yaoqi slowly walk out of the courtyard, his dark, beautiful eyes still holding a light, gentle smile, yet a trace of contemplation quietly surfaced.
He turned and walked back to sit on the stone stool, his slender fingers picking up the smooth chess pieces that had been returned to the container. One by one, he replayed the previous game, his movements both focused and leisurely.
The quiet courtyard now held only one man and one goat, forming a silent scene.
At some point, a man in a gray cloth robe stood silently behind Xiao Jingxi, hands at his sides, waiting without a word.
Xiao Jingxi did not turn around. Only after the pieces on the board had been fully restored did he speak, his voice low and soft, like ancient music: "The Han Family’s affairs are their own household matters. Tell them not to interfere."
The man in gray instinctively replied, "Yes," before adding, "Han Dongshan sought out Chief Steward Gu by the Prince’s side. Chief Steward Gu sent people to investigate."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi tilted his head slightly, his handsome brows furrowing. "Why has the Prince’s Mansion been so idle lately?"
The gray-clad man lowered his head, not daring to respond.
Xiao Jingxi looked at the chessboard, his fingers lightly shifting the pieces as he rearranged the game, speaking casually: "Go tell Chief Steward Gu that if they can’t even handle their own household affairs, what can Yanbei Prince’s Mansion expect from them?" Though his tone was gentle, his words carried significant weight.
"Yes, Young Master. I understand," the gray-clad man hurriedly replied, bowing his head.
Xiao Jingxi continued to manipulate the chessboard, occasionally retracing moves, placing pieces without a sound, with only the rustle of wind and grass breaking the silence.
Just as the gray-clad man thought Xiao Jingxi had no further instructions, he spoke again: "Investigate Han Dongshan."
Though puzzled by his master’s sudden interest in the Han Family, the gray-clad man immediately bowed and accepted the order.
"How are things in the military now?" Xiao Jingxi then set aside the Han Family’s affairs and asked about another matter.
"Reporting to Young Master, Lady Wu has returned to the mansion with Miss Wu, accompanied by an old strategist named Zhou He from Wu Xiaohe’s side. Zhou He has requested an audience with the Prince three times in recent days, and the Prince has granted it twice."
The Lady Wu he referred to was the wife of the current Ningxia Regional Commander, Wu Xiaohe, also the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, Xiao Wei, Xiao Jingxi’s aunt.
Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi’s expression remained unchanged. "I asked about military affairs, not the Prince’s Mansion’s matters."
The gray-clad man paused, then lowered his head further. "Since the news of the court’s intention to reduce the military was spread, several disturbances have occurred in the Yanbei Army due to the instigation of a few individuals with ulterior motives. Following your instructions, I have remained inactive for now, secretly noting the identities of those stirring trouble. Today, I received a report that they plan to gather more people to cause trouble soon, intending to loot several major shops in Yunyang City and then take the money to hide in the mountains, establishing themselves as bandits."
Xiao Jingxi did not respond immediately, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on the chessboard, as if pondering either the game or the report from his subordinate.
After a long while, he picked up the pieces from the board, which had gradually revealed a winner, and returned them one by one to the container. "Tell Tong He to prepare the carriage. We return to Yunyang City today."
"What about White Dragon Temple here…"
Xiao Jingxi said calmly, "Tongde will stay behind."His words had just fallen when, from somewhere unknown, another man of ordinary appearance and medium stature walked out, bowing respectfully to Xiao Jingxi.
"Take one month to resolve the matters concerning White Dragon Temple and the other major monasteries," Xiao Jingxi glanced at Tongde, who had just emerged, and softly instructed.
"Yes, Young Master," Tongde replied with a lowered head.
Xiao Jingxi stood up and walked out, his tall figure soon disappearing beyond the arched doorway.
When Ren Yaoqi came out, she did not see Xiao Jinglin. The maid Pingguo was crouching under the eaves in front of the side room and hurried over upon seeing Ren Yaoqi, following behind her.
They encountered no one else along the way, and the mistress and servant left the courtyard.
At the courtyard entrance, Xier, the senior maid by Madam Li’s side, was calling two older women aside to question them. Seeing Ren Yaoqi emerge, she quickly approached: "Miss, are you all right?"
Xier examined Ren Yaoqi with concern.
"I’m fine. The Commandery Princess merely invited me for a cup of tea," Ren Yaoqi gently reassured Xier.
"Why have you come here?"
"The mistress heard you were taken away by the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince’s Mansion and was somewhat uneasy, so she sent me to keep an eye out," Xier said, then asked curiously, "Fifth Miss, how do you know the Commandery Princess?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head as she walked. "Today was the first time I met the Commandery Princess. I didn’t know her before."
"Then why would she invite you for tea without any reason?" Xier did not seem to distrust Ren Yaoqi, but was simply very curious and puzzled.
It was said that the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince’s Mansion had a very peculiar temperament, never returning to the prince’s mansion even once throughout the year. What was most incomprehensible was that despite being a young lady, she insisted on accompanying several of the prince’s mansion’s guards to patrol the border, wielding swords and spears, even more determined than a man.
This Commandery Princess was a figure of legend, no different in the eyes of ordinary people like them from the legendary women sung in operas or written about in books. Yet such a woman had suddenly and forcefully dragged their young lady away for tea, despite the two having never met or known each other before.
