Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes, concealing the somewhat complex emotions within them.

“The reason I was ultimately able to persevere was because… was because…” It was because I kept thinking of you over and over again, dreaming of you. I never forgot the purpose of leaving home to join the army, and so I could always grit my teeth and push through.

In the end, Yun Wenfang still couldn’t bring himself to say those final words. He was a proud person who had never been accustomed to humbly begging for charity. For what he wanted, he had always taken direct action. Only in front of Ren Yaoqi had he suffered the greatest fall of his life.

Since Yun Wenfang didn’t continue speaking, and Ren Yaoqi wasn’t foolish enough to press him, silence fell between them.

Ren Yaoqi had originally thought that after Yun Wenfang spent three years at the frontier, his perspective and temperament would surely be incomparable to that impulsive, easily angered youth of before, and his obsession with her would fade. After all, in this lifetime, they had never had any deep connections between them. As long as she didn’t ask, didn’t acknowledge, didn’t respond, Yun Wenfang’s youthful infatuation would have no foundation to continue.

But Yun Wenfang, before her, truly gave Ren Yaoqi quite a headache.

“My engagement with Jiang Yuanniang will soon be annulled,” Yun Wenfang finally spoke with a cold face, his tone sounding somewhat harsh yet carrying some grievance and stubbornness he was unwilling to admit.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and was about to say something when someone hurried over toward them. Ren Yaoqi turned her head and saw that it was Shijin, Madam Xu’s chief maidservant.

Ren Yaoqi thought Madam Xu had sent Shijin because she had more business with her. She glanced at Yun Wenfang and, seeing that Pingguo and Sangshen still stood between them, which wouldn’t cause any misunderstandings, remained where she was. Unexpectedly, after Shijin approached and curtsied, she addressed Yun Wenfang: “Second Young Master Yun, our madam has some questions she’d like to ask you. She sent this servant to invite you over.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang frowned and suppressed his impatience: “What does Madam Xu want with me?”

Having finally seen Ren Yaoqi, Yun Wenfang was very displeased to have their conversation interrupted. However, since Madam Xu was highly respected in Yanbei and was said to be Ren Yaoqi’s teacher, Yun Wenfang couldn’t very well throw a young master’s tantrum.

Shijin lowered her head: “Madam heard that you were also nearby when Miss Guo fell into the water, and she has some questions she’d like to ask you.”

Hearing it was about this matter, a mocking smile curved at the corner of Yun Wenfang’s lips: “What’s there to ask about? I didn’t push her down. If they like to make trouble, let them make trouble.”

Yun Wenfang had seen the entire process of Guo Yujiao falling into the water, but he had no interest in getting involved in those women’s scheming, especially scheming that wanted to use him, which disgusted him greatly.

“This… please come with this servant to see our madam, Young Master Yun,” Shijin said carefully.

Yun Wenfang glanced at Ren Yaoqi and frowned. Naturally, he didn’t want to go, but since Madam Xu had sent her maidservant to invite him, completely refusing to give face wouldn’t do either.

Ren Yaoqi wanted to use this opportunity to escape, but she feared provoking Yun Wenfang into an outburst on the spot.

Just as they were at an impasse, Xiao Jinglin appeared around the corner.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel delighted: “Jinglin? How did you come here?”

Xiao Jinglin walked over, nodded to Ren Yaoqi, looked at Yun Wenfang expressionlessly, then said to Ren Yaoqi: “I’ve been waiting for you for a while. Are you finished with everything? Then let’s go out first.”

Although she was speaking to Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jinglin’s gaze fell on Yun Wenfang with seeming casualness.

Yun Wenfang narrowed his eyes, gave a cold laugh, then turned his head away.

Back at Jiajing Pass, Yun Wenfang had already sensed Xiao Jinglin’s hostility toward him. Although Xiao Jinglin wouldn’t use her status to undermine him in major matters, there had been some petty difficulties aimed at him initially. Naturally, Yun Wenfang didn’t like Xiao Jinglin either, but since Xiao Jinglin held a higher position in the army, had repeatedly distinguished herself in battle over the years, and enjoyed prestige among ordinary soldiers and officers, Yun Wenfang, having been disciplined by the military for several years, would still restrain himself somewhat in Xiao Jinglin’s presence.

