In early November, Yanbei welcomed the first snow of the year.
Although this first snowfall was not heavy, it fell continuously for many days in a lingering manner. The entire Yunyang City appeared as a white expanse when viewed from above, yet the azure stone-paved roads in the city were extremely slippery. Not only did pedestrians slip while walking, but several carriages also collided. Perhaps because there had been more people coming and going in Yunyang City recently, the snow on the ground was trampled and melted before it could be packed solid. Even though the City Defense Bureau, which was specifically responsible for the inner city’s safety, dispatched people daily to clean the main thoroughfares in the city, there was always a layer of ice fragments left behind by melted snow on the ground.
The court’s representatives arrived in Yanbei in mid-November. It was said that they encountered continuous snowstorms on the road, overturned their carriage once, and were delayed for several days, so they did not arrive on the Old Princess Consort’s birthday.
Although they arrived late, those who were supposed to come had all still come.
The Empress Dowager and Emperor bestowed upon the Old Princess Consort many rare treasures as birthday gifts, just as in previous years, and subsequently expressed their regret regarding the Crown Prince’s death.
After the Crown Prince’s death, the Yanbei Prince’s mansion sent people to the capital, partly to handle the aftermath and bring back the Crown Prince’s remains, and partly to demand an explanation from the court. However, the Crown Prince had been suddenly assassinated that day. Although several suspected assassins were later captured, they committed suicide on the spot, leaving no witnesses in the end. The court naturally would not allow the Yanbei Prince’s mansion to push responsibility onto itself, so in the end, when the Yanbei Prince’s mansion wanted to hold the court accountable, they could not produce evidence that would stand up. Thus, the matter could only be left unresolved, but a rift between the Yanbei Prince’s mansion and the court remained.
Among those who came to Yanbei this time, besides two officials from the Ministry of Rites, there were also several eunuchs and old nannies from around the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. When the official business was nearly concluded, one eunuch said to the Prince of Yanbei, “Eunuch Lu from beside the Empress Dowager has been in Yanbei for some time now. Before this slave came, the Empress Dowager said that after Eunuch Lu finishes his business, he should return to the capital once, as she cannot do without Eunuch Lu’s service.”
Eunuch Lu had long been handed over to Xiao Shun by Xiao Jingxi, and now it was unknown whether he was still alive or not. If he were dead, that would be fine, but if alive, he was probably suffering a fate worse than death.
When the Yanbei Prince’s mansion had previously sent official documents to the court, they had mentioned in passing that Eunuch Lu had been held accountable for the crime of deceiving the emperor. At that time, the court had not immediately responded. Now that the Empress Dowager’s people brought up this matter in front of the Prince of Yanbei, it was unclear whether the Empress Dowager was unaware or was deliberately looking for trouble despite knowing.
Upon hearing this, the Prince of Yanbei raised his eyebrows thoughtfully, then asked his Princess Consort sitting beside him with complete composure, “Which Eunuch Lu is he talking about? This prince has no impression.” When it came to playing dumb and acting shamelessly, the Prince of Yanbei, who had spent years mingling in the military, did so without any pressure.
The eunuch: “…”
The Princess Consort thought for a moment, then gently reminded the Prince, “Previously, I heard Jingxi mention that some time ago, the prince’s mansion seemed to have dealt with several eunuchs who deceived and misled the emperor on behalf of the court? However, I never concern myself with outside affairs, so I’m not quite clear about the specific circumstances.” The Princess Consort also began playing tai chi.
The Prince of Yanbei stroked his chin and nodded, then said to the eunuch, “This prince is rarely in the mansion throughout the year and never concerns himself with trivial matters. For such small affairs, you should go ask my son instead.” He pushed all responsibility away cleanly.
The corner of the eunuch’s mouth twitched, and he really could not find words to say.
However, an old nanny who had been silent and came with the eunuch spoke up, “I wonder where the Second Young Master is now? This slave has an imperial edict concerning the Second Young Master here. If the Second Young Master is in the mansion, could he come out to receive the edict?”
The Prince of Yanbei and Princess Consort exchanged glances, and it was still the Princess Consort who instructed Nanny Xin, “Send someone to the mountain villa to fetch the Second Young Master back. Tell him that an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager has arrived and he should return to receive it.”
