In the market town, the two majestic horses were quite eye-catching. Moreover, Rong Xi and Qin Ke both had good looks and attracted a lot of attention.
Jin Jili raised his head slightly and saw the two people.
Suddenly, the green eyes were filled with surprise and the golden hair was shining.
"My dear!" He stood up in a hurry and almost kicked over the barrel.
The fish in the bucket splashed water and landed on his face, but he didn't care and just grinned happily.
"How much did you sell today?" Rong Xi asked with a smile.
Jin Jili stretched out his hands and gestured, "Six!"
The fish was quite big. According to the market price, Jin Jili’s profit today was no less than 200 Wen, which was quite good.
Rong Xi gave him a thumbs up and asked, "When will you return home?"
Jin Jili smiled and replied, "Wait for Zishi to come together."
He can now speak the official language of the Wei Dynasty fluently, and daily communication is no longer a problem.
"Who is this?" Rong Xi looked at the woman beside him and asked with a faint smile.
The woman immediately lowered her head, took two steps back, and hid behind Jin Jili, but she still looked at Rong Xi with curiosity.
Qin Ke's eyes became fierce, and the woman instantly shrank her head in fright.
Jin Jili scratched his head, grinned foolishly and said nothing, seeming to be extremely shy.
Seeing this, Rong Xi stopped asking questions and left with Qin Ke.
After the two figures disappeared from the market, Jin Jili squatted down again. The sun was too hot, and his forehead and back were soaked with sweat.
Even so, he is still handsome and extraordinary.
The woman smiled shyly and asked, "Jili, are the two gentlemen just now your masters?"
Jin Jili smiled innocently and said, "Mr. Rong is my master."
"Who is Rong Langjun?" the woman asked with a smile, "I see that both of you are of good character and appearance, very noble."
Jin Jili lowered her eyelashes, a dark light flashed in her eyes, a strand of golden hair fell to her lips, hiding a hint of sneer, and she replied in a low voice: "Good-looking."
He suddenly turned his head and saw a flash of surprise between the woman's brows. He heard her ask back, "Are you saying that the taller one is Rong Langjun?"
After all, when it comes to beauty, no one in Wei can compare to Qin Ke.
Jin Jili smiled but said nothing. By chance, a customer asked about the price, and he responded with a bright smile, and the topic was thus moved on.
After a while, Liu Zishi arrived and saw that there were only two fish left in the bucket. He praised Jin Jili repeatedly.
Jin Jili wiped his sweat and bared his teeth.
"Is Mr. Liu going home with Jili?" the woman asked with a smile covering her lips.
Liu Zishi nodded honestly, "Madam Xin, it's getting late, you should go home early."
His words were full of concern, but they made Madam Xin's eyes redden slightly.
"I have no home anymore." Her beautiful eyes were filled with tears, and she looked very touching.
However, one of them was young at heart and had not yet developed any emotions, while the other was bending over to carry a load, and no one appreciated her posture.
"You came to Mengshan to seek refuge with your relatives, so how come you are homeless?" Liu Zishi felt pity and asked with concern.
Jin Jili carried a bucket on his shoulder, smiled and said, "Zishi, come home."
After saying this, he shrugged and left.
Liu Zishi had no choice but to leave Niangzi Xin behind and run to catch up.
Madam Liu Xin stood where she was, threw the embroidered handkerchief on the ground and stomped on it several times, but she still didn't feel satisfied.
A vendor laughed at her, "Madam Xin, what's so good about the Semu people? Aren't there enough men from the Wei Kingdom for you to choose from? If you can get one of those two horse-leading gentlemen, you'll be able to fly to the top of the tree!"
"What do you know!" Madam Xin glared at him, but then asked, "What are the identities of the two gentlemen just now?"
The vendors have been here for decades and are well-informed.
"The one leading the white horse is the famous Rong Langjun! As for the other one, I cannot say anything."
The market was about to close, and the vendors were tidying up their stalls while talking. Then he said earnestly, "But don't try to displease Lord Rong. He is the son of a minister and has high standards."
Madam Xin had no time to listen to his words and was only secretly confused.
Why did Jin Jili lie to her just now? Or does he really think Rong Langjun is more handsome?
