After Xiao Jinglin left Yanbei, Ren Yaoqi occasionally received letters from her. Shortly after Azhuo's first birthday, Ren Yaoqi finally received good news: Zeng Pu and his son Zeng Kui had been surrounded and killed by Xiao Jinglin's troops.
When Zeng Kui left Ningxia, he took Wu Yiyu with him. After Xiao Jinglin killed the Zeng father and son, she found Wu Yiyu. Unfortunately, Wu Yiyu had gone mad by then. Xiao Jinglin sent Wu Yiyu to Ningxia and entrusted her to the care of the Di family.
When Ren Yaoqi read this letter, her feelings were somewhat complicated. She had originally thought she would feel a sense of satisfaction upon learning of the deaths of the Zeng father and son, but when the moment came, she felt surprisingly calm. She was more concerned about when Xiao Jinglin would return. Little Azhuo could already speak now, though no one except his own father could understand what he said.
One day, when Ren Yaoqi returned from the Jiuyang Hall, she saw Xiao Jingxi holding Azhuo in the courtyard of Zhaoning Hall. Xiao Jingxi pointed to the glazed fishbowl in the courtyard and said to Azhuo, "This is a fish."
Azhuo tugged at his father's hair and blew a bubble: "Ah—pfft—"
Xiao Jingxi calmly retrieved his hair from his son's grasp and continued patiently, "Say it again, fish."
Azhuo: "Ah-pfft—"
Xiao Jingxi smiled. "Mm, not bad. Once more."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh, drawing the attention of both father and son. Azhuo immediately clapped his hands and lunged toward Ren Yaoqi: "Pfft—pfft—ma—pfft—"
Ren Yaoqi pinched Azhuo's chubby little cheek and asked Xiao Jingxi, "What is our silly son saying?"
Xiao Jingxi steadied Azhuo in his arms and translated earnestly, "He said, 'Mama, hug hug.'"
Ren Yaoqi took Azhuo, but before he could break into a smile, she handed him over to the wet nurse nearby, signaling for her to take the child inside. "Be good, I'll hug you when I can understand you."
Azhuo lay on the wet nurse's back, gazing longingly at his mother but not daring to cry. His pitiful little expression was utterly endearing. However, his mother merely smiled and waved at him, and after she appeared, his father's eyes were only for her.
"Why are you back so early today?" Ren Yaoqi asked Xiao Jingxi after the child was taken inside.
Xiao Jingxi took Ren Yaoqi's hand. "Mm, I came back to handle some matters."
Ren Yaoqi nodded and didn't ask further. Just as they were about to enter the main room, Xiao Jingxi suddenly said, "Oh, right. Someone from the small side courtyard reported today that Concubine Fang passed away last night."
Ren Yaoqi paused at these words. She hadn't heard any news about Concubine Fang for a long time and hadn't expected to suddenly learn of her death now.
Nodding, Ren Yaoqi continued walking forward. "How did she die?"
Xiao Jingxi replied succinctly, "Her illness was beyond cure; she couldn't be saved."
Concubine Fang had fallen ill ever since she learned that Ren Yaoying had run off with Zhou Wen and Ren Shimin publicly declared Ren Yaoying dead. Meanwhile, Concubine Fang's brother, Fang Yacun, had been suppressed by the Fang family over the years, leaving him frustrated and unfulfilled. Last month, news came from Jiangnan that Fang Yacun had fallen into poverty. He went to a tavern to drown his sorrows but couldn't afford the wine. In the end, the tavern owner and his staff gave him a severe beating. After returning, Fang Yacun fell ill and was eventually taken by a sudden bout of typhoid fever.
The successive blows of bad news were more than Concubine Fang could bear.When Concubine Fang requested to see Ren Yaoqi one last time before her death, the report reached Xiao Jingxi, who promptly refused. Concubine Fang passed away that very night, her eyes still open in death.
However, Xiao Jingxi would not mention these trivial details to Ren Yaoqi.
The grudge between Ren Yaoqi and Concubine Fang now felt like a lifetime ago. After hearing about it, Ren Yaoqi set it aside.
More than ten days later, Xiao Jinglin returned, much later than Ren Yaoqi had anticipated. It was later learned that the delay was to accommodate the travel arrangements of the Yun family's eldest young master, Yun Wenting, who had suffered severe injuries and could not endure a bumpy journey.
