Although Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat surprised and delighted by Xiao Jingxi’s words, she hadn’t been overwhelmed by joy to the point of losing her composure, so she voiced her doubts.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi smiled and comforted her: “That’s why this matter still lacks an opportunity.” He thought for a moment, then continued, “It’s not possible now. This opportunity hasn’t arrived yet; we must wait a bit longer.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded. She was somewhat curious about what exactly the opportunity Xiao Jingxi mentioned referred to, but seeing that Xiao Jingxi didn’t seem inclined to elaborate with her right now, she didn’t press further. Since Xiao Jingxi had said this, it meant he had some confidence in the matter – this much Ren Yaoqi could trust.

The two walked along together. Though they weren’t walking quickly, the exit of the plum grove was already coming into view.

Xiao Jingxi suddenly asked: “I heard you also have a pair of twin maidservants?”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, somewhat surprised: “Yes, they’re currently being raised at my maternal grandfather’s house, learning some martial arts skills with someone there.”

Xiao Jingxi should be referring to Leshan and Leshui. When Ren Yaoqi went to Prince Xian’s manor, she would sometimes see these two sisters. Both sisters practiced very diligently, and over these years, they had made considerable progress. Ren Yaoqi herself didn’t know martial arts, so she couldn’t evaluate others’ martial prowess, but according to Xia Sheng, these two girls were good material for martial arts training and could be considered his accomplished disciples. Ren Yaoqi planned to find an opportunity next year to bring them back.

However, how did Xiao Jingxi know of Leshan and Leshui’s existence? And what was his intention in asking her about this now?

Thinking of Nanxing, who had just been following Xiao Jingxi and Hongying by Xiao Jinglin’s side, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but say jokingly: “What? Young Master Xiao wants to ask me for people again?”

Ren Yaoqi emphasized the word “again.” After hearing this, Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but smile bitterly inwardly, knowing that Ren Yaoqi was remembering how he had previously taken Tongxi and Zhu Ruomei from her hands, and was now mocking him.

However, on the surface, he still refuted with serious composure while smiling: “How could that be? Am I really that short of people?”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi and smiled without speaking.

In her heart, she thought that even if Xiao Jingxi truly took a liking to Leshan and Leshui this time and wanted to ask her for them, she wouldn’t be willing to give them up. She had spent great effort cultivating these people for several years – how could there be such a cheap deal where Xiao Jingxi could just take them away upon seeing them?

Xiao Jingxi cleared his throat softly and said, “Because twins have similar appearances and connected hearts, if properly trained, they can sometimes have unexpected uses. For instance, Hongying and Nanxing can do some things that others cannot.”

Hearing Xiao Jingxi say this, Ren Yaoqi thought of how Nanxing had just been able to impersonate Hongying almost flawlessly.

“So, I’m just asking if you’d like to hand them over to me first. After they’re properly trained, you can have them back, so as not to waste their talents.” Fearing that Ren Yaoqi would misunderstand that he wanted to compete with her for people again, Xiao Jingxi said carefully, “Moreover, if they’re given to you later in the name of the Princess Consort or a Princess, it would be more convenient for you to use them in your affairs.”

Xiao Jingxi’s words stirred something in Ren Yaoqi’s heart. What Xiao Jingxi said made a lot of sense – if Leshan and Leshui came from the Yanbei Prince’s manor, it would indeed be more advantageous for future affairs.

If she brought them back herself, Leshan and Leshui would be the Ren family’s maidservants. Before she left the Ren family, Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren would have the right to dispose of them. But if they had the background of the Yanbei Prince’s manor, then in the future, aside from herself, no one else would dare to point fingers at her maidservants. Moreover, allowing Leshan and Leshui to learn more things would naturally only bring benefits without harm.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s expression, Xiao Jingxi knew she was somewhat swayed, and he also said jokingly: “Don’t worry, I won’t privately withhold your maidservants and not return them. I’ll send them back to you after one year.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh. After thinking it over again, she nodded in agreement: “Alright.”

Seeing her agree, Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but curve his lips slightly.

Setting other things aside, the fact that Ren Yaoqi was willing to entrust her future personal maidservants and capable assistants to him clearly showed she trusted him greatly. As for why he wanted to take over Ren Yaoqi’s future personal maidservants and capable assistants first, Xiao Jingxi’s little schemes were known only to himself.

“I’ll have Nanxing go pick them up later,” Xiao Jingxi said with some pleasure in his voice.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi but said nothing.

The two reached the crossroads, and their steps involuntarily stopped. Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi, and Ren Yaoqi also looked at him. After a moment of silence, Ren Yaoqi said softly: “I’m going back.”

Xiao Jingxi, with a smile in his eyes, suddenly raised his hand toward Ren Yaoqi’s cheek. Ren Yaoqi was startled and didn’t dare move for that instant. However, Xiao Jingxi’s hand moved slightly upward to stop at her temple, then quickly and gently plucked a plum blossom that had just been inadvertently blown onto her hairline. He then smiled at her slightly, with some childish mischief.

