Even though Old Madam Yun was a concubine appointed by the court, she felt somewhat awkward in front of the old princess, especially since she was the biological mother of the King of Yanbei. Although the old princess couldn't act like a wife in front of Old Madam Yun, Old Madam Yun was reluctant to appear in public with the old princess.
Ren Yaoqi had only asked casually, but after hearing Xiao Jinglin's words, she hesitated to ask further. The princess refused to see Xiao Jinglin. She called Qiluo, her maid, over and asked her to come over.
Ren Yaoqi was wondering if they should wait for the Ren family to join them after they had already entered the manor. This hot spring villa was the Yanbei Palace's annex. The princess and Xiao Jinglin would be settled in the main courtyard. The rest of the people would be taken to the guest house. Ren Yaoqi couldn't follow Xiao Jinglin anymore.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin spoke first, "There are quite a few people attending the Qianjin Banquet this year. It's really inconvenient for a group of people to squeeze in one place. Why don't you stay with me? My yard is big and there's plenty of space."
Ren Yaoqi was about to refuse when Qiluo smiled and said, "Miss Ren, the princess asked you to stay with the princess so that the two of you can have some company."
Xiao Jinglin had never formally attended a banquet for a wealthy family before. The princess was afraid that Xiao Jinglin would be impatient with this kind of environment and would escape at the last minute, so she wanted Ren Yaoqi to accompany her. At least Princess Xiao would be much more patient and tempered when Ren Yaoqi was present.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't refuse anymore, so she let Xiao Jinglin take her away.
This hot spring villa was enormous. If it weren't for the scattered roofs and walls scattered throughout the villa, Ren Yaoqi would have hardly been able to tell that he had entered the villa. The scenery of the villa was very beautiful. On the surface, there was almost no sign of artificial carving, but the layout and details showed exquisiteness and ingenuity.
The main courtyard of the villa is a slightly larger building complex, located on a higher ground, with a row of blue brick high walls and glazed tiles. It looks very imposing from a distance. When you get closer, you can see that it is heavily guarded by three layers of soldiers inside and outside.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin followed the princess obediently.
Madam Wu, Xiao Wei, and Wu Yiyu, each supporting the old princess, walked ahead. A woman in her thirties, accompanied by a girl of twelve or thirteen, also walked not far behind the old princess. They were likely Second Madam Xiao, Su, and her daughter, Xiao Jingyuan. Second Madam Xiao, niece of the Su family, was a petite and delicate woman, giving off the air of a beautiful young lady. Xiao Jingyuan, while not as tall as Xiao Jinglin and Wu Yiyu, had the same delicate features as her mother.
Xiao Wei suddenly stopped and looked around, then exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, did we go the wrong way? I remember that Lanyue Pavilion goes to the right, right?"
Xiao Wei's voice was loud, but after she finished speaking, the surroundings became strangely quiet.
An old nanny behind the old princess hurriedly leaned over to Xiao Wei's ear and said, "Princess, Lanyue Pavilion is where the princess lives. The old princess was arranged to live in Jianxue Pavilion." Her voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wei turned her head and glanced towards the princess. "Lanyue Pavilion is the largest, and there's a Yuehua Spring inside. I thought..." She smiled and said, "Princess, please forgive me. Before I got married, I lived in Lanyue Pavilion with my mother. I didn't expect the rules to be changed now, so I'm a little uncomfortable."
The old princess said calmly, "Why are you talking so much? Since your father passed away, I have lived in the Snow Cutting Pavilion. What's the big deal?"
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