Reborn of the Rightful

(Additional Update)

Revised

Today, it wasn't just the young gentlemen from prominent families who received invitations from the Su family; the young ladies from distinguished households in Yunyang City who were on good terms with the Su family also received invitations.

However, while the young masters received invitations to the poetry gathering hosted by the Su family's second young master, Su Yunchen, the young ladies received invitations to the tea party hosted by the Su family's eldest young lady, Su Fangfei.

The Lin family's young ladies, along with Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoyin, also received invitations from the Su family.

The invitation in Ren Yaoqi's hands was delivered by the chief maid of the Ren family's seventh young lady, Ren Yaoting. Since all four of the Lin family's young ladies were attending, and Ren Yaoyin was also going, Ren Yaoqi sent someone to inform Xiao Jinglin, asking her not to send a carriage to pick her up the next day.

Ren Yaoqi went to the Su family together with Ren Yaoyin, accompanied by the four young ladies of the Lin family.

Among the younger generation of the Lin family, there were far more male descendants than female ones. While the young masters numbered over a dozen, there were only four young ladies.

Lin Baoling, the legitimate granddaughter of the Lin family's Third Master, was the most favored by the elders. Additionally, there were Lin Baozhu, the legitimate granddaughter of the Lin family's Fourth Master, and Lin Baolan and Lin Baole, the illegitimate granddaughters of the Lin family's Eldest Master. Although Lin Baozhu was also legitimate, she rarely appeared in public due to her poor health. The illegitimate granddaughters, Lin Baolan and Lin Baole, did not particularly enjoy spending time with Lin Baoling, as they were unwilling to serve as mere foils to her brilliance.

Today, with the Su family sending out invitations, the Lin sisters made a rare appearance together.

Lin Baoling eagerly asked Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoyin, "Will Sister Yaoying be coming today?"

Ren Yaoyin smiled and explained, "Aunt took Ninth Sister to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Lin Baoling looked surprised. "The Yanbei Prince's Mansion? Is Aunt acquainted with any of the masters there?"

Ren Yaoyin smiled again. "I'm not sure about that, but I heard that one of Aunt's close friends is acquainted with the wife of a secretary at the Prince's Mansion. Originally, Aunt and Ninth Sister were also planning to come to the Su family, but they went to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion instead because the secretary's wife sent someone to discuss some matters. Aunt sent someone to inform Auntie."

Lin Baoling covered her mouth and laughed. "Come to think of it, I've been to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion a few times myself." She then began to describe the layout of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to Ren Yaoyin and the others but suddenly stopped after a few sentences.

She glanced at Ren Yaoqi, blushed, and murmured, "Oh, I forgot. Sister Yaoqi has been to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion far more times than I have. It's not my place to introduce it here."

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled. "Every time I go, I only accompany the Commandery Princess in practicing the qin. I've never wandered around the Prince's Mansion. I'm timid, and the Yanbei Prince's Mansion is so vast. I'm afraid of accidentally wandering into forbidden areas or getting lost. I haven't been to any of the places Sister Baoling mentioned, so I wouldn't be able to describe them properly."

Lin Baoling widened her eyes in surprise. "Sister Yaoqi, have you never even been to the Old Princess Consort's quarters?"

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "No, I haven't. Would Sister Baoling like to tell us about it?"

Lin Baoling's eyes curved into a smile again, and she enthusiastically began recounting her previous visit to the Old Princess of Yanbei with her great-grandmother and grandmother.Several people were walking and chatting together when they heard someone calling from afar: "Fifth Sister, you've finally arrived!"

Ren Yaoqi looked up and saw a young girl wearing a light green dress walking towards them with a smile on her face. She couldn't help but smile herself and quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Seventh Sister, you wrote to invite me specially—how could I dare not come?"

The person approaching was precisely the seventh daughter of the Ren Family's second branch, Ren Yaoting. Ren Yaoting had also been staying at her maternal family's home, the Su Family, these days and had invited Ren Yaoqi to visit the Su Family several times, but Ren Yaoqi had always declined with excuses.

