Hong Ying seized the opportunity and said, “I’ll go get it. I’m fast on my feet.”
Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi to refuse, Hong Ying darted into the grass like a flying creature and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Hong Ying had sensed that her young master’s mood didn’t seem very good today. As the first maid beside the Princess, she might not excel at other things, but she had learned some of the Princess’s true skills in reading people’s expressions.
Pingguo remained silent as always, following behind Ren Yaoqi. Wherever her young lady was, she would be there. Whatever her young lady said was what went.
As for being tactful… what was that thing? Could it be eaten like steamed bread? Pingguo had always been a straightforward girl.
Ren Yaoqi could only temporarily stop walking.
Tong De had been leading the way ahead earlier, but now he was nowhere to be seen, so only Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jingxi, and Pingguo remained on the small path.
The two stood there for a while without speaking. Ren Yaoqi didn’t speak because she didn’t know what to say. This was just a mountain path, not very wide, so the two stood extremely close. The faint medicinal fragrance from Xiao Jingxi’s body was clear and pleasant, seeming always to have a power that could steady one’s heart.
This close distance reminded Ren Yaoqi of the sensation when Xiao Jingxi had touched her cheek and palm earlier. She had already decided to pretend she didn’t care, since at the time Xiao Jingxi was only concerned about whether she was injured and meant nothing by it. But for some reason, the warmth she had felt then still hadn’t dissipated. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but raise her hand to rub her jaw with the back of her hand, trying to rub away the inexplicable warmth on her face.
But as soon as she moved, Xiao Jingxi, who had been looking down, lost in thought, suddenly raised his eyes to look at her, frowning: “What’s wrong? Does it hurt?”
Ren Yaoqi quickly shook her head. After thinking, she lowered her head and said softly, “It’s a bit itchy.”
“Let me see.” Xiao Jingxi’s face suddenly drew near as he carefully examined the scratch on her face.
Ren Yaoqi felt quite embarrassed, standing stiffly with lowered eyes, not daring to move at all.
Later, she would think her behavior at that time was somewhat strange. She clearly could have pushed him away—if it were any other man so close to her, she would have lost her temper long ago. Was it because she knew in her heart that Young Master Xiao was physically weak and feared she might hurt him if she pushed? Or was it because Xiao Jingxi’s aura was too powerful, making her afraid to act rashly?
But at this moment, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t thinking so much. She just stood there holding her breath, doing nothing. Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi didn’t intend to stare at her face until flowers bloomed. Noticing Ren Yaoqi’s discomfort, he turned his body slightly: “There’s no redness or swelling. It should be fine. There’s medicine in the carriage—I’ll find it for you later.”
“Oh.” Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in response.
Xiao Jingxi glanced at her sideways, then suddenly recited softly and slowly: “From now on, green temples regard the grass, red sleeves add fragrance, dependents suspect immortals, essays glorify the nation.”
Ren Yaoqi was startled and blinked, not knowing how to react.
But Xiao Jingxi smiled and sighed softly: “You did know.” Though his heart was nervous at this moment, his tone was deliberately casual.
Ren Yaoqi moved her lips, not knowing how to respond.
After a pause, Xiao Jingxi said, “I didn’t know you taking my carriage would be dangerous.” That’s why he had said sorry when he saw her.
When Xiao Jingxi heard his subordinates report that something had happened on Ren Yaoqi’s side, the feeling in his heart was indescribable even to himself.
He thought that indeed, not everything could be calculated.
From then on, Xiao Jingxi also understood a principle: he could play mind games and schemes with anyone else in this world, but not with the person he liked, because the results would be unpredictable. Although this time, he had only wanted to use a more subtle method to express his feelings.
Hearing Xiao Jingxi say this, Ren Yaoqi also understood. Indeed, that book had been deliberately placed there by him. Strangely, Ren Yaoqi didn’t feel angry. She even found it somewhat amusing. It was hard to imagine that someone like Xiao Jingxi would do such a childish thing.
But Ren Yaoqi also couldn’t laugh, because the target of Xiao Jingxi’s childishness was her.
Ren Yaoqi didn’t know how to react. She wondered if she should remain silent and pretend she hadn’t heard anything. But when she turned and accidentally glimpsed what seemed to be some dejection hidden in Xiao Jingxi’s expression, she couldn’t help but speak, saying softly: “It’s alright, I don’t blame you.”
Xiao Jingxi turned to look at her, earnest and focused.
Ren Yaoqi also glanced at him, gently pursed her lips, then looked away again.
At this moment, Hong Ying returned, walking over to carefully drape the cloak in her hands over Ren Yaoqi. The cloak was somewhat long, perfectly covering her head and face as well.
Once the cloak was on, the familiar scent entered her nostrils, and Ren Yaoqi belatedly realized this cloak was Xiao Jingxi’s. No wonder—the carriage was Xiao Jingxi’s, and he surely wouldn’t keep women’s items at all times.
