Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but frown upon hearing this.
When Yan Ningshuang came to Yanbei, she brought the Empress Dowager's decree ordering Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu to marry. Ren Yaoqi had previously heard that the Yun Family was preparing for the wedding, but the family itself was not enthusiastic about this marriage, adopting a procrastinating attitude. Other families who had been arbitrarily matched by the Empress Dowager were also watching the Yun Family's actions, hoping they would delay as long as possible.
Ren Yaoqi looked at the maid with flushed cheeks and agitated emotions and asked, "Where did you hear this?"
Xiangqin grinned, crouching obsequiously before Ren Yaoqi to massage her legs: "I heard it from an old woman in our mansion's kitchen. Her niece's cousin-in-law's sworn brother's second uncle is an old servant who has followed the Yun Family's patriarch for decades. He said the Yun Family is now preparing for the eldest young master's wedding, and next month they will welcome that Miss Zhao into their home."
Speaking of which, the Yun Family's eldest young master Yun Wenting had many admirers in Yanbei, both overt and covert. His marriage attracted considerable attention, and even these maids often talked about Yun Wenting in their private chats—his popularity was undeniably high.
While Xiangqin and several maids around Ren Yaoqi were enthusiastically discussing the Yun Family's eldest young master's wedding, Ren Yaoqi was about to speak up to stop them when she looked up and noticed Xiao Jinglin had arrived at some point, lifting the curtain to enter.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin did not stand on much ceremony between them. When Xiao Jingxi was not around, Xiao Jinglin sometimes came without needing anyone to announce her.
Princess Xiao rarely showed much expression in front of outsiders. Although she seldom scolded or was strict with her subordinates, the room immediately fell silent upon her entry. Xiangqin, who had been happily chatting, stuck out her tongue and dared not misbehave further, lowering her head to stand aside.
Thinking of the topic the maids had just been discussing, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but glance at Xiao Jinglin. Xiao Jinglin's expression was normal, showing no displeasure. Nevertheless, Ren Yaoqi dismissed all the maids, including Xiangqin. As she left, Xiangqin kept casting pitiful, expressive glances at Ren Yaoqi, as if writing on her face, "I still have something to say, can I stay?" Unfortunately, Ren Yaoqi ignored her.
When only Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin remained in the room, Ren Yaoqi brought up Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu's marriage: "I heard the Yun Family is holding another celebration."
Xiao Jinglin's expression remained calm: "This is the Empress Dowager's decree. It's just as well for the Yun Family to comply now."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi considered that the relationship between Yanbei Prince's Mansion, the imperial court, and the Liao people was currently delicate. On the surface, it appeared calm, but a single misstep could lead to an outright confrontation.
If war truly broke out, Yanbei might face the dilemma of being caught between a wolf in front and a tiger behind. Clearly, for now, Yanbei Prince's Mansion wanted to temporarily delay such a direct conflict, perhaps because the timing was not right or for other reasons. This was evident from Yanbei Prince's Mansion previously allowing Yelü Sage to enter the mansion, along with Xiao Jingyue's marriage to Yan Ningshuang...The Prince of Yanbei accepted Yelü Sage and allowed the Yan family's daughter to enter the Xiao Family. For families like the Yun Family, who closely follow the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, this might have been seen as a signal, so the Yun Family also began preparing for Yun Wenting and Zhao Yingqiu's wedding.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "I always felt that Miss Zhao is no simple person. Yanbei might not be peaceful for a long time to come, so placing her in the Yun Family is also a good choice."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin couldn't help but look at Ren Yaoqi, raising an eyebrow as she said, "Even you think she's not simple... I'm curious, what did she do to make you so wary of her?"
Ren Yaoqi laughed at this and shook her head, saying, "It's precisely because she appears to have done nothing that I feel uneasy."
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and understood. The Empress Dowager had sent someone from afar, hardly with the genuine intention of having them "marry for peace." It would be strange if they didn't stir up trouble, but Zhao Yingqiu's performance had been too perfect, not causing any worry at all.
"Not just Miss Zhao, but the princess has also been unusually quiet lately," Ren Yaoqi added.
When Xiao Jinglin was at home, Yelü Sage was secretly monitored by her. After Xiao Jinglin left, taking all her people with her, it was expected that Yelü Sage would become restless. Unexpectedly, this Liao princess remained remarkably composed, holding her ground and focusing solely on how to win the favor of the Prince of Yanbei. Even Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but wonder if this princess had truly come only for the Prince of Yanbei.
Hearing Ren Yaoqi mention Yelü Sage, Xiao Jinglin's expression turned somewhat subtle.
Seeing this, Ren Yaoqi asked curiously, "What is it? Did you find out that this princess has taken action?"
Xiao Jinglin shook her head, glancing at Ren Yaoqi. "Not exactly, but I did uncover some history between her and my father."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi hesitated whether she should inquire further. Although she was quite curious, prying into her father-in-law's romantic affairs seemed somewhat inappropriate.
