Both Xiao Shun and Ren Yaohua were decisive individuals, so after Xiangqin's betrothal was settled, both sides prepared for the wedding with remarkable efficiency.
Xiao Shun held an official position in the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, and Xiangqin's marriage to him was considered an upward match, making the wedding arrangements more formal than those for an ordinary maid. Despite this, Ren Yaohua still set the wedding date for October. Xiangqin was quite upset about this for a while, thinking her mistress was eager to send her away. It was only after Sangshen reassured her that the mistress wanted her to marry early so she could take care of the pregnant Second Miss that Xiangqin cheered up again.
Although Ren Yaohua often acted as if she found Xiangqin troublesome, she was anything but stingy when it came to preparing her dowry. Additionally, Ren Yaoqi, whether out of personal affection or because of Xiao Jingxi's high regard for Xiao Shun, also contributed generously to Xiangqin's trousseau. As a result, the wedding of this top-ranking maid was no less lavish than that of a young lady from a wealthy family, leaving many envious.
Meanwhile, the Yun Family and Zhao Yingqiu were also busy with wedding preparations. After her wedding date was set, Zhao Yingqiu rarely went out. Although the Zhao Family had prepared a generous dowry for her, she insisted on personally embroidering her wedding dress, festive quilts, and the shoes and socks she would present to her in-laws upon entering their home.
Yan Ningshuang and Zhao Yingqiu had a good relationship, having been close friends since their days in the capital. Lately, Yan Ningshuang had been feeling somewhat despondent and often visited Zhao Yingqiu at the villa to chat and lift her spirits.
One afternoon, after lunch, Yan Ningshuang went to the villa again to see Zhao Yingqiu. Zhao Yingqiu was doing needlework with her two senior maids. She was quite skilled, and the pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water on the wedding veil she was embroidering looked vivid and lifelike.
Sitting nearby and watching, Yan Ningshuang suddenly asked, "Yingqiu, why did you come to Yanbei?"
Zhao Yingqiu's needle paused slightly. She then looked up at Yan Ningshuang and smiled, saying, "It was the Empress Dowager's wish. How could I possibly defy an imperial decree?"
Lost in her own thoughts, Yan Ningshuang replied listlessly, "When the Empress Dowager issued the decree selecting noble young ladies to come to Yanbei, the families reported either less-favored concubine-born daughters or legitimate daughters who had lost their maternal support. No one truly cherished would willingly come. Only I... only I knelt before Her Majesty the Empress Dowager for three days, begging until she agreed. I came to Yanbei for a reason I couldn't avoid. But why did you come? You were relatively favored at home, and the Empress Dowager cared for you. If you had stayed in the capital, you could have secured an excellent marriage. With the Li Family backing you, your husband's family wouldn't dare treat you poorly."
Zhao Yingqiu was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly and looked up. "I grew up in the capital. The farthest place I've ever been is the Zhaode Temple, eighty li from the city. So since childhood, I've yearned for Yanbei. What? Isn't it good that I came to Yanbei? At least I can keep you company."
In her low spirits, Yan Ningshuang didn't notice Zhao Yingqiu's deliberate vagueness in answering her question. She continued on her own train of thought, "I just feel it's a pity for you. I heard the eldest son of the Yun Family has been unwilling to marry because he already has someone in his heart. If you marry him, aren't you afraid you might end up sharing a bed but having different dreams?" As she spoke, Yan Ningshuang thought of her own marriage, and a trace of pain flickered in her eyes.Zhao Yingqiu smiled, lowering her head to continue threading her needle. Her hand holding the needle and thread remained steady. "Isn't it too early to think about these things now? That's a matter for the future."
Yan Ningshuang looked at Zhao Yingqiu and sighed, feeling a deep sense of shared sorrow.
Zhao Yingqiu suddenly said, "By the way, Yanbei will be bustling again soon, won't it? I overheard people below discussing that the court and the Liao people are about to reopen border trade. Presumably, the wars will lessen as well."
Yan Ningshuang frowned, as if thinking of something. "It's still too early to draw conclusions."
Zhao Yingqiu looked up at Yan Ningshuang in surprise. "Why?"
Yan Ningshuang shook her head, unwilling to say more.
Zhao Yingqiu smiled, not minding, and casually remarked, "I heard that when the court and the Liao people sign the state treaty, someone from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion will also be present."
Yan Ningshuang’s eyelids twitched. "Who from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion will go?"
Zhao Yingqiu thought for a moment and said offhandedly, "I’m not sure, but I guess it should be Second Young Master Xiao, right? The Prince fights the Liao people every year, and I’ve heard they’d love nothing more than to kill him. In such a situation, it’s most appropriate for Second Young Master Xiao to represent the mansion."
Yan Ningshuang was startled and nearly jumped up. "No! He can’t go!"
Zhao Yingqiu gave her a strange look. "Why can’t he go? If Second Young Master Xiao doesn’t go, who else from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion could?"
Yan Ningshuang’s face turned pale, but she couldn’t find the words to explain.
Seeing her silent, Zhao Yingqiu lowered her head again to embroider her mandarin ducks.
Yan Ningshuang, however, sat there restlessly. After what felt like an eternity, she suddenly stood up, startling Zhao Yingqiu so much that she pricked her finger with the needle. A tiny drop of blood stained the half-embroidered wedding handkerchief.
