When Ren Yaoqi arrived at Jiuyang Hall, Xiao Jinglin had not yet come. The Princess Consort was sitting in the side hall discussing matters with Nanny Xin. Looking up and seeing Ren Yaoqi enter, she beckoned her over.
"Sit for a while first. Once Jinglin arrives, we can eat, and then we'll go to Chengde Hall together. Here with me, it's just our family eating together—no formalities to worry about," the Princess Consort said to Ren Yaoqi with a smile.
In the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, there was also a family recognition ceremony for the new bride on the morning of the second day after entering the household. However, the Princess Consort's family recognition ceremony was held in the side hall of the Xiao Family Ancestral Temple, Chengde Hall, after the newlyweds paid respects to the ancestors once more. At that time, both the Old Princess Consort and Consort Dowager Yun would be present. The Princess Consort had them come to Jiuyang Hall first, partly to eat together and partly because she was afraid they might oversleep and miss the time to go to Chengde Hall, which could be seized upon by those with ulterior motives.
After giving Ren Yaoqi a brief instruction, the Princess Consort turned back to Nanny Xin to discuss matters regarding the ancestral and family recognition ceremonies later at Chengde Hall. Ren Yaoqi listened attentively as well, even though she had heard these rules many times before.
Not long after, the Prince, Xiao Jingxi, and Xiao Jinglin entered together. The Prince's hearty laughter could be heard from afar.
"...Then when we have time today, the three of us can have a little competition. Whoever loses has to be the archery target for a month—how about that?"
"No," Xiao Jinglin replied expressionlessly.
The Prince of Yanbei was displeased: "I say, my precious egg, even your old man isn't afraid to lose at my age. What are you afraid of? You don't have a bit of the Xiao Family's spirit!"
Ren Yaoqi was about to stand up when she suddenly heard the Prince's term of endearment and nearly stumbled.
The Princess Consort frowned unhappily: "Your Highness! Please mind your language!"
In other families, pet names for children often include "Nannan" or "Niuniu" for girls, but the Prince of Yanbei affectionately called his daughter "precious egg"—an honor even Xiao Jingxi had not received.
The Princess Consort was very dissatisfied with this.
When Xiao Jingxi was young, the Prince of Yanbei had also given him a pet name, but the Princess Consort had firmly opposed it. However, Xiao Jinglin had spent years following the Prince at the border, beyond the Princess Consort's reach.
The Prince of Yanbei laughed heartily and sat down with a commanding presence: "It's just a name, what's the big deal? You're always so particular and fussy. Look at things now—the daughter takes after me, the son takes after you, tsk—" Out of consideration for the new daughter-in-law present, the Prince still spared his son some face, simply waving his hand and concluding, "In the future, the grandchildren will all take after me!"
Upon hearing this, the Princess Consort had Nanny Xin take the maids away to serve the meal, then said to the Prince with a half-smile, "Is Your Highness implying that I have failed in raising our children?"
The Prince pointed at the Princess Consort and said to his children, "Look, look, your mother is overthinking again, isn't she? Whatever I say, she has to dissect it into one, two, three, four, five, six—doesn't she get tired? I'm a simple man! Where would I have so many hidden motives for her to ponder?"
The siblings Xiao Jingxi and Xiao Jinglin seemed accustomed to such scenes and sat down indifferently, each minding their own business. Xiao Jingxi took a seat beside Ren Yaoqi.
The Princess Consort shot the Prince a glare and decided not to argue further, lest she become a laughingstock in front of her daughter-in-law.The meal was set in the side hall to the right of Jiuyang Hall, around a modest-sized round table of pearwood. The Prince and Princess Consort took the seats of honor, with Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi seated on the left side next to the Prince, and Xiao Jinglin on the right side next to the Princess Consort. The seating arrangement was typical of a family gathering, and the dishes on the table were similar to what Ren Yaoqi was accustomed to at home—not overly elaborate.
The Princess Consort explained to Ren Yaoqi, "Having overly refined dishes in the morning isn’t good for health. Simple, home-style meals are better. Let Nanny Xin note down what you like, and we’ll add it when you come for meals in the future."
The Prince nodded with a smile. "Exactly! Back when you first married into the Prince’s residence, you even used ginseng soup to rinse your mouth. I don’t know how you developed such habits."
The Princess Consort pretended not to hear the Prince of Yanbei’s remark and said, "Your Highness, we may begin."
As the head of the household, the Prince of Yanbei picked up his chopsticks and placed a portion of crispy tripe shreds into the Princess Consort’s bowl. "Please eat, Princess Consort."