Regarding Yun Wenting's injuries, Xiao Jinglin explained succinctly: during the siege of the Zeng father and son, Zeng Kui had plotted to perish together with Xiao Jinglin. In the end, Xiao Jinglin remained unharmed, but Yun Wenting was injured.
However, judging by Xiao Jinglin's expression, Ren Yaoqi knew the situation was far from as simple as Xiao Jinglin described. Later, when the Princess Consort specifically summoned Hongying for questioning, Ren Yaoqi learned the full story.
In summary, it was a tale of a hero saving a beauty. Yun Wenting had been injured while rescuing Xiao Jinglin. At the time, his injuries were critical, nearly fatal. Although he was eventually saved, Yun Wenfang's left hand was permanently disabled. He could no longer lift heavy objects with it, and it would ache during rainy weather.
On the third day after Xiao Jinglin's return, she approached the Princess Consort and announced that once Yun Wenting recovered from his injuries, she would marry him.
The Princess Consort and Ren Yaoqi exchanged bewildered glances.
Regaining her composure, the Princess Consort cautiously advised, "Lin'er, marriage is a lifelong commitment. Shouldn't you reconsider? Weren't you opposed to it before? Have you changed your mind just because he saved you this time?"
Ren Yaoqi also nodded in agreement. "It's worth careful consideration. Perhaps you should wait until Young Master Yun has fully recovered before making a decision?"
Xiao Jinglin shook her head, insisting, "I've already made up my mind and don't intend to change it. Mother, please start making the preparations."
The Princess Consort secretly signaled to Ren Yaoqi, urging her to investigate further in private.
However, before Ren Yaoqi could approach Xiao Jinglin, Xiao Jinglin sought her out to talk.
"At the time, he was on the brink of death. The physicians all said he couldn't be saved. I asked him if he had any unfulfilled wishes. He said that since childhood, he had only one wish: to marry me."
As Xiao Jinglin gazed at Yun Wenting, whose face had drained of color, a pang of sorrow suddenly struck her. Sitting by his bedside, she whispered softly, "My master spent five years accumulating the betrothal gifts for my mistress, ultimately moving her to marry him. They loved and accompanied each other for many years, their affection remaining as strong as ever. Since I was young, I've admired them and dreamed of finding a husband who would love me wholeheartedly, just as my master loved my mistress. Unfortunately, I searched for many years without success."
Meeting Yun Wenting's gaze, Xiao Jinglin spoke earnestly, "Whether a man loves a woman isn't measured by how much he can give her, but by how much of his own limited resources he is willing to offer. You say you love me, and I believe you. But all along, your feelings for me have never outweighed the importance of your family in your heart. Now that you're willing to prioritize me over your family, I no longer trust you."
Yun Wenting's gaze gradually dimmed.Xiao Jinglin continued, "But now, I want to give you a chance, and also give myself one. I want you to give me the most precious thing you have left. If you can offer it, I will marry you."
Yun Wenfang stared intently at Xiao Jinglin. "What is it?"
"Your life, your courage, your will to live."
Yun Wenting smiled at Xiao Jinglin, wanting to say that his life was already hers.
As if reading his thoughts, Xiao Jinglin shook her head. "No, I want your life, but I don’t want you to die for me. Love should be a joyful thing; it should bring good outcomes. So, if you are willing to live for me, I will accept you and spend the rest of my life loving you."
Yun Wenting understood her meaning. Gently, he took Xiao Jinglin’s hand, which rested beside him. "Alright, I will live for you."
In the end, Yun Wenting truly survived by his own will. Xiao Jinglin was a woman of her word; having promised to marry Yun Wenting, she naturally did not go back on it.
After hearing the story, Ren Yaoqi truly did not know what to say. Still, she hoped Xiao Jinglin would find happiness and trusted the decision Xiao Jinglin had made. Even if Yun Wenting had a thousand flaws, his love for Xiao Jinglin was precious.
After Yun Wenting recovered from his injuries, the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion and the Yun Family made preparations for the wedding of Yun Wenting and Xiao Jinglin. Yun Wenting finally overcame all obstacles and married the bride he had chosen since childhood.