"What’s wrong?" Zhao Yingqiu asked with concern.
Yan Ningshuang shook her head. "I just remembered something urgent. I’ll head back now and visit you another time." Without waiting for Zhao Yingqiu to respond, she hurriedly left.
Zhao Yingqiu watched her figure disappear from the room, then smiled faintly. Lowering her head, she embroidered an eye over the fresh bloodstain—a crimson mandarin duck eye.
After returning from the villa, Yan Ningshuang went straight to Zhaoning Hall. As expected, she was stopped outside the hall once again.
"I have something important to discuss with your young mistress," Yan Ningshuang said anxiously.
The gatekeeper bowed respectfully. "Our young mistress is resting, Third Young Mistress. Perhaps you could come another day."
"I must see Ren Yaoqi urgently! She’ll regret it if she doesn’t see me!" Yan Ningshuang insisted, her tone growing more forceful.
The gatekeeper apologized profusely but stubbornly refused to let Yan Ningshuang enter.
Gritting her teeth, Yan Ningshuang pretended to turn and leave. But as soon as the gatekeeper turned her back, Yan Ningshuang spun around and dashed past the two gatekeepers, rushing inside.
The gatekeepers were momentarily stunned, then immediately moved to block her. "Third Young Mistress!"
These gatekeepers at the back entrance of Zhaoning Hall were no ordinary women, and they quickly caught up to Yan Ningshuang. Just as the standoff reached a stalemate, Yan Ningshuang looked up and saw a young woman dressed as a married lady emerge from inside. She immediately recognized her as one of Ren Yaoqi’s trusted aides—the same woman who had remained in the hall without leaving the last time Yan Ningshuang had come to see Ren Yaoqi."Wait, please go and inform Ren Yaoqi that I have something important to tell her," Yan Ningshuang said urgently.
The young woman was none other than Pingguo, the stewardess of Zhaoning Hall. She glanced at Yan Ningshuang but did not move.
Yan Ningshuang looked around and then quickly said, "It's about the matter I came to discuss with your young mistress last time. I'm willing to tell her now, and I don't need her to agree to any conditions. Please go and inform her quickly. She will want to see me."
Pingguo looked at her in silence for a moment, seemingly thinking it over, before saying, "Please wait a moment." With that, she turned and went back inside.
When Ren Yaoqi heard that Yan Ningshuang had come again, she felt quite helpless. However, after listening to Pingguo's report, Ren Yaoqi thought for a while and still asked Pingguo to bring Yan Ningshuang in.
When Yan Ningshuang entered, she was slightly out of breath, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
Ren Yaoqi motioned for someone to bring her tea, but Yan Ningshuang interrupted, "I know you don't like me, and I don't like you either. I'm not here today as a guest. I came for Xiao Lang."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was not angered. She dismissed the maid who was serving tea, leaving only Pingguo and Leshan to attend to them. Unlike her previous sarcastic tone, she now spoke gently, "Miss Yan, please speak freely."
Yan Ningshuang had rushed to see Ren Yaoqi this time because she had finally made up her mind. She could not sit idly by and watch Xiao Jingxi fall into a trap. Although both Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi had rejected her request, she still could not bring herself to be heartless toward the one she loved.
Thus, this time, Yan Ningshuang did not beat around the bush and got straight to the point, "Soon, the court will formally sign a border trade agreement with the Liao Kingdom in Wuzhou. Are you aware of this?"
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and nodded, "I believe I heard Jinglin mention it before."
Yan Ningshuang frowned, "At that time, the court will require the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to send someone as well. Do you know who the Yanbei Prince's Mansion will send?"
Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow, "What is Miss Yan trying to say?"
Yan Ningshuang sighed, genuine worry appearing in her eyes as she tightly twisted a handkerchief in her hands, "I heard that the one representing the Prince's Mansion in Wuzhou will be Xiao Lang. Is that true?"
Before Ren Yaoqi could answer, Yan Ningshuang continued, "No matter what, Xiao Lang absolutely must not go, because this journey will be very dangerous. If he goes, there is a high chance he may not return."
Although Ren Yaoqi was inwardly startled upon hearing this, she remained composed on the surface, "Why would you say that, Miss Yan? Have you heard some rumors somewhere?"
Yan Ningshuang shook her head, "What I'm saying is definitely not a rumor! This was what I wanted to tell you the last time I came. I learned from a secret memorial written by Xiao Jingyue to the court that he will also find a way to go when the court and the Liao Kingdom sign the border trade agreement. However, he does not have good intentions. Instead, he plans to set up an ambush and kill someone. At first, I wasn't sure who he intended to harm, but now I know—it's Xiao Lang."
Ren Yaoqi frowned, "Miss Yan, this matter is of great importance. You cannot speak recklessly."Yan Ningshuang’s expression turned extremely unpleasant. “This concerns Xiao Lang’s safety—how could I speak carelessly? Xiao Jingyue is a treacherous and cunning man. Back then, if he hadn’t resorted to despicable means to scheme against me, how could I have… He envies Xiao Lang’s abilities and resents that Xiao Lang, as the legitimate heir of the royal household, holds a higher status than him. That’s why he wants to seize this chance to eliminate Xiao Lang and take his place!”
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