Reborn of the Rightful

Two chapters combined into one ~ includes extra update.

I've owed an extra update to dear Li Xuexue for a long time, staying up all night to write and repay the debt... T___T

PS: I'll try my best not to post anti-theft content for this book.

But please delay the update time by at least a few hours ~ thank you ~ ^^

No matter how you love Meinan, Meinan will love you all ~

Seeing her stubbornness, Old Madam Ren was already tired of lecturing her and waved for the maids to pull Ren Yaoyu out.

Madam Kang also left with Granny Gui's support.

Old Madam Ren returned to her room with a cold expression. Only the three sisters—Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and Ren Yaoyin—were in the room, and all wisely remained silent.

Seeing Old Madam Ren summon her senior maid Jinlian to give some instructions, Ren Yaoyin invited Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi to her warm chamber to talk. Old Madam Ren waved them away.

Shortly after Ren Yaoqi followed Ren Yaoyin inside, she heard someone hurrying in from outside, followed by Ren Shijia's voice ringing out in the outer room.

Ren Shijia was already nine months pregnant and would give birth in less than a month. Because this pregnancy was hard-won, Ren Shijia was usually very cautious, mostly staying in her own courtyard and rarely venturing out. Old Madam Ren, concerned for her daughter, didn't require her to come and pay respects; instead, she visited her every couple of days.

Now that Ren Shijia had come over with her large belly, it must be about Ren Shimiao and Madam Lin's situation. Ren Shijia and Ren Shimiao were closest in age and had been close since childhood. Later, after Madam Lin married into the Ren Family and Ren Shijia married into the Lin Family, the three became even more intimate.

Seeing her come over with her large belly like this, Old Madam Ren quickly had a maid help her sit down and scolded, "Why are you rushing over like this at this time! Be careful not to disturb the baby!"

Sure enough, Ren Shijia said, "I came about Fifth Brother and Fifth Sister-in-law's matter. Yesterday, Fifth Brother stumbled over to my place drunk, and I sent two old maids to escort him back, but unexpectedly, Fifth Sister-in-law refused to let him in."

Old Madam Ren snorted lightly—she naturally knew about this. Originally, she had thought that after being angry all afternoon and evening, Madam Lin would have come to her senses, but she was still as unreasonable as ever. In the end, Old Madam Ren had to send someone to bring Ren Shimiao to stay in the side room of Glory and Splendor Courtyard.

"I sent a maid to check on Fifth Sister-in-law and heard she cried all night, her eyes swollen like walnuts, and she hasn't eaten anything today. I was worried, so I went over to see her just now. Unexpectedly, I saw her directing her maids and old maids to pack her things, saying she wanted to return to her family home." Ren Shijia was somewhat worried about her brother and sister-in-law's situation.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren remained unmoved and said calmly, "If you can come back to your family home to stay, she naturally can return to hers too. Otherwise, wouldn't it seem like our family is harsh to our daughters-in-law? We've tried to persuade her, but she won't listen. Perhaps letting the Lin Family talk some sense into her might work."

"But this matter is ultimately Fifth Brother's fault. If Fifth Sister-in-law just goes back like this, the Lin Family might hold a grudge against the Ren Family." Ren Shijia was, after all, a daughter-in-law of the Lin Family. No matter what, since the eldest and second branches of the family had not yet separated, she was the most unwilling to see the Lin Family and the Ren Family fall out at this time.Old Madam Ren understood her daughter's concerns and comforted her, "Don't worry about this matter, I have my own arrangements. I sent someone to deliver a message to the Lin Family early this morning and mentioned that Shihao would go over in a couple of days to apologize. However, given the temperament of the Lin Family's First Madam, she will likely send someone over later, and they might even run into your fifth sister-in-law."

Ren Shijia was taken aback, "Mother, you've already sent someone to the Lin Family? I thought you..."

Ren Shijia had assumed that Old Madam Ren held a grudge against the Lin Family and Madam Lin because of her situation and was deliberately slighting them.

"Regardless, we must maintain appearances," Old Madam Ren said.

In other words, she could secretly make things difficult for Madam Lin. However, the Ren and Lin families had many intertwined interests over the years, and it was unrealistic to sever ties now. Therefore, they had to ensure the Lin Family's dignity was preserved on the surface. This was something Old Master Ren had repeatedly reminded her of.

Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and Ren Yaoyin sat quietly in the warm chamber. As summer approached, the weather had grown warmer. For better ventilation, the heavy cotton curtains used in autumn and winter had been taken down and replaced with light, thin gauze ones. As a result, it wasn't difficult to hear the conversation between the mother and daughter.

Old Madam Ren hadn't thought to send the granddaughters inside away, so they sat contentedly, quietly listening to the faint sounds of the conversation outside.

Ren Shijia asked, "Mother, are you really going to let that Madam Kang enter the household?"

Old Madam Ren replied unhappily, "Why are you meddling in this? Even if she stays, she'll just be a concubine. It won't affect anyone!"

Ren Shijia glanced at her mother. She didn't believe that Old Madam Ren hadn't cared about such matters when she was younger. After all, their own family didn't have any concubines, did they?

Unaware of her daughter's silent criticism, Old Madam Ren continued, "Instead of worrying about others, you should think about your own affairs. Have you considered the candidates I mentioned to you?"

Ren Shijia knew Old Madam Ren was referring to the selection of a concubine for Lin Kun, and her expression immediately fell. Recently, because she was nearing childbirth, Old Madam Ren hadn't brought up the matter to upset her. Still, she replied gloomily, "Didn't I say you should choose for me? Your judgment has always been good."

Old Madam Ren nodded, "The maid Jinlian by my side is quite suitable. She has a decent appearance without being too striking, and her temperament is gentle. Her parents are honest people, and she has a younger brother working as a clerk at the coal depot in Tongzhou. In a few years, if you find her trustworthy, you can transfer her brother back to Yunyang City as a deputy steward in your name. Their family's future will depend on you, and you'll essentially become her maternal family. Naturally, she'll be obedient to you. Then there's the younger maid named Qingliu, who is fourteen this year. Her biological mother was a second-class maid in my courtyard when she was young, but she passed away early. Her father remarried, and her stepmother is quite formidable, so she is closer to her elder brother and sister-in-law, who raised her."

Ren Shijia listened quietly, repeating the same question, "Which one do you think is better?"

Old Madam Ren sighed, "Both are good, but it depends on whether you give birth to a boy or a girl."

Ren Shijia touched her abdomen and looked up in confusion, "What does this have to do with my child?"Old Madam Ren glared at her. "How is it unrelated? Do you think I spent so much effort selecting maidservants for you just to deliberately upset you? I did it all for you and the child in your womb! If you give birth to a girl, then choose Jinlian. She's seventeen this year and can conceive as soon as she enters the household, allowing her to quickly bear a son for you and your husband, which will shut others' mouths. If you give birth to a boy, then choose the younger Qingliu. Keep her by your side for a few years and don’t let her conceive for now. Wait until your own child is older before allowing her to have children, so she can become an asset to your son in the future!"

So choosing a chamber maid involved so many intricacies? Ren Shijia couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, and she also understood Old Madam Ren’s painstaking efforts. Only a biological mother would make such plans for her daughter.

Inside the inner room, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing these words.

Because of the actions of Old Madam Ren and Old Master Ren in her previous life, she had thought they cared only about profit and had no affection for their descendants. However, after hearing Old Madam Ren’s plans for Ren Shijia today, she realized that Old Madam Ren might not be entirely cold-hearted toward her own children. As long as it didn’t conflict with the Ren Family’s interests, she would still try to make plans for her children.

Outside, Old Madam Ren and Ren Shijia spoke a few more words, and then, as if suddenly remembering that there were three granddaughters still in the warm chamber, she stopped talking and called Granny Gui in to lead Ren Yaoqi and the others out.

When Ren Yaoqi and her two sisters came out, Ren Shijia looked somewhat embarrassed, but Old Madam Ren’s expression remained unchanged as she instructed Granny Gui to see them out.

Once her nieces had left, Ren Shijia complained softly, "Mother, the children were still here. Didn’t they hear everything we said?"

Old Madam Ren, however, said calmly, "What children? They’re not little anymore. Third Sister and Fourth Sister are almost of marriageable age. It’s time they slowly learn about these matters."

