Chapter 34: Meeting Master Again

  Also see Shifu

  "Little Master?" Gong Jiu jumped down from the tree and landed right in front of Yin Ruofei. "Looking for Master?"

  "I have something on my mind and I'd like to ask for your advice, Your Highness." Yin Ruofei slightly tilted her head upwards, looking at Gong Jiu who was standing in front of her wearing a suit of armor.

  "No problem, but the master has already rested, I'll go ask first."

  Yin Ruofei nodded and turned around, flying into the courtyard.

  Yin Ruofei looked at Gong Jiu's fleeting back and felt even more shocked and fearful. She couldn't believe that someone with such skills was actually in charge of guarding the main gate.

  Should I have come?

  Before he could think much, Gong Jiu was already back in front of him again.

  Yin Ruofei blinked, "Good work." This was also too fast, although Huaxiang Garden couldn't be compared to the imperial palace, but from the main gate to Rongjingze's resting place, it wasn't a short distance either.

  Jiǔ grabbed his hair, his face somewhat flushed, "No, I'm just going to the next door to report..."

  "That's enough." A rustling sound came from above their heads, and in an instant a man appeared before the two of them.

  Jiuyi spat out his tongue and retreated to one side, Yin Ruofei looked up and saw that the man in front of him was extremely tall and had sharp facial features, exuding a strong aura of evil.

  Yin Ruofei sized up his opponent, who was also sizing him up. Seeing that he was just a little kid barely over waist-high, a hint of disdain flashed across his face. "I'm Hei Ba, here to pick up the young master."

  Yin Ruofei nodded silently, and Da Han Hei Ba stretched out his hand to grab his waistband, tiptoeing as he flew away.

  Yin Ruofei only felt that she was suspended in mid-air, and before long, her feet landed on the ground. When she looked up, she had already entered the innermost part of He Xiang Garden.

  Hei Ba didn't even bother to glance at him, turning around and leaving. Yin Ruofei inexplicably gazed at the other person for a moment, although they had just met for the first time, it seemed as if there was some past grievance between them?

  "Master Xiao, please come in." Rong Shi stood at the door, smiling warmly at Yin Ruofei. Not wanting to be rude, Yin Ruofei also smiled slightly and stepped inside.

  Rong Shi closed the door from behind, leaving only Rong Jingze lounging on the couch and Yin Ruofei standing at the entrance.

  "How come, Little Fly, you miss me so soon? Just in time, accompany Ben Wang for a short rest." Rong Jingze stretched out one hand towards Yin Ruofei.

  "Please, Your Highness, take care of yourself." Ignoring the mocking words and the arm stretched out to provoke him, Yin Ruo Fei spoke seriously to Rong Jing Ze, "Your Highness, I came here just to ask one question."

  "Oh?" Rong Jingze collected the smile on his face and sat up calmly, "What's wrong?"

  "...I'd like to ask Your Highness, are you involved in the things that have been happening to my family, the Yins?"

  "What did you say?" Rong Jingze's voice was like a thin layer of ice, making Yin Ruofei shudder all over. Unlike his usual self, who would just laugh it off, he stood up and walked step by step towards Yin Ruofei.

  Yin Ruofei was forced back several steps by the astonishing momentum, leaning against the door and panting heavily, staring at his opponent with a terrified look in his eyes.

  Rong Jingze used one finger to lift the opponent's chin, "Do you think that with my status, I would go to such great lengths for a mere study partner like you?"

  Yin Ruofei's face turned bright red with embarrassment, wanting to wave away the other person's hand, but was countered instead.

  "Let go—" Yin Ruofei raised his other hand and brushed against Rong Jingze's elbow, causing Rong Jingze to release him in a daze.

  "Unbelievable!" Rong Jingze suddenly burst out laughing, "Originally planned to catch a small cat to alleviate boredom, didn't expect your little cat claws are quite sharp!"

  Just now, it was really beyond Rong Jingze's expectations. It wasn't a joint or an acupoint, but rather aimed at his weak point. One move that he didn't defend against, and it was also to see how this little kid who didn't have even half a bit of inner strength would react, but he didn't expect him to actually fall for it.

  "Your Highness..."

  "Alright." Rong Jingze waved his hand, "I came to this marquis's residence with another purpose, but it has nothing to do with what you're thinking. As for you being pursued and killed, the old lady of your estate being poisoned, and me coincidentally saving you, they are all just a coincidence. Do you believe it or not?"

  "I..." At this point, Yin Ruofei had already believed Rong Jingze's words. As the other party said, it was indeed not worth setting up such a big trap for him. He thought too much of himself. The other party was a prince, even if he was named to be his companion reader, he could only go, why bother going around in circles. In the end, it was he who owed Rong Jingze a favor, whether it was saving his life or the old lady's side.

  "Alright." Yong Jing Ze's expression wasn't very good, although he could see that Yin Ruofei had a guilty look on his face. He didn't allow him to say more, "As for Old Lady's side, just wait until you're better and then come thank me again. As for saving you, since you've already agreed to be my study companion, it's only natural that I would save you, no need to say more."

  "Thank you, Your Highness." Yin Ruo Fei felt even more ashamed in her heart, but she couldn't say anything else, so she just bowed deeply.

  "Now that you're here, stay with me for a while. Later, we'll have dinner together." Rong Jingze returned to his lazy demeanor, and Yin Ruofei's mood eased slightly, thinking that after all, he was the prince, and had quite some temperament.

  Go, Chinese chess, and Shengyuan Chou are also okay, after all, they are also favored by literati. But this dice game of Pai Gow, this gentleman is surprisingly proficient in it too. Not to mention Liubo, a game that Yin Ruofei had never been exposed to before and didn't understand at all.

