The Old Princess Consort used all her tricks of throwing tantrums and feigning illness to support her daughter and granddaughter. The Princess Consort maintained respectful appearances toward the Old Princess Consort but insisted on not interfering in Ningxia affairs, leaving the Old Princess Consort furious yet helpless.

After Zeng Pu went to Ningxia, none of Wu Xiaohe’s subordinates gave him any face, while the Xiao Wei mother and daughter still occupied the Ningxia General’s mansion. Zeng Pu was nominally the new Ningxia General, but in reality he couldn’t even touch a corner of Ningxia’s military power. When the emperor’s imperial edict arrived in Ningxia, everyone listened and received it with perfunctory smiles, then afterward continued doing whatever they had been doing – no one took it seriously.

Zeng Pu had no recourse and could only remain in Ningxia, feeling aggrieved, sending memorials to the court reporting on Ningxia’s situation. He had no real influence now, except to constantly monitor the movements of Ningxia’s army.

During this period, Wu Xiaohe’s noble concubine Lady Di faced over a dozen assassination attempts in succession, but miraculously escaped danger each time. At this point, perceptive people understood that Prince Yanbei’s manor must be secretly intervening, and gradually saw Prince Yanbei’s manor’s position. Those who had originally gathered around the Xiao Wei mother and daughter with a wait-and-see attitude also began to withdraw their support.

This mother-daughter pair of Xiao Wei and Wu Yiyu, who had been arrogant and high-profile for so many years, finally experienced the coldness of human nature when the wall falls and everyone pushes.

After autumn passed, winter came hastily. Ren Yaoqi now wholeheartedly hoped this year could pass peacefully and steadily, then her father would take their branch of the family away from the Ren household to Yunyang City. Ever since she learned the true origins of the Ren family mansion, she had never stopped loathing this place.

Before the New Year, Ren Yaoqi received a letter from Xiao Jinglin. Next summer, Xiao Jinglin would come of age, and she might return to Yunyang City then because the Princess Consort would hold a coming-of-age ceremony for her. Xiao Jinglin reminded Ren Yaoqi about their previous agreement to give each other courtesy names.

From the tone of Xiao Jinglin’s letter, after returning this time, the Princess Consort probably wouldn’t let her leave again. Though Ren Yaoqi felt happy about being able to often accompany Xiao Jinglin in the future, she felt more regret and sadness that Jinglin couldn’t fulfill her aspirations.

At the end of her letter, Xiao Jinglin also briefly mentioned Yun Wenfang’s recent situation. Yun Wenfang had distinguished himself greatly in recent battles between the Liao people and Yanbei, repeatedly achieving remarkable feats. Even Prince Yanbei, who had gone to inspect the border, praised him highly and had exceptionally promoted him to Cloud Cavalry Captain with the position of Assistant General. Yun Wenfang had only been at the border for a year or two – this promotion speed made many people envious. However, this time, Second Young Master Yun relied on his abilities, so more people admired him. Yun Wenfang had also made several friends during his two years at the border.

Regarding Yun Wenfang’s matters, Ren Yaoqi only glanced at them before setting them aside, not taking them to heart.

This year passed peacefully and smoothly, as Ren Yaoqi had hoped.

After the first month, the steward Ren Shimin had previously been instructed, came to report that houses had been found. Three courtyards were temporarily located: one was a small two-courtyard house, though the space wasn’t very large. The advantage was its extreme proximity to Yunyang Academy – it would take only a quarter-hour to walk there without needing a carriage.

Another was also a two-courtyard compound. Since the owner had renovated it just last year, they could move in immediately without much reorganization. However, the courtyard owner was only willing to rent, not sell. Worth mentioning was that this courtyard was extremely close to Prince Xian’s family residence – only separated by two alleys.

The third courtyard was a large three-courtyard compound, somewhat farther from Yunyang Academy. By carriage it would take nearly two quarters of an hour. However, the courtyard was spacious with a reasonable layout – with slight repairs it would be very comfortable to live in.

The steward came to ask Ren Shimin for his decision. After thinking it over, Ren Shimin decided to go to Yunyang City personally to see for himself. After all, they would be living there for quite a long time in the future, and Third Master Ren was a man with standards – the environment was also something he needed to be particular about.

However, Third Master Ren immediately rejected the courtyard close to Prince Xian’s family without thinking. He would only look at the two-courtyard compound closest to the academy and the three-courtyard house.

Third Master Ren disliked his brother-in-law’s family and didn’t want to have dealings with them.

When Ren Yaoqi learned of this, she said nothing. It was better for Prince Xian’s manor and the Ren family not to have contact. Living slightly farther away was fine – even if they lived next door, they couldn’t always run to her grandmother’s house without a reason.

Third Master Ren planned to bring Ren Yaoqi along to Yunyang City to look at the courtyards. After all, when it came to aesthetics, father and daughter were quite similar and could communicate well. If they finally decided on a courtyard and needed to arrange repairs, they could also discuss it.

Ren Yaoqi, as usual, brought Ren Yaohua along. Since Ren Yaohua had nothing else to do at home anyway, she thought about it and agreed.

