Reborn of the Rightful

"Aunt, what happened to Third Madam Lin?" Jinjú asked curiously.

Concubine Fang snapped back to attention and gave her a gentle, reassuring smile. "It's nothing, I just remembered something."

One of Concubine Fang's good qualities was that she never lost her temper with those who served her.

At all times, she was a kind, considerate, and gentle woman, like water, so the maids and servants around her served her with utmost dedication.

"Prepare the ink and brush, I need to write a letter." After sitting for a while, Concubine Fang finally stood up and walked toward the study.

Jinjú advised, "Aunt, it's already very late. Please be careful with your eyes."

Concubine Fang shook her head. "It's fine."

Concubine Fang knew that her younger brother would soon be promoted, and she hoped Fang Yacun could come to Yanbei. That way, her position in the Ren Family would become more secure.

Fang Yacun had mentioned a few things about official matters in his letters. This time, her sister-in-law's visit to Yanbei was preceded by her own inquiries into the residences and preferences of various officials. There were five or six vacancies in several prosperous prefectures and counties in Yanbei, but more than five or six people were competing for these positions. In his last letter, Fang Yacun had mentioned that a relative by marriage of the Su Family was also interested in coming to Yanbei.

Concubine Fang was a clever person who understood things with just a hint. Second Madam Su Shi had helped First Madam Lin for no apparent reason—there must be a cause. Now, it seemed the most likely reason was that Su Shi wanted to connect her maternal cousin with Third Madam Lin.

Concubine Fang was relieved to have learned about this now, as there was still room to maneuver. She needed to inform her brother of the Su Family's intentions as soon as possible so he could prepare early.

Things were finally moving in the direction Ren Yaoqi hoped for. This was just the beginning, and once something started, everything else would fall into place.

The Ren Family decided to set off for Yunyang City on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. It was only a little over an hour's journey, not too far.

Ren Shijia would return to Yunyang City with the Ren Family this time. She had just finished her postpartum confinement, and it wouldn't be proper to hide at her maternal home any longer. This trip would also allow her to attend the full-month banquet the Lin Family was preparing for Little Cenge. Therefore, Old Madam Ren would also stay at the Lin Family for a few extra days.

This time, First Madam Ren would remain at home, while Old Madam Ren would take the grandchildren with her. Originally, Old Madam Ren had planned to slight Madam Lin by not bringing her and Ren Yaoyu, but for some reason, she changed her mind. As for Third Madam Li, Old Madam Ren had never been willing to take her out.

"Grandmother said today that Concubine Fang and Ren Yaoying will also go," Ren Yaohua said to Ren Yaoqi that evening after paying respects to Madam Li.

"Because that Madam Fang is coming?" Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow slightly, unsurprised.

"Yes." Ren Yaohua was in a bad mood, her expression cold.

As they parted, Ren Yaoqi heard her say with suppressed resentment and unwillingness, "Who in this third branch is the concubine, and who is the legitimate wife? Is this what the Ren Family calls rules? Truly laughable!"

Ren Yaohua didn't expect an answer from anyone when she said this. After speaking, she straightened her stiff back and walked away. Ren Yaoqi stood in the courtyard, watching her figure gradually disappear into the shadows under the corridor, with only the dark red hem of her skirt flickering in and out of the light from the maid's lantern. Soon, it too vanished beyond the corner gate ahead.The next day was the Dragon Boat Festival, and the entire Ren Family was busy preparing for the outing.

Although Madam Li wasn’t going, she was still occupied with packing things for her daughters, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua.

Her daughters felt indignant on her behalf, but Madam Li was already accustomed to it. She didn’t mind being left at home and even seemed to be in quite a good mood.

Seeing that Ren Yaohua had been wearing a gloomy and irritable expression these past few days, as if the slightest provocation could set her off, Ren Yaoqi worried she might lose control of her temper. That day, she finally pulled her aside and said with a smile, “Third Sister, why are you sulking like this? You’ve been upset for days now—it’s time to let it go. As long as Mother is happy, isn’t that enough?”

Ren Yaohua flared up at once. “What do you mean, as long as Mother is happy? I don’t believe she’s truly happy! I went to beg Grandmother yesterday, but she changed the subject as soon as I opened my mouth.”

Though Ren Yaohua’s face was filled with anger, her voice carried a hint of grievance.

