After Ren Yaoqi came out of Shou’an Hall, Hongying, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached her.

Hearing that the Princess had been kept behind alone by the Old Princess Consort, Hongying led Ren Yaoqi toward Nine Yang Hall while wondering whether she should notify the Princess Consort to come fetch the Princess back.

Hongying wasn’t worried that the Princess would suffer any great loss. Although Xiao Jinglin was usually cold and didn’t like to talk much, she wasn’t someone who would be taken advantage of. What Hongying feared was that her Princess would eventually lose patience and refuse to endure anymore, which would put the Princess Consort at a disadvantage. When pushed to her limits, her Princess could simply flee back to Jiajing Pass regardless of consequences, but the Princess Consort had to remain in the Prince’s mansion.

She hadn’t noticed it when going to Shou’an Hall earlier, but coming out afterward, Ren Yaoqi realized that Shou’an Hall was more like southern courtyards, with many decorative flowers and plants inside, and there seemed to be some artificial hills and strange rocks behind the hall.

After leaving Shou’an Hall, at first glance the buildings she could see were more solemn and magnificent, with thick trees requiring several people to embrace them everywhere. Often when looking up, one couldn’t see the sky but only verdant branches and leaves.

Under the green shade ahead, a person suddenly walked slowly toward them. The mottled tree shadows fell on his body, almost submerging his entire form in darkness, making it impossible to see his features. Yet this person’s every gesture could easily draw others’ attention, making it impossible to ignore him.

In this world, some people are naturally luminous beings.

Ren Yaoqi recognized the approaching person almost immediately upon seeing him. When he came closer, his handsome features finally became clear.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes and curtsied: “Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Jingxi stopped in his tracks, looked at Ren Yaoqi for a moment, then nodded and smiled: “Is Jinglin still at Shou’an Hall?”

“The Old Princess Consort and Madam Wu seemed to want to ask the Princess something, so I came out first.”

Xiao Jingxi wasn’t surprised and smiled: “Oh? Were they asking about Yanbei military affairs?”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi instinctively glanced around. Xiao Jingxi had come alone, and only Pingguo and Hongying were with her. No wonder he asked so directly.

After thinking, Ren Yaoqi said, “Miss Wu mentioned the Tangut invasion. Since this is a matter of national importance and it wasn’t appropriate for me to be present, Madam Wu asked me to leave.”

Xiao Jingxi looked thoughtful, then said casually: “There have been several small battles on the western border recently.”

At this point, Xiao Jingxi paused in his words, looked at Ren Yaoqi, and smiled: “My aunt is probably here to borrow troops. In your opinion, should Prince Yanbei’s mansion agree or not?”

Ren Yaoqi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. You’ve hidden most of the troops yourself, and obviously, you don’t want to lend them either. Why are you putting on airs now and asking such questions shamelessly?

“Second Young Master Xiao is joking. I’m just a sheltered woman with shallow knowledge and don’t understand such matters,” Ren Yaoqi replied with unchanged expression.

Xiao Jingxi looked at her with a half-smile and didn’t make things difficult for her anymore.

“I’ll go bring Jinglin back,” Xiao Jingxi moved aside a small step to let Ren Yaoqi pass first.

Ren Yaoqi curtsied, but as they passed each other, she paused and turned her head to say softly, “Young Master Xiao, I heard that this Tangut invasion caused losses to many horse farms in Ningxia. I wonder how the Su family’s several horse farms fared?”

Hearing this, the surprise in Xiao Jingxi’s eyes flashed and disappeared. Then he slowly smiled and looked at Ren Yaoqi: “The Su family is fine.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded, hesitated briefly before saying: “I heard that Madam Wu has quite a good relationship with the Su family’s eldest madam.” She said this sentence very softly and slowly, but her tone was certain.

Xiao Jingxi didn’t speak, but his gaze at Ren Yaoqi carried deeper meaning.

Ren Yaoqi met his eyes for an instant. Xiao Jingxi’s dark, bright eyes seemed to contain some kind of magic that could draw people in.

Ren Yaoqi was the first to look away, nod, and walk straight ahead.

