In late April, Yanbei was slightly cool in the mornings and evenings, while the daytime gradually took on the shape of summer, yet not so hot as to be unbearable.
It was just past the hour of Chen, and the sun had already risen, casting warm light outside. When Su Shi and Ren Yaoting entered, Ren Yaoting’s face was slightly flushed, with fine beads of sweat visible at her hairline. In contrast, Su Shi appeared fresh and composed, her ordinary face wearing its usual gentle smile, neither restless nor impatient.
Watching Ren Yaoting take several sips from her teacup, Old Madam Ren said with a smile, “Ting’er is still so sensitive to the heat, and summer hasn’t even arrived yet.”
Ren Yaoting set down her teacup. “When summer comes, I won’t go out at all. I’ll just place two or three ice basins in my room.” After saying this, she stuck out her tongue playfully.
Old Madam Ren laughed heartily. “You really take after your father. When he was young, he never liked going out in the summer.”
Ren Yaoting had spent little time with her father and felt far less affection for him than for her mother. Hearing this, she merely smiled and did not press for more details.
Old Madam Ren had already begun discussing the Dragon Boat Festival dragon boat races with Su Shi.
Ren Yaoting leaned over and whispered to Ren Yaoqi, who was sitting closest to her, “Will you be coming with us to Yunyang City to watch the dragon boat races this year?”
The Ren Family received invitations to the dragon boat races every year and naturally attended. In previous years, when Old Madam Ren went to Yunyang City, she would bring two or three granddaughters with her. Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin had already gone several times, but Ren Yaoqi, the unfavored granddaughter, had never been included.
Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly and replied softly, “I’ll follow the arrangements of the elders when the time comes.”
Ren Yaoting then turned directly to Old Madam Ren and asked, “Grandaunt, which of my sisters do you plan to take to watch the dragon boat races this year?”
Su Shi glanced at the younger generation present and gently chided her daughter, “It’s still early. Your grandaunt will naturally decide when the time comes.”
Old Madam Ren, however, did not seem to mind. Her gaze swept over the three granddaughters present as she said with a smile, “In previous years, Hua’er and Yin’er accompanied me. I’ve grown accustomed to having them by my side, so I’ll take them again this year.”
Finally, Old Madam Ren’s eyes settled on Ren Yaoqi, and she said slowly, “Qi’er hasn’t gone in the past few years. This year, she shall come along as well.” She made no mention of Ren Yaoyu or Ren Yaoying.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was momentarily stunned, then replied with a mix of surprise and gratitude, “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Old Madam Ren continued discussing other matters with Su Shi.
Ren Yaoting felt that Ren Yaoqi’s inclusion was due to her own efforts and secretly winked at Ren Yaoqi.
As expected, Ren Yaoqi responded with a perfectly appropriate smile of gratitude.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Ren was asking Su Shi about the Han Family’s involvement in organizing this year’s dragon boat races. Su Shi’s response was plain and unremarkable, making no mention of the Su Family’s intention to collaborate with the Han Family on opening a coal mine.
Ren Yaoqi engaged in quiet conversation with Ren Yaoting and Ren Yaoyin while also paying attention to the discussion between Old Madam Ren and Su Shi. This continued until someone outside announced the arrival of Eighth Miss Ren Yaoyu.
Old Madam Ren did not pause her conversation upon hearing this, merely gesturing lightly toward the outside.
Shortly after, Ren Yaoyu entered and stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Ren.
Old Madam Ren and Su Shi had just finished their conversation. Old Madam Ren’s attitude toward Ren Yaoyu was indifferent; she simply nodded and told her to join her sisters in conversation, then paid her no further attention.Back when Fifth Madam Lin had not yet fallen out of favor, Old Madam Ren had never particularly liked her granddaughter Ren Yaoyu. After the previous "curse" incident, Old Madam Ren grew even more displeased with Ren Yaoyu, and following the matter with Ren Shijia, the status of Madam Lin and her daughter plummeted further.
Ren Yaoyu was also quiet and reserved in front of Old Madam Ren, far from the domineering and lively demeanor she displayed outside.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoting whispering to each other, Ren Yaoyu casually interjected, "What are you two talking about?"
Ren Yaoting, in a good mood, replied without hesitation, "I was just telling Fifth Sister that when we go to Yunyang City for the Dragon Boat Festival, I’ll take her to my maternal grandmother’s house to see a set of shadow puppets my cousin’s wife brought from the capital."
Ren Yaoyu couldn’t help but show some interest upon hearing this. "The shadow puppets that are popular in the capital now? Your cousin’s wife brought those? I’d like to see them too. Seventh Sister, take me along as well."
Ren Yaoting brushed her off, saying, "We’ll see if you’re going to Yunyang City for the Dragon Boat Festival."
Ren Yaoyu frowned, somewhat puzzled. "Of course I’m going. I already made plans with my cousins when I last returned."
Ren Yaoting glanced at Old Madam Ren and said to Ren Yaoyu, "That’s up to the elders. You should ask Great-Aunt first. This year, Third Sister, Fourth Sister, and Fifth Sister are all going, along with a few of the brothers… The Ren Family’s pavilion is only so big…"
Ren Yaoting didn’t mean anything by this; she was just reminding Ren Yaoyu kindly, as Old Madam Ren hadn’t mentioned taking her along this year.
However, Ren Yaoyu clearly didn’t see it that way. She immediately became upset and no longer bothered to lower her voice. "Seventh Sister, what do you mean by that? My mother and I have gone every year in the past. How could the pavilion be too crowded just because I’m going this year?"
