Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and nodded, "That works too."
After all, Ren Yaoqi was a member of the Ren Family. If she and her sister Ren Yaohua were the ones to expose Ren Yaoyin, they would inevitably offend the eldest branch of the family, to which Ren Yaoyin belonged. Moreover, Ren Yaoyin's birth mother was the current matriarch of the Ren Family. If things were handled that way, Ren Yaoqi might face covert retaliation from them in the future.
However, if the Yanbei Prince's Mansion intervened, it would be different. After all, Ren Yaoyin had schemed against Xiao Jinglin, a Commandery Princess. In that case, Old Madam Ren and the eldest branch of the Ren Family would not blame Ren Yaoqi but would instead be grateful to her. If not for Ren Yaoqi's friendship with Xiao Jinglin, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion would not have let Ren Yaoyin and the Ren Family off so easily.
For Ren Yaoqi's sake, Xiao Jinglin didn't mind playing the role of a domineering Commandery Princess for once.
Thinking this, Xiao Jinglin couldn't help but admire her brother.
Ren Yaoqi was an exceptionally intelligent and perceptive person. She naturally understood the intention behind Xiao Jingxi's actions and was touched by his thoughtfulness and consideration.
Xiao Jinglin had Hongying escort Ren Yaoyin out. Xiao Jingxi had thought ahead and prepared a sedan chair waiting outside the Moon Embracing Pavilion, preventing Ren Yaoyin's disheveled appearance from causing gossip in public.
Ren Yaohua said, "I'll head back first. I still need to explain things to First Madam." Last time, she had secretly sent away Ren Yaoying's maid without informing First Madam, but that was just a maid. Ren Yaoyin, however, was First Madam's own daughter.
Xiao Jinglin replied, "That granny from earlier must have already informed First Madam Ren." Without needing to ask, Xiao Jinglin knew that since Xiao Jingxi had intervened, he would have covered all bases, ensuring that Ren Yaoqi and her sister were kept completely out of the matter.
Despite her proud nature, Ren Yaohua couldn't help but express her gratitude, "This time, we owe much to the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess."
Xiao Jinglin was momentarily taken aback before realizing that Ren Yaohua must have mistaken the granny from earlier as someone sent by the Princess Consort, assuming that she and the Princess Consort were helping Ren Yaoqi.
However, Xiao Jinglin didn't clarify the misunderstanding. When Granny Duan entered earlier, she had addressed Xiao Jingxi as "master" rather than "Second Young Master," which clearly had its own purpose.
Ren Yaohua didn't linger in the Moon Embracing Pavilion. After exchanging a few words with Ren Yaoqi and sincerely apologizing once more to the Commandery Princess, she left. First Madam would undoubtedly seek her out to clarify the situation.
Ren Yaohua said to Ren Yaoqi, "You stay here; there's no need for you to go. I'll just tell First Madam that the Commandery Princess and the Princess Consort are furious and that you need to stay behind to clean up Ren Yaoyin's mess." Ren Yaohua could be harsh when disciplining Ren Yaoqi, but when it came to protecting her, she was fiercely loyal.
Today, Ren Yaoqi was being protected by everyone as if she were a fragile, wronged child. It felt strange to her, yet warmth spread from within, making her eyes grow hot. It also made her feel that being the vulnerable one for once wasn't so bad.
After Ren Yaohua left, Xiao Jinglin asked Ren Yaoqi, "Has your sister ever studied martial arts?"
Ren Yaoqi thought Xiao Jinglin was referring to Ren Yaohua's heavy-handedness when hitting Ren Yaoyin and shook her head, "No, she was just extremely angry today."
Xiao Jinglin rested her chin on her hand, looking regretful.
"What's wrong?" Ren Yaoqi found this somewhat puzzling.
Xiao Jinglin blinked slowly and said, "I've always wanted to establish a female cavalry unit. Today, I saw that your Third Sister has quite the demeanor for it. It's just a pity she hasn't trained in martial arts. At her age, it's too late to start learning now."
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
As Xiao Jinglin had anticipated, First Madam Ren had already been informed by Xiao Jingxi's messenger that Ren Yaoyin had been sent back to Yunyang City for plotting against the Commandery Princess. When First Madam Ren first heard the news, she nearly fainted on the spot.
Being sent away in the middle of the Thousand Gold Banquet would bring shame upon the entire Ren Family in front of all the prominent families of Yanbei. Ren Yaoyin's life would be ruined. Moreover, offending the Yanbei Prince's Mansion would not only affect Ren Yaoyin but also bring disaster upon the entire Ren Family.
By the time First Madam Ren regained her composure and wanted to clarify the situation further, the granny had already left. Anxious and flustered, First Madam Ren sent someone to chase after the carriage heading back to the Yunyang City estate. At the same time, she remembered that Ren Yaoqi was staying in the Yanbei Prince's Mansion's courtyard and sent someone to summon her back, hoping Ren Yaoqi could take her to plead for Ren Yaoyin's forgiveness before the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess.
Unexpectedly, Ren Yaoqi didn't return, but Ren Yaohua did.
When Ren Yaohua came to see First Madam Ren, her expression was even more unpleasant than First Madam's. She recounted how Ren Yaoyin, infatuated with Yun Wenting, had used Ren Yaoqi to frame Xiao Jinglin and Wu Yiyu, only to be discovered by the Commandery Princess and the Princess Consort's people. First Madam Ren had already heard a version of the story earlier but had been confused and somewhat disbelieving. Now, however, everything became clear.
She recalled how Ren Yaoyin, though usually obedient, had shown reluctance about marrying into the Qiu Family. She also remembered seeing the poetry collections and calligraphy of the Yun Family's eldest son in Ren Yaoyin's study. At the time, Ren Yaoyin had brushed it off as her third brother's belongings, and First Madam Ren hadn't pursued the matter further. Now, thinking back, Yi Jun would never lend out his things, so how could they have ended up in his sister's study?
