Both Xiao Shun and Ren Yaohua were decisive people, so after Xiangqin’s betrothal, both sides prepared for the wedding with remarkable efficiency.

Xiao Shun held an official position in Yanbei Prince’s Manor, so Xiangqin marrying him was considered marrying up. The wedding was more formal than that of ordinary maids. Even so, Ren Yaohua set the wedding date for October. Xiangqin was heartbroken for a while, thinking her master couldn’t wait to sweep her out the door, until Sangshen consoled her, saying that the master was having her marry early to take care of Second Miss during her pregnancy. Only then did Xiangqin become happy again.

Although Ren Yaohua showed disdain for this maid on the surface, she was not stingy at all when it came to preparing her dowry. Combined with Ren Yaoqi’s additions—whether out of genuine affection or due to Xiao Jingxi’s regard for Xiao Shun—Xiangqin’s wedding was no less grand than that of a young lady from an ordinary wealthy family, making many envious.

Also busy with wedding preparations were the Yun family and Zhao Yingqiu. After Zhao Yingqiu’s wedding date was set, she rarely went out. Although the Zhao family prepared a generous dowry for her, Zhao Yingqiu insisted on personally embroidering her wedding dress, quilts, and shoes and socks to present to her future in-laws.

Yan Ningshuang had a good relationship with Zhao Yingqiu—they had been close friends in the capital. Recently, Yan Ningshuang had been somewhat melancholy, so she often visited Zhao Yingqiu at the retreat house to chat and dispel their mutual boredom.

This afternoon, after lunch, Yan Ningshuang went out again to the retreat house to talk with Zhao Yingqiu. Zhao Yingqiu was doing needlework with two senior maids. Zhao Yingqiu was quite skilled—the pair of mandarin ducks playing in water on her handkerchief was embroidered so lifelike.

Yan Ningshuang sat beside her, watching, and suddenly said: “Yingqiu, why did you come to Yanbei?”

The needle in Zhao Yingqiu’s hand paused slightly, then she looked up at Yan Ningshuang and smiled: “This was the Empress Dowager’s intention. Could I have disobeyed the imperial decree?”

Yan Ningshuang was immersed in her thoughts and only replied listlessly: “When the Empress Dowager issued the decree to select distinguished ladies to come to Yanbei, each family reported daughters who were unfavored concubine-born daughters or legitimate daughters who had lost their maternal family’s support. None of the truly favored ones wanted to come. Only I… only I knelt before the Empress Dowager for three days before she agreed. I came to Yanbei because I had reasons I couldn’t avoid coming. But why did you come? You’re quite favored at home, and the Empress Dowager is fond of you, too. If you had stayed in the capital, you surely could have secured an excellent marriage. With the Li family backing you, your husband’s family wouldn’t dare mistreat you.”

Zhao Yingqiu was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly and looked up: “I grew up in the capital, and the farthest I’ve been is Zhaode Temple, eighty li from the capital, so I’ve always yearned for Yanbei. What’s wrong with my coming to Yanbei? I can even keep you company.”

Yan Ningshuang was in a poor mood and didn’t notice Zhao Yingqiu’s deliberate vagueness about her question. She only continued self-absorbedly: “I just feel sorry for you. I heard that the Yun family’s eldest son has refused to marry all this time because he has someone in his heart. If you marry him, aren’t you afraid you’ll only share a bed but have different dreams?” As Yan Ningshuang spoke, she thought of her marriage, and pain flashed in her eyes.

Zhao Yingqiu smiled and lowered her head to continue threading her needle, her hands remaining steady: “Isn’t it too early to think about such things? That’s a matter for the future.”

Yan Ningshuang looked at Zhao Yingqiu and sighed, feeling a sense of shared tragic fate.

Zhao Yingqiu suddenly said: “By the way, Yanbei will become lively again soon, won’t it? I heard the servants discussing that the court and the Liao kingdom will soon reopen border trade. Presumably, there will be fewer wars.”

Yan Ningshuang thought of something and frowned: “It’s too early to conclude now.”

Zhao Yingqiu looked up at Yan Ningshuang with some surprise: “How so?”

Yan Ningshuang shook her head and refused to elaborate.

Zhao Yingqiu smiled and didn’t mind, only mentioning casually: “I heard that when the court and the Liao kingdom sign the official documents, Yanbei Prince’s Manor will also send someone to attend.”

Yan Ningshuang’s eyelid twitched: “Who from Yanbei Prince’s Manor is going?”

Zhao Yingqiu thought for a moment and said offhandedly, “I’m not sure, but I guess it should be Second Young Master Xiao? The Prince has fought the Liao people year after year, and I heard the Liao people hate the Prince so much that they wish they could kill him. For such an occasion, it’s most appropriate for Second Young Master Xiao to represent them.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ningshuang was startled and nearly jumped up: “No! He can’t go!”

