Afterward, Ren Yaoting and the Han siblings indeed found Ren Yaoyu and brought her back. Since it was getting late, everyone decided to return home. Only Ren Yaoyu was still clamoring to walk through the Nine-Curve Eight Trigrams Lantern Array once and refused to leave. Ren Yijun mercilessly mocked her with a few words, leaving Ren Yaoyu both ashamed and indignant. After finally persuading Ren Yaoyu to settle down, the group returned to where the carriages were parked to find Ren Yaohua.

Since Xiangqin had already told Ren Yaohua about Ren Yaoqi defeating Han Yunqian, when Ren Yaoqi got into the carriage, although Ren Yaohua still maintained a cold expression and wouldn’t speak to her, she didn’t make any sarcastic remarks either.

The Han family lived closer, and Ren Yaoting insisted on escorting Hanyou, so the Ren family carriage traveled together with the Han family’s carriage. When the carriage stopped at the Han family gate, Han Yunqian specifically came to Ren Yaoqi’s carriage and said quietly, “Tomorrow, Yunqian will visit the Ren residence.”

Though it was only this one sentence, Ren Yaoqi knew he was referring to the painting matter and couldn’t help but thank him through the curtain.

Listening to Han Yunqian’s footsteps receding, Ren Yaoqi suddenly thought of the man she had encountered earlier. When she came back to her senses, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel bewildered. She hadn’t even seen his face clearly, yet he had left an inexplicably deep impression on her. Could she have seen a ghost?

The rest of the night passed without incident.

The next morning, Ren Yaoqi sought out Ren Shimin early. At that time, Ren Shimin was practicing sword forms in the west courtyard with a bamboo sword he had carved himself. After he finished his practice, Ren Yaoqi personally brought him tea and a towel, then told him about wanting him to give her the painting meant for Han Yunqian.

Upon hearing this, Ren Shimin frowned: “How can there be reason to ask back something that’s already been given away? If Yaoqi likes it, Daddy can paint another one for you.”

Ren Yaoqi was completely unreasonable: “Another painting wouldn’t be that one! I like that specific one!”

Ren Shimin, somewhat troubled, tried to reason with her: “But that one has already been given to Han Yunqian. Asking for it back would be ungentlemanly.”

“He lost it to me! Not giving it to me would be ungentlemanly!”

Ren Shimin was startled: “He lost it to you?”

Ren Yaoqi then told him about the previous night’s lantern array competition, where Han Yunqian lost to her.

After hearing this, Ren Shimin first laughed heartily, then, after coming to his senses, suddenly glared at Ren Yaoqi: “You used my painting as a wager!”

Ren Yaoqi quickly said, “It was Third Brother who insisted we compete! I wanted your painting, so I agreed. If I hadn’t wanted to get your painting back, I wouldn’t have competed with him! Besides, since he was willing to wager your painting with me, it shows he doesn’t truly treasure it. A fine horse seeks a worthy rider, a precious sword is given to a hero—that painting should belong to me so as not to disgrace it!”

When Ren Yaoqi played the rogue, she was shameless and without conscience, throwing all moral integrity to the dogs.

Ren Shimin’s expression improved somewhat, and he hesitated: “You want that painting so much? But you haven’t even seen that painting—”

“Isn’t there a phrase called ‘kindred spirits who’ve long known each other’? I want that ‘Autumn Chrysanthemum Painting,’ want it so much that knowing it’s in someone else’s hands keeps me from sleeping.”

Ren Yaoqi’s last statement was true. If she let Ren Shimin’s weakness fall into the Han family’s hands again in this life, she really would lose sleep every night.

Ren Shimin was somewhat afraid of her unreasonable pestering and could only say: “We’ll talk about it when he comes.”

Ren Yaoqi was finally satisfied and followed Ren Shimin into the study.

Ren Shimin looked at the tail following behind him and said helplessly: “When he comes to return the painting, I’ll just receive it. You don’t need to follow me.”

“I have other matters to discuss with Daddy.” Ren Yaoqi smiled as she followed Ren Shimin to sit beside the desk.

Ren Shimin chuckled and glared at her: “Discuss what? Have you set your sights on something else, Daddy gave away? If you keep being naughty, I’ll punish you… punish you by making you copy the ‘Women’s Precepts’!” After saying this, Ren Shimin thought this was a good idea and felt rather pleased with himself.

Ren Yaoqi’s face darkened. After thinking for a moment, she said: “When I was seriously ill last time and suffering every day, after I recovered, I made a vow before the Buddha, asking her to bless me and my family with good health. I promised to do at least one good deed each year to help those in need.”

Ren Shimin listened seriously.

Ren Yaoqi then told him about meeting Zhu Ruomei and his mother’s illness: “Saving one life is worth building a seven-story pagoda. Moreover, since I hope for my loved ones’ peace and health, I deeply sympathize with Zhu Ruomei.”

When Ren Yaoqi spoke of this, her eyes reddened. Her willingness to help Zhu Ruomei wasn’t solely because he had useful value, but also because Zhu Ruomei reminded her of her despair in her previous life when she was powerless to change her loved ones’ fates. She was willing to help him within her capabilities, hoping this life would give her a chance to change her loved ones’ destinies.