Xiao Jingxi only returned to the mansion an hour later. During this time, these several eunuchs and nannies had all been led away to rest for a round. As for the edict for Xiao Jingxi, they had not revealed it beforehand since Xiao Jingxi had not returned, because the Prince and Princess Consort had not specifically inquired about it.
After Xiao Jingxi returned to the mansion, the nanny who had brought the Empress Dowager’s edict was invited over again.
In front of Xiao Jingxi as well as the Prince and Princess Consort, the old nanny orally conveyed the Empress Dowager’s decree, which was to bestow a marriage upon Xiao Jingxi with a daughter from the Empress Dowager’s natal family, the eldest Miss Yan.
After hearing the Empress Dowager’s decree, the Prince of Yanbei and Princess Consort remained silent. The Prince of Yanbei glanced at Xiao Jingxi and calmly took a sip of tea.
Xiao Jingxi said unhurriedly, “Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s favor, but unfortunately, this subject already has a marriage engagement, with the wedding date set for next September.”
Upon hearing this, the old nanny was dismissive, “With the Empress Dowager’s edict here, the Young Master’s previous engagement can simply be cancelled. Could that young lady possibly have a more noble status than Miss Yan?”
Xiao Jingxi smiled, “This… would be improper.”
Hearing this, the old nanny became somewhat displeased. “Are you saying the Second Young Master wishes to defy the imperial edict?”
Xiao Jingxi sat there thinking for a moment, then smiled at the old nanny, “Regarding noble status… why don’t you help me consider this? Miss Yan is the daughter of the Empress Dowager’s natal family, so her status is naturally very noble. The one I am engaged to is the legitimate daughter of Princess Jiayi, who was the late Emperor’s granddaughter. The Xiao family serves the Li family, so for the Yanbei Prince’s mansion to break an engagement without cause would mean the Xiao family could not face the late Emperor.”
Upon hearing this, the old nanny choked, paused, then said, “This old slave does not know of any Princess Jiayi. The late Emperor’s granddaughters, all the princesses and county princesses, are in the capital.”
At this point, the Prince of Yanbei spoke up, “You’ve always been in the palace, so it’s not surprising you don’t know. Before the late Emperor’s death, he left a final edict for Prince Xian, pardoning Prince Xian and elevating him to Prince of Hezhong. Princess Jiayi is the legitimate daughter of the Prince of Hezhong.”
The old nanny naturally knew about this matter. The Empress Dowager had been furious about it, and no one in the palace dared mention anything related to Prince Xian or the Prince of Hezhong, or they would lose their lives.
“That imperial edict…” The old nanny opened her mouth wanting to say that edict was false, but she was after all an old hand in the palace and realized the impropriety of her words as soon as she began speaking. Whether the edict in Prince Xian’s hands was real or fake was not for a slave like her to judge, and even the Emperor and Empress Dowager had not publicly declared that the final edict in Prince Xian’s hands was false.
The old nanny broke out in a cold sweat, glanced at the Prince of Yanbei, and dared not be presumptuous again.
The Prince of Yanbei was too lazy to argue with a servant about words.
The old nanny had a mission to complete and continued, “If this marriage truly cannot be declined… the Second Young Master could follow the example of the old Prince and marry two wives. Miss Yan is also a reasonable young lady from a distinguished family.” This time, the old nanny was cleverer, only suggesting that Xiao Jingxi marry two wives without saying who would be primary and who secondary.
The Prince of Yanbei nodded, “For a man, having multiple wives and concubines is quite normal.”
Upon hearing this, the old nanny was delighted, thinking the Yanbei Prince’s mansion was about to agree. She was about to say a few more words when, unexpectedly, the Prince of Yanbei sighed again, looked Xiao Jingxi up and down several times, and said regretfully, “It’s just that this prince’s son probably doesn’t have such good fortune. He has been frail since childhood, and being able to marry one wife would be good enough. Marry two? Tsk… without that capability, one shouldn’t take on such tasks.” The Prince of Yanbei shook his head.
Princess Consort: “…”
Xiao Jingxi’s eye twitched, and only because of his extremely deep composure did he manage not to let the smile on his face collapse.