However, Xiao Jinglin didn't mind these things and said, "I heard that my father captured Yelü Sage three times on the battlefield and let her go each time. After returning, she declared she would capture my father... ahem... Of course, she couldn't possibly capture him, so when the Liao sent someone for a marriage alliance, she volunteered."
After hearing this, Ren Yaoqi's expression also turned peculiar.
The Prince of Yanbei might have spared Yelü Sage because he didn't kill women, or perhaps because seeing her reminded him of his own daughter, who also fought on the battlefield. Little did he expect that this Liao princess would become fixated on him. However, even if Yelü Sage's admiration for the Prince of Yanbei held some sincerity, Ren Yaoqi couldn't believe she had left her homeland just to become a man's concubine. Ren Yaoqi always felt that Yelü Sage and Xiao Jinglin shared some similarities in temperament, and Xiao Jinglin would never do such a thing.
As Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin were talking, Hongying walked in and reported in a low voice, "Commandery Princess, General Min has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinglin frowned. "Didn't he go to Wuzhou?" After a moment's thought, she understood. "He must have returned to report something important to Second Brother from Wuzhou."Hongying said, "General Min has already met with the Young Master. The General..." Hongying glanced up at Xiao Jinglin, "The General requests an audience with you, Commandery Princess."
Xiao Jinglin frowned and remained silent for a moment.
Although Ren Yaoqi did not interject, her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Jinglin. Seeing Xiao Jinglin's expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel curious, wondering how this General Min had managed to offend her Commandery Princess—and seemingly quite severely at that. Otherwise, Xiao Jinglin would not have reacted this way toward a military colleague seeking an audience.
After some thought, Xiao Jinglin spoke expressionlessly, "Today, I am accompanying my second sister-in-law. Tell him to return for now. If it is not an urgent matter, we can discuss it when I meet him in a few days."
Since Min Wenqing had already met with Xiao Jingxi, any important military matters would have already been reported. Xiao Jinglin couldn't think of any reason why he would specifically seek her out. She had never held much goodwill toward people like Min Wenqing, who appeared refined and elegant on the surface but were actually full of cunning schemes.
Ren Yaoqi, however, glanced at Xiao Jinglin and asked casually, "Lately, have you been working alongside General Min outside?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded. "Yes, some matters required coordination with his troops."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but ponder thoughtfully.
As Hongying withdrew, Ren Yaoqi thought to herself that this General Min likely wouldn't be so easily dismissed.
Sure enough, after they had chatted for just a few more moments, Hongying quickly returned.
"Commandery Princess, General Min says he has important matters to discuss with you."
Xiao Jinglin's frown deepened. "What important matters? Didn't he already meet with Second Brother?" Xiao Jinglin didn't believe there was anything she could solve that Xiao Jingxi couldn't.
Hongying blinked, a slight smile appearing on her face. "General Min says he is here to propose a marriage on behalf of Deputy General Zhou. Deputy General Zhou wishes to seek Qiu Hong's hand in marriage."
Xiao Jinglin was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Min Wenqing to come to her for this reason. Qiu Hong was one of her female soldiers who had served under her for several years and was highly valued. Deputy General Zhou was a young officer under Min Wenqing's command. Since Min Wenqing and Xiao Jinglin had been working closely together lately, their subordinates had also been in frequent contact. Upon reflection, Xiao Jinglin thought that her trusted subordinate and the mature-beyond-his-years Deputy General Zhou were indeed a well-matched pair.
Although Princess Xiao was never in a hurry about her own marriage, she cared deeply about the romantic prospects of her lovely subordinates. After all, the harmony of yin and yang aligned with the natural order—Princess Xiao understood this well.
So, after some thought, Xiao Jinglin said to Ren Yaoqi, "I should go attend to this matter. I'll come back to chat with you later."
Ren Yaoqi studied Xiao Jinglin for a moment and replied with a smile, "Alright, go ahead and take care of your business."
Xiao Jinglin felt there was a deeper meaning behind Ren Yaoqi's smile but didn't press further. She simply left with Hongying.
Watching Xiao Jinglin's retreating figure, Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a smile, recalling the General Min she had once met.
The Min family and the Xianwang Residence had a complicated history, but while Ren Yaoqi didn't particularly like Min Wenqing, she didn't hold any ill will toward him either. Considering what she had heard about this General Min's character, she didn't believe he would have the leisure to personally visit Xiao Jinglin at this time merely to propose a marriage on behalf of his deputy general.She just didn't know if her Commandery Princess could see through Min Wenqing's little schemes.
Thinking of this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but sigh again. Xiao Jinglin's wish was to guard the frontier, and Ren Yaoqi hoped she could live as she desired. Yet, she didn't want to see Xiao Jinglin grow old alone in that bitter, cold land. If there could be someone like-minded to accompany her, Ren Yaoqi would feel much more at ease.
When Xiao Jinglin went to the outer hall, Min Wenqing was sitting in the guest seat, leisurely sipping tea.
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