Thinking of this, his face darkened. It was no wonder that he had failed in his attempts to seduce her!
After returning home, Liu Zishi was filled with sadness.
Rong Xi saw this and couldn't help asking, "Do you really have any difficulties?"
Young Liu shook his head and said honestly, "My dear, it's not that I have a problem, but I feel that Madam Xin's life is too tragic."
Seeing Rong Xi's confused expression, he quickly came back to his senses and explained, "Mrs. Xin was known by Ji Li when he was selling fish. Ji Li told me today that Ms. Xin's mother died when she was three years old, and her father died when she was nine years old. She has been making a living by selling handkerchiefs ever since."
Recalling the woman next to Ji Li in the market, Rong Xi paused for a moment and continued, "Such a life story is indeed miserable."
But when he looked at the woman, she had a slender figure and affectionate eyes, and she didn't look like someone with a miserable life.
"My dear, there is something even worse," Liu Zishi sighed, "She came to Mengshan to seek refuge with her relatives half a month ago, but her relatives wanted to sell her to a 60-year-old man as a maid."
"Are these all said by Ji Li?" Rong Xi looked thoughtful.
Liu Zishi nodded, and seeing that Rong Xi seemed unhappy, he suddenly felt that he had talked too much. My husband has always been kind, and he must be very sad to hear such a tragic thing.
"My dear, please don't think too much."
Rong Xi smiled suddenly and ordered, "Go call Jili, I have something to ask him."
After a while, Jin Jili arrived with wet hair, obviously he had just been bathing.
After he bowed, he asked, "My dear, what can I do for you?"
Rong Xi's eyes met his and he saw that his blue eyes were clear and seemed to still have some innocence. He couldn't help but ask with a smile, "Why did you mention Madam Xin to Zishi?"
Jin Jili replied in confusion: "He asked, I answered."
"Jili," Rong Xi suddenly said solemnly, "For several months, I have never asked you who you are."
Jin Jili's expression gradually became serious and he stared at Rong Xi.
"I don't care about your identity, and I have never asked you how you act," Rong Xi suddenly sighed, "You reminded me to be careful today through Zishi's mouth, and I am very grateful."
Jin Jili quickly shook his head and waved his hands, eager to explain, but was stopped by Rong Xi.
"If Madam Xin deliberately approaches you and you discover it, you can remind me yourself without asking Zishi to speak."
"My dear, I am not..."
Rong Xi smiled gently and said, "You are very smart, I have always known that. No matter what you have been through, this is the Great Wei, not your country, you don't need to hide yourself."
There was silence in the yard for a moment, and Jin Jili suddenly raised his lips and smiled.
"My dear, it's my fault."
He traveled alone from a foreign country to the Wei Dynasty, suffered countless disasters on the way, and fell into the hands of a merchant caravan, where he lived a life worse than that of pigs and dogs.
He is used to not trusting others and hiding himself.
Rong Xi saw that he was sincere and patted his shoulder. "If you can't afford to go home, how about you regard Rong's house as your home?"
"My dear, you saved me from the fire and water. I am willing to be your servant for the rest of my life and serve you."
Jin Jili suddenly bowed and saluted in a strange manner, which must be a foreign etiquette.
His deep blue eyes did not conceal their passion at all. They were completely different from his previous demeanor. It was not an exaggeration to say that he was a prince from a foreign country.
"I don't need you to be my servant," Rong Xi smiled gently, "just be my friend."
Jin Jili was about to respond, but saw Qin Ke striding over, stretching out his arm to hold Rong Xi's shoulders, declaring his territory like a lion.
"I have something to tell you."
Jin Jili looked at him. If it were in the past, he would have lowered his head and avoided him. But now he was calm and fearless. He smiled and said, "Your Highness, you don't have to treat me like a beast. I have only gratitude towards Dalang."
Rong Xi secretly pinched Qin Ke's waist. Qin Ke's expression remained unchanged, but he put down his arm and said calmly: "Thank you for your reminder today. I will find out the identity of Madam Xin."
"Why not take advantage of the situation?" Rong Xi suggested.
