Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but furrow her brow.

When Yan Ningshuang came to Yanbei, she had brought the Empress Dowager’s decree ordering Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu to marry. Ren Yaoqi had previously heard that the Yun family was preparing for the wedding, but the Yun family themselves were not enthusiastic about this match and held the attitude of delaying as long as possible. Other families who had been matched by the Empress Dowager were also watching the Yun family’s actions, hoping the Yun family would delay as long as possible.

Ren Yaoqi looked at the maid, whose cheeks were flushed red with excitement, and asked: “Where did you hear this?”

Xiangqin grinned, showing her teeth, and obsequiously crouched in front of Ren Yaoqi to massage her legs: “I heard it from a woman in our manor’s kitchen. Her nephew’s sister-in-law’s second uncle’s sworn brother has served the Yun family’s Old Master for decades. He said the Yun family is now preparing for Young Master Yun’s wedding and will welcome Miss Zhao into their home next month.”

Speaking of which, Yun Wenting, the Yun family’s eldest young master, had quite a few open and secret admirers in Yanbei. Many people paid attention to his marriage affairs, and even these maids would often discuss Yun Wenting privately in their spare time. Young Master Yun’s popularity was indeed high.

Xiangqin was enthusiastically chatting with several maids around Ren Yaoqi about Young Master Yun’s wedding when Ren Yaoqi was about to speak up to stop them. However, looking up, she discovered that Xiao Jinglin had arrived at some point and was lifting the curtain to enter.

Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin didn’t have too many formalities between them. When Xiao Jingxi wasn’t around, sometimes Xiao Jinglin’s arrivals didn’t require someone to come in and announce.

Princess Xiao always maintained an expressionless demeanor in front of outsiders. Though she rarely scolded or was stern with her subordinates, upon seeing her enter, the room immediately quieted down. Xiangqin, who had been speaking excitedly, also stuck out her tongue and stood aside with her head lowered, no longer daring to act presumptuously.

Thinking about the topic the maids had just been discussing, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Jinglin. Xiao Jinglin’s expression was normal, showing no signs of displeasure. However, Ren Yaoqi still dismissed all the maids, including Xiangqin. As Xiangqin walked away, she kept glancing pitifully at Ren Yaoqi with her expressive eyes, as if the words “I still have things to say, can I please not leave?” were written on her face. Unfortunately, Ren Yaoqi ignored her.

When only Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin remained in the room, Ren Yaoqi brought up Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu’s marriage: “I heard the Yun family is going to have another joyous occasion.”

Xiao Jinglin’s expression was very calm: “This is the Empress Dowager’s decree. It’s good that the Yun family is complying at this time.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. Currently, the relationship between the Yanbei Prince’s Manor, the court, and the Liao people was very delicate. On the surface, it appeared calm, but one careless move could completely tear off the facade.

If war truly broke out, Yanbei might face the predicament of wolves in front and tigers behind. Obviously, for now, the Yanbei Prince’s Manor wanted to temporarily delay this confrontation, possibly because the timing wasn’t right or due to other reasons. This could be seen from how the Yanbei Prince’s Manor previously allowed Yelu Sage to enter the manor, plus Xiao Jingyue and Yan Ningshuang’s marriage…

The Yanbei Prince had accepted Yelu Sage and allowed a Yan family daughter to enter the Xiao family. The Yun family, which closely followed the Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s lead, might have taken this as a signal, so they also began preparing for Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu’s wedding.

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “I always feel that Miss Zhao is not simple. With Yanbei likely to be unsettled for a long period ahead, placing her in the Yun family is not a bad choice.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but look at Ren Yaoqi, raising an eyebrow: “Even you think she’s not simple… I’m very curious what she did to make you so wary of her?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled upon hearing this and shook her head: “It’s precisely because she appears to have done nothing that I’m uneasy.”

Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and suddenly understood. The Empress Dowager wouldn’t have sent someone all this way just for a genuine “marriage alliance.” It wouldn’t be strange if they caused trouble – it would be strange if they didn’t. But Zhao Yingqiu’s behavior was too good, completely worry-free.

“It’s not just Miss Zhao – the Princess’s side has also been very quiet lately,” Ren Yaoqi said.

When Xiao Jinglin was home, Yelu Sage was under her secret surveillance. When Xiao Jinglin left, she took all her people with her. Originally, they thought Yelu Sage might become restless because of this, but unexpectedly, this Liao Princess was very patient, remaining inactive all along and focusing solely on how to please the Yanbei Prince. Even Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help wondering if this Princess came only for the Yanbei Prince.

Upon hearing Ren Yaoqi mention Yelu Sage, Xiao Jinglin’s expression became somewhat subtle.

Seeing this, Ren Yaoqi asked with some curiosity: “What? Did you discover this, Princess, making some moves?”

Xiao Jinglin shook her head, glancing at Ren Yaoqi: “Not that, but I discovered some connections between her and my father.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but hesitate whether she should continue asking, though she was quite curious. However, inquiring about her father-in-law’s romantic affairs seemed somewhat inappropriate, didn’t it?

