Upon hearing this, Yun Qiuchen didn’t argue further. She smiled and nodded at Ren Yaoqi, greeted everyone, then turned and boarded her carriage.

However, when the carriage curtain fell, blocking all outside gazes, all expression vanished from her face. Her autumn-water eyes turned dark and unfathomably deep.

After Yun Qiuchen left, Yan Ningshuang was also sent away, and the remaining people all boarded their carriages. Xu Wanli and Pei Zhiyan departed together, while Madam Xu accompanied Ren Yaoqi to follow Xiao Jingxi to Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

Yanbei Princess Consort had already received word, so when Madam Xu and Ren Yaoqi came to see her, she already knew about Miss Zhou fainting on the pleasure boat.

The Princess Consort said to Xiao Jingxi, who had come with them, “Go attend to your business. This is an inner courtyard matter and doesn’t require your involvement.”

Xiao Jingxi nodded, glanced at Ren Yaoqi, then left the Princess Consort’s Jiuyang Hall.

Ren Yaoqi conveyed Miss Yan’s suggestion to the Princess Consort, who after listening asked in return, “What do you think should be arranged?”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head to think, then replied, “Miss Yan’s concern isn’t unreasonable. After all, these are people sent by the Empress Dowager – it wouldn’t be good if anything went wrong. Aren’t there quite a few courtyards at the hot spring villa? They could each have their courtyard, and the environment there is tranquil and suitable for recuperation.”

The Princess Consort and Madam Xu exchanged glances, both showing hints of amusement in their eyes. The Princess Consort looked at Ren Yaoqi and said, “Mm, that makes sense.”

But when Ren Yaoqi saw the smile on the Princess Consort’s face, she couldn’t help but blush slightly. She had originally been discussing the matter objectively, but with the Princess Consort and Madam Xu smiling like this, it seemed as if she was deliberately finding excuses to send these young ladies who had come for Xiao Jingxi away to the villa.

Ren Yaoqi could only bite the bullet and say, “I’m young and my considerations may be inadequate. Please forgive me, Princess Consort.”

The Princess Consort was about to speak when the maid Sujin entered the hall and reported, “Princess Consort, the Old Princess Consort has sent people to the outer retreat house, saying she wants to bring Miss Yan and Miss Zhao into the manor.”

Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort frowned slightly. “Why?”

Sujin replied, “The Old Princess Consort heard that Miss Zhao was ill and that many young ladies had caught colds. The Old Princess Consort said that since Miss Zhao is the sister of the heir’s wife, she’s family. When she’s ill, she should naturally be brought back to the Prince’s Manor for care. Miss Yan is related to Empress Dowager Yan’s family, so she’s also connected to us. Therefore, she wants to bring them both back…”

The Princess Consort pressed her lips together and said quietly, “I understand. Let her do as she wishes.” After speaking, the Princess Consort sighed and glanced at Ren Yaoqi.

Although the Princess Consort was the female head of Yanbei Prince’s Manor, the Old Princess Consort was nominally her mother-in-law. If the Princess Consort opposed the Old Princess Consort over such a matter today, the Old Princess Consort would likely make a scene, which would be unseemly.

Ren Yaoqi said understandingly, “Close care would indeed be good. Miss Zhao and Miss Yan’s status is different from the other young ladies after all.”

Madam Xu also said, “Keeping them under our noses means we won’t worry about them causing any trouble.”

The Princess Consort said nothing, only patted Ren Yaoqi’s hand.

By this time, it was getting late. Seeing that matters had been settled, Ren Yaoqi took leave together with Madam Xu.

After Ren Yaoqi and Madam Xu left, the Princess Consort frowned and instructed Nanny Xin, “Go investigate who has been gossiping to the Old Princess Consort! They just fell ill there, and here she wants to bring people into the manor!”

Nanny Xin immediately complied and left. When the Princess Consort was about to retire for the night, Nanny Xin returned and reported, “The physician who examined Miss Zhao’s pulse today also happened to come to check the Princess Consort’s pulse for peace. So the Old Princess Consort learned about Miss Zhao’s illness.”

Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort said noncommittally, “Happened to?”

Nanny Xin lowered her head and said, “Physician Yang is not yet thirty years old and normally wouldn’t be assigned to check the Old Princess Consort’s pulse. However, the Old Princess Consort likes his witty speech and his ability to read situations, plus his medical skills are adequate, so she specifically requested him. Usually, Physician Yang also makes house calls to other manors, such as the Yun family, the Su family, and the Meng family. These households are all familiar with him, and he has some reputation in Yanbei.”

The Princess Consort curved her lips in a reserved smile that wouldn’t make anyone doubt she was Xiao Jingxi’s birth mother – their features were somewhat similar.

“Good men should take advantage of their youth to temper themselves more, lest a piece of uncarved jade eventually be corroded by comfort into worthless scrap metal. I heard the Prince say that Jiajing Pass needs military physicians. Since he’s capable, let him go to Jiajing Pass for training.”

“Yes, Princess Consort. This servant will arrange it immediately.”

“Have him leave tonight,” the Princess Consort added quietly.

Before leaving, Nanny Xin asked again, “Physician Yang has gained the Old Princess Consort’s trust recently. What if the Old Princess Consort insists on calling him back after she learns of this?”

