Before the keys fell in the courtyard, Xiangqin returned from the Lin family and recounted the day’s events in detail to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh seeing her beaming with joy.
“Miss, you don’t know—today, when the Lin family’s nanny saw Madam Fang and Ninth Miss return, she immediately demanded the pouch. Although Ninth Miss’s expression didn’t look very good, she still had her maid go fetch it. Of course, the pouch was nowhere to be found. You should have seen that Lin family nanny’s face! Oh my, it was hilarious!”
Ren Yaoqi laughed and glanced at her sideways: “We didn’t leave any evidence behind this time, did we?”
Xiangqin quickly replied: “Fifth Miss, rest assured, there will be no mistakes this time. Besides, Madam Fang and Ninth Miss were both out, so this matter was completely unnoticed. Speaking of which, that Young Master Fang is dim-witted—he doesn’t even know his pouch has been switched several times.”
“Alright, you’ve worked hard today. Go rest.” Ren Yaoqi smiled.
Xiangqin agreed and went off with a satisfied smile. Before leaving, she laughed and said, “When Fifth Miss takes action, it’s truly different. Let’s see if they still dare to bully our Third Miss!”
At this time in the Ren family’s other residence, Ren Yaoying was still directing a roomful of maids to search everywhere for the pouch, but they couldn’t find even a trace of it.
Ren Yaoying’s maid Chun’er looked dejected: “This servant clearly remembers putting it in the cabinet. How could it have disappeared?”
Ren Yaoying frowned: “Search more carefully and see if it’s wrapped up in some clothes.”
“We’ve opened and checked every piece of clothing.”
Liu Shi, who had been sitting silently to the side, suddenly interrupted: “Forget it, stop looking.”
Ren Yaoying looked at Liu Shi: “Aunt, what does the Lin family mean by this? Why did they suddenly think to ask me for the pouch? I’ve never heard of asking for something back after it’s been given away! And it’s just so coincidental that the pouch has disappeared!”
Liu Shi lowered her eyes. After a long moment, she sighed: “We’ve been schemed against.”
Ren Yaoying was stunned: “Aunt, you mean…”
Liu Shi shook her head. Just as she was about to speak, one of her servants walked in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Liu Shi’s brow furrowed involuntarily, growing tighter and tighter.
Ren Yaoying moved closer and only heard the servant’s final words: “We could only investigate this much. We didn’t bring many people, and most of them went out with the others.”
However, Ren Yaoying understood from these words and asked suspiciously: “Aunt, is Third Sister’s side causing trouble?”
Liu Shi waved the servant away, then sighed and looked at Ren Yaoying: “Your mother said before that they weren’t worth worrying about, but it seems she misjudged. I told you earlier to be patient and not quarrel with her at this critical moment. You just wouldn’t listen.”
Ren Yaoying bit her lip: “I was very careful, and Third Sister didn’t find any evidence either. Besides, we were already mortal enemies with them—even without this incident, they wouldn’t have let us off easy.”
Liu Shi glanced at Ren Yaoying, sighed again, and ultimately said nothing more.
The next morning, Ren Yaoqi was playing with Little Cen in Ren Shijia’s room when the gatekeeper came to report that Madam Liu had come again.
Liu Shi had come to see Third Madam Lin again today.
Ren Shijia had a gentle nature and couldn’t refuse, so she finally took Liu Shi to see Third Madam Lin. This time, Ren Yaoqi didn’t follow along, but Ren Shijia returned shortly afterward.
Third Madam Lin was slightly indisposed today and didn’t wish to receive guests.
Ren Yaoqi asked in surprise, “How did Third Madam suddenly fall ill? We haven’t heard anything about it in the mansion.”
Ren Shijia washed her hands and took Little Cen from the wet nurse. Old Madam Ren had found another wet nurse for Little Cen, so Ren Shijia no longer needed to nurse him personally.
“I think Third Sister-in-law isn’t sick—she just didn’t want to see my cousin-in-law. After I sent my cousin-in-law away, Third Sister-in-law sent her maid to tell me that when I have time, I should bring Little Cen over to play with Sister Ling. This is her way of hinting that I shouldn’t bring outsiders over in the future.” Ren Shijia sighed, “I don’t want to get involved in their affairs either. This is for the best—I can have some peace and quiet.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled and sat beside Ren Shijia to play with Little Cen, no longer discussing Liu Shi’s matters.
