Afterwards, the two of them chatted about matters in Ningxia.
Xiao Jinglin said, "Di Shi recently gave birth to a son. Both mother and child are safe."
Ren Yaoqi recalled what her maternal grandmother, Rong Shi, had told her earlier about the Wu family's plan to form a marriage alliance with the Zeng family and shared this with Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin nodded understandingly. "If it weren't for the Di family protecting Di Shi, she would have died countless times by now."
In Ningxia, there were quite a few people who wished for Wu Xiaohe to have no descendants, and among them were his wife and daughter. In less than a year, Xiao Wei and Wu Yiyu had sent at least a dozen groups of assassins to kill Di Shi, but unfortunately, all of them returned empty-handed.
The Di family protected Di Shi flawlessly. It was said they had even found over a dozen decoys, hiding them in various places. Xiao Wei and Wu Yiyu had mistakenly killed the wrong person several times.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head inwardly. Xiao Wei, thinking herself clever, had never considered the foundation of her own standing. She only engaged in these futile and useless efforts. If she had consistently and firmly aligned herself with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, not to mention one Di family or one Di Shi, no matter how many illegitimate sons Wu Xiaohe fathered, she could have securely held her position as the foremost lady of Ningxia, with no one daring to challenge her. Her daughter would also have had many more choices in marriage.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin chatted in the room for a while. Before long, Sangshen came to report that Madam Li was looking for Ren Yaoqi, asking her to take people to the storeroom to retrieve several sets of bowls and plates featuring plum blossoms, orchids, chrysanthemums, bamboo, and various other floral patterns.
Two years ago, when these porcelain pieces were crafted, the floral designs used on them were drawn by Third Master Ren and Ren Yaoqi. After they were made, they had been stored in the storeroom and never used. It was Nanny Zhou who suggested that using them today would be fitting for the occasion and would also allow Ren Yaoqi to shine in front of everyone. Thus, Madam Li asked Ren Yaoqi to retrieve this batch of bowls and plates for use.
Since Xiao Jinglin had returned and would certainly not be leaving again anytime soon, there was no rush for the two of them to catch up. After arranging for Xiao Jinglin, Ren Yaoqi took people to the storeroom.
During the midday meal, everyone admired the exquisite and delicate bowls, plates, cups, spoons, and chopsticks, praising them endlessly. Upon learning that the floral patterns were drawn by Third Master Ren and Ren Yaoqi themselves, they all spoke highly of them, making even the usually unpretentious Madam Li feel a sense of pride.
Several ladies even asked Madam Li for the designs, saying they would have similar sets made upon returning home to keep as dowries for their daughters. Third Master Ren and Ren Yaoqi were indifferent to such matters, so Madam Li agreed with a smile.
During this flower appreciation banquet, the flowers brought by the ladies were all renowned varieties of comparable quality, leading to some debate during the final judging. However, these ladies were all very tactful. While their flowers were excellent, none were outstanding enough to overshadow the host. Thus, the top honor, the "Flower Champion," and the second honor, the "Flower Runner-up," were awarded to an orchid and a "Shi Ba Xue Shi" camellia cultivated by Third Master Ren, respectively. The third honor, the "Flower Third Place," went to a "Fenghuang Zhenyu" chrysanthemum brought by Ouyang Shi.
Afterwards, Ouyang Shi suggested that instead of ranking fourth or fifth, it would be more interesting to award titles like "Flower Elder" or "Flower Beauty."
Ouyang Shi's suggestion was well-received by everyone. The young ladies then racked their brains to come up with titles for their flowers, making the process lively and entertaining.In the end, nearly every family's flowers were selected. Even the pot of cactus brought by Princess Xiao was jokingly given the title "Flower General" by Ren Yaoqi.
Xiangqin whispered to Pingguo, "Hey, why is it a female general? Do flowers have genders?"
Pingguo paused, then affirmed, "Because it bloomed. Have you ever seen a man wearing flowers?"
"Oh, right." Xiangqin nodded in sudden understanding, then turned back to watch the lively scene with great interest.
This flower appreciation gathering could be considered a successful debut for Madam Li. Her gentle humility, grace, and cultivation left an excellent impression on all the ladies who attended, making people overlook that she was merely a merchant family's daughter-in-law. Instead, they were reminded more of her other identity: the legitimate daughter of Prince Xian and the biological granddaughter of the late emperor. Additionally, Ren Shimin was known among the younger generation of teachers at Yunyang Academy for his exceptional talent and demeanor. He disliked competing for fame and profit, embodying the noble spirit of Wei-Jin era gentlemen. This made ladies who had initially engaged with Madam Li out of respect for Ouyang Shi genuinely interested in befriending her. Meanwhile, Lady Liu and Lady Chen, who had already found great rapport with Madam Li, grew even closer to her.
In truth, aside from these factors, everyone's attitude was also influenced by Xiao Jinglin's presence.
Everyone in Yunyang City knew that Princess Xiao was not one to casually join social gatherings. She rarely accepted invitations sent to her. This time, however, she came uninvited, and on the very day she returned from the border.
Princess Xiao's attitude inevitably made people consider the stance of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Everyone understood: it seemed the recent minor lesson the Yanbei Prince's Mansion had given the Ren Family had not extended its displeasure to Ren Shimin's branch.
