Upon hearing this, Yelu Sage was stunned again, then flashed a toothy grin at Ren Yaoqi: “Young Madam Xiao is truly sharp-tongued.”

Princess Dowager Yun looked at Yelu Sage, then at Ren Yaoqi, and frowned. By now, she was gradually sensing something amiss and no longer spoke casually.

Yelu Sage said nothing more either. Her attention shifted to a piece of calligraphy hanging on the wall. She even stood up and walked over to stare at it carefully for a long time. Finally, she turned around and pointed at the calligraphy with curiosity, asking Ren Yaoqi, “Did you write this?”

Ren Yaoqi looked up and nodded.

That calligraphy was indeed written by her, with her signature seal on it. Xiao Jingxi had insisted on hanging it up. She had thought that no outsiders would enter this room, so she had let him do as he pleased.

The admiration in Yelu Sage’s eyes was genuine: “Although I don’t understand such elegant pursuits, I can still tell it’s written very well. Don’t laugh at me, but I’ve been practicing Han characters for some time now, yet what I write is truly too embarrassing to show others. I envy you women with so many talents.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “Everyone has their strengths. Why should the Princess belittle herself? What you excel at, I might not know at all.”

Yelu Sage thought for a moment and nodded: “That makes sense, but I still envy you. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder – if I also had elegant skills like yours, would His Lordship look at me with new eyes?” Speaking of this, Yelu Sage laughed.

Since this concerned her father-in-law, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t say much and only smiled.

However, Princess Dowager Yun glanced at Yelu Sage and let out a “hmph” through her nose. Though she said nothing, her expression and gesture revealed her thoughts.

Yelu Sage didn’t mind at all and instead smiled brilliantly at both Princess Dowager Yun and Ren Yaoqi: “I know His Lordship doesn’t like me, though I do feel somewhat regretful about it.”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head to drink tea, pretending not to hear. However, she was secretly paying attention to the sounds outside. Unfortunately, though Yelu Sage had been here for quite some time, there was no movement outside at all. The silence was almost eerie.

Yelu Sage had been watching Ren Yaoqi’s expression. After observing her for a while, she said thoughtfully: “Is Young Madam Xiao waiting for someone or something?”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Yelu Sage calmly.

Yelu Sage’s smile was somewhat smug and cunning: “If that’s the case, then the result might disappoint you. While I’ve been talking with you, the Yanbei Prince’s residence has already been surrounded from the outside. Not even a fly can get in, and of course, none can get out either.”

Princess Dowager Yun suddenly sat up straight, looking coldly at Yelu Sage while unconsciously moving closer toward Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi remained seated without moving, as if what Yelu Sage had just said was merely an insignificant joke.

Yelu Sage asked Ren Yaoqi with some curiosity: “What’s this? Young Madam Xiao, aren’t you afraid? I mean, you’re now in my hands.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at her and asked with a calm smile: “Then what is the Princess waiting for? Waiting for what person or what event to happen?”

Upon hearing this, Yelu Sage couldn’t help but narrow her eyes slightly.

Noticing her expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile.

The reason she and Yelu Sage had been exchanging idle chatter for so long was that she was stalling for time, and Yelu Sage was also stalling for time. They were just waiting for different outcomes.

Yelu Sage examined Ren Yaoqi carefully several times, then also smiled and asked tentatively: “Is Young Madam bluffing? Sage has lived in the Prince’s residence for so long and has figured out the defensive arrangements. Today, Deputy General Zhou Cheng is guarding outside, but whether he’s still alive is hard to say. As for his subordinate guards, they’ve probably already fallen.”

Ren Yaoqi ignored her.

However, Yelu Sage continued: “Does Young Madam know who did this?”

Just as Yelu Sage finished speaking, noisy sounds came from outside, as if many people had suddenly emerged and were heading toward Zhaoning Hall.

Both Ren Yaoqi and Yelu Sage were drawn by the commotion outside, until an arrogant male voice shouted from outside: “Princess Yelu? Are you in Zhaoning Hall?”

Upon hearing this, Yelu Sage’s face broke into a big smile. She playfully winked at Ren Yaoqi: “The person I was waiting for has arrived. The person you were waiting for probably can’t come now.”

Before Ren Yaoqi could speak, Princess Dowager Yun said coldly from the side: “Xiao Jingyue, this wretched creature! He dares…”

Xiao Jingyue had brought his men to control Zhou Cheng’s forces and surrounded the entire Prince’s residence. He had endured for so many years, pretended to be ill for so many days, waiting for this very day.

At this moment, Xiao Jingyue stood outside Zhaoning Hall, looking at the open hall and the three characters “Zhaoning Hall” on the plaque for a long while, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Then he lazily waved his hand behind him.

Two servant-like men dragged a woman to Xiao Jingyue’s side. The woman’s hair was somewhat disheveled, and she looked haggard, but the look she gave Xiao Jingyue remained one of disgust and hatred.

