Li Tianyou stood at the doorway with his hands behind his back, smiling as he watched them leave, calling out: “Come play again next time!” Then he turned to Xia Sheng, standing behind him, and quietly complained: “That girl Yaohua is getting more and more fierce!”

When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua came out, the Ren family’s carriage was already waiting outside. After Xia Sheng found Ren Yaohua’s people, several maids had come along, while other servants were sent back to call for the carriage.

Though it wasn’t too late yet, the sky had darkened. Ren Yaoqi looked up at the sky and saw dark clouds churning not far away on the horizon, as if another heavy rain was about to fall.

After taking the carriage back to White Dragon Temple, the two sisters went to see Eldest Madam Wang Shi.

Seeing them return, Wang Shi didn’t say much, only politely asking a few questions about their maternal family, which Ren Yaoqi answered appropriately.

Wang Shi said: “I was just about to send people to fetch you both. Seeing how late it was getting, and looking at the sky outside, it seemed another heavy rain was coming. The servants I sent out said the lower roads ahead have accumulated quite a bit of water. If we encountered heavy rain halfway, it would be troublesome.”

As Wang Shi was speaking, everyone suddenly heard a muffled thunder outside that seemed to shake the ground, followed by sounds of people running and shouting that it was raining.

Wang Shi helplessly looked back at Zhao Shi: “Some things really shouldn’t be mentioned.”

Zhao Shi smiled bitterly, shook her head, and walked to the window. Pushing it open, she indeed saw heavy rain falling outside again, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

“Mother, you were right. I’m afraid we really can’t return today.”

Eldest Madam nodded: “Have someone tell the guest monk that we’ll borrow their guest quarters for tonight.”

White Dragon Temple had some guest quarters specially prepared for ladies visiting the mountain. These were separated from the monks’ residences but still within the temple’s care, ensuring safety without concern. This arrangement was very proper, so Eldest Madam didn’t find staying overnight difficult.

Zhao Shi went down to make arrangements, and Eldest Madam had people call over Ren Yaoyu, Ren Yijun, Qiu Yun, and the others.

Those few had already returned when it started raining. When Ren Yaoyu entered, she was still huddled with Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang, covering her mouth and whispering about something, looking quite familiar. Ren Yaoyin also came over together.

As soon as Yun Wenfang entered, his gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi with a somewhat dissatisfied expression. Coming closer, he said: “I had people look for you several times this afternoon, but couldn’t find you. I originally wanted to take you all down the mountain to look around.”

Seeing Ren Yaoyu’s watchful gaze from the side, Ren Yaoqi politely nodded: “Third Sister and I encountered Uncle, so we went to pay our respects.”

Ren Yaoyu curled her lips and smiled: “You mean that princeling uncle of yours? I heard he can sing opera. When will he sing for us?”

Li Tianyou could indeed sing opera, but he always did so for his entertainment. There was a hint of contempt in Ren Yaoyu’s words.

Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoyu with a sardonic smile: “Are you worthy?”

Ren Yaoyu’s expression darkened, and she was about to retort sarcastically when Eldest Madam, sitting in the place of honor, saw this and scolded: “What are you doing? Have you no manners! Anyone who causes more trouble will be confined to quarters when we return!”

Ren Yaoyin pulled Ren Yaoyu and quietly advised: “Eighth Sister shouldn’t speak that way about Third Sister and Fifth Sister’s elder.”

Ren Yaoqi had been somewhat distracted throughout. She had no mind for these verbal sparring matches—she was worried about Dong Sheng’s situation and wondered if he had gone.

When the rain lessened slightly, Eldest Madam led the Ren family young people to move to the guest quarters White Dragon Temple had prepared.

It was a single-entrance courtyard, somewhat similar to the one Li Tianyou had stayed in earlier, except one was on the mountain and one below.

Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua took the first room in the west wing, while Ren Yaoyu and Ren Yaoyin took the second room in the west wing. Qiu Yun, Yun Wenfang, Ren Yijun, Ren Yijian, and Ren Yihong were distributed among the east wing rooms. The eldest Madam and the Eldest Young Madam took the main hall.

Xiao Jingxi sat quietly at the kang table studying chess patterns. The noisy rain outside didn’t disturb him in the slightest. His calm, gentle face showed leisurely concentration when suddenly Tong He, the young servant guarding outside, walked in but didn’t speak immediately, just stood with lowered head and hands at his sides before the couch, waiting.

“What is it?” Xiao Jingxi didn’t look up, still casually playing with a black chess piece in his hand.

