Fifth Madam Lin and Concubine Fang had actually known each other since childhood and were nominally considered cousins.
However, as the legitimate wife, Madam Lin had always prided herself on her status and disdained associating with the likes of Concubine Fang. On the rare occasions they crossed paths, she would pretend not to see her.
Ren Yaoqi lingered with Madam Lin for a while longer, subtly hinting that Ren Yaohua was the mastermind behind Ren Yaoyu's predicament.
After Ren Yaoqi left, Madam Lin summoned her trusted confidante, Nanny Sun, to investigate the matter in the outer courtyard.
Nanny Sun was a respected and influential figure in the Ren Family and quickly uncovered the truth behind the situation.
"Madam, Third Miss is truly ruthless to resort to such methods!" Nanny Sun exclaimed indignantly.
Madam Lin, however, tapped lightly on the small table, pondering for a long while. "I find this matter more complicated than it appears on the surface."
"What do you mean, Madam?"
Madam Lin spoke slowly and deliberately, "My grandmother once said that things that come too easily are rarely genuine, and information someone is eager for you to know is often far from the truth. If Nanny Zhu hadn't encouraged Fifth Miss to come here today, I might have actually believed it."
Nanny Sun was startled. "Are you saying someone deliberately tried to sow discord between you and them?"
Madam Lin smiled without warmth. "Whether it's deliberate provocation or an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, we might as well wait and see. With that woman's cunning, she would never make a move without a backup plan."
After thinking for a moment, Nanny Sun suddenly understood. "Madam, you mean Fang..."
Madam Lin idly stirred the incense ashes in the bronze tripod incense burner engraved with Sanskrit characters using a copper poker. "Even when we were young girls, I despised her pretentiousness the most. Despite being born a lowly concubine's daughter, she put on airs more than anyone else. And she particularly enjoys scheming in the shadows. Look at my aunt—isn't she formidable too? All the concubine-born sons and daughters in her household were subdued by her, not daring to utter a word in her presence. Yet, only she and her brother managed to thrive. Now, her brother has even risen to the rank of a seventh-grade county magistrate."
Nanny Sun smiled, "This servant always thought that aunt was a kind and gentle person. It's said that the concubine-born young master of the Fang family only managed to secure his position thanks to her efforts. In other households, the legitimate wife would be finding ways to suppress him instead."
Madam Lin glanced at Nanny Sun with a knowing smile. "Do you really think my aunt is a pushover? Although she only gave birth to one simple-minded son, there were five or six concubine-born sons. Why do you think she chose to nurture Concubine Fang's brother back then?"
"Why is that?"
Madam Lin curled her lips in disdain. "Wasn't it because Fang Yaru went to her legitimate mother to pledge her loyalty and eagerly came to the Ren Family as a concubine? Becoming a concubine is equivalent to handing over one's life and fate to someone else. Our Old Madam Ren and Fang Yaru's legitimate mother are biological sisters. By doing this, Fang Yaru was telling her legitimate mother that she could never escape her grasp. Her gesture perfectly aligned with her legitimate mother's intentions, and her brother consequently stood out among the many concubine-born sons of the Fang family."
"So it seems this Concubine Fang truly cares for her brother, willing to make such a sacrifice for his future."Madam Lin gave a derisive laugh at this, shaking the copper hairpin in her hand. "You, you don't understand her. My cousin's aunt had six concubine-born daughters, and every one of them married poorly. The only one who married slightly better ended up with a man who was a consumptive! Only her—because she came to the Ren Family as a concubine—my cousin's aunt, out of face, gave her a dowry at least ten times more than the other concubine-born daughters. Moreover, our Old Madam Ren also treated her differently out of regard for my cousin's aunt. Her brother, having benefited from her favor, is now her biggest support in the Ren Family. Look at her scheming—can you calculate as shrewdly as she does?"
Granny Sun sighed and shook her head. "This servant cannot. This servant is just a lowly fate."
Madam Lin sneered. "She refuses to accept her fate. Not only does she refuse to accept it, but she also loves to fight and snatch, yet she always manages to keep herself clean. To put it crudely, she wants to be a whore and still set up a memorial archway!"
"Then regarding this matter, should we just watch for now?" Granny Sun asked hesitantly.
Madam Lin frowned, her eyes unable to conceal her worry. "I've already made arrangements on Yu'er's side, but I don't know when Old Madam Ren's anger will subside."
At this point, Madam Lin's expression turned fierce. "My mother repeatedly warned me not to confront her lightly, saying her mind is too deep and fearing I'd suffer losses. But if she really dares to set her sights on my daughter, I'll make sure she regrets it! Continue to keep a close watch on the outer courtyard. If anything seems amiss, report it to me immediately."
"Yes, Madam."
In the afternoon, Xier came to tell Ren Yaoqi that everything had been arranged as she had instructed.