Xiao Jingxi watched her retreating figure, the expression in his eyes indiscernible. Suddenly, he shook his head and chuckled softly, murmuring: “How can there be such a person in this world…”

The last few words were extremely soft, dissipating between his lips and tongue.

Ren Yaoqi walked far away, beyond Xiao Jingxi’s sight, before suddenly stopping. She let out a breath, then continued forward without looking back.

She had just hinted to Xiao Jingxi that the Wu family was colluding with the Su family, and this Tangut invasion might be related to the Su family.

Ren Yaoqi knew she was taking a risk doing this. Such matters were not something a woman could meddle in. But she had to borrow Xiao Jingxi’s power to suppress Zeng Pu, who might enter Ningxia in the future and collude with the Su family.

Not long after Ren Yaoqi returned to Nine Yang Hall, Xiao Jinglin came back. Regarding being kept behind by Xiao Wei, Xiao Jinglin didn’t mention much, and when practicing the qin, she was as serious as usual.

Since the Princess Consort had recently asked Xiao Jinglin to learn household management from the steward nannies by her side, it was still early when Ren Yaoqi left Prince Yanbei’s mansion, and she declined Xiao Jinglin’s offer to escort her out, which Jinglin had suggested to avoid her duties.

After coming out of Nine Yang Hall, Ren Yaoqi happened to encounter a group of people.

Wu Yiyu was leading several maids and servants, hurrying out from another path, apparently also heading toward the outer halls. Seeing her, Ren Yaoqi stopped and let her pass first.

When Wu Yiyu passed by her, she paused and looked over with a somewhat condescending gaze. Ren Yaoqi smiled and lowered her head, standing to the side.

Wu Yiyu snorted coldly and walked away proudly, as if she had urgent business and no time to make things difficult for her.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t mind her attitude and deliberately slowed her pace, waiting until she had gone some distance before following behind.

When she reached where the carriages were parked, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but pause.

She saw Wu Yiyu not far ahead, and standing with Wu Yiyu were the two Yun brothers, Yun Wenting and Yun Wenfang.

Ren Yaoqi hadn’t seen Yun Wenfang for some time. A while ago, Yun Wenfang had sent someone to deliver something to her, but before it even reached her, it was turned away by the vigilant Xiangqin, who claimed to be the number one maid among the young ladies and always remembered her own young lady’s purpose in sending her to Fifth Miss’s side, being very dutiful and responsible. Ren Yaoqi cooperated by pretending she knew nothing about it, and she never asked what had been sent.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and decided to pretend she hadn’t seen them and get in her carriage. But Yun Wenfang had already noticed her and called out before she could board: “Miss Ren the Fifth, please wait.”

Ren Yaoqi sighed, suddenly missing her maid Xiangqin. Xiangqin had gone to the other Ren residence to take care of Ren Yaohua.

Yun Wenfang spoke while walking over. Having practiced martial arts, his steps were quick. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t pretend she hadn’t heard.

Finally, she could only let go of her maid’s hand and curtsy: “Greetings, Young Master Yun.”

Yun Wenfang looked her over several times, curved his lips in a smile, but his tone carried some coldness: “If I hadn’t called out to you, you would have pretended not to see me, wouldn’t you?”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head: “Young Master Yun speaks too seriously.”

Yun Wenfang slowly took two steps forward, now only one step away from Ren Yaoqi. Ren Yaoqi instinctively wanted to step back, but seeing her movement, Yun Wenfang sneered: “Try stepping back!”

Ren Yaoqi assessed the situation and, considering Yun Wenfang’s temperament, finally restrained herself from stepping back. Instead, she turned sideways so she and Yun Wenfang were no longer face to face, presenting her profile to him to avoid others thinking their posture was intimate.

Yun Wenfang looked at her sideways and snorted lightly: “Why didn’t you accept the painting I sent you?”

Only then did Ren Yaoqi learn that what Yun Wenfang had sent her last time was a painting. “That was an authentic work by Wu Qinghong that I went to great trouble to have someone find. Don’t you like his paintings?” As Yun Wenfang spoke, he grew angry.

