Earlier, when Ren Yaoqi heard Ren Shimin mention going to the warm pavilion in the garden to drink tea and play chess, she directly emerged from the covered walkway and headed down the small path leading to the flower garden.
The Ren family’s flower garden, with its pavilions, towers, water pavilions, and flying eaves, all followed the southern architectural style. Although many cold-sensitive flowers and plants couldn’t survive due to the geographical conditions, seasonal flowers were replaced every season. Therefore, the garden was filled with clusters of blooming flowers throughout the year.
In the center of the garden stood a lake pavilion, which was an excellent place to escape the summer heat. However, since the surroundings were planted with spring and summer seasonal flowers and plants, during autumn and winter, the lake pavilion offered only withered lotus stems and desolate white expanses. With wind cutting through from all sides and bone-chilling gusts, once autumn arrived, the masters of the Ren family would abandon the pavilion and move to the warm pavilion nestled among the plum grove in the northwest corner.
Though the warm pavilion wasn’t large, it had heated floors with dragon flues, and all four sides had windows covered with glass paper, through which one could faintly see the surrounding sparse shadows and slanting branches—refined and elegant. Ren Shimin often came here to compose poetry.
When Ren Yaoqi approached the warm pavilion, it was completely silent inside, yet she continued walking without stopping.
“You two go wait in that pavilion over there. I’ll come out after speaking a few words with Father.” In a nearby pavilion, two maids were gathered around a charcoal brazier, warming themselves. They appeared to be the maids responsible for this warm pavilion, having been sent out by the master inside.
Seeing someone approaching, the two maids stood up. One was about to come forward when Xi’er, not waiting for them to approach, smiled and quickly walked over. Xueli originally wanted to say something, but after glancing at Ren Yaoqi and thinking it over, she bowed and turned to follow Xi’er.
Ren Yaoqi raised her hand and lifted the curtain of the warm pavilion.
Inside the warm pavilion sat a low table with Ren Yijun and an unfamiliar young man seated at opposite ends. Ren Shimin sat sideways, holding a small teapot, sipping while observing the game. All three—whether the players or the observer—were completely absorbed, not even noticing someone had entered.
Only Ren Yijun’s servant, crouching nearby, looked up. Seeing Ren Yaoqi quietly gesture to him, he crouched back down.
This was Ren Yaoqi’s first time seeing this legendary young master of the Han family face to face.
She saw he had removed his fur cloak, wearing only a white robe with orchid grass embroidered on the sleeves and lapels. His black hair was neat, eyebrows well-defined, nose bridge high, and lips thin and pressed together. His expression while pondering with his head slightly tilted was serious and contemplative. From her angle, she could sense his slightly lowered eyes with their upturned corners.
This was a man of outstanding appearance and composed temperament.
As if sensing Ren Yaoqi’s gaze, he looked up. His narrow eyes were dark and deep as a winter night.
Ren Yaoqi calmly lowered her eyes, curtsied in his direction, then walked straight to Ren Shimin’s side without looking sideways.
Only then did Ren Shimin notice her. Though surprised, he gently waved his hand, indicating she should remain silent for now and wait until the chess game finished to speak. “Observe chess in silence”—never disturb the players’ concentration—this was a rule Ren Shimin always followed.
Ren Yijun frowned and glared at her with undisguised displeasure, then quickly turned his head away, no longer looking at her.
Ren Yaoqi stood quietly behind Ren Shimin, making no sound as she stared at the chessboard before them.
The reason Ren Yijun and Ren Shimin got along so well was their similar interests. Besides enjoying poetry composition, playing musical instruments, and painting, they were both passionate about chess and considered skilled players.
However, despite this, Ren Yijun was losing this game.
A quarter-hour later, Ren Yijun let out a long sigh and conceded defeat by throwing down his pieces.
“I lost again!” Ren Yijun said this without any displeasure in his tone. Then he turned to Ren Shimin: “Third Uncle, this fellow is truly formidable. I’ve lost three games in a row. You should take my place and dampen his spirits!”
The Han young master lowered his head with a smile, silently collecting the chess pieces.
Having observed half the game, Ren Shimin was already itching to play, somewhat eager to try. He looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked quietly: “Yaoyao, can whatever you need to discuss wait until after I finish this game?”
Ren Yaoqi nodded, and Ren Shimin immediately switched seats with Ren Yijun in high spirits.
The battle began again.
