Obviously, in this test, only Ren Yaoqi had passed.

Regarding Princess Xiao, Consort Dowager Yun had never held any expectations from the start. Xiao Jinglin practiced martial arts and had quite a few lives on her hands, and there would inevitably be more killing in her future. The scriptures she copied, Consort Dowager Yun definitely wouldn’t touch.

As for Yun Qiuping…

Yun Qiuchen, who had originally been the Yun family’s great hope, had already become a discarded piece. Third Miss Yun Qiufang had a somewhat sharp and mean temperament that couldn’t grace any grand stage. Only Yun Qiuping remained for the Yun family to push forward with the marriage alliance with the Han family.

Consort Dowager Yun’s testing of Yun Qiuping was also out of goodwill. If Yun Qiuping’s character and abilities were acceptable, Consort Dowager Yun wouldn’t mind giving her a helping hand, letting her occasionally enter the manor as a companion, which would also give the Yun family some face.

Unfortunately, comparisons between people could be deadly.

Just now, Yun Qiuping’s emotions had fluctuated too greatly. Not only was her handwriting sloppy and distorted, but she had also made several copying errors and only completed two pages. In comparison, Ren Yaoqi was much better – five pages copied onto four sheets of paper with beautiful handwriting, and one could tell at a glance that she had copied with care, with not a trace of restlessness between the lines.

So when the Princess Consort saw Ren Yaoqi’s writing, she smiled.

The reason Consort Dowager Yun had originally shown special favor to Yun Qiuchen was not only to give the Yun family face and raise the eldest miss’s value, but also because Yun Qiuchen herself was steady in person and heart. Now, Ren Yaoqi was only better than Yun Qiuchen had been, not worse. It was just that Ren Yaoqi didn’t bear the Yun surname – otherwise, Consort Dowager Yun would have had no dissatisfaction at all.

Therefore, even though Consort Dowager Yun had previously held great prejudice against Ren Yaoqi, she could no longer find any fault with her.

The day after Old Madam Yun visited the Prince of Yanbei’s manor, definite news of the marriage alliance between the Yun and Han families spread outside. The Yun family would betroth Second Miss Yun to Young Master Han Yunqian of the Han family.

Although the Han family couldn’t be considered a prestigious noble house in Yanbei, they were among the newly risen aristocrats of recent years with considerable strength. Especially Young Master Han Yunqian – his appearance and bearing went without saying, and he had also achieved jieyuan in the previous year’s autumn examinations, becoming a disciple of Sheng Shihong, the Prince of Yanbei’s first advisor and chief strategist. His reputation was unparalleled at the moment, with an extremely bright future.

So the Yun family choosing Young Master Han wasn’t too shocking. Han Yunqian would be suitable not just for Second Miss Yun, but even for the former Eldest Miss Yun.

The Yun family had been having one happy event after another recently. First, they announced the engagement between Second Miss Yun and Han Yunqian, and next would be Second Young Master Yun’s wedding. All this excitement diverted people’s attention from Eldest Miss Yun, who hadn’t appeared in public for a long time and was said to have lost hearing in her left ear.

However, the Yun family was also strange. Other families emphasized proper order of seniority when arranging marriages for their children, especially in some rule-conscious southern families where younger siblings had to wait if their elder siblings weren’t married yet. The Yun family was peculiar in that Second Young Master and Second Miss were having their happy events while Eldest Young Master and Eldest Miss were forgotten by the Yun family – this was quite an oddity.

The outside commotion didn’t affect Ren Yaoqi. Today was the day she would return to her natal home.

Early in the morning when Ren Yaoqi woke up, Xiao Jingxi hadn’t awakened yet. This time, Ren Yaoqi had learned to be obedient – regardless of whether Xiao Jingxi was truly asleep or pretending, she lay in his embrace without moving. If Xiao Jingxi was asleep, Ren Yaoqi wanted to let him sleep a bit longer.

Xiao Jingxi had been extremely busy these past few days, with almost no time to stay in the inner courtyard. Although he came back every evening to dine with Ren Yaoqi, after the meal, he would go to the outer hall study to discuss matters with his subordinates. By the time he finished handling official business and returned, Ren Yaoqi was already too tired to stay awake, and Xiao Jingxi couldn’t bear to disturb her.

So aside from their wedding night’s lovemaking, the couple had been quite proper these past few days – perhaps even overly proper.

As Ren Yaoqi was quietly staring at Xiao Jingxi’s face in a daze, Xiao Jingxi said with his eyes closed in a voice tinged with sleepiness: “Awake?”

Ren Yaoqi hummed in response. Seeing that he didn’t open his eyes and thinking he wasn’t fully awake, she said: “It’s still early. Sleep a bit more – I’ll call you later.”

Xiao Jingxi slightly opened his eyes to look at her, the corners of his mouth curved upward: “Isn’t today the day to visit father-in-law and mother-in-law? It wouldn’t be good to go late.”

Ren Yaoqi said, “Father doesn’t need to go to the academy today, so he’ll wake up later than usual. We’ll be fine if we get there by the hour of the Dragon.” Ren Yaoqi thought that Xiao Jingxi must be exhausted from these past few days, and since he finally didn’t have to be busy with affairs today, it would be better for him to sleep more.

“Is it okay to go later?” Xiao Jingxi asked hesitantly.

“Mm.” Ren Yaoqi responded.

Xiao Jingxi said in a low voice: “That’s good then…”

Before Ren Yaoqi could ask what was good about it, Xiao Jingxi rolled over and pressed down on her, his hands also climbing up to her clothing.