Ren Yaoting greeted Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaoying, and the four daughters of the Lin Family, then immediately grabbed Ren Yaoqi's arm, pretending to pinch her waist while smiling and glaring: "You still have the nerve to say that! I've invited you so many times, and you never came. If you didn't come this time, I wouldn't be friends with you anymore." Despite her words, her tone was cheerful, clearly showing she was very happy Ren Yaoqi had come.

Ren Yaoqi dodged and pleaded for mercy.

The girl accompanying Ren Yaoting was about the same age as them, with delicate features. She now spoke up with a smile: "Little cousin, Mother asked you to welcome guests, not to chase them away. If you scare them off, how will you explain yourself?"

Ren Yaoting chuckled and glanced sideways at her: "Alright, alright, you're the well-behaved and sensible one, cousin."

This girl was precisely the eldest daughter of the Su Family, Su Fangfei.

Lin Baoling and Su Fangfei were also familiar from their usual interactions and now gathered together. Lin Baoling had a lively personality, holding onto the eldest daughter of the Su Family and chattering incessantly, occasionally covering her mouth and laughing, appearing carefree.

The eldest daughter of the Su Family listened with a smile, occasionally responding softly. The two seemed very harmonious, indicating a close friendship.

The group chatted and laughed as they headed to Old Madam Su's courtyard.

Regardless of the reason for visiting any family, the first step was always to meet the elders of that household. After paying respects and receiving permission from the elders, one could then move about freely—this was the rule and etiquette.

Old Madam Su was the stepmother of Old Master Su. Eldest Master Su Keqin and the Second Madam of the Ren Family, who was the aunt, were both born from the original wife. The current Old Madam Su had given birth to Second Master Su Kejian and Third Master Su Keji.

Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting were both considered part of the eldest branch. Although they brought the others to see Old Madam Su out of etiquette, their attitude was not particularly warm.

Old Madam Su's expression was kindly, but it was merely superficial. After a few words, she sent them away.

Next, Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting led them to First Madam Su's quarters. First Madam Su's courtyard was much livelier. Besides them, there were several other young girls of similar age, as well as a few other madams.

Although Old Madam Su held the highest seniority within the Su Family's inner household, the true head of the household was First Madam Su.

It was said that in the past, this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair had engaged in fierce struggles—the bloody conflicts were not something outsiders could easily discuss. The result was that Old Madam Su had now retreated, while First Madam Su was thriving and triumphant.

In relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, either one side dominates the other, or the other side dominates—there is always joy for one and sorrow for the other."Cousin-in-law, could you speak to Auntie and ask if we can go play in the garden?" Seeing a gentle-mannered young woman enter, Ren Yaoting released Ren Yaoqi's hand and hurried over, lowering her voice in a coquettish plea.

Ren Yaoqi's gaze also settled on the young woman, her smile unchanged on the surface, yet not reaching her eyes.

Eldest Young Madam Su, Lady Zeng, gently tapped Ren Yaoting's nose with her finger, her expression soft and indulgent. "You clever little imp, always putting me to work. If you want to go out, why don't you ask Mother-in-law yourself?"

Su Fangfei also stepped forward, taking Lady Zeng's other hand and giving it a light shake, her smile sly. "Sister-in-law, Mother loves you best. If you ask, it's sure to work. If Cousin and I go, we might just get scolded."

Lady Zeng looked at them, suppressing a laugh as she sighed with feigned helplessness. "I can't afford to offend my little sister-in-law, so what else can I say?"

Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting exchanged glances and burst into giggles.

As Lady Zeng passed by Ren Yaoqi, she instinctively glanced her way. Meeting Ren Yaoqi's smiling face, she nodded with a smile in return. Then she went over to First Madam Su and whispered a few words to her.

First Madam Su looked over at the young ladies and nodded softly, offering a few quiet instructions, which Lady Zeng listened to respectfully.

Seeing Lady Zeng return, Ren Yaoting was the first to rush forward, unable to contain her eagerness. "Well? What did Auntie say? Did she agree?"

Lady Zeng sighed, then smiled brightly, blinking her eyes. "Mission accomplished."

