Chapter 26: Quietly Watching Chess

 

Hearing that Ren Shimin said that he would go to the warm pavilion in the garden to taste tea and play chess, Ren Yaoqi went straight out of the corridor and walked to the path leading to the garden.

(Warm pavilion)

- To clarify, a warm pavilion is a heated room connected to a main room. So there are multiple warm pavilions, this one is different from where Ren Yaoying lives

The Ren Estate’s garden pavilions, waterside pavilions, and flying eaves are all in the southern style. Although due to the geographical location, many flowers and plants that are afraid of the cold in the garden cannot survive, the seasonal flowers are also changed every season. Therefore, the garden is full of flowers all year round.

There is a lake pavilion in the middle of the garden, which is a good place to enjoy the shade in summer. But because there are some spring and summer seasonal flowers and plants planted around there, the lake pavilion in autumn and winter is either withered lotus branches or a vast expanse of whiteness. The wind blows from all sides, and the cold wind is biting, so when autumn comes, the Ren family all leaves this pavilion and go to the warm pavilion located in the plum forest in the northwest.

Although the warm pavilion is not big, it is full of earth dragons. The windows on all sides are covered with crystalline film, and you can faintly see the light shadows around it, which is exquisite and tranquil. Ren Shimin often comes here to paint.

(Earth dragons)

- A method of underground heating system, a fire will be lit on top of a hole where the heat travels through a channel and is transmitted to the whole room or building

When Ren Yaoqi approached the warm pavilion, it was silent inside, but she still kept walking.

”Go and wait in the pavilion over there. I will come out after a few words with my father.” In the pavilion not far away, two maids were warming up around a charcoal basin. It seemed that they were the maids in charge of the warm pavilion, but was denounced to come out by the master.

Seeing someone coming here, the two maidservants stood up. One of them was about to greet them, but Xi’er smiled and walked over quickly without waiting for them to come. Xue Li originally wanted to say something, but she took a look at Ren Yaoqi, thought about it, and then bowed and turned to follow Xi’er.

Ren Yaoqi raised her hand and lifted the curtain of the warm pavilion.

There was a short table in the middle of the warm pavilion, and Ren Yijun sat at the opposite end of an unfamiliar young man. Ren Shimin sat at the side, holding a small teacup in his hand, sipping and watching the battle. The three of them were all engrossed in the game, whether it's the players or the person watching the game, and they didn’t even notice that someone came in.

On the contrary, Ren Yijun’s servant, who was squatting beside him, looked up and saw Ren Yaoqi beckoning to him lightly, so he squatted back again.

This is the first time that Ren Yaoqi saw the legendary young master of the Han family clearly.

He had already taken off his fur cloak, and he was only wearing a white robe embroidered with orchids on the cuffs and lapel. He had black hair and neat eyebrows, a high nose bridge, thin lips, and a serious and quiet expression with his head slightly tilted in thought. From her point of view, she could discern the ends of his slightly lowered eyes are slightly raised.

This is a handsome man with a calm demeanor.

As if aware of Ren Yaoqi’s gaze, he raised his eyes and looked over, his long and narrow eyes were as black and deep as a winter night.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes calmly, saluted him in his direction, and then steadily looking forward walked to Ren Shimin’s side.

When Ren Shimin saw her just now, he couldn’t help being surprised, but he waved his hand lightly at her to signal her to keep quiet and wait until the chess game is over to say anything. Watch the chess without speaking, and don’t disturb the player’s thinking, this is what Ren Shimin has always followed.

Ren Yijun frowned and stared at her with undisguised displeasure on his face, then quickly turned his head away and stopped looking at her.

Ren Yaoqi stood quietly behind Ren Shimin, staring at the chessboard in front of her without making a sound.

The reason why Ren Yijun and Ren Shimin hit it off is that they have similar hobbies. Apart from reciting poems, playing the piano, and painting, they also love playing chess, and both of them can be regarded as good players.

However, despite this, Ren Yijun also showed his defeat in this game of chess.

After a quarter of an hour, Ren Yijun heaved a sigh of relief and surrendered.

”I lost again!” Ren Yijun said so, but his tone was not at all unhappy. Then he turned to Ren Shimin and said, “Third Uncle, this guy is really powerful. I lost three times in three battles, so exchange with me. You must kill this fellow's prestige!”

Young Master Han lowered his head and smiled, picking up the chess pieces in silence.

Ren Shimin had been observing their battles for half a day, and he had long craved to play. He was eager to try. He looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked in a low voice: “Yaoyao, can we talk about something after Daddy finishes playing chess?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded, and Ren Shimin immediately happily changed seats with Ren Yijun.

