Xiangqin thought Ren Yaoqi didn’t believe her and couldn’t help but flush with anxiety, even changing her form of address: “Really, Miss, some people are too sinister and cunning. If we’re not careful, what if someone harms you?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled reassuringly at her, then gestured for Pingguo to take the paper from the little maid and open it. Xiangqin nervously stood beside Ren Yaoqi, as if ready to step forward and shield her mistress at the first sign of trouble.

However, the paper was just an ordinary paper with a few lines of writing.

Ren Yaoqi had initially only glanced at it casually, but after clearly seeing the content written on the paper, her expression gradually became serious. She took the paper from Pingguo’s hands, quickly finished reading it, and then frowned thoughtfully.

The several maids couldn’t help but exchange glances. Xiangqin was particularly worried, wondering what that shameless woman had written in the letter. She hoped it wasn’t some trap – otherwise, why would Miss look so serious? She had been sent by Ren Yaohua specifically to guard against Yan Ningshuang, so naturally, she was alert to every detail. But seeing her Second Miss’s expression, she didn’t dare ask directly, feeling as restless as if a cat were scratching her heart.

After thinking, Ren Yaoqi put the paper away and asked the little maid: “Is the Third Young Madam still outside?”

The little maid quickly replied: “Yes, Young Madam.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “Please ask her to come in.”

The little maid immediately went out to comply.

Xiangqin said urgently, “Miss, didn’t the Princess Consort forbid you from receiving visitors? Why are you letting her in?”

Ren Yaoqi said good-naturedly: “It’s fine, I just need to ask her a few questions.”

As they spoke, the little maid had already led Yan Ningshuang inside. Xiangqin could only temporarily stop her persuasion – she knew to be cautious in front of outsiders.

Ren Yaoqi hadn’t seen Yan Ningshuang for quite some time, so this sudden encounter left her momentarily stunned. Undoubtedly, Yan Ningshuang was a standard beauty whose appearance was beyond reproach, but this beauty looked somewhat haggard today. Though she had applied an extra layer of powder to her face, the dark circles under her eyes were still visible. She seemed not to have rested well, and appeared much thinner than when Ren Yaoqi had last seen her.

The first thing Yan Ningshuang said upon seeing Ren Yaoqi was: “Can you dismiss the others? I have important matters to discuss with you.” When saying this, Yan Ningshuang’s expression was serious, with some determined composure.

Ren Yaoqi lightly tapped her fingers on the low table, looking at her noncommittally.

Yan Ningshuang had originally thought that since Ren Yaoqi was willing to let her in, she would be eager to learn the information from her. But seeing Ren Yaoqi’s unhurried demeanor now, Yan Ningshuang felt somewhat uncertain.

She frowned, then said: “You should have already read the paper I just gave you – everything written there is true. The situation is urgent now. You’d better listen to what I have to say completely, or the consequences will be unthinkable.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled slightly, appearing unconcerned: “Whether it’s true or not, I’ll judge for myself after you finish speaking.”

Yan Ningshuang looked around at the five or six maids remaining in the room and said dissatisfiedly: “I said this matter is of great importance and absolutely cannot reach a third person’s ears! You must dismiss them before I can speak.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi considered for a moment, then said: “Pingguo and Leshan will stay, the rest of you may withdraw.” After giving instructions, Ren Yaoqi smiled at Yan Ningshuang again: “Mother instructed that I cannot be left alone. If you’re still not comfortable with this… then forget it. I’m too lazy to listen anyway – go find someone else.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ningshuang was so angry her face nearly turned red. She was about to say something sarcastic to Ren Yaoqi, but thinking of her purpose for coming today and the person she held dearest in her heart, Yan Ningshuang finally gritted her teeth and forced herself to endure.

Yan Ningshuang was unhappy, but Xiangqin was even more unhappy. She looked at Ren Yaoqi with great resentment, but since Ren Yaoqi showed no indication, she could only slowly withdraw with the other maids. When passing by Yan Ningshuang, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes fiercely at her. Her fierce expression startled Miss Yan, who was suppressing her anger, when their eyes met.