As she spoke, Old Madam Ren glared at Ren Shijia and tapped her forehead. "I deeply regret now that I spoiled you too much back then, keeping you in the dark about this and that, always thinking you were too young and that it wasn’t good for you to know certain things too early. In the end, it only fostered this kind of temperament in you! I’ve come to understand that if you shield your daughter from every worry while raising her, you’ll end up worrying about everything for her after she’s married! How much longer do I have to live for that?"

It turned out that Old Madam Ren hadn’t truly forgotten that her three granddaughters were still in the inner warm chamber. The reason she hadn’t sent them away was that she thought Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaohua were old enough and it was time for them to learn these inner household tactics.

Some things couldn’t be taught explicitly now, but letting them absorb such knowledge through exposure might not be a bad method.

It was only in her old age that Old Madam Ren remembered her own mother had taught her this way. Unfortunately, she hadn’t applied it to her only daughter, and now, at her age, she still had to worry about her.

Ren Shijia had originally come to discuss the matter of Ren Shimiao and Madam Lin’s marital issues with Old Madam Ren, but she hadn’t expected Old Madam Ren to steer the conversation elsewhere.

As Ren Yaoqi and her two sisters left Glory and Splendor Courtyard, they overheard some maids and older servants whispering outside that Madam Lin had already ordered the carriage prepared and was about to take Eighth Miss back to her maternal home.Madam Lin's son had to study in the outer courtyard, and Old Master Ren was quite strict with his grandsons, so she did not take her son with her.

"...Fifth Master truly has a gentle temperament. In front of everyone, he pleaded softly for Fifth Aunt to stay, but Fifth Aunt pointed at his nose and scolded him harshly, showing no regard for his dignity. Ah, since Old Madam Ren hasn't spoken up, no one else dared to step in and stop Fifth Aunt..."

The speaking maidservant looked up and saw the young ladies walking out, immediately falling silent in fright and standing aside with her hands at her sides.

Ren Yaohua scolded lightly, "Don't any of you have duties to attend to? Are you all so idle that you have time to gossip?"

Several maidservants and maids hurriedly apologized and retreated.

After parting ways with Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaohua said, "Why didn't Grandmother stop Fifth Aunt? If she just leaves like this, won't the Lin Family have objections?"

Ren Yaoqi smiled. "What objections could they have? Didn't Grandmother set an example for our Ren Family first? The Ren Family has made such thoughtful arrangements for the Lin Family's descendants. How could the Lin Family have the nerve to support their married daughter's unreasonable behavior?"

This was also why Old Madam Ren had brought up the concubine prepared for the Lin Family's son-in-law, Lin Kun—to silence the Lin Family. Even if the Lin Family sent someone now, Old Madam Ren would have nothing to feel guilty about.

Why should her daughter endure while others' daughters could not? She conveniently ignored the fact that Madam Lin had already given birth to a son and a daughter.

It was likely that Madam Kang had been allowed into the Ren Family so smoothly because her timing was just right. Old Madam Ren harbored resentment toward the Lin Family. Since her own daughter had suffered, she wanted to make the Lin Family uncomfortable as well.

If even this had been part of someone's scheme, then the person behind the plot to deal with Madam Lin was truly terrifying.

Ren Yaoqi explained her thoughts in detail to Ren Yaohua, who found it hard to believe. "Are you saying this might have been orchestrated by Concubine Fang? How is that possible? Aren't you overestimating her?"

Overestimating? Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but smile bitterly.

She didn't know if she was overestimating Concubine Fang, but she knew that in her previous life, while the Ren Family had met with misfortune, Concubine Fang had timely abandoned the sinking ship of the Ren Family and found a way out for herself and her children. Just this alone made Concubine Fang a force to be reckoned with.

Ren Yaohua still didn't believe it. "She's just a concubine. If she were truly so capable, why would she end up as someone's concubine?"

Ren Yaoqi thought that if they wanted to avoid falling victim to Concubine Fang's schemes in the future, it was essential for Ren Yaohua to realize how dangerous the enemy she underestimated truly was.

"The weather is nice today, Third Sister. How about we take a walk in the courtyard?" Ren Yaoqi suggested with a smile.

