Ren Yaoqi changed into a rice-yellow collared, deep purple base patterned satin jacket with scattered floral designs, wearing a hollowed-out gold headdress inlaid with eight treasures. She stood beside the Princess Consort alongside Xiao Jinglin, poised and serene.
The Princess Consort continued to openly display her fondness and reliance on Ren Yaoqi, inviting her and Xiao Jinglin to sit with her at the main table. The Old Princess Consort and Consort Dowager Yun, as if by prior agreement, did not attend, leaving only the Princess Consort, Xiao Jinglin, Ren Yaoqi, Su Shi from the second branch of the Xiao Family, and Xiao Jingyuan at the main table.
With the Su family in decline, Su Shi and her daughter appeared quite reserved. When Ren Yaoqi took her seat, Su Shi and Xiao Jingyuan merely glanced at her without speaking. Yan Ningshuang, Zhao Yingqiu, and others sat at the guest table adjacent to the main table, close by.
After the Princess Consort delivered a few formal remarks, the banquet commenced. Despite the large hall filled with people, the clinking of dishes and utensils was remarkably subdued.
Not long after the banquet began, a maid from Consort Dowager Yun’s entourage entered and quietly informed the Princess Consort that Consort Dowager Yun was unwell. Seated beside the Princess Consort, Ren Yaoqi overheard the maid mention that Consort Dowager Yun had felt dizzy upon rising after her meditation session. Naturally, the Princess Consort decided to visit Feiwu Pavilion to check on her, and Xiao Jinglin, concerned for Consort Dowager Yun’s health, wished to accompany her.
After a moment’s thought, the Princess Consort arranged for Ren Yaoqi to remain and oversee the gathering, politely requesting Su Shi to assist her. She then left with Xiao Jinglin.
Once the Princess Consort departed, the atmosphere in Yunqi Pavilion relaxed considerably. At one point, a young lady from an unknown family, perhaps too at ease, dropped her spoon, which shattered on the floor, drawing muffled laughter from those nearby. Only three people remained at the main table, and Xiao Jingyuan engaged in sporadic small talk with Ren Yaoqi.
“Miss Ren, your attire is truly lovely. I heard the fabric was personally selected by the Princess Consort.”
Although Ren Yaoqi had met Xiao Jingyuan, the second daughter of the Xiao Family, a few times, their interactions had been limited. Finding her tone amiable, Ren Yaoqi responded softly with a few polite but inconsequential remarks.
As conversation began at the main table, those below also started to chat among themselves. While called a banquet, its true purpose was to allow these young ladies to socialize and acquaint themselves with one another. No one was there solely for the meal, so the usual rule of silence during dining was not observed. The earlier quiet had been solely due to the Princess Consort’s presence.
Not long after the Princess Consort and Xiao Jinglin left, Yun Qiuchen also excused herself. Unable to sit still upon learning of Consort Dowager Yun’s illness, she wished to pay a visit. She approached the main table to inform Su Shi, who, aware of Yun Qiuchen’s favor with Consort Dowager Yun, allowed her to go, considering it only natural.
Neither the Princess Consort, Xiao Jinglin, nor Yun Qiuchen returned after leaving. Sitting at the banquet, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but worry—was Consort Dowager Yun seriously ill? After some thought, she sent someone to inquire. The messenger returned to report that Consort Dowager Yun had fainted earlier and, though awake, remained in poor spirits. The Princess Consort and Commandery Princess had stayed at Feiwu Pavilion. The Princess Consort instructed that Yunqi Pavilion be left to Ren Yaoqi’s care, asking her to conclude the banquet when the time was appropriate.
Ren Yaoqi remained at Yunqi Pavilion until the banquet ended. She then delivered a few formal remarks on behalf of the Princess Consort and arranged for the young ladies to be escorted home.Ren Yaoqi had just finished arranging matters on her end and was about to head to Feiwu Pavilion to visit Consort Dowager Yun when she was called out just after leaving Yunqi Pavilion.
Turning around, Ren Yaoqi saw Yan Ningshuang, another young lady sent by the court, along with the Meng Family Eldest Miss Meng Dong'er, the Su Family Eldest Miss, and the Yun Family Third Miss walking toward her.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and asked, "What brings you all here?" Miss Yan and the others had been the first to leave earlier, so she had assumed they had already returned.
Yan Ningshuang glanced at her and smiled, "I found myself quite taken with these sisters earlier, so we chatted a bit longer."
The Su Family Eldest Miss was somewhat acquainted with Ren Yaoqi and asked, "Miss Yan and the others mentioned wanting to visit the Rare Treasures Garden, but the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess are both absent..."
Before the Su Family Eldest Miss could finish, the Yun Family Third Miss chimed in with a grin, "That's right. I wonder if Miss Ren has the authority to grant us permission to visit the Rare Treasures Garden?"
Yun Qiufang, the Yun Family Third Miss, had always been this way. Before Ren Yaoqi was betrothed, members of the Ren Family would only curry favor with the Yun Family. Now, Ren Yaoqi's status had risen almost overnight. Not only her, but even the Yun Family Eldest Miss, who had always been the center of attention, had to step back in Ren Yaoqi's presence. Yun Qiufang couldn't help but feel somewhat resentful.
Having interacted with Yun Qiufang a few times, Ren Yaoqi knew her temperament and didn't wish to stoop to her level. She replied with a smile, "Consort Dowager Yun is unwell, and the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess are attending to her. If you wish to visit the Rare Treasures Garden, perhaps it would be better to wait until tomorrow? It's already quite late today, and the garden will be dark, making it difficult to appreciate any scenery. Moreover, the garden houses some wild animals, so arrangements would need to be made beforehand to ensure they don't accidentally disturb you."
