Ren Yaohua turned to look at Ren Yaoqi, her eyes filled with undisguised anxiety: "You also know what kind of position Mother currently holds in the Ren Family. Now, the Fang family is still far away in Jiangnan, and Fang Yacun is merely a minor official in Jiangnan with no real connection to us. If Fang Yacun comes to Yanbei as a local official and allows the Fang family to extend their influence into Yanbei, how will Mother and I manage? You don’t know, but after returning this time, Grandmother has grown even closer to Concubine Fang. Not only has she repeatedly rewarded her with food and fabrics, but she even privately told Concubine Fang that she would let her take over the internal affairs of our third branch in due time."
Ren Yaohua’s eyes held a sharpness like icy peaks, and her pursed lips carried a sarcasm that seemed at odds with her age: "If things are already like this now, once Fang Yaxun truly arrives in Yan Prefecture, where will there be any place for Mother in the Ren Family? Grandmother has always taught us clearly that the glory of our maternal family is our glory as women, and the strength of our maternal family determines our future status in our husband’s household. Our mother, though born into nobility... well, you understand the situation with our maternal family. We can’t rely on them in ordinary times, so how can we truly count on them in critical moments? As one side wanes, the other waxes... So the Fang family must not rise."
The clear dissatisfaction in Ren Yaohua’s words toward their maternal family made Ren Yaoqi frown: "I understand your concerns, Sister. I know our maternal family has its own difficulties, and many things are not as simple as we think..."
Ren Yaohua raised her hand to interrupt Ren Yaoqi: "You don’t need to tell me this. I’m not unaware that our maternal family has to keep a low profile due to their status, so I don’t blame them for being unable to stand up for Mother. It’s just that..." Ren Yaohua paused here, her eyes dimming.
She simply resented that, since their maternal family knew they couldn’t protect a married daughter, why did they marry Mother into a family like the Ren Family? Merchants naturally prioritize profit. Wouldn’t it have been much simpler if Mother had married into an ordinary scholarly family? She had heard that when their maternal family first arrived in Yanbei, they were in dire straits, and the dowry from the Ren Family had relieved their urgent needs. After Mother married, she secretly sent money to her family every month, which allowed them to afford raising actors and indulging in pleasure.
Even though Nanny Zhou had secretly told her that the identities of those actors were not simple, she couldn’t let go of her resentment. One should live within their means. Since they had fallen into hardship, there was no need to put on airs of a princely household, not even in secret.
Thus, in her view, Mother’s current difficulties were all caused by their maternal family. This was her unresolved grievance toward them, and no one could ease it.
However, Ren Yaohua had no intention of discussing this in detail with Ren Yaoqi. Her dislike for their maternal family was her own affair, and she wouldn’t use her reasons to stop her younger sister from being close to them.
"Do you have any way to stop Fang Yacun from coming to Yanbei?" Ren Yaohua no longer dwelled on the matter of their maternal family and asked directly.Although she spoke these words out of a glimmer of hope in her heart, she held little real expectation. After all, Ren Yaoqi was merely a young woman of the inner chambers; the idea that she could influence matters in the Yanbei officialdom seemed like a fool's dream. Yet, she also felt that Ren Yaoqi was somewhat different from ordinary young women—what seemed impossible for others might not be so for Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaohua vaguely sensed that her younger sister had some external backing, perhaps due to her connection with the Commandery Princess of Yanbei Prince's Mansion. However, since Ren Yaoqi did not speak of it, she did not wish to pry further.
Ren Yaoqi, observing Ren Yaohua's expression, could only sigh softly. "I understand what you mean, sister." Many things could only be left to fate; she could not make any grand promises now.
Ren Yaohua nodded and changed the subject. "By the way, what happened to Old Woman Luo and the maid who went missing?"
Ren Yaoqi had sent word home after finding them, asking the family to stop searching, but she had not provided details. It was no wonder Ren Yaohua would ask.
Ren Yaoqi briefly explained that Old Woman Luo had been injured and ultimately died, while Shui Ai had been placed elsewhere for the time being. Ren Yaohua asked a few more questions before letting the matter rest.
The sisters shared some heartfelt words, and after Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying had a meal at Ren Shijia's place, Ren Shijia arranged for them to be escorted to the Ren Family Villa.
After Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying left, Ren Shijia kept Ren Yaoqi behind to talk and mentioned the letter delivered to her by the maid sent by Old Madam Ren.
The maid Qingliu, whom Old Madam Ren had previously selected as a concubine for her son-in-law, had already been sent back to the Ren Family. Old Madam Ren instructed Ren Shijia to leave the matter for now and let her husband handle the rest.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi thought that her uncle Lin Kun might have secretly reached some agreement with the Ren Family. However, Old Madam Ren had not elaborated on these matters to Ren Shijia, so Ren Shijia's explanation to Ren Yaoqi remained vague.
