Clearly, in this test, only Ren Yaoqi had passed.
Consort Dowager Yun had never held any expectations for Princess Xiao from the start. Xiao Jinglin was skilled in martial arts, had taken many lives, and would continue to do so in the future. The scriptures she copied were something Consort Dowager Yun would definitely not touch.
As for Yun Qiuping...
Yun Qiuchen, who had originally been the great hope of the Yun Family, had now become a discarded pawn. Third Miss Yun Qiufang had a somewhat sharp and petty temperament, making her unsuitable for any grand occasions. That left only Yun Qiuping, whom the Yun Family had pushed forward for a marriage alliance with the Han Family.
In truth, Consort Dowager Yun’s examination of Yun Qiuping was well-intentioned. If Yun Qiuping’s character and abilities were passable, Consort Dowager Yun wouldn’t mind lending her a hand, allowing her to visit the mansion from time to time for companionship, which would also serve as a gesture of respect to the Yun Family.
Unfortunately, comparisons can be cruel.
Yun Qiuping’s emotions had clearly been too turbulent earlier. Not only was her handwriting messy and distorted, but she had also made several mistakes and had only copied two pages. In comparison, Ren Yaoqi was far better. She had copied five pages across four sheets, her handwriting was beautiful, and it was evident that she had put her heart into it, with not a hint of impatience in her strokes.
Thus, when the Princess Consort saw Ren Yaoqi’s handwriting, she smiled.
Back then, the reason Consort Dowager Yun had favored Yun Qiuchen was not only to show respect to the Yun Family and elevate the status of their eldest miss but also because Yun Qiuchen herself was steady in character and mind. Now, Ren Yaoqi was even better than Yun Qiuchen had been back then. If only Ren Yaoqi bore the surname Yun, Consort Dowager Yun would have had no complaints whatsoever.
Therefore, even though Consort Dowager Yun had previously held significant prejudice against Ren Yaoqi, she could find no fault with her now.
On the second day of Old Madam Yun’s visit to the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, news spread outside confirming the marriage alliance between the Yun Family and the Han Family. The Yun Family would betroth their second young miss to the Han Family’s young master, Han Yunqian.
Although the Han Family was not considered a prestigious clan in Yanbei, they were a rising new power in recent years with considerable strength. Particularly, Han Yunqian, the young master of the Han Family, was not only handsome and dignified but had also achieved the top rank in the previous year’s imperial examinations. He had been taken under the wing of Sheng Shi Hong, the chief strategist and most trusted advisor to the Prince of Yanbei, making him the center of attention and promising a bright future.
Thus, the Yun Family’s choice of the Han Family’s young master was not entirely surprising. Han Yunqian was more than a match for the Yun Family’s second young miss—he would have been a suitable match even for the Yun Family’s eldest miss in her prime.
The Yun Family had been celebrating one joyous event after another. First, they announced the engagement of their second young miss to Han Yunqian, followed shortly by the wedding of their second young master. This flurry of festivities shifted attention away from the Yun Family’s eldest miss, who had long been absent from public view and was rumored to have lost hearing in her left ear.
However, the Yun Family’s actions were peculiar. In most families, marriages for children followed the order of seniority, especially in southern families with strict traditions, where younger siblings had to wait until their elder siblings were married. Yet, the Yun Family was preparing for the weddings of their second young master and second young miss while seemingly forgetting about their eldest young master and eldest young miss—a rather strange affair indeed.
None of the outside commotion affected Ren Yaoqi, as this day was her return visit home.
Early in the morning, when Ren Yaoqi woke up, Xiao Jingxi was still asleep. This time, Ren Yaoqi had learned her lesson. Whether Xiao Jingxi was truly asleep or pretending, she remained still in his embrace. If he was genuinely asleep, Ren Yaoqi wanted to let him rest a little longer.In recent days, Xiao Jingxi had been extremely busy, with almost no time to stay in the inner courtyard. Although he would return every evening to have dinner with Ren Yaoqi, after the meal, he would go to the outer hall study to discuss matters with his subordinates. By the time he finished handling official duties and returned, Ren Yaoqi was already too exhausted to stay awake, and Xiao Jingxi couldn’t bear to disturb her.
Thus, apart from the intimacy on their wedding night, the two had been living quite properly these past few days—perhaps even a bit too properly.
Ren Yaoqi was quietly staring at Xiao Jingxi’s face in a daze when he closed his eyes and asked in a slightly nasal tone, “Awake?”
Ren Yaoqi hummed in response. Seeing that he didn’t open his eyes, she thought he was still asleep and said, “It’s still early. Sleep a little longer. I’ll wake you later.”
Xiao Jingxi slightly opened his eyes to look at her, the corners of his lips curving upward. “Aren’t we going to visit your parents today? It wouldn’t be good to be late.”
Ren Yaoqi replied, “My father doesn’t have to go to the academy today, so he’ll definitely wake up later than usual. We just need to arrive by Chen hour.” Ren Yaoqi thought that Xiao Jingxi must have been exhausted these past few days. Since he finally had a day free from work, it would be better for him to sleep a little longer.
“It really doesn’t matter if we go later?” Xiao Jingxi asked hesitantly.
“Mm,” Ren Yaoqi responded.
Xiao Jingxi murmured softly, “That’s good…”
Before Ren Yaoqi could ask him what was good, Xiao Jingxi flipped over and pressed down on her, his hand reaching for the collar of her robe.
Ren Yaoqi grew flustered and grabbed his hand in annoyance. “What are you doing?”
