Yun Qiuchen was soon brought in by the maidservant. Seeing Consort Dowager Yun seated at the head of the room, Yun Qiuchen approached with delight to pay her respects to Consort Dowager Yun and the Princess Consort.
After rising, Yun Qiuchen said with a smile, "I heard at the end of last year that Grandaunt was returning to the mansion. The Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess have been speaking of you often."
Rather than expressing her own concern, she instead spoke favorably of the Princess Consort and Xiao Jinglin in front of Consort Dowager Yun. She had always conducted herself this way in Consort Dowager Yun's presence, and the Princess Consort had always held some fondness for her.
Consort Dowager Yun nodded gently and beckoned her to come sit beside her. Yun Qiuchen, as was her custom, took the seat next to Consort Dowager Yun.
Consort Dowager Yun inquired about the health of her grandparents and other matters concerning the Yun Family, to which Yun Qiuchen answered with a cheerful smile. The Princess Consort listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a word or two, making the atmosphere more harmonious than when only Consort Dowager Yun and the Princess Consort had been present.
"You may attend to your duties if you have matters to attend to. Qiuchen will keep me company for a while," Consort Dowager Yun said to the Princess Consort after a short while.
The Princess Consort glanced at Consort Dowager Yun, bowed her head in acknowledgment, then rose and left.
Once outside Lanxi Hall, the Princess Consort's brows unconsciously furrowed. She glanced back with a sigh before turning to depart.
The news of Consort Dowager Yun's return quickly spread throughout the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and naturally, it reached the Old Princess Consort as well. In earlier years, the Old Princess Consort would have made a fuss over Consort Dowager Yun's return without first paying her respects. This time, however, Shou'an Hall remained quiet.
After the Prince of Yanbei inherited his title, Consort Dowager Yun, perhaps out of concern for her son's reputation or other reasons, did not take the opportunity to assert dominance over the Old Princess Consort. Instead, she kept her distance. However, as the two had been at odds since their youth, Consort Dowager Yun was unwilling to humble herself before the Old Princess Consort and had never paid her a formal visit.
Although the Old Princess Consort remained silent, Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu hurried to pay their respects to Consort Dowager Yun upon hearing the news. Consort Dowager Yun did not refuse to see them and had the maidservants bring them in.
When facing guests, Consort Dowager Yun maintained a polite and amiable demeanor. However, her inherently reserved nature and years of seclusion made her reticent. Yun Qiuchen took it upon herself to enliven the conversation.
The Princess Consort was naturally aware that Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu had visited Consort Dowager Yun, but she made no comment. As the Prince of Yanbei's birth mother, Consort Dowager Yun was her mother-in-law, and she could not possibly send someone to monitor her every move. Instead, she sent word to Xiao Jinglin, urging her to return as soon as possible. There were times when her own presence was inconvenient, but Xiao Jinglin, as a granddaughter, could be present. Moreover, with the Thousand Gold Banquet approaching, Xiao Jinglin had already planned to return before it began.
Thus, a few days after the Old Princess Consort's return, Xiao Jinglin arrived back at the mansion. At the same time, the Thousand Gold Banquet was about to commence, scheduled for early June this year.
Madam Li had long prepared several sets of clothing and commissioned new sets of jewelry for Ren Yaoqi to wear at the Thousand Gold Banquet. Ren Yaoqi's status was now different from before, and this year's banquet held special significance, so Madam Li took great care in these preparations.However, it was unexpected that three days before the Thousand Gold Banquet began, the Princess Consort of Yanbei sent her maid to deliver clothing and jewelry to Ren Yaoqi. Last time Ren Yaoqi attended the Thousand Gold Banquet, the Princess Consort had also gifted her a set of head ornaments, but this time, she sent eight sets of clothing and eight matching sets of head ornaments and jewelry.
Later, Ren Yaoqi also heard that the Princess Consort had similarly bestowed gifts upon Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu, who were staying at the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, but they only received four sets each. Neither in quantity nor quality could their gifts compare to those given to Ren Yaoqi, as the Princess Consort had bestowed upon Ren Yaoqi items according to the standard set for Commandery Princess Xiao Jinglin.
Because of this, the people of Yanbei believed that the Princess Consort held her future daughter-in-law in high regard, making everyone treat Ren Yaoqi with even greater respect and caution. In these times, winning a husband's affection was nothing special; it was winning a mother-in-law's favor that truly ensured peace of mind. Even Third Master Ren had understood this principle back in the day.
This year's Thousand Gold Banquet was still held at the Hot Spring Villa. Although it was nominally organized by the Yun Family, due to the special involvement of the Empress Dowager, the major arrangements were actually overseen by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
On the day of the banquet, Xiao Jinglin came early to pick up Ren Yaoqi. Just like last time, Ren Yaoqi went together with Xiao Jinglin.
Ren Yaoqi wore a deep purple cross-collared sleeved jacket embroidered with chrysanthemum branches and phoenix tails. This dark color would typically make one's complexion appear dull, but Ren Yaoqi's fair skin, striking features, and elegant demeanor allowed the deep purple to enhance her grace. The specially designed pair of phoenix-spreading gold hairpins in her hair further elevated her noble aura, making it clear at a glance that her status differed from that of ordinary young ladies.
In contrast, Xiao Jinglin dressed rather simply that day. She wore an ivory-colored jacket with golden phoenix embroidery and a white pleated skirt, giving her an exceptionally light and refined appearance. When standing beside Ren Yaoqi, it almost seemed as though Ren Yaoqi was the main focus.
As Ren Yaoqi boarded the carriage, Xiao Jinglin praised her honestly, "You look beautiful! You outshine everyone else!"