Ren Yaoting's face immediately lit up with joy.

Su Fangfei, remembering her role as hostess, quickly went to invite the other young ladies to join them in strolling through the garden.

The young ladies laughed among themselves, but none refused to go. A few of the more bashful ones even blushed faintly.

Everyone knew that today's gathering at the Su residence wasn't just for the ladies and madams. Second Young Master Su was hosting a poetry gathering, and there were quite a few young masters and learned scholars from prominent families in attendance.

So, while they claimed to be going for a garden stroll, they all secretly harbored the hope of catching a glimpse of the scholars' elegant demeanor. It was an unspoken understanding.

As long as things didn't go too far, the elders turned a blind eye. After all, everyone had been young once and understood such sentiments.

Besides, it wasn't really possible to cross any lines, with maids and matrons stationed throughout the courtyards and gardens, their sharp eyes watching vigilantly.

Eldest Young Madam Su and Su Fangfei led the way with the young ladies, while Ren Yaoting deliberately tugged at Ren Yaoqi's sleeve, allowing the two of them to lag a few steps behind.

"Fifth Sister, I heard he'll be here today too."

Ren Yaoqi watched as her maid, Pingguo, quietly slipped away. Distractedly, she asked, "Who will be here?"

After asking, she noticed Ren Yaoting shyly tugging at her own skirt and immediately understood. The "he" Ren Yaoting referred to could only be Han Yunqian.

Perhaps because Ren Yaoqi knew of her affection for Han Yunqian, Ren Yaoting had always been closer to her than to her other sisters, often confiding in her secretly.

"Fifth Sister, Young Master Han is sure to compose a poem today." She glanced around and lowered her voice. "Later, I'll have someone sneak out the poem he writes."Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, looking at Ren Yaoting beside her, whose face was flushed but eyes sparkled brightly. After a moment's thought, she still advised, "Seventh Sister, why do you want his poem? What if someone discovers it?"

Ren Yaoting frowned, then finally pouted, "So what if they discover it? It would be even better if they did! Uncle and Aunt usually dote on me the most. If they found out, they definitely wouldn't scold me—they'd even find a way to smooth things over for me. Besides, because of the salt well matter, Uncle has been getting closer to the Han Family lately. If Uncle were to step in... Fifth Sister, do you think I might have a chance?"

Seeing Ren Yaoting's stubborn persistence, her expression one of someone who wouldn't turn back until hitting a wall, Ren Yaoqi felt a genuine headache.

She couldn't claim to have a deep sisterly bond with Ren Yaoting, but she didn't wish to see her come to harm either. After all, Ren Yaoting was part of the Ren Family. If her reputation were ruined, it would affect the other young women of the Ren Family as well.

"Seventh Sister, you're right. The Han Family is now on good terms with the Su Family. If Eldest Master of the Su Family were to propose it, you might indeed have a chance," Ren Yaoqi nodded.

Hearing this, Ren Yaoting's eyes lit up, staring at Ren Yaoqi with delight. "Fifth Sister, are you serious? Do you really think so too?"

Ren Yaoqi nodded. "It's precisely because you now have a chance that I think you should be even more careful. Otherwise, if something goes wrong at this point, wouldn't all your previous plans come to nothing? For example, today, you shouldn't have risked your reputation for a poem. Ask yourself, which family would be willing to marry a young woman with a tarnished reputation? Even if the Su Family wants to strengthen ties with the Han Family, doesn't the Su Family have other suitable young women to form a marriage alliance?"

Ren Yaoting frowned upon hearing this, hesitating. "You have a point, but I..."

Just then, Lin Baoling, walking ahead, turned back and said, "You two, why are you so slow! What secrets are you whispering about?"

Ren Yaoqi smiled at this, pulling Ren Yaoting along to catch up, and dropped the topic. She had advised all she could; she only hoped Ren Yaoting wouldn't be too foolish.

The Su Family's poetry gathering was held in the pavilion at the center of the lake in the Su Family garden.

Eldest Young Madam of the Su Family and Su Fangfei led the group straight into the Su Family garden.