Since the cloak was already on, taking it off now would be affected, so Ren Yaoqi said nothing.
With the cloak, when walking through the thatch grass, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t cut by the grass.
Xiao Jingxi’s carriage was parked on the wider road outside. Ren Yaoqi glanced at it and felt it didn’t look like the one she had ridden earlier. After getting in the carriage, it indeed wasn’t the same one. Ren Yaoqi breathed a sigh of relief—otherwise, if that book were still there, she would be embarrassed.
This carriage wasn’t as refined as Xiao Jingxi’s, but the cushions were very soft and comfortable.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi sat down, Xiao Jingxi also entered.
Xiao Jingxi had ridden over on horseback earlier. The carriage had been driven over by Tong He after he left—there was only this one.
Xiao Jingxi sat across from Ren Yaoqi: “Tong Xi and the others have already left first. I’ll escort you to White Crane Town. Don’t worry, I won’t show my face.”
Xiao Jingxi didn’t dare let Ren Yaoqi ride alone in a Xiao family carriage back anymore. Although those assassins should have been targeting him, if they were after him, those people might not have been able to get close to the carriage. The hidden guards around Xiao Jingxi weren’t to be trifled with.
If he didn’t show his face, others wouldn’t know Ren Yaoqi was being escorted back by a man. The carriages of the Yanbei Prince’s mansion all looked similar from the outside—the Ren family would think it was Xiao Jinglin’s carriage bringing her back.
Ren Yaoqi said nothing. She couldn’t very well kick Xiao Jingxi out. Not to mention this was his carriage, but looking at Xiao Jingxi’s build, what if he fell and got hurt or became ill if she made him ride a horse? The Yanbei Prince’s mansion probably wouldn’t spare her.
Xiao Jingxi didn’t know he was being secretly scorned by his beloved. He had just found spare ointment from the drawer to give to Ren Yaoqi when he looked up and saw her gaze, asking somewhat puzzled: “What’s wrong?”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head and smiled: “Nothing. Are you cold?”
Xiao Jingxi: “…”
After a moment of silence, watching Pingguo finish applying medicine to Ren Yaoqi’s wounds and retreat to the corner, Xiao Jingxi suddenly said: “I’m only poisoned, not ill.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, not knowing why he would suddenly mention this. She had already had some guesses when he hurt his hand catching a spider for her last time, but now that Xiao Jingxi said it himself, Ren Yaoqi understood.
Xiao Jingxi coughed lightly, his eyes glancing elsewhere as he said quietly: “So, I’m not as physically weak as you think.” After saying this, Xiao Jingxi’s ear tips gradually reddened.
Ren Yaoqi blinked and stared at him blankly, then, thinking of something, her face also reddened.
“I, I wasn’t thinking about anything.” Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat embarrassed and angry, glaring at Xiao Jingxi.
Xiao Jingxi looked at her again, and Ren Yaoqi was still glaring at him.
Looking at her, Xiao Jingxi somehow couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile. Ren Yaoqi, still glaring, also burst into laughter with a “puchi” sound.
The atmosphere in the carriage inexplicably lightened again.
By this time, the sky outside had darkened. Fortunately, the place where Ren Yaoqi was ambushed wasn’t too far from White Crane Town. Though Xiao Jingxi had ordered Tong He outside to drive slower, they still reached White Crane Town.
The two sitting in the carriage hadn’t talked much, but neither felt awkward. It seemed that just sitting quietly like this, thinking nothing, saying nothing, just resting with closed eyes, could make time pass quickly.
The carriage finally stopped in front of the Ren family’s main gate. The Ren family’s gatekeeper had already run over to ask if Fifth Miss had returned, and Pingguo, who had been dozing by the carriage door, immediately sat up straight.
Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jingxi: “I’m getting out.”
Xiao Jingxi nodded and instructed: “Don’t let the wounds touch water. Apply medicine every two hours, and they won’t leave scars.”
Ren Yaoqi agreed and got out of the carriage with Pingguo’s help.
After Ren Yaoqi’s people entered the Ren mansion gates, Xiao Jingxi ordered the carriage to turn around and go back.
When Xiao Jingxi returned to White Cloud Temple, it was already late. Tong De, who had disappeared for a while earlier, came forward to report: “Young Master, all of today’s assassins have been caught. The matter of Miss Ren Fifth being in the carriage won’t spread.”
The Xiao Jingxi at this moment was completely different from the one who had sat in the carriage with Ren Yaoqi. He stopped walking and said calmly: “Are there any survivors?”
Tong De lowered his head and replied: “Two were still alive when caught, but they bit their tongues and killed themselves afterward.”
Xiao Jingxi wasn’t surprised: “These people generally have family members whose lives are held in others’ hands. But even if nothing was learned, it’s not hard to guess who made the move.”
Xiao Jingxi chuckled lightly: “There have never been few people who want me dead, but those who dare to act in Yanzhou and would use such third-rate desperados are only those few who think their own lives are charmed.”