The old princess resorted to all the tricks of throwing a tantrum and pretending to be sick to support her daughter and granddaughter. The princess was respectful to the old princess on the surface, but she insisted on not interfering in Ningxia's affairs, which made the old princess extremely angry but helpless.

After Zeng Yu went to Ningxia, Wu Xiaohe's subordinates all ignored him, and Xiao Wei and her daughter still occupied the Ningxia General's Mansion. Zeng Yu was nominally the new General of Ningxia, but in fact he could not even touch a corner of Ningxia's military power. When the emperor's edict arrived in Ningxia, everyone listened to it with a smile and accepted it. After it was over, they still went about their business and no one took it seriously.

Zeng Yu had no choice but to stay in Ningxia and submit memorials to the court to report the situation in Ningxia. He had no major role now except to keep an eye on the movements of the Ningxia army.

During this period, Wu Xiaohe's concubine, Di, faced more than a dozen assassination attempts, but each attempt was miraculously averted. By this time, those with discerning eyes understood that the Yanbei Palace was secretly involved and gradually discerned its position. Some of the people who had been holding a wait-and-see attitude around Xiao Wei and her daughter began to lose their composure.

Xiao Wei and Wu Yiyu, the mother and daughter, have been arrogant and glorious for so many years, but only now did they realize the fickleness of human nature.

Autumn passed, and winter arrived quickly. Ren Yaoqi now wholeheartedly hoped that this year would pass peacefully, and then her father would take their family away from the Ren family and move to Yunyang City. Ever since she learned the true origins of the Ren family mansion, she had always hated this place.

Before the end of the year, Ren Yaoqi received a letter from Xiao Jinglin. Next summer, Xiao Jinglin would be coming of age, and she might return to Yunyang City at that time, as the princess would hold a coming-of-age ceremony for her. Xiao Jinglin reminded Ren Yaoqi of their previous agreement to give each other nicknames.

Judging from Xiao Jinglin's letter, the princess might not let her go after she returns this time. Although Ren Yaoqi was happy that she could often be with Xiao Jinglin in the future, she was more regretful and sad that she could not fulfill her ambitions.

Xiao Jinglin also briefly mentioned Yun Wenfang's recent situation at the end of the letter. Yun Wenfang had performed brilliantly in the recent wars between the Liao people and Yanbei, achieving remarkable feats. Even the King of Yanbei, who was on a border inspection, praised him highly and made an exception by promoting him to the rank of Cloud Cavalry Captain and the rank of Lieutenant General. Yun Wenfang had only been at the border for a year or two, a rapid advancement that had envied many. However, this time, Young Master Yun relied on his own strength, so even more people admired him. Yun Wenfang had also made several friends during his time at the border.

As for Yun Wenfang's matter, Ren Yaoqi just glanced at it and let it go. He didn't take it to heart.

This year passed smoothly as Ren Yaoqi wished.

After the first month of the lunar year, the steward Ren Shimin had previously assigned came to report that they had found a house. They had found three courtyards, one of which was a small, two-story house, though not very large. The good thing was that it was very close to the Yunyang Academy, and it only took a quarter of an hour to get there without a car.

The other courtyard also has two entrances. Because the owner had just renovated it last year, it could be lived in without any major renovations. However, the owner was only willing to rent it out, not sell it. It's worth noting that this courtyard is very close to the residence of King Xian's family, just across two alleys.

There was another large courtyard with three entrances. It was a bit further from Yunyang Academy, taking about 25 minutes by carriage. However, the courtyard was spacious and well-planned, and with a little renovation, it would be very comfortable to live in.