“Princess Consort, please don’t worry. Second Young Master Xiao is blessed and will surely be fine,” Ren Yaoqi still comforted the Princess Consort, though such consoling words might not be of much use.

The Princess Consort nodded, her brow lightly furrowed, making the lines between her eyebrows faintly visible: “I hope so. After enduring all these years…” The Princess Consort paused, then looked at Ren Yaoqi and said, “I kept you here today because I have an unreasonable request.”

“Please speak, Princess Consort,” Ren Yaoqi nodded.

The Princess Consort pondered for a moment before saying, “I’d like to ask you to help me request someone from Prince Xian.”

Did it involve Prince Xian’s mansion? Ren Yaoqi was extremely surprised in her heart.

But she didn’t know how to respond to these words.

If the Princess Consort only wanted her help, then considering Xiao Jingxi’s repeated assistance to her, she definitely wouldn’t refuse.

But if it involved Prince Xian’s mansion, things would be much more complicated, and she couldn’t make decisions for Prince Xian’s mansion either.

As for why the mighty Yanbei Prince’s mansion would need to request someone from the deposed Prince Xian, who this person was, and how the Princess Consort knew Prince Xian’s mansion still had people available, Ren Yaoqi did not comment on these matters.

What Prince Xian’s mansion’s real intention was in keeping a group of opera performers under Yanbei Prince’s nose, Yanbei Prince’s mansion might not be unaware of, just turning a blind eye to it. From this perspective, Prince Xian should be grateful to Yanbei Prince’s mansion.

As if knowing of Ren Yaoqi’s difficulty, the Princess Consort sighed: “I know I’m making things difficult for you, but…” The Princess Consort took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Ren Yaoqi. “Please take a look.”

Ren Yaoqi reached out to take it, and the moment she opened it, seeing the familiar handwriting on the letter, she knew this was written personally by Xiao Jingxi.

The letter contained only a few simple words, instructing the Princess Consort that if he couldn’t return to Yanbei smoothly this time, she should find Prince Xian without alarming anyone and ask to borrow someone from him. As for who this person was, Xiao Jingxi didn’t mention, only casually adding at the end that if necessary, she could ask Miss Ren Fifth for help.

“I was just thinking about how to bring you to Yunyang City, but unexpectedly, you came on your own and even came to Yanbei Prince’s mansion,” the Princess Consort said.

Ren Yaoqi read the letter twice, but still couldn’t figure out who this person Xiao Jingxi mentioned was. She couldn’t help but frown and ask: “The person Second Young Master Xiao mentioned borrowing from my grandfather—I wonder which one it is?”

The Princess Consort shook her head and hesitated: “He didn’t mention it, and I don’t know either. Perhaps Prince Xian knows?” After thinking, the Princess Consort added, “I only know that Jingxi’s people disappeared near Jinzhou.”

“Jinzhou?” Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but frown.

Jinzhou, Hezhong, Jiangzhou, Cizhou, and Xizhou were all under the jurisdiction of Hezhong Prefecture. Ren Yaoqi knew this was the hometown of her great-grandmother, Noble Consort Wan. Based on some things she had learned later, Noble Consort Wan had once operated in this area when she was alive. If her son Prince Xian ultimately couldn’t reach that highest position, this would be the fiefdom she had secured for her children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, this backup plan was never used in the end—Prince Xian was forced to come to Yanbei and lost his noble title.

Ren Yaoqi had always thought that since Prince Xian had retreated to Yanbei, he had completely lost control over the Hezhong area. After all, Empress Dowager Yan’s people wouldn’t stand by and watch a territory beyond their control exist under their noses. Over these years, she hadn’t seen Prince Xian have any contact with people from outside Yanbei. But the Princess Consort’s words and Xiao Jingxi’s letter made Ren Yaoqi think more deeply.

Could there still be some connection between Jinzhou and Prince Xian’s mansion?

Thinking of this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but recall the incident when Xiao Jingxi had come to her grandfather’s house in Baoping Alley last time.

At that time, Xiao Jingxi had also had a conversation with her grandfather, though she hadn’t heard the content of their talk.

The Princess Consort continued: “You must have heard that something happened in Ningxia. The Prince has gone to Wuzhou because of the northern border warfare. If not for the current pressing circumstances, Yanbei might fall into great chaos…”

Ren Yaoqi said slowly: “Princess Consort, I’ll help you make a trip to Baoping Alley.”

Hearing this, the Princess Consort paused in her words and couldn’t help but be delighted. She grasped Ren Yaoqi’s hand and said, “That’s wonderful. Thank you for making this trip.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “All along, Yaoqi has received care from the Princess Consort and the Princess. This time is just running an errand for you—how could there be any hardship to speak of?”

The Princess Consort shook her head: “You make it sound so easy, but I understand everything. Regardless of how Prince Xian responds, Yanbei Prince’s mansion owes you a favor.”

The Princess Consort was not an unreasonable person, so she could understand Ren Yaoqi’s difficulties. Yet even though it was difficult, Ren Yaoqi still agreed to make the trip—the Princess Consort would acknowledge this favor.

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled.

Having thought through some matters, she wasn’t as troubled as the Princess Consort imagined. Since Xiao Jingxi hadn’t mentioned in his letter whom he wanted to borrow, it meant he might have had some prior agreement with Prince Xian. After all, with Second Young Master Xiao’s scheming and calculations, he wouldn’t do anything without certainty.