Xiao Jingxi buried his face against her earlobe and neck, planting soft kisses as he coaxed in a husky voice, “Didn’t you say there’s no hurry? Then let’s finish this before we go, alright?”
Ren Yaoqi blushed and pushed him away. “It’s almost dawn. Get up…”
Xiao Jingxi clung to her stubbornly. “No…” His hand slipped into her intimate undergarment…
“I’ve missed you. What about you? Do you miss me?” Xiao Jingxi shifted slightly, his voice low and raspy as he whispered into her ear.
Ren Yaoqi let out a soft moan, her body melting under his touch. In a mix of embarrassment and anger, she kicked his calf, though the force was more like a tickle, only provoking Xiao Jingxi’s teasing movements further.
In truth, Ren Yaoqi didn’t dislike his closeness. On the contrary, she enjoyed the feeling of their skin touching, the sense of fulfillment it brought to both her body and mind. It didn’t take long for her to respond to his advances…
Gradually, the sound of heavy breathing filled the room…
By the time it grew quiet again, more than half an hour had passed.
Ren Yaoqi called for a maid to bring in water, wanting to wash away the stickiness covering her body.
Xiao Jingxi leaned against the headboard, tilting his head to watch her with a smile. “Don’t you need the maid’s help?”
Ren Yaoqi shot him a fierce glare. Her entire body was covered in marks he had left behind, along with… that. How could she let the maids see her in such an embarrassing state? She would never be able to face them again.
Xiao Jingxi smiled charmingly and kindly offered, “Then shall I help you?”
This time, Ren Yaoqi didn’t even bother to look at him and headed straight to the bathing room at the back to wash.By the time both of them had finished getting ready, it was almost the hour of Chen. They were about to head to the Nine Sun Hall first to pay respects to the Prince and Princess Consort and inform them about today's bridal return visit. Before they even stepped out of Zhaoning Hall, Nanny Xin arrived, looking at them with a joyful and meaningful smile. "The Princess Consort sent me to say that since it's already quite late today, there's no need to go to the Nine Sun Hall to pay respects. The young master can directly accompany the young mistress back to her maiden home. Also, I prepared the carriage and all the necessary items for you early this morning, and the attendants are all ready. The young master and young mistress may set off now."
Xiao Jingxi smiled and thanked her, while Ren Yaoqi blushed so deeply she wished she could find a place to hide.
Judging by Nanny Xin's expression, it seemed she had long guessed why they had gotten up late, and the Princess Consort too...
So after they boarded the carriage, Ren Yaoqi was so angry that she ignored Xiao Jingxi the entire journey.
Xiao Jingxi, however, spent the trip beaming and in high spirits, trying to coax her. It wasn't until they were nearing the entrance of the alley in front of the Ren Family's residence that Ren Yaoqi's expression softened slightly.
Xiao Jingxi whispered an apology, "I know I was wrong. Don't be angry anymore. I just missed you..."
Ren Yaoqi didn't get angry easily, and even when she did, it never lasted long. By now, her anger had already subsided. Still, she said to Xiao Jingxi, "In the future, don't... getting up late will make people laugh."
Knowing Ren Yaoqi was no longer angry, Xiao Jingxi began to press his luck. Looking into her eyes with a smile, he asked, "I missed you. Don't you miss me?"
Ren Yaoqi's face flushed red again. Fortunately, the maids had all gone to ride in the other carriage, leaving only her and Xiao Jingxi inside.
"I don't!" Ren Yaoqi bit her lip, saying one thing while meaning another.
Xiao Jingxi sighed, tilting his head to look at her. "I knew you wouldn't..."
From his tone, Ren Yaoqi could tell he was deliberately pretending to be pitiful to gain sympathy. However, when Xiao Jingxi's handsome face showed a disappointed and sad expression, even Ren Yaoqi found it hard to resist.
By the time the carriage stopped at the Ren Family's Inner Gate and Xiao Jingxi helped Ren Yaoqi alight, she whispered softly, "I do."
Ren Yaoqi's voice was too faint, and Xiao Jingxi hadn't caught it clearly at first. But after seeing her expression, he immediately understood, his eyes lighting up as he looked at her. "What did you just say?"
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in annoyance. "If you didn't hear it, forget it!"
Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly. "Alright, I just wanted to hear it again. But I know you definitely won't say it now. Will you tell me again when we go back?"
Ren Yaoqi didn't reply and walked straight toward the Inner Gate, while Xiao Jingxi followed with a broad smile.
The Ren Family had naturally known early on that Ren Yaoqi would be returning for her bridal visit today. Madam Li had sent someone to wait at the gate early in the morning. As soon as Ren Yaoqi's carriage entered the residence, someone rushed in to report to Madam Li and Master Ren: the Second Young Miss and Second Son-in-Law had returned.
Thus, as Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi made their way to the main courtyard, they noticed that there were quite a few maids and elderly servants along the path. Although each of them stopped respectfully about seven or eight steps away to bow and greet them, keeping their heads lowered, the number of people they encountered was indeed greater than usual. It seemed as if all the maids and servants of the Ren Family had come out.It turned out that Second Young Master Xiao's celestial appearance during his last visit to the Ren Family for the wedding procession had left a lasting impression on many who saw him, while those who missed the sight secretly regretted it. This was precisely what led to today's large-scale gathering of onlookers. And these were only the ones in plain sight—who knew how many more were secretly watching this enigmatic Second Young Master of the Xiao Family, who remained a mystery to the people of Yanbei.
Third update delivered～
Thank you all for your encouragement. More to come tomorrow～o(∩_∩)o
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