In the afternoon, Ren Yaoqi went to Prince Yanbei’s mansion by appointment.
When Xiao Jinglin saw Ren Yaoqi, she said: “I thought you wouldn’t come today either.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled and stepped forward to link arms with Xiao Jinglin, following her toward the Princess Consort’s Nine Yang Hall. She whispered in her ear: “Of course I had to come, otherwise the Princess would slack off in her qin practice again. And about yesterday—thank you for your help, Princess.”
Yesterday, Madam Fang and Ren Yaoying didn’t go to the Su family but came to Prince Yanbei’s mansion because Ren Yaoqi had sent word to Xiao Jinglin asking for her help.
Xiao Jinglin shook her head dismissively and said, “I haven’t been slacking off. My teacher said my qin skills have improved greatly—advancing by leaps and bounds!” Xiao Jinglin’s expression was serious.
Ren Yaoqi looked at her teasingly: “Perfect, then. I haven’t heard you play for a day. Let me see if there’s such a dramatic improvement.”
The two were chatting and laughing as they walked toward Nine Yang Hall when a maid stopped them halfway. Xiao Jinglin frowned when she saw the maid.
“Princess, the Old Princess Consort requests your presence at Shou’an Hall.”
“Did grandmother say what she wants to see me about?” Xiao Jinglin resumed her expressionless demeanor.
The maid bowed her head: “This servant doesn’t know. The Old Princess Consort only asked this servant to invite the Princess.”
Xiao Jinglin said nothing more and turned to Ren Yaoqi: “I’ll be right back. You go to Nine Yang Hall and wait for me.”
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to agree, the maid said, “The Old Princess Consort requests that Miss Ren accompany the Princess.”
Xiao Jinglin glanced at the maid, then at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi quickly smiled: “I haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to the Old Princess Consort. I’ll go with the Princess.”
Xiao Jinglin said nothing more and led Ren Yaoqi around Nine Yang Hall toward Shou’an Hall.
As they neared Shou’an Hall, Xiao Jinglin whispered in Ren Yaoqi’s ear: “When you meet my grandmother, try to speak as little as possible—the less said, the fewer mistakes made. If there’s anything difficult to answer, I’ll help you respond.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi felt a warm feeling in her heart. She looked at Xiao Jinglin and nodded with a smile.
Xiao Jinglin squeezed Ren Yaoqi’s hand and then let go.
Shou’an Hall was smaller in scale than Nine Yang Hall but still quite impressive, also located on the mansion’s central axis.
When Ren Yaoqi followed Xiao Jinglin inside, several people were already seated in the hall.
The Old Princess Consort sat in the place of honor, wearing a mud-gold colored robe with continuous wan-character borders and embroidered hundred-birds-paying-homage-to-phoenix patterns, her bearing dignified and imposing. Seated below her was a middle-aged woman whose features somewhat resembled hers, dressed in a bright red brocade robe that was richly ornate. Leaning against the Old Princess Consort was a young woman in a purple dress—Wu Yiyu, who had once fought with Xiao Jinglin.
Ren Yaoqi followed Xiao Jinglin forward to pay respects. The woman was the Old Princess Consort’s only daughter, wife of Ningxia Commander Wu Xiaohe.
“I heard Lin’er has been practicing the qin recently? How is the practice going?” Madam Wu looked at Xiao Jinglin and asked with a smile.
Xiao Jinglin replied flatly: “Still practicing. Not playing well.”
Madam Wu looked at the Old Princess Consort and smiled: “I said I’ve been back for so long, but haven’t seen Lin’er many times. I miss her.”
The Old Princess Consort glanced at Xiao Jinglin: “Don’t say you haven’t seen her many times. Even I find it difficult to see her. Each time requires repeated invitations.”
Madam Wu laughed from the side: “Mother Consort is joking. I think Lin’er is a filial child. Just the other day, Yiyu saw her at Madam Yun’s place.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin and saw her standing there with an unchanged expression, as if she hadn’t heard these barbed comments.
