Reborn of the Rightful

First Madam's originally furious expression finally improved somewhat, though she still wasn't very pleased.

"Perhaps she had some merit in helping Jun'er wake up, but where has anyone ever heard of a wife speaking to her husband like that? This is simply too unreasonable!" First Madam frowned.

The maidservants lowered their heads to stare at their toes.

First Madam sighed again and said, "Forget it, forget it. What can I expect from a girl of rustic origins? How could she possibly have the cultivation of a young lady from a respectable family? As long as Jun'er recovers, that's what matters. Just make sure from now on not to let her serve Third Young Master up close, and don't let her jump around the mansion making a spectacle of herself for others to laugh at."

Ren Yijun's maidservant hurriedly responded in a low voice.

First Madam shook her head, turned around, and left.

At this time, Ren Yaoqi was also asking Ren Yijun about his new wife: "Third Brother, why are you angry with Third Sister-in-law?"

Could it be that Ren Yijun had discovered something unusual about Qi Yuegui?

Ren Yijun closed his eyes again and turned his head away, ignoring Ren Yaoqi. However, his breathing became heavier, as if he was sulking.

Ren Yaoqi was somewhat baffled. In the end, it was Ren Yijun's maidservant who hesitantly revealed what had happened that morning.

Both Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua had strange expressions on their faces after hearing it.

Ren Yijun said, "Don't, don't mention that poisonous woman!"

Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yijun and said, "Poisonous woman? Perhaps she did that for your own good? Look, didn't you wake up? What benefit would she gain from your death? Besides, as a grown man, why are you picking a fight with a young woman? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you if this gets out?"

Ren Yijun disliked Ren Yaohua even more and said angrily, "You, who let you in? Get out!"

Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi, put down the teacup in her hand, and stood up briskly: "Since Third Brother, you're already awake and seem to be in good spirits, I'll take my leave first."

Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua left on her own.

Seeing that Ren Yijun was clearly so weak he could barely catch his breath, yet still looked furious, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel helpless: "Third Brother, you've only just woken up not long ago. You should rest properly. Why get angry over such trivial matters?"

Ren Yijun closed his eyes again.

Ren Yaoqi felt that Ren Yijun sometimes acted like a child, but what could she do about a patient? So, Ren Yaoqi just spoke a few more gentle words to Ren Yijun in a kind tone, then told him to rest well before withdrawing herself.

After this day, although Ren Yijun remained bedridden, he was able to take medicine and consume food and water, and his body slowly began to recover.

During the period when Ren Yijun was recuperating, Qi Yuegui never showed her face. It was said that First Madam had found an old matron to teach her etiquette, forbidding her from going out to meet anyone until she had learned the rules properly. She was also exempted from morning and evening greetings. Qi Yuegui didn't even return to her maiden home on the third day after the wedding, though this was because she herself didn't want to go back. Since she was unwilling, the Ren Family also felt it spared them the trouble.

This time, Ren Yijun had depleted his vitality and needed a full three months of rest before he could get out of bed.

On this day, Ren Yaoqi was writing a letter to Xiao Jinglin in her small study when Sangshen suddenly came in to report: "Miss, it's not good! Third Young Master and Third Young Madam are fighting again!"

Ren Yaoqi unhurriedly put down the brush in her hand and rotated her right wrist: "What is it about this time?"Sangshen hurriedly explained, "Third Young Madam uprooted the few clusters of orchids that Third Young Master had people plant behind the courtyard. Third Young Master was so furious he was stomping his feet and chasing Third Young Madam all over the courtyard, saying he was going to tie her up and send her back to her maiden home. Right now, Qingfeng Courtyard is in utter chaos. Old Madam Ren and First Madam both went out today, and Eldest Young Madam truly had no other choice, so she sent someone to ask you to come and persuade Third Young Master." Everyone in the Ren Family knew that among all the brothers and sisters, the eccentric and aloof Ren Yijun only got along with Fifth Miss from the third branch and wouldn't easily show her a sour face. This kind of treatment wasn't even given to Third Young Master's own siblings by blood, no wonder Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi had come here to seek help.

Since her sister-in-law had asked her to come, Ren Yaoqi could only quickly change her clothes and head to Qingfeng Courtyard.

By the time she entered, Ren Yijun was already too exhausted to run. He was leaning against a large pillar under the eastern corridor, panting heavily, surrounded by a group of maids and matrons who were patting his back to help him catch his breath and offering him tea.

Ren Yijun's eyes, however, were fixed fiercely on Qi Yuegui, who stood under the western corridor opposite him: "You come over here!"

Compared to Ren Yijun's disheveled and exhausted state, Qi Yuegui didn't have a single strand of hair out of place. She looked at Ren Yijun with a grin and slowly shook her head: "I won't come over!"

Ren Yijun stomped his feet in anger: "Are you coming over or not!"

Qi Yuegui blinked: "Just won't come over!"

"You!" Ren Yijun waved away the matrons and maids around him, pointing at Qi Yuegui and saying fiercely, "You just wait! If I can't catch you today, I won't bear the surname Ren!"

Seeing that he was about to run after her again, Ren Yijun's maid broke out in a sweat from anxiety and quickly grabbed his sleeve to persuade him: "Third Young Master, why not let the matrons help you tie... catch Third Young Madam? You should rest for a bit?"