By the time the flower appreciation gathering concluded, when Madam Li brought Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua to see off the guests, several ladies invited Madam Li and her daughters to their future gatherings or small banquets. Madam Li gladly accepted all invitations.
Xiao Jinglin was the last to leave. Although Madam Li did not hold the Xiao Family in the same awe as other Yanbei natives, she genuinely liked this amiable, unpretentious princess who was close to her daughter. Seeing that Xiao Jinglin also appreciated the flowers and porcelain, Madam Li gifted her a set of unused long-necked, round-bellied wine bottles painted with peach blossoms.
Xiao Jinglin accepted them readily and even told Ren Yaoqi she would use these bottles to store her favorite peach blossom wine when she returned, leaving Ren Yaoqi both amused and exasperated.
Ren Yaoqi personally escorted Xiao Jinglin to the Inner Gate. Xiao Jinglin had come on horseback with Hongying that day, without a carriage.
"The invitation should arrive in a few days," Xiao Jinglin said before mounting her horse.
The invitation she referred to was for her coming-of-age ceremony. The Yanbei Prince's Mansion would send invitations to some important noble families. Normally, a family like the Ren Family would not receive such an invitation.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded. "Alright."
Xiao Jinglin then asked curiously, "Have you decided on that yet?"
Ren Yaoqi knew she was referring to her courtesy name. She blinked. "I have, but I'm not telling you now."
Xiao Jinglin pouted childishly, then turned and mounted her horse. "I'll head off then. If anything comes up, come find me at the Prince's Mansion."
Ren Yaoqi nodded, watching as Xiao Jinglin rode away with Hongying.When Ren Yaoqi returned to the inner courtyard, Xiangqin came running out breathlessly, holding a potted plant: "Fifth Miss, Fifth Miss! The Commandery Princess's 'Lady General' was left behind and not taken!"
Ren Yaoqi found the flowering cactus rather amusing, wondering if Xiao Jingxi had deliberately played a joke on Xiao Jinglin by giving her such a plant.
"Put it in the flower room for now," she said, recalling that Xiao Jinglin had told Hongying to dispose of it however she pleased. Princess Xiao had never been one to cherish or care for flowers.
Xiangqin happily carried the plant away, specifically instructing the old woman in the flower room: "Granny, you must take good care of this! It's a flower from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion—it might even be blessed with divine energy! It could bring peace and prosperity to our entire household, so we mustn't be careless!"
This frightened the people in the flower room so much that they wondered whether they should set up an incense altar and offer three sticks of incense to the cactus every morning and evening.
In the following days, Ren Yaoqi did not deliberately seek out Xiao Jinglin, knowing that the Princess Consort must have had many matters to attend to, which was why she had allowed her to return early.
However, Ren Yaoqi gradually learned some news from Ningxia. Zeng Kui had been intercepted on his way from Yunyang City to Ningxia and injured in the arm, though fortunately, his life was spared. Rumors circulated that this was the work of the eldest Miss of the Wu family, Wu Yiyu, who did not want to marry Zeng Kui and had intended to frighten him.
Unfortunately, Zeng Kui was not easily intimidated and still returned to Ningxia.
Moreover, the marriage alliance between the Zeng and Wu families could not be disrupted simply by Wu Yiyu's obstinate tantrums. Xiao Wei's attitude seemed resolute, and fearing further trouble from her daughter, she even placed her under house arrest.
In truth, if it were solely about arranging a marriage between their children, Xiao Wei would certainly not have favored the disfigured Zeng Kui as her son-in-law, nor would Zeng Pu have been willing to marry his only son to a bride with a reputation for violence and a less-than-stellar name.
However, both sides were compelled by circumstances. Only by forming an alliance could the Zeng family and Xiao Wei barely maintain their footing in Ningxia; otherwise, their respective forces would be gradually eroded by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
Thus, it was not long before news spread from Ningxia that the former and current Ningxia Regional Commanders had formally become in-laws through marriage. Zeng Kui and Wu Yiyu became the latest betrothed couple.
With the marriage alliance now settled, the eldest Miss of the Wu family, Wu Yiyu, did not quiet down. Instead, she continued to make threats every few days, vowing to cause trouble for that "ugly monster" Zeng Kui.
Nevertheless, with the alliance in place, both Zeng Kui and Xiao Wei gained tangible benefits. Xiao Wei already had some loyalists from the Wu family's main branch, and combined with Zeng Kui's forces and his official title as the court-appointed Ningxia Regional Commander, they gathered a force that could not be underestimated.
Of course, the Di family now held Wu Xiaohe's sole heir, attracting no small number of factions to their side. Both the Di family and the Zeng-Wu alliance were striving to absorb Ningxia's military forces, and the two sides were now in direct confrontation.
Amidst the fierce struggle for power in Ningxia, Xiao Jinglin's coming-of-age ceremony was scheduled for June 22nd, the day of her birth.
Three days before the ceremony, the Grand Historian of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion began divining to select the guest who would crown Princess Xiao during her coming-of-age ceremony.
Making up for yesterday's update.
Votes, please.
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