By the time only four people remained in the room, Yan Ningshuang had almost failed to recover her composure, until Ren Yaoqi said unhurriedly: “Actually, for such important matters, you should tell Third Brother and have him discuss it with the Prince.”

Yan Ningshuang could only temporarily forget about that inexplicably strange maid. Facing Ren Yaoqi, she revealed a sarcastic smile: “Tell him? Do you think he would report this to the Prince? He’d more likely inform the court!”

Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow noncommittally.

Yan Ningshuang took a deep breath: “You don’t believe me? I found secret correspondence in his study showing his clandestine dealings with the court! He’s been reporting everything about Yanbei in detail.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was momentarily stunned.

Yan Ningshuang continued: “When I first came to Yanbei last year, I accidentally saw important information in Father’s memorial. The Liao Emperor, while making a great show of seeking peace, secretly sent envoys to the capital to discuss major matters with the court. Though I don’t know what they specifically discussed, from that memorial, it was aimed at the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. I originally wanted to tell Young Master Xiao about this, but…”

Yan Ningshuang paused here, her expression somewhat dim.

At that time, she had sought out Xiao Jingxi, wanting to tell him about this matter so he could be prepared, but Xiao Jingxi had been unwilling to listen. However, in front of Ren Yaoqi, she naturally wouldn’t bring up this matter again and invite ridicule.

“After returning to the capital, I once encountered an unfamiliar eunuch in the Empress Dowager’s palace. I didn’t pay attention at the time, but a few days ago I saw this person again at the Yanbei Prince’s Manor, and he had contact with Xiao Jingyue. So I became suspicious and found an opportunity to go to Xiao Jingyue’s study, where I indeed found his secret memorial to the court.”

Yan Ningshuang had understood early on that the second branch of the Xiao family was closer to the Empress Dowager’s side, but she hadn’t expected Xiao Jingyue to be the court’s biggest planted spy in the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. When she saw the content of the memorial, Yan Ningshuang was shocked.

By rights, Yan Ningshuang was from the Yan family and had now married Xiao Jingyue, so both emotionally and logically, she should stand with the court and Xiao Jingyue. But when Yan Ningshuang first saw the secret memorial, her first thought was that she couldn’t let Xiao Jingxi be undermined by the villain Xiao Jingyue. At the same time, Yan Ningshuang had her calculations.

Ren Yaoqi looked at Yan Ningshuang with complex eyes. Different rice feeds different people, but this was the first time she had seen someone like Yan Ningshuang, who would turn against her side.

“What did Xiao Jingyue write in his memorial?” Ren Yaoqi asked without revealing her emotions.

Yan Ningshuang opened her mouth but then stopped. She bit her lip and thought for a long time, then, as if making some kind of resolution, looked up at Ren Yaoqi: “I said this matter is of great importance and could even relate to the survival of the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. If I tell you about this, it’s equivalent to completely breaking with both my maternal Yan family and my husband’s family. Neither the Empress Dowager nor Xiao Jingyue will spare me, and there will be no place for me in this world.” At this point, whether from genuine sorrow or to gain sympathy, Yan Ningshuang’s eyes reddened, and tears fell.

“What does Miss Yan mean?” Ren Yaoqi also stopped calling her Third Sister-in-law.

Yan Ningshuang wiped away her tears and looked at Ren Yaoqi: “My demands aren’t much – I just want a place to stay. I’m willing to hide my identity and remain at the Yanbei Prince’s Manor, as long as… as long as you agree to let me stay by Young Master Xiao’s side. I’m willing to not care about status.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Yan Ningshuang without speaking. She didn’t know what to say to this girl.

Yan Ningshuang continued on her own: “In the future, I’ll have no maternal family, no way back, nothing at all. You don’t need to worry about me threatening your position at all – even my life will be in your hands.”