On the night before the wedding, Yun Wenfang went to drink with Yun Wenting.
Each holding a wine jar, Yun Wenfang drained his in one go and patted his elder brother’s shoulder. "Congratulations on achieving your wish."
Yun Wenting smiled and patted Yun Wenfang in return. "Thank you."
Yun Wenfang said, "From now on, you and the Commandery Princess will soar together, free as the sky and sea, while I’ll be trapped in this cage for the rest of my life."
Yun Wenting couldn’t help but laugh. "I’ve given you the entire Yun Family, and you still feel wronged?"
Yun Wenfang glanced sideways at him. "Want me to give it back?"
Yun Wenting only smiled without answering.
Yun Wenfang scoffed, snatched Yun Wenting’s wine jar, and took several large gulps.
Yun Wenting looked at Yun Wenfang and said, "Ah Fang, thank you, sincerely!"
Yun Wenfang tossed the wine jar back to Yun Wenting and lay flat on the ground. "Everyone says that having a brother like you is a blessing earned in a past life. Since we were young, how many times have you taken the blame for me or cleaned up my messes? You probably can’t even count. But all debts must be repaid, so you don’t need to thank me. I’m just repaying what I owe you. If I don’t clear it in this lifetime, I might end up serving you as an ox or a horse in the next."
Yun Wenting imitated Yun Wenfang and lay down as well, laughing. "Actually, I’m not suited to be the head of the Yun Family, Ah Fang. Perhaps you’re more suitable than I am."
Yun Wenfang sneered, "Maybe. After all, there’s nothing I can’t do well. All my misfortune and setbacks in this life have been spent on matters of the heart."
Yun Wenting said nothing in response, simply handing his wine jar back to Yun Wenfang. Yun Wenfang took it, drank it down with flair, and then hurled the empty jar far away.On the day Xiao Jinglin and Yun Wenting married, the streets of Yunyang City were empty as everyone gathered to watch. The people of Yanbei were thrilled, for the Commandery Princess had finally married, and the couple was a perfect match of talent and beauty.
Not long after their wedding, the couple went together to Jiajing Pass. From then on, Xiao Jinglin took charge of military affairs at the border, while Yun Wenting handled all documentation and paperwork. It could be said they complemented each other harmoniously, with the wife leading and the husband following, living in blissful happiness.
On the day they saw off Xiao Jinglin and her husband from Yunyang City, Xiao Jingxi led Ren Yaoqi up the city wall. The two leaned against each other at the high vantage point, watching Xiao Jinglin’s entourage slowly disappear beyond the horizon, lost in a flood of thoughts.
Xiao Jingxi suddenly said, “My lady.”
Ren Yaoqi looked up. “Hmm?”
Xiao Jingxi frowned. “Did we forget something important?”
Ren Yaoqi was puzzled. “What important thing?”
Xiao Jingxi replied, “Just now, Azhuo fell asleep, and it seems you placed him in Jinglin’s dowry carriage.”
Ren Yaoqi: “…”
Of course, it turned out to be a false alarm. Little Azhuo was not taken along with his aunt’s dowry to Jiajing Pass. When Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi descended from the city wall, Nan Xing was waiting at the city gate, holding Azhuo in her arms.
They had not brought any maids or servants when they went out, only the couple and their child, along with their guards Nan Xing and Mu Hu. Fortunately, Nan Xing was alert and remembered, before Xiao Jinglin’s carriage departed, that the young master was still fast asleep in the dowry carriage.
Ren Yaoqi took the child, and with Xiao Jingxi protecting her, they boarded the carriage.
As the carriage jolted along, little Azhuo rubbed his eyes and woke up. Opening his eyes to see his mother, he smiled, his eyes curving like crescents. “Mama—”
Seeing Azhuo’s eyes, so much like his father’s, Ren Yaoqi’s heart melted with tenderness. She gently stroked the soft hair on his head. “Good boy.”
Xiao Jingxi smiled beside her. “He can call you ‘Mama’ now? From now on, your mother won’t casually leave you in a carriage to be given away.”
Azhuo looked at his father, then at his mother, as if understanding. Then… he let out a loud “Waaah—” and began to cry.
That’s all for the main story~
Next up is the extra chapter~ o(∩_∩)o
Thank you to everyone who followed along~
OpenNovel