Ren Yaoqi was on the painted boat and couldn't hear the conversations on the high platform, but from the situation, she could tell that the old master of the Su family and the old master of the Han family were getting along very well. Later, the old master of the Su family even introduced the old master of the Han family to many people who came forward to greet them.
Although Old Master Ren was speaking with Master Ren the Elder, he had been paying attention to the situation over there. Then Old Master Ren seemed to give Master Ren the Elder a few instructions, and Master Ren the Elder went over to speak with the old masters of the Han and Su families. After that, the old master of the Su family and Master Ren the Elder seemed to be talking about something amusing and burst into laughter, even inviting Old Master Ren over.
Ren Yaoqi sat in the painted boat, watching intently without blinking, but her brows couldn't help but furrow.
Previously, the Ren family had cautiously reconsidered the marriage between Ren Yaohua and Han Yunqian. However, as the Su family became more established in Yan Prefecture afterward, it was highly likely that Old Master Ren would bring up the old matter again, given his temperament. Ren Yaohua could still very well repeat the same mistakes as in her previous life.
At this moment, several more people ascended the high platform from the steps by the shore. Many on the platform greeted the man walking at the front, while others, even if they didn't deliberately step forward to greet him, cast subtle glances in his direction. Some were also whispering among themselves.
Ren Yaoqi instinctively observed the man walking at the front. He appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with handsome features and a strong, upright face. His stature was tall and straight, like most people from Yanbei. He wore a plain dark blue robe, which made his demeanor appear even more mature and steady.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was speculating about this man's identity, she noticed a young man closely following by his side. Upon closer inspection, it was the youth named Lei Zhen whom she had seen earlier on the inner city river, appearing on the bridge with Yun Wenfang and his brother. Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel a stir in her heart, thinking that this man might be Lei Zhen's older brother, Lei Ting.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but keep her gaze fixed on the man. Although his expression was serious, he handled interactions with everyone skillfully and effortlessly. Even from a distance, Ren Yaoqi could tell from his minimal expressions and gestures that he was a man with excellent control. Despite his young age, he gave off a sense of reliability and trustworthiness.
Adjacent to the high platform where the heads of various families were seated were several sturdily built pavilions. The two on the right were for the young masters and sons of the families, while the two on the left were for the ladies and young misses of the households. Ren Yaoqi saw Old Madam Ren leading the young ladies of the Ren family to the first pavilion on the left.
In Yanbei, there were various large and small events for the entertainment of wealthy families every year, such as the ice-skating competition Ren Yaoqi had seen before and this dragon boat race. The layout of the venues was similar, differing only in scale.
This indirectly indicated that the people of Yanbei inherently had a competitive spirit, as even their daily pastimes often involved contests.
While Ren Yaoqi was watching and thinking, Xiao Jinglin patted her shoulder.
Ren Yaoqi turned her head and met Xiao Jinglin's always calm and unruffled eyes.
"Don't you want to go see your maternal grandmother?" Xiao Jinglin asked.
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, then followed Xiao Jinglin's gaze. She saw a lady accompanied by two maids descending from a carriage parked by the riverbank and heading toward the pavilions.Ren Yaoqi gazed at the lady who appeared serene and smiling, her noble bearing undiminished even in simple attire, momentarily stunned into silence.
That was her maternal grandmother, the former Princess Consort of Prince Xian, a woman of distinguished lineage.
The Princess Consort had initially passed the first pavilion and was heading toward the second when a maid behind her glanced back, stepped forward to whisper a few words, and the Princess Consort halted, turning to look toward the first pavilion.
Ren Yaoqi also shifted her gaze, just in time to see Granny Gui, who served Old Madam Ren, instructing a maid outside the pavilion.
After only a brief glance, the Princess Consort walked decisively toward the first pavilion. A maid from Xianwang Residence called out to Granny Gui, who then led the Princess Consort inside.
Ren Yaoqi understood immediately: the Princess Consort had gone to see Old Madam Ren in the first pavilion. Given the Princess Consort’s former status, it should have been Old Madam Ren who went to greet her.
Compared to her mother Madam Li, whose pride and restraint as a Commandery Princess of the imperial clan were ingrained in her very bones, her grandmother was more open-minded and better able to accept and integrate into ordinary life.
Yet Ren Yaoqi felt that her mother had only learned the superficial forms and manners of the imperial clan, while her grandmother possessed the true, innate nobility that made ordinary people feel deeply inadequate in comparison—a dignity that remained unshaken no matter how straitened their circumstances.
This was precisely why Old Madam Ren disliked meeting the Princess Consort. Even though she was the one sitting in the higher position, she could never find the slightest sense of superiority over the Princess Consort.
After a moment’s thought, Ren Yaoqi said to Xiao Jinglin, “I’ll go see my grandmother after she comes out.” In front of the Ren Family members, Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t be able to speak freely with her grandmother, and she was certain the Princess Consort wouldn’t stay long there—because Old Madam Ren did not welcome her.