Ren Yaoqi had sent Xier back to serve Madam Li early that morning. She had come now to relay a message from Ren Yaohua.
While speaking, Xier couldn't help but curiously observe Ren Yaoqi, her expression genuinely pleased.
No one around Madam Li was unhappy about the current harmony between the sisters.
In the evening, when everyone went to Glory and Splendor Courtyard for the evening greetings, Old Madam Ren publicly announced that Ren Yaohua would be moving to Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Fifth Madam Lin, whose pleas on her daughter's behalf had been ignored by Old Madam Ren, glanced at Ren Yaohua, her suspicions about her own doubts beginning to waver again.
She had asked Ren Yaoyu—the cloth doll and even the birth characters had come from her hand, merely altered by one character, so she couldn't even defend her own daughter.
Originally, she had suspected that Concubine Fang wanted to use her to eliminate Ren Yaohua. But if this matter was really stirred up by Ren Yaohua to make Ren Yaoyu give way for her, that wasn't impossible either.
Everyone knew that Ren Yaohua's ability to act with impunity in the Ren Family relied on Old Madam Ren's affection. This time, having been away for a year, it was precisely the time to mend their grandmother-granddaughter bond.
Over there, Ren Yaohua happily agreed.
Madam Lin was displeased and was considering whether to drag Ren Yaohua down first. But Ren Yaoqi, beside her, quietly took half a step closer and anxiously signaled with her eyes for her to step forward.
Madam Lin thought it over and, truly unwilling to be used as a pawn by someone like Concubine Fang, simply turned her head away, pretending not to see.
Early the next morning, Ren Yaohua's maids and matrons began ostentatiously moving clothes and belongings into Glory and Splendor Courtyard. The display seemed as if they were afraid the people in the mansion wouldn't know that the Ren Family's Third Miss had regained Old Madam Ren's favor.
In the morning, the gatekeeper from the outer courtyard reported that Auntie Xiao had arrived."Madam" is considered a term of respect, typically referring to women who hold considerable prestige within specific circles and possess various skills. Such women are often either unmarried past the customary age or widowed. They frequently appear in the inner courtyards of wealthy households, treated as honored guests.
No one dares to offend such individuals lightly. Not only because of their high abilities and extensive connections, but also because if they speak ill of you, it is guaranteed that the entire town will know by the next day.
Just as midwives and matchmakers often have their own territories, "Madams" also have their own "domains." Madam Xiao is well-known throughout White Crane Town. Of course, such famous Madams typically only appear in wealthy and noble households; they do not visit ordinary families.
"What brings Madam here today?" Old Madam Ren greeted with a warm and respectful smile after taking her seat.
Madam Xiao was a frequent visitor to the Ren Family. She was in her thirties, with delicate features, dressed simply and neatly, without a single accessory, giving an impression of upright respectability.
"I came today to deliver next year's imperial calendar to your household," Madam Xiao replied with a proper smile, speaking at a moderate pace. Her demeanor was neither aloof nor obsequious, making it easy to win the favor of those in higher positions.
Old Madam Ren chuckled lightly and patted her forehead. "Look at my memory! I completely forgot about this."
"It's not that Old Madam's memory is poor; it's just that this year's calendar was printed half a month earlier than usual," Madam Xiao said, signaling the servant who had accompanied her to present an exquisite red-lacquered wooden box.
Old Madam Ren instructed Granny Gui to take it. "Now that you mention it, I recall that you usually deliver it in early October. Why is it so early this year?"
Madam Xiao explained, "In previous years, the imperial calendar was issued by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and the bookstores in Yanbei would print copies accordingly. This year, however, is special—it has been reviewed by the Yanbei Prince's Mansion."
Old Madam Ren was taken aback for a moment before smiling. "I've only heard of the imperial court issuing the calendar, never..." Realizing she shouldn't say more, she paused, smiled, and picked up her teacup to offer some tea.
Madam Xiao pretended not to notice Old Madam Ren's slip of the tongue and continued, "Last year, there were several errors in Yanbei's calendar, which led to several bookstores being shut down."
This incident was well-known throughout Yanbei.
"After what happened last year, who would dare to get involved with this?" Old Madam Ren asked curiously.
The imperial calendar has always been issued by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, with bookstores in various prefectures and counties printing copies accordingly. Errors are rare. Last year, for unknown reasons, Yanbei's calendar contained multiple discrepancies compared to the one issued by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, leading to accusations to the imperial court and many losing their lives. Some even accused the Yanbei Prince's Mansion of condoning this, suggesting they intended to overthrow the dynasty.
"I heard that this year, the scribes at the Yanbei Prince's Mansion checked it no less than ten times, so there will certainly be no errors," Madam Xiao said with a smile. "Moreover, this year's calendars for several prefectures in Yanbei are being printed by the Han Family."
"The Han Family?" Old Madam Ren thought for a moment. "Is that the Han Family that moved from Jizhou to our White Crane Town just last year?"
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