Pink 30+
Madam Li also had a new dress made for Ren Yaoying, a jacket and skirt set in pink with embroidered white plum blossoms. The fabric and craftsmanship were similar to those of Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying’s dresses. After receiving the clothes, Ren Yaoying came to thank Madam Li, though she still seemed somewhat listless and lacking in energy.
The earliest to arrive today were Lady Liu and her daughter Liu Menghan, who brought a pot of homegrown Cymbidium orchids.
This had been agreed upon earlier: since today was a flower appreciation gathering, all the ladies and young misses attending were to bring flowers, and a "flower queen" would be selected at the end.
Afterward, Lady Chen and her daughter, along with two other ladies, arrived. Lady Chen brought a pot of "Luoyang Red," while the other two ladies brought a pot of "Emerald First Grade" and a pot of "Wei Purple," respectively.
Ouyang Shi and several older ladies arrived a bit later. Ouyang Shi brought a pot of "White Snow Tower" and a pot of "Phoenix Fluttering Feathers," while the other ladies also brought renowned varieties of flowers.
Madam Li had a canopy set up in the courtyard, displaying the Ren Family’s prized flowers, along with low tables and stools. Tea and snacks were served. Before moving here, Third Master Ren had renovated the entire courtyard according to his own aesthetic tastes. While Third Master Ren might not excel in other areas, he had a natural talent and keen eye for this, so even an ordinary courtyard felt refreshing and pleasing to the senses.
It was early summer, and the morning was not yet too hot. With the canopy providing shade and a gentle breeze blowing, sitting in the courtyard to admire flowers, sip tea, and chat about interesting happenings in the city was an extremely pleasant experience.
All the ladies and young misses who came today were well-mannered and refined. When discussing gossip, they knew when to stop. Everyone was aware of the recent upheavals in the Ren Family, but no one brought it up, not even in whispers, showing great respect for the host family. These ladies’ temperaments suited Madam Li perfectly, so she genuinely wished to befriend them.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua chatted with Liu Menghan, Chen Zhiyi, and two other young misses about flowers and plants. Although these young ladies were still young, they were well-read and knowledgeable, especially Liu Menghan and Chen Zhiyi, who could be considered erudite and articulate. Coupled with Ren Yaoqi’s broad perspective, they got along splendidly.
Ren Yaoying had come out earlier for a while, but all the young misses present today were legitimate daughters. Although they did not look down on Ren Yaoying or make sarcastic remarks, Ren Yaoying felt that others were warm toward Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua but indifferent toward her. After sitting for a while, she felt increasingly uncomfortable and eventually found an excuse to retreat to her room.
Ren Yaoqi was listening to Liu Menghan and Chen Zhiyi’s lively debate over whether the Liu Family’s Cymbidium orchid or the Chen Family’s "Luoyang Red" was more outstanding when the gatekeeper hurried in to announce that distinguished guests had arrived.
Ren Yaoqi wondered who would come at this time. Aside from one Lady Li, who had returned to her natal family due to her brother’s joyous news of a newborn son and could not attend, all the other invited ladies and young misses had already arrived.Ren Yaoqi was wondering when she saw a tall, slender woman with delicate features and a hint of heroic spirit appear at the courtyard gate.
Seeing the newcomer, Ren Yaoqi's face lit up with joy. "Commandery Princess?"
The others, who had been chatting and laughing softly, were also startled by Xiao Jinglin's sudden appearance. It was Ouyang Shi who reacted first, smiling as she said, "Oh, Commandery Princess, you're back?"
Everyone rose to greet Xiao Jinglin, who nodded in acknowledgment. "I heard there was a flower-viewing gathering here, so I came to take a look. Please, carry on as you were. Don't mind me."
Madam Li quickly instructed someone to bring another seat.
Ren Yaoqi stepped forward with a smile, chiding gently, "Jinglin, when did you get back? Why didn't you mention it in your letter?"
A smile also appeared on Xiao Jinglin's face. "What? Did I startle you?"
Ren Yaoqi blinked. "How could it be a startle? It's a pleasant surprise. I thought you wouldn't be back until mid-month."
Xiao Jinglin nodded to the young ladies who greeted her before replying, "I returned early this morning. I originally planned to visit you tomorrow, but Xiao Jingxi said you were holding a flower-viewing gathering here today and suggested I come take a look."
Hearing Xiao Jinglin mention Xiao Jingxi, Ren Yaoqi paused.
Although she didn't know how Xiao Jingxi had learned about the flower gathering at her home today, she could guess his intention in sending Xiao Jinglin over. For Madam Li and them to establish themselves firmly in Yunyang City, having the recognition of the Commandery Princess—or rather, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion—would make things smoother for them in the future.
Xiao Jinglin didn't notice the expression on Ren Yaoqi's face. She glanced around at the potted plants. Although she couldn't tell the difference between rare, valuable flowers and those commonly grown in gardens, she hesitated over whether to bring out the pot she had hastily grabbed on her way out.
