Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhou was taken aback, and Ren Yaoqi was also slightly astonished.
How could Fifth Master Ren Shimiao have a mistress outside?
Ren Shimiao and Madam Lin were childhood sweethearts, and the two had been very close since they were young. After coming of age, Ren Shimiao sought to marry Madam Lin, and both the Ren and Lin families were happy to see it happen.
Over the years, not only did Ren Shimiao have no concubines or maidservants by his side, but even during the months he spent in the capital each year, the attendants serving him were all servants sent by Madam Lin, without even a personal maid among them.
Old Madam Ren had always turned a blind eye to this matter. After all, the young couple was willing to play their own game, and Ren Shimiao himself had no complaints. Because of her daughter Ren Shijia, Old Madam Ren would not trouble Madam Lin over such matters.
Thus, although Madam Lin’s temper and disposition left much to be desired, it was undeniable that among the daughters-in-law of the Ren Family, she was the luckiest one.
Ren Yaoqi remembered that in her previous life, although this couple occasionally had minor quarrels, their relationship had always been good, and she had never heard of Ren Shimiao having any mistress outside.
Nanny Zhou felt it inappropriate to question Xier in front of Ren Yaoqi, so she called her aside to ask a few questions, then sternly instructed, "Go and call back all the people from our courtyard who went to watch the commotion. This is a matter for the Fifth Household and should be handled by Fifth Madam Lin and Old Madam Ren."
Everyone in the Ren Family knew Madam Lin’s temper all too well. This incident was likely to cause quite a stir for a while, and Nanny Zhou did not want anyone from Purple Magnolia Courtyard to get involved and become a target for venting anger.
Xier hurriedly acknowledged and left.
"Fifth Young Miss, this servant needs to discuss some matters with Madam," Nanny Zhou said to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi nodded and stood up. "I’ll trouble you with the matter of the nanny from the estate. If it’s inconvenient these days, it can be delayed for a few days."
Nanny Zhou agreed readily, escorted Ren Yaoqi out, and then hurried off to find Madam Li.
Ren Yaoqi returned to her room and saw several maids huddled together, whispering. They were likely discussing the matter of Fifth Master. When they noticed Ren Yaoqi had returned, the maids quickly fell silent.
Everyone is naturally curious, and even Ren Yaoqi herself was very curious about the so-called mistress who had come knocking on the door. Thus, she was quite tolerant of the maids’ behavior, only reminding them, "Nanny Zhou has ordered that no one is to go out and inquire about the matter. Be careful not to violate this rule."
The maids hurriedly acknowledged and respectfully withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but wonder whether Fifth Madam Lin’s repeated misfortunes were simply her own bad luck or the result of someone’s scheming.
As for who might be scheming against Fifth Madam Lin… could it be Concubine Fang?
If it really was Concubine Fang, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but shake her head. She truly was formidable!
She had already gathered quite a bit of information about Ren Shijia’s return to await childbirth. The dispute over the Lin Family’s assets and Ren Shijia’s repeated miscarriages were the real reasons Madam Lin had fallen out of favor with Old Madam Ren.
First, she used the conflicts within the Lin Family to cause Madam Lin to lose favor, then she stirred discord between Fifth Master and Madam Lin, dealing Madam Lin the most fatal blow.
Of course, these were still speculations Ren Yaoqi had drawn by comparing the events of her two lives. She also hoped that these were not Concubine Fang’s doing.
After all, there was an irreconcilable conflict of interest between Concubine Fang and Madam Li. Being watched so intently by such an enemy was a truly terrifying thing.Madam Lin was causing an uproar in Fifth Madam Lin's quarters.
Madam Lin pointed at Ren Shimiao's nose and berated him fiercely, while Ren Shimiao hung his head in shame, enduring her scolding without a word.
Ren Shimiao's submissive demeanor only fueled Madam Lin's rage further. She lunged forward and slapped him twice across the face. When Ren Shimiao tried to dodge, she clawed at his face and neck, as if ready to fight to the death.
"Ren Shimiao, you heartless scoundrel! What did you promise me back then? It turns out everything you said was nothing but lies!" Madam Lin screamed these words, her voice hoarse and strained from the effort.
The maids and elderly servants nearby had never witnessed such a violent confrontation. They were all frozen in shock.
In the past, whenever the couple quarreled, Ren Shimiao would approach with gentle words to coax her, and Madam Lin would quickly turn her tears into laughter. Then, as if nothing had happened, they would reconcile.
No matter how angry Madam Lin had been before, she had never dared to lay a hand on Ren Shimiao.
But now, Madam Lin’s behavior was far from that of a dignified lady from a prominent family. Even the shrews from the streets would not dare to strike their own husbands in the face like this.
Yet Ren Shimiao, after being struck, remained silent.
The commotion finally drew Old Madam Ren to the scene. Supported by First Madam, Old Madam Qiu entered the room and immediately saw Madam Lin in a frenzy, being desperately restrained by the servants who had finally snapped out of their shock.
On Ren Shimiao’s face were two clear handprints, and from his cheek down to his neck were four neat scratches from fingernails.