This was truly baffling.
"The Commandery Princess only said she wanted someone to accompany her for tea. As for why it was me, I don’t know either," Ren Yaoqi patiently explained.
Not only were the maids and older women puzzled by Xiao Jinglin dragging Ren Yaoqi away for tea, but when they returned to the resting courtyard, Madam Li, who had been waiting for a long time and was about to go looking for her, was also very perplexed.
Ren Yaoqi repeated her earlier answer. Madam Li thought for a long while but still could not make sense of it.
Nanny Zhou comforted Madam Li, saying, "Since the Commandery Princess meant no harm, there’s no need for you to worry, Madam. Moreover, it’s a good thing that the Commandery Princess likes our Fifth Miss. Although this Commandery Princess rarely returns to Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, she is greatly favored by the Prince of Yanbei."
Madam Li nodded. "What you say is right. Although this Commandery Princess has a somewhat peculiar temperament, I haven’t heard of her doing anything malicious."
Ren Yaoqi did not know that Xiao Jingxi had returned to Yunyang City shortly after she left. She and Madam Li set off back to White Crane Town early the next morning.
As the carriage descended along the mountain path, the wind blew open the curtain. Ren Yaoqi casually glanced outside and happened to see two nuns in light gray robes walking up the mountain path while talking.Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but take another look at the older nun. She had fair skin and delicate features, with a hint of unintentional charm in her eyes as she chatted and laughed. From beneath the edge of her cap near her ear, a dark hairline was visible—she hadn't shaved her head.
As Ren Yaoqi was pondering the nun's identity, the nun seemed to sense something and glanced over. Seeing it was a carriage used by women from a wealthy family, she turned back and continued chatting and laughing with a younger nun.
Sitting inside the carriage, Ren Yaoqi could still hear her unrestrained, clear laughter. The younger nun, noticing passersby looking their way, quietly reminded the nun with hair to lower her voice.
But the nun with hair seemed not to hear, continuing to laugh and talk loudly.
Nanny Zhou glanced outside and frowned, saying, "How does this woman resemble a nun at all?"
Ren Yaoqi, however, recalled the story she had heard about a nun from the nearby White Cloud Nunnery during her last visit to White Dragon Temple. This nun with hair must be the one surnamed Liang.
Last time, White Dragon Temple had sent someone to mediate the matter at White Cloud Nunnery, but they had returned to White Crane Town without seeing the outcome. Later, Xiangqin mentioned that the Liang family had threatened to report the matter to the authorities. However, such domestic disputes were difficult even for impartial officials to resolve. Moreover, the affair between the Liang woman and the tenant farmer was not something to be publicized, and they had no evidence to prove the two nuns had instigated it. In the end, the matter was dropped.
The Liang family suffered a silent loss, and the women no longer dared to come up the mountain to cause trouble. The men, meanwhile, were stopped by the temple guards at the mountain gate and could no longer ascend.
Today, this Liang nun appeared to be unrestrained in her nature. Despite what had happened last time, she still managed to stay in this peaceful Buddhist sanctuary, seemingly unaffected. This woman was clearly not a simple person.
The carriage passed by the two nuns, and Ren Yaoqi slowly withdrew her gaze.
Descending the mountain, they turned from the winding mountain path onto the main road. Not far along, they saw several carriages approaching from the direction of Yunyang City. The style of the carriages looked remarkably similar to those used by Ren Yaoqi and Madam Li.
"Madam, the Second Madam's carriage is behind us, coming from the direction of Yunyang City," someone reported from outside.
"Second Sister-in-law mentioned earlier that she returned to Yunyang City for her nephew's wedding banquet. She must be coming from her family home. Have the carriage ahead stop and let Second Sister-in-law's carriage go first," Madam Li instructed softly.
Thus, Madam Li's carriage gradually came to a halt. The carriage behind soon caught up and stopped beside theirs. Second Madam Su Shi lifted the curtain, revealing a plain yet gentle face.
Madam Li also lifted her carriage curtain and greeted with a smile, "Second Sister-in-law."
Su Shi nodded gently. "When I saw the Ren Family carriage ahead, I wondered which family member had come to White Dragon Temple to offer incense. So it's Third Sister-in-law."
Ren Yaoqi called out, "Second Aunt."
"Oh? Is Fifth Sister here too?" Ren Yaoting's voice came from Su Shi's carriage, followed by her face appearing beside the curtain.
Su Shi frowned and lightly scolded her daughter, "Ting'er, shouldn't you greet Third Aunt first? Where are your manners?"
Ren Yaoting hurriedly called out, "Third Aunt," but her eyes kept darting toward Madam Li's carriage.Madam Li smiled and spoke up for Ren Yaoting: "It's only natural for sisters to be close after not seeing each other for a few days."
"Mother, I want to sit with Fifth Sister. Last time I mentioned my elder cousin's wife to Fifth Sister, she said most women in the capital are spoiled and difficult to talk to. But my elder cousin's wife isn't like that at all—I want to go tell her about her." Ren Yaoting pleaded.
Upon hearing this, Su Shi did not object and nodded gently, saying, "Ask your Fifth Sister what she thinks. If she's willing, you sisters can go sit in the carriage behind." (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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