When had Young Master Yun the Second ever deliberately lowered himself to please someone? Ren Yaoqi was the first.

Young Master Yun the Second wasn’t accustomed to such things and had previously disdained to do them. However, when he went drinking with his elder brother last time, he heard several older youths at the next table saying that women all need to be coaxed, that one should cater to their interests and send gifts regularly.

But Young Master Yun the Second was still young and had only a superficial understanding of such matters. He didn’t know that the women those older youths spoke of were either their household concubines or women from pleasure quarters.

That night, after returning to his mansion, Young Master Yun the Second spent the whole night thinking about what to send to make Ren Yaoqi happy. Naturally, he disdained to send vulgar things like gold, silver, pearls, and jade. Finally, he remembered hearing people say when he was staying at the Yun family that Third Master Ren and Fifth Miss Ren had asked people everywhere to collect paintings by the former dynasty painter Wu Qinghong. The next day, Young Master Yun the Second asked his elder brother to find paintings, and finally used his father and brother’s influence to persistently buy one from an uncle.

But what he hadn’t expected was that when he excitedly had someone deliver the painting to her, the messenger didn’t even see Ren Yaoqi’s face and was mocked and ridiculed by her maid both openly and subtly.

Yun Wenfang was furious, feeling that this girl, Ren Yaoqi, was too ungrateful. After all, he was someone who cared about face, and after having his warm face meet a cold shoulder, he stopped sending things to Ren Yaoqi, thinking she might reflect and apologize to him.

Unfortunately, ideals were good but reality was harsh. He never saw Ren Yaoqi again, but heard that she went to Prince Yanbei’s mansion every day. Now Yun Wenfang couldn’t sit still.

Ren Yaoqi watched as Yun Wenfang’s emotions shifted unpredictably in his gaze fixed on her, understanding that this young master was quite displeased. Ren Yaoqi had a severe headache.

Just as she was about to say something, Yun Wenting and Wu Yiyu walked over.

Ren Yaoqi took the opportunity of greeting them to quietly step aside.

Yun Wenting politely smiled and nodded. Wu Yiyu had completely changed from her usual domineering and arrogant manner, standing beside Yun Wenting looking gentle, respectful, and modest, her face flushed with some shyness.

However, when she saw Ren Yaoqi and Yun Wenfang, Wu Yiyu still found time in her busy schedule to thoughtfully look them over several times, though she didn’t speak.

Just as Ren Yaoqi was thinking about how to escape, Pingguo stepped forward, lowering her head expressionlessly: “Miss, the young madam still has urgent business with you.”

Ren Yaoqi quickly seized the opportunity: “There’s urgent business at home, I must return first.” She curtsied again and turned to leave.

But Yun Wenfang moved his foot and blocked Ren Yaoqi’s path, saying nothing, just looking at her coldly.

Ren Yaoqi frowned, also getting somewhat angry. She took a deep breath and was about to speak when a voice with a hint of laughter came from behind: “I heard Zirui and Zishu had come, and when the Princess Consort waited long without seeing anyone, she sent me out to look. So you’re all here.”

Ren Yaoqi turned her head and saw Xiao Jingxi standing not far behind them.

Seeing her look over, his gaze paused briefly on her, then turned away as he smiled at Yun Wenting: “The Princess Consort and Jinglin are both waiting in Nine Yang Hall.”

Yun Wenting stepped forward to greet Xiao Jingxi, smiling: “We were just about to go in. Making Aunt wait so long is my and Zishu’s fault.”

Xiao Jingxi exchanged pleasantries with Yun Wenting for a few sentences, then invited him to the inner halls. Seeing Yun Wenfang standing motionless in front of Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jingxi turned and smiled slightly: “Zishu?”

Yun Wenfang looked at Xiao Jingxi and was about to say something when Yun Wenting interrupted: “Zishu, didn’t you just say you missed the pastries from the Princess Consort’s small kitchen?” His gaze at Yun Wenfang contained some warning and severity.

Yun Wenfang pressed his lips together, looked at Ren Yaoqi again, clenched his fist, but finally stepped aside and followed Yun Wenting.