However, when the three of them went to take leave of Old Madam Ren, she asked Ren Shimin to also bring Ren Yaoying, who was currently in her room.

Old Madam Ren smiled: “All of you go take a look. After all, you’ll all be living together in the future anyway.”

Ren Shimin didn’t particularly like this concubine-born daughter, but since the old madam had spoken, he said nothing. Taking two was taking, taking three was also taking – they could all go together.

Ren Yaoying was very happy. She thanked Old Madam Ren and Ren Shimin, then smiled meekly at Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaoqi was fine with it, but Ren Yaohua coldly turned her head away without even glancing at her.

Ren Yaoying didn’t mind either, only batting her eyes and obediently asking the old madam: “Grandmother, will I, brother, and aunt also go live in Yunyang City with Father then?”

Old Madam Ren had been very kind to Ren Yaoying recently, always calling her to her courtyard for company. Hearing this, she smiled: “Didn’t you say before that you liked Yunyang City? If you like it, go together.” Much of the time, Old Madam Ren would appear very easy to talk to, as long as she was willing to dote on you and give you face.

Currently, the granddaughters with the most face before Old Madam Ren were Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi, and recently perhaps Ren Yaoying should be added – all daughters of the third branch.

Ren Shimin frowned and said indifferently, “You and Yihong can go, but your aunt will stay at the Ren family.”

Ren Yaoying instinctively asked: “Why can’t Aunt go?”

Ren Shimin said, displeasedly: “I’m going to teach at Yunyang Academy, not to sightsee. What would it look like to bring a concubine along? Would people laugh at us? If you want to come, you must be obedient and listen to your legitimate mother. Otherwise, it’s better to stay at the Ren family.”

Ren Yaoying bit her lower lip, tears already welling in her eyes.

Old Madam Ren smoothed things over: “Alright, alright, this was my idea. Why are you taking it out on a child?”

Ren Shimin said, “Mother, given Concubine Fang’s current condition, even if she followed us to Yunyang City, she could only stay in her room and not go out. She might as well stay in this familiar place with the Ren family. I’ll just take Yihong and Yaoying.” On this point, face-conscious Third Master Ren was very insistent – he wouldn’t make a joke of his reputation in front of students and friends.

Old Madam Ren thought about it and said nothing more.

Concubine Fang indeed couldn’t go out to meet people now. If she went to Yunyang City, she would just stay locked in her room like she did now, so whether she went or not didn’t make much difference.

So Ren Shimin set out with his three daughters.

Ren Yaohua was unwilling to sit with Ren Yaoying. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua took one carriage while Ren Yaoying rode alone in another carriage.

The journey was uneventful. After arriving in Yunyang City, Ren Shimin directly took them to see the two houses. The first house close to Yunyang Academy was rather old – if it needed repairs, it would certainly take considerable time. The second three-courtyard compound was much more spacious and bright. Third Master Ren couldn’t help but nod after seeing it.

Finally, Ren Shimin asked Ren Yaoqi for her opinion. After thinking, Ren Yaoqi said, “That two-courtyard house is too small. It would be somewhat cramped for our branch to live in, and most importantly, it’s extremely inconvenient for carriages to come and go. If we’re going to live there permanently, we might need to entertain Father’s friends or have other teachers come home for dinner in the future – in that case, we’d be even more restricted. Though the three-courtyard compound is somewhat farther from the academy, Father, you’ll be taking a carriage daily anyway, so by carriage time, it’s not far. Moreover, the houses inside are very new, with few places needing renovation. I think it’s quite good.”

Third Master Ren had also favored the three-courtyard compound. Hearing this, he immediately nodded: “Exactly, that’s what I was thinking too!” He turned to ask his steward: “Is the owner of this house willing to sell?”

The steward lowered his head and replied: “Yes, Master. If you’re satisfied, we can sign the deed today.”

Ren Shimin was very straightforward: “Then go buy it for me. Also, report what places need repairs.”

The steward quickly agreed and went to make arrangements.

Ren Shimin was increasingly satisfied with the new house and enthusiastically discussed renovation matters with Ren Yaoqi. Third Master Ren had extremely high standards for living, but he was also very serious when doing things.

At this time, an old woman from the Ren family retreat house came to report that Miss Lei had gone to the retreat house looking for Third Miss and Fifth Miss.

It turned out Lei Pan’er had heard today that the Ren family had come to Yunyang City, so she happily came to find them to play. But Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi had gone out with Third Master Ren and weren’t at the retreat house, leaving the little girl disappointed.

Since Ren Yaohua couldn’t contribute much to the conversation here and was getting somewhat bored, she immediately said, “Why don’t I go back to the retreat house to see?”

Ren Yaoying also said: “I’ll go back to the retreat house too. I’m feeling dizzy from the wind.” Her complexion indeed didn’t look very good.

Ren Shimin waved his hand carelessly: “You go back first, then.”

Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaohua left first, while Ren Yaoqi continued accompanying Ren Shimin in designing the courtyard.

However, no one expected that with Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaohua leaving just one step ahead, problems would arise.