Xiao Jingxi coughed lightly: “No, is she married?”
Ren Yaoqi was puzzled upon hearing this.
Xiao Jingxi quickly said, “I have a subordinate who’s just the right age for her. If she’s not yet married…”
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi understood and couldn’t help but laugh: “How did you start getting involved in such matters? Besides, Xiangqin is my sister’s maid. Even if she were to marry, it wouldn’t be my place to decide.”
Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment and said somewhat awkwardly: “I wonder if the Lei family’s Eldest Madam could bear to part with her? Mother has several capable maids who could be sent to the Lei family.”
“This… I heard my sister say before that she wanted to keep Xiangqin by her side as a stewardess.” Ren Yaoqi was also somewhat troubled. Xiao Jingxi generally didn’t involve himself in such matters, but since he was asking despite knowing Xiangqin belonged to the Lei Manor, that subordinate must be someone he valued highly or had some connection with.
“If it’s not possible, then we’ll have to give up.” Xiao Jingxi pulled Ren Yaoqi to sit by the bed.
“I wonder who has taken a fancy to Xiangqin?” Ren Yaoqi asked curiously.
Xiao Jingxi smiled: “It’s Xiao Hua’s younger brother, Xiao Shun. He manages the manor’s prison. You probably haven’t met him.”
Ren Yaoqi had met Xiao Hua, a former shadow guard who had reportedly followed Xiao Jingxi since childhood and was his trusted confidant. Since Xiao Shun was Xiao Hua’s brother, he must have grown up with Xiao Jingxi as well. No wonder Xiao Jingxi was willing to speak on his behalf.
“I’ll go ask my sister, but if she’s reluctant to let her go, there’s nothing we can do.” Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said.
Xiao Jingxi leaned over to kiss Ren Yaoqi’s cheek and whispered, “Thank you for the trouble, my wife.”
The next day, Xiangqin didn’t come to Yanbei Prince’s Manor. Ren Yaoqi sent Pingguo to the Lei Manor to see Ren Yaohua, but unexpectedly, Ren Yaohua came to Yanbei Prince’s Manor in the afternoon.
Ren Yaohua wasn’t one for small talk. Once Ren Yaoqi had dismissed the idle servants, she frowned and said: “Has Xiangqin caused trouble at the manor? Otherwise, why would someone take a fancy to her?”
Ren Yaoqi: “…”
Ren Yaohua glanced sideways at Ren Yaoqi and said, “Never mind. Have that person come so I can take a look. If he’s truly suitable, I can marry Xiangqin over to your manor.”
Ren Yaoqi was somewhat surprised: “Didn’t you say before that you wanted to keep her by your side as a stewardess?”
Ren Yaohua was somewhat impatient: “I don’t lack people around me, and she would certainly be willing to be with you. Besides, this girl has no other talents, but she’s incredibly skilled at using borrowed authority to intimidate others. Having her by your side as a vanguard would be good, too. Your temperament—putting it nicely, you’re gentle and compliant; putting it harshly, you’re too soft! It’s ridiculous that any random cat or dog can climb over your head. I think you need a girl who can throw away face and cause a ruckus to stand up for you at critical moments.”
Xiangqin had told Ren Yaohua about yesterday’s events when she returned, which had infuriated Ren Yaohua. Upon hearing that Xiangqin had given Yan Ningshuang a lesson, Ren Yaohua had perfunctorily scolded Xiangqin but then immediately rewarded her with a gold hairpin. Today, hearing Ren Yaoqi ask Pingguo about marriage, she thought it wouldn’t be bad to get Xiangqin to Ren Yaoqi’s side. Ren Yaoqi’s senior maids were steady enough, but sometimes shameless people needed to be dealt with by those willing to throw caution to the wind.
Although Ren Yaohua didn’t have a pleasant expression, Ren Yaoqi could see that her willingness to marry Xiangqin was because she was worried about her. This warmed her heart, and she went over to link arms with Ren Yaohua, looking at her with a smile: “Thank you, sister.”
Ren Yaohua pushed Ren Yaoqi away somewhat uncomfortably: “What are you doing! Sit properly! First, let me see the person. If he’s not suitable, I won’t marry that girl over.”
