Madam Lin immediately halted her steps, the delight in her eyes instantly filling her with vitality. Her earlier resentment and grievances vanished without a trace.
"Sister-in-law, look at me—are my eyes swollen?" Madam Lin hurriedly tugged at First Madam's sleeve, asking with a hint of shyness.
Before First Madam could reply, the maids and matrons from Old Madam Ren's quarters covered their mouths and chuckled, dispelling the tense and oppressive atmosphere that had lingered just moments before.
Old Madam Ren glanced over. "Why are you still here?"
Madam Lin looked pleadingly at Old Madam Ren. "Mother, Shimao is back, I..."
Everyone in the Ren household knew that Madam Lin and Fifth Master had been childhood friends. Though the young couple had their quarrels after marriage, they always made up by bedtime. Whenever Fifth Master was home, the two were as close as one person.
Old Madam Ren doted on her youngest son, and this daughter-in-law was also a relative from her own family, so she often turned a blind eye.
But this time, Madam Lin had clearly offended Old Madam Ren deeply. With a stern face, Old Madam Ren scolded, "Are my words just wind in your ears?"
First Madam gently pulled the overjoyed Madam Lin aside and whispered, "Fifth Sister-in-law, your eyes are swollen like peaches, and your makeup is smudged..."
Madam Lin touched her face anxiously. "Mother, then I'll go wash my face first." With that, she hurriedly ran out on her own, completely forgetting Old Madam Ren's earlier order for her to reflect in the ancestral hall.
Old Madam Ren's anger flared up again. Pointing at Madam Lin's retreating figure, she said to First Madam, "Look at her, just look at her! Where is any sense of propriety? She’s utterly lawless!"
First Madam lowered her head with a smile, then stepped forward to direct the maids to clear the table before gently saying, "Fifth Sister-in-law knows you’ve always doted on her. It’s because she feels close to you that she acts this way."
Old Madam Ren snorted coldly. "It’s my indulgence that has made her lose all sense of propriety. Now she doesn’t even put me in her eyes!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a loud voice chimed in from outside, "Who dares not put you in their eyes, Mother? I’ll be the first to not spare them!"
Immediately after, the curtain was lifted, and two men of similar height walked in.
The one in front had a round face and round eyes, with two deep dimples on his cheeks that were identical to Old Madam Ren’s, giving him a somewhat childlike appearance. Despite being nearly twenty-eight, he looked more like a youth just past his coming-of-age ceremony.
The man behind him appeared much more mature by comparison. With handsome brows and refined eyes, he wore only a white wide-sleeved robe in such cold weather, moving with an ethereal grace and an air of elegance.
Old Madam Ren glanced at the baby-faced man and said coldly, "You said it yourself! Don’t go back on your word later!"
Ren Shimao, who had casually chimed in earlier, realized something was amiss. His eyes darting, he quickly pulled Ren Shimin forward and knelt with a smile to pay respects to Old Madam Ren, deftly changing the subject.
Old Madam Ren’s gaze shifted to Ren Shimin’s attire, and she frowned. "What are you wearing? Are the servants around you all dead?"
Ren Shimin looked up calmly. "In reply to Mother, this is called the Immortal Gazing Robe. It’s all the rage in the capital lately, and every scholar and notable has one. This robe of mine was personally sewn by the skilled seamstress Mu Yingniang in the capital. Fifth Brother also has a similar one, but his is made of blue cloud-patterned brocade."
"Go back and change! If your father sees you, you’ll be kneeling in the ancestral hall again! Both of you, rise," Old Madam Ren said with displeasure.Ren Shimin did not argue, gracefully rising to his feet. A maid nearby, knowing his particular nature, hurried over to kneel at his feet and straighten the slightly wrinkled hem of his robe.
Meanwhile, Ren Shimao had already settled onto the kang and was telling Old Madam Ren about the journey: "...Originally, we would have been delayed for a few days, but we happened to meet the Han father and son. Their merchant caravan had people specially clearing the way, so Third Brother and I followed behind them and returned."
"Since we owe them a favor, remember to have the steward prepare a gift of thanks to send over later," Old Madam Ren instructed.
Ren Shimin walked to a nearby chair and sat down, accepting the tea offered by a maid: "I already gave Young Master Han a painting and calligraphy piece."
