Reborn of the Rightful

Ren Yaohua had not expected Lei Ting to suddenly utter such words and couldn't help but be taken aback.

Although it was somewhat presumptuous for someone she had only met twice to speak this way, recalling how blunt her own words had been during their last encounter, Ren Yaohua found herself unable to get angry. Besides, she wasn't one to mistake kindness for malice—she could tell whether Lei Ting's reminder was well-intentioned or deliberately sarcastic.

Thus, Ren Yaohua curtsied once more and said calmly, "I've had this temperament since childhood, so I've suffered my fair share of losses. I'll be more careful in the future. Thank you for your advice, Eldest Master Lei."

Seeing Ren Yaohua admit this so readily, Lei Ting was instead somewhat surprised and couldn't help but take another look at her.

Last year, rumors about the Ren Family's Third Miss had spread far and wide, and he had heard some of them. Although after interacting with her, he didn't quite believe those unfounded rumors, he still thought this Third Miss Ren must be straightforward and quick-tempered. Usually, such people are stubborn and not easily persuaded, but unexpectedly, this Third Miss Ren was willing to be humble.

Thinking this, Lei Ting's typically cold and stern expression softened slightly. He nodded toward Ren Yaohua, they bid farewell, Lei Ting mounted his horse, and Ren Yaohua turned to board her carriage.

Ren Yaoqi only saw Ren Yaohua in the afternoon when seeing Ren Shimin off from Yunyang City. After parting with Lei Pan'er, Ren Yaohua had returned to the Ren Family Villa. Although the maids left at the villa relayed Ren Yaoqi's message sent via Sangshen, Ren Yaohua still did not go to Treasure Vase Alley. In her heart, she still held reservations toward her maternal relatives.

Many scholars came to see Ren Shimin and the others off. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua sat in the same carriage, trailing far behind, unable to catch even a glimpse of Ren Shimin.

Ren Yaoqi asked Ren Yaohua, "Uncle said he saw you with Pan'er today?"

Ren Yaohua frowned, unsure where Li Tianyou had seen her. She didn't know, so she recounted her day's events to Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi said, "Thanks to the Lei Family's help, otherwise there might have been trouble today."

Just then, some commotion arose outside, and the crowd seeing them off suddenly grew lively.

"What's going on?" Ren Yaohua frowned, lifting the carriage curtain slightly to look outside.

Someone outside happened to shout, "Look, it's Second Young Master Xiao's carriage. Second Young Master Xiao is here."

A carriage from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion slowly approached from the rear of the procession. Those seeing them off, both people and carriages, stopped to make way for Xiao Jingxi's carriage. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua's carriage also temporarily pulled over to the roadside.

Ren Yaohua did not lower the curtain—after all, everyone had their carriage curtains open to look outside at this moment. Though as the carriage drew nearer, no one dared to make loud noises.

Ren Yaoqi watched as Xiao Jingxi's large carriage passed before her. She couldn't help but glance at the curtain a few times. Coincidentally, at that very moment, the curtain of the much-anticipated carriage stirred slightly before being lifted from inside. Caught off guard, Ren Yaoqi met a pair of dark, smiling eyes.

Gasps and cheers erupted from the crowd, and someone whispered, "Look, it's Second Young Master Xiao. It really is Second Young Master Xiao."It's a pity that Second Young Master Xiao only lifted the curtain to smile before letting it fall again. Even so, that brief glimpse was enough to excite the crowd.

One couldn't blame the people of Yanbei for being easily impressed. Xiao Jingxi rarely appeared in public and was known for being elusive. Yet rumors about him were plentiful, with some even saying his looks surpassed that of the handsome Eldest Master Yun. So whenever Xiao Jingxi made an appearance, it always stirred up excitement among the people.

Ren Yaoqi watched as Xiao Jingxi's carriage slowly passed by and disappeared from sight.

After seeing off Ren Shimin, Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and the rest of the Ren Family returned to White Crane Town.

Ren Yijun had also come today. Aside from the practical considerations, aside from the third branch, he was the happiest about Ren Shimin going to the capital for the literary competition.

When seeing Ren Shimin off, Ren Yijun said with a smile, "I'm afraid I'll never be able to leave Yan Prefecture in this lifetime. Third Uncle, I truly envy you. Do your best in the competition. When you return victorious to Yanbei, we uncle and nephew will celebrate with drinks together."

However, fate is unpredictable. One month after Ren Shimin left Yanbei, Ren Yijun suddenly fell seriously ill.

Ren Yaoqi heard this news in Madam Li's room and was greatly shocked. "Third Brother is sick? Is it serious?"

Nanny Zhou sighed. "They say he caught a chill last night and had a slight fever this morning. At first, no one took it seriously since Third Young Master is often ill with minor ailments. First Madam even called in the doctor who usually treats Third Young Master. The doctor also said it was nothing serious and prescribed a mild tonic before leaving. But by this evening, Third Young Master's condition suddenly worsened. He was shivering all over, his limbs were convulsing, and he couldn't take any medicine or food. When they called the doctor back, even he was startled." Nanny Zhou paused here before lowering her voice and whispering, "The doctor told First Madam that Third Young Master has endured all these years, taking medicine like meals, but he was born with a weak constitution. It's already a miracle he's lasted this long, but this time it might be serious. Old Madam Ren has already secretly instructed the steward to make preparations."