Ren Yaohua was always tough on the outside but soft on the inside. She still had feelings for Xiangqin, and Ren Yaoqi understood this clearly, making her even more touched.
Ren Yaoqi had someone inform Xiao Jingxi to bring Xiao Shun to the front Yingya Pavilion so Ren Yaohua could meet him.
Before long, Xiao Jingxi returned, and Xiao Shun had been led to Yingya Pavilion to wait.
Xiao Jingxi showed great respect to his sister-in-law Ren Yaohua, being thorough in his courtesy. Ren Yaohua, considering that her sister was pregnant and needed Xiao Jingxi’s constant protection, gave him face and didn’t mock him coldly. Otherwise, daring to set his sights on her maid, Ren Yaohua would have found ways to make him uncomfortable. After all, her willingness to let the person go was entirely out of consideration for Ren Yaoqi, but she still harbored some anger toward Xiao Jingxi and his subordinate with a unique taste.
Under his sister-in-law’s cold stare, Xiao Jingxi walked to Ren Yaoqi’s side and smiled: “Would you like to come along to see? It’s just at Yingya Pavilion, not far. You haven’t been out for a while—it would be good to take a walk.”
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and glanced at Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaohua said, “Go ahead. It’s not good to stay cooped up inside all the time.”
Ren Yaoqi agreed.
The three of them left Zhaoning Hall together. Ren Yaohua saw Xiao Jingxi walking beside Ren Yaoqi, carefully protecting her, and her previous dissatisfaction with Xiao Jingxi diminished considerably.
Xiangqin followed behind Ren Yaohua with a joyful expression. She didn’t know where the masters were going or whom they were going to meet, naturally unaware of the purpose.
So when Xiangqin followed Ren Yaohua into Yingya Pavilion and saw Xiao Shun standing in the middle of the room, having waited for a long time, she immediately widened her eyes: “Eh?”
This earned her a fierce glare from Ren Yaohua when she turned around, startling her greatly.
Xiao Shun respectfully greeted the masters, then smiled at Xiangqin.
Xiangqin immediately forgot Ren Yaohua’s warning and returned Xiao Shun a big, silly smile, even winking at him.
Although Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi didn’t speak, they had been secretly observing Xiao Shun and caught Xiangqin’s little gestures. Ren Yaohua was so angry that her head ached, while Ren Yaoqi laughed.
“Go outside first!” Ren Yaohua said to Xiangqin.
Xiangqin blinked and looked at Xiao Shun. Although she wanted to stay, she obediently withdrew without a word, flashing Xiao Shun a brilliant smile before leaving.
Only after Xiangqin left did Ren Yaohua begin to scrutinize Xiao Shun critically. She had originally thought Xiao Jingxi’s capable subordinates would all be tall, mighty, and robust. She hadn’t expected someone like Xiao Shun, which made her somewhat dissatisfied.
Xiao Jingxi guessed Ren Yaohua’s thoughts and, remembering the difficulties he had faced when seeking to marry Ren Yaoqi, couldn’t help but feel some sympathetic understanding for his subordinate. He proactively broke the awkward silence: “His name is Xiao Shun, and he manages Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s prison. He also has an older brother who is the manor’s guard commander. The two brothers have practiced martial arts with me since childhood. In terms of martial skills, although Xiao Shun can’t match his brother, he’s not bad either.”
The latter half of Second Young Master Xiao’s words was the key point—meaning don’t judge Xiao Shun by his appearance; he was also a martial artist and definitely not powerless.
Indeed, Ren Yaohua’s expression improved, and she asked Xiao Shun several more questions.
Xiao Shun usually had a somewhat cold temperament, but today he tried to make himself appear gentler. When answering Ren Yaohua’s questions, he was respectful yet well-reasoned, giving Ren Yaohua no fault to find.
Apart from being too handsome and looking somewhat frail, Ren Yaohua had no major objections to Xiao Shun.
Finally, Ren Yaohua said, “My maid has been spirited since childhood, like a monkey. Even after marriage, her temperament certainly won’t be likable. She’s followed me since childhood, and I don’t want her to suffer, so I planned to keep her for a few more years to let her settle down. Although I don’t know what you see in my maid, what will you use to convince me to let her go?”
Xiao Shun thought for a moment and replied concisely: “I think her genuine nature is precious and rare. I will treat her well in the future.”