Zhao Yingqiu looked at Yan Ningshuang strangely: “Why can’t he go? If Second Young Master Xiao doesn’t go, who else from Yanbei Prince’s Manor could go?”

Yan Ningshuang’s face turned pale, but she couldn’t say anything.

Seeing her silence, Zhao Yingqiu lowered her head to embroider her mandarin ducks again.

Yan Ningshuang sat there restlessly. After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly stood up, startling Zhao Yingqiu so much that she pricked her finger with the needle, leaving a tiny droplet of blood on the half-embroidered handkerchief.

“What’s wrong with you?” Zhao Yingqiu asked with concern.

Yan Ningshuang shook her head: “I suddenly remembered something I need to do. I’ll go back first and visit you again next time.” Having said this, without waiting for Zhao Yingqiu to respond, she hurriedly left.

Zhao Yingqiu watched her figure disappear from the room, smiled slightly, and lowered her head to embroider an eye over the blood stain—a blood-red mandarin duck eye.

After returning from the retreat house, Yan Ningshuang went straight to Zhaoning Hall. Once again, she was unsurprisingly stopped outside the hall.

“I have important matters to discuss with your Young Madam,” Yan Ningshuang said anxiously.

The gatekeeper woman replied respectfully: “Our Young Madam is resting. Third Young Madam, please come back another day.”

“I have urgent business and must see Ren Yaoqi! She’ll regret it if she doesn’t see me!” Yan Ningshuang emphasized.

The gatekeeper woman apologized profusely but refused to let Yan Ningshuang enter.

Yan Ningshuang gritted her teeth and pretended to turn and leave, but when the gatekeeper turned around, she suddenly spun back and darted past the two gatekeepers, rushing inside.

The gatekeepers were stunned, then immediately moved to intercept: “Third Young Madam!”

These gatekeepers outside Zhaoning Hall all had some skills, so they quickly stopped Yan Ningshuang. Just as both sides were at an impasse, Yan Ningshuang looked up and saw a young woman dressed as a matron coming out from inside. She immediately recognized this as one of Ren Yaoqi’s trusted confidants—this woman had remained in the hall without withdrawing the last time she had sought out Ren Yaoqi.

“Wait, please help me report to Ren Yaoqi that I have important matters to tell her,” Yan Ningshuang said urgently.

The young woman was Pingguo, the stewardess of Zhaoning Hall. She glanced at Yan Ningshuang but didn’t move.

Yan Ningshuang looked around, then quickly said: “It’s about the matter I came to see your Young Madam about last time. I’m willing to tell her now, and she doesn’t need to agree to any conditions. Please help me report this—she’ll be willing to see me.”

Pingguo looked at her silently for a while, seeming to consider, then said: “Please wait a moment.” She then turned and went back inside.

When Ren Yaoqi heard that Yan Ningshuang had come again, she felt quite helpless. However, after listening to Pingguo’s report, Ren Yaoqi considered for a moment and still had Pingguo bring Yan Ningshuang inside.

When Yan Ningshuang entered, she was somewhat breathless with fine sweat beading on her forehead.

Ren Yaoqi instructed someone to bring her tea, but Yan Ningshuang interrupted: “I know you don’t like me, and I don’t like you either. I’m not here as a guest today—I came for Xiao Lang’s sake.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t angry. She had the tea-serving maid withdraw first, still keeping only Pingguo and Leshan to attend her. In contrast to her cold mockery last time, she spoke gently: “Miss Yan, please speak freely.”

This time, Yan Ningshuang had rushed to find Ren Yaoqi because she had thought it through—she couldn’t bear to watch Xiao Jingxi fall into a trap. Although both Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi had refused her demands, she still couldn’t be heartless toward the man she loved.

So this time, Yan Ningshuang didn’t keep them in suspense and asked directly: “Soon, the court will formally sign border trade documents with the Liao kingdom. Do you know about this?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and nodded: “Jinglin mentioned it before.”

Yan Ningshuang frowned: “At that time, the court will require Yanbei Prince’s Manor to send someone as well. Do you know who from Yanbei Prince’s Manor is going?”

Ren Yaoqi said, “What does Miss Yan want to say?”

Yan Ningshuang sighed, genuine worry appearing in her eyes: “I heard it will be Xiao Lang. I don’t know if that’s true?”

Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi to answer, Yan Ningshuang continued: “No matter what, Xiao Lang absolutely cannot go, because this trip will be very dangerous—there’s a strong possibility he won’t return.”

Although Ren Yaoqi was slightly shocked internally, her expression remained composed: “Why does Miss Yan say this? Have you heard something somewhere?”

Yan Ningshuang said, “What I wanted to tell you last time was about this matter. When the court and the Liao kingdom sign the documents, Xiao Jingyue will also find a way to go, but he’s going with ill intentions—he wants to use the opportunity to set an ambush and kill someone. Previously, I wasn’t sure who he wanted to harm, but now I know—the person he wants to harm is Xiao Lang.”