“Nanny Gui, go and invite Third Madam over,” Old Madam Ren instructed Nanny Gui.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but frown slightly, but Xiao Jinglin, sitting in the seat of honor, said, “No need. I’ve already met the Third Madam before. Today I came to find Ren Yaoqi.”

Only then did Old Madam Ren give up the idea, smiling as she asked Xiao Jinglin: “Did Princess Consort meet Qi’er at White Dragon Temple last time?”

Xiao Jinglin glanced at Ren Yaoqi and nodded.

“No wonder you’re so compatible,” Old Madam Ren smiled and nodded with satisfaction.

Xiao Jinglin put down the tea bowl in her hands and stood up: “I’d like to invite Ren Yaoqi out for a trip. This is my first time in Baihezhen, and I’d like her to show me around.”

Xiao Jinglin spoke of going out as if it were the most ordinary thing, as if it were perfectly normal for her. Although Yanbei wasn’t as strict about propriety as Jiangnan, apart from major festivals when nobles mingled with commoners, young ladies from prestigious families rarely went out for leisure strolls – after all, their status required it.

People believed that being raised in the inner quarters could cultivate gentle and well-mannered ladies, and no family’s refined daughters were trained in the marketplace. No matter how open the local customs were, this point couldn’t be changed.

However, Old Madam Ren agreed without hesitation, even smiling as she said: “Why don’t we let Yaohua and Yaoyin accompany Princess Consort as well? More people would make it livelier.”

Fifth Madam Lin Shi quickly pushed her daughter forward: “Yes, yes, and our Yu’er should go too.”

Xiao Jinglin glanced at the other young ladies of the Ren family and declined indifferently: “No need. I don’t like crowds. Ren Yaoqi alone will suffice.”

Being able to establish connections with the Yanbei Prince’s residence was something the Ren family could only dream of. Old Madam Ren wished Xiao Jinglin could become close friends with all her granddaughters, as this would help elevate the value of the Ren family’s daughters. So Xiao Jinglin’s refusal disappointed Old Madam Ren somewhat, but she couldn’t force the issue and could only repeatedly instruct Ren Yaoqi to take good care of Princess Consort and fulfill her duties as a host.

Although Xiao Jinglin had invited Ren Yaoqi, she had no decision-making power. Even if she didn’t want to go, she would ultimately be forced to go by the Ren family. Having been part of the Ren family for two lifetimes, Ren Yaoqi understood this point thoroughly. Fortunately, she wasn’t someone who got stuck on such matters and just smiled about it.

Ren Yaoqi took in all the various expressions of the Ren family members, then lowered her head and obediently followed behind Xiao Jinglin out of Ronghua Garden.

Whether it was Ren Yaoqi’s imagination or not, Xiao Jinglin seemed to let out a long breath after coming out. Although Xiao Jinglin’s expression remained unchanged, Ren Yaoqi, standing very close to her, still sensed it.

She probably wasn’t used to dealing with these inner-quarter women, Ren Yaoqi thought, remembering that Xiao Jinglin lived year-round in border towns and rarely returned to the Yanbei Prince’s residence.

“Why did Princess Consort come to Baihezhen today?” Ren Yaoqi tried to break the silence.

She and Xiao Jinglin couldn’t even be considered acquainted – they had spoken fewer than ten sentences total. And Xiao Jinglin wasn’t someone who warmed up quickly to people, so being alone together now made the atmosphere somewhat naturally stiff.

“Mm, just came to have a look,” Xiao Jinglin’s answer was very brief, clearly not very enthusiastic about communicating with Ren Yaoqi.

So Ren Yaoqi stopped asking her questions.

The two walked forward in silence as they had when they first met, except this time Ren Yaoqi wasn’t being pulled along by Xiao Jinglin. But strangely, this kind of silence seemed more suitable for Xiao Jinglin, and the atmosphere was no longer so stiff.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, this glance carrying rare curiosity. She suddenly had a feeling that compared to life in wealthy mansions with blooming flowers and crowds of servants, this young woman seemed more suited to being alone.

When the Ren family offered to prepare a carriage for them, Xiao Jinglin refused – she had also come by carriage today. However, Xiao Jinglin still hadn’t brought any maids or servants, while Ren Yaoqi, still unaccustomed to being without attendants, brought two maids and two servants.

