The imperial decree stated that the imperial clan woman who had previously been betrothed to Xiao Jingyue had suddenly died, so the Empress Dowager arranged another marriage for Xiao Jingyue. The one designated for Xiao Jingyue was none other than the eldest legitimate daughter of the Yan family, Yan Ningshuang.

This decree was official, meant for the world to see. Secretly, the Empress Dowager also sent a confidential edict to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. The content of this secret decree was far less courteous – the Empress Dowager expressed tremendous indignation that Xiao Jingyue dared to molest a daughter of the Yan family, harshly criticizing the Yanbei Prince and Princess Consort, blaming them for failing to properly restrain the Xiao family’s young men and allowing such incidents to occur within the Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

The Empress Dowager made clear in the decree that designating Yan Ningshuang for Xiao Jingyue was truly a helpless measure – neither she nor the Yan family were willing. However, since matters had reached this point, there was no other solution besides having Yan Ningshuang marry Xiao Jingyue. After all, Yan Ningshuang’s status was somewhat special, and the Empress Dowager could not stand by and watch her maternal family’s grand-niece have her reputation ruined with no way forward. The customs in the capital and Jiangnan were not as open as in Yanbei. For someone like Yan Ningshuang to be taken advantage of by a man and witnessed by so many people meant she would have no way to find a good marriage family in the future.

Finally, the Empress Dowager indicated in the secret decree that Yan Ningshuang marrying into the Xiao family would be suffering an injustice. She hoped the Yanbei Prince’s Manor would treat her grand-niece well, or neither she nor the Yan family would let the matter rest.

Yan Ningshuang would soon be escorted back to Yanbei again to marry Xiao Jingyue.

When Xiao Jingyue himself received this decree, he merely sneered. He didn’t care at all who his legitimate wife would be – whether it was Yan Ningshuang or someone from the Zhao family made no difference to him. Xiao Jingyue’s father, Xiao Heng, severely disciplined him and nearly resorted to family punishment, but was ultimately dissuaded by Lady Su.

In the blink of an eye, it was August. This period had been both peaceful and busy for Ren Yaoqi.

After the young ladies from the capital were assigned marriages, they all obediently stayed in the retreat house of the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. Perhaps knowing they were unwelcome among Yanbei’s prominent families, they hadn’t even left the retreat house during this time, so naturally, no one could cause any trouble.

Ren Yaoqi’s wedding was scheduled for September, so she rarely went out after the Thousand Gold Banquet. Though there wasn’t much she needed to complete personally, there were many matters requiring her direct participation or decisions. She always felt that despite being busy every day, it seemed like she hadn’t accomplished much, yet time passed just like that.

On this particular day, Ren Yaoqi was in her room trying on the wedding dress and ceremonial robes that the Princess Consort had sent for her. The ceremonial robes for Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi’s wedding were made according to proper specifications by the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. They were layered upon layered, looking extremely complicated and heavy, and her bridal crown was much heavier than what ordinary brides wore.

Though it was no longer midsummer, Yanbei was still quite hot during this period. Ren Yaoqi had only tried on the second outfit when her face and body were covered with fine beads of sweat. However, she never complained of fatigue or asked to rest. Finally, it was Nanny Xin, sent by the Princess Consort, who said, “Miss Ren, why don’t you rest first before continuing? There are still two ceremonial robes. It’s still early – it won’t matter if we return to the manor later.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi nodded and had the maids help remove the crown from her head. She smiled and said, “I usually don’t keep ice basins in my room, so you’re all suffering the heat with me here. Why don’t you go rest in the front flower hall? I’ll have someone prepare some iced sour plum soup.”

Nanny Xin quickly said: “What are you saying, Miss? How could we servants not endure this little heat? The hottest time of the year has already passed. Besides, we servants came today under the Princess Consort’s orders to serve you. You rest well, and when you’re rested, we’ll continue.” Nanny Xin refused to go rest in the flower hall, wanting to watch Ren Yaoqi try on all the ceremonial robes without problems before feeling at ease.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t insist further, only having iced sour plum soup brought for Nanny Xin and the others to quench their thirst.

Ren Yaoqi was drinking tea while chatting casually with Nanny Xin when she suddenly heard commotion outside. The disturbance was quite loud.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Pingguo, who immediately stepped out, but returned shortly after. In front of everyone, she urgently reported: “Miss, people from the Lei family have come! The eldest young lady is about to give birth. The eldest son-in-law is worried and sent someone to fetch Madam.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi immediately set down her teacup, her face showing both joy and concern: “Sister is about to give birth? Didn’t they say earlier it would be several more days? Where are the Lei family’s people?”