From a distance, they could see figures bustling in the lakeside pavilion. As they drew closer, they could hear the voice of some young master reciting poetry.

The young master reciting must have been going through puberty, his voice rough and far from pleasant. Yet, the young master recited with such emotional intensity, rising and falling with cadence, his earnestness making it hard to criticize him.

The young ladies walking ahead were all laughing.

The people in the pavilion noticed the newcomers, and the reciting young master's voice noticeably grew louder, startling a pair of mandarin ducks grooming each other's necks in the lake.

The young ladies' laughter grew even louder, some unable to contain their amusement.

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh as well. Joyful things always resonated with most people.

Lady Zeng did not lead the young ladies into the lakeside pavilion but instead circled around the lake, always separated from the young masters in the pavilion by over two zhang of emerald-green lake water.

The breeze lifted their skirts, carrying with it a fragrant, elegant scent, and their laughter tinkled like silver bells.The two parties couldn't see each other's faces clearly, only distinguishing gender by their attire, yet miraculously this inspired the "poetic nature" of the talented scholars. Those in the pavilion were also filled with fervor.

The young master in the midst of voice change finally finished reciting his poem, but someone immediately followed.

The next young master's voice was noticeably more pleasant, though unfortunately his seven-character regulated verse kept coming out in bursts of three characters, leaving the final character often isolated. The tonal patterns were completely thrown into disarray, creating an indescribably peculiar effect.

The young ladies burst into laughter.

Lin Baoling even leaned over with a giggle, whispering, "I bet this reciting young master is that young master from the Gu family."

Ren Yaoting wasn't from Yunyang City either, and asked in confusion upon hearing this, "Which young master from the Gu family? We can't see the people in the pavilion from here—how did you guess?"

Lin Baoling covered her mouth with a laugh. "You don't know—this young master from the Gu family has stuttered since childhood. Later, his mother taught him a method to speak without being ridiculed: breaking sentences into groups of three characters. Unexpectedly, this method actually worked. With enough practice, as long as he speaks slowly, it's hardly noticeable. But I heard that after his stuttering improved, this young master developed a fatal hobby—reciting poetry and composing couplets... pfft..." Lin Baoling couldn't finish before bursting into laughter.

The other young ladies listening nearby also couldn't help but chuckle.

While everyone was chatting and laughing, they saw a youth wearing a sapphire-blue silk robe emerge from a nearby path, seemingly heading toward the lakeside pavilion.

This youth had fair skin but an extremely ordinary face, with only a pair of phoenix eyes adding some distinction.

Seeing so many young ladies appear before him, the youth was startled. He hurriedly bowed with a cupped-hand salute, then slightly turned aside to avoid looking in their direction, showing impeccable manners.

The young ladies hadn't expected anyone to come and were initially startled and somewhat shy. However, seeing the youth retreat to the side with ears flushed crimson, they couldn't help but laugh.

The youth's face turned even redder. He buried his head, not daring to lift it, only showing the top of his head.

This made the young ladies look at him even more. Though his appearance was ordinary, his restrained, proper, and embarrassed demeanor didn't seem unpleasant—it was even somewhat endearing.

Eldest Young Madam of the Su family, Lady Zeng, also laughed. She was about to have a maidservant escort the poor youth, flustered by the young ladies' laughter, to the lakeside pavilion when Ren Yaoyin let out a surprised "Huh?" and hesitantly called out, "Cousin Fang?"

Fang Shuzhou lifted his head, recognized Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaoqi, bowed again, and said with a flushed face, "Cousins Ren."

Lady Zeng smiled. "Are you heading to the lakeside pavilion, Young Master Fang?"

Fang Shuzhou nodded. "Yes, yes, I am."

Lady Zeng didn't trouble him further and had her own maidservant lead Fang Shuzhou away.

Fang Shuzhou hurriedly bowed again, making the young ladies cover their mouths with laughter.

As Fang Shuzhou passed by the group, someone gasped in surprise.

Lin Baoling was staring blankly at Fang Shuzhou, her mouth agape, forgetting to cover her slightly uneven teeth.

"Baoling, what's wrong?" Su Fangfei immediately came over and asked.

