With Xiao Jingxi’s background and reputation, being favored by him was naturally something to be happy about. Although Zhu Ruomei had once worked as a miner at the Ren family due to life’s hardships, deep in his bones, he still hoped to have the opportunity to make something of himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent all these years rising early and staying up late to practice martial arts, or shamelessly gone to the Yuan family to beg Steward Yuan to teach him reading and writing.

Now that the opportunity was before him, and he truly owed Xiao Jingxi his life, working for Xiao Jingxi for ten years was not excessive.

However, Ren Yaoqi and Third Master Ren had also shown him kindness. Although he didn’t know the reason behind what Ren Yaoqi had asked him to do this time, he could guess that Ren Yaoqi might have some grievance with the Han family.

He had secretly investigated the Han family’s affairs and knew that Old Master Han and Han Yunqian were not simple people. If Ren Yaoqi’s scheme to cause chaos in the Han family were discovered by the Han family members, it would be difficult for her in the future.

If he stayed by her side, although he couldn’t help with major matters, he could still help with small errands, like this time.

Ren Yaoqi naturally saw the struggle on Zhu Ruomei’s face.

Although they hadn’t interacted much, Ren Yaoqi knew that Zhu Ruomei was a person who valued righteousness and knew right from wrong. When she had initially decided to help him, it wasn’t actually because she wanted to keep him by her side for her use. After all, given her status and position, no matter how well Zhu Ruomei did in the future, he would at most be a head steward of one of her dowry shops. But in her previous life, Zhu Ruomei had been a fierce general under the Second Young Master of Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

What she had originally thought was that if one day Zhu Ruomei could achieve what he had in her previous life, he might lend her aid at crucial moments in consideration of this small kindness.

Now that Zhu Ruomei himself was willing to work for Xiao Jingxi, what reason did she have to obstruct this?

“It just so happens that I mentioned before having you find work in Yunyang City, so you could take care of your mother and sister nearby.” Ren Yaoqi smiled and glanced at Xiao Jingxi. “Now that Second Young Master Xiao has shown his keen eye for talent, and given Second Young Master Xiao’s good reputation for treating people kindly in the past, he will surely arrange well for your family and let you have no worries. This way, I can also be at ease.”

Xiao Jingxi was startled, then looked at Ren Yaoqi with an ambiguous smile, but readily nodded: “What Fifth Young Miss Ren says is reasonable.”

“You should go back and rest. I should also be leaving.” Ren Yaoqi looked at the sky and said to Zhu Ruomei.

Zhu Ruomei didn’t know what to say. After hesitating for a long while, knowing that some words were inappropriate to say in front of Xiao Jingxi, he still struggled to bow before being helped back by one of Xiao Jingxi’s servants.

Xiao Jingxi suddenly turned to look at Dongsheng, who also wanted to follow and leave, his gaze somewhat meaningful.

Dongsheng kept his head down, not daring to raise it.

Just now, it was indeed because he was worried about Ren Yaoqi that he had seemingly casually reminded Zhu Ruomei that Ren Yaoqi had come. Now he was already Xiao Jingxi’s attendant, yet his heart still held concern for his former master. He knew this was taboo for masters, so he felt somewhat guilty and didn’t dare meet Xiao Jingxi’s perceptive gaze.

Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi only looked at him once before raising his hand to dismiss him.

Turning around, Dongsheng discovered his back was soaked with sweat.

After Dongsheng left, Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said sincerely to Xiao Jingxi: “Second Young Master Xiao, if someone who follows you becomes completely indifferent to their former master’s safety, would you dare use such a person?” She naturally guessed the reason behind Dongsheng’s expression and Zhu Ruomei’s sudden appearance.

Xiao Jingxi smiled slightly: “Then tell me, Fifth Young Miss Ren, if one day his new master and former master become enemies, which side should he stand on to be considered loyal?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and also smiled: “So ordinary people don’t dare use others’ people. Only someone like Second Young Master Xiao has such boldness. You must be confident and not worried about such things, wouldn’t you say?”

Xiao Jingxi pondered Ren Yaoqi’s words and couldn’t help but laugh, looking at Ren Yaoqi with somewhat deep and inscrutable eyes: “Is Fifth Young Miss Ren digging another pit for me to jump into?”

The hidden meaning in Ren Yaoqi’s words was that since Xiao Jingxi was already using Prince Xian’s people, he had no intention of breaking with Prince Xian and would not be Prince Xian’s enemy in the future. Otherwise, his actions would be slapping his face.

She was using this opportunity to make him take a stance.

Xiao Jingxi didn’t fall for this trap and smiled as he changed the subject: “So we’ll consider it a draw then?”

Ren Yaoqi knew when to stop and didn’t persist, nodding with a smile: “Please forgive me, Second Young Master Xiao. Your chess skills are too excellent – if I didn’t use trickery, I couldn’t win against you.” She frankly admitted that her chess skills were inferior to Xiao Jingxi’s – she couldn’t lose, but she acknowledged defeat.

“My third brother often says that chess is like a battlefield – if you can avoid losing, you must think of every way not to lose. So all’s fair in war and chess.” Ren Yaoqi said jokingly.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but smile: “Your third brother once played a game against me. His chess skills… cough, were acceptable.”

Ren Yaoqi suppressed her laughter and remained silent. Although Ren Yijun loved playing chess and could win more than he lost when playing against ordinary people, in front of masters like Xiao Jingxi, it would be too painful to watch.