Ren Yaoqi breathed a sigh of relief and was about to leave with Xiao Jinglin, but noticed that following behind Xiao Jinglin was not Hongying but Nanxing. Since Nanxing was still wearing the same clothes as before, she couldn’t help but pause in confusion.

However, Xiao Jinglin had already pulled Ren Yaoqi away. Yun Wenfang watched them leave with a cold expression, then followed Shijin to see Madam Xu.

After Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin got into the carriage, Xiao Jinglin said, “If I had known Yun Wenfang was also there, I should have come to find you earlier. Did he give you trouble just now?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. She didn’t want to say much about Yun Wenfang: “We only exchanged a few words before you arrived. By the way, did you come to find me for something?”

Xiao Jinglin replied expressionlessly: “Xiao Jingxi sent me. He wants me to go with you to Prince Xian’s manor to pick up two people.” Xiao Jinglin glanced at Nanxing.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh: “I could have just sent them over myself. There was no need for you to make the trip.”

Xiao Jinglin pressed her lips together without speaking, but inwardly thought it was fortunate she had come today, or who knows how that scoundrel Yun Wenfang might have bullied her. But then again, had Xiao Jingxi specifically sent Nanxing to lead her to pick up the people, not because he knew Yun Wenfang had come to Baoping Lane?

“Useless!” Xiao Jinglin muttered under her breath.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t hear clearly and asked curiously: “What did you say, Jinglin?”

Xiao Jinglin replied without changing expression: “I said I happened to have nothing else to do.” Xiao Jingxi is useless!

Actually, Xiao Jingxi was quite wronged – even if he had deliberately sent Xiao Jinglin to the rescue, it didn’t mean he was afraid of Yun Wenfang. He was just thinking too much about Ren Yaoqi’s wellbeing.

Nanxing silently glanced at Xiao Jinglin without speaking. Those who practiced martial arts all had keen hearing and sight.

Prince Xian’s manor wasn’t far from Yunyang Academy, so they arrived quickly. This was Xiao Jinglin’s first time visiting Prince Xian’s manor. Madam Rong had Ji Fuying come out to receive them.

Now, when meeting Ji Fuying again, Ren Yaoqi would curtsy as a junior and address her as Aunt Ji. Ji Fuying and Li Tianyou’s marriage had been set for early next year, though not many people knew about it.

Xiao Jinglin was very respectful and courteous to Madam Rong. After Ren Yaoqi explained her purpose to Madam Rong, though somewhat surprised, Madam Rong said nothing and had people bring Leshan and Leshui over.

Leshan and Leshui were eleven years old now. Because the sisters had practiced martial arts, they appeared half a head taller than girls their age, with slender hands and feet. Though they weren’t as delicate as typical inner courtyard maidservants, having been taught etiquette and manners by people from Prince Xian’s manor, they didn’t appear crude but rather had the bearing of chief maidservants from prominent families.

Xiao Jinglin also observed them for a long time, her eyes showing some interest. Having practiced martial arts since childhood, she could naturally see that Leshan and Leshui were promising material. If they weren’t Ren Yaoqi’s people, Xiao Jinglin would very likely have recruited them under her command. This showed that no matter how Princess Xiao might openly or secretly despise her brother Xiao Jingxi in daily life, siblings were still siblings – many commonalities were inborn.

After sitting for a while longer, Xiao Jinglin proposed to take her leave. Madam Rong kept Ren Yaoqi talking, so Ren Yaoqi could only escort Xiao Jinglin out first.

After seeing off Xiao Jinglin and returning, Madam Rong said without any beating around the bush: “Xiao Jingxi asked for them, didn’t he?”

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

Madam Rong shook her head and gently tapped Ren Yaoqi’s forehead, saying helplessly: “You…”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and said softly, “I thought it wouldn’t be bad for Leshan and Leshui to learn more skills.”

Madam Rong raised an eyebrow: “And then after learning and learning, they become people of the Yanbei Prince’s manor?”

Ren Yaoqi was startled. Madam Rong said with both amusement and helplessness: “Think about it – what can the Yanbei Prince’s manor teach that Prince Xian’s manor cannot?”