But with the Prince of Yanbei being so shameless and obstinate, even the old nanny could not continue speaking.
When one’s father directly says his son is inadequate and physically incapable of handling two women, what else could anyone say? Die under peonies and be a romantic ghost? This was no longer about arranging a marriage but deliberately plotting someone’s life.
In the end, the old nanny from the Empress Dowager’s side was defeated and could only think of returning to ask the Empress Dowager to decide. With the Yanbei Prince’s mansion being so firmly resistant to defying the edict, honestly speaking, the several palace servants dared not confront them head-on in the Yanbei Prince’s mansion, especially with Eunuch Lu’s precedent before them – losing one’s life might not even result in justice.
The court’s representatives did not stay long in Yanbei and departed from Yunyang City the next day to return to the capital. However, news of the Empress Dowager wanting to bestow Miss Yan in marriage to the second son of the Xiao family still spread.
The people of Yanbei all discussed this matter extensively, but everyone felt that if the court insisted on the bestowed marriage, Second Young Master Xiao would very likely follow his grandfather’s example and marry two wives. In any case, if Miss Yan were brought back, she could at most be a decoration. The Yan family was tens of thousands of li away from Yanbei, so even if they wanted to support their daughter, distant water could not put out a nearby fire. There was no need to directly offend the Empress Dowager and the Yan family over such a small matter. Men having multiple wives and concubines was perfectly normal, especially for the second son of the Yanbei Prince’s mansion.
Ren Yaoqi naturally also heard the rumors from outside. Even if she did not actively inquire, because of her current engagement with Xiao Jingxi, people took the initiative to bring the matter to her attention.
Thus, on this day, when Ren Yaoqi accompanied Li Shi to attend an old lady’s birthday banquet, she heard people in the garden discussing this matter.
One woman said with great interest, “I heard that Miss Yan is a rare beauty who resembles the Empress Dowager’s appearance in her youth, and is thus greatly favored by the Empress Dowager. It’s such a pity that we have no opportunity to see her. I wonder who would rank higher in beauty compared to Miss Ren?”
Another person said, “It’s not that there’s no opportunity to see her. Who knows, she might marry into our Yanbei in the future? Then there would be a chance to meet her.”
“Speaking of which, isn’t the eldest daughter-in-law of the Su family from the capital? I heard she saw Miss Yan when she was still unmarried. If you’re all so curious, you could inquire with the Su family’s eldest daughter-in-law.”
Someone else said indignantly, “Are girls from the capital necessarily more beautiful than those from our Yanbei? I think that Miss Ren looks extremely good, and I heard she resembles Noble Consort Wan, who was once the most favored in the imperial harem.”
“That’s also true. We never had the chance to see Noble Consort Wan, but since Her Majesty the Noble Consort was so favored back then, she must have been… well, quite superior in appearance.”
Ren Yaoqi listened for a while. Although she had not deliberately concealed her whereabouts, these several young ladies were chatting with great enthusiasm and had not noticed her arrival at all.
Until footsteps sounded from another small path, and several more people came in this direction.
Then Ren Yaoqi heard the two groups greeting each other. Ren Yaoqi also came out, intending to walk around them, but heard someone say, “Oh? Isn’t this Miss Ren?”
Now that the third branch of the Ren family had separated from the main family and Ren Yaohua had married, everyone simply called Ren Yaoqi “Miss Ren” without adding her rank in the address.
Ren Yaoqi had to stop and turn around to see that the one who had called out to her was Second Miss Meng. Although she could not say she was familiar with this Miss Meng, they had met several times.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded, walking over to greet the several young ladies she knew.
The few who had been discussing Ren Yaoqi earlier clearly looked somewhat uncomfortable. They did not know whether Ren Yaoqi had heard their behind-the-scenes discussion. However, Second Miss Meng, although she had been present earlier, had said very little from beginning to end, so there was no embarrassment on her face.
“Is Miss Ren also strolling in the garden?” someone asked cautiously.
Although Ren Yaoqi’s previous status was nothing special, since Prince Xian had transformed into the Prince of Hezhong and Ren Yaoqi had become engaged to Xiao Jingxi, people looked at her differently. Even among daughters of prominent families, there were different levels. Of course, there was certainly no shortage of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Ren Yaoqi nodded and smiled, “I was just going to the warm pavilion.”