The Old Princess Consort snorted coldly and turned to drink tea.
Madam Wu’s gaze shifted to Ren Yaoqi’s face, and she smiled: “This girl is quite pretty. But… she looks somewhat familiar. Could it be I’ve seen her before?”
The Old Princess Consort also looked toward Ren Yaoqi thoughtfully: “She’s younger than Yiyu—where would you have seen her? It’s just that she resembles someone you’ve met before. You are the external granddaughter of the late Prince Xian?” The last sentence was directed at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head slightly: “Yes, Old Princess Consort.”
The Old Princess Consort said to Madam Wu, “When you were young, I once took you to the capital to celebrate the late Emperor’s birthday. You were still small then, so you probably don’t remember.”
Madam Wu had a moment of realization: “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten.” Her gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi meaningfully, “She does resemble that person somewhat.”
Though Ren Yaoqi stood there playing mute, her mind was crystal clear.
The person this mother and daughter were discussing should be Prince Xian’s birth mother, Noble Consort Wan.
The Old Princess Consort was the late Emperor’s daughter and, naturally, Prince Xian’s sister, so of course she had seen Noble Consort Wan.
In her previous life in the capital, people had also said she resembled the late Noble Consort Wan.
Wu Yiyu leaned against the Old Princess Consort and asked suspiciously: “Grandmother, Mother, who are you talking about? Who does she resemble?”
The Old Princess Consort stroked her head, her gaze becoming much gentler, and smiled: “You wouldn’t know even if we told you. When your grandmother brought your mother back to the capital, she was about your age.”
Wu Yiyu pouted. The girl who was strong and fierce outside now appeared somewhat charming: “Then when will you take me to the capital to have fun?”
Madam Wu laughed and scolded from the side: “What would you do in the capital?”
The Old Princess Consort said to Madam Wu, “Alright, don’t you have something to ask Lin’er?”
Madam Wu remembered the main business and stopped joking with her daughter. She turned to look at Xiao Jinglin and said to the Old Princess Consort: “Mother Consort, look, the children are still standing.”
The Old Princess Consort waved her hand, letting Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi sit down. Ren Yaoqi followed Xiao Jinglin to sit below her.
Lin’er has been back for quite some time now. Will she be staying permanently in Yunyang City in the future?” Madam Wu thought for a moment and asked with a smile.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at her and replied flatly: “I’ll follow Father’s arrangements.”
Madam Wu took a sip of tea and smiled warmly: “Speaking of which, Lin’er is not young anymore, and being a girl, it’s better to stay close to her parents. The frontier is full of rough men. When you were younger, it didn’t matter much, but now that you’re older, if you keep going there, what will happen to your reputation in the future?”
Xiao Jinglin’s expression didn’t change. After thinking for a moment, she nodded: “Thank you for your concern, Aunt. Speaking of rough men… they’re not only found at Jiajing Pass—there are quite a few in places like Ningxia too. Since Aunt and Cousin have been able to stay in Ningxia for so many years with their reputations intact, naturally, I won’t be afraid either.”
“Impudent!” The Old Princess Consort’s face turned cold as she scolded, “How do you speak to your elders!”
Madam Wu’s face also looked very unpleasant, and Wu Yiyu’s eyes shot at Xiao Jinglin like knives, her expression dark.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at the three of them and curved her lips slightly: “I’m sorry, Aunt. I grew up on the frontier and speak rather directly. Please don’t hold it against this junior. However, I think you should understand that my words, like yours, are meant without malice.”
Madam Wu took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face: “It’s good that you understand Aunt’s good intentions. Lin’er, Aunt came back to Yanbei this time because your father previously sent a letter to your uncle. Have you heard about this?”
Xiao Jinglin shook her head: “I don’t know. Father hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
Madam Wu smiled: “Oh? I heard that the Prince trusts his daughter very much and even allows you to enter and exit his study like your second brother. You also know that the Heir Apparent is far away in the capital, and your father only has your second brother as a son by his side, but his health is…”
Xiao Jinglin frowned and said directly: “If Aunt has something to ask, please speak plainly.” She most disliked this kind of probing back and forth, taking forever to get to the point. If the people present weren’t her elders, she would have left long ago.