Since Madam Xin intends to get close to Jin Jili, we might as well fulfill her wish and see what her real purpose is.
"No," Qin Ke frowned, "It's too dangerous."
Rong Xi shook his head, "If you send someone to investigate, it might alert the enemy."
He looked at Jin Jili, "Jili, can you help me?"
Jin Jili's eyes were as deep as the sea water, "It's an honor."
The two hit it off immediately, but Qin Ke still refused. He suddenly lifted Rong Xi up with one arm, and strode to the study room in an unusually tough manner.
"Qin Sizhi, why are you stopping me?" Rong Xi was puzzled.
Qin Ke pursed his lips, "Do you want to lure the wolf into the house and catch the turtle in the jar? No, it's too dangerous."
"I have taken precautions, and with you here, how could it be dangerous?" Rong Xi asked back.
Qin Ke felt sweet in his heart. He held his face with both hands, kissed him lightly on the lips, his eyes filled with smiles.
"I was just about to tell you."
He held Rong Xi in his arms and sat on the chair, sighing softly, "The Queen Mother's birthday is coming, and I must return to the capital. How can I feel at ease when I am not by your side?"
Rong Xi was slightly stunned. He and Qin Sizhi spent less time together and more time apart.
He was used to Qin Ke's company, and he felt a little uncomfortable when Qin Ke suddenly left.
"When do you leave?"
Qin Ke replied: "I will stay here for two or three days at most."
Two or three days is too tight to use the strategy of taking advantage of the opponent's situation.
Rong Xi thought for a moment and asked, "How about letting Ji Li flirt with the girl first and then making a decision when you come back?"
The peace and tranquility of Mount Meng was only superficial. Under the calm surface, there were undercurrents. There were countless people spying on the Military Equipment Inspectorate and Rong Xi. Qin Ke did not dare to relax for a moment.
If he hadn't been in charge, there would have been trouble in Mengshan long ago.
Now that it is the Queen Mother's birthday, Qin Ke has to return to the capital, and everyone knows about this. If the people in the dark take this opportunity to stir up trouble in Mengshan, Rong Xi will also be in danger.
He wished he could tie Rong Xi to his belt and take him wherever he went.
"How about I go back to Beijing with you?"
"Why don't you come back to Beijing with me?"
They both spoke at the same time, and when they heard what the other said, they couldn't help but smile at each other with tenderness.
Qin Ke seemed extremely pleased, his arms tightened even more, his chin resting on Rong Xi's shoulder, and asked in a muffled voice: "I thought you didn't like Shengjing and didn't want to go back to Shengjing."
For Rong Xi, he has no feelings towards Shengjing. He just didn't like seeing people from Rong Mansion because of what happened to the original owner.
He was so immersed in making tools that he was unwilling to face the things happening in the deep mansion, but some things had to be dealt with after all.
Although the original body died accidentally by falling into the water, the culprit is still rampant in the world. He was unable to fight back before, and it would be in vain even if he returned to Beijing.
"It's not that I don't want to, but there was nothing in Shengjing that I wanted to stay in before," Rong Xi said with increasing proficiency in sweet talk, "Now that you are in Shengjing, I don't want to leave you."
Qin Ke felt his heart suddenly burning with heat when he heard this.
He reached out his hand, gently turned Rong Xi's chin, and leaned over for a passionate kiss.
Rong Xi chuckled and wanted to turn the tables, but he was chased and defeated by someone. In the end, he had to surrender, leaving himself a chance to catch his breath.
After a long time, Qin Ke was kind enough to finally let him go. Seeing his moist eyes and swollen lips, he lowered his head and pecked him a few times, saying, "You must be very tired after traveling a long distance."
Rong Xi leaned on him and whispered, "I'm willing to do it even if I'm tired."
The two lingered for a while and then went back to their bedrooms to rest.
It’s not that he didn’t want to sleep with her, but Qin Ke was worried that he would scare Rong Xi.
The next afternoon, Jin Jili went to the market to sell fish without hesitation, and saw Madam Xin again.
Mrs. Xin was holding a newly embroidered handkerchief in her hand. As she waved it, a strong smell of powder and makeup mixed with the fishy smell came out, which Jin Jili found extremely unpleasant.