Ren Yaoqi became anxious and grabbed his hand with some annoyance: “What are you doing?”

Xiao Jingxi buried his head at her earlobe and neck, kissing her delicately while coaxing in a husky voice: “Didn’t you say there’s no rush? Then let’s finish our business before going, okay?”

Ren Yaoqi pushed him with a red face: “Dawn is almost here, get up…”

Xiao Jingxi acted shamelessly: “No…” His hand also slipped into her intimate undergarment…

“I missed you. What about you? Did you miss me…” Xiao Jingxi moved slightly, pressing against her ear and asking in a hoarse voice.

Ren Yaoqi let out a soft moan, her body going mostly limp. She couldn’t help but kick his calf in embarrassed anger, though the force was like tickling, only provoking Xiao Jingxi’s hands to become even more teasing.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t dislike his intimacy. On the contrary, she also enjoyed the feeling of being filled both physically and emotionally when their skin touched, so it didn’t take long before he aroused her response…

The room gradually filled with the sounds of breathing…

When it became quiet again, more than half an hour had passed.

Ren Yaoqi asked the maids to bring water in – she wanted to wash off the stickiness covering her body.

Xiao Jingxi leaned against the headboard, tilting his head to look at her with a smile: “Don’t you need the maids’ help?”

Ren Yaoqi glared at him fiercely. Her whole body bore the traces he had left behind and that… How could she let the maids see her in such an embarrassing state? Did she still want to face people?

Xiao Jingxi smiled beautifully and kindly inquired: “Then shall I help you?”

This time, Ren Yaoqi didn’t even bother giving him a look and went straight to the back washing room to bathe.

After both had finished tidying up, it was almost the hour of the Dragon. They were about to go to Jiuyang Hall first to pay respects to the Prince and Princess Consort and mention today’s return to her natal home, but before they could leave Zhaoning Hall, Nanny Xin arrived. Looking at them with a face full of joy and meaningful understanding, she said: “The Princess Consort sent this servant to say that since it’s already late today, there’s no need to go to Jiuyang Hall to pay respects. Young Master should directly accompany the young madam back to her natal family. Also, the carriage and various things you should bring have been prepared since early morning, and the attendants are all arranged. Young Master and Young Madam should set out now.”

Xiao Jingxi smiled and thanked her, while Ren Yaoqi’s face turned so red she wanted to find a place to hide.

Looking at Nanny Xin’s expression, she seemed to have already guessed why they had gotten up late, and the Princess Consort too…

So after the two got into the carriage, Ren Yaoqi was so angry she didn’t speak to Xiao Jingxi the entire way.

Xiao Jingxi spent the whole journey smiling cheerfully and in high spirits, trying to coax her, and only when they were near the entrance to the Ren family’s alley did Ren Yaoqi’s expression improve somewhat.

Xiao Jingxi apologized in a low voice: “I know I was wrong. Don’t be angry anymore. I just missed you…”

Ren Yaoqi didn’t get angry easily, and even when she did, it never lasted long, so she had already stopped being angry. However, she still said to Xiao Jingxi: “Don’t do that in the mornings anymore… getting up late will make people laugh at us.”

Knowing that Ren Yaoqi was no longer angry, Xiao Jingxi began pushing his luck, looking into her eyes with a smile and asking: “I missed you – didn’t you miss me at all?”

Ren Yaoqi’s face reddened again. Fortunately, the maids had all taken another carriage, so only she and Xiao Jingxi were here.

“I didn’t!” Ren Yaoqi bit her lip, her words contradicting her heart.

Xiao Jingxi sighed and looked at her sideways: “I knew you didn’t miss me…”

As soon as Ren Yaoqi heard his tone, she knew he was deliberately acting pitiful to gain sympathy. However, when that handsome face of Xiao Jingxi showed disappointed and sad expressions, even Ren Yaoqi couldn’t resist.

When the carriage stopped at the Ren family’s second gate and Xiao Jingxi helped Ren Yaoqi down, she whispered: “I did.”

Ren Yaoqi’s voice was too soft. Xiao Jingxi hadn’t heard before, but seeing Ren Yaoqi’s expression, he immediately understood. His eyes brightened as he looked at her: “What did you just say?”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head angrily: “If you didn’t hear it, forget it!”

Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly: “Alright, I just wanted to hear it again. But you definitely won’t say it now – tell me again when we get back, okay?”

Ren Yaoqi didn’t respond and walked straight toward the second gate. Xiao Jingxi followed with a beaming smile.

The Ren family naturally knew early on that Ren Yaoqi would be returning home today, so Li Shi had sent someone to wait at the gate early in the morning. As soon as Ren Yaoqi’s carriage entered the manor, someone rushed in to report to Li Shi and Master Ren: Second Miss and Second Son-in-law have returned.

So, as Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi walked toward the main courtyard, they discovered that they encountered quite a few maids and matrons along the way. Although each person respectfully stopped seven or eight steps away from them to bow and greet them without raising their heads, there were indeed more people encountered than usual. It seemed like all the Ren family’s maids and matrons had come out.

It turned out that when Second Young Master Xiao had come to the Ren family for the wedding ceremony last time, his godlike appearance had left many who saw him unable to forget, while those who hadn’t seen him secretly regretted it. This created today’s large-scale spectacle. This was just what was visible – who knew how many people were secretly watching this Second Young Master Xiao, who was quite mysterious to the people of Yanbei.