  Fortunately, Rong Jingze was very patient and taught him bit by bit. While teaching, he also scolded Yin Ruofei to make him learn well, especially the dice, so as not to lose face when going out.

  Yin Ruofei's mouth twitched, "King, what exactly do you usually go out and do? Why would you lose face because you don't know how to play these things?"

  Yin Ruofei was clever, but this thing wasn't something that could be practiced in a day or two. Before long, the sky darkened and Rong Shi led several servants to bring in the food sent by the Hou residence into the side hall, inviting them to eat.

  Rong Shi's eyes lit up when he saw Rong Ten, "Rong Ten, come quickly and show this kid a leopard."

  Kong Yishi didn't say a word, came over and grabbed the dice into the tube, shook it gently for a few times, and then put it on the table.

  Yin Ruofei eagerly opened it and saw three sixes arranged in a "pin" shape.

  He threw ten times in a row with no expression on his face, and although the numbers were different each time, they all added up to a leopard (a type of dice roll).

  Yin Ruofei was young and at the age of playfulness, seeing this move made her heart itch with impatience, although she didn't say anything, her face revealed a look of longing.

  Want to learn?

  Yin Ruofei hesitated for a moment and nodded slightly.

  "Let's eat first." Rong Jingze didn't need his support and walked towards the side hall.

  Although Rong Shizhen told Yin Haicheng that he was physically exhausted, had drunk wine at noon and would have a simple dinner in the evening, so there was no need to set up a banquet. However, Yin Haicheng did not dare to really serve him some plain porridge and small dishes. Although there were only a dozen or so dishes, they were all extremely exquisite in appearance and delicious in taste, at least Rong Shizhen was very satisfied.

  Rong Shi stepped down, leaving Rong Jing Ze and Yin Ru Fei to dine together.

  Watching her opponent's every move exuding an air of nobility, even the act of eating was elegantly different from others, Yin Ruofei couldn't help but eat with a refined demeanor.

  After dinner, they played for a while and then let Yirou fly back.

  Yin Ruofei returned to Jianyuan, a servant reported that Jin Yuan was already waiting for him in the study of Jianyuan, and he hurried over.

  "Nothing wrong?" Jin Yuan saw his brother come in and suddenly had spirit, his complexion also improved a lot.

  "Mmm." Yin Ruofei's mouth corners were slightly raised in a smile, this afternoon was indeed quite enjoyable.

  Grandma's illness has taken a turn for the better, and this afternoon was spent playing happily, so naturally her mood is good.

  Jin Yuan saw him happy and his mood improved a lot. This morning's incident, he still has lingering fears now, afraid that his little brother was scared silly.

  "Has big brother eaten yet?"

  "Uh, I've eaten." Jin Yuan nodded, "Tomorrow I'll be leaving with the army for a long time, and it will take at least ten days to half a month before I return. You should rest well and take care of your body. Grandma's side has you taking care of me, but don't overexert yourself either. When you have free time, don't neglect your martial arts training...and don't put down this book..."

  "Big brother." Yin Ruofei couldn't help but laugh, the first time she knew that this big brother with exceptional martial arts skills also had such a soft and gentle side.

  After seeing Jin Yuan off, Yin Ruofei briefly handed over a few words and returned to Fushou Courtyard. Her grandmother was seriously ill and needed someone to take care of her. She thought that she would be able to recover soon and it wouldn't be too tiring.

  The next day, Yin Ruofei practiced a set of fist and footwork in the courtyard, then took out his wooden sword to practice for a while. After lunch, he heard someone report that the divine doctor had arrived.

  Yin Ruofei was overjoyed.

  Yesterday, the divine doctor said he was going back to prepare medicine before leaving. Now that it's early in the morning and he has already passed by the mansion, it must be that the medicine is ready.

  Yin Ruofei led the people from Fushouyuan to welcome them, while Yin Haicheng led the divine doctor and Ze Qinqingwang, who was riding a sedan chair, also walking in this direction. When he saw the young man beside Yin Haicheng, Yin Ruofei suddenly stared blankly.

  Master?

  If it's said that in his past life, who he owed the most to, then it would be his sisters. He felt that he had wronged them. However, if it's said that in his past life, who helped him the most, then it would definitely be his master.

  At that time, he was inconvenient in his legs and feet, but the master still let him stay as an apprentice, for which the owner of the medicine shop did not turn a blind eye.

  Although the master always coldly ridicules him, the medicine package that he casually throws to him, the hand movements he makes in front of him, and the formula he forces him to recite - which one is not for his own good? If it weren't for the master, on a gloomy rainy day, his crippled leg probably wouldn't even be able to stand up.

  When he was in trouble, his master happened to go out of town to find a medicine, which was exactly for treating his leg. His master said that if his legs were healed, he would take him on the road to find medicinal materials all over the world. And when his two legs were healed and he had learned more about medical books, he could naturally start anew.

  It was all just a dream, after the master left, the second child's calculations, the self-destructive appearance in the dark alley, and the little sister being forced... made him unable to hold on. Even before his death, he couldn't see the master again.

  At this time, the same appearance appeared in front of him again. Yin Ruofei's nose was sour and tears fell down. Yin Haicheng still thought that his son was worried about his grandmother's illness, and he was very moved by Yin Ruofei's filial piety, and hurriedly comforted him with a few words.

  Mr. Han took a look at the child in front of him and also felt that this child was very affectionate and likable.

  Only Ruan Yu's gentle and calm face was supported by her hands, with a smile full of deep meaning.

  This kid knows his senior brother, otherwise where did that look of sadness and surprise come from earlier? However, his senior brother is not what he thought, although he likes him, it's their first meeting. Is the situation really as he thought?