Upon reaching Feiwu Pavilion, Xiao Jinglin quietly comforted Ren Yaoqi, fearing she might be nervous, “Don’t be afraid. Although grandmother has a cold temperament, she’s not unreasonable.” After pausing, she added, “No matter what, I’m here with you.”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t really say she felt nervous or afraid – she had weathered far more difficult times. She was simply curious about Noble Consort Yun’s attitude, since Noble Consort Yun was Xiao Jingxi’s biological grandmother, different from the Old Princess Consort.
Feiwu Pavilion was filled with sandalwood incense mixed with what seemed like mint fragrance – a rich, refreshing scent that cleared the mind. Noble Consort Yun’s maid led Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi through the main room and lifted the carved bamboo curtain on the right.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered the right side room, she saw Noble Consort Yun sitting on a huanghuali wood arhat bed with rattan surface, carved with the Three Stars pattern and surrounded by a three-panel screen. She had changed into different clothes, still very plain. Seeing them enter, she looked over indifferently without expression.
Xiao Jinglin led Ren Yaoqi forward to bow to Noble Consort Yun. Ren Yaoqi kept her head lowered and performed the movements meticulously, then Noble Consort Yun’s maid guided them to sit.
The room fell silent – Noble Consort Yun didn’t speak.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Noble Consort Yun and took the initiative to speak, “Grandmother, do you notice that Feiwu Pavilion has changed?”
Noble Consort Yun made a noncommittal “mm” sound.
Xiao Jinglin continued, “Grandmother hasn’t been here for many years, right? A few years ago, Father had the hot spring villa renovated, and Feiwu Pavilion was changed in many places. Are you comfortable with it, grandmother?”
Only then did Noble Consort Yun turn to look at Xiao Jinglin, frowning, “I’m not used to you suddenly being so talkative.”
Xiao Jinglin: “…”
So silence fell again.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was wondering if she should say something, Noble Consort Yun suddenly said to her, “How did you come to know Wenfang?”
As soon as Noble Consort Yun said this, both Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin nearly changed expression.
Xiao Jinglin quickly said, “Grandmother—”
But Noble Consort Yun raised her hand and quietly stopped her, “I wasn’t asking you. Sit properly.”
Xiao Jinglin frowned but was helpless, looking at Ren Yaoqi with worry.
Ren Yaoqi quickly regained her composure and, without much hesitation, replied frankly, “My grandmother and Old Madam Yun are clan sisters. Second Young Master Yun is my distant cousin. When he was young, he lived with the Ren family for a time.” Even if Ren Yaoqi didn’t say this, Noble Consort Yun would know it.
Noble Consort Yun looked at Ren Yaoqi for a while with a noncommittal expression.
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t quite gauge Noble Consort Yun’s meaning. Noble Consort Yun had summoned her and suddenly brought up Yun Wenfang – she must have heard something. Was Noble Consort Yun trying to make trouble? But without evidence, how could she? There was nothing between her and Yun Wenfang, and he hadn’t appeared for a long time – her engagement was even settled.
Ren Yaoqi didn’t know about Yun Wenfang being injured by Xiao Jingxi. Xiao Jingxi hadn’t told her, and the Yun family wouldn’t publicize such a matter.
Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, Noble Consort Yun’s maid came in to report that Second Young Master Xiao had arrived.
Ren Yaoqi was startled. Noble Consort Yun looked at Ren Yaoqi thoughtfully.
When Xiao Jingxi entered, he didn’t look toward Ren Yaoqi. Like an ordinary grandson, he stepped forward to bow and pay his respects to Noble Consort Yun.
Noble Consort Yun frowned, “Haven’t you been so busy recently that you’re like a dragon – visible head but not tail? How do you have time to come today?”
Xiao Jingxi’s expression didn’t change as he smiled, “Grandmother has come. Grandson naturally must come pay respects.”
Noble Consort Yun twitched the corner of her mouth, saying meaningfully, “Your timing for paying respects is quite clever.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi didn’t argue, only smiling at Noble Consort Yun with a somewhat bashful expression of being caught by an elder.
Seeing this, Noble Consort Yun didn’t make things difficult for him further and waved for him to sit.
Xiao Jinglin secretly rolled her eyes, thoroughly despising Xiao Jingxi’s act. She felt Xiao Jingxi probably didn’t even know how to write the characters for “bashful.”
Only then did Xiao Jingxi turn his gaze to the others in the room, asking with a smile, “What were you all chatting about so happily just now?”
Everyone in the room: “…”
Which eye saw us chatting happily? Even shameless lies should have limits!
Noble Consort Yun glanced at Xiao Jingxi and lowered her head to drink tea.
Xiao Jingxi wasn’t afraid of awkward silences at all. He began skillfully chatting with Noble Consort Yun. Although Noble Consort Yun barely spoke, the atmosphere in the room was unknowingly lightened by him. Regarding this skill of Xiao Jingxi’s, Xiao Jinglin admitted defeat.
Seeing everyone being led by Xiao Jingxi’s nose, Noble Consort Yun finally set down her teacup with neither light nor heavy force and said quietly, “I don’t like meddling in others’ affairs, and I haven’t meddled in anything these years. If you all can’t stand me speaking, then I simply won’t say anything. I don’t stay in the manor many days throughout the year anyway.”
