After leaving the Yun Family, Xiao Jinglin had originally intended to take Ren Yaoqi out for roast duck, but unexpectedly, someone from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion came looking for her halfway, saying that Xiao Jinglin's aunt, Xiao Wei, had arrived from Ningxia. It turned out that Wu Yiyu and her mother Xiao Wei had not come to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion together.
Although Xiao Jinglin was extremely reluctant, since the Old Princess Consort had sent someone to fetch her back to the mansion, she had no choice but to bid farewell to Ren Yaoqi.
Since the two had come in the same carriage, Xiao Jinglin gave the carriage to Ren Yaoqi to ride in, while she herself directly mounted the horse brought by the mansion's messenger.
Watching Xiao Jinglin nimbly mount the horse, whip it into a gallop, and her agile figure disappear from sight, even Pingguo, who rarely voiced her opinions, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Dongsheng stayed behind to drive the carriage for Ren Yaoqi, and the carriage carried Ren Yaoqi and her maid back to the Ren Family Villa.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered the gate, she was considering whether to return to the Purple Magnolia Courtyard first or go to the Glory and Splendor Courtyard to report to Old Madam Ren when she saw the Ren Family's Eldest Young Madam, Zhao Shi, walking toward her with an old maidservant from First Madam's side, chatting as they came.
Ren Yaoqi stopped and waited for Zhao Shi to approach, then greeted her.
"Where are you heading, Sister-in-law?"
Seeing Ren Yaoqi, Zhao Shi quickly smiled and said, "Fifth Miss, you're back? Aunt Fang from the Fang family has arrived today and is currently with Grandmother. I just came up with a few new dishes and am now heading to the kitchen. All the young ladies of the family are in the Glory and Splendor Courtyard. If you have nothing else to do, Fifth Miss, it would be good to go and greet them."
Aunt Fang from the Fang family... Ren Yaoqi lowered her head in thought.
The Aunt Fang Zhao Shi mentioned should be the wife of their grandaunt's son, that is, Concubine Fang's sister-in-law.
It had been mentioned earlier that she would come to attend the full-month celebration of Ren Shijia's son. Tomorrow is the actual day, so her arrival today was normal.
Thinking this, Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded at Zhao Shi. "Understood, Sister-in-law. I'll head over now."
Zhao Shi returned Ren Yaoqi's smile and then led the maidservant toward the kitchen.
When Ren Yaoqi arrived at Old Madam Ren's courtyard, she indeed heard a lively commotion coming from the old madam's room, similar to the bustle she had heard earlier outside the Yun family's old madam's door.
After the maid at the door went in to announce her, Ren Yaoqi entered the room.
Sitting in the chair next to Old Madam Ren was a woman in her mid-twenties, with plain features and a square face. Despite appearing meticulously dressed, she still couldn't be considered beautiful. Fortunately, her temperament was rather serene, so she couldn't be called ugly either.
Madam Liu of the Fang family hailed from a wealthy family in Jiangnan.
Standing behind Madam Liu was a young man who looked slightly younger than her. The boy resembled his mother in appearance, looking quite ordinary, but his eyes were particularly lively and spirited, likely taking after his father.
Although Ren Yaoqi had never met this young man, she knew he was Fang Yacun's only son, Fang Shuzhou, who was a year younger than Ren Yaoying. After the Ren Family's downfall, Concubine Fang took Ren Yaoying back to her maiden home and married her off to Fang Shuzhou.
But now, Fang Shuzhou stood obediently behind his mother, while Ren Yaoying sat on a small stool in front of Old Madam Ren, massaging the old madam's legs. There wasn't even a glance exchanged between the two.
Originally, Concubine Fang hadn't set her sights on Fang Shuzhou for Ren Yaoyu either; taking that step in the end was purely out of desperation.
"This is our Fifth Miss," Concubine Fang said in her gentle voice, addressing Madam Liu.Originally, Concubine Fang had no right to sit here receiving guests, but now she was properly seated below Madam Liu.
Old Madam Ren was also very amiable today and beckoned to Ren Yaoqi, saying, "Qi'er, come meet your aunt."
Ren Yaoqi obediently stepped forward, curtsied to Madam Liu, and called her "Aunt."
Madam Liu smiled, took a pink pouch from a maid's hand, and handed it to Ren Yaoqi. "This is your aunt's gift for meeting you."
Knowing this was customary etiquette, Ren Yaoqi thanked her and accepted it. Then she stepped aside and sat down with Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin.
Before Ren Yaoqi entered, Old Madam Ren and Concubine Fang had been discussing the dragon boat race on the Dragon Boat Festival with Madam Liu, and now they resumed the conversation. Ren Yaoqi remained her usual quiet and reserved self.
When their conversation reached a pause, Madam Liu took the initiative to speak to Ren Yaoqi. "I heard Fifth Miss is very close with the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince's Mansion? Did you go out together today as well?"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Madam Liu. "We've met a few times. The Commandery Princess... is very kind."
Madam Liu observed Ren Yaoqi for a moment, then turned to Concubine Fang. "No wonder you often say Fifth Miss is blessed. Blessed people always encounter noble people. I think Yingjie should spend more time with Fifth Miss as her elder sister to share in some of that fortune."
Just as Concubine Fang was about to say something, Ren Yaoqi softly remarked, "I heard that when our great-grandfather was alive, he once had someone divine the fate of our Ren Family. It was said that the ancestors of the Ren Family accumulated much virtue during their lifetimes, which would benefit their descendants. So, like all the sisters of the Ren Family, I am blessed."