Tong He said quietly: “Young Master, Li Tianyou’s attendant Dong Sheng requests an audience, saying he comes to visit you on his master’s behalf.” Tong He’s voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, yet his pronunciation was clear.

Xiao Jingxi’s hand paused, then slowly placed the piece on the board. His expression unchanged, he said calmly: “I won’t see him.”

Tong He showed no surprise or hesitation, just lowered his head and replied “yes,” then turned and left.

After Tong He left, Xiao Jingxi’s gaze at the chessboard became somewhat thoughtful.

The rain outside continued falling heavily. Lightning flashed across the sky, momentarily bright as daylight.

Under this bright light, Xiao Jingxi’s face remained as peaceful and composed as always, unmoved as a mountain.

After a long while, Tong He again quietly pushed the door and entered. “Young Master.”

Xiao Jingxi looked up: “What is it?”

Tong He lowered his head: “This servant already replied that you won’t see guests. That person said nothing, just stood motionless at our courtyard gate. This servant had people try to persuade him several times, but he didn’t speak or move. People passing by our gate have been pointing and whispering. Some even recognized him as Li Tianyou’s attendant. This servant fears—”

He feared that although Li Tianyou was already a deposed Prince Xian heir, he still bore the surname Li. If someone insisted on accusing the young master of disrespecting the imperial family, it would be unjust.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi showed no reaction, still studying his chess patterns with lowered head. Tong He stood there somewhat uneasily—his master hadn’t dismissed him, so he dared not leave.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Jingxi placed the chess piece in his hand into the chess jar and said calmly, “Let him in.”

Tong He sighed with relief as if granted amnesty and withdrew with a bow.

Dong Sheng was brought up dripping wet, still dripping water onto the floor when he stood before Xiao Jingxi. Without a word, he bowed to Xiao Jingxi with thorough, meticulous etiquette that left no room for criticism.

Xiao Jingxi calmly and composedly allowed him to complete his bow, then smiled and nodded: “Please also give my regards to your master.” Speaking thus, he picked up the blue and white tea cup beside him, signaling Tong He to escort the guest out.

Tong He looked toward Dong Sheng.

But Dong Sheng acted as if he hadn’t heard, pulling out an already-opened letter from his chest and placing it on Xiao Jingxi’s kang table.

Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised, looking at the letter Dong Sheng had kept dry in his chest. The smile on his face became extremely faint. For some reason, Dong Sheng felt the room had a moment of suffocating oppression.

“What does your master mean by this?” Xiao Jingxi suddenly chuckled softly and asked leisurely.

Dong Sheng licked his somewhat dry, cracked lips: “This servant comes to ask Second Young Master Xiao for help.”

Xiao Jingxi didn’t glance at the letter again. Though his gaze at Dong Sheng still carried a smile, the smile was very indifferent. He said in a gentle tone: “This is your attitude when asking for help? Without caring whether others are willing or not?”

For some reason, Dong Sheng felt his spirit quiver, but he still steeled himself and said: “My master said that sometimes people don’t want to help, but when others come forward themselves, those with thinner faces will go with the flow and help after all. It’s just a small effort—why refuse to save someone? Perhaps it could even create good karma, making the rescued person grateful and willing to save one’s own life at a crucial moment.”

Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but be stunned. Not knowing what he thought of, his expression became somewhat strange. Suddenly, he smiled mockingly, shook his head, and said gently, “Just who is your master? Surnamed Li or surnamed Ren?”

Dong Sheng felt somewhat ashamed yet also relieved: “There are those surnamed Li and those surnamed Ren.”

Xiao Jingxi smiled ambiguously: “Did your master say what to do if that person doesn’t know how to repay kindness?”

Dong Sheng felt like wiping sweat and honestly shook his head under pressure: “Master didn’t say, only that ‘don’t impose on others what you wouldn’t want yourself.’ One cannot allow only officials to set fires while forbidding common people to light lamps.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi was silent for a moment, then reached out to take the open letter: “What does this letter say?”

Dong Sheng swallowed and recited the letter’s contents with lowered head, without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Jingxi glanced at him, threw the letter back onto the kang table, and said calmly: “You may go back first.”

Xiao Jingxi’s words gave Dong Sheng no promise, leaving him somewhat uncertain. He couldn’t help saying: “Second Young Master Xiao, this matter has nothing to do with my master. He doesn’t know this letter’s contents—he knows nothing. If something happens, this servant is willing to bear full responsibility.”

Xiao Jingxi tilted his head, saying gently yet indifferently: “Oh? How would you bear full responsibility?”