Ren Yaoqi blinked, somewhat speechless.

Madam Rong sighed: “It’s nothing more than the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s rules and taboos, the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s social connections, the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s network of relationships, the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s…”

Listening to Madam Rong list item after item, Ren Yaoqi gradually reddened with embarrassment.

“Are you truly unaware or pretending not to understand?” Madam Rong glanced sideways at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

Madam Rong laughed, then sighed after laughing: “He truly is thoughtful, having considered all this for you.”

Having Leshan and Leshui stay at the Yanbei Prince’s manor for a year before being given to Ren Yaoqi by the Princess Consort or Xiao Jinglin would not only elevate the two maidservants’ status by several levels, making Ren Yaoqi’s servants more confident when facing the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s servants in the future, but would also allow Leshan and Leshui to become familiar with the Yanbei Prince’s manor’s interpersonal relationships first. When Ren Yaoqi truly entered the Yanbei Prince’s manor, she wouldn’t be completely in the dark and suffer hidden losses.

Xiao Jingxi had always been someone who planned three steps with each move. He certainly hadn’t casually brought Hongying’s twin sister Nanxing to appear before Ren Yaoqi.

Even Madam Rong, who didn’t favor the match between Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi, couldn’t help but be moved. And Madam Rong could also see that young Xiao Jingxi wasn’t the only one with unrequited feelings. With Ren Yaoqi’s intelligence, could she truly not understand Xiao Jingxi’s intentions?

“Qi’er, have you truly decided?” Madam Rong touched Ren Yaoqi’s head and suddenly became serious.

Madam Rong had discussed the issue of Xiao Jingxi with Ren Yaoqi more than once. Madam Rong’s attitude had always been disapproving. Even now, she hoped her granddaughter could find an ordinary, smooth marriage – not seeking great wealth and honor, only stability and peace.

Ren Yaoqi stared blankly for a while, then finally sighed and grasped Madam Rong’s hand. Her tone was very calm: “Yes, Grandmother, I’ve decided.”

Madam Rong was actually startled by her directness, and in the end could only shake her head with a helpless bitter smile. After thinking for a long while, she sighed: “So be it.”

Ren Yaoqi snuggled up to Madam Rong, hugging her arm and gently resting her head on her shoulder.

Madam Rong stroked her head and said softly, “With your grandfather and grandmother here, this time we absolutely won’t let you suffer any grievances.” Her only daughter had already been wronged for half her life – no matter what, her granddaughter would not walk her daughter’s old path.

A few days after the warm stove gathering, another major incident occurred in Yunyang City that gave people much to talk about.

The second young master of the Yun family wanted to break off his engagement.

The incident originated from Second Young Master Yun’s fiancée, Eighth Miss Jiang, pushing Eldest Miss Guo into the lake at the warm stove gathering. The Guo family naturally had to seek an explanation from the Jiang family for this matter.

Originally, this was just a conflict between two girls due to a disagreement – nothing major. But the next day, news broke about Eldest Miss Guo’s unrequited love for Second Young Master Yun.

It turned out that Eldest Miss Guo had been secretly devoted to Second Young Master Yun three years ago. Although she knew Second Young Master Yun was already engaged to Eighth Miss Jiang, she still refused to give up. The Guo family had originally planned to accept a marriage proposal from the Qiu family, but when Eldest Miss Guo learned of this, she was unwilling. After making a scene, she ran to her aunt’s house in Yunyang City.

Second Young Master Yun happened to return to Yunyang City at this time. In recent days, Eldest Miss Guo had seen Second Young Master Yun several times. Though three years had passed, Eldest Miss Guo’s admiration for Second Young Master Yun had not decreased but increased, reaching the point where she couldn’t eat or sleep.

On the day of the warm stove gathering, when Eldest Miss Guo learned that Second Young Master Yun would also attend, she found an excuse to go as well and happened to encounter the two Jiang sisters.

Eldest Miss Guo had originally had some friendship with Eighth Miss Jiang, but because of Eighth Miss Jiang’s engagement to Second Young Master Yun, she had come to detest Eighth Miss Jiang and had severed ties with her over these years. However, for some unknown reason, she still invited the two Jiang sisters to go boating on the lake.