After Noble Consort Yun said this, even Xiao Jingxi had to soften his tone, “What grandmother manages naturally doesn’t count as meddling.”
Noble Consort Yun looked at him indifferently, “Let me ask you – what should be the standard for a gentleman choosing a wife? Selecting virtue or talent? Is character important or appearance important?”
After this question, the room couldn’t help but fall quiet. Though Noble Consort Yun was dressed, when she asked this question expressionlessly, there was an imposing aura that couldn’t be ignored.
Xiao Jingxi wasn’t affected by this pressure at all. He lowered his head to think, then smiled, “Grandson doesn’t know the standard for a gentleman choosing a wife, but ordinary people all want to marry women who possess both virtue and talent, beauty and grace, as companions.”
“Both virtue and talent? Beauty and grace?” Noble Consort Yun looked at Xiao Jingxi with seeming amusement, “Quite ambitious – have you found one?”
Xiao Jingxi glanced at Ren Yaoqi but didn’t answer Noble Consort Yun’s question. Instead, as if thinking of something amusing, he smiled and said, “Father said this was what grandfather taught him back then, and he passed it on to his grandson word for word.”
Noble Consort Yun: “…”
Noble Consort Yun was rendered speechless by Xiao Jingxi’s words. This topic was hard to continue – otherwise, she’d have to question the old Prince and Yanbei Prince.
Noble Consort Yun rarely showed emotion as she glared at Xiao Jingxi. The atmosphere inexplicably lightened again, and several maids beside Noble Consort Yun all looked like they were suppressing laughter.
“What else did your grandfather and father teach you? Let’s hear it all,” Noble Consort Yun said with a cold snort.
Xiao Jingxi supported his chin with his fingers, pretending to think, then looked at Noble Consort Yun seriously, “Also, even if you can’t marry someone with both virtue and talent, beauty and grace, you absolutely cannot marry the type who likes to stir up trouble and gossip. The principle of being close to worthy people and distant from petty ones applies equally to the inner chambers.”
Hearing this, Noble Consort Yun was stunned, and her expression became somewhat unpleasant.
After a long while, she sighed and said somewhat wearily, “Enough. You all may go. I’m a bit tired.”
Xiao Jingxi was the first to rise obediently, saying respectfully, “Grandmother, rest well. We’ll come pay our respects another day.”
Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi also rose.
Noble Consort Yun didn’t look at them again, supporting herself on her maid’s hand as she walked to the right inner room.
Only after Noble Consort Yun left did they withdraw from Feiwu Pavilion.
Xiao Jinglin said, “How did you know we were summoned by our grandmother?” Naturally, Xiao Jinglin wouldn’t believe Xiao Jingxi happened to encounter them while paying respects to Noble Consort Yun – no one would believe such words.
Xiao Jingxi only smiled without answering.
Xiao Jinglin immediately realized that probably the entire hot spring villa was now filled with Xiao Jingxi’s informants, reporting every movement to him.
Xiao Jinglin snorted and said nothing more.
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi and said gently, “Grandmother probably won’t look for you again. As for the people outside, you can refuse to see them all. When you go out, it’s best to be with Jinglin and keep Leshan and Leshui with you. Although the hot spring villa is Xiao family territory, there are many people and eyes these days – we must guard against any mishaps.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi nodded in agreement.
Xiao Jingxi looked at her several more times, then glanced at Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin secretly rolled her eyes and reluctantly turned to walk a few steps ahead, but wouldn’t go far, only maintaining a distance of three or four steps from them.
Xiao Jingxi knew that with Xiao Jinglin’s hearing, she could still hear their conversation. He didn’t mind – he only had Xiao Jinglin make a show of avoiding them because he feared Ren Yaoqi might feel embarrassed due to her thin skin.
“I’m staying at Youlan Pavilion. If there’s anything you can’t handle, have Leshan or Leshui find me. Don’t try to tough it out alone. No matter what, I’m always standing behind you, so don’t be afraid.” Xiao Jingxi lowered his voice.
Xiao Jingxi didn’t mention Yun Wenfang, whom Noble Consort Yun had asked about. That was just an insignificant trifle – as he defined it, someone was stirring up trouble.
Xiao Jingxi’s deep, pleasant voice sounded gently in Ren Yaoqi’s ear. Though she was already familiar with it, it still made her heart race uncontrollably. She didn’t dare raise her head, blushing as she made a soft “mm” sound.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s obedient appearance, Xiao Jingxi always felt an indescribable joy in his heart. Using his sleeve as cover, he gently squeezed Ren Yaoqi’s hand, then quickly released it before she could react.
Ren Yaoqi finally looked up at him once, her cheeks flushed red.
The brief contact caused ripples in both their hearts, and the air was filled with the sweet, cloying fragrance of gardenias.
The two stood facing each other for a while, until Xiao Jinglin could bear it no longer and cleared her throat lightly, breaking the inexplicable atmosphere around them. Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly and turned to leave.
That evening, the Princess Consort held a banquet at Yunqi Pavilion in the hot spring villa, entertaining the young ladies who had come to participate in the Thousand Gold Banquet. Court ladies and Yanbei ladies gathered together in one hall – a hundred flowers blooming, competing in beauty and elegance. The scene was more lively than ever before.