When Wu Yiyu passed by Ren Yaoqi, she looked at her several times, her eyes containing suspicion and scrutiny. Ren Yaoqi smiled with an unchanged expression and nodded politely.

Only after their group had all left did Ren Yaoqi take her maid’s hand and board the carriage. As soon as the carriage curtain was lowered, the smile on Ren Yaoqi’s face gradually faded, revealing some fatigue between her brows.

After recuperating in the other residence for several days, Ren Yaohua’s foot injury had mostly healed. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Shijia had visited her once before. When Ren Yaoqi went alone to the other residence to see her on this day, Ren Yaohua could already walk by herself.

Seeing that Ren Yaohua’s walking posture was no different from before, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief: “I was still thinking, what would we do if you weren’t better by the time of the Thousand Gold Banquet.”

Ren Yaoqi herself had no particular thoughts about the Thousand Gold Banquet, but she hoped Ren Yaohua could attend smoothly. Ren Yaohua was already of marriageable age. Ren Yaoqi hoped she could escape her previous life’s fate and find a suitable husband’s family.

“When I fell, Wujing pulled me, so the injury wasn’t serious. Isn’t there still four or five days until the Thousand Gold Banquet?” Ren Yaohua said dismissively while inviting Ren Yaoqi to sit inside.

“Have you prepared your clothes and jewelry for when you go?” It was rare to have such good weather today, and Ren Yaohua’s complexion looked good too, so Ren Yaoqi chatted casually with her.

Ren Yaohua shook her head: “Grandmother is having people rush to make them. She said she’ll send over all us sisters’ clothes and accessories in a few days.”

Ren Yaoqi had worried unnecessarily. The Ren family took this opportunity for their young ladies to attend the Thousand Gold Banquet very seriously. As soon as the old madam returned, she began arranging preparations for several granddaughters’ outfits.

At this moment, a small maid entered the room and reported: “Third Miss, Fifth Miss, Ninth Miss has sent someone to ask if you want to go out with her.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaohua in confusion.

Ren Yaohua snorted coldly and said to Ren Yaoqi, “She wasn’t this enthusiastic before. But now that I’ve injured my foot these past few days, she’s inviting me out.” She turned to the maid: “No time, not going!”

The maid was about to withdraw when Ren Yaohua’s eyes turned and she changed her mind: “Wait, the weather is quite nice today. Since Ninth Sister has invited us so sincerely, Fifth Sister and I will give her face.”

Though the maid didn’t know why Third Miss had suddenly changed her mind, given Third Miss’s usual authority, she immediately agreed as soon as Ren Yaohua finished speaking and hurried out to reply.

Ren Yaoqi asked in surprise: “Third Sister, do you really want to go out with them?”

Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi: “Yes, why not go? If we don’t go, wouldn’t we be wasting her kind intentions?”

Ren Yaoqi said helplessly, “Third Sister, your foot just healed. It’s better to rest it more. Why argue with her over momentary anger?”

Ren Yaohua glared at Ren Yaoqi: “Who’s arguing? I’ve been cooped up in this other residence for so many days—can’t I go out for a walk? After we return to Baihezhen, it’ll be difficult to go out.”

Ren Yaoqi had originally wanted to persuade her more, but hearing this sentence, the words at her lips couldn’t be spoken. Ren Yaohua was, after all, still a teenager. No matter how composed and strong she usually was, she was at an age that loved to play. In her previous life, after being schemed against and losing favor in the Ren family, she was confined to her courtyard year-round with few opportunities to go out.

So Ren Yaoqi stopped trying to dissuade her.

Ren Yaohua changed into a silver-red jacket with a gold-embroidered hundred butterflies among flowers pattern, paired with a silver-gray pleated skirt. With Ren Yaohua’s bright beauty and fair complexion, any red color looked excellent on her. This outfit made her dazzling as soon as she put it on, impossible to look away from.

Ren Yaoqi sincerely praised: “This outfit suits you very well.” Then she couldn’t help teasing mischievously, “No wonder you insisted on going out—looking so beautiful and not wearing it out to compete with others would truly be a waste.”

