Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said to Yan Ningshuang, "I understand. I will relay this matter to my husband. Thank you, Miss Yan, for making the trip here specifically."
Yan Ningshuang breathed a sigh of relief, though her expression remained somewhat unpleasant. "You don’t need to thank me. I didn’t do this for you—I did it for Xiao Lang."
Ren Yaoqi smiled but said nothing.
Yan Ningshuang bit her lip. "If Xiao Lang has anything else he wants to know, you can send someone to find me. If he... if there’s anything he needs me to do, as long as I can manage it, I’ll help him. I... I don’t need any reward from him. It’s all my own choice."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Yan Ningshuang, feeling somewhat conflicted.
She understood the meaning behind Yan Ningshuang’s words. Given Yan Ningshuang’s status, if she were willing to stand on Xiao Jingxi’s side, she might indeed prove useful in the future. This was Yan Ningshuang willingly allowing herself to be used, so they need not feel burdened.
However, Ren Yaoqi still shook her head and said sincerely, "Miss Yan, we appreciate your kindness, but we don’t need you to do anything more."
Yan Ningshuang, however, did not take this well. Her expression turned both awkward and stubborn. "What I do and how I do it are my own affairs. It’s not for you to decide. You just focus on your duties as a wife and mother! I’ll take my leave now. If anything comes up, I’ll come find you again!" With that, Yan Ningshuang turned and walked away decisively.
Ren Yaoqi watched her figure disappear into the inner hall and couldn’t help but sigh.
When Xiao Jingxi returned that evening, Ren Yaoqi recounted what Yan Ningshuang had said earlier. After listening, Xiao Jingxi pondered for a moment but said nothing.
Ren Yaoqi asked, "Are you really going to Wuzhou? When will you leave?"
Xiao Jingxi carefully helped Ren Yaoqi sit down before replying, "Next month."
Ren Yaoqi frowned.
Xiao Jingxi gently smoothed the crease between her brows with his finger. "Don’t frown—it doesn’t suit you. And don’t worry. I’ve already made plans for this. Even if they truly intend to use this as an opportunity to act against me, I’m not afraid."
Xiao Jingxi held Ren Yaoqi in his arms, placing his hand on her still-flat abdomen, and whispered gently in her ear, "With you and our child, I can’t afford to be reckless. So, without thorough preparation, I won’t allow myself to fall into real danger. Yaoyao, will you trust me?"
Ren Yaoqi leaned into Xiao Jingxi’s embrace, covering his hand with both of hers. "Yes, we both trust you."
Xiao Jingxi curved his lips into a smile and lowered his head to press a kiss to Ren Yaoqi’s forehead.
In the blink of an eye, it was already September. Ren Yaoqi was now over three months pregnant, and the Princess Consort no longer restricted her movements. Instead, she encouraged Xiao Jinglin to accompany Ren Yaoqi for walks whenever she was home. However, Ren Yaoqi knew her limits and stayed within the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion every day, never venturing outside. Her walks were limited to a few rounds between Zhaoning Hall and Jiuyang Hall or strolls in the garden with Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin had previously mentioned that she would only stay in Yunyang City for a short while before leaving. Ren Yaoqi guessed this might be related to the peace talks in Wuzhou. Xiao Jingxi would depart for Wuzhou in two days. Though Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel worried, she did not show it.That day, after accompanying Ren Yaoqi around the garden, Xiao Jinglin escorted her back to Zhaoning Hall. No sooner had they sat down than someone came to report that Third Young Madam had arrived again.
Xiao Jinglin frowned and asked Ren Yaoqi, "Why does she keep coming to you for no reason?"
Ren Yaoqi was also somewhat helpless. "She hasn’t come for a while now."
Ren Yaoqi could roughly guess why Yan Ningshuang had come today. Afraid she might really cause a scene, she still allowed her to enter.
Yan Ningshuang walked in with a very unpleasant expression, but upon seeing Xiao Jinglin present, she at least knew to restrain herself. She said to Ren Yaoqi, "I have something to discuss with you."
As she spoke, she glanced toward Xiao Jinglin, as if wanting to speak with Ren Yaoqi alone.
Xiao Jinglin ignored Yan Ningshuang’s hint and directly took a seat beside Ren Yaoqi, looking expressionlessly at Yan Ningshuang. The meaning was clear: "Speak if you have something to say, otherwise leave."
Ren Yaoqi said, "If you have something to say, Miss Yan, go ahead. The Commandery Princess is not an outsider."
Yan Ningshuang hesitated for a moment. Considering that Xiao Jinglin and Xiao Jingxi were siblings and shared the same stance, she no longer insisted and said, "I heard that Xiao Lang has decided to go to Wuzhou after all. Didn’t I already say that this trip is dangerous..."
Before Yan Ningshuang could finish, Xiao Jinglin coldly interrupted, "What does Xiao Jingyue going to Wuzhou have to do with Second Sister-in-Law? You’ve come to the wrong place!"
Yan Ningshuang was taken aback. "It’s not about Xiao Jingyue..."
Xiao Jinglin said expressionlessly, "Not Xiao Jingyue? Then who is this 'Xiao Lang' you’re referring to? Could it be my father? Or your father-in-law? A young lady like you can’t even get the address right—does Her Majesty the Empress Dowager know about this?"
