"Fourth Sister had her hair shaved off in the Ren Family Villa's woodshed last night? Who would dare do such a thing?" Ren Yaoqi exclaimed in shock.
Ren Yaohua shook her head. "Grandmother already had Granny Gui question everyone in the villa one by one, but nothing useful came of it. The woodshed key has always been kept in Grandmother's room, and Granny Gui only took it out this morning. Yet the lock on the woodshed was intact, showing no signs of tampering. Moreover, there were people on night watch near the woodshed all last night. The old women on duty said they didn’t slack off or fall asleep, but they didn’t hear any noise either. It’s impossible for someone to have passed right in front of them without being noticed. I don’t think it was someone from the villa. What do you think?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded. She also didn’t believe it was someone from the Ren Family.
Currently, only Old Madam Ren and Madam Fang and her son were staying at the villa. Madam Fang had no grudge against Ren Yaoyin and wouldn’t harm her. Even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t be able to.
As for the Ren Family servants, it was even more unlikely. With Old Madam Ren present, the servants would only be extra careful in their service. Who would dare cause trouble at a time like this? Defying one’s superiors is something no family would tolerate. Besides, regardless of Ren Yaoyin’s true nature, in the eyes of the Ren Family maids and old women, she was a gentle, even-tempered, and easy-to-serve mistress, well-liked by everyone.
But if it was an outsider, who would have nothing better to do than sneak into the Ren Family Villa just to shave Ren Yaoyin’s hair? That was truly baffling.
Ren Yaohua said, "I initially thought it might have been Commandery Princess, sending someone to avenge you. But if it were her, you would probably know about it."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "Commandery Princess wouldn’t do something like this." She might have done it to Wu Yiyu, but not to Ren Yaoyin.
"Do you think it could have been Miss Wu, seeking revenge on her?" Ren Yaohua frowned.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, uncertain. "Miss Wu is certainly capable of it, but right now, she’s probably focused on settling scores with Second Young Master Yun, followed by me and Commandery Princess. Even if Fourth Sister were to be targeted for revenge, it shouldn’t be now."
Moreover, Ren Yaoqi felt that, for Wu Yiyu, shaving someone’s hair would be nothing more than a playful prank. If she wanted revenge, she would have directly scarred Ren Yaoyin’s face. After all, she had once sent them venomous spiders simply because she disliked her and Xiao Jinglin.
Ren Yaohua said, "If it wasn’t any of them, could it really be some kind of supernatural occurrence?" In fact, the maids and old women in the villa were saying that Fourth Miss had been possessed by an evil spirit, targeted by some unknown demon or ghost who shaved her hair.
In ancient times, it was believed that one’s hair and skin were gifts from one’s parents, and there was a saying that hair could serve as a substitute for the person. Shaving off her hair was akin to using it as a stand-in for Ren Yaoyin herself.
Suddenly, Ren Yaoqi thought of someone—someone capable of sneaking into the Ren Family Villa at night undetected, and mischievous and bored enough to do such a thing.
That young man from years ago had once stood before her with his arms crossed, eyeing her hair while saying with ill intent, "Ren Yaoqi, if you don’t obediently let me slap you back, I’ll sneak into your room in the middle of the night and shave your hair off, turning you into a nun!"She had merely rolled her eyes at him at the time, but after returning home, she was so worried that she personally checked all the doors and windows every night before going to bed, only then feeling at ease.
It seemed that whenever Yun Wenfang was mentioned, Ren Yaoqi could only recall unpleasant memories.
But why would this young master go out of his way to provoke Ren Yaoyin for no reason?
Seeing Ren Yaoqi lost in thought, Ren Yaohua asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head—it was just speculation.
"After something like this happens, Old Madam Ren will definitely not want to stay at the villa any longer. We might have to rush back to White Crane Town today," Ren Yaohua said. "Is your luggage still at Aunt's place? Should we send someone to pack it up now?"
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "I’d like to stay one more day and leave tomorrow. I need to say goodbye to Aunt, and the Commandery Princess still has some matters to discuss with me."
Ren Yaohua frowned at this but then said, "Fine, handle your own affairs as you see fit. Grandmother will likely allow it. Just be careful on the road."
Just then, someone came from outside to say that the Ren family’s carriages could be arranged for departure.
Because of what happened to Ren Yaoyin, First Madam Ren wanted to leave early and had sent someone to inform Madam Yun, so the Ren family was leaving earlier than planned.
Once the maids and servants had loaded the luggage onto the carriages, Ren Yaoqi followed Ren Yaohua and boarded as well.
When First Madam Ren emerged from the house, her eyes were swollen and red, and her face looked utterly exhausted. Ren Yaoqi had never seen First Madam Ren in such a disheveled state. Leaning on Granny Cao’s arm, she hurriedly boarded the carriage, not even noticing Ren Yaoqi’s bow.
Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaoyu had likely heard some rumors, especially since First Madam Ren’s emotions were so visibly on display today. However, as Ren Yaoyin had always been on good terms with them, they did not show any signs of gloating.
The carriages left the hot spring villa and made their way back to the Ren Family Villa.
