After replying to Xiao Jinglin’s letter, it was already the end of the year. The Ren family had also passed this year smoothly. People say that if a year starts with a good beginning, then the entire year will be peaceful and smooth. Ren Yaoqi thought to herself that if this were truly the case, it would be wonderful.

Before the New Year, the physician treating Concubine Fang’s injuries had reported to Old Madam Ren that the wounds on Concubine Fang’s face had healed about seventy to eighty percent. The wounds had all scabbed over and healed properly. However, those scars, because the previous knife wounds had been too deep, now had absolutely no possibility of being completely cured.

Concubine Fang remained confined to her quarters, not even making an appearance during the New Year celebrations. In previous years, during each New Year, Old Madam Ren would specially grant Concubine Fang permission to come out and show her face.

After the Spring Festival, in the second month, the second young master Ren Yilin from the second branch of the East Manor, born of a concubine, finally got married.

After Ren Yilin’s previous marriage arrangement had been called off, Second Madam Su had ultimately found him a daughter of a wealthy Yang family from a neighboring town. Although the Yang family’s wealth couldn’t compare to the Ren family’s, this Miss Yang was a legitimate daughter with a fairly substantial dowry, so Concubine Yuan had nothing more to say about it. Outside, everyone was saying that the Second Madam of the Ren family was magnanimous, treating even a concubine-born son with such wholehearted care.

When Ren Yilin got married, the old master of the second branch didn’t return. However, Fourth Master Ren Shixu, who was with the second old master in the capital, did come back once. Ren Shixu hadn’t returned specifically for his concubine-born nephew’s wedding – he had come to discuss the matter of the coal depot in the capital with the West Manor.

The coal depot in the capital had again failed to turn a profit the previous year. Fourth Master Ren had returned to plead poverty. He said that they were struggling to survive in the capital, socializing everywhere, but in the end, they were still barely hanging on. However, they still needed to maintain their dignity in the capital. So this year, the expenses for the second old master and Fourth Master Ren in the capital would again need to be covered by the family back home.

Old Master Ren was not stingy when it came to money. Whatever amount Fourth Master Ren asked for, he would only token-ly reduce it by a small amount before giving him the full sum.

However, Old Master Ren knew that the coal depots in the capital and the south couldn’t continue like this. Otherwise, not only would the Ren family fail to develop, but they would destroy their existing foundation.

Old Master Ren couldn’t help but think again of Concubine Fang’s words, but now Concubine Fang simply wouldn’t come out to see anyone. It would be futile for Old Master Ren to try to inquire further. After consideration, Old Master Ren decided that if the mountain wouldn’t come to him, he would go to the mountain. He picked up his brush and wrote a letter to Fang Yacun, mentioning Eunuch Lu in the letter and asking Fang Yacun to help him find out what hobbies Eunuch Lu might have.

Two months after Fourth Master Ren Shixu left Baique Town with his banknotes, it was time for Ren Shimin to go to the capital to participate in the Literary Contest.

Ren Shimin needed to first go to Yunyang City to meet up with others, then travel together to the capital.

Regarding Ren Shimin being able to represent Yanbei in the Literary Contest in the capital, after the initial surprise, the Ren family was naturally very happy to support this. For the Ren family, this was an opportunity for Ren Shimin to bring glory to the family. Being able to produce a renowned scholar was also an honor for the Ren family.

So on the day Ren Shimin departed, First Master Ren, Second Master Ren, and Fifth Master Ren (who had been confined for several months and had just been released) went together with their sons and nephews to see Ren Shimin off.

Ren Yaoqi jokingly said in front of Ren Shimin that she also wanted to go along. Ren Shimin took her seriously and brought her along. Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren had nothing to say about this. Ren Yaoqi then asked Ren Yaohua to come along as well.

The Ren family escorted Ren Shimin to Yunyang City.

Ren Shimin had to first go to Yunyang Academy, then depart from Yunyang City in the afternoon.

Ren Yaoqi was just thinking of going with Ren Yaohua to Bottle Gourd Alley to visit their maternal grandfather and grandmother, when the Yanbei Prince’s mansion sent a carriage over, saying that the Princess had sent some things back for her, and knowing that she had come to Yunyang City today, the Princess Consort had sent someone to fetch her to the mansion.

Ren Yaoqi recognized the maid who came to fetch her – she was indeed one of the Princess Consort’s attendants.

Ren Yaoqi asked Ren Yaohua if she wanted to come along. Ren Yaohua shook her head and said, “What would I go there for? You go early and return early.”

Ren Yaoqi could only board the Yanbei Prince’s mansion carriage by herself. However, what Ren Yaoqi didn’t know was that not long after she left, Ren Yaohua unexpectedly encountered that little girl Lei Pan’er.

After arriving at the Yanbei Prince’s mansion, Ren Yaoqi first went to see the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort had her maid Sujin bring out the things that Xiao Jinglin had sent back through someone else. They turned out to be some small trinkets with distinctive foreign characteristics – for instance, wind chimes strung together with bones of unknown origin, and a large, round drum that was hollow inside with snakeskin stretched over the outside.

The Princess Consort also curiously came over to look. After examining them, she shook her head with a laugh and said, “Coming from thousands of miles away, I thought they would be some interesting treasures. What kind of miscellaneous things are these?”