Ren Yaoqi sat there in a daze. Third Brother suddenly critically ill? How could Third Brother be critically ill? In her previous life, hadn't he always been alive and well? He might even have outlived her.

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but ask, "Have the doctors examined him? Could it be due to some other reason? For example, eating something bad, poisoning?" Ren Yaoqi thought of Xiao Jingxi's "illness."

Nanny Zhou shook her head. "First Madam has already called in three doctors. They all said pretty much the same thing, but none suggested Third Young Master might have been poisoned."

Not poisoning? Then what was it? Ren Yaoqi felt worried.

In the Ren Family, aside from her parents and sister, Ren Yaoqi only had fondness for this Third Brother, Ren Yijun.

"I'll go see Third Brother," Ren Yaoqi said, standing up.

Nanny Zhou glanced at the sky outside and advised, "Third Miss, it's already very late. It's not convenient for you to go now. Why not wait until tomorrow morning? Things are already chaotic over at First Madam's place."Ren Yaohua glanced outside; indeed, the sky had completely darkened. If she went over now, not only would she be unable to help, but she might also cause trouble for First Madam. Thus, Ren Yaoqi could only nod and say, "Then I'll go see Third Brother tomorrow morning."

However, that night, Ren Yaoqi slept restlessly.

Ren Yijun also suffered through the entire night. Several times, First Madam thought he was about to take his last breath. The medicine that had been brewed could not be fed to him no matter how hard they tried, and Ren Yijun had not consumed a single drop of water for an entire day.

By now, even Eldest Master felt that Ren Yijun might not survive. Yet, First Madam refused to give up. She stayed by Ren Yijun's side all night without sleeping. By the next morning, she even sent someone to invite a sorceress into the mansion, claiming she wanted to see if Ren Yijun, who had been perfectly fine, was being haunted by some evil spirit.

Early the next morning, after paying her respects to Old Madam Ren, Ren Yaoqi went with Ren Yaohua to see Ren Yijun. By then, Ren Yijun was already delirious and unable to recognize anyone. His complexion was ghastly, as if covered with a layer of gold paper, devoid of any vitality. All the maids in the room hid in corners, quietly wiping away tears.

Taking advantage of First Madam's absence, Ren Yaoqi deliberately moved closer to examine Ren Yijun carefully. As Nanny Zhou had said, there were indeed no signs of poisoning.

Just then, First Madam entered, accompanied by the sorceress.

The sorceress was in her fifties or sixties, with graying hair and a kind, gentle appearance. She followed closely behind First Madam, chattering incessantly: "...That girl is beautiful, skilled with her hands, and has a good heart. Most importantly, her birth chart is strong enough to suppress the evil spirits in Third Young Master's body!"

Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua exchanged glances. What was this about?

First Madam also noticed Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua. She merely nodded before leading the sorceress to the outer room. Through the curtain, Ren Yaoqi heard her say, "I understand what you've said, but I cannot make this decision alone. I must consult the elders of the family."

Hearing this, the sorceress knew First Madam was still unwilling. She urged further, "First Madam, I know you think the girl's background is too humble—at least compared to a prominent family like yours. But this girl has parents, brothers, and over ten acres of fertile land. In the eyes of ordinary people, she could be considered a respectable young lady from a modest family. Most importantly, Third Young Master is in desperate need of saving, and there is no time to delay! Besides, finding a girl from a decent family with a suitable birth chart in such a short time is not easy. Not every family is willing to let their daughter serve as a 'joy-bringer'."

A joy-bringer? Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua widened their eyes in surprise and couldn't help but glance back at Ren Yijun.

Unfortunately, Ren Yijun was unaware of what was happening outside.

In the end, First Madam was somewhat swayed by the sorceress's words and took her to Glory and Splendor Courtyard to discuss the matter with Old Madam Ren.

After returning, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua recounted the incident to Madam Li and Nanny Zhou. Nanny Zhou remarked, "It's understandable that First Madam wants to find a girl to serve as a joy-bringer for Third Young Master at this time. After all, it's uncertain whether Third Young Master will pull through this time. If the worst happens... at least there will be someone to keep watch over him, so he won't be alone and desolate. However, families of similar standing to the Ren Family are unlikely to agree to marry their daughters off as joy-bringers. That's why they can only look for girls from less prominent backgrounds."Ren Yaohua frowned and said, "Is Aunt looking for a spirit medium? Why does it look more like a matchmaker to me?"

Ren Yaoqi, however, thought that given Ren Yijun's pride, if he were still conscious, he would rather die than agree. Unfortunately, Ren Yijun was no longer in control of his own affairs.

What Ren Yaoqi hadn’t expected was that by noon, news came from outside that Old Madam Ren had agreed to the plan of arranging a wedding to ward off bad luck for Ren Yijun, and the date was set for the very next day.

The reason for such haste was that Ren Yijun’s condition was worsening, and it was uncertain whether he would even survive until tomorrow.

As for the extra update, let’s leave that for daytime～

The author won’t specify the exact time—my integrity is already in tatters…〒_〒

Usually, the update times I mention are when I expect to have free time to write, but sometimes I have to attend to other matters before finishing the chapter, so I can only post it when I find time later. That’s why the actual posting time is often later than expected—all because my writing speed is painfully slow.

Once again, I apologize to all readers for the failed update announcements. Please forgive me…〒_〒