Yun Qiuchen was soon brought in by a maid. Seeing Noble Consort Yun seated in the place of honor, Yun Qiuchen joyfully stepped forward to pay her respects to both Noble Consort Yun and the Princess Consort.

After rising, Yun Qiuchen smiled and said, “Before New Year, I heard that Great-Aunt was returning to the manor. The Princess Consort and the Princess have been thinking of you constantly.”

She didn’t mention her longing, but instead spoke well of the Princess Consort and Xiao Jinglin in front of Noble Consort Yun. She had always conducted herself this way before Noble Consort Yun, and the Princess Consort quite liked her for it.

Noble Consort Yun nodded with a gentle expression and beckoned her over to sit. Yun Qiuchen sat beside Noble Consort Yun as she always had.

Noble Consort Yun asked about her grandparents’ health and various matters concerning the Yun family, all of which Yun Qiuchen answered with a smile. The Princess Consort listened from the side without showing emotion, occasionally adding a word or two. The atmosphere was more harmonious than when just Noble Consort Yun and the Princess Consort had been there.

“If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. Qiuchen can stay here and chat with me for a while,” Noble Consort Yun said to the Princess Consort before long.

The Princess Consort looked at Noble Consort Yun, lowered her head in acknowledgment, then rose and left.

As soon as she left Lanxi Hall, the Princess Consort’s brow unconsciously furrowed. She looked back once, then sighed and turned to leave.

News of Noble Consort Yun’s return quickly spread throughout Yanbei Prince’s Manor, naturally reaching the Old Princess Consort as well. In earlier years, the Old Princess Consort would certainly have made a fuss about Noble Consort Yun returning without first paying her respects, but this time, there was no movement from Shou’an Hall.

After Yanbei Prince inherited the title, Noble Consort Yun, whether out of consideration for her son’s reputation or some other reason, had not taken the opportunity to suppress the Old Princess Consort, instead keeping far away from her. However, since the two had never gotten along when they were young, Noble Consort Yun was also unwilling to humble herself before the Old Princess Consort – she would never do things like paying formal visits.

Though the Old Princess Consort made no move, Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu hurried over to pay their respects to Noble Consort Yun upon hearing the news. Noble Consort Yun didn’t refuse to see them and had the maids bring them in.

When facing guests, Noble Consort Yun’s attitude was fairly amiable. However, she was naturally aloof and had rarely appeared in public in recent years, so she didn’t much like talking. It was Yun Qiuchen who kept the atmosphere lively.

The Princess Consort naturally knew that Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu had gone to see Noble Consort Yun, but she did not comment. Noble Consort Yun was Yanbei Prince’s birth mother – she could hardly send people to monitor her mother-in-law’s every move. She could only send word to Xiao Jinglin to return as soon as possible. After all, there were times when it was inconvenient for her to be present, but Xiao Jinglin, as a granddaughter, could be there, and besides, the Thousand Gold Banquet was about to begin. Xiao Jinglin had originally planned to return before the banquet started anyway.

So, a few days after the Old Princess Consort returned, Xiao Jinglin came back. At the same time, the Thousand Gold Banquet was about to begin – this year’s banquet was set for early June.

Li Shi had prepared several outfits for Ren Yaoqi early on and had new sets of hair ornaments and jewelry made, wanting her to wear them at the Thousand Gold Banquet. Now that Ren Yaoqi’s status was different from before, and this year’s Thousand Gold Banquet was more special than usual, Li Shi was quite concerned about this matter.

What was unexpected, however, was that three days before the Thousand Gold Banquet began, Yanbei Princess Consort sent her maid to deliver clothing and jewelry to Ren Yaoqi. The last time Ren Yaoqi attended the Thousand Gold Banquet, the Princess Consort had also sent her a set of hair ornaments, but this time she sent eight complete outfits and eight sets of matching hair ornaments and jewelry.

Later, Ren Yaoqi learned that the Princess Consort had given similar gifts to Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu who were staying at Yanbei Prince’s Manor, but they only received four sets, and neither in quantity nor quality could they compare to what the Princess Consort had given Ren Yaoqi. What the Princess Consort gave Ren Yaoqi followed the same standard as what she gave Xiao Jinglin, the Princess.

Because of this, the people of Yanbei all believed that the Princess Consort valued her future daughter-in-law greatly, making everyone even more careful in their attitude toward Ren Yaoqi. In these times, being liked by one’s husband wasn’t much, only being liked by one’s mother-in-law could truly bring peace of mind. Even Third Master Ren understood this principle.

This year’s Thousand Gold Banquet was still held at the hot spring villa. Although nominally still hosted by the Yun family, because of the special nature of the Empress Dowager’s involvement, the main arrangements were being handled by Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

On the day the Thousand Gold Banquet began, Xiao Jinglin came early to fetch Ren Yaoqi. As before, Ren Yaoqi went with Xiao Jinglin.

Today, Ren Yaoqi wore a deep purple cross-collar jacket with embroidered phoenix-tail chrysanthemum patterns and wide sleeves. This deep color would make most people look sallow, but Ren Yaoqi’s fair skin, outstanding appearance, and elegant bearing made the deep purple add several degrees of refinement to her appearance. The specially designed pair of golden hairpins in the shape of spreading phoenix wings added even more nobility to her bearing, making it clear at a glance that her status was different from ordinary young ladies.