Moreover, Ren Yaoqi was willing to trust Xiao Jingxi’s character. Since he knew of Prince Xian’s mansion’s difficulties and her situation, yet specifically mentioned her in the letter, he shouldn’t put her in a difficult position.

Since Xiao Jingxi might have already discussed things with Prince Xian’s mansion beforehand, her making this trip would truly just be running an errand for him while earning a favor from Yanbei Prince’s mansion.

Thinking this way, Ren Yaoqi felt much more at ease. She thought that if Xiao Jingxi could calculate all this in advance, then this disappearance must have a reason and wasn’t due to any danger.

Ren Yaoqi put away Xiao Jingxi’s letter and said to the Princess Consort: “In that case, I won’t stay for the meal and will go to Baoping Alley right now.”

The Princess Consort said, “You should eat dinner before going. It’s almost noon.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “Since there’s still no news of Second Young Master Xiao, I should first see if Grandfather can help with anything.”

These words weren’t false courtesy—she was genuinely worried about whether Xiao Jingxi had encountered danger. Moreover, Prince Xian’s mansion was already destined for a life-or-death struggle with Empress Dowager Yan’s faction. Now that Yanbei Prince’s mansion was also just short of completely breaking with the court, an alliance between Prince Xian’s mansion and Yanbei Prince’s mansion at this time might not be a bad thing for Prince Xian’s mansion.

Hearing this, the Princess Consort became even more grateful.

Ren Yaoqi rose to bow and take her leave. The Princess Consort couldn’t detain her further and called for the maid Sujin to escort Ren Yaoqi out.

Just as Ren Yaoqi walked out of Jiuyang Hall, she saw an unfamiliar nanny hurrying over. Seeing her, Sujin quickly stepped forward: “Nanny Zhou, is there another matter with the Old Princess Consort?”

Nanny Zhou said urgently, “The Old Princess Consort vomited up her medicine again, saying it’s too bitter and refusing to drink it. This servant came to ask the Princess Consort to come and take another look.”

Sujin said, “I’ll mention it to the Princess Consort later to see if we can have the physician change to a less bitter prescription. Nanny Zhou, have you been to Second Madam’s place? The Old Princess Consort might be more willing to listen to Second Madam’s words.”

Sujin had previously accompanied the Princess Consort to visit the Old Princess Consort and witnessed how the Old Princess Consort, when in a bad mood, would embarrass the Princess Consort in front of everyone and make unreasonable demands. She felt quite disgusted on behalf of her mistress.

So she very tactfully indicated that since the Old Princess Consort wouldn’t listen to their Princess Consort anyway, it would be better to request Second Madam than to come here. All their Princess Consort could do was have the physician change the prescription.

The servant woman was just a second-class servant who had been assigned this task. Seeing that Sujin’s words weren’t unreasonable, she agreed and turned to head toward the Second Madam’s courtyard.

Sujin continued escorting Ren Yaoqi out.

Ren Yaoqi sighed, thinking that Yanbei Prince’s mansion was quite lively too. In her previous life, after Wu Xiaohe died, it seemed Xiao Wei and her daughter were taken back to Yanbei Prince’s mansion by the Old Princess Consort. If it were the same in this life, Yanbei Prince’s mansion would become even more lively in the future. She wondered how long the Princess Consort could endure it.

After Ren Yaoqi’s carriage left Yanbei Prince’s mansion, it went to Baoping Alley. By the time she entered the house, it was already noon, and Rong Shi was listening to Chuchu report the lunch menu.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi arrive at this time, Rong Shi was quite surprised, but she was still very happy and instructed Chuchu to add two dishes that Ren Yaoqi liked.

After giving instructions, she smiled and said, “Why did you come at this time today without sending word ahead? Fortunately, we have some game that Chunsheng and the others hunted yesterday. You can try something fresh.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “So I’m accidentally blessed with good fortune?”

Rong Shi laughed: “Exactly so.”

After Chuchu instructed people to serve tea and left, Ren Yaoqi asked: “Where is Grandfather? Isn’t he home?”

Rong Shi was somewhat surprised that Ren Yaoqi was looking for Li Qian: “He’s listening to opera with your uncle in the back courtyard. What do you need your grandfather for?”

No wonder Ren Yaoqi had heard the sound of strings and the “yi yi ya ya” of opera singing from the back courtyard when she entered.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and asked: “Grandmother, what was Second Young Master Xiao’s business when he came here to find Grandfather that time?”

Hearing this, Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi and frowned slightly: “Why are you suddenly asking about this? Did someone say something to you?”

Rong Shi felt somewhat displeased, not toward Ren Yaoqi, but because these matters shouldn’t have involved her daughter’s family.

Ren Yaoqi sighed and handed Rong Shi Xiao Jingxi’s letter that the Princess Consort had given her: “I just came from Yanbei Prince’s mansion. My father was originally supposed to return with Second Young Master Xiao this time, but unexpectedly, they encountered several groups of assassins on the road. Finally, Second Young Master Xiao separated from my father and the others, and Second Young Master Xiao’s carriage suddenly disappeared when they reached Jinzhou. Now, even Yanbei Prince’s mansion people can’t find him.”

After taking the letter and glancing at it, Rong Shi’s already furrowed brows became even tighter.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but wonder: Could she have guessed wrong? Had there been no prior agreement between Xiao Jingxi and Prince Xian here?