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly. Her clothing and jewelry had all been prepared by the Princess Consort, with specific instructions on which set to wear and when. Ren Yaoqi herself did not pay much attention to these details, but she understood the reason behind the Princess Consort's meticulous care and was deeply grateful. Even Madam Li remarked that the Princess Consort cared for Ren Yaoqi as if she were her own daughter, advising her to be filial to her in-laws after marrying into the Xiao Family.
When Xiao Jinglin's carriage reached the city gate, it coincidentally met with the carriages of the Princess Consort and others from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. The entire procession then made its grand way to the Hot Spring Villa.
Ren Yaoqi had visited the Hot Spring Villa many times and was already very familiar with it. Their carriage did not stop outside but followed the Princess Consort's carriage all the way to the main palace complex.
When Ren Yaoqi alighted from the carriage, the Old Princess Consort, who had arrived ahead of them, had already gone to the Snow-Cutting Pavilion. The Princess Consort was standing not far ahead, supporting a woman in her fifties. This unfamiliar elderly woman had a stern expression and wore simple attire, yet the Princess Consort spoke to her with great respect.Before Ren Yaoqi could guess the identity of this elderly lady, the Princess Consort spotted them and called out with a smile, "Yaoqi, Jinglin, come over quickly."
Xiao Jinglin pulled Ren Yaoqi along as they walked over, whispering a reminder to her, "That's my grandmother." Ren Yaoqi felt a slight chill upon hearing this.
Consort Dowager Yun seemed to notice their subtle exchange and couldn't help but frown slightly.
The Princess Consort smiled at Ren Yaoqi and said, "Yaoqi, come and greet Consort Dowager Yun."
Ren Yaoqi hurriedly bowed to Consort Dowager Yun.
Consort Dowager Yun remained silent, but Ren Yaoqi could feel her gaze lingering on her, which made her feel a bit of pressure. Since Consort Dowager Yun hadn't acknowledged her, she could only keep her head lowered.
Just as Xiao Jinglin was about to speak up to help Ren Yaoqi out of her awkward situation, Consort Dowager Yun raised her hand slightly and said calmly, "Rise."
Ren Yaoqi straightened up but couldn't help frowning slightly. Was Consort Dowager Yun's earlier silence a sign of displeasure toward her? Was it meant to put her in her place?
She looked up at Consort Dowager Yun, only to find that she had already turned and walked away first.
The Princess Consort walked over and gently patted Ren Yaoqi's hand, giving her a warm and encouraging smile as she whispered, "Consort Dowager Yun is just like that by nature; she isn't deliberately being cold to you. Don't be afraid."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded at the Princess Consort.
The Princess Consort added, "This time, both you and Jinglin will stay with me in the Moon Embracing Pavilion. Since your maids are used to serving you, you can bring them all in."
The main halls of the hot spring villa had always been reserved for members of the royal household. The Yun Family and other families, including the young ladies sent by the court this time, were all accommodated in the outer areas. The last time Ren Yaoqi came, it was thanks to Xiao Jinglin's favor. This time, she was personally invited by the Princess Consort.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in acknowledgment, and the Princess Consort followed after Consort Dowager Yun.
However, before Ren Yaoqi could even settle in after following Xiao Jinglin to the Moon Embracing Pavilion, the Old Princess Consort sent someone over to express her displeasure.
It turned out that the Old Princess Consort had previously suggested having Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu stay with her in the Snow-Cutting Pavilion, but the Princess Consort had tactfully declined. Instead, Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu were arranged to stay in the outer areas along with the other young ladies, though they were given their own separate courtyard.
When the Old Princess Consort heard that Ren Yaoqi had been allowed to stay, she was displeased. Why was it that she couldn't have the people she wanted to stay, while Ren Yaoqi could?
The Princess Consort explained that Ren Yaoqi would soon be part of the Xiao Family and that she needed both Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin to assist her in the coming days.
In the end, the Princess Consort managed to persuade the Old Princess Consort's envoy to leave, though it was unclear how she managed it. However, she remained firm in her refusal to allow Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu to stay, maintaining a polite yet unyielding stance.
Naturally, the Old Princess Consort was extremely dissatisfied and threw a fit in her Snow-Cutting Pavilion.
No sooner had the Old Princess Consort's envoy left than Consort Dowager Yun's envoy arrived.
Consort Dowager Yun wasn't trying to have anyone stay; she had sent someone to summon Ren Yaoqi to see her.
Upon hearing that Consort Dowager Yun had summoned Ren Yaoqi, the Princess Consort didn't say much, only offering Ren Yaoqi a few words of advice with a smile. When Xiao Jinglin said she would accompany Ren Yaoqi, the Princess Consort didn't object.
Thus, Xiao Jinglin took Ren Yaoqi to the Mistless Pavilion, where Consort Dowager Yun was staying.Although Consort Dowager Yun held a slightly lower rank than the Old Princess Consort in terms of status, there was virtually no difference in the scale and layout of their residences—the Snow-Clipping Pavilion and Mistless Pavilion—or their former bedchambers in the prince's mansion, the Longevity Peace Hall and Orchid Osmanthus Hall. This clearly shows that when it came to actual standing, Consort Dowager Yun might not have been truly inferior to the Old Princess Consort.
My apologies, as I haven't been in good condition and hit a writer's block right at the climax...
These past few days, I could only ask the deputy moderator to request leave on my behalf. I've been so frustrated and irritable that I didn't even dare to turn on my computer. It's truly not that I didn't want to write, but rather that I couldn't bring myself to write for a while...
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