In the end, Eldest Miss Guo and Eighth Miss Jiang quarreled over Second Young Master Yun. In her anger, Eighth Miss Jiang pushed Eldest Miss Guo into the lake.

If the matter had only been this much, it would have been merely a small affair of two young ladies fighting over jealousy. People would have laughed it off after hearing about it, and Second Young Master Yun couldn’t very well break off the engagement over such a thing.

The matter truly became serious after Eldest Miss Guo’s aunt, Madam Meng, questioned Eldest Miss Guo’s maidservants once more. It turned out that when Eldest Miss Guo called the two Jiang sisters out for boating at the warm stove gathering, it wasn’t simply to enjoy the cold breeze and have an argument.

Through a fortuitous opportunity, Eldest Miss Guo had learned a secret about Eighth Miss Jiang. She had called them out to have a showdown.

The reason Sixth Miss Jiang hadn’t been able to attend the Thousand Gold Banquet years ago wasn’t because she couldn’t adapt to the climate, but because Eighth Miss Jiang had poisoned her cousin, causing Sixth Miss Jiang’s face to break out in red rashes, ultimately forcing her to hide away in the Yunyang City villa.

No one knew how Eldest Miss Guo had learned of this matter and obtained evidence. She had only wanted to make the Jiang sisters turn against each other or force the Jiang family to voluntarily dissolve the engagement. However, in the end, this secret was still revealed by Madam Meng.

The world was in uproar.

If young ladies’ minor squabbles weren’t considered serious matters, then harming one’s sibling for the sake of a marriage was crossing a forbidden line. Such a vicious and despicable woman would naturally not be welcomed by any respectable family.

So, Second Young Master Yun was the first to object upon learning of this.

The Yun family naturally wasn’t so easily swayed by rumors and gossip. Old Madam Yun and Madam Yun had people investigate the events of three years ago, and indeed found evidence of Jiang Yuanniang harming Jiang Xiniang.

Three years ago, Old Madam Yun had also suspected something about Jiang Xiniang’s illness and had sent people to investigate. The suspicious points that had been covered up three years ago were now exposed three years later, leaving Jiang Yuanniang unable to deny anything.

Old Madam Yun and Madam Yun were also furious.

When Second Young Master Yun proposed dissolving the engagement, the Yun family elders couldn’t say much and could only send people to invite the Jiang family for negotiations.

The Jiang family was also experiencing a great storm at this time.

Jiang Yuanniang and Jiang Xiniang’s great-grandfather, Jiang Zhenwen, was advanced in years. For nearly a year, he had spent most of his time bedridden and uninvolved in external affairs. Just a few days ago, Jiang Zhenwen had suddenly opened the ancestral hall and, in front of several clan elders, announced his intention to pass the clan leadership position to his eldest legitimate grandson, Jiang Yan.

Jiang Zhenwen had two legitimate sons. His eldest legitimate son, Jiang Shi, had died early, and for these years, most Jiang family affairs had been managed by his second legitimate son, Jiang Huai. Although Jiang Huai didn’t have the title of clan leader, he exercised the clan leader’s authority. The deceased Jiang Shi had a son, Jiang Yan, who was Jiang Xiniang’s father. As a scholar, Jiang Zhenwen placed great importance on the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children and the proper order of seniority, so his preferred candidate for clan leader was not his second son but his eldest legitimate grandson.

Having been the Jiang family’s leader for so many years, Jiang Huai naturally was unwilling to simply hand over his position to his nephew. This was why three years ago Jiang Yuanniang had schemed so hard to secure the Yun family as an ally for their branch.

No one had expected that the first branch, which had been submissively following the second branch for so many years, would stage such a comeback. The marriage alliance between the second branch of the Jiang family and the Yun family had also conveniently run into problems at this critical moment.

A few days after returning from the ancestral hall, Jiang family patriarch Jiang Zhenwen’s condition worsened. Jiang Yuanniang and Jiang Xiniang would have to return to Shunzhou to visit the sick patriarch, who would very likely not survive the winter.