Ren Yaoqi picked up a colorful floral headscarf and smiled with pursed lips, saying, “Previously, when I listened to the Princess talk about affairs at the border, out of curiosity, I always liked to ask questions like ‘What is that thing?’ and such. The Princess said that when she went to the border again in the future, she would bring things back for me to see.”

Only then did the Princess Consort understand.

After Ren Yaoqi received the items, she chatted with the Princess Consort for a while longer. Seeing that the Princess Consort had visitors, she took her leave first.

However, just as Ren Yaoqi emerged from Jiuyang Hall, she encountered Xiao Jingxi.

Today, Xiao Jingxi was wearing formal silver-white attire. With his dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like grace, his appearance was outstanding. Standing there, he looked like he had stepped out of a painting.

Since their last parting in the carriage, more than half a year had already passed. The last time they had corresponded through unsigned letters was also several months ago.

Thinking of the “yi jian xi” (love-at-first-sight flower) that she had stored in her drawer, Ren Yaoqi’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat when she saw Xiao Jingxi.

“Did you see all the things that Jinglin had someone bring back for you?” Xiao Jingxi acted as if nothing had happened, looking at Ren Yaoqi with a smile.

Ren Yaoqi nodded, pointing to the pile of items in Pingguo’s hands: “They’re all here.”

Xiao Jingxi looked at those various large and small trinkets and couldn’t help but laugh softly, teasing, “She only remembered to bring things for you, and even specifically instructed the messenger not to let me peek.”

Ren Yaoqi also joked, “If Young Master Xiao likes anything, just pick whatever you want.”

“Like anything?” Xiao Jingxi repeated these few words on his lips, glancing at Ren Yaoqi.

Being looked at by him like this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but gently avert her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

The two were silent for a moment. Ren Yaoqi asked, “Are you also going to the capital today?”

Xiao Jingxi nodded, “Mm, departing this afternoon together with your father and the others.”

Ren Yaoqi paused for a moment: “Then you… Be careful and have a safe journey.”

Ren Yaoqi wanted to remind him about the matter of the Ningxia garrison commander, but didn’t know how to bring it up.

However, Xiao Jingxi seemed to sense that Ren Yaoqi had more to say. Looking at her with a gentle smile, he said, “Are you going to tell me to return before winter arrives this year?”

Originally, Ren Yaoqi did indeed have this intention, but why did these words sound like they had changed meaning when spoken by Xiao Jingxi? Ren Yaoqi thought about it and finally understood what was happening – wasn’t this the kind of thing that wives would typically say when seeing off their husbands on long journeys?

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s face turn red and glare at him somewhat angrily, Xiao Jingxi had initially been somewhat dazed. After realizing what had happened, he also felt that his previous remark had been somewhat inappropriate, as if he had been flirting with her.

But he truly hadn’t meant it that way.

Thus, the usually wise, mighty, calculating, and quick-witted Second Young Master Xiao couldn’t help but become flustered as well. With reddening ears, he said somewhat tongue-tied, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

This time, Ren Yaoqi truly witnessed Xiao Jingxi’s ears turning red, and couldn’t help but be stunned. This version of Xiao Jingxi made her feel very novel, so even someone like him could blush and become flustered? Thinking this, Ren Yaoqi also felt some indescribable emotions stirring in her heart.

She ultimately didn’t truly blame Xiao Jingxi, so unable to bear seeing him at a loss, she averted her eyes and changed the subject: “I remember you previously said that going to the capital to participate in the Literary Contest would be at the end of summer. Why are you going now?”

Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi quickly regained his composure: “What you said before was very right. I thought of the phrase ‘troubled autumn,’ so it would be better to return before autumn arrives. I submitted a memorial to the capital, so the timing has been moved up by several months.”

Ren Yaoqi was startled upon hearing this. She hadn’t expected her words to have an effect. If Xiao Jingxi could truly return before Wu Xiao’s death, the situation in Ningxia would receive better arrangements, and the chances of Zeng Pu coming to Yanbei to take over the Wu family’s influence would be even smaller.

Thinking this, Ren Yaoqi’s mood also improved, and her face showed a smile: “Mm, for you, the capital is always a place of trouble. It’s better to return early if you can. Moreover, I heard from the Princess that during autumn and winter, the Liao people in the north are also more active.”

Last year, Yanbei had fought several small-scale battles with the Liao people. According to Xiao Jinglin, Yanbei had won more than they lost. However, the Liao people could come when they wanted and leave immediately when they couldn’t win. In the end, even if Yanbei won, it was still the common people on the frontier who suffered the losses.

Yun Wenfang had made considerable contributions in these several battles and could now be considered one of Min Wenqing’s capable generals. He had truly used his actual actions to prove that he wasn’t just a second-generation wastrel who only knew how to eat, drink, play, and bully others. Even Min Wenqing, who had looked unfavorably upon the Yun family members, now viewed Yun Wenfang much more favorably. Of course, when it came time to make full use of him, Min Wenqing was still merciless as always.

Seeing the smile on Ren Yaoqi’s face, Xiao Jingxi’s mood also became bright and cheerful.

Having said almost everything there was to say, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Ren Yaoqi to stay longer with Xiao Jingxi, so she curtsied in farewell.

Xiao Jingxi nodded, watching Ren Yaoqi’s figure slowly walk out of the Yanbei Prince’s mansion.