"Do not worry, Princess Consort. Second Young Master Xiao is blessed by fortune and will surely be safe." Ren Yaoqi still comforted the Princess Consort, though these words of comfort might not have much effect.
The Princess Consort nodded, the slight furrow between her brows revealing faint lines: "I hope so. After all these years of enduring..." She paused, then looked at Ren Yaoqi and said, "The reason I kept you here today is actually to make an unreasonable request."
"Please speak, Princess Consort," Ren Yaoqi nodded.
The Princess Consort pondered for a moment before saying, "I would like to ask you to help me borrow someone from Prince Xian."
This actually involves Prince Xian's residence? Ren Yaoqi was inwardly astonished.
Yet she did not know how to respond.
If the Princess Consort merely wanted her help, she would not refuse, given the kindness Xiao Jingxi had shown her time and again.
But if Prince Xian's residence were involved, things would become far more complicated, and she had no authority over matters concerning Prince Xian's residence.
As for why the prestigious Yanbei Prince's Mansion would need to ask the deposed Prince Xian for someone, who that person was, and how the Princess Consort knew that Prince Xian's residence still had people who could be of use—Ren Yaoqi made no comment.
The true purpose behind Prince Xian's residence raising a troupe of performers under the nose of the Prince of Yanbei might not be unknown to Yanbei Prince's Mansion; they simply turned a blind eye. In this regard, Prince Xian should actually be grateful to Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
As if aware of Ren Yaoqi's dilemma, the Princess Consort sighed and said, "I know this is asking too much of you, but..." She took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Ren Yaoqi. "Take a look."
Ren Yaoqi reached out to take it. The moment she opened it, she recognized the familiar handwriting as Xiao Jingxi's own.
The letter contained only a few simple lines, instructing the Princess Consort that if he did not return to Yanbei smoothly this time, she should seek out Prince Xian without alerting anyone and borrow someone from him. As for who that person was, Xiao Jingxi did not mention it, only casually adding at the end that if necessary, she could seek help from the Fifth Miss Ren.
"I was just thinking of how to bring you to Yunyang City, but you came on your own and even arrived at Yanbei Prince's Mansion," the Princess Consort said.
Ren Yaoqi read the letter twice but still could not figure out who the person Xiao Jingxi mentioned was. Frowning, she asked, "The person Second Young Master Xiao mentioned in the letter, whom he wishes to borrow from my maternal grandfather—do you know who it might be?"
The Princess Consort shook her head and hesitated before saying, "He did not mention it, and I do not know either. Perhaps Prince Xian knows?" After a moment of thought, she added, "I only know that Jingxi's people went missing near Jinzhou."
"Jinzhou?" Ren Yaoqi could not help but frown.
Jinzhou, Hezhong, Jiangzhou, Cizhou, and Xizhou were all under the jurisdiction of Hezhong Prefecture. Ren Yaoqi knew this was the hometown of her great-grandmother, Consort Wan. Based on what she later learned, Consort Wan had once managed this area during her lifetime. If her son, Prince Xian, ultimately failed to ascend to the highest position, this would have been the fief she sought for her descendants. Unfortunately, this fallback plan was never realized. Prince Xian was forced to come to Yanbei and even lost his noble title.Ren Yaoqi had always believed that since Prince Xian had retreated to Yanbei, he had completely lost control over the Hezhong region. After all, Empress Dowager Yan’s faction would not sit idly by while a territory outside their control emerged right under their noses. Over the years, there had been no signs of Prince Xian making contact with anyone outside Yanbei. However, the Princess Consort’s words and Xiao Jingxi’s letter made Ren Yaoqi reconsider.
Could it be that Jinzhou still had ties to Xianwang Residence?
Thinking of this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but recall the time when Xiao Jingxi had come to her maternal grandfather’s home in Treasure Vase Alley.
At that time, Xiao Jingxi had a conversation with her maternal grandfather, though she hadn’t heard what was discussed.
The Princess Consort continued, “You must have heard about the trouble in Ningxia. The Prince has gone to Wuzhou due to the northern border conflict. If not for the pressing circumstances, Yanbei could easily descend into chaos…”
Ren Yaoqi said slowly, “Princess Consort, I will make a trip to Treasure Vase Alley for you.”
The Princess Consort paused, then smiled with relief, taking Ren Yaoqi’s hand. “That’s wonderful. I’m sorry to trouble you with this journey.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled. “I have always been under the care of you and the Commandery Princess. This is just a small errand for you—nothing troublesome at all.”
The Princess Consort shook her head. “You make it sound so simple, but I understand. Regardless of Prince Xian’s response, Yanbei Prince’s Mansion owes you a favor.”
The Princess Consort was not unreasonable, so she understood Ren Yaoqi’s predicament. Yet, despite the difficulty, Ren Yaoqi had agreed to make the trip, and the Princess Consort intended to acknowledge this favor.
Ren Yaoqi smiled in response.
In truth, having figured some things out, she didn’t feel as troubled as the Princess Consort imagined. Since Xiao Jingxi hadn’t mentioned in his letter whom he wanted to borrow, it likely meant he had some prior agreement with Prince Xian. After all, with Second Young Master Xiao’s cunning and foresight, he wouldn’t act without certainty.
Moreover, Ren Yaoqi was willing to trust Xiao Jingxi’s character. Knowing the difficulties of Xianwang Residence and her situation, and having specifically mentioned her in the letter, he likely wouldn’t ask her to do anything truly troublesome.