Knowing her sister’s temper, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t angered by her outburst. Instead, she smiled and said, “I actually think Mother isn’t forcing a smile, because… Father isn’t going either this time, is he?”

Ren Yaohua was taken aback, her furious expression turning into one of bewilderment.

“So I think it’s just as well that Mother isn’t going this time. You know Father’s temperament—once he starts painting, he forgets all about eating. Even if Mother went with us to Yunyang City, she’d still be worrying about Father.” As she spoke, Ren Yaoqi blinked at Ren Yaohua with a teasing look. “Third Sister, you’re so grown up, yet you still can’t bear to be apart from Mother. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“I… I’m not…” Ren Yaohua instinctively tried to defend herself, but when she saw Ren Yaoqi’s mischievous grin, she realized her sister was teasing her.

“You’re just talking nonsense!” Ren Yaohua flicked her sleeve, assuming the air of an elder sister. After a moment’s thought, she asked uncertainly, “Is Father really not going?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded. “Of course. I already asked. Why don’t you go ask Mother?”

Seeing Ren Yaohua’s expression finally soften, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Whether she went to Yunyang City or not wasn’t that important to Madam Li. Could her presence there truly assert her status as the legitimate wife in front of Concubine Fang? Even if Madam Li felt wronged, it would only be because of Ren Shimin.

So while Ren Yaohua was fuming over the matter, Ren Yaoqi secretly had Yuan Dayong help her purchase an old painting from the previous dynasty from a down-and-out scholar.

In her past life, Ren Yaoqi knew the origin of every cherished painting in Ren Shimin’s collection. Originally, this painting was supposed to be bought by one of Ren Shimin’s stewards in the autumn of this year as a tribute to him. Ren Yaoqi had simply acquired it ahead of time.

Ren Shimin had a habit: whenever he obtained a fine painting, he would spend half a month carefully studying and analyzing it before making his own copy.

Sure enough, as soon as Ren Shimin saw the painting, he couldn’t tear himself away. The Dragon Boat Festival and the dragon boat races were nothing but fleeting clouds in Third Master’s mind. He would never neglect his beloved treasures for the sake of such trivialities. So Third Master waved his hand grandly—he wouldn’t go to Yunyang City; he would stay home and immerse himself in painting.

Thus, Madam Li was delighted, and Concubine Fang was frustrated.If Concubine Fang were to go hand in hand with Ren Shimin to Yunyang City to watch the dragon boat races, while the legitimate wife Madam Li was left behind at home, outsiders would naturally speculate about the status of the wife and concubine in the third branch of the Ren Family, and Madam Li would inevitably be looked down upon. Meanwhile, Concubine Fang, enjoying the treatment of a legitimate wife, would find it easier to socialize in Yunyang City.

Now that Ren Shimin had backed out and refused to go, Concubine Fang’s plans would not be as convenient.

In the afternoon, Old Madam Ren even sent someone specifically to find Ren Shimin, hoping he would join them in going to Yunyang City. After all, this was considered an annual grand event, and prominent families in Yan Prefecture would all attend. Men could exchange family sentiments over drinks and conversations.

But who was Third Master? When Third Master said he wouldn’t go, he wouldn’t go even if dragged by an ox. No one could force him. In the end, he simply lay down in the main room, pretending to be ill. Old Madam Ren was furious but could do nothing about it.

Madam Li cooperated by attending to Third Master at his bedside, serving him water when he was thirsty and food when he was hungry, doing her utmost.

Even Ren Yaohua was pleased by this. Her gloomy expression, which had lasted for days, finally cleared, and she went with a smile to watch the maids pack their belongings.

Ren Yaoqi was also in her room watching the maids pack. Though she said she was watching, it was actually Granny Xu directing the maids while she reclined on the kang, reading a book.

Just then, Nanny Zhou arrived.

Seeing Nanny Zhou come at this time, Ren Yaoqi thought something had happened again in the main room with Ren Shimin and Madam Li. She couldn’t help but set down the book in her hand and sit up from the kang.

Nanny Zhou stepped forward and bowed, then whispered, "Fifth Miss, Old Woman Luo is here."

Ren Yaoqi didn’t immediately react to the name: "Old Woman Luo?"

"She’s the old woman from the estate you mentioned you wanted to see some time ago," Nanny Zhou explained softly.

Ren Yaoqi immediately remembered.

It was the old woman living on the estate. Last time, when Ren Yaoqi asked Nanny Zhou about the Qu family, Nanny Zhou said there was an elderly woman on the estate who knew a great deal about the affairs of White Crane Town.