"What is going on here!" Old Madam Ren was furious at the sight of her son’s disheveled state.
While she was angry at Madam Lin for behaving like a shrew, she also resented her youngest son for being so spineless.
Seeing Old Madam Ren arrive, Madam Lin showed no restraint. Instead, she broke down in tears and wailed, "Mother, he has been keeping a mistress outside! Now that woman has come knocking at our door! Isn’t this bullying me? What’s next? Am I supposed to obediently give up my position as the rightful wife so he can marry that wench and bring her into the household?"
Old Madam Ren suppressed her anger and snorted coldly. "What nonsense are you talking? You were properly and formally married into the Ren Family with all due ceremony. Who dares to make you step aside? Our Ren Family is not one without rules!"
Madam Lin thought Old Madam Ren was still on her side and felt somewhat relieved. However, Old Madam Ren continued, "Even if another woman enters this household, she can only be a concubine! How could she possibly be worthy of the position of the rightful wife?"
Madam Lin was stunned, her tears forgotten as she looked up at Old Madam Ren in disbelief. "Mother? What did you say? Who is entering the household as a concubine?"
First Madam, who had been standing behind Old Madam Ren with her eyes downcast, glanced at the maids and elderly servants in the room. The servants who had been trying to mediate earlier scrambled out of the room in haste.
First Madam helped Old Madam Qiu take a seat in the main chair of the room, then stood behind her with her head bowed, maintaining her composed and detached demeanor without uttering a word.
"Mother? What did you just say?" Madam Lin couldn’t help but ask again, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Old Madam Ren now appeared calm and composed, once again resembling the kind and gentle mother-in-law Madam Lin had always known. Yet the words that came from her mouth sent a chill down Madam Lin’s spine."After all, this is the Ren Family's internal affair. Having outsiders gawk at our troubles only brings shame upon the Ren Family. That's why I've already ordered the woman's sedan chair to be brought inside first. I'm also very angry about this matter. I originally thought she must have come from some unsavory background, so I even sent a servant woman to scold her earlier, intending to give her some money and send her away. But after questioning her, I learned that although she comes from an ordinary family, she is a proper commoner with a clear and respectable background."
Old Madam Ren paused and sighed, "She came seeking us out because she is already carrying Shimao's child."
"What?" Ren Shimao was the first to jump up.
Madam Lin's vision darkened, and she nearly lost her balance. Ren Shimao instinctively moved forward to support her, but she pushed him away forcefully, causing herself to fall to the ground from the effort.
Seeing her pale face and expression of utter despair, Ren Shimao still wanted to help her up.
Madam Lin suddenly let out a sharp, tearful cry, "Get away! Get away from me! Don't touch me!"
Observing Madam Lin's outburst, Old Madam Ren advised gently, "I've already called a physician to the residence. If what she says is true, no matter how wrong the adults may be, our Ren Family cannot allow our own flesh and blood to be left adrift outside. But rest assured, I know your grievances, daughter-in-law. Even if she bears a child, at most she will be a concubine."
"At most a concubine?" Madam Lin repeated Old Madam Ren's words shrilly, "What do you mean, 'at most a concubine'?"
Ren Shimao glanced at his wife and was about to say something to Old Madam Ren when she spoke first, "Shimao, come with me. I have a few more questions to ask you."
Then she instructed First Madam Wang Shi, "Help your sister-in-law up and have someone bring a cloth to wipe her face. Don't let others laugh at us. Can't we discuss matters properly? Must we make such a scene for all to see?"
First Madam responded softly and went to Madam Lin's side to console her. Old Madam Ren had already headed straight for the inner chamber.
Ren Shimao took one last look at the sobbing Madam Lin and followed Old Madam Ren with his head bowed.
Once mother and son were in the inner chamber, Old Madam Ren sternly reprimanded, "What exactly happened? I'm only half-convinced by that woman's story. I know you're not a frivolous person, son. How could you do such a thing?"
Ren Shimao stammered, "Last time, because you scolded Huijun in public, I came back to reason with her but ended up being scolded myself. I was angry at the time and went out to drink with friends. Later... later, somehow I ended up sleeping in a guest room at the tavern... I was too drunk and entered the wrong room. I mistook her for... for Huijun."
Old Madam Ren frowned, "Are you sure you entered the wrong room yourself? And that you weren't caught in someone's trap?"
Ren Shimao thought for a moment, "It shouldn't be, right? She was traveling to Jizhou to visit relatives and was temporarily staying at the inn behind the tavern. After I woke up and realized the trouble I'd caused, I was afraid I'd been set up, so I specifically had someone investigate. She's from Qizhou, traveling with her father to her uncle's house in Jizhou for a birthday celebration. Unexpectedly, her father fell ill on the way, so they sent word to Jizhou for her uncle to send someone to fetch them, while she and her father waited at the inn. Her family are ordinary farmers from Qizhou. I also checked her uncle's family—they run a small southern goods shop. Nothing seems amiss."*************************************************************************************(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian () to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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