If Xiao Jingxi had already negotiated with Xianwang Residence beforehand, then her trip would indeed be just a small errand for him, and she would even gain a favor from Yanbei Prince’s Mansion.
With this in mind, Ren Yaoqi felt much more at ease. She thought that if Xiao Jingxi had anticipated all this in advance, then his disappearance must have a reason and wasn’t due to any danger.
Ren Yaoqi carefully put away Xiao Jingxi’s letter and said to the Princess Consort, “In that case, I won’t stay for a meal. I’ll head to Treasure Vase Alley now.”
The Princess Consort said, “At least have dinner first. It’s almost noon.”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. “There’s still no news of Second Young Master Xiao. I should go see if my maternal grandfather can help in any way.”
Ren Yaoqi’s words were not insincere. She was genuinely worried that Xiao Jingxi might be in danger. Moreover, Xianwang Residence was already locked in a life-or-death struggle with Empress Dowager Yan’s faction. With Yanbei Prince’s Mansion and the imperial court on the brink of an open conflict, an alliance between Xianwang Residence and Yanbei Prince’s Mansion might not be a bad thing for Prince Xian.
Hearing this, the Princess Consort felt even more grateful.Ren Yaoqi rose to bid farewell, and the Princess Consort could not detain her further. She summoned her maid Sujin to escort Ren Yaoqi out.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi stepped out of the Jiuyang Hall, she saw an unfamiliar nanny hurrying over. Sujin quickly stepped forward and asked, "Nanny Zhou, has something happened again with the Old Princess Consort?"
Nanny Zhou replied anxiously, "The Old Princess Consort vomited the medicine again, saying it was too bitter and refusing to drink it. I’ve come to ask the Princess Consort to go and see her once more."
Sujin said, "I’ll speak with the Princess Consort later to see if the physician can prescribe a less bitter medicine. Have you been to the Second Madam’s place? The Old Princess Consort might be more willing to listen to her."
Sujin had accompanied the Princess Consort to visit the Old Princess Consort earlier and witnessed how the Old Princess Consort, when in a bad mood, would publicly humiliate the Princess Consort and cause trouble. She felt deeply resentful on behalf of her mistress.
Thus, she subtly implied that since the Old Princess Consort wouldn’t listen to their Princess Consort, it would be better to seek out the Second Madam instead. The most their Princess Consort could do was to ask the physician to adjust the prescription.
The old servant was merely a second-class maid assigned to the task. Seeing the logic in Sujin’s words, she agreed and turned to head toward the courtyard where the Second Madam resided.
Sujin continued escorting Ren Yaoqi out.
Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly, thinking that the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion was indeed a lively place. In her previous life, after Wu Xiaohe’s death, Xiao Wei and her mother seemed to have been taken in by the Old Princess Consort and brought back to the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion. If the same were to happen in this life, the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion would become even more chaotic in the future. She wondered how long the Princess Consort could endure it.
Ren Yaoqi’s carriage left the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion and headed to Treasure Vase Alley. By the time she entered the house, it was already noon. Rong Shi was listening to Chuchu report the menu for the midday meal.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi arrive at this time, Rong Shi was quite surprised, but she was still delighted and instructed Chuchu to add two more dishes that Ren Yaoqi liked.
After giving the instructions, she smiled and said, "Why have you come at this hour today? You should have sent someone to inform us in advance. Fortunately, we have some game that Chunsheng and the others hunted yesterday. You’ve come just in time to taste it."
Ren Yaoqi laughed, "So I’ve stumbled upon a stroke of luck and get to enjoy a treat?"
Rong Shi chuckled, "Exactly."
After Chuchu instructed someone to serve tea and left, Ren Yaoqi asked, "Where’s Maternal Grandfather? Is he not at home?"
Rong Shi was surprised that Ren Yaoqi was looking for Li Qian. "He’s in the backyard listening to opera with your uncle. What do you need your maternal grandfather for?"
No wonder Ren Yaoqi had heard the sound of string instruments and the "yiyaya" of opera singing from the backyard when she first arrived.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and asked, "Maternal Grandmother, what was the reason for Second Young Master Xiao coming here to see Maternal Grandfather that time?"
Upon hearing this, Rong Shi glanced at Ren Yaoqi and frowned slightly. "Why are you suddenly asking about this? Did someone say something to you?"
Rong Shi felt displeased, though not toward Ren Yaoqi. Her displeasure stemmed from the fact that these matters should not have involved her daughter’s family.Ren Yaoqi sighed and handed Rong Shi the handwritten letter from Xiao Jingxi that the Princess Consort had given her earlier: "I just came from Yanbei Prince's Mansion. My father was originally supposed to return together with Second Young Master Xiao, but unexpectedly encountered several groups of assassins along the way. In the end, Second Young Master Xiao separated from my father and the others, and his carriage suddenly disappeared when they reached Jinzhou. Even the people from Yanbei Prince's Mansion cannot find him now."
After taking the letter, Rong Shi opened it and glanced at it, her already furrowed brows tightening even more.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but wonder to herself: Could it be that she had guessed wrong? Had Xiao Jingxi and Prince Xian not reached any prior agreement?
Second update...
To protect what little integrity remains, the author continues to work hard on the third update, but you all don't need to stay up waiting for it. It's just as good to read it tomorrow morning after waking up o(∩_∩)o
Finally, an explanation: The author had guests at home today—my uncle and his family came over—so the update was late... very sorry...
OpenNovel