She should have been invited earlier, but this woman surnamed Luo had been bitten on the foot by a stray dog outside the estate some time ago, which delayed matters. Ren Yaoqi had also temporarily set the matter aside due to the chaotic affairs of the Ren Family.

"Where is she?" Ren Yaoqi asked.

"Everyone in the residence is busy right now. I had a young maid take her to eat and rest. After all, she’s old, and I was afraid something might happen to her. Do you want to see her now?"

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "Let her rest first. Bring her to me later."

"I originally instructed the people on the estate to send her over after her injury healed. I thought it would take a few more days, but I didn’t expect her to arrive just as you’re preparing to go to Yunyang City. It was poor planning on my part," Nanny Zhou apologized.

Ren Yaoqi waved her hand, comforting her. "It’s fine. I just want to ask her some questions. Whether she comes early or late makes no difference."

Nanny Zhou went to make arrangements. It wasn’t until after dinner that Ren Yaoqi had her bring the woman surnamed Luo over.

Old Woman Luo was already in her seventies. She had been working on the estate all along, with graying hair and a sallow complexion. Her face was covered in wrinkles, and she walked with a limp, though she seemed quite spirited.Supporting her was a little girl of about eight or nine years old. Though her features were delicate, her complexion was quite dark. She wore her hair in two perky buns tied high on her head and was dressed in a coarse red cloth jacket, her eyes lively and bright.

Noticing Ren Yaoqi’s gaze lingering on the little girl, Nanny Zhou quickly explained, “This is Old Woman Luo’s granddaughter. The two of them rely on each other, and Old Woman Luo couldn’t bear to leave her behind at the estate, so she brought her along.”

Though it seemed odd that Old Woman Luo, at her age, would have such a young granddaughter, Ren Yaoqi didn’t press further. She smiled and nodded, excusing Old Woman Luo from formalities and instructing Sangshen to fetch a stool for her.

Old Woman Luo murmured an apology and cautiously perched on the edge of the stool, too nervous to speak first. The little girl beside her was curious about the room’s contents, but seeing her grandmother so restrained, she didn’t dare act out of turn. She stood obediently behind Old Woman Luo.

Ren Yaoqi addressed the little girl gently, “Why don’t you go with this older sister, Sangshen, to have some snacks?”

The little girl glanced sideways at the red-lacquered octagonal food box inlaid with mother-of-pearl on the table, filled with assorted pastries and treats like baiguo dun, sugar ears, bean flour cakes, honey twists, candied lotus seeds, and sunflower seeds. She swallowed hard, then looked at her grandmother and didn’t move.

Old Woman Luo patted her hand lightly. “Listen to the mistress. Go on.”

Sangshen picked up the red-lacquered octagonal food box inlaid with mother-of-pearl and beckoned to the little girl, leading her outside.

Watching her granddaughter leave with frequent backward glances, Old Woman Luo shook her head and said to Ren Yaoqi, “Please don’t mind her, Miss. She grew up in the countryside and hasn’t seen much of the world.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly. “I think she’s quite lovely, and she looks sturdy too. Does she usually help you with farm work?”

Deep wrinkles creased Old Woman Luo’s face as she smiled. “This child has a good heart. Ever since she learned to walk, she’s wanted to help me work. Whatever I do, she follows behind to lend a hand. I never had children of my own, but finding this treasure in my old age has made my life worthwhile.”

Ren Yaoqi was taken aback—so the little girl wasn’t Old Woman Luo’s biological granddaughter.

As if reading her thoughts, Old Woman Luo said, “I found this child on a ridge between fields seven years ago. She was only about six or seven months old at the time.”

Nanny Zhou looked surprised. “So she’s only seven? I thought she was nine.”

The little girl was sturdy, tall for her age, and clever, making her seem closer to eight or nine.

“Exactly, and she eats a lot too! Luckily, she can work herself, or I wouldn’t have been able to raise her.” Old Woman Luo chuckled and shook her head.

Ren Yaoqi observed Old Woman Luo closely. The old woman was quite advanced in years, and her appearance was no different from that of any other farmwife who had toiled in the fields for decades. Yet Ren Yaoqi sensed that her speech and mannerisms lacked the coarseness typical of women from the countryside. Even her adopted granddaughter knew her place.