The Princess Consort’s expression softened slightly, and she reciprocated by placing a small sesame bun into the Prince’s bowl. "Please eat, Your Highness."
Only after they had begun did the children pick up their chopsticks.
Xiao Jingxi scooped a spoonful of steamed eight-treasure egg custard for Ren Yaoqi. After a moment’s thought, Ren Yaoqi returned the gesture by scooping a spoonful for him. Xiao Jinglin kept her head down, eating her meal quietly and properly.
Thus, the family breakfast proceeded harmoniously.
After breakfast, as the time was appropriate, the Prince and Princess Consort of Yanbei took their children and their newlywed daughter-in-law to Chengde Hall.
Upon arriving at Chengde Hall, they found that Consort Dowager Yun had arrived before them. She stood outside the main hall at the back of Chengde Hall, where the ancestral tablets were enshrined, facing away from them and not entering.
The Prince and Princess Consort of Yanbei led their children forward to greet Consort Dowager Yun. She turned around and nodded, her gaze shifting to Ren Yaoqi and the others behind them.
"There’s still a quarter of an hour left. They should be arriving soon. Let’s go into the side hall first," Consort Dowager Yun said.
No sooner had she spoken than the Old Princess Consort entered from outside, followed by the Xiao family’s second branch, Xiao Heng and his family.
As soon as the Old Princess Consort saw Consort Dowager Yun, her already displeased expression darkened completely. Consort Dowager Yun’s face remained as impassive as ever.
Both sides exchanged greetings.
The Princess Consort said to Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi, "Since everyone is here, prepare yourselves and enter the ancestral hall first."
Today’s ceremony was much simpler than the previous day’s.
When the time arrived, the Prince of Yanbei entered the ancestral hall first to offer three sticks of incense. Then, Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi entered together. The Xiao family’s ancestral hall had no rule prohibiting women from entering. Yanbei’s customs were open-minded, and many noble families did not enforce such restrictions. Legitimate wives were permitted to enter the ancestral hall, though they would not do so without reason except during festivals or ancestral worship ceremonies.
The Princess Consort accompanied the Old Princess Consort and Consort Dowager Yun to the side hall first.
After Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi followed the Prince in offering incense to the Xiao family’s ancestors, they returned to the side hall. Following the ancestral recognition ceremony was the family introduction.
As soon as they entered the side hall, they heard the Old Princess Consort saying, "According to the rules, her name should be added to the family register only after she gives birth, along with the child’s name. Why add her so early? There’s no such rule in the family register."The Princess Consort said amiably, "This is an old clan rule from long ago. Changing it is no big deal. I've discussed it with the Prince, and we thought we might as well settle it today."
The Princess Consort sneered, "Since you've already decided, why bother asking for my opinion? Even if I said I disagreed, who would listen?"
The Prince of Yanbei strode to his seat and sat down, then turned to the Princess Consort with a smile and asked, "What are you all chatting about so happily?"
Everyone: "..."
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
Why does that sound so familiar?
The Princess Consort glanced at Ren Yaoqi and said to the Prince, "We were discussing having Yaoqi added to the clan register today."
The Prince of Yanbei nodded and laughed heartily, "That's wonderful! No wonder you all look so happy!"
Xiao Jingyue, playing with a fan nearby, chuckled, "Uncle, you didn't hear clearly. Grandmother said that according to the rules, Sister-in-law can only be added to the clan register after she gives birth."
The Prince of Yanbei looked confused. "When was this rule established? Why wasn't I informed?" He turned to his younger brother, Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng lowered his head and said, "I don't recall clan matters very clearly. There might be such a rule, but as the Princess Consort said, it's an old rule from many years ago." His words were essentially meaningless. Xiao Heng never openly contradicted the Prince of Yanbei on such occasions—only his son would speak so "innocently."
The Prince of Yanbei stroked his chin thoughtfully, glancing at the Old Princess Consort and then at the silent Consort Dowager Yun. "Do both elders believe we should follow this old rule?"
The Old Princess Consort said firmly, "This rule was left by the ancestors of the Xiao Family. It cannot be changed so casually." She was in a foul mood today and found everyone irritating. The reason was that during Xiao Jingxi's wedding yesterday, several noble families came to pay their respects, and some of the noble ladies presented gifts to Consort Dowager Yun that were more lavish than hers. The Old Princess Consort was so furious she couldn't sleep all night. Now, early in the morning, she had to attend this family recognition ceremony. She had considered not coming at all, but if she didn't, wouldn't it only make it easier for the others to act like a "happy family"?
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