Pingguo said: “Xiangqin came. She’s in Madam’s room right now. Madam is currently preparing to go out to the Lei family.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi stood up. She glanced at Nanny Xin, about to say something, when Nanny Xin already smiled understandingly: “Oh my, Miss Ren’s delivery is a major matter. Miss, why don’t you go see the Lei family’s people first? These wedding dresses are already finished anyway. Even if alterations are needed, it won’t take long. Whether we try them today or tomorrow makes no difference. We servants should return to the manor first.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded apologetically and saw Nanny Xin and the others from the Yanbei Prince’s Manor go out. As soon as they left, she could hear the lively commotion in the courtyard. Everyone had joyful expressions, and even the usually composed Nanny Zhou stood under the eaves, repeatedly instructing several maids to prepare things.

Upon seeing this scene, Nanny Xin couldn’t help but smile. Families with first-time grandmothers or maternal grandmothers were always like this. With Ren Yaohua giving birth, Li Shi’s generational status also rose a level.

However, before leaving, Nanny Xin still advised Ren Yaoqi: “Miss, you cannot enter the delivery room and cannot help much anyway. You should stay home today and wait for good news.”

Though Ren Yaoqi wasn’t getting married today, with the wedding approaching, some prominent families paid attention to such customs. If Ren Yaoqi rashly went to the Lei family, it would not only be bad for the child, but she would also be affected by the spiritual disturbance. Nanny Xin was afraid that Li Shi was still young and Ren Yaoqi didn’t understand these taboos, so she specifically gave this reminder.

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi nodded: “I understand, Nanny. I won’t go to the Lei family. I’ll just ask my sister’s maid.”

Only then did Nanny Xin leave with her people at ease.

Ren Yaoqi was about to go to Li Shi’s room when she saw Li Shi hurriedly coming out of her room. Xiangqin was following behind Li Shi, walking while reporting on Ren Yaohua’s condition. Li Shi must have wanted to rush to Ren Yaohua’s side, having only changed into an outer garment before leaving.

Ren Yaoqi hurried forward to meet her, immediately asking: “Why is it today? I remember the midwife said it would be several more days when she examined her last time.”

While hurriedly walking outside with her people, Li Shi said, “Being several days early or late is possible. When I gave birth to you, it was also two days earlier than expected.”

But after Li Shi finished speaking, Ren Yaoqi saw Xiangqin purse her lips behind Li Shi. Ren Yaoqi’s heart stirred, and she was about to question her when Xiangqin had already resumed her humble and serious demeanor. However, she glanced at Ren Yaoqi at the end, and that little look seemed to say she had something to say but was holding back.

Seeing that she could still act mischievously, Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat reassured – it probably wasn’t anything too serious.

Li Shi stopped Ren Yaoqi from following once they reached the second gate: “Don’t come. Nanny Zhou and I will go watch over her.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded in agreement: “If anything happens, please send someone back to tell me.”

Li Shi agreed while walking away.

After Li Shi and Nanny Zhou left, Ren Yaoqi began waiting for news from the Lei family. She waited from morning until afternoon. Li Shi sent someone back once, saying there was nothing wrong and telling Ren Yaoqi not to worry.

However, by evening, Li Shi still hadn’t returned, and Ren Yaoqi began to worry again. She was anxiously waiting and just thinking of sending someone to the Lei family to inquire when Li Shi’s maid Xi’er hurriedly returned. Probably from running too hard, Xi’er’s face was covered in sweat, smearing the rouge on her face. Upon seeing Ren Yaoqi, she didn’t even have time for proper greetings before saying: “Miss, quickly send someone to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor to request a midwife named Gong.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat, and she urgently asked: “What happened over there?”

Xi’er was nearly in tears from anxiety: “They say the eldest young lady is having a difficult birth – the child’s position is wrong. Miss, please quickly go to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor to beg the Princess Consort. I heard the Yanbei Prince’s Manor has a midwife named Gong who is very skilled. Even with wrong fetal positioning, she can correct it. But Nanny Gong serves the Princess Consort, and she’s elderly and never delivers for outsiders. If you go to beg the Princess Consort, she will certainly agree to send Nanny Gong to deliver the eldest young lady’s child. Please hurry, or it will be too late.”

Ren Yaoqi was shocked, her legs nearly giving way: “What do you mean too late? Is it that serious?”

Xi’er said, “If it’s too late, I’m afraid the child cannot be saved. The eldest young lady is stubborn and insists on saving the child!”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi understood. The midwife must have asked whether to save the adult or the child when she saw Ren Yaohua’s difficult birth, and Ren Yaohua, as a mother, naturally wanted the child to live.

Ren Yaoqi had no time to think further. Without saying anything, she took Xi’er and left, not having time to prepare a new carriage and directly taking the Lei family’s carriage to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

However, before getting in the carriage, she sent Leshan from her side to the Lei family, instructing her: “No matter what, save the child! If my sister remains stubborn until the end, knock her unconscious!”

After receiving the order, Leshan didn’t even take the carriage but ran directly to the Lei family.