First Madam Ren felt dizzy, and this time, she truly fainted.
Ren Yaohua quickly asked First Madam's granny to help revive her. First Madam Ren jolted awake and grabbed Ren Yaohua's hand, her eyes red, "Hua'er, where is Qi'er? She's close with the Commandery Princess. Ask her to plead for Yin'er. Yin'er can't be ruined like this! This time, it's Yin'er's fault. I'll make it up to her in the future. But after all, you're flesh and blood, sharing both glory and disgrace!" At this moment, First Madam Ren had lost all semblance of the dignified matriarch.
Ren Yaohua looked displeased, "You should say that to Fourth Sister! When she used her own sisters as stepping stones, she didn't care about flesh and blood!"
First Madam Ren tried to speak, but Ren Yaohua cut her off, "Given my temper, I'd want those who harm me to suffer. But Ren Yaoqi is like my mother—always soft-hearted. She's already pleaded with the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess."
Seeing a glimmer of hope, First Madam Ren's eyes lit up, "What did the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess say?"
Ren Yaohua pursed her lips, "The Princess Consort originally wanted to teach Fourth Sister a lesson, but Ren Yaoqi persuaded the Commandery Princess, who then pleaded with the Princess Consort on her behalf. In the end, the Princess Consort agreed not to pursue Fourth Sister's plot against the Commandery Princess. She just sent one of her grannies to escort Fourth Sister back home, saying that Old Madam Ren should discipline her properly. Tomorrow, you can tell everyone that Fourth Sister fell ill and returned to Yunyang City early."
First Madam Ren had been terrified earlier, almost certain her daughter's life was ruined. Hearing this outcome, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and even felt a sense of relief.
She said sincerely, "Thank you and Qi'er for this. When we return, I'll have Yin'er apologize to Qi'er."
Ren Yaohua was still somewhat displeased, "Ren Yaoyin should thank me. If I hadn't slapped her a few times to teach her a lesson, the Commandery Princess and the Princess Consort might not have been so easily appeased. Just don't blame me for being too harsh when you see her later."
First Madam Ren was heartbroken to hear that Ren Yaoyin had been slapped by Ren Yaohua, but given the outcome, it was already the best they could hope for. Once they returned to the Ren Family, she would still need Ren Yaoqi's help to plead for Ren Yaoyin before Old Madam Ren, so she could only say, "You're Yin'er's elder sister. It's only right for you to discipline her when she does wrong."
Ren Yaohua's lips curled almost imperceptibly, but she maintained a neutral expression, "First Madam, if you're not feeling well, rest for a while. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, she bowed and left.
Only then did First Madam Ren slowly sink back into her chair.
First Madam Ren didn't suspect Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi of framing Ren Yaoyin or deceiving her, especially since the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess's people had been involved. In Yanbei, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion represented absolute authority. First Madam Ren wouldn't doubt that the Yanbei Prince's Mansion could be mistaken, and given the status of the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess, they had no reason to frame or falsely accuse Ren Yaoyin.
The granny's earlier account matched Ren Yaohua's story almost exactly, so First Madam Ren believed it. Moreover, even if she didn't believe it, there was nothing she could do, because Old Madam Ren would undoubtedly trust the Yanbei Prince's Mansion's version of events.
When Ren Yaoyin was brought by Hongying to kneel before Old Madam Ren, Old Madam Ren was stunned for a long moment. When she finally regained her composure and heard the granny from the Prince's Mansion explain the situation, she was both shocked and furious.
"Granny Gui, bring the family discipline tools!" Old Madam Ren didn't even wait for Ren Yaoyin to defend herself before ordering Granny Gui to fetch the tools to punish Ren Yaoyin. As for the horrific injuries on Ren Yaoyin's face, Old Madam Ren ignored them completely, assuming they had been inflicted by the Prince's Mansion's people.
Granny Duan spoke calmly and unhurriedly, "Old Madam, whether you wish to administer family discipline is a matter for your Ren Family. However, could you wait until this servant has conveyed the masters' words before proceeding?"
Old Madam Ren had been eager to punish Ren Yaoyin to demonstrate her stance in front of the Prince's Mansion's representative. Upon hearing this, she immediately said, "This old woman was just overwhelmed with anger and has made a fool of herself in front of you, Granny. Please go ahead."
Granny Duan glanced down at Ren Yaoyin and said coolly, "Our Commandery Princess, out of consideration for Miss Ren Yaoqi's plea, has agreed not to pursue the matter regarding your family's Fourth Miss, nor will she publicize this incident to tarnish Fourth Miss's reputation. However, our Prince's Mansion does not wish to see similar incidents occur in the future."
Old Madam Ren forced a smile, "Please convey to the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess that the Ren Family will not allow such things to happen again. If she dares to cause trouble again..." Old Madam Ren glanced at Ren Yaoyin, "the Ren Family itself will not tolerate her."
Though Old Madam Ren's latter words sounded calm, they carried a bone-chilling coldness that made even Ren Yaoyin tremble inwardly.
Granny Duan nodded, "This servant has delivered the person and conveyed the message. I shall take my leave now."
Old Madam Ren immediately stood up to see her off personally and signaled Granny Gui to prepare red envelopes for Granny Duan and Hongying.
Granny Gui hurried into the inner chamber, took two pouches meant for high-quality red envelopes, thought for a moment, then emptied the silver ingots from the pouches. She opened the drawer of Old Madam's bedside cabinet, took out a small mutton-fat jade toad ornament and a jadeite thumb ring, placed one in each pouch, and hurried out with them.
The hardworking author continues to seek pink votes.Sending a happy hug.
OpenNovel