Ren Yaohua looked at Xiao Shun and said nothing.
Ren Yaoqi knew that Xiao Shun’s simple answer had satisfied Ren Yaohua. Compared to flowery words and silver tongues, Ren Yaohua preferred down-to-earth people.
“You may go back first. I’ll think about it more.” Ren Yaohua said to Xiao Shun.
Xiao Shun said nothing, bowed, and withdrew.
Only then did Ren Yaoqi ask Ren Yaohua: “How is he?”
Ren Yaohua frowned: “His appearance is somewhat too refined.” After a pause, she added, “But men aren’t judged by their faces.”
“You said he manages the manor’s prison? Wouldn’t such a person have killed too much?” Ren Yaohua asked Xiao Jingxi.
Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment and smiled: “When using a knife to kill, who bears the sin—the person holding the knife or the killing knife? Those who kill too much are often not executors like Xiao Shun, but those in power like us.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi. Xiao Jingxi gently squeezed her hand and smiled at her tenderly.
Ren Yaohua said nothing more.
When Xiao Shun came out of Yingya Pavilion, Xiangqin, who had been waiting outside, spotted him immediately and hurriedly made sneaky gestures at him.
Xiao Shun followed Xiangqin to a side corridor.
“A Shun, why did you come? Did the masters have business with you?” Xiangqin familiarly gave Xiao Shun a nickname, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes as she asked with a smile.
Xiao Shun looked at her for a long while, then nodded.
Xiangqin was very curious about why the masters had summoned him and why her own master was present, but she knew the rules and didn’t ask.
Xiao Shun saw through her thoughts and smiled meaningfully: “Want to know why the masters summoned me? You’ll know soon enough.”
Xiangqin stared with wide, uncomprehending eyes.
Xiao Shun smiled at her again, then moved his palm, and a wooden carved piglet appeared in his hand. The piglet was only walnut-sized, carved with simple, clean lines. Its small, round body looked adorably naive.
“For you.” Xiao Shun placed the wooden carving in Xiangqin’s hand.
Xiangqin held the little pig and smiled so widely her teeth showed, but her eyes disappeared: “For, for me? This isn’t quite right, is it? But how did you know I’m born in the year of the pig?” Although she said this, Xiangqin couldn’t bear to let go of the small wooden carving.
Xiao Shun smiled at her: “As long as you like it.” Then, without waiting for Xiangqin to return the item, he turned and left.
“Hey!” By the time Xiangqin looked up, Xiao Shun had already walked far away.
“Never mind, I’ll return it to him next time I see him.”
Xiangqin was still too naive—she had never heard of betrothal gifts being returnable after acceptance.
Xiangqin hadn’t expected that when Ren Yaohua left Yanbei Prince’s Manor, she would suddenly say to her, “You stay at Yanbei Prince’s Manor and follow Second Miss.”
Xiangqin hadn’t yet realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately replied cheerfully: “Alright, when will this servant return?”
Ren Yaohua glanced at her foolish appearance: “After you’re married, when you return home for the customary visit.”
“Oh.” Xiangqin blinked, then came to her senses: “Ah?”
Nanny Gao, beside Ren Yaohua, smiled: “Xiangqin, this is a joyous occasion! Madam has just betrothed you to Master Xiao.”
“What, what, Master Xiao?” Xiangqin still hadn’t come to her senses.
Ren Yaohua glanced at her: “Xiao Shun. Don’t you know him?”
Xiangqin: “…”
When Ren Yaohua left Xiangqin at Yanbei Prince’s Manor and departed with her people, Xiangqin couldn’t help but burst into loud wails.
Ren Yaoqi’s senior maids took turns trying to console her while suppressing their laughter, but Xiangqin just cried as if the world were ending.
Finally, Ren Yaoqi said helplessly with a smile: “The wedding date hasn’t been set yet. Your sister was just frightening you. Clean up your face and go back first. If you don’t want to marry over, my sister and I won’t force you.”
Only then did Xiangqin stop crying and leave quite embarrassedly.
For the next few days, Xiangqin didn’t come to Yanbei Prince’s Manor, but before long, Ren Yaohua sent someone to tell Ren Yaoqi that Xiangqin had nodded her agreement to marry.