“Have you always worked at our family’s estate, Nanny Luo? Where is your hometown?” Ren Yaoqi asked.

Old Woman Luo squinted thoughtfully before replying, “This servant is from near White Crane Town. My parents starved to death during a famine year, so I started working on the estate from a young age. But originally, that estate didn’t belong to the Ren Family.”

“Oh? Which family did it belong to before?” Ren Yaoqi inquired.The Ren Family's several large estates were purchased during the time of the former head of the family, Ren Baoming, and were bought around the same time as the Ren Family's current residence.

"Before the Ren Family, those estates belonged to a family surnamed Tang," said Old Woman Luo.

Ren Yaoqi recalled that this residence also seemed to have been bought from a family surnamed Tang. It was likely that when the family sold their ancestral home, they also sold the estates under their name to the Ren Family—a common practice at the time.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi questioning Old Woman Luo, Nanny Zhou thought for a moment and called all the maids and servants out of the room, leaving only herself to personally guard the room.

"I wonder if Nanny Luo remembers a family surnamed Qu? They were likely a wealthy household in White Crane Town several decades ago, but later fell into decline for some unknown reason," Ren Yaoqi asked softly, looking at Old Woman Luo.

Old Woman Luo squinted her eyes again, a habitual expression when she was thinking: "This servant has not heard of such a wealthy family."

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but frown: "Really not? Could you think more carefully?"

Old Woman Luo indeed thought again but still shook her head: "No. Is the young lady certain it was near our White Crane Town? Could it have been somewhere else?"

Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat disappointed and nodded: "Perhaps I remembered wrong." After a moment of thought, she asked again, "During my grandfather's generation, did the Ren Family ever have conflicts with any other families?"

Old Woman Luo glanced at Ren Yaoqi upon hearing this and replied with a flattering smile: "What kind of talk is this, young lady? The Ren Family has always been harmonious and friendly with its neighbors..."

Nanny Zhou, standing beside Ren Yaoqi, interrupted coldly: "Old Woman Luo, our Fifth Young Lady brought you here from so far away not to listen to your meaningless chatter. Answer what is asked of you, and if you answer well, the young lady will naturally reward you with silver and see you and your granddaughter safely back."

Old Woman Luo paused, looking at Nanny Zhou and then at Ren Yaoqi, who smiled faintly without speaking. After a long while, she carefully replied: "If we're talking about conflicts... there were some. Back when the Ren Family bought several mountain ridges in the Western Hills to build coal mines, they once had a lawsuit with a neighboring mountain owner. That mountain owner filed a complaint with the county magistrate, accusing the Ren Family of digging their coal mines under his mountain. However, the Ren Family later bought that mountain owner's ridge at a high price, and the two families reconciled. Also, one year, a coal mine collapsed, burying many people. The son of one family led a disturbance and was eventually arrested by the authorities. However, it's said that he escaped during transport, vowing to be irreconcilable with the Ren Family. But so many years have passed, and he hasn't reappeared—likely long turned to dust."

Ren Yaoqi listened quietly, making judgments in her mind.

Old Woman Luo then mentioned a few more families, all of whom had conflicts, big or small, with the Ren Family decades ago. Finally, after racking her brains, Old Woman Luo could think of nothing more and looked eagerly at Ren Yaoqi with a flattering smile: "Young lady, this servant only remembers this much."

Ren Yaoqi glanced out the window. It was already past the time for lighting lamps, with lanterns lit outside the courtyard and candles burning inside the room.

"That's enough for today. You may go back and rest," Ren Yaoqi said with a smile, lifting her teacup to signal Nanny Zhou to escort the woman out.Nanny Zhou escorted Old Woman Luo out and handed her over to the maids, instructing them to take her to the outer courtyard to rest, then turned and came back inside.

"Miss, should this old woman remain in the mansion?"

Ren Yaoqi was leaning against the kang, lost in thought. Hearing this, she looked up. "Yes, let her stay in the mansion for now. I’ll decide what to do after I return from Yunyang City."

She still felt there might be more to learn from Old Woman Luo, but since they were setting off for Yunyang City early the next morning, Ren Yaoqi didn’t have time to question her in detail that day.

"Then I’ll arrange for her and her granddaughter to stay in the outer courtyard for now. Miss, you should rest early tonight. We’ll depart at mao hour tomorrow." After giving these instructions, Nanny Zhou withdrew, directing the maids to come in and attend to Ren Yaoqi’s washing.