Madam Liu looked at Ren Yaoqi and smiled. "Fifth Miss is right. Your aunt misspoke."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head, her voice still soft. "That's why everyone must accumulate virtue and do good deeds, if not for themselves, then for their descendants. If one harbors malicious intent with a sense of luck, even if retribution doesn't come in this lifetime, it will bring disaster to their descendants. This is why Buddhism emphasizes karma."
Upon hearing this, many in the room changed expressions. Ren Yaoqi, however, appeared completely unaware, slightly lowering her head.
Old Madam Ren also looked displeased. "Where did all these words come from!"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Old Madam Ren and pressed her lips together, saying no more. After that, no one brought up Ren Yaoqi again, and neither Madam Liu nor Concubine Fang spoke to her further.
Ren Yaoqi also stayed for lunch in Old Madam Ren's courtyard. Afterward, Old Madam Ren instructed Concubine Fang to escort Madam Liu and her son to the accommodations arranged by the Ren Family. The old madam also summoned several young masters of the Ren Family and asked them to show Fang Shuzhou around.
When Ren Yaoqi and her sisters left Old Madam Ren's quarters, Ren Yijian, Ren Yixin, and the other brothers were discussing where to go. Fang Shuzhou and Ren Yihong stood obediently to the side without interrupting. Their personalities were somewhat similar—more reserved compared to the other brothers.
A servant from the Liu Family seemed to approach Fang Shuzhou and said something. Fang Shuzhou glanced at his boisterous cousins, frowned, and reluctantly walked over. Ren Yihong, who had been instructed by Concubine Fang to entertain his cousin, followed as well.
Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and Ren Yaoyin walked behind them. After the brothers had left, Ren Yaoyin suddenly asked, "Fifth Sister, I heard you went to the Yun Family today?"Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was taken aback and glanced at Ren Yaoyin. Ren Yaoyin responded with a gentle smile.
"Yes, I didn't originally know we were going to the Yun Family either. I only found out after boarding the Commandery Princess's carriage," Ren Yaoqi nodded.
Ren Yaoqi didn’t understand why Ren Yaoyin suddenly brought this up. In the past, whenever she went out with Xiao Jinglin, Ren Yaoyin never asked anything, not even showing any curiosity. So now, when Ren Yaoyin asked her this, was the focus on the Yun Family?
Ren Yaoqi recalled that in her previous life, Ren Yaoyin had indeed been involved with the Yun Family—she had married Yun Wenting as a concubine.
Just as she was thinking this, Ren Yaoqi heard Ren Yaoyin say, "Then did you see the Yun Family Eldest Miss, Yun Qiuchen?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded, "I did."
Ren Yaoyin smiled at Ren Yaoqi, "What is the Yun Family Eldest Miss like? Is she a stunning beauty?"
Ren Yaoqi didn’t know what Ren Yaoyin was getting at, but she nodded again, going along with her words, "Eldest Miss Yun is indeed beautiful, and she handles matters with great poise."
Ren Yaoyin said casually, "That’s natural, because the Yun Family had been grooming her to be the future principal consort of the Prince of Yanbei."
Ren Yaoqi was stunned, but Ren Yaohua asked, "You said 'had been'? What about now?"
Ren Yaoyin glanced at Ren Yaohua and smiled, "Now... hasn’t the Prince of Yanbei’s heir, who is far away in the capital, already married? He wed the daughter of Princess Chang’an. I once saw Eldest Miss Yun and felt that, given her pride, she wouldn’t be content to be a concubine."
Ren Yaohua raised an eyebrow, "Could it be that the Yun Family intends to marry her to Second Young Master Xiao?"
Ren Yaoqi also glanced at Ren Yaoyin, but Ren Yaoyin didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she thought for a moment before looking at Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua with a smile, "That’s not necessarily the case. There are still the two Yun young masters, aren’t there?"
Ren Yaoyin’s gaze at Ren Yaoqi was somewhat meaningful, and Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but look at Ren Yaoqi as well, frowning slightly.
"If the Yun Family wants to strengthen ties with the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, it doesn’t necessarily have to be through marrying off a daughter. As long as either the eldest or second young master of the Yun Family marries the Commandery Princess, it would achieve the same result."
Ren Yaoqi remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she knew that Yun Wenting indeed had feelings for Xiao Jinglin. Whether those feelings were genuine or driven by the Yun Family’s intentions, however, was unclear. What puzzled her most was why Ren Yaoyin suddenly brought all this up with them.
If it were someone else, it might not be so strange, but Ren Yaoyin was a cautious and discreet person who rarely gossiped about others.
Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi, "Even if the Yun Family intends to marry the Commandery Princess, it would be the eldest young master, wouldn’t it?"
Ren Yaoyin smiled, "That’s not necessarily true. The eldest young master of the Yun Family... is indeed outstanding, but his expertise lies in literature. The Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, however, is a place where even the Commandery Princess practices martial arts. Presumably, the Prince of Yanbei prefers those who can lead troops into battle. I’ve heard that the second young master of the Yun Family is not only skilled in martial arts but has also studied military strategy since childhood."
If Ren Yaoqi were an ignorant and delicate young lady, she might have believed Ren Yaoyin’s explanation. Unfortunately, Ren Yaoqi was now more curious about why Ren Yaoyin was telling her all this. So, she pretended to be somewhat annoyed, "Fourth Sister, why are you telling us all this?"Ren Yaoyin sighed softly, her gaze toward Ren Yaoqi filled with genuine kindness. "Fifth Sister, please don’t blame me for meddling. I just don’t want to see... I heard that on the day of the dragon boat race, Second Young Master Yun came specifically to look for you... I only wanted to give you a heads-up. You and the Commandery Princess have a natural rapport—that’s your bond. When the time comes, please don’t let anything else spoil the harmony between you."
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