Reborn of the Rightful

The next day was the full-month celebration for Ren Shijia's newborn son.

Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren led the Ren Family's sons and grandsons to the Lin Family residence. Madam Liu, representing the distant Fang Family, brought her son along.

In the carriage, Xiangqin chattered excitedly about the full-month gifts Old Madam Ren had prepared for her little grandson: "...a pair of solid gold unicorn bracelets, a pair of solid gold longevity and prosperity locks, a pair of Hetian jade double-beast longevity locks, six large chests of clothes, hats, shoes, and socks, plus a big red envelope. I heard Old Madam originally thought these gifts were too shabby and wanted to prepare more, but Old Master talked her out of it. So that red envelope from Old Madam must be at least this much." Xiangqin held up her fingers to indicate a number.

Ren Yaohua glanced at her. "Do you have nothing better to do all day?"

Xiangqin shrank back, leaning closer to Ren Yaoqi, her face showing a hint of grievance. "This servant was just thinking... when we left, Madam only prepared one necklace, one gold abacus, plus six hundred taels of silver. Isn't that a bit too little? What if the other branches, seeing how much Old Madam dotes on her grandson, give more? Then wouldn't our third branch..."

Ren Yaohua snorted lightly. "Who do you think is foolish?"

Xiangqin smiled apologetically. "Naturally, only this servant is foolish."

Ren Yaohua said casually, "For such gift lists, everyone discusses and agrees in advance. Each branch gives roughly the same amount." Ren Yaohua had recently been learning household management from Nanny Zhou, including these social customs.

For situations like the Lin Family's full-month celebration, the Ren Family's various branches had already discussed and agreed before leaving White Crane Town. Alternatively, the family had general standards for such social exchanges. Every time they encountered weddings or funerals, they followed the family's established conventions, so there would be no mistakes. Therefore, Ren Yaohua wasn't worried that her mother would displease Old Madam Ren over this matter.

Xiangqin rubbed her nose and didn't dare chatter anymore. The carriage immediately became much quieter.

The Lin Family's full-month celebration for Lin Cen was quite grand. When the Ren Family's carriage arrived at the Lin residence, they saw several carriages already parked at the entrance. The Ren Family had arrived relatively early.

The Lin Family ancestral home was very large. Old Master Ren and the Ren Family's male members were welcomed by their son-in-law Lin Kun, who had received word and was waiting at the gate. By the time the female members descended from the carriage, maids and elderly servants were already eagerly awaiting them at the entrance.

Ren Yaoqi and the other Ren Family sisters followed behind Old Madam Ren as they were welcomed through the Inner Gate and went directly to Ren Shijia's courtyard.

Originally, Old Madam Ren politely suggested whether they should first visit Old Madam Lin, but the Lin Family servants informed her that Old Madam Lin, First Madam Lin, and the other female family members had already gone to Sixth Madam's courtyard. Sixth Madam of the Lin Family referred to Ren Shijia, as her husband Lin Kun was ranked sixth among the Lin Family's main branch.

Ren Shijia and Lin Kun's courtyard was quite spacious by Lin Family standards and located close to Old Madam Lin's courtyard because Lin Kun had been raised by Old Madam Lin since childhood.

Sure enough, Old Madam Lin, Old Madam Ren's aunt, was sitting on the southern kang by the window in Ren Shijia's room, holding little Lin Cen and amusing him. Ren Shijia sat beside her, and First Madam Lin along with several other Lin Family female relatives were also seated nearby. The spacious main room and the adjacent smaller room were both bustling with activity.As soon as Old Madam Ren entered the room, First Madam Lin, accompanied by Fifth Madam Lin who had returned to her maiden home earlier, rose first to greet her. "Ah, our in-laws are here. Please, take the seat of honor," First Madam Lin's voice rang out warmly yet without being overbearing.

In an instant, all the women in the room who were of lower seniority than First Madam Lin stood up and followed her lead to welcome the guests. Although Fifth Madam Lin had recently experienced some friction with Old Madam Ren, under her mother's repeated hints, she stepped forward first to pay her respects to the old lady and then dutifully took hold of Old Madam Ren's hand.

Ren Shijia, seated on the kang, was delighted to see her family arrive. The maid beside her hurriedly helped her put on her shoes. Old Madam Lin, sitting opposite her, still held the child in her arms and did not let go. Smiling at Old Madam Ren as she entered, she said, "Why did it take you so long to arrive? Our little Cen has been waiting for ages, isn't that right, Cen?" The latter part was addressed to the month-old child in her arms, her tone full of affection and tenderness.

The Lin Family was a large clan, and over a dozen female relatives followed First Madam Lin to greet the guests. After Ren Shijia stepped down from the kang, she also came forward to support Old Madam Ren's other arm. Greetings and pleasantries filled the room, creating an atmosphere of closeness among everyone present.

Supported by Ren Shijia and Madam Lin, Old Madam Ren stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Lin. As Old Madam Lin was Old Madam Ren's paternal aunt, she accepted the gesture as a matter of course. However, she still handed the child in her arms to the wet nurse and helped Old Madam Ren up, saying with a smile, "Enough of that. You're getting on in years yourself—why bother with such formalities?"

Ren Yaoqi also stepped forward with her sisters to pay their respects. Old Madam Lin's gaze swept over their faces one by one as she pulled Old Madam Ren to sit on the kang, asking with a smile, "Look at each of them, fresh and lovely as spring onions. Which one is your fifth granddaughter?"

Old Madam Lin was over a decade older than Old Madam Ren but had maintained herself exceptionally well. Though a few silver strands peeked out from the edges of her emerald-studded forehead band, she did not appear aged. With her high brow bones and slightly thin eyebrows, she carried an air of dignity, though her smiling expression made her seem amiable and approachable.