Ren Shimin sighed, took out his handkerchief to give to Ren Yaoqi, and patted her head: “Don’t cry. Isn’t it just releasing someone? I’ll go discuss it with your eldest uncle.”

Ren Yaoqi looked up at Ren Shimin and smiled through her tears: “Thank you, daddy.”

Ren Shimin chuckled: “Children do love to cry.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “It’s just that daddy usually doesn’t interfere in such matters. Once or twice is fine, but too many times might alarm your grandfather, and that would be troublesome. Fortunately, you only do one good deed per year, so it shouldn’t cause your father to receive a beating from your grandfather.”

Looking at Ren Shimin’s troubled expression, Ren Yaoqi giggled. “When has Daddy ever been beaten by Grandfather?”

Ren Shimin’s expression froze, and just as he was about to deflect, someone outside reported that Young Master Han had arrived.

Ren Shimin instructed them to bring him in, and Ren Yaoqi also stood up to properly position herself behind Ren Shimin.

After Han Yunqian entered, his gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi before he stepped forward to bow to Ren Shimin.

Ren Shimin nodded and told him to sit.

Han Yunqian didn’t sit down. He explained his purpose for coming to see Ren Shimin today. Regarding losing to Ren Yaoqi, he admitted it openly without any awkwardness, only expressing regret for losing Ren Shimin’s painting.

Ren Shimin glanced at Ren Yaoqi and didn’t make things difficult for Han Yunqian, only saying: “Yaoqi has been spoiled by me. Please be understanding.” In front of outsiders, Ren Shimin was always an extremely gracious gentleman.

Han Yunqian quickly replied: “My skills were inferior, and I was arrogantly overconfident.”

Ren Shimin thought for a moment: “How about this—the painting I gave you was a token of gratitude. Since you’re returning it, I should give you something else instead.”

Ren Yaoqi, who had been keeping her head lowered in a docile manner, quickly looked up: “Daddy, didn’t you recently acquire a fine inkstone? Why don’t you give that inkstone to Young Master Han?” Don’t say you’ll paint another one for him.

Ren Shimin felt some pain at parting with it, but since Ren Yaoqi had already spoken, he could only nod: “Go to the inner room and get daddy’s inkstone for Yunqian.”

Han Yunqian naturally saw Ren Shimin’s reluctance: “Uncle, could Yunqian exchange the inkstone for one game with Fifth Miss?”

Ren Yaoqi was startled and looked at Han Yunqian. Could this person be a chess fanatic?

Ren Shimin looked back at Ren Yaoqi. After thinking, Ren Yaoqi still nodded.

So in Ren Shimin’s study, Ren Yaoqi and Han Yunqian sat facing each other and set up a chess game. Ren Shimin sat beside them to watch.

Ren Yaoqi looked up and smiled: “Young Master Han, please go first,” indicating that Han Yunqian should take the black stones.

Although Han Yunqian wouldn’t underestimate his opponent this time, he also didn’t want to take advantage. He casually grabbed a handful of stones from the bowl: “Let’s decide by guessing.”

In the end, Ren Yaoqi guessed wrong, and Han Yunqian took the black stones.

Both players were calm and composed, placing stones silently.

This game lasted a full hour, and in the end, Han Yunqian conceded before the game was finished.

Ren Yaoqi said, “Young Master Han, victory and defeat haven’t been decided yet.”

Han Yunqian smiled. Ren Yaoqi had never seen him smile before, and unexpectedly, his smile was like spring warmth and blooming flowers, carrying a sense of ease and leisure that was captivating.

“No, it has been decided. Yunqian’s skills are inferior.”

Expert players think three moves ahead with each move.

Ren Shimin laughed heartily from the side: “In chess, there are always wins and losses. How can one game determine superiority?”

Han Yunqian glanced at Ren Yaoqi, stood up, and bowed to Ren Shimin: “Yunqian takes his leave. Could Fifth Miss send someone to fetch the painting with me?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and also stood up.

Ren Shimin was studying the previous chess game with his head lowered and waved his hand: “You two go ahead.”

As the two emerged from the study, Han Yunqian suddenly said, “I didn’t bring the painting today.”

Ren Yaoqi’s steps paused, and she frowned at Han Yunqian with slight annoyance: “What does Young Master Han mean by this?”

Han Yunqian turned to look at her for a while, then smiled again: “That’s why I asked Fifth Miss to send someone back with me to fetch it.”

“…”

“Yunqian has one thing he doesn’t understand,” Han Yunqian said in a low voice.

“Young Master Han may speak freely.”

“Has Yunqian offended Fifth Miss at some point, causing Fifth Miss to dislike Yunqian so much?” Han Yunqian stopped walking, his unfathomably dark eyes meeting Ren Yaoqi’s.

Ren Yaoqi met his gaze for a moment and said, puzzledly: “Why does Young Master Han say this?”

Han Yunqian continued looking at her without speaking.

Ren Yaoqi smiled frankly: “Young Master Han is probably overthinking. You and I have barely met a few times—we’re hardly acquainted. How could there be any ‘dislike’?”

Han Yunqian slowly looked away and, after a long while, said: “That’s for the best.”