The battle begins again.

Ren Yaoqi was still watching silently, with a low level of presence. Therefore, no one felt that she was in the way standing here.

This time, Ren Shimin may have persisted longer than Ren Yijun, but in the end, he still came back in defeat, losing twice.

Ren Yaoqi watched the final chess game thoughtfully.

Play another game, and the result is the same, this time Ren Shimin lost thrice.

Ren Yijun laughed loudly, stretched out his hand to pat Young Master Han on the shoulder, and said with admiration, “You kid, you are really good!”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help being slightly taken aback, this was the first time she saw Ren Yijun smiling, and she still laughed heartily. With this smile, the gloomy temperament on his body disappeared instantly, and the lively vitality of the young man radiated out, making him a bit handsome.

Ren Shimin also looked at Young Master Han appreciatively: “Yunqian, I admit defeat!”

Ren Yaoqi looked at the two men of the Ren family and finally understood why his father, who never cared about the affairs of the backyard in his previous life, would suddenly worry about his daughter’s marriage on a whim. He really hoped that Han Yunqian would be his son-in-law. In his eyes, good painting, good calligraphy, and good chess skills are the criteria for him to choose friends and son-in-law.

Among the several daughters, Ren Yaohua’s age is the most suitable for Han Yunqian.

”Another game?” Ren Yijun enthusiastically proposed.

However, Han Yunqian looked out, and said apologetically, “It’s getting late, my mother and sister may have gone back. How about ending it here today? Next time I’ll be the host, please come over to have tea and play chess.”

Ren Yijun has a very eccentric temper. If he likes you, he will be very tolerant of you. On the contrary, if you annoy him, he will have trouble with you everywhere.

Han Yunqian is into his liking, so he didn’t feel annoyed when he rejected his proposal. Instead, he nodded and said, “That’s fine, what do you think, Third Uncle?”

Ren Shimin is easy to talk with, so he didn’t force it. He smiled and said, “Then we’ll play next time. I have to study a way to win today.”

Han Yunqian got up to leave, and Ren Shimin also got up: “I’ll accompany you out.”

Han Yunqian hurriedly said: “You are an elder, how can Yunqian bother you to see him off? Yunqian will go to the Old Madam’s place to say goodbye.”

Ren Shimin suddenly remembered that his daughter was still waiting for him here, and couldn’t help but glance at Ren Yaoqi hesitantly.

However, Ren Yijun waved his hand: “What are you fussing about these empty rituals? Will Yunqian blame us for neglecting him? I’ll let Duobao send him there. Third Uncle, how about sitting down with me and discussing the previous chess moves?” It seems that he does not regard him as an outsider.

Han Yunqian nodded with a smile and bowed to everyone again.

”Young Master Han, Duobao will send you out.” Ren Yijun’s servant came forward and said.

Han Yunqian followed Duobao and Ren Yaoqi stared at his back quietly disappearing from the warm pavilion without saying a word.

”Third Uncle, how about we replay the previous chess games?” Ren Yijun was eager to try, and while talking, started to restore the chessboard. It was just when Ren Shimin showed his defeat in the last game.

”Yaoyao, do you have something to do with Daddy?” Ren Shimin asked his daughter with a smile.

”Third Uncle, it’s the same if you have something to discuss later.” Ren Yijun glared at Ren Yaoqi dissatisfied and impatient.

Ren Yaoqi blinked at Ren Shimin, then knelt down to help Ren Yijun recover the game.

Ren Yijun took a look at her and saw that she had no mistakes, so he let her.

Ren Shimin laughed and touched Ren Yaoqi’s head, and sat down opposite Ren Yijun.

”I remember, it was here that Third Uncle started losing. Yunqian’s move was excellent! Half of the game was settled in an instant.” Ren Yijun made a move, which was exactly Han Yunqian’s chess move before, “Third Uncle, how about giving you another chance to turn defeat into victory?”

Holding a small teacup, Ren Shimin rubbed his chin to ponder for a long time, when he was about to make a move, a slender white hand suddenly stretched out from the side, took the white piece in his hand, and put it on the chessboard.

Ren Shimin was taken aback and did not react.

Ren Yijun was angry and was about to scold her when he glanced at the chessboard, his eyes immediately widened: “Second… move!”

”That Young Master Han is really that powerful?” Ren Yaoqi propped her chin and made a face, and said with a look of dissatisfaction, “I don’t think so.”

Previous Table of Contents Next