Similarly, when Lady Yin returned to Beijing, she did not bring her children with her.

Lady Yin returned a few days earlier than His Majesty and his entourage.

On her first day back in the capital, she sent someone to the Crown Prince's residence to inquire after him and arranged to visit him the day after tomorrow.

The wild geese flew south, and someone sent word to wait for the sister-in-law.

"Those who can stand on their own are ultimately different."

All I can say is that the Yin family is shrewd.

Knowing who to be close to is the right thing to do.

Her biological mother-in-law had already passed away, and her stepmother-in-law was a princess, so she naturally couldn't expect her to socialize with others.

Back in the capital, she'll have to rely on herself in everything. She's probably aware of the old lady's various schemes.

On the third day, Yan Nangui met his elder sister-in-law, Madam Yin, at the mansion.

Lady Yin first went to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the Crown Princess before being sent to Jiyue Pavilion.

Upon entering, after exchanging greetings, he smiled and said, "I've often heard of you, sister, but this is the first time I've met you."

“Sister-in-law, you seem to agree with me; you’re a straightforward person. Please have a seat,” Yan Nangui said with a smile.

Yin was not particularly beautiful; she was only of average appearance and was at a disadvantage compared to the Yan family's children.

But you can tell from her appearance and eyes that she is a smart, capable and confident woman.

Yan Nangui had a very good first impression of her.

The Yin family didn't come empty-handed; they had some of the things they brought from Daiyang Pass brought with them.

Yan Nangui accepted them all without hesitation.

He quickly ordered someone to prepare lunch: "My elder brother hasn't returned to the capital yet, and His Highness the Crown Prince isn't in the capital either. Since you've come to see me, it's only right that you stay for lunch. Sister-in-law, please don't refuse."

Upon hearing her say this, Madam Yin readily accepted.

Since it was our first meeting, we didn't discuss anything profound, just chatted about trivial matters.

What I saw and heard at Daiyang Pass, or what I saw and heard in the capital.

“When I was very young, my father brought me here once, but I don’t remember much. I only have some vague impressions: the city walls were very high, and there were many people. Compared to Daiyang Pass, it was cleaner and less windy. Looking at it now, it’s really quite different,” Madam Yin said with a smile.

"I didn't go to Daiyang Pass; last time I only made it to Chengzhou. But I can imagine it. Each has its own advantages. Although the capital is bustling with plenty of food and entertainment, it also has many rules and trivial matters. It can't compare to the freedom of Daiyang Pass."

"I heard that every girl there knows how to ride a horse, and there's even a special female troop in the army responsible for transporting supplies?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Yes, it's not just young women; some older women go too. However, there's a rule in the army that women aren't allowed there, so they can only travel to and from the camp, not stay there. If they can't make it in time, they'll set up a small camp elsewhere. There are bound to be some skirmishes at the border; every year, a few people die. For those women who have lost their husbands, this is how they make a living. If they're lucky enough to find a man, especially one in the army..." Madam Yin said with a smile.

“This is truly a case of different lands and people, each with their own way of life. Last time I met the princesses from all over the Western Regions, it was quite an eye-opening experience. And those people from Gangung also have their own unique customs. It's just a pity that I'm stuck here, unlike you who are so carefree. Listen to me, sister-in-law, don't stay in the capital for too long. It may have its own prosperity, but it's not very interesting.”

The saying "geese fly south" is both a casual remark and a reminder.

Madam Yin knew this all too well, and laughed, "Alas, I am a rough man. I learned some manners when I was young, but I am still not as good as the girls raised in the noble families of the capital. How could I bear to stay here for a long time? After the New Year, I should go back to Daiyang Pass with my husband."

Yan Nangui stopped there, smiling as he changed the subject.

When lunchtime arrived, the two women, sister-in-law and aunt, were having a very pleasant conversation.

In the afternoon, Yan Nangui escorted Madam Yin to the front yard before returning.

After leaving the Crown Prince's residence and getting into the carriage, Lady Yin breathed a sigh of relief: "The Crown Prince's residence is so imposing. I'm really nervous about going to the palace in a while."

The maidservant Manzhi smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. Our general has done a great service. It's their turn to curry favor with you."

"You silly girl, you're still so naive. That's what they say, but people in the capital are very particular about family background. It's the general who has made the contributions, not me. They look down on me, the daughter of a fourth-rank general."

Although the Dayan Dynasty did not look down on military generals, fighting was not the norm.

More often than not, the civil service is more important.

Therefore, the closer one gets to the center of power, the more women value their family background.

Yin's background was indeed not very good.

“However, our eldest aunt’s temperament is not like what I heard before. In my opinion, isn’t she quite good?” Manzhi added.

"Who knows? I'll just have to watch. Didn't the general say that it was because of what happened at the Meng family? Hmph, she's the general's own sister after all. What do you think of those other girls? I haven't heard either of our two princesses say a single word to me these past few years."

The act of geese returning south to deliver messages and gifts was not in vain.

At least, Yan Jinsi, who is not close to Yan Jinsi, would not do such a thing.

"Yes, the eldest young lady is, after all, a royal concubine, and it's not easy for her to go out. But she did send someone to personally inquire after you. The third young lady isn't incapable of going out... yet she doesn't even bother to visit her parents' home," Manzhi snorted.

Their daughter took charge of the household from the moment she married into the family, but now that she's returned to the capital, she's discovered that the whole family is in complete chaos.

“It’s definitely different when the baby is in the womb. Be careful what you say, this place is not like Daiyang Pass. We’ll stay for a while and then leave, so let’s not cause any trouble.” That’s why Madam Yin was worried and preferred to leave the child behind.

Yan Lingyun naturally wouldn't take care of the child, so the child was first left with the Yin family and looked after by Madam Yin.

She felt much more at ease.

She was worried that the baby would catch a cold on the way back, and she was also worried that something might happen to the baby on the way back.

To be honest, she was worried about today before she even saw him.

Now she can relax, because no matter what, what her sister-in-law said made her feel extremely comfortable.

She'll be a concubine in the palace eventually, so she should be more polite.

But can dealing with an arrogant person be the same as dealing with someone who speaks kindly and has insightful opinions?

It can be said that both the aunt and sister-in-law were satisfied with their first meeting.

It was only around this time, when the wild geese were returning south, that I began to paint, almost as if I were rushing from one scene to another.

I first drew a few everyday portraits of the prince.

The last thing I considered was the armor I wore on the day I left.

Fortunately, she had painted the prince countless times, so even when she was in a rush, she could still paint with ease.

This departure lasted for half a year, from the end of summer to the dead of winter. Wouldn't it be right not to express my longing for you?

Besides, it wasn't all an act; she was genuinely quite bored when the Crown Prince wasn't around.

At the end of November, the Emperor finally returned to the capital.

Because it was a triumphant return, the entire court of civil and military officials gave the emperor a grand welcome.

Yan Nangui is not involved in this matter, but the Crown Princess is going out.

She was just waiting for the Crown Prince to return to his residence that evening.

They're finally back.