Seeing her expression was normal, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere became somewhat more lively. These several young ladies were all three or four years younger than Ren Yaoqi. They did not usually play together, and although they had occasionally met, now that Ren Yaoqi’s status was quite different from before, everyone had more curiosity and scrutiny toward her than they previously had.
One with a more lively personality asked familiarly, “Sister Ren, what do you like to do at home? I like kicking shuttlecocks, but unfortunately, now that it’s cold, the elders generally don’t allow us to leave our rooms.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled, “I’m afraid of cold, so in winter I only dare to stay in my room reading books and practicing calligraphy.”
Seeing her friendly attitude and easy conversation, everyone became more enthusiastic.
Someone said, “I don’t like reading books and practicing calligraphy, but mother insists on forcing me to practice, saying she’s afraid I’ll embarrass myself at next year’s Thousand Gold Banquet.”
Miss Meng smiled, “Speaking of the Thousand Gold Banquet, we should consult Miss Ren about this. She was one of the champions from the previous session.”
The Yun family’s Thousand Gold Banquet was originally held every two years, but had not been held since the last one that Ren Yaoqi had participated in. It was unknown whether this was due to the incident that occurred then or some other taboo, but only recently had the Yun family announced that the Thousand Gold Banquet would continue next summer. These daughters of prominent families all hoped to show their faces and gain good rankings at the Thousand Gold Banquet to secure good marriages.
Everyone gathered around Ren Yaoqi, asking her about the Thousand Gold Banquet, and Ren Yaoqi answered them all.
Someone said, “I thought the Thousand Gold Banquet would never be held again. I heard it was Eldest Miss Yun who convinced Old Madam Yun and Eldest Madam Yun.”
“I also heard that many people inquired with Eldest Miss Yun about the Thousand Gold Banquet. Eldest Miss Yun has always had a good nature, so she agreed to go back and plead with the family elders, and unexpectedly, it worked.”
“I heard that because the Thousand Gold Banquet wasn’t held for several years, next year’s banquet will be more lively than in previous years. I wonder what kind of grand occasion it will be.”
“We’ll know when the time comes. With your family background, you’ll be able to get an invitation from the Yun family.”
Ren Yaoqi listened to their various discussions about the Thousand Gold Banquet without interjecting. However, when she heard that next year’s Thousand Gold Banquet was strongly advocated by Eldest Miss Yun, her heart stirred slightly.
Afterward, everyone talked about other things. Ren Yaoqi stayed for a short while longer before taking her leave.
The Yun family’s Thousand Gold Banquet seemed to really be planned as a grand affair. Over the following period, Ren Yaoqi often heard others mention next year’s Thousand Gold Banquet. However, she had no plans to participate this year.
Thus, time quickly passed to the twelfth lunar month, and it was time for the year’s most lively New Year festival again.
In previous years, the Ren family had always returned to the old residence in Baihezhen for New Year’s. This year, because Third Master Ren had already been expelled from the family, their branch did not plan to return to Baihezhen. Therefore, when there was still a long time before New Year’s, Li Shi and Nanny Zhou began busily preparing New Year goods, fearing they would not have time when the twelfth month arrived. This was their first New Year celebrated independently, so naturally, they were very careful and cautious, afraid of making any mistakes that would bring bad luck during the New Year.
Just as Li Shi was leading Ren Yaoqi and a group of maids and servants in preparing for the New Year, news came from the Lei family that brought both surprise and joy to Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaohua was already two months pregnant.
Ren Yaohua had married in August, and now it was just the twelfth month when they discovered she was two months pregnant – how could this not bring surprise and joy?
Li Shi was even moved to tears of joy: “Thank heaven and earth, thank heaven and earth! This year, we must properly worship our ancestors and Buddha, asking them all to bless our Hua’er with a son and a safe delivery for both mother and child.” In Li Shi’s life, if there was still any regret, it was that she had not been able to bear a son for her husband.
Because of this guilt in her heart, even when she was bullied by Concubine Fang in the Ren family, she lacked the confidence to fight back. She always felt indebted to Ren Shimin and the Ren family.
So now hearing that Ren Yaohua was pregnant, how could she not be happy for her daughter?