Xiao Jingyue turned to look at her and smiled. He gently pinched the woman’s chin with tender movements, his tone also gentle: “My dear wife, look where this is. Haven’t you always wanted to live here? Today, your husband will fulfill this wish of yours – I’ll even let you die here.”

Xiao Jingyue’s words made Yan Ningshuang shiver involuntarily. Her face was pale, and she was very frightened, but she refused to show weakness easily before Xiao Jingyue. She forced herself to look at him coldly without saying a word.

Even now, Yan Ningshuang still couldn’t understand why Xiao Jingyue, who had been poisoned, had suddenly awakened today and seemed perfectly fine.

Xiao Jingyue gently patted Yan Ningshuang’s face with a mocking smile: “Don’t be afraid. You gave your husband such a great gift – I’ve remembered it all in my heart.” Seeing that the fear in Yan Ningshuang’s eyes couldn’t be concealed, Xiao Jingyue smiled again, then pointed at Zhaoning Hall: “Do you know what this place is? You only know this is where your dear Xiao Lang lives, but you don’t know that Zhaoning Hall is actually where every heir to the Yanbei Prince’s residence lives. The Yanbei Prince and Princess Consort told a monstrous lie, treating everyone in the world as fools. As for that pitiful heir who went to the capital as a hostage, he’s nothing but a joke.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ningshuang looked at Xiao Jingyue in shock.

However, Xiao Jingyue wasn’t looking at her. He only raised his head to look at Zhaoning Hall’s entrance, unknown fervor surging in his eyes.

“But this will be where I live from now on.”

Xiao Jingyue curved his lips, then dragged Yan Ningshuang into Zhaoning Hall. The dozen or so guards he had brought followed behind him. Yan Ningshuang was dragged by Xiao Jingyue, stumbling as she walked. Xiao Jingyue acted as if he couldn’t see this, directly pulling her to the front of the main hall.

Those dozen guards didn’t follow further but stood in the courtyard in front of the main hall.

When Xiao Jingyue entered, Ren Yaoqi showed no surprise, only looked at him calmly, then glanced at Yan Ningshuang, whom he was dragging by the arm.

Xiao Jingyue was momentarily surprised to see Princess Dowager Yun there as well, but then he smiled nonchalantly and performed a casual bow: “So Princess Dowager is here too. Fortunately, I didn’t act rashly and startle you, Your Highness.”

Princess Dowager Yun looked at him coldly, as if looking at something filthy and despicable.

Xiao Jingyue didn’t care. He turned to stare at Ren Yaoqi, his gaze brazenly scanning her face back and forth, smiling: “Greetings, Second Sister-in-law. It’s been a long time – you’ve become even more beautiful.”

Ren Yaoqi wasn’t angered by his impudence and just sat there calmly, treating him like a street performer.

Not seeing anger or panic on Ren Yaoqi’s face, Xiao Jingyue was somewhat disappointed. He pretended to sigh: “What a pity to hear that my second brother is already dead. Second Sister-in-law, becoming a widow at such a young age – it’s truly difficult for you.”

Not knowing what he was thinking of, Xiao Jingyue suddenly laughed and said to Ren Yaoqi: “But it would be such a waste for a beauty like Second Sister-in-law to remain a widow. If you’re willing, you could remarry someone else – how about I provide you with a dowry? If you don’t want to marry someone else, following me would also be possible. A brother-in-law and sister-in-law sharing a bed would also make a fine tale…”

“Outrageous!”

Before Xiao Jingyue could finish his words, Princess Dowager Yun grabbed the teacup beside her and hurled it at his face. Fortunately, Xiao Jingyue reacted fairly quickly, slightly dodging his head as the teacup flew past his temple and shattered on the ground with a “crack.”

Princess Dowager Yun pointed at him and cursed angrily: “You wretched creature! Shut your mouth!”

Xiao Jingyue raised his hand to touch his temple, glanced at Princess Dowager Yun, and still smiled carelessly: “What has angered Princess Dowager so? My second brother is indeed dead beyond dead – I’m only thinking of Second Sister-in-law’s welfare.”

Although Ren Yaoqi knew Xiao Jingyue’s words couldn’t be trusted, having recently seen Xiao Jingxi’s letter reporting his safety, her heart still clenched painfully when she heard this, making her tremble involuntarily.

Yan Ningshuang, who had been standing dazed to one side, suddenly raised her head upon hearing these words and grabbed Xiao Jingyue’s arm: “What did you say? Xiao Lang he… No, how could Xiao Lang die? He won’t die! You despicable villain must be spreading rumors!”

Xiao Jingyue looked at Yan Ningshuang with pity, but his words were cruel: “He’s dead! Died on the road to Wuzhou! His body was so mangled that in the end it was fed to the eagles.”

“No—” Yan Ningshuang covered her ears with both hands and screamed, then with red eyes lunged at Xiao Jingyue, hitting him: “You’re lying! Lying!”

Xiao Jingyue looked disgusted and kicked Yan Ningshuang away.

Yan Ningshuang was kicked in the table leg in the middle of the room, screamed once, and fainted.