“It’s getting late, and my mother should be coming out soon. I’ll take my leave first.” Ren Yaoqi looked at the sky again.

Xiao Jingxi didn’t try to keep her and smiled as he rose to see her off.

Just as Ren Yaoqi turned to leave, she heard Xiao Jingxi say: “Do you have a grudge against the Han family?”

Ren Yaoqi paused in her steps but didn’t turn back.

Given Zhu Ruomei’s nature, even if he had pledged allegiance to Xiao Jingxi, he couldn’t possibly reveal matters about the Han family. So when Xiao Jingxi said this, it might just be his speculation – a conclusion drawn from combining Zhu Ruomei’s movements with recent events in the Han family of Jizhou.

“I suppose so.” After a moment of silence, Ren Yaoqi still turned around to reply.

Xiao Jingxi was somewhat surprised by her frank admission. After thinking, he frowned: “What grudge do the Han and Ren families have?”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi’s heart stirred. She looked at Xiao Jingxi, shook her head, and sighed: “Some things I cannot say much about. The Han and Ren families have no grudge, but Old Master Han…”

Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment: “You had Prince Xian’s man go to Jiangnan to investigate Han Yunshan’s background?”

Ren Yaoqi was slightly stunned – Xiao Jingxi even knew this?

Of course, while Yanbei Prince’s Manor appeared to pay no attention to Prince Xian’s family on the surface, given Prince Xian’s sensitive status, Yanbei Prince’s Manor couldn’t possibly ignore Prince Xian’s family completely.

Since it was already out in the open, Ren Yaoqi nodded: “That’s right, I asked Dongsheng to investigate Han Dongshan.” Now she understood – even if she didn’t speak, it didn’t mean Xiao Jingxi couldn’t investigate or guess.

“I see.” Xiao Jingxi nodded with sudden understanding, then smiled slightly, blinked, and said softly: “The reason I’m asking about this matter is because Yanbei Prince’s Manor wants to use the Han family.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was greatly shocked and stared at Xiao Jingxi, repeating: “Yanbei Prince’s Manor wants to use the Han family?”

Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly without speaking.

Ren Yaoqi suddenly remembered the Han family’s undertaking to print Yanbei calendars. Because of the calendar printing error two years ago, bookshops in Yanbei didn’t dare undertake the printing last year, yet the obscure Han family dared to do it. If what Xiao Jingxi said was correct, the Han family had probably already established connections with Yanbei Prince’s Manor and gained considerable appreciation from the master.

Ren Yaoqi’s face turned somewhat pale. No wonder the Han family could rise to prominence in such a short time – they had Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s backing. If this were truly the case, how could she contend with the Han family? Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s position in Yanbei was like that of the Li imperial family in Jiangnan.

Noticing Ren Yaoqi’s poor complexion, Xiao Jingxi sighed lightly and thought before saying, “Since we had a draw today, you naturally don’t have to tell me these things. I’ll pretend not to know about this matter.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jingxi and asked: “Did Han Yunshan request Yanbei Prince’s Manor to investigate the Han family being sabotaged?”

Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi without speaking.

But Ren Yaoqi understood.

Yanbei Prince’s Manor was the Ren family’s master. When servants suffered losses in secret and couldn’t investigate themselves, they naturally sought help from their master.

This was also why Xiao Jingxi had arranged to meet her here.

Xiao Jingxi wasn’t acting out of boredom or deliberately teasing her.

“Fifth Young Miss Ren, take care of yourself.” Xiao Jingxi smiled and gave her a kind warning.

This time, he had accidentally saved Zhu Ruomei and happened to know that Yanbei Prince’s Manor had people investigating this matter, so he had inadvertently gotten involved.

After a moment of silence, Ren Yaoqi keenly asked: “Just now, Second Young Master Xiao said the Han family are people Yanbei Prince’s Manor wants to use, but the Han family aren’t your people, are they?”

Xiao Jingxi raised his eyebrows: “What difference does that make? I’m also part of Yanbei Prince’s Manor.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “Thinking this way makes me feel somewhat relieved.” Saying this, Ren Yaoqi curtsied to Xiao Jingxi. “I was impolite today. Thank you, Second Young Master Xiao.”

With that, Ren Yaoqi turned and left.

She didn’t ask Xiao Jingxi to abandon the Han family.

Xiao Jingxi was right – he was also part of Yanbei Prince’s Manor and naturally prioritized Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s interests. She had only met him twice and had no great friendship with him. Why should he act against his family’s interests for her small grievances? That would be unreasonable.

However, the reason Yanbei Prince’s Manor would use the Han family was that the Han family had value and could serve Yanbei Prince’s Manor. If she could figure this out, there might still be a chance to bring down the Han family.

Learning that the Han family served Yanbei Prince’s Manor was something she only discovered today from Xiao Jingxi – she hadn’t even known this in her previous life. This suggested that the Han family might very well be serving as Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s hidden pieces, or that what the Han family was doing was secretive, so Xiao Jingxi definitely wouldn’t reveal it to her.

She constantly reminded herself to stay calm and not let this news disrupt her composure.

However, Xiao Jingxi’s willingness to cover for her today indicated that the Han family and Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s interests weren’t too deeply intertwined – Yanbei Prince’s Manor only “wanted to use the Han family.”

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel grateful to Xiao Jingxi. Her previous slight dissatisfaction with him also vanished completely. If not for Xiao Jingxi’s warning, she might not even know how she would be defeated in the future.