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
Yan Ningshuang’s face flushed red and then turned pale. "I came because I was worried about Xiao... worried about Second Young Master’s safety. Why must the Commandery Princess insult me?"
Xiao Jinglin secretly rolled her eyes in an elegant manner, utterly disdainful of Yan Ningshuang’s attempt to shift blame. However, Commandery Princess Xiao was magnanimous and disdained to engage in her muddled arguments. She simply said, "Whether my second brother goes to Wuzhou or not is for my father to decide. Why are you coming to Second Sister-in-Law?"
Yan Ningshuang took a deep breath and said, "I just don’t want to see him go to his death! Can you stand by and watch him fall into danger?" The latter question was directed at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "Miss Yan, as the Commandery Princess said, this is not something I can decide. The Yanbei Prince’s Mansion will not change any decisions based on unfounded rumors."
Yan Ningshuang stiffly replied, "You clearly know this isn’t unfounded!"
Ren Yaoqi remained silent, and Xiao Jinglin’s expression remained unchanged.
Yan Ningshuang felt both angry and bitter. Finally, she nodded, looking fiercely at Ren Yaoqi, and said, "Forget it, I’ll find a way myself. I can’t stand by and watch him lose his life." With these words, Yan Ningshuang rushed out again.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin exchanged glances. Ren Yaoqi looked utterly helpless, while Xiao Jinglin frowned thoughtfully and said, "Seeing her, I finally understand what it means to be obsessed. Is this what it’s like to love someone?" Confusion also flickered in Xiao Jinglin’s eyes.Ren Yaoqi shook her head and said gently to Xiao Jinglin, "Jinglin, besides sacrifice, devotion, and unwavering dedication, the most important thing about liking someone is happiness. Otherwise, it's not affection but obsession. Do you think Yan Ningshuang is happy?"
Xiao Jinglin recalled Yan Ningshuang's appearance and shook her head. "I think she's pitiful and tragic."
Ren Yaoqi sighed and took Xiao Jinglin's hand. "Jinglin, I know you've always been clever, but matters of the heart shouldn't be taken too seriously, or you'll easily get stuck in a dead end."
Xiao Jinglin was taken aback, fell silent for a long time, then abruptly said, "Father has already agreed to let me garrison Jiajing Pass."
Ren Yaoqi had heard about this from Xiao Jingxi before. Though she was reluctant to part, if this was what Xiao Jinglin wanted, she would still support her.
Seeing Xiao Jinglin suddenly bring this up at this moment, Ren Yaoqi didn't say much more but instead changed the subject with a smile, "Then will you come back to see me and the child?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded earnestly, "Yes, I'll come back to see you every year."
The two couldn't help but exchange a smile.
Yan Ningshuang's claim in front of Ren Yaoqi that she would find a way to save Xiao Jingxi was just a fit of anger. She couldn't even see Xiao Jingxi, let alone stop the major affairs of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. What could she possibly do to prevent Xiao Jingxi from going to Wuzhou?
After returning, Yan Ningshuang spent an afternoon restless and a night tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The next morning, she went out early again to the villa to find Zhao Yingqiu.
Recently, Yan Ningshuang had been visiting Zhao Yingqiu frequently. They had always been close, and with Zhao Yingqiu about to marry soon, no one found it unusual.
But today, as soon as Yan Ningshuang saw Zhao Yingqiu, she asked her to dismiss the attendants.
After Zhao Yingqiu sent the maids away as requested, she asked, "Why do you look so pale? Has something happened?"
Yan Ningshuang shook her head, hesitated for a long while, and finally made up her mind to walk up to Zhao Yingqiu, lowering her voice, "Do you still have that kind of medicine? Give me some."
Zhao Yingqiu was stunned. "What medicine?"
Yan Ningshuang bit her lip. "The kind that makes someone appear as if they've caught a cold, too weak to get out of bed, and after taking it continuously for three months, they start coughing up blood..."
Zhao Yingqiu widened her eyes and quickly covered Yan Ningshuang's mouth, whispering, "What, what are you talking about!"
Yan Ningshuang pushed Zhao Yingqiu's hand away and looked at her. "I heard the Empress Dowager mention it. This medicine originally came from the palace—colorless, odorless, and capable of killing without a trace. Later, Princess Chang'an took it to the Zhao family when she married. Princess Chang'an doted on you so much, I know you must have some. Give me some!"
Zhao Yingqiu's face turned deathly pale as she stared at Yan Ningshuang, speechless. Yan Ningshuang, however, stubbornly fixed her gaze on Zhao Yingqiu. In the end, it was Zhao Yingqiu who relented, softening her tone, "I do have this medicine, but I never intended to use it. This kind of medicine is usually used to deal with disobedient concubines—it's extremely vicious. What do you want it for?"
Yan Ningshuang bit her lip. "Don't worry about that, just give it to me. Don't worry, even if something happens later, I will never expose you."Zhao Yingqiu hesitated, but Yan Ningshuang looked determined to achieve her goal no matter what. In the end, Zhao Yingqiu reluctantly went into the inner room and brought out a small porcelain bottle.
Yan Ningshuang snatched the bottle from Zhao Yingqiu’s hand, though her own hand trembled slightly. "Is this it?"
Zhao Yingqiu nodded, then after a moment of thought, advised, "Ningshuang, if you’re truly facing difficulties, tell me. I’ll find a way to help you. It’s best to avoid using something like this if possible."
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