Yun Qiufang curled her lip, a hint of mockery on her face, as if to say, "So you don't have the authority after all!"
Meng Dong'er, the Meng Family Eldest Miss, spoke softly, "Miss Ren makes a good point. Let's go tomorrow instead."
The young ladies weren't particularly brave, and Ren Yaoqi's words did make them a bit apprehensive, so they abandoned the idea of visiting the Rare Treasures Garden that evening.
The Su Family Eldest Miss had originally intended to suggest going tomorrow when she brought it up with Ren Yaoqi. She had been interrupted by the Yun Family Third Miss and looked down on her meddling. Worried that Ren Yaoqi might think she was also deliberately causing trouble, she pointed to a spot not far ahead and said, "If you wish to stroll in a garden, there's no need to insist on the Rare Treasures Garden. Isn't there a garden just ahead? We can take the winding corridor through the courtyard; it's only a slight detour."
The garden the Su Family Eldest Miss mentioned was right next to Yunqi Pavilion. Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. The garden only contained some flowers, plants, and trees, and the corridor running through it was well-lit with lanterns and guarded by maids at intervals, so it wasn't secluded. She didn't object.
However, when she instinctively glanced toward the garden, she couldn't help but frown. Whether it was her imagination or not, she had felt as though something had been watching her from the shadows for a while now.
The Su Family Eldest Miss asked, "Will Miss Ren join us as well?"Ren Yaoqi was wondering if she was overthinking things when she smiled and replied, "I have matters to report back to the Princess Consort, so I won’t be going today."
The eldest daughter of the Su family had only asked in passing. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi declined, she did not press further.
Yan Ningshuang deliberately lingered behind. After watching Ren Yaoqi for a moment, she curved her lips into a smile. "I hope to see you at tomorrow’s competition. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to give a proper account to the Empress Dowager."
Ren Yaoqi sensed hidden meaning in Yan Ningshuang’s words, but before she could inquire further, Yan Ningshuang had already left.
Frowning, Ren Yaoqi turned to leave as well. However, she hadn’t gone far when she heard a scream from the direction where the Su young ladies had gone, followed by several more shrieks.
Ren Yaoqi immediately halted and turned to look back. The sky was half-dark, and from the garden not far away, the flickering light of lanterns faintly shone through the tall and short trees and shrubs, casting indistinct shadows.
"Miss, let us escort you back first?" Leshan urged anxiously. Whatever was happening over there, the safety of their mistress was paramount. She feared Ren Yaoqi might insist on investigating, risking danger.
Ren Yaoqi was not impulsive, especially when the situation was unclear. She was about to instruct her maids to send someone to check when she faintly heard a terrified cry: "Heavens—it’s a tiger—"
Ren Yaoqi froze for a moment, then immediately turned and hurried back. Leshan and Leshui quickly flanked her protectively.
Having parted from the Su young ladies not long ago, Ren Yaoqi soon reached the entrance to the garden. Before even stepping inside, she heard a familiar, resonant, and majestic roar: "Awoo—"
Inside the garden, screams and cries filled the air in chaos. Several young ladies were so frightened their legs gave way. As Ren Yaoqi entered, she saw a massive white figure slowly advancing toward Yan Ningshuang and Yun Qiufang, who had fallen to the ground and couldn’t get up. Its maw gaped wide, and Yun Qiufang fainted, her eyes rolling back.
Seeing the danger, Ren Yaoqi quickly called out, "Silly Girl! Come here!"
Silly Girl, who had been extending her tongue to lick someone’s face, paused and turned her head in confusion. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, she let out an "Awoo—" and bounded toward Ren Yaoqi.
"Ah—" someone screamed in terror.
Contrary to expectations, Silly Girl stopped half a step away from Ren Yaoqi, crouched down, and nudged her leg with her head, letting out a soft "Awoo—." The fierce beast had transformed into an obedient cat in the blink of an eye, even wagging her tail.
Ren Yaoqi patted Silly Girl’s head and hurried over to check on Yun Qiufang. As she approached, she caught a whiff of urine—Yun Qiufang had been so frightened she lost control of her bladder. Fortunately, she was unharmed, merely unconscious.
Yan Ningshuang also lay limp on the ground, disheveled and in a sorry plight. Though in better condition than Yun Qiufang—at least she remained conscious—she stared wide-eyed at the white tiger obediently trailing behind Ren Yaoqi, too terrified to speak.
Ren Yaoqi glanced back at Silly Girl, patted her again, and pointed to a tree about ten steps away, coaxing, "Good girl, go wait over there." She wasn’t sure if Silly Girl would understand.Fortunately, Silly Girl was a very clever tiger. After glancing in the direction Ren Yaoqi pointed, she reluctantly walked away with a look of grievance.
Once Silly Girl moved aside, the oppressive feeling lessened, and Yun Qiufang and Yan Ningshuang’s maids hurried over, scrambling and stumbling in their haste.
“Miss, are you all right, miss…”
First, an apology…
The author didn’t know that Qidian now charges for chapters over 500 words (the author never reads announcements, ahhh…), so the previous chapter’s ramblings just happened to cross that 500-word threshold…
So the author is turning herself in… 〒_〒
To make up for this mistake, the next chapter will have an extra 500 words for free…
Sorry, please forgive me… 〒_〒.
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