The Princess Consort was being attended by maids who were removing the hairpins from her hair. Hearing this, she didn’t even pause, “Since he’s gone to Jiajing Pass, he’s accepted military orders. Military orders are like mountains – those who disobey naturally face military law. His life is his own, so that’s not our concern anymore.”

“What about investigating whoever instructed Physician Yang from behind?”

This time, the Princess Consort was silent for a moment, then asked instead, “When will Noble Consort Yun return?”

“Her Highness Noble Consort originally said she would return to the manor before New Year, but later said she wanted to wait for warmer weather before departing. She should be back soon. Shall this servant have someone ask again tomorrow?”

The Princess Consort, thinking of something unknown, sighed softly, “You may go.”

Nanny Xin said no more and withdrew with acknowledgment.

The Princess Consort arranged her hair before the mirror, but her eyes held worry that wasn’t easily detected. Sujin thought she was checking for white hairs and quickly smiled, “The Princess Consort’s hair is both black and lustrous. Many madams outside have inquired about what remedies you use for washing your hair.”

Hearing this, the Princess Consort smiled and said somewhat wistfully, “My son is about to marry, and I’m getting old.”

Several maids quickly said, “The Princess Consort isn’t old at all!”

The Princess Consort shook her head, “Everyone ages – only demons don’t age. When I’m old, Jingxi and Jinglin will both be grown up, and it won’t be easy for others to bully them. That’s not bad. I would rather hope I could age faster.”

The several maids looked at each other, not knowing how to respond.

Sujin smiled and said, “The young master is about to marry. Before long, our Prince’s Manor will have a little young master. By then, the Princess Consort definitely won’t want to age quickly – you’ll surely want to see the future little young master marry and have children, and see the little little young master born…”

The Princess Consort was amused by her words, then nodded seriously, “Mm, you’re right. I still want to see my son with children and grandchildren filling the house. My son has suffered so much. My only wish in this lifetime is that he can be safe and sound, and that everything goes according to his wishes. Whatever can make him happy, no matter what it is, I think it’s good.”

As the Princess Consort spoke these words, the worry in her eyes disappeared, replaced only by deep tenderness and hope. She looked less dignified than when in public and more gentle – the kind of gaze only a mother would have.

Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu were brought to Yanbei Prince’s Manor by the Old Princess Consort on the evening of the Dragon Boat Festival. They were arranged in a side hall not far from the Old Princess Consort’s bedchamber. The servants attending them were all arranged by the Old Princess Consort herself. The Princess Consort didn’t comment much on this matter and even had maids visit Zhao Yingqiu on her behalf, giving both of them many gifts.

Zhao Yingqiu’s illness wasn’t severe. After resting for several days, she recovered without relapse. Both of them were frequently called over by the Old Princess Consort to chat, and it was clear they were well-favored by her. They would go to pay their respects to the Princess Consort daily, and she received them most of the time.

However, neither Yan Ningshuang nor Zhao Yingqiu encountered Xiao Jingxi or Xiao Jinglin again, not even chance meetings in the gardens.

Once, when Yan Ningshuang was paying her respects to the Princess Consort, she asked, “I’ve been staying in the manor for several days, but haven’t seen the Princess or Young Master Xiao. I originally wanted to pay my respects, but it seems I’ve been remiss.”

The Princess Consort smiled and said, “Jinglin has gone out and won’t return until next month. As for Jingxi…” The Princess Consort leisurely took a sip of tea. “Jingxi’s health isn’t good, so he generally recuperates quietly at the hot spring villa.”

“Hot spring villa?” Yan Ningshuang was stunned.

The Princess Consort nodded and said gently, “Yes, the hot spring villa is most suitable for recuperation. Earlier, I was thinking of having you go stay there for a while to rest and recover, but it’s also good that you came to the Prince’s Manor – you can spend time with the Old Princess Consort, who likes you both very much.”

Yan Ningshuang’s smile stiffened.

Zhao Yingqiu, on the other hand, remained well-behaved throughout, with no inappropriate words or actions. Each day, aside from paying respects to the Princess Consort, she stayed with the Old Princess Consort or remained in her room without wandering about.

However, compared to the Old Princess Consort, the Princess Consort’s attitude toward Zhao Yingqiu, the cousin of her eldest daughter-in-law, wasn’t particularly warm. Though she gave everything that should be given, she treated her the same as Yan Ningshuang. Instead, the Old Princess Consort was more affectionate toward Zhao Yingqiu.

So in the following days, Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu were placed under the Princess Consort’s care, and Yanbei Prince’s Manor remained peaceful without incident. After all, the important party wasn’t present, so even if someone wanted to stir up trouble, they couldn’t manage it.

However, now that she had entered Yanbei Prince’s Manor, even if Yan Ningshuang wanted to reconsider going to the hot spring villa, it was impossible. Otherwise, her purpose would be too blatant, and the Princess Consort wasn’t a fool.

So during this period, Ren Yaoqi lived quite leisurely.

On this day, Ren Yaoqi went to Madam Xu’s place to deliver the last musical score she had finished correcting. She had only a few more months before her wedding, and Madam Xu had instructed her to finish what she had on hand and then temporarily set it aside – the rest could wait until next year, since the book compilation project couldn’t be completed in just a few years anyway.

Unexpectedly, when Ren Yaoqi visited the Xu family, she encountered Pei Zhiyan once again.