Ren Yaoqi continued watching silently, maintaining an extremely low presence. Therefore, no one found her presence bothersome.
This time, Ren Shimin lasted longer than Ren Yijun, but ultimately still met defeat, losing by two pieces.
Ren Yaoqi looked at the final board position, lost in thought.
Another round yielded the same result—this time, Ren Shimin lost by three pieces.
Ren Yijun laughed heartily, stretching out his hand to pat the Han young master’s shoulder, saying with great appreciation: “You kid, you’re really something!”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. This was the first time she’d seen Ren Yijun laugh, and laugh so heartily at that. With this laugh, the somewhat gloomy aura he usually carried instantly dissipated, revealing the liveliness and vitality of youth, making him appear several degrees more handsome.
Ren Shimin also looked at the Han young master with appreciation: “Yunqian, I concede!”
Looking at the two men of the Ren family, Ren Yaoqi finally understood why her father, who had never interfered in household affairs in her previous life, would suddenly take it upon himself to concern himself with his daughter’s marriage. He genuinely hoped that Han Yunqian would become his son-in-law. In his eyes, skill in painting, calligraphy, and chess were his standards for choosing friends and also for choosing a son-in-law.
Among his daughters, Ren Yaohua’s age was most suitable for Han Yunqian.
“Another round?” Ren Yijun suggested enthusiastically.
Han Yunqian glanced outside and said with some apology: “It’s getting late. I’m afraid my mother and sister have already returned home. Shall we stop here for today? Next time, I’ll be the host and invite you both to my residence for tea and chess.”
Ren Yijun had a peculiar temperament—if he found you agreeable, he would be very tolerant of you. Conversely, if you annoyed him, he would oppose you at every turn.
Han Yunqian suited his taste, so even though his suggestion was declined, he showed no irritation. Instead, he nodded: “That sounds good. What do you think, Third Uncle?”
Ren Shimin was an easygoing person who didn’t insist, smiling: “Then we’ll play next time. I need to study winning strategies thoroughly today.”
Han Yunqian rose to take his leave, and Ren Shimin also stood: “I’ll accompany you out.”
Han Yunqian quickly said: “You are an elder—how could Yunqian trouble you to see me off? Yunqian still needs to visit Old Madam to bid farewell.”
Ren Shimin suddenly remembered his daughter was still waiting for him and looked at Ren Yaoqi with some hesitation.
Ren Yijun waved dismissively: “Why bother with such empty formalities? Would Yunqian blame us for being inhospitable? I’ll have Duobao escort him. Third Uncle, sit down and let’s discuss the previous chess moves, shall we?” He acted completely without reserve.
Han Yunqian smiled and nodded, then bowed to everyone.
“Young Master Han, Duobao will escort you out,” Ren Yijun’s servant stepped forward.
Han Yunqian followed Duobao out. Ren Yaoqi quietly watched his retreating figure disappear from the warm pavilion, never uttering a word from beginning to end.
“Third Uncle, shall we replay the previous game?” Ren Yijun was eager to try, speaking while beginning to restore the board to the position when Ren Shimin had just begun showing signs of defeat.
“Yaoyao, did you need to discuss something with Father?” Ren Shimin asked his daughter with a smile.
“Third Uncle, whatever it is, can wait until later,” Ren Yijun said impatiently, glaring at Ren Yaoqi with obvious irritation.
Ren Yaoqi winked at Ren Shimin, then crouched down to help Ren Yijun with the replay.
Ren Yijun glanced at her, and seeing she made no mistakes, let her continue.
Ren Shimin laughed heartily and patted Ren Yaoqi’s head before sitting across from Ren Yijun.
“I remember this was where Third Uncle began losing. Yunqian’s move there was brilliant! In an instant, he secured half the territory.” As he spoke, Ren Yijun placed a piece, following Han Yunqian’s previous path. “Third Uncle, let me give you another chance to turn defeat into victory?”
Ren Shimin held his small teapot, stroking his chin and pondering for a long time. Just as he was about to place his piece, he suddenly saw a slender, pale little hand reach out, take the white piece from his hand, and place it on the board.
Ren Shimin was stunned, not understanding what had happened.
Ren Yijun was angry and about to scold, but when his eyes swept across the board, they immediately widened: “Brilliant… move!”
“Is that Han young master so formidable?” Ren Yaoqi propped her chin and made a face, looking completely unconvinced. “I don’t think so.”