Though Ren Yaohua didn't understand why Ren Yaoqi was in such a leisurely mood for a stroll today, she nodded without refusing.

Ren Yaoqi instructed those behind her, "You all may return. Just leave Xiangqin and Pingguo to accompany us. Taking a walk in our own courtyard with a large entourage trailing behind would spoil the mood."

Thus, aside from the two maids, all the other maidservants and maids were dismissed.

Ren Yaohua glanced at Pingguo, who was standing beside Xiangqin, and asked, "Is this the maid you picked? Why does she seem a bit dull?"Ren Yaohua preferred clever and quick-witted maids, but Ren Yaoqi did not believe that a maid had to be perfect to be useful.

However, everyone had their own habits when it came to employing people, so Ren Yaoqi did not feel it was her place to comment. She only said, "She is merely quiet by nature, not dull-witted." She herself was quite satisfied with her maid, Pingguo.

Ren Yaohua had only spoken casually, and seeing Ren Yaoqi's response, she stopped criticizing her maid.

Xiangqin, who was following behind, secretly made a face at Pingguo. Pingguo remained as earnest and steady as ever, making Xiangqin think that this girl was indeed as uninteresting as her mistress had said.

"Third Sister, you just said that if Concubine Fang were truly as formidable as I described, she wouldn’t have become a concubine. That’s because you’ve reversed cause and effect," Ren Yaoqi said softly as they stood by the lotus pond.

At this time of year, although there were no lotus flowers in the pond, the lotus leaves had already grown tall and lush. A warm breeze swept by, stirring the expanse of green waves before them, lifting their spirits.

Ren Yaohua was in a fairly good mood. Hearing this, she turned to glance at Ren Yaoqi and motioned for her to continue.

"Concubine Fang’s current situation is the best outcome she could have achieved with the resources she had back then. You must have heard about the fates of Grandaunt’s other concubine-born daughters."

Ren Yaohua thought for a moment, unconvinced. "I know that Grandaunt’s concubine-born daughters didn’t marry well, but some of them did become legal wives, didn’t they? Isn’t that better than being a concubine in our family?"

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh at this, blinking as she said, "Third Sister, is this what they call... judging a petty person by the standards of a noble one?"

Ren Yaohua glared at her. "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "In this world, there are women like you, who believe status is most important, and there are women like Concubine Fang, who believe tangible benefits are what truly matter."

Ren Yaohua had no rebuttal for this. Marrying a poor or unworthy man as a legal wife versus marrying a respectable and wealthy man as a concubine—different people made different choices.

"The reason Concubine Fang thrives so effortlessly is because she has a reliable brother. Her younger brother, Fang Yacun, recently got promoted to Deputy Prefect of Chuzhou, a sixth-rank position, and is highly favored by his superiors. There’s even hope for another promotion in the next couple of years."

"I also heard about his promotion, but it’s just a local deputy position, and it’s in the south. What does that have to do with us?"

Ren Yaoqi knew about the Fang family’s affairs—some from asking Nanny Zhou, and some from memories of her past life.

"But you’ve forgotten the relationship between the Fang family and the Ren Family. Besides, now that the Ren Family is opening coal depots in the south, we’ll inevitably have to deal with local officials. Although the Deputy Prefect isn’t the highest-ranking official in the prefecture, he holds real power. This Fang Yacun is no incompetent either. In a few years, the Fang family will likely be under his control. Grandaunt is getting old, and her own son is mentally unstable. Even though she currently runs the Fang household, just wait a few years and see."

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaohua carefully considered the connections and realized that Ren Yaoqi’s words were not without reason."Fang Yacun was initially chosen by our great-aunt because of Concubine Fang. If she hadn't actively married into the Ren Family as a concubine, deliberately allowing our great-aunt to hold her, the elder sister, in the palm of her hand, how could our great-aunt have felt at ease planning for Fang Yacun? Although Concubine Fang back then was also skilled at maneuvering, constrained by their status, she and her brother could only live under the thumb of their legitimate mother."