Hongying, following behind Xiao Jinglin, didn't notice her mistress's inner conflict. Seeing the Commandery Princess examining the flowers arranged in the courtyard, she hurried out to fetch the pot they had left in the carriage and brought it in.
Seeing the Commandery Princess's maid carrying a flowerpot, everyone looked over curiously.
"Eh? What kind of flower is this?" a younger lady asked curiously, leaning in for a closer look.
Xiao Jinglin wore a profound expression.
"Ouch! It has thorns!" the young girl exclaimed, clutching her finger.
Liu Menghan and Chen Zhiyi exchanged glances before cautiously suggesting, "Is this... a cactus?"
"Ah? A cactus? Is a cactus a flower?"
"This cactus is blooming, so... I suppose it counts as a flower..."
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin and couldn't help but laugh.
Only then did Xiao Jinglin nod to everyone and say, "This was grown by my second brother. I thought it was quite unusual for this thing to bloom, so I brought it along for fun."
Upon hearing this, everyone's attention immediately shifted to Second Young Master Xiao.
Who was Second Young Master Xiao? He was a figure as ethereal as an immortal! Flowers grown by Second Young Master Xiao must surely be different from ordinary ones—even if it was just a blooming cactus.
Thus, the gazes directed at the cactus shifted from doubt to various speculations.
Ren Yaoqi gave Xiao Jinglin a teasing look. Others might not know, but she was well aware that Xiao Jinglin loved using Xiao Jingxi as a shield.
Later, as the sun grew stronger, Madam Li invited everyone to the large flower hall that had been prepared earlier.Ren Yaoqi seized the opportunity to bring Xiao Jinglin to her room for a private chat.
Although they hadn’t seen each other for two years, they had kept in touch through letters, so there was no sense of unfamiliarity between them.
However, Ren Yaoqi noticed that Xiao Jinglin seemed to have grown quite a bit taller. Previously, they had been about the same height, but now Xiao Jinglin stood half a head taller. Perhaps due to her frequent patrols along the border, Xiao Jinglin’s complexion had taken on a slightly darker tone, which accentuated her sharp features and gave her a beauty distinct from other young ladies of noble households.
Xiao Jinglin, on the other hand, thought Ren Yaoqi had grown even more beautiful than two years ago. Ren Yaoqi had recently celebrated her fourteenth birthday, and her features had matured somewhat compared to two years prior. Her appearance and temperament had become increasingly striking, especially with the goose-yellow dress she wore today, which complemented her fair and translucent skin, giving her an ethereal and elegant aura.
However, Princess Xiao looked at Ren Yaoqi, gestured toward her head, and remarked with a hint of disdain, “Why have you grown so much shorter?”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh and didn’t take it to heart.
“Why did you return early? I remember you said you’d rush back just a few days before your birthday.” Xiao Jinglin’s birthday was on the twenty-second of June, and Ren Yaoqi had assumed she would return around the tenth of June at the earliest.
Xiao Jinglin replied, “My mother said there will be many people attending my coming-of-age ceremony this time, so she asked me to return early to prepare.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded.
The coming-of-age ceremony of the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince’s Mansion was a significant event in Yanbei. Both Ningxia and the imperial court would send representatives to Yanbei to offer congratulations.
Given the delicate relationship between Yanbei, Ningxia, and the imperial court at the moment, it was wise for Xiao Jinglin to return early.
“By the way, Yun Wenfang seems to be returning as well,” Xiao Jinglin suddenly mentioned.
In their correspondence, Xiao Jinglin occasionally mentioned Yun Wenfang. It was said that he was now a fifth-rank Yingyang General, leading a troop and achieving numerous military successes.
Ren Yaoqi merely glanced at the news about Yun Wenfang and never offered any opinions.
Hearing that Yun Wenfang would return, Ren Yaoqi simply smiled.
Over the past two years, Yun Wenfang must have experienced many things. Ren Yaoqi hoped he could truly mature. As for the two of them, there had never been any entanglement in this lifetime, nor would there be in the future.
If Xiao Jinglin hadn’t brought up Yun Wenfang, Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t have deliberately thought of him.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s indifferent attitude, Xiao Jinglin didn’t continue discussing Yun Wenfang. However, during her time at the border, she had encountered Yun Wenfang a few times. From a military perspective, Yun Wenfang was a competent commander, and Xiao Jinglin had gradually shed her dismissive attitude toward him.
Still, she could tell that Yun Wenfang was a stubborn person who wouldn’t easily abandon his goals. This was why she shared news about him with Ren Yaoqi—simply hoping Ren Yaoqi would be aware.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and asked, “Why did you return early? I remember you said you’d rush back just a few days before your birthday.”
Xiao Jinglin replied expressionlessly, “The author said I should hurry back to help her act cute and boost the votes. Seeing how pitifully she was crying, I decided to do a good deed for the day.”
Ren Yaoqi: “…”
Author: (^o^)
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