Ren Yaohua walked over with a cold face, then, when Ren Yaoqi wasn’t prepared, reached out and knocked her hard on the head, then walked straight out past her.

Ren Yaoqi covered her head in a daze, taking a long time to react that she’d been hit again.

Only when Ren Yaohua reached the door did she turn around and scold: “What are you standing there for? Let’s go!”

Ren Yaoqi came to her senses and said angrily: “Third Sister, why did you hit me again! I’m going to tell Mother!”

Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi with complete disdain: “Look at how promising you are.” Then, without waiting for Ren Yaoqi, she walked away proudly.

Xiangqin and Wujing both covered their mouths and laughed while looking back at Ren Yaoqi.

When Ren Yaoying saw Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi come out, regardless of what she was thinking inside, she approached them with a smile.

“Third Sister’s foot is finally better. Now I can relax too.”

Ren Yaohua glanced at her and forced a smile: “Thank you for your concern. Aren’t we going out? Let’s go.”

Madam Fang was already seated in the carriage. Fang Shuzhou waited beside it with a servant holding his horse, apparently planning to ride. Seeing the Ren sisters arrive, he stepped forward to greet them.

Since Ren Yaohua had decided to come at the last minute and no carriage had been prepared for her beforehand, preparing one now would make Ren Yaoying’s invitation seem insincere. Fortunately, Madam Fang’s carriage was large, so Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua joined Ren Yaoying in Madam Fang’s carriage.

When Madam Fang saw the two get in, she smiled and exchanged pleasantries with them. Ren Yaoqi observed and noticed that Madam Fang seemed somewhat distracted.

It seemed this trip to Yanbei hadn’t gone as smoothly as Madam Fang had hoped. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Ren Yaoqi’s guess was correct. Madam Fang’s recent experiences had indeed been far from smooth.

After the previous incident, Third Madam Lin refused to see her, wouldn’t accept gifts sent over, saying something about not accepting rewards without merit lest it cause misunderstandings. Naturally, she couldn’t make connections with Commissioner Yuan either.

As for Prince Yanbei’s mansion, she had previously met Princess Consort Yanbei once through her handkerchief friend’s introduction. At that time, the Princess Consort had spoken with her and asked several questions, and she could tell the Princess Consort’s impression of her wasn’t bad.

But since then, she’d had no opportunity to see the Princess Consort again. When her handkerchief friend tried to sound out the situation with the Princess Consort, nothing came of it. Last time, when news finally came from Prince Yanbei’s mansion that the Princess Consort might be willing to receive her once, she waited most of the day, but still didn’t see anyone.

As for other wealthy and prominent families in Yanbei, they were warm and friendly when she visited and willing to associate with the Fang family from Jiangnan. But building networks took time, and if her husband ultimately couldn’t come to Yanbei, these relationships would gradually fade.

Seeing that her departure date was approaching and her husband had already sent several letters while she still had no progress here, even the steady Madam Fang couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Over there, Ren Yaoying was speaking softly with Ren Yaoqi: “Fifth Sister has been in Yunyang City for some time now. Have you been to Sun and Moon Spring?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “I’ve heard of it but haven’t had the chance to go. I heard people in Yunyang City like to go to estates near there to escape the cold in winter, but we came at the wrong time.”

Sun and Moon Spring was a hot spring outside Yunyang City. Many families had built villas around it and diverted the spring water into them, making it warmer there in winter.

Ren Yaoying smiled: “We’re going to Sun and Moon Spring today. Madam Zhou has a dowry estate right nearby, so she specially invited my aunt. It’s not only a good place in winter—visiting in summer has its charm too.”

Madam Zhou was Liu Shi’s handkerchief friend. Her husband worked as a clerk in Prince Yanbei’s mansion—though just a minor official without rank, he had some respectability because he could occasionally appear in the Prince’s study.

Land near Sun and Moon Spring was extremely expensive. Madam Zhou’s dowry estate wasn’t large and was already some distance from the spring, but this estate was still a rare source of respectability from her natal family.

The carriage stopped in front of the estate, where servants were already waiting at the gate. Seeing Liu Shi arrive with the Ren sisters, they stepped forward to welcome them inside.