No matter how good-tempered Yun Wenting was, hearing these words made him somewhat angry: “Second brother, what kind of talk is that?”

Yun Wenfang’s lips curved as he looked at Yun Wenting, raising an eyebrow: “Did I say something wrong? You were very angry when you saw Wu Yiyu bullying Xiao Jinglin just now. But when you stood before everyone, you still forced yourself to give her a smiling face and even invited her aboard the boat. Young Master Yun, aren’t you tired?”

Yun Wenting pressed his lips together and fell silent for a while, but didn’t get angry again. Instead, he asked calmly: “Oh? What would you have done then?”

Yun Wenfang actually tilted his head and seriously considered this, then sneered, half-joking and half-serious: “If her stick had been aimed at someone I cared about, I would have kicked her into the river. Then I’d tell her ‘Get lost and don’t let this young master see you again! I’ll kick you every time I see you!”

Hearing this, Yun Wenting laughed, shaking his head as he looked at his younger brother with tolerance, as if looking at a willful child: “You!”

Yun Wenfang raised an eyebrow: “What? Think I wouldn’t dare?”

Yun Wenting shook his head, saying gently: “No, I know you would dare.” Yun Wenting was silent for a moment. “But you can choose not to endure, yet the Yun family always needs someone to endure.”

Yun Wenting’s voice was very soft and still gentle. Yun Wenfang looked at him but couldn’t bring himself to say any mocking words.

After passing through the bridge arch, the painted boat sailed smoothly without obstruction.

“I apologize for frightening you. I didn’t expect to encounter them,” Xiao Jinglin said to Ren Yaoqi after settling into the painted boat.

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “I’m fine.”

Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment, then still said to Ren Yaoqi: “That woman just now is named Wu Yiyu. She’s my aunt’s only daughter and has always been at odds with me. Today you were with me… if you encounter her in the future, try to avoid her as much as possible. Don’t let yourself suffer losses.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “Are you worried she might implicate me as an innocent bystander? Don’t worry, I won’t be staying in Yunyang City for many days. I hardly go out either. In a few days, I’ll return to Bailu Town with my elders, so I probably won’t have the chance to encounter this Miss Wu.”

Xiao Jinglin felt this made sense, so she nodded and said nothing more.

The painted boat traveled northward along the city’s waterways. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, it gradually slowed down. Voices could be heard outside – the boat woman talking with someone. They must have reached the city gate’s sluice, where guards were stationed. Yunyang City was considered the first major stronghold of Yanbei, with sufficient garrison forces. However, since the waterways were rarely used, the guards at the north and south sluice gates were half the number of those at the four city gates.

Xiao Jinglin pulled out something like a warrant from her sleeve and gave it to her maid, telling her to take it outside. She sat by the window.

The guards outside naturally knew that anyone who could brazenly pass through the north sluice gate must be from the Prince’s mansion, so their routine questioning was also polite. After seeing the warrant the maid produced and glimpsing Xiao Jinglin’s profile sitting by the window, they immediately saluted and ordered their subordinates to open the sluice gate for passage.

The painted boat smoothly exited the inner city waterway, and the river channel gradually widened. Xiao Jinglin ordered her maid to pull open all the curtains on both sides of the painted boat so those inside could have an unobstructed view of the outside scenery.

Sunlight scattered across the broad river surface like fine, scattered golden light, sparkling brilliantly. The wind blowing in from outside carried the moist air with a fishy smell that wasn’t particularly pleasant, yet made one feel refreshed and invigorated.

The further they went from the city, the greener the vegetation on both banks became.

Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin each looked out their respective windows, both seemingly captivated by the different scenery outside. Neither spoke – these two often remained silent when together.

Until Xiao Jinglin instructed: “Stop here.”

Ren Yaoqi withdrew her gaze and looked toward Xiao Jinglin.

Xiao Jinglin rarely showed a smile: “Before you came today, I caught several fish. I’ve already had the restaurant people prepare them. Shall we eat hot pot here for lunch?” For some reason, Ren Yaoqi felt that when Xiao Jinglin talked about food, her eyes brightened. Though her tone remained indifferent, Ren Yaoqi could sense her happiness.

“That sounds wonderful. I haven’t had this in a long time,” Ren Yaoqi said with a smile.

A hot pot was a hollow copper vessel. The middle hollow part was used to hold charcoal fire, while the outer large “belly” was used to hold soup. After the soup boiled, raw meat or vegetables could be placed inside to cook.

Common people in Yanbei often ate this in winter – it was warming and convenient, and it was lively when the whole family sat around one table. Noble families also occasionally ate this, with the serving maids doing the work. If used for formal dining, each person would have their hot pot in front of them and could serve themselves.

The painted boat stopped by the shore, and Hongying and another maid successively brought things in from outside: copper pots, charcoal fire, sliced fish, mutton, meatballs, and some side dishes. It was much simpler than what Ren Yaoqi used to have at home.