As soon as the carriage stopped, First Madam Ren hurried away. The remaining young ladies exchanged glances and then headed to Old Madam Ren’s courtyard.
Old Madam Ren had also been deeply shaken by the events of the previous night. After investigating all morning, she still had no answers. She no longer dared to keep Ren Yaoyin locked in the woodshed and had servants carry her back to her room in the villa.
When Ren Yaoqi and the others entered to pay their respects, Old Madam Ren was reclining on the heated brick bed with her eyes closed, having the maid Jinlian massage her temples. After her granddaughters finished their bows, she waved Jinlian away, opened her eyes, glanced at them, and then fixed her gaze on Ren Yaoqi.
"You may all withdraw now. Go back and pack up, as we’ll be returning to White Crane Town. Yaoqi and Yaohua, stay behind. I have something to say to you."
Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaoyu withdrew.
Old Madam Ren smiled kindly and beckoned Ren Yaoqi over. Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and stepped forward.
Old Madam Ren patted Ren Yaoqi’s head. Ren Yaoqi tried her best to ignore the goosebumps rising all over her body and forced herself to appear meek and obedient.
"I heard you performed well at the Thousand Gold Banquet and even earned the title of second place?"
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and replied, "This time, I was fortunate to have the Commandery Princess’s favor."
Old Madam Ren nodded with a smile. "Regardless, you’ve brought honor to the Ren family this time. If there’s anything you want, just tell your grandmother. I’ll reward you.""Thank you, Grandmother. I lack nothing at home."
Old Madam Ren chuckled. "You silly child. Fine, since you won't ask for anything, how about I reward you with some of my best jewelry when we return?"
Ren Yaoqi softly expressed her gratitude.
Old Madam Ren nodded, then suddenly asked, "Does the Commandery Princess still have any thoughts on the matter?"
Ren Yaoqi was puzzled. "What do you mean, Grandmother?"
Old Madam Ren pondered before saying, "You must have heard about your fourth sister's affair. She deserves punishment for such disgraceful behavior, and your grandfather and I won't shield her. If the Commandery Princess has any further ideas..."
This time Ren Yaoqi understood. Old Madam Ren also suspected that Ren Yaoyin's hair being shaved was secretly arranged by the Commandery Princess to vent her anger.
However, Old Madam Ren's attitude chilled Ren Yaoqi even more. The old lady's position was clear: if the Commandery Princess felt Ren Yaoyin hadn't been punished enough, the Ren Family wouldn't protect her. If sacrificing her granddaughter's life could appease the Yanbei Prince's Mansion's wrath, Old Madam Ren wouldn't hesitate to hand Ren Yaoyin over.
Suppressing her discomfort, Ren Yaoqi said, "Fourth sister's matter has nothing to do with the Commandery Princess. I've been with her all along and would know if she did anything. The Prince's Mansion wouldn't stoop to such methods either."
If the Yanbei Prince's Mansion wanted to punish Ren Yaoyin, she wouldn't have gotten off with just losing her hair.
Old Madam Ren's suspicious heart finally settled. "You should go prepare for departure now."
Ren Yaoqi then requested to stay in Yunyang City one more day. With the Commandery Princess as her shield, Old Madam Ren agreed almost without hesitation.
After leaving the old lady's courtyard, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua encountered Madam Fang and Fang Shuzhou. Madam Fang remained composed and dignified, though she had lost the triumphant air she'd had when first arriving in Yunyang City.
There had been some unpleasantness between Ren Yaohua and Madam Fang when they lived in the separate courtyard. They exchanged polite greetings before passing each other by.
Madam Fang had stayed in Yunyang City for quite some time but ultimately returned empty-handed. The appointments for Yanbei officials had been announced, and Fang Yacun wasn't among them.
Madam Fang would depart for Jiangnan tomorrow and was going to bid farewell to Old Madam Ren.
Ren Yaoqi visited Ren Yaohua's courtyard briefly before calling for a carriage to the Lin Family residence.
Ren Shijia was delighted to hear that Ren Yaoqi had won first place at Qianjinyan. Upon hearing about Ren Yaoyin's situation, she sighed deeply.
Ren Yaoqi always felt her aunt didn't seem like a typical Ren family member—she was simple, genuine, and never harbored ill intentions. Ren Yaoqi sincerely hoped she would live well.
In the afternoon, while Ren Yaoqi was carefully organizing the books and paintings she had collected during her stay in Yunyang City to bring back for her father tomorrow, Ren Shijia arrived carrying Lin Cen.
"Qi'er, I'll return to White Crane Town with you tomorrow," Ren Shijia said without a smile.
Ren Yaoqi was startled. "Aunt, what happened?"
Gently patting Lin Cen in her arms, Ren Shijia sighed. "Madam Han passed away today."
"Madam Han?" Ren Yaoqi exclaimed in surprise.
Ren Shijia nodded. "The Lin Family will pay our respects. You'll travel back with me and your uncle tomorrow."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't clearly remember when Madam Han had died in her previous life, though it seemed to be around these two years.No wonder she hadn't seen Han You and Han Yunqian at the Thousand Gold Banquet. It must be that Mrs. Han had been unwell for the past few days.
Thank you, dear readers, for the pink votes～^^~.
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