Nanny Zhou had served beside Li Shi for many years and naturally understood her thoughts. Her eyes immediately reddened: “Madam, rest assured. Both our young ladies are blessed people. The eldest miss will surely give birth to a son.”
Ren Yaoqi was also very happy for Ren Yaohua. With a child, Ren Yaohua could truly establish her footing in the Lei family.
After being happy for a long time, Li Shi began to worry again: “Hua’er is young, and this is her first pregnancy. The Lei family has no elders to watch over her. I, I’m not at ease.”
Nanny Zhou said, “The eldest miss must have sent someone back to tell us this news because she wants her natal family’s help and support? With New Year’s approaching, the Lei family must be too busy to manage everything.”
Logically speaking, pregnancies under three months should not be publicized. Although Ren Yaohua was strong-willed, she was also sensible and would not be reckless.
Reminded by Nanny Zhou, Li Shi also realized that this year was also Ren Yaohua’s first New Year in the Lei family. As the Lei family’s headmistress, all matters in the Lei family, including sacrificial rites, needed her to preside over. If it were normal times, it would be manageable, but now that she was pregnant and not yet three months along, how could Ren Yaohua handle it alone?
With this thought, Li Shi could no longer sit still. She stood up and said, “I must go to the Lei family to see her. There are some things I need to teach her in person.”
Nanny Zhou quickly stopped Li Shi: “Madam, it’s already quite late today. Why not go in a couple of days? This servant needs to prepare some things the eldest miss can use, so we can send them all to the Lei family together.”
Li Shi thought what Nanny Zhou said made sense and no longer insisted on going to see Ren Yaohua immediately: “Yes, yes, yes, we also need to prepare several people for her. Oh my, it’s already the twelfth month, and I’m so busy I can barely keep my feet on the ground. The Lei family must be even busier. Nanny, why don’t you go to the Lei family first to help Hua’er? With you there, I’ll feel at ease.”
“But what about things at home…”
Li Shi immediately said, “At home, there’s still me and Qi’er. You should quickly take some capable people to the Lei family to help Hua’er – that’s what’s important.”
Nanny Zhou couldn’t help but look at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and also nodded: “Mother and Nanny’s concerns are reasonable. Things at home have been mostly prepared already. With my mother and me here, nothing will go wrong. Nanny should go stay with her sister for a while and return after the New Year festivities are over.”
Nanny Zhou was also worried about Ren Yaohua. Seeing both Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi say this, she immediately packed her things and, taking several very capable maids and servants, hurried to the Lei family.
Two days later, Li Shi took Ren Yaoqi to the Lei family to see Ren Yaohua, bringing two large cartloads of food and supplies.
When Ren Yaohua received news that Li Shi was coming to see her, she had originally wanted to go out to welcome Li Shi, but was stopped by a roomful of people and could only wait in her courtyard.
When Ren Yaoqi entered the room, she casually observed and found that almost all those serving in the room were dowry servants that Ren Yaohua had brought. The Lei family also had two maids who could enter the room to serve, but their appearances were ordinary, and they all looked honest and dutiful.
Ren Yaohua looked very well, even plumper than when she was at home. When she saw Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi, her eyes were full of joy, making her appear much gentler than when she was an unmarried daughter at home. Ren Yaoqi observed Ren Yaohua this way and felt increasingly reassured – Ren Yaohua was doing very well.
Ren Yaohua chatted with Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi about family matters for a while, asking about everyone and everything at home. Li Shi also gave all the advice she had thought about for two days, and Ren Yaohua listened carefully to everything. Although Li Shi chattered on with some repetition, Ren Yaohua showed not the slightest impatience.
The atmosphere in the room was pleasant when Wujing came in to report that the young master had returned.
As the head of the Lei family, Lei Ting was very busy at year’s end. However, because of Ren Yaohua’s pregnancy, no matter how busy he was, he would return home for all three meals to accompany his wife, and never went out for social engagements in the evenings. Nanny Zhou had been at the Lei family for two days and was now one hundred and one thousand percent satisfied with this son-in-law, smiling warmly whenever she saw him.
It was not yet mealtime, but Lei Ting had returned early upon hearing that his mother-in-law had come.