Ren Yaoqi’s face reddened somewhat, her heartbeat still a bit rapid. After realizing she had been teased, she couldn’t help but glare at him. At this time, Nanxing and Ren Yaoqi’s two maidservants had already approached silently, so Ren Yaoqi didn’t say much more.

“I’m leaving,” she said softly.

Xiao Jingxi nodded and stepped aside to let Ren Yaoqi leave first.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and walked back along the path with her maidservants. Only after Ren Yaoqi’s figure disappeared into the plum grove did Xiao Jingxi leave with Nanxing via another path.

Ren Yaoqi returned along the original route, but before she could reach the warm pavilion where the young ladies had been gathering, she heard commotion from the lakeside not far ahead, seemingly with maidservants screaming.

Ren Yaoqi’s steps paused, and she frowned.

Sangshen asked: “Miss, should we go take a look?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head without thinking: “No, let’s go back. Whatever happened, we’ll know about it later.”

She wasn’t someone with heavy curiosity, and she understood the principle that one shouldn’t linger in places of trouble. After saying this, she turned to leave.

However, after taking only a few steps, footsteps appeared ahead.

Ren Yaoqi looked up and saw someone walking around the corner not far away. She couldn’t help but freeze, her steps also pausing. The person was walking quickly, his brows slightly furrowed, but the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned to one side. Although he seemed to be smiling, there was sarcasm in that smile, making him appear somewhat cynical and a bit impatient.

Ren Yaoqi hadn’t expected to suddenly encounter him here.

The approaching person also saw Ren Yaoqi at a glance. His steps paused as well, but his eyes suddenly brightened. The originally furrowed brows instantly smoothed out, and the originally sarcastic smile on his face became sunny.

His feet didn’t stop moving. With long legs and quick steps, he reached Ren Yaoqi in an instant. “Where did you just go? I’ve been looking for you for a long time!” This was his opening line. Although it was a questioning statement, his voice was deep and pleasant, as if the two were already extremely familiar with each other and had only just parted.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes and, taking advantage of curtsying, stepped back slightly to increase the distance between them. “Second Young Master Yun.” Compared to Yun Wenfang’s joy and excitement, Ren Yaoqi was much more indifferent.

Yun Wenfang’s gaze remained fixed on Ren Yaoqi, not wanting to blink even once. The joy of seeing her again made him ignore Ren Yaoqi’s coldness and distance – he just wanted to keep looking at his beloved like this.

“You’ve grown taller.” Yun Wenfang gestured between Ren Yaoqi’s head and his chest, smiling brilliantly. His face no longer showed that half-smiling expression, but a truly radiant and carefree smile.

Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly, not knowing how to respond.

She wanted to walk around Yun Wenfang, but knowing his temperament, she realized this action might anger him. She didn’t want to cause a scene with him here and attract attention.

Just then, footsteps sounded from the direction Yun Wenfang had come from – someone was heading this way.

Yun Wenfang naturally heard this. The smile on his face diminished slightly, his brows furrowed again. He looked at Ren Yaoqi with some hesitation and struggle, but finally said: “I’ll leave first, to avoid dragging you into messy affairs.”

Although Ren Yaoqi didn’t know what he meant by this, she immediately stepped aside to clear the path.

Looking at Ren Yaoqi, Yun Wenfang continued: “No matter what others say, don’t believe them. I… I remember everything I said back then, and you must remember it too, understand?” Though Yun Wenfang spoke this sentence somewhat quickly and still domineeringly, it was rarely gentle and kind in tone.

At this time, the footsteps were already very close. Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi to speak, Yun Wenfang darted into a small path. Ren Yaoqi’s vision blurred, and he disappeared.

At the same time, several people appeared on the path Yun Wenfang had taken, all walking hurriedly with anxious expressions. Ren Yaoqi glanced at them and found they were unfamiliar maidservants and old women, except for one old woman who looked somewhat familiar – she seemed to be from the Xu family.

“When she was rescued, she barely had any breath left. In such cold weather with the lake water so freezing, and having to wait for a physician – it’s truly sinful!” one old woman said as she walked.

They also saw Ren Yaoqi and immediately stopped talking, hurriedly curtsying.

Ren Yaoqi nodded. Seeing their urgent expressions and thinking of the few sentences she had just heard, she didn’t detain them to ask more questions and let them pass.

Sangshen whispered, “Miss, did someone fall into the water?”

Ren Yaoqi frowned and shook her head: “I don’t know. Let’s go find Mother and the others first.”

Knowing something had happened, Ren Yaoqi didn’t delay and immediately went to find Li Shi and Ren Yaohua.

Before reaching the previous warm room, Ren Yaoqi saw Wujing running over while looking around. Upon seeing Ren Yaoqi, she was greatly relieved and immediately approached, saying: “Fifth Miss, we’ve finally found you! Third Miss sent this servant to look for you and bring you back.”