Hearing her name called, Ren Yaoqi lifted her head, and Old Madam Lin's gaze immediately settled on her face. "Are you the fifth girl?"

Ren Yaoqi curtsied and replied softly, "Yes, Great-Aunt."

With so many people in the room, numerous eyes turned toward Ren Yaoqi.

Old Madam Lin did not say anything further, merely praising Ren Yaoqi briefly before asking about Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaohua.

Meanwhile, a lively young lady from the Lin Family tugged at Ren Yaoyu's sleeve and whispered, "Cousin, is this your fifth sister, the one who is on close terms with the Commandery Princess and even took a painted boat ride with her on the inner city river?"

Though her voice was not loud, it was not exactly a whisper either, and many in the room overheard. Several other young ladies from the Lin Family also looked at Ren Yaoqi with curiosity.

Xiao Jinglin had few friends in Yunyang City. Even her interactions with the young ladies from the Yun Family, her grandmother's maiden family, were not particularly close. As for other noble young ladies who sought to get closer to the Commandery Princess, Xiao Jinglin generally paid them little heed, as they simply had nothing in common to talk about.However, as the only daughter of the Prince of Yanbei and the Princess Consort, Xiao Jinglin still attracted considerable attention in Yanbei. Therefore, the news of Xiao Jinglin's close friendship with the Fifth Young Miss of the Ren Family had reached the ears of the ladies and young misses in Yunyang City. Not to mention the incident during the Dragon Boat Festival when the Commandery Princess invited Ren Yaoqi to cruise the inner city river. While the altercation between the Commandery Princess and Wu Yiyu was secondary, the fact that private boats were almost never allowed to sail on Yunyang City's inner city river made Ren Yaoqi stand out as the first among the noble young ladies of Yanbei.

Ren Yaoyu had returned to her maternal grandmother's home these past few days, and her spirits had improved considerably, regaining some of her former liveliness. However, she now harbored genuine fear toward Old Madam Ren. Upon hearing this, she merely pursed her lips slightly, not daring to speak carelessly in front of Old Madam Ren.

Meanwhile, Madam Lin smiled and said to her nieces from her maiden family, "Our Fifth Young Miss is truly good friends with the Commandery Princess. Not long ago, the Commandery Princess even went to White Crane Town specifically to visit her. Next time the Commandery Princess goes boating, we'll have Fifth Young Miss invite you all along as well."

Madam Lin had suffered a significant setback recently, but because she had reconciled with Fifth Master, her days were now filled with contentment and pride. She had always been fond of showing off and loved to flaunt her status in front of her sisters-in-law and sisters from her maiden family. Her words were meant to bring her honor among her relatives while also considering that such remarks would bring face to her husband's family, ensuring her mother-in-law would not be displeased.

Unexpectedly, her casual promise caught the attention of the young girl who had just asked the question. The girl stepped forward, linked arms with Ren Yaoqi, and shook her gently, asking, "Is it true, Fifth Cousin? I've never been on a painted pleasure boat before."

Ren Yaoqi was quite displeased with Madam Lin's presumptuous remarks, but she could not openly show her irritation. Just as she was about to say something to steer the conversation elsewhere, Madam Lin's mother, First Madam Lin, stepped forward to help Ren Yaoqi out of the awkward situation.

She gently patted the young girl's head and scolded her with a smile, "Your aunt was just teasing you. The painted pleasure boat doesn't belong to your Fifth Cousin—how could she just invite guests as she pleases? Besides, boats aren't allowed on the inner city river. I heard that after the last incident, the Commandery Princess was even reprimanded by the Princess Consort when she returned."

The young girl stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose at Madam Lin. "Auntie just loves to tease us." Her innocent and lively demeanor made everyone laugh.

First Madam Lin smiled at Ren Yaoqi, her kind expression carrying a hint of reassurance.

It must be said that compared to First Madam Lin's shrewdness and social grace, her daughter was truly... Ren Yaoqi could only shake her head inwardly.

The matter was thus brushed aside. Old Madam Ren and Old Madam Lin were sitting intimately on the kang, deep in conversation, seemingly unaware of the little episode that had just occurred.

Gradually, many more female relatives from families close to the Lin Family arrived. From this, it was evident that the courtyard the Lin Family had arranged for Ren Shijia was exceptionally spacious, as it did not feel crowded despite the large number of people.

The young ladies of the Lin Family were all very enthusiastic toward Ren Yaoqi. The girl who had mentioned never having been on a painted pleasure boat was particularly curious about Ren Yaoqi's interactions with Xiao Jinglin. However, her frank and curious nature, coupled with her straightforward and lively manner, made it difficult for anyone to genuinely dislike her. This young girl was Lin Baoling, a young miss from the third branch of the Lin Family.

Among Lin Baoling's generation, the Lin Family had only four girls, two of whom were born to concubines. Compared to the dozen or so male descendants, this was a clear case of "more males than females." As rarity adds value, the young ladies of the Lin Family were even more doted upon than the young masters.Ren Yaoqi was accompanying the Ren Family's young ladies in entertaining the three Miss Lins when a servant woman came in to announce that "the elderly lady from Treasure Vase Alley" had arrived.

This announcement caused the room to fall silent. The previous laughter and conversation seemed to have been abruptly cut off, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Ren Yaoqi was also slightly taken aback. She knew that the title "the elderly lady from Treasure Vase Alley" actually referred to her maternal grandmother, the deposed principal consort of Prince Xian. Due to her awkward status, the ladies of Yunyang City used "the elderly lady from Treasure Vase Alley" to address her. (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.)