Xiao Jinglin nodded, quietly instructing a maid to have the boatwoman prepare to dock.
The Princess Consort did not remain long in the first pavilion. Soon, she emerged with her maid. Her expression was as calm as when she had entered, unchanged, though the maid beside her looked somewhat displeased.
By then, the painted boat had already docked. Ren Yaoqi rose and said, “I’ll go see my grandmother.”
Xiao Jinglin nodded. “I’ll wait for you in the boat.” She had previously arranged to watch the dragon boat race with Ren Yaoqi, planning to have the boatwoman follow the race from a distance.
Ren Yaoqi smiled in agreement, then stepped off the boat with Pingguo’s assistance. Though the pavilion was only temporarily erected, it was comfortably furnished. Ren Yaoqi even noticed several large ice basins emitting cool air. The breeze here was pleasant and cool enough without needing ice for cooling; these basins were used to chill fruits and tea.
Ren Yaoqi led her maid directly into the second pavilion on the left, where many ladies and young misses had already gathered, conversing softly among themselves. Her eyes immediately found the Princess Consort.
Seated in an inconspicuous corner, the Princess Consort was not approached by those around her. Wearing a gentle smile, she gracefully sipped tea from a cup.
“Grandmother,” Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to pay her respects.It was clear that Ren Yaoqi's sudden appearance surprised Princess Consort Xian, but she soon became delighted. Setting down her teacup, she smiled at Ren Yaoqi and said, "Is that Yaoqi? You've grown so tall already?"
Madam Li looked Ren Yaoqi up and down, her gaze gentle and caring. However, she maintained her composure well, not appearing overly eager or enthusiastic. She didn't even beckon Ren Yaoqi over to pat her head or hold her hands as other elders might to express affection. Instead, she simply watched warmly.
Ren Yaoqi walked over to stand beside Princess Consort Xian, Rong Shi, and flashed a bright smile. "Grandmother, Mother asked me to send her regards to you and to Grandfather."
Rong Shi gestured for Ren Yaoqi to sit in the seat beside her, speaking softly with a smile, "We are well, all very well. Tell her not to worry when you go back and to live her life well. I saw your sister earlier—she has also grown quite a bit."
Ren Yaoqi sat down beside Rong Shi. Ren Yaohua had followed Old Madam Ren to the neighboring pavilion. Earlier, when Rong Shi went to see Old Madam Ren, she must have seen Ren Yaohua. However, Ren Yaohua had always held prejudices against her maternal relatives and was not as close to her maternal grandmother, Rong Shi, as she was to her paternal grandmother, Old Madam Ren, so she hadn't come out with Rong Shi.
Afterward, Ren Yaoqi kept Rong Shi company with casual conversation. Although Rong Shi found it a bit strange that Ren Yaoqi seemed livelier than before, she was also pleased to see this change in her granddaughter. Throughout their conversation, she wore a gentle smile that felt warm to anyone who saw it.
While they were talking, Ren Yaoqi noticed someone passing by the entrance of the pavilion. Glancing casually, she saw Han Yunqian, and walking alongside him was the young man she had seen earlier on the high platform—the one she guessed was the eldest son of the Lei Family.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi looking outside, Rong Shi also glanced over. The young man seemed quite perceptive and immediately turned his gaze toward them. Seeing two unfamiliar women, he nodded politely. Han Yunqian also looked over, and when his eyes met Ren Yaoqi's, he paused briefly before nodding courteously as well.
"Is that young man in white the Han Family's son?" Rong Shi asked Ren Yaoqi.
The reason Rong Shi knew about Han Yunqian was due to the matter of Ren Yaohua's marriage. Madam Li must have written to Rong Shi in detail about the whole situation. That Rong Shi could recall Han Yunqian upon seeing him for the first time indicated she had paid some attention to the Han Family.
Ren Yaoqi nodded. "Yes, Grandmother."
Rong Shi watched the two departing figures thoughtfully, as if lost in contemplation. After a moment of hesitation, she seemed about to say something but ultimately held back.
Instead, Ren Yaoqi asked, "Who is the person beside him? He doesn't look familiar."
In truth, most people in Yunyang City were unfamiliar to Ren Yaoqi, but Rong Shi didn't question her remark. Instead, she patiently replied, "His surname is Lei, and he is the head of the Lei Family. They moved back to Yanbei not long ago."
Ren Yaoqi nodded. "I see. But is the head of the Lei Family really that young?" Ren Yaoqi was genuinely puzzled this time, not pretending. She always felt there was something odd about the Lei Family.Putting aside other matters, considering the Lei Family's status among the aristocratic families of Yanbei and Lei Ting's youth as the head of the household, even if she hadn't heard about it at the time, she should have caught some rumors later on. So why did she have no impression of the Lei Family at all?
Rong Shi thought for a moment and sighed, "Nowadays, only the two Lei brothers remain of the Lei lineage, so only Lei Ting can take charge of the family." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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