Once the soup pot was brought in, the entire painted boat was filled with a special aroma that made one’s mouth water uncontrollably.

Ren Yaoqi’s eyes also brightened.

While arranging the dishes herself, Xiao Jinglin said, “I had someone get the soup base from Zuixian Residence.”

Zuixian Residence’s hot pot was famous throughout Yanbei, but…

“I remember Zuixian Residence doesn’t sell takeout?” Ren Yaoqi asked curiously.

In places like the capital, some famous restaurants and taverns had strange rules, and the stranger the rules, the more they were praised by young masters from prominent families, who considered it a form of elegance. Few people would use their power to break the rules established by shop owners. Of course, some didn’t play by the rules, but such people were generally from nouveau riche families who didn’t understand propriety and would be looked down upon and mocked if word got out.

Xiao Jinglin’s two maids lowered their heads and silently arranged the bowls and dishes.

Xiao Jinglin said indifferently, “Oh, I had my guards go directly to their kitchen and take it. It’s just a pot of soup – it’s not like I didn’t pay for it.”

“…”

Xiao Jinglin was completely oblivious to everyone’s expressions and frowned as she instructed her maid: “I want chili sauce, not sesame sauce.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jinglin’s manner and suddenly laughed out loud, pushing the condiment in front of her toward Xiao Jinglin: “Here, take this one. Let’s switch.”

Xiao Jinglin waved for the maids to step back, not letting them help serve the food, and began using her hands herself. The clothes she wore today had arrow sleeves, so her movements were very convenient. Without greeting Ren Yaoqi, she put fresh fish meat into the pot, swished it back and forth twice, then placed it in her bowl and began eating.

Ren Yaoqi’s sleeves were wide, making movement less convenient. Pingguo came forward: “Miss, let this servant serve you.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and methodically picked up several fish slices. Like when practicing calligraphy or painting, she used her left hand to roll up her right sleeve and began cooking the meat in the soup.

She performed this action with the same elegance as writing or painting, yet her meat-cooking technique was no less skilled than Xiao Jinglin’s, completely at ease.

Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but stop her movements and look at Ren Yaoqi with surprise.

Ren Yaoqi winked at her and then put the fish meat in her mouth.

When Ren Yaoqi reached for more meat, Xiao Jinglin came to her senses and continued eating, not to be outdone.

Xiao Jinglin ate as she had the previous time – very quickly, making even the observers feel their appetite increase.

The two ate silently, focused on their meal, eating until they were covered in perspiration, thoroughly satisfied.

When most of the food on the table had been consumed, Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but smile at Ren Yaoqi: “This meal was truly satisfying.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “Thank you, Princess, for thinking of me whenever there’s good food.”

Last time when they met, Xiao Jinglin had taken her to eat braised donkey meat, and this time it was the hot pot she had “commandeered.” Both were special, very memorable experiences.

Xiao Jinglin was in a good mood and spoke more: “You’re different from them.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: “Different how?”

Xiao Jinglin tilted her head to think, frowning childishly: “Eating with you is very comfortable. It’s good that I called you today. If Xiao Jingxi had come instead, he would have more rules than any lady! Just watching him eat would fill you up.”

Faced with Xiao Jinglin’s complaints, Ren Yaoqi could only pretend not to hear, though she was laughing inside.

However, she really couldn’t imagine someone like Xiao Jingxi sweating profusely while eating hot pot. She felt he should be the type who didn’t eat, didn’t use the privy, and could sustain himself daily just by smelling incense.

After the two finished eating and chatted about this and that for a while, Ren Yaoqi suddenly heard what seemed like firecrackers and drumbeats from the nearby river surface. She looked outside with some curiosity.

Xiao Jinglin said, “The dragon boat race is about to begin. Shall we take our boat over there too?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “This is my first time, so whatever the Princess decides is fine.”

“Xiao Jinglin.” Xiao Jinglin waved for her maid to instruct the boat woman to paddle over, then turned to Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi was first startled, then immediately understood and nodded with a smile: “When no one else is around, I’ll call you Jinglin and you call me Yaoqi. Is that alright?”

Xiao Jinglin’s lips curved slightly in a very faint smile: “Good.”

The dragon boat race venue was the same every year, with high platforms erected at both the starting and finishing points on shore, decorated with red silk and lanterns, as well as chairs and tables. After the painted boat traveled for another quarter hour, Ren Yaoqi could see the platforms on the shore.

Xiao Jinglin had the boatwoman stop the painted boat at a position near the shore with a good view. Looking out the window, Ren Yaoqi could see Old Master Han and another elderly man of similar age sitting on the high platform, chatting happily. Old Master Ren was also up there, though he wasn’t seated in the place of honor like Old Master Han.