Ren Yaoting, who was never one for patience, had only replied earlier because she was in a good mood. Seeing Ren Yaoyu’s ingratitude, she grew angry and her expression turned cold. "Why are you taking it out on me? Great-Aunt didn’t say she’s taking you this year. I was just reminding you."
Over by Old Madam Ren and Su Shi, they noticed the sudden conflict and looked over. Old Madam Ren frowned as she glanced at Ren Yaoyu, while Su Shi, seeing it was her daughter clashing with Ren Yaoyu, softly scolded her, "Ting’er, where are your manners? Making a scene in the elders’ room?"
Ren Yaoting pursed her lips but ultimately held her tongue. Ren Yaoyu, however, asked Old Madam Ren with a grievance, "Grandmother, she said you aren’t taking me to watch the dragon boat races this year."
In previous years, regardless of whether Ren Yaoyu was favored or not, Old Madam Ren had never treated her poorly due to the Lin Family and Madam Lin. She had always taken her along for outings and banquets, treating her no differently from Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin. So, she found it unbelievable that Old Madam Ren would exclude her this year and instead take Ren Yaoqi.
Old Madam Ren said calmly, "You’ve been taken along every year in the past. This year, stay home with your mother. Missing it once won’t matter."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoyu’s tears immediately welled up in her eyes. "Grandmother…"
Old Madam Ren remained unmoved and continued speaking with Su Shi.Ren Yaoyu met Ren Yaoting's disdainful gaze and could no longer bear such provocation. She immediately stood up from her chair and forcefully shoved Ren Yaoting.
Ren Yaoting had not expected her to resort to physical force. Pushed aside, she stumbled and collided with the corner of the tea table on her left, causing the teacups on the table to clatter loudly. She couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Ren Yaoqi, who was sitting beside Ren Yaoting, quickly reached out to steady her.
Before Old Madam Ren above could even express her anger, Ren Yaoyu turned and ran out of the room.
Old Madam Ren was momentarily stunned. When she regained her composure, her face turned pale with rage. Pointing at Ren Yaoyu's retreating figure, she scolded, "You little troublemaker! Who taught you such shrewish behavior?"
Su Shi hurried over to check if her daughter was injured. Fortunately, Ren Yaoting had been seated, and Ren Yaoyu's push had not been particularly forceful. Though she was in pain, she was not seriously hurt. Su Shi breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Madam Ren, ignoring Ren Yaoyu for the moment, anxiously asked Su Shi about Ren Yaoting's condition. Su Shi, in turn, comforted Old Madam Ren, saying, "It's nothing. How much strength could a child muster in a squabble? Please don't scold Yaoyu too harshly."
Seeing that Ren Yaoting was unharmed, Old Madam Ren felt somewhat relieved, but her expression remained grim. "This is outrageous! One after another, they no longer have any regard for me!"
Su Shi busied herself trying to calm Old Madam Ren's anger.
While comforting Ren Yaoting, Ren Yaoqi gazed thoughtfully in the direction where Ren Yaoyu had disappeared.
She had long felt that Ren Yaoyu's recent behavior was somewhat peculiar. Today, Ren Yaoyu's outburst in the Glory and Splendor Courtyard only deepened this strange feeling.
Ren Yaoyu had never been particularly favored by Old Madam Ren and had always been somewhat fearful of her. No matter how domineering she was outside, she was always obedient and never dared to raise her voice in Old Madam Ren's presence.
Such public outbursts in the Glory and Splendor Courtyard were not something Ren Yaoyu would typically engage in, yet Ren Yaoqi had now witnessed it twice. Each time, Ren Yaoyu had lost control of her temper and erupted in front of Old Madam Ren.
Ren Yaoyu's temper seemed to be worsening, especially after Concubine Kang entered the household.
Initially, Ren Yaoqi thought Ren Yaoyu was acting this way because she was provoked by Concubine Kang's arrival and her own mother's loss of favor. But today, she began to wonder if there might be something more to it.
She recalled reading in medical texts that certain combinations of medicinal ingredients could induce agitation in people. The symptoms included irritability, a short temper, an inability to tolerate even the slightest grievance, and uncontrollable outbursts with no regard for consequences.
Although Ren Yaoyu's behavior was not yet severe, it was markedly different from her usual temperament.
Ren Yaoqi also remembered when she had just awakened after returning, Concubine Fang had secretly switched her medicine to delay her recovery from illness.
This indicated that Concubine Fang herself or someone close to her had knowledge of pharmacology.
And based on Ren Yaoqi's understanding of Concubine Fang, to avenge the previous humiliation Ren Yaoying suffered at the hands of Madam Lin and her daughter, she might very well be capable of such actions.
Ren Yaoying had not left the house for half a year after falling into the manure pit. Ren Yaoyu's fate would likely be no better than Ren Yaoying's.
At this thought, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.
Concubine Kang's subtle provocations whenever she encountered Ren Yaoyu now made sense. Regardless of the reason for their alliance, there was undoubtedly a tacit understanding between Concubine Kang and Concubine Fang.However, all of these were merely her own speculations and deductions.
If her guesses were correct, then Ren Yaoyu was not far from the day she would "cause a major disaster." Because prolonged and excessive use of those agitation-inducing drugs could drive a person to madness, which would leave traces to follow. Concubine Fang would not take such a risk, so she would not truly allow Ren Yaoyu to go insane. (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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