In contrast, Xiao Jinglin dressed quite simply today – an ivory-colored jacket with embroidered golden phoenix patterns and a white pleated skirt, making her appear particularly light and elegant. Standing together with Ren Yaoqi, it seemed as if Ren Yaoqi was the protagonist.

Seeing her board the carriage, Xiao Jinglin honestly praised, “Very beautiful! You’ve outshone all of them!”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled. Her clothing and ornaments were all prepared by the Princess Consort, with regulations on when to wear which set. She didn’t pay much attention to these things and understood the Princess Consort’s reasons for personally concerning herself with this, so she was very grateful. Even Li Shi remarked that the Princess Consort cared for Ren Yaoqi like her own daughter and advised her to be filial to her in-laws after marrying into the Xiao family.

When Xiao Jinglin’s carriage reached the city gate, it happened to meet up with the carriages of Yanbei Princess Consort and others. The entire group proceeded grandly to the hot spring villa.

Ren Yaoqi had been to the hot spring villa many times and was thoroughly familiar with it. Their carriage didn’t stop outside but followed the Princess Consort’s carriage to the main hall complex.

When Ren Yaoqi stepped down from the carriage, the Old Princess Consort, who had arrived earlier, had already gone to Jianxue Pavilion. The Princess Consort was supporting a woman of about fifty who stood not far in front of them. This unfamiliar elderly woman had a cold expression and plain dress, yet the Princess Consort’s attitude toward her was extremely respectful.

Before Ren Yaoqi could guess the identity of this elderly lady, the Princess Consort saw them and called out with a smile, “Yaoqi, Jinglin, come over quickly.”

Xiao Jinglin pulled Ren Yaoqi over while quietly reminding her, “That’s my grandmother.” Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi’s heart tensed.

Noble Consort Yun seemed to notice their small interaction and couldn’t help but frown.

The Princess Consort smiled and said to Ren Yaoqi, “Yaoqi, come meet Noble Consort Yun.”

Ren Yaoqi quickly bowed to Noble Consort Yun.

Noble Consort Yun didn’t make a sound, but Ren Yaoqi could feel her gaze constantly fixed on her, creating a sense of pressure. Since Noble Consort Yun didn’t respond to her, she could only keep her head lowered.

Just as Xiao Jinglin was about to speak to help Ren Yaoqi out of the awkward situation, Noble Consort Yun slightly raised her hand and said quietly, “Rise.”

Ren Yaoqi straightened up, but couldn’t help frowning slightly. Had Noble Consort Yun’s silence just now been due to dissatisfaction with her? Was she trying to intimidate her?

She looked up at Noble Consort Yun, only to find that Noble Consort Yun had already turned and left first.

The Princess Consort came over and gently patted Ren Yaoqi’s hand, giving her a warm, encouraging smile and saying quietly, “The Noble Consort has this temperament – she wasn’t deliberately cold to you. Don’t be afraid.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded at the Princess Consort.

The Princess Consort continued, “This time, you and Jinglin will both stay with me at Lanyue Pavilion. Bring all your familiar maids with you.”

The main halls of the hot spring villa had always been reserved only for Prince’s Manor residents. The Yun family and other families, including the young ladies sent by the court this time, all stayed in the outer areas. Last time Ren Yaoqi came, she had benefited from Xiao Jinglin’s favor; this time it was the Princess Consort’s invitation.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in acknowledgment, and the Princess Consort followed Noble Consort Yun.

However, after Ren Yaoqi followed Xiao Jinglin to Lanyue Pavilion and before they had even settled in, the Old Princess Consort sent someone to express her displeasure.

It turned out that the Old Princess Consort had earlier wanted Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu to stay with her at Jianxue Pavilion, but this had been tactfully refused by the Princess Consort, who arranged for Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu to stay in the outer area with the other young ladies, though giving them a separate courtyard.

When the Old Princess Consort learned that Ren Yaoqi had been allowed to stay in the inner area, she became displeased. Why could Ren Yaoqi stay when the people she wanted couldn’t?

The Princess Consort’s explanation was that Ren Yaoqi would soon be part of the Xiao family, and she needed both Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin to help her in the coming days.

In the end, the Princess Consort somehow managed to persuade the Old Princess Consort’s messenger to leave. However, she firmly refused to let Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu move in, though her attitude was humble; there was no room for negotiation.

The Old Princess Consort was naturally very displeased and threw quite a tantrum in her Jianxue Pavilion.

Just as the Old Princess Consort’s people left, Noble Consort Yun’s people arrived.

Noble Consort Yun wasn’t seeking to have anyone move in – she had sent someone to summon Ren Yaoqi to see her.

Hearing that Noble Consort Yun wanted to see Ren Yaoqi, the Princess Consort said nothing, only smiled and gave Ren Yaoqi a few instructions. Xiao Jinglin said she wanted to accompany Ren Yaoqi, and the Princess Consort didn’t stop her.

So Xiao Jinglin took Ren Yaoqi to Feiwu Pavilion, where Noble Consort Yun was staying.

Although Noble Consort Yun was technically half a rank lower than the Old Princess Consort, looking at the scale and layout of their respective residences – Jianxue Pavilion versus Feiwu Pavilion, and in the Prince’s Manor, Shou’an Hall versus Lanxi Hall – there was no real difference. From this, it could be seen that in terms of actual status, Noble Consort Yun might not truly be lower than the Old Princess Consort.