Regarding Jiang Yuanniang’s poisoning of her sister, rumors were already raging outside. If this had come to light three years ago, she might have been able to work with her mother to cover it up or find someone to serve as a scapegoat. Unfortunately, this matter was only exposed three years later, during a time of tension between the first and second branches of the Jiang family, leaving Jiang Yuanniang unable to defend herself. This also showed the caution and patience of whoever was orchestrating things behind the scenes.

The day before the Jiang sisters left Yunyang City, Yun Wenfang met the maidservant from Jiang Xiniang’s side again in a private room at an inn.

The maidservant lowered her head and conveyed her mistress’s gratitude to Yun Wenfang.

Yun Wenfang didn’t even glance at the maidservant: “It was merely mutual benefit. Besides agreeing to the engagement with Jiang Yuanniang three years ago, I haven’t done anything else, so don’t try to pin any blame on me.”

The maidservant was startled upon hearing this and quickly said: “My mistress doesn’t mean that…”

Yun Wenfang tilted his head back and drained his cup, saying coldly: “I don’t care what your mistress means. Go back and tell her to set her mind at ease. My engagement with Jiang Yuanniang ends here. The Yun family won’t interfere in the struggle between your first and second branches. If Jiang Yan truly can take the Jiang family clan leader position, the Yun family won’t hold today’s events against the first branch out of resentment. What I promised her initially can be considered fulfilled.”

Yun Wenfang’s dislike of Jiang Yuanniang didn’t mean he had any favorable feelings toward Jiang Xiniang.

Three years ago, Jiang Xiniang had known that Jiang Yuanniang had poisoned her, but when the Yun family investigated the matter, she covered for Jiang Yuanniang, all to deliver a fatal blow to Jiang Yuanniang at the crucial moment.

Yun Wenfang had known about this all along, which was why he agreed to cooperate with Jiang Xiniang. Three years ago, he needed a woman to help him maintain his fiancée’s position; three years later, he needed an excuse to make this fiancée disappear.

Although Yun Wenfang hadn’t interfered in Jiang Xiniang’s use of Guo Yujiao against Jiang Yuanniang, he understood it clearly. He was thoroughly sick of these women’s schemes, especially when Jiang Xiniang’s use of Guo Yujiao also implicated him, which displeased him. At the warm stove gathering that day, when he first encountered Ren Yaoqi, they hadn’t exchanged many words before he hurriedly left for this very reason – he didn’t want Ren Yaoqi to be dragged into the Jiang sisters’ struggle.

Yun Wenfang felt that since his engagement with Jiang Yuanniang was to be dissolved, his mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with Jiang Xiniang should also end. There wasn’t much to say, and he was too lazy to deal with these irrelevant people anymore.

The maidservant actually wanted to say more, but seeing Yun Wenfang’s attitude, she didn’t dare say much more and could only retreat submissively.

At this moment, in the Jiang family’s villa, Jiang Xiniang looked at the tearful Jiang Yuanniang with complex emotions. After Jiang Yuanniang had cried enough, she gently patted her back and comforted her warmly: “We sisters have been together for so many years – naturally, I believe you. When we return and see Great-grandfather, I’ll also speak for you. Just set your mind at ease.”

Jiang Xiniang’s voice was as gentle and tolerant as always, without a trace of resentment to be heard.

The Jiang sisters left Yunyang City the next day.

Not long after the Jiang sisters’ departure, the engagement between Yun Wenfang and Jiang Yuanniang was formally dissolved. Second Young Master Yun got his wish, while Jiang Yuanniang’s schemes ultimately came to nothing.

Without the Yun family as a backing, Jiang Huai had much less leverage when competing with his nephew for the clan leader position. Although he had controlled the Jiang family for many years, Jiang Yan had the support of Patriarch Jiang and some Jiang family elders. The Jiang family ran an academy and, compared to ordinary families, placed greater emphasis on legitimacy and proper order. Moreover, over the years, while Jiang Yan had appeared to obey his second uncle Jiang Huai in everything, he had laid quite a few hidden pieces. Like his father, Jiang Yan was no mediocrity.

Therefore, after the Jiang family’s internal struggle lasted for half a year, following the death of Patriarch Jiang, Jiang Xiniang’s father Jiang Yan ultimately assumed the clan leader position.