But Xiao Jinglin didn’t mind these things and said: “I heard that my father once captured Yelu Sage three times on the battlefield and let her go each time. After she returned, she declared she would capture my father… cough… Of course, she couldn’t catch my father, so when the Great Liao sent people for the marriage alliance, she volunteered.”

After hearing this, Ren Yaoqi’s expression also became somewhat strange.

The Yanbei Prince’s decision not to kill Yelu Sage might have been because he didn’t kill women, or perhaps seeing her reminded him of his daughter, who also fought on battlefields. However, this had made the Liao Princess take notice of him. Even if Yelu Sage’s feelings for the Yanbei Prince had some authenticity, Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t believe she left her homeland to come here just to be a concubine to a man, because Ren Yaoqi felt Yelu Sage’s personality was somewhat similar to Xiao Jinglin’s, and Xiao Jinglin would never do such a thing.

As Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin were chatting, Hongying walked in and reported in a low voice: “Princess, General Min has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin frowned: “Didn’t he go to Wuzhou?” After thinking, she understood: “He must have something from Wuzhou that requires him to return personally to report to Second Brother.”

Hongying said, “General Min has already seen the Young Master. The General…” Hongying looked up at Xiao Jinglin, “The General requests an audience with you, Princess.”

Xiao Jinglin frowned and remained silent for a while.

Though Ren Yaoqi didn’t interrupt from the side, her gaze remained on Xiao Jinglin. Seeing Xiao Jinglin’s expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but be curious about how this General Min had offended her Princess, and it seemed he had offended her quite seriously. Otherwise, Xiao Jinglin wouldn’t have this attitude toward a military colleague who came to see her.

After thinking, Xiao Jinglin said expressionlessly, “I need to accompany Second Sister-in-law today. Tell him to go back first. If it’s not urgent, we can discuss it when I meet up with him in a few days.”

Since Min Wenqing had already seen Xiao Jingxi, he must have reported any important military intelligence. Xiao Jinglin couldn’t think of any reason he would need to specifically request an audience with her. Xiao Jinglin had never had any good feelings toward Min Wenqing, who appeared gentle and refined on the surface but was full of schemes underneath.

However, Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin and asked with a normal expression: “Have you been working with General Min while you were away recently?”

Xiao Jinglin nodded: “Mm, some matters required cooperation from his troops.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but look thoughtful.

Seeing Hongying withdraw, Ren Yaoqi thought General Min probably wouldn’t be dismissed so easily.

Indeed, after they had only chatted a few more sentences, Hongying quickly returned.

“Princess, General Min says he has important matters to discuss with you.”

Xiao Jinglin frowned even more deeply: “What important matters? Didn’t he already see Second Brother?” Xiao Jinglin didn’t think she could solve problems that Xiao Jingxi couldn’t handle.

Hongying blinked, also showing some amusement on her face: “General Min says he came to propose marriage on behalf of Deputy General Zhou. Deputy General Zhou wishes to marry Qiuhong.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin was stunned, seemingly not expecting Min Wenqing to seek her out for this reason. Qiuhong was a female soldier under her command who had followed her for some years and was highly valued by her. Deputy General Zhou was a young officer under Min Wenqing. Since Min Wenqing had been working with her frequently lately, her subordinates had also had more contact with Min Wenqing’s people. Thinking carefully, Xiao Jinglin felt her beloved general and that mature young Deputy General Zhou were indeed well-matched.

Though Princess Xiao was never anxious about her marriage affairs, she was very concerned about those flower-like subordinates under her command. The harmony of yin and yang was by heaven’s way – Princess Xiao understood this.

So after thinking, Xiao Jinglin said to Ren Yaoqi: “I’ll go handle some matters first and come back to chat with you later.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jinglin a couple of times and said with a smile: “Mm, go attend to your business.”

Xiao Jinglin felt there seemed to be a deeper meaning in Ren Yaoqi’s smile, but she didn’t ask further questions and simply left with Hongying.

Watching Xiao Jinglin’s retreating figure, Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a smile, recalling that General Min she had once met.

The Min family had some messy accounts with Prince Xian’s Manor, but while Ren Yaoqi couldn’t say she liked Min Wenqing, she had no ill feelings toward him either. Thinking of what she had heard about this General Min’s character, she didn’t believe Min Wenqing would be so idle as to personally come find Xiao Jinglin at this time to propose marriage for his deputy general.

She just wondered if her Princess could see through Min Wenqing’s little scheme.

Thinking of this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but sigh again. Xiao Jinglin’s wish was to guard the borders. Ren Yaoqi hoped she could live as she pleased, but she also didn’t want to see Xiao Jinglin grow old alone in that harsh, cold land. If there could be someone with similar aspirations to accompany her, Ren Yaoqi would feel much more at ease.

When Xiao Jinglin arrived at the outer hall, Min Wenqing was sitting leisurely in the guest seat, calmly sipping tea.