Only when they reached Xiao Jinglin’s carriage outside the second gate did Ren Yaoqi discover that the person driving for Xiao Jinglin today was Dongsheng. After a moment of surprise, Ren Yaoqi understood. Since she and Xiao Jinglin didn’t have a close friendship, Xiao Jinglin must still be here at Xiao Jingxi’s request.

However, Ren Yaoqi didn’t see Xiao Jingxi in the carriage. Xiao Jinglin’s carriage ultimately seated only herself and Ren Yaoqi. The maids and servants Ren Yaoqi had brought ended up requiring the Ren family to send out another carriage. And Xiao Jinglin didn’t seem to mind the trouble.

The carriage finally drove out of town. Not far from Baihezhen was West Mountain.

Because West Mountain had many coal mines and kilns, with various pottery workshop kilns of all sizes nearby, the mountain roads around West Mountain had been flattened by the constant traffic of cargo vehicles. So the mountain paths were very wide and smooth, allowing the carriage to travel as if on flat ground.

However, precisely because there were many coal kilns and mines nearby, all the roads here were black without exception, and even digging three feet down would reveal black soil – this was the result of coal carts traveling here year after year.

Just then, a long convoy of coal-hauling vehicles approached from ahead, their progress accompanied by the clear sound of bells. Xiao Jinglin was lifting the carriage curtain to look out when she saw this convoy and exclaimed in surprise: “Are those camels?”

Ren Yaoqi turned to look and recognized the Ren family’s insignia in the convoy. A Ren family steward was leading several miners driving dozens of single-humped camels, their bells jingling as they approached.

“Yes, this area is mostly mountain roads. Before the coal kilns were built, there were quite a few lime kilns nearby. Since horse carts don’t travel mountain roads well, they used camel carts. Later, when the coal kilns were established, camels were also used to transport coal. Over the years, this mountain road has become much more stable due to heavy traffic. So the Ren family’s coal kilns now use both horse carts and camel carts. However, camels can carry much heavier loads than horses and aren’t as precious as horses, so coal kilns prefer using camels for coal transport.”

Xiao Jinglin nodded: “I’ve ridden camels before, but they were the two-humped kind.” She paused. “A camel once saved my life.”

Xiao Jinglin’s sudden statement surprised Ren Yaoqi somewhat. Was she talking about her time at the frontier?

But Xiao Jinglin only said this much and didn’t continue speaking, just quietly watching the camel train pass in front of them, stirring up a cloud of dust. Ren Yaoqi blinked as sand particles got in her eyes, making them hurt. She took out her handkerchief to wipe them and simply closed her eyes to wait for the convoy to pass. Since Xiao Jinglin didn’t pull down the curtain, she couldn’t very well say anything.

But Xiao Jinglin herself realized Ren Yaoqi’s discomfort and lowered the window curtain in her hand, blocking the flying dust outside the carriage.

Only then did Ren Yaoqi open her eyes and smile apologetically.

Xiao Jinglin watched Ren Yaoqi put away her handkerchief before saying, “You can’t even handle this little dust?” She said this without any sign of contempt, but with some curiosity.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi and said half-jokingly, half-seriously: “Mm, Princess Consort isn’t afraid because your eyelashes are thicker than mine.”

Xiao Jinglin was stunned, then actually smiled: “That’s a novel explanation.” Her smile came quickly and left just as fast, only briefly appearing on her face before disappearing again before Ren Yaoqi could see it.

“I’ll have Xiao Jingxi try it,” Xiao Jinglin suddenly said.

Ren Yaoqi carefully thought about Xiao Jingxi’s eyelashes – they seemed thick too – and couldn’t help laughing: “Princess Consort, please don’t tell him you’re making him try this because of what I said.”

“Why?” Xiao Jinglin asked casually.

Why? Ren Yaoqi was speechless – naturally because she was afraid he’d come settle accounts with her.

Through this exchange, the two finally became somewhat more familiar, and the atmosphere improved considerably.

“What about Princess Consort’s camel from before? Did you bring it back to raise?” Ren Yaoqi tried to find a topic Xiao Jinglin would like.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin seemed somewhat puzzled: “I didn’t bring it back. We already ate it.”

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s expression, Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and still explained: “Generally speaking, soldiers cherish their warhorses greatly, because on the battlefield a warhorse is like one’s own legs, and sometimes even a comrade. However, when food becomes scarce, warhorses will still be killed. On the battlefield, ‘killing enemies’ and ‘staying alive’ are the first things you must learn.”