He suppressed his impatience and just smiled foolishly.
Madam Xin looked a little haggard, and sighed sadly, "Jili, does your husband treat you well?"
"good!"
When talking about Rong Xi, Jin Jili can only express admiration.
Hearing this, Madam Xin looked even sadder. "Blood ties are not as deep as the love between master and servant! Jili, you are more blessed than me."
Jin Jili scratched his head, his green eyes full of sympathy, "Are you really going to be sold as a maid?"
"How could I lie to you?" Madam Xin covered her face with a handkerchief and cried softly, "It would be great if I could meet a kind man like Rong Langjun."
Jin Jili nodded vigorously, "My dear, you are indeed a kind person!"
Madam Xin: “…” How come you don’t understand at all!
The vendors nearby laughed and joked, "If Lady Xin marries Mr. Jin, she will be able to receive the kindness and care of Mr. Rong, hahahaha."
The others started to make a noise, and Xin Niang blushed and said shyly, "Don't talk nonsense! Don't talk nonsense!"
Jin Jili finished laughing foolishly and suddenly said, "My dear, I value talents. If you have any skills, I can introduce you to them."
As soon as he finished speaking, Madam Xin was surprised and said, "I dare not boast, but my embroidery skills are quite good."
Jin Jili shook his head and said sincerely, "There are already two people in the house who are good at embroidery."
Madam Xin quickly changed her words, "I also know a little bit about cooking."
Jin Jili suddenly bared his teeth and smiled without saying anything.
The vendors nearby had already fallen backwards with laughter. "Mrs. Xin is new to Mengshan, so it's understandable that she didn't know about Mr. Rong's talent. Ms. Jiang from Jinshixuan, your cooking skills were taught by Mr. Rong himself, but you're not even 50% as skilled as Mr. Rong. Ms. Xin might as well compete with Ms. Jiang first."
She was not good at embroidery, nor was she good at cooking. Xin Niangzi was so choked that she could not speak. She glared at everyone fiercely and simply gave up. She asked Jin Jili: "Does being able to read count?"
"How many words do you know?" Jin Jili asked back.
Madam Xin picked out a few enlightenment books. Jin Jili frowned and thought for a long time before nodding and saying, "I'll go back and ask my husband."
Madam Xin was overjoyed.
The vendor couldn't help but mutter, "What's the point of knowing how to read, young lady?"
"You know what? Rong Langjun took in refugee children, including two girls who went to school with my son!"
Everyone gasped. They could understand letting a boy go to school, but why let a young lady go to school?
At the same time, Rong Xizheng and Qin Ke were selecting muskets in the underground secret room.
The two were about to go to Shengjing, so naturally they had to bring gifts to present to the emperor, with muskets being the first choice.
"Sizhi, what excuse should I use to return to Beijing?" Rong Xi suddenly asked.
He decided to return to Beijing with Qin Ke last night, but had not yet informed Rong Lian and others. He didn't know what excuse he could use that would not seem awkward.
Qin Ke frowned and thought for a moment, then replied, "Do you really need an excuse?"
In his opinion, returning to Beijing is the right thing to do, no need to say more.
Rong Xi was stunned, then shook his head and laughed. That’s right, why do we need a reason to return to Beijing?
After the selection was completed, the two left the secret room and entered the prison office.
When Cheng Hao saw the two of them coming, he hurriedly said, "Prince, this is the emperor's handwritten order, please take a look."
The handwritten order was sent to the Military Equipment Bureau, which should be the emperor's instructions.
Qin Ke unfolded it and took a look. He suddenly raised his lips and smiled softly, then handed the handwritten letter to Rong Xi, "Take a look."
Rong Xi took a closer look and was immediately overjoyed. The emperor sent a big pillow over just in time!
The handwritten note said that the Queen Mother liked glass very much, and now that her birthday was approaching, she wanted to summon Rong Xi to the palace to see her.
The Emperor naturally wanted to help the Empress Dowager realize her wish, so he wrote an imperial edict and specially ordered Rong Xi to come to the capital.
After the two of them returned home with the imperial edict, they met Jin Jili and Liu Zishi coming back.