Lin Baoling snapped back to reality, her face instantly turning pale, though her eyes reddened.Su Fangfei followed Lin Baoling's gaze suspiciously and happened to meet Fang Shuzhou's flustered eyes. Then her gaze drifted downward, swept past Fang Shuzhou's waist, and she froze.

"Huh?"

Fang Shuzhou didn't know what was going on, but he truly didn't dare to stay any longer. Steeling himself, he quickly walked away.

After Fang Shuzhou left, Su Fangfei gave Lin Baoling a somewhat suspicious look. The other three young ladies of the Lin Family exchanged glances, their expressions also turning odd.

Lin Baoling's originally pale face suddenly flushed with a hint of red. She opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word.

"What's wrong?" Lady Zeng, walking ahead, noticed something amiss and came over to ask.

Lin Baoling took a deep breath, shook her head, and forced out, "It's nothing. I... I just suddenly feel a bit unwell."

Lady Zeng looked at Lin Baoling, then glanced at the other Lin young ladies with their strange expressions, before looking at her sister-in-law.

The Lin young ladies remained silent. Su Fangfei glanced at her elder sister-in-law but said nothing.

Seeing this, Lady Zeng naturally and considerately said to Lin Baoling, "Miss Lin isn't feeling well? Would you like to rest for a while? Although it's summer, the wind by the lakeside garden is quite strong. Perhaps you caught a chill?" Her concern was perfectly measured.

Lin Baoling hurriedly nodded.

Lady Zeng then instructed an elderly servant woman to escort Lin Baoling to First Madam Su's garden to rest for a while.

The Lin young ladies exchanged glances and expressed their wish to accompany Lin Baoling.

Su Fangfei thought for a moment and said to Lady Zeng, "Sister-in-law, I'll accompany Baoling."

Lady Zeng nodded without objection.

Su Fangfei then left with the Lin young ladies.

Ren Yaoting watched them walk away and whispered to Ren Yaoqi, "What's going on? Is Lin Bailing unwell?"

Ren Yaoqi shook her head, indicating she knew nothing.

Ren Yaoting had only asked casually; her attention wasn't on such trivial matters at all. She was diligently searching for traces of Young Master Han Yunqian, hoping for an unexpected encounter.

Lady Zeng continued leading the young ladies along the lakeshore, listening to their chatter and laughter.

As they were about to complete the circuit, Ren Yaoting beckoned her maid and whispered, "Follow the maids serving tea to the lakeside pavilion and see if Young Master Han is there."

Ren Yaoqi, who overheard clearly beside her, struggled to suppress the urge to sigh.

When the garden tour was nearly over, the maid Ren Yaoting had sent out finally returned and reported softly, "Miss, Young Master Han is not in the pavilion."

Ren Yaoting's face fell with disappointment upon hearing this. Frowning, she said, "Didn't my cousin say he would come?" After a moment's thought, she instructed the maid again, "Go wait on the path outside. If he arrives, immediately send someone to inform me."

The maid left with a pained expression.

The young ladies were finally tired from walking and weary of the excitement. Lady Zeng suggested they all go to the flower hall in front of First Madam Lin's courtyard for tea.

Just as they were about to leave the garden, Ren Yaoqi seemed to sense something and glanced back. She happened to see a sapphire-blue figure hurriedly emerging from the lakeside pavilion. A faint smile curled at the corner of Ren Yaoqi's lips as she calmly turned her head away.

Upon exiting the garden, they happened to encounter a matron from Lin Baoling's entourage hurrying over with one of her senior maids.

Lady Zeng couldn't help but ask, "Matron, what is it?"The maidservant smiled apologetically and said, "I was in such a hurry just now that I dropped the bracelet my mistress rewarded me with. I need to go look for it."

"Then I'll send a few people to help you search," Lady Zeng replied, treating even another household's servant with her usual gentle nature.

The maidservant quickly declined, "I'm just doing this for my own peace of mind—it might have fallen somewhere else. Please don't trouble yourself over me, madam. You must be busy."

The great-grandson then gave up, nodded, and left with his men.