"What painting and calligraphy?"
"Young Master Han saw Third Brother's calligraphy and paintings and liked them very much. Third Brother gave him one of his recent favorite works." Ren Shimao winked at Ren Shimin.
Old Madam Ren glared at them: "That's just a child's plaything, how can it count? Remember to have the steward prepare a generous gift. If you have time, take it to the Han Family in person, or have your personal servant accompany the steward."
Ren Shimao chuckled and said he understood, but Ren Shimin frowned slightly as he glanced at his mother, ultimately shaking his head and sipping his tea in silence.
After the mother and sons chatted for a while, Old Madam Ren noticed that although Ren Shimao had been trying to keep the conversation lively, his mind was clearly elsewhere. She understood but pretended not to notice, instead saying to Ren Shimin: "Madam Li and Hua'er have returned. You should go back and see them."
Ren Shimin was taken aback for a moment before nodding: "Yes, Mother."
Ren Shimao happily stood up: "I'll leave with Third Brother. I'll go change my clothes first and come back later to keep Mother company."
Old Madam Ren gave him a cool glance: "Did I say you could leave? Stay. I still have things to tell you!"
Ren Shimao looked disappointed but obediently sat back down, smiling: "Alright, I'd like to spend more time with Mother too, as long as you don't mind your son being dusty and his clothes dirty."
Old Madam Ren snorted at this, not falling for his trick.
Ren Shimin set down his teacup, stood up, and took his leave. Before leaving, however, he paused in front of the maid who had served him tea and said gently: "The water temperature wasn't quite right. Next time you serve this Wuyi tea, remember to use freshly boiled water."
"This servant will remember, Third Master," the maid replied with a pained expression, bowing her head.
Ren Shimin left with an air of ease.
As he neared Purple Magnolia Courtyard, he saw from a distance a figure standing at the courtyard gate, wrapped in a thick fur cloak with the hood pulled tightly over their head.
As he drew closer, the person seemed to notice him and hurried forward a few steps, nearly tripping on the stone steps and causing the hood to slip off, revealing a delicate little face.
Ren Shimin laughed heartily, quickening his pace as he walked over. His cheerful, clear voice echoed through the courtyard where the snow and ice were just beginning to melt: "Yao Yao, were you waiting for Daddy?"
Ren Yaoqi watched the handsome man striding toward her, his spirited brows and the care he took even in his posture as he walked. Tears blurred her vision.
"Daddy..."
She had once resented her father, resented his obsession with calligraphy and painting while showing no concern for the affairs of the Ren Family, having no voice in the decisions of the elders.Yet in the end, he had used his own life to fight for her.
Ren Yaoqi threw herself forward and embraced Ren Shimin, burying her tear-streaked face in the fabric over his chest.
Ren Shimin had initially been quite pleased, but now his body stiffened, his face contorted in conflict as he glared at the top of his youngest daughter’s head. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he placed both hands on her shoulders and pried her away.
“Yao Yao, you’ve dirtied Father’s clothes!” Ren Shimin said with a look of disdain, pointing accusingly at the damp patch on his chest.
Seeing his disgusted expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, her tears drying up. “Father, you’re still the same as ever…” she murmured softly.
“What?”
Ren Shimin first took out a handkerchief to wipe his clothes clean, then pinched it between two fingers and handed it to Ren Yaoqi.
“Hurry and wipe your face. You’re as dirty as a little kitten.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at the handkerchief wordlessly, shook her head, and pulled out her own from her sleeve. “No need. I’m just… very happy you’re back.”
Ren Shimin casually tossed the handkerchief aside and patted Ren Yaoqi’s head. “Good girl. Father remembered the clothes and jewelry you wanted and bought you two large trunks of them. I’ll have someone send them to your room later.”
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to say something, she noticed Ren Shimin’s gaze shift behind her, and he paused for a moment.
She turned to look and saw Ren Yaohua standing behind the door, dressed only in a rouge-colored cotton jacket and skirt, watching her and Ren Shimin.
“Ah, Yaohua is back?” Ren Shimin nodded toward Ren Yaohua with a smile.
Ren Yaohua took a few steps forward and curtsied to Ren Shimin. “Father.” Her posture was proper, and with her head lowered, she seemed less haughty and proud than usual.
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