Ren Yaoqi could only hope that the turmoil in the Lin Family would not erupt until after she returned to White Crane Town; otherwise, her stay here would become uncomfortable.
The next morning, Ren Yaoying came again, but this time she was accompanied by Aunt Liu from the Fang Family and the young master Fang Shuzhou. Ren Yaoying's words from the previous day had indeed been a test of the waters.
Ren Yaoqi had arranged to visit Yanbei Prince's Mansion with Xiao Jinglin in the afternoon, so when Liu and the others arrived, Ren Shijia called Ren Yaoqi to the main hall to receive the guests.
Liu was just as she had been at their first meeting—plain in appearance but dignified in demeanor. She quickly struck up a pleasant conversation with Ren Shijia, who took an immediate liking to her, showcasing Liu's social skills.
"Aunt, why didn’t my Third Sister come today?" Ren Yaoqi asked upon entering, noticing that only Liu, her son, and Ren Yaoying had arrived, with Ren Yaohua absent.
Liu glanced at Ren Yaoqi and sighed gently. "I’ve already explained to your aunt earlier—Yaohua accidentally tripped this morning and sprained her ankle."
Ren Yaoqi was startled. "Third Sister is injured?"Madam Liu quickly comforted, "Don't worry, I've already called a doctor to examine her. The doctor said it's just a sprain, no bones or tendons were injured. She'll recover after resting for three to five days. When I left, I left my nanny and two senior maids to take care of her. They are all experienced and attentive old hands by my side, absolutely nothing will go wrong."
Ren Yaoying also said, "Yes, Fifth Sister, you can rest assured. Third Sister's injury isn't serious, she'll recover soon. Originally, Auntie intended to stay and care for Third Sister today, but I thought since I had already told Aunt yesterday that Auntie was coming to visit you, it would be impolite if Auntie didn't come today. So I persuaded Auntie to come."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaoying, whose eyes were bright and tone gentle, then at Madam Liu, whose demeanor was serene and expression mild. Suddenly, she smiled and nodded, "Since Third Sister has Auntie taking care of her, I'm relieved. Thank you for your trouble, Auntie. I have a bottle of excellent injury medicine here, specifically for bruises and sprains, given to me by the Commandery Princess. I'll have a maid deliver it to Third Sister right away, and also check on her for me."
Madam Liu glanced at Ren Yaoqi, then turned to Ren Shijia with a smile, "What did I just say? It's better to have daughters—daughters are considerate."
Ren Shijia couldn't help but smile and said to Ren Yaoqi, "I was just about to send someone to check on Hua'er. Have your maid take the medicine and go together." Then she said to Madam Liu, "You've come from afar and only brought a few capable people with you. Since they've all gone to serve Hua'er, it'll be inconvenient for you here. Let me send a few people from my side instead."
Hearing this, Madam Liu did not object and readily agreed.
Ren Shijia beckoned her trusted senior maid Dujuan: "Go call Nanny Li and take Moxiang with you to the Ren Family Villa. Stay at the villa these few days to take care of Third Miss. Make sure she is well attended to. If anything is lacking at the villa, report it to me immediately. Tell Hua'er to rest well and recover. Yaoying and I will visit her tomorrow."
Dujuan accepted the order and withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi also stood up: "Aunt, I'll go find the medicine for Sister."
Ren Shijia nodded: "Go ahead."
After leaving Ren Shijia's room, once there was no one else around, the smile on Ren Yaoqi's face immediately vanished. Pingguo, following behind her, glanced at her mistress's dark eyes and lowered her head.
Back in her own room, Ren Yaoqi called for Xiangqin. Even though Ren Yaohua had arrived, Xiangqin was still temporarily serving by Ren Yaoqi's side.
"Go check on Third Sister and ask her exactly how she fell. Also, tell Wujing that when it comes to using medicine, aside from the few trusted maids around her and the two reliable maids Aunt sent over, it's best not to let anyone else handle it," Ren Yaoqi instructed in a low voice.
Xiangqin also looked anxious and nodded hurriedly upon receiving the order: "Fifth Miss, rest assured, this servant remembers."
By then, Dujuan had already gathered everyone and prepared the carriage, waiting outside for Xiangqin.
Ren Yaoqi nodded and let Xiangqin leave.
Once everyone was gone, her brows furrowed tightly.
How could Ren Yaohua, who was always fine, suddenly fall and get injured? Ren Yaohua had a steady temperament and always walked carefully. Why would she get injured precisely at the villa?The author has been away on a business trip these past few days, so I'm currently working hard to catch up on updates...
I just remembered I said earlier that I wouldn't post preview chapters anymore. Alright, let's pretend I never mentioned that preview chapter 183 just now.
〒_〒...
I've been so busy I almost forgot.
Better to write and post one chapter at a time.
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