Before Ren Yijun could respond, Qi Yuegui laughed from across the courtyard: "Yes, yes, Young Master, since you can't catch up to me, why not let the maids and matrons do it for you? After all, you'll still bear the surname Ren in the end."

Hearing this, Ren Yijun gritted his teeth in anger and pushed aside the maids blocking his way: "No need! All of you, get out of my way!"

Eldest Young Madam, who had brought Ren Yaoqi in, quickly called out: "Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, Fifth Sister is here, stop making a scene!"

Only then did Ren Yijun stop and look over, frowning as he asked, "Why are you here?"

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Ren Yijun and was taken aback. Perhaps because he had been running, Ren Yijun's face was slightly flushed, and there was sweat on his forehead. His eyes were also much brighter than when he had been bedridden, making it hard to detect the usual gloominess that always seemed to hang over him. This was the first time Ren Yaoqi had seen Ren Yijun so full of life.

Thinking this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but give Qi Yuegui a deep look. Noticing her gaze, Qi Yuegui beamed at her brightly: "Fifth Miss, the weather is lovely today, you should come out for a walk too."

Ren Yaoqi also smiled and then asked, "What happened with you two today?"

The moment Ren Yijun heard this, he became agitated again. He stomped over to Ren Yaoqi and said angrily, "Yaoqi, come and see what this foolish woman has done! She actually uprooted the orchids I worked so hard to grow! By the time I discovered it, they were already beyond saving!"Qi Yuegui quickly said, "I didn't know those were orchids. They weren’t blooming and looked just like weeds. I only wanted to use those pots to plant something else."

As she spoke, Qi Yuegui walked over herself, shaking her head. "Young Master, I’ve already admitted my mistake. I really didn’t do it on purpose. Can’t I just replant them for you? Why get so worked up over such a small matter? You’ll only harm your own health."

Ren Yijun’s lips twitched, and as Qi Yuegui approached, he seized her arm. "Let’s see where you run now, you foolish woman!"

Qi Yuegui, caught by him, showed no fear. Instead, she grinned playfully. "Oh? From ‘poisonous woman’ to ‘foolish woman’? Now that you’ve caught me, Young Master, I’m at your mercy."

Ren Yijun found himself at a loss as he looked at Qi Yuegui’s unflappable demeanor. How could he possibly deal with her?

Beat her? Too crude, unbecoming of a gentleman.

Scold her? This foolish woman’s tongue was sharper than his own.

Holding Qi Yuegui’s arm, Ren Yijun furrowed his brow deeply.

Ren Yaoqi sighed, unable to suppress a smile. She stepped in to help Ren Yijun out of his predicament. "Third Brother, didn’t Third Sister-in-law say she’d help you replant the orchids?"

Hearing this, Ren Yijun’s eyes lit up. With his free hand, he pointed imperiously at Qi Yuegui. "If you can restore those orchids to their original state within a day, I’ll let you off for now!"

Qi Yuegui blinked, reluctantly agreeing. "Fine, then."

Ren Yijun smiled smugly. He was certain those orchids were beyond saving—even a deity couldn’t revive them. As for making Qi Yuegui buy new ones...

Ren Yijun sneered. Selling her might not even fetch enough to buy two plants.

Thus, the morning’s farce came to an abrupt and inexplicable end.

In the afternoon, after Old Madam Ren and First Madam returned and heard about the incident at Clear Breeze Courtyard, they were furious. They summoned Qi Yuegui and scolded her harshly, punishing her with two hours of kneeling. She was ordered to continue learning proper etiquette within her own courtyard and forbidden from wandering about, or else she would face the family’s disciplinary measures.

Truth be told, since her marriage, Qi Yuegui had rarely left Clear Breeze Courtyard except to be reprimanded at Glory and Splendor Courtyard or First Madam’s courtyard.

Qi Yuegui obediently admitted her fault before being allowed to return.

The next day, Ren Yijun, in high spirits, sent someone to invite Ren Yaoqi to Clear Breeze Courtyard to inspect Qi Yuegui’s orchid restoration efforts—though his true intention was to watch Qi Yuegui make a fool of herself.

Ren Yaoqi’s curiosity about Qi Yuegui had only grown, so she accepted the invitation and went over.

But when Qi Yuegui brought out a flowerpot and Ren Yaoqi saw what was planted inside, she was momentarily stunned before turning her head away to stifle a laugh.

Ren Yijun frowned and circled Qi Yuegui, who was holding the "orchid," twice. "What kind of orchid is this? I’ve never seen it before."

Qi Yuegui winked at Ren Yaoqi before turning to Ren Yijun with a serious expression. "This is a rare variety I managed to find. You probably haven’t seen it before, Young Master."

Ren Yijun eyed her skeptically. "Really?" It did somewhat resemble an orchid, and he truly hadn’t seen this particular variety before.

Qi Yuegui nodded eagerly. "Really."

Ren Yijun snorted coldly. "Didn’t you say you’d restore them to their original state? Are you trying to fool me with this thing?"Qi Yuegui said regretfully, "Young master, you don't want it? If not, I'll pull it out and plant something else."

As Qi Yuegui spoke, she was about to start pulling, but Ren Yijun stopped her: "Enough, enough! This time I'll let it go and won't hold it against you!"

Don't ask the author whether Third Sister-in-law is good or bad—you'll have to feel it out for yourselves~(~>__