Jin Jili told Rong Xi about Xin's wife, and Rong Xi smiled and replied: "You can tell her that I like people who are good at chess. If she thinks she is good at chess, she can come to Rong's house to find me."
Jin Jili seemed to understand, but did not ask any more questions.
After dinner, Rong Xi announced to the masters and servants of the Rong family that he was returning to the capital, and everyone was surprised.
After explaining the emperor's instructions, Rong Lian said with concern: "The journey is long, brother, be careful."
Rong Xi nodded, "The prince will go with me, so you don't have to worry."
Liu Zishi said pitifully, "My dear, why don't you take me back to the capital with you? I can still serve you."
Rong Xi stroked her hair gently, "You need to guard the house for me. It's a difficult task."
After saying this, he looked around at everyone and said, "For the time being, please do not spread the news of my return to the capital."
Everyone obeyed the order.
After returning to the study, Qin Ke shook his hand and said with a smile: "Are you a person who likes chess?"
Rong Xi smiled secretly, pretending to be innocent, "Yes, I especially like people who give in."
Thinking about the first time they played chess, and how he cheated with his clever words, Qin Ke finally relented and let him go, Rong Xi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Rong Dalang is a man of great eloquence. He forced me to give in to you this time. I am still grateful to him." Qin Ke teased with soft eyes.
Rong Xi pretended to be ashamed and annoyed, "You really hold a grudge!"
Qin Ke quickly embraced him and said with a smile: "It's not that I hold a grudge, but..."
"And what?"
“I am so happy, and the memory is still fresh.”
Rong Dalang has always been gentle and polite to outsiders, but Qin Ke likes his cunning and dishonest side. This shows that in Rong Xi's heart, Qin Sizhi is unique.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
The knock on the door had a strange rhythm, breaking the ambiguity in the room. There was only one person in Rong's house who knocked on the door like this.
Rong Xi opened the door and saw Rong Mo standing under the eaves. He smiled and said, "Third brother, have you finished reading the book?"
He stepped aside to let Rong Mo in.
Rong Mo walked into the study room lightly, ignoring Qin Ke's presence, and turned the pages of a book. There was a piece of white paper with pencil writing on it.
Rong Xi took it, read it carefully, his eyes full of shock.
In excitement, he suddenly slammed the table and praised: "Third brother, you are really a genius!"
Rong Mo shook his head slightly, so slightly that it was almost invisible.
In his heart, his brother's unparalleled talent made him look up to him and admire him.
Qin Ke rarely saw Rong Xi with such an expression. He was curious, picked up the paper and read it carefully. The more he read, the more he felt the same.
“It’s a brilliant idea, but it’s extremely difficult to realize.”
Rong Xi shook his head and smiled: "It's not that difficult actually."
"You actually have a solution?" Qin Ke's eyebrows moved slightly.
Rong Dalang praised others for their genius, but he was unaware of his own extraordinary talent.
"It's still in the vague stage," Rong Xi smiled and then asked Rong Mo, "Third brother, you should carefully explore the principle. When I come back from Shengjing, how about you and I develop it together?"
Rong Mo did not respond, but his eyes were extremely hot and bright.
Rong Xi handed the paper back to him and said solemnly: "These manuscripts must be kept properly."
His eyes were so intense that they seemed to burn the ink. The young boy took the manuscript and ran out of the study, as if there were wolves and tigers following him.
“I’m terrible?”
Rong Xi asked Qin Ke in surprise.
Qin Ke smiled and said, "It's not scary. Maybe he is too shy. Can what you just said really come true?"
Rong Xi had previously asked why a kite could fly into the sky with the help of the wind, but a pencil could not.
Rong Mo went back to explore further and wrote down his guesses on paper.
A kite flies into the sky because the force that lifts it up is greater than the force that brings it down to the ground. Kite is shaped like a bird, and birds can soar into the blue sky with the power of their wings. If the force used to lift the kite is greater, can it carry the pen and fly into the sky?
To people of that time, this conjecture must be considered nonsense, but to Rong Xi, it was the thinking of genius!
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Fairies please give more comments. I really don’t know what to say, so just hahaha!
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