"It can be said that without Concubine Fang, there would be no Fang Yacun today, and today's Fang Yacun is Concubine Fang's greatest support. Presumably, our grandparents have also seen the future situation of the Fang family clearly, which is why they have been so tolerant of Concubine Fang, allowing her to hold an exceptional position within the Ren Family. In the future, it is highly likely that Concubine Fang's own brother will take charge of the Fang family. Our Ren Family's coal depots in the south are all somewhat connected to the Fang family."

Ren Yaoqi had also been unable to understand in the past why Concubine Fang, as a mere concubine, could occupy an entire courtyard alone, manage the affairs of their third branch in place of Madam Li, and even make appearances before guests during festivals.

Later, she realized it wasn't because their grandparents were foolish or because Concubine Fang was particularly likable, but rather due to the intertwined interests between the Ren and Fang families.

As long as the Fang family did not fall and Fang Yacun successfully took over, Concubine Fang would remain secure within the Ren Family.

Ren Yaohua slowly pondered and gradually came to understand as well, unusually breaking into a cold sweat, murmuring, "Is that really how it is?"

Ren Yaoqi sighed, "This reminds me of a story about feeding an eagle with one's own flesh. A young man struggling to survive in turbulent times picked up a fledgling eagle. He could barely keep himself alive and had no extra food to feed the eagle, so every day he cut pieces of his own flesh to feed the eaglet. Later, this eagle gradually grew up and became a divine eagle, not only saving the young man from the jaws of tigers multiple times but also becoming his surefire weapon when leading troops into battle."

Gazing at the distant blue horizon, Ren Yaoqi said slowly, "Daring to sacrifice leads to gain, but how many people in this world possess the courage of that young man to feed an eagle with their own flesh?"

"Concubine Fang..." Ren Yaohua frowned and uttered the name.

After a long silence, Ren Yaohua finally said, "If she has such a temperament, could an ordinary concubine in the third branch of the Ren Family truly satisfy her?"

Ren Yaoqi did not answer.

In her previous life, Concubine Fang had become the de facto mistress of the inner courtyard in their third branch. Unfortunately, the Ren Family soon met with misfortune, and Concubine Fang had no further opportunity to gain anything from the Ren Family.

She knew, however, that a person with ambition has endless desires. These desires drive them to constantly fight and seize, sweeping away all obstacles in their path.

Ren Yaoqi had originally thought that by drawing Madam Lin into the situation and pitting her against Concubine Fang, she might divert Concubine Fang's attention. Unexpectedly, Madam Lin was dealt with so quickly after confronting Concubine Fang.

This also reflected Concubine Fang's cunning and capability from another angle. Presumably, Fang Yacun still felt guilt and gratitude toward his sister, and his strong support must have played a significant role in this.

"I used to think too simply," Ren Yaohua said softly. "I even took pleasure in Fifth Aunt's misfortune. Now, thinking about it, we can't let Fifth Aunt be defeated just like that."Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel surprised. Although Ren Yaohua was not unintelligent, she tended to act according to her own preferences, unable to tolerate losses or endure grievances. This time, she had actually considered helping Madam Lin, whom she disliked, in order to achieve the goal of restraining Concubine Fang.

It must be said that this was progress for Ren Yaohua. It also made Ren Yaoqi feel that her efforts in deliberately calling her here and saying so much were not in vain.

"So, how do you plan to help Fifth Aunt?" Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile.

Ren Yaohua thought for a moment and shook her head. "How can it be as simple as just saying 'help'? Besides, I'm not exactly helping her—I'm helping ourselves."

Ren Yaoqi felt reassured that Ren Yaohua could understand this point, which was precisely the purpose of her conversation with her today.

Ren Yaoqi said, "There's no need to rush this matter. Not only do Grandmother and Fifth Aunt need time, but the Lin Family and the Ren Family also require a period of adjustment and calm. After all, this also involves the interests of both families."

“Wouldn't that make things even more complicated?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. “When it comes to interests, everything can become extremely complex, yet everything can also become very simple. On the contrary, if it were merely a matter of personal preference, it would be much harder to handle.”

Ren Yaohua didn’t quite understand this, but she could tell from the meaning that there must be a way, and somehow she felt a bit reassured.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t elaborate further, only saying, “Isn’t Fifth Aunt planning to return to her maiden home? Then let her go back first. With her temperament, staying in the manor at this time would only give others an opportunity to take advantage.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)