Reborn of the Rightful

First Update

Rong Shi's words left Ren Yaoqi momentarily lost in thought.

What if the Xianwang Residence still had hidden moves? Over the past decade, to lull the court into complacency and to give the Hezhong region a chance to recover and eventually rise again, the Xianwang Residence family had not dared to reveal even the slightest hint of their strength in Yanbei.

Back then, Ren Yaoqi's mother, Li Yuanxiang, despite being a Commandery Princess, could only marry into a merchant family like the Ren Family, which lacked heritage and influence. Her uncle, Li Tianyou, had never taken a formal wife to this day. Besides being forced by circumstances, this was also to deceive the court and reassure Empress Dowager Yan and her faction.

It wasn't until the Ren Family declined, Madam Li passed away, and Ren Yaoqi was given to a eunuch that the Xianwang Residence could no longer endure. Yet even when Li Tianyou went to the capital to rescue her, he had to act covertly, not daring to expose his whereabouts in the slightest.

However, thinking back now, the fact that Li Tianyou could secretly enter the capital under the court's watchful eyes and still find Ren Yaoqi was itself a testament to the Xianwang Residence's capabilities.

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but ask softly, "Did my mother know about this?"

Rong Shi lowered her hand, sighed, closed her eyes for a moment, and said, "She knew. Your mother followed us like stray dogs all the way from the capital to Yanbei. She enjoyed honors others never experienced and endured hardships, rising and falling dramatically. How could she not know? But marrying into the Ren Family was also her own choice."

"Why?" Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but ask curiously. If Madam Li knew the Xianwang Residence still had a chance to rise again, how could she have willingly married into a family like the Ren Family back then?

Rong Shi's eyes reddened slightly. "I asked her the same question. She was my only daughter. If she truly hadn't been willing, I wouldn't have forced her into such a marriage. But she told me it was for the glory of the Xianwang Residence, so that one day, when she and her children spoke of their maternal family's name, they could still hold their heads high."

Rong Shi's answer left Ren Yaoqi stunned. She hadn't expected this to be the reason. No wonder, all these years, no matter how difficult life was in the Ren Family, Madam Li never sought help from her maternal family. She knew that only by enduring temporarily could the Xianwang Residence have a chance to rise again.

Unfortunately, Madam Li never lived to see that day in her previous life. She could only beg her family to save her only daughter on her deathbed. Who knows if she regretted her decision at that moment.

For the glory of the family—Ren Yaoqi had heard this phrase countless times from the elders of the Ren Family in her previous life. But now, thinking back, she found it ironic. Yet Madam Li had voluntarily sacrificed her marriage for the family and endured the humiliation the Ren Family brought upon her.

Ren Yaoqi was not Madam Li, so she couldn't understand it, nor could she do the same.

"I've already made one mistake. I won't make a second one. You are not your mother, so you can choose," Rong Shi suddenly said gently to Ren Yaoqi.

It took Ren Yaoqi a moment to react. "What?"

Rong Shi patted Ren Yaoqi's head and looked at her affectionately. "Although we have formed an alliance with the Xiao Family, it doesn't mean we need to marry into it. Xiao Jingxi may be an exceptionally talented and remarkable figure, but unfortunately, he has been afflicted with a strange poison since childhood. His health is poor, and he is not destined for a long life. I won't let you marry into the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Yaoqi, you are a good child. In the future, you can choose a suitable husband and live the life you want."After listening, Ren Yaoqi was stunned into silence: "Grandmother, why do you say that..."

Rong Shi glanced at the letter on the table with an understanding expression: "I know exactly what Xiao Jingxi is up to. This time, you responded to the Princess Consort of Yanbei's request to come here. Has the Princess Consort been very grateful to you?"

Ren Yaoqi: "..."

If Ren Yaoqi still claimed not to understand now, she would be feigning ignorance. Unfortunately, being too clever wasn't always good—she couldn't keep up the pretense.

Xiao Jingxi...

She hadn't expected that, after taking such a roundabout path, his goal was actually to make the Yanbei Prince's Mansion owe her a great favor and to make the Princess Consort feel grateful toward her.

Putting everything else aside, just this level of thoughtfulness alone—Ren Yaoqi couldn't possibly say she wasn't moved.

Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi and smiled faintly: "Not only did he take this opportunity to express his intentions to us, but he also let the Prince of Yanbei and the Princess Consort know that you are not merely the daughter of a merchant family. At a critical moment when the court and Yanbei are locked in a stalemate, the Xianwang Residence behind you can influence the situation. This makes you far more valuable than the women the court forces upon him or those from the so-called great families in Yanbei, who may appear glamorous but are all dependent on the Yanbei Prince's Mansion for their existence."

Ren Yaoqi: "..."

Rong Shi sighed with a smile: "To be able to steer the current situation in the direction he desires—this young man is truly remarkable! Even I can't help but admire him. It's just a pity... if only he were a healthy man... Ah! So it's true that no one is perfect."

Rong Shi did not avoid discussing these matters with Ren Yaoqi. She had experienced much in her life and saw many things more clearly than others. Perhaps it was her daughter's marriage that made her hope Yaoqi could find someone truly suitable.

Ren Yaoqi's expression, however, turned somewhat peculiar as she listened.

She recalled that time in the carriage when Xiao Jingxi told her his health wasn't as weak as she thought. Of course, Ren Yaoqi had no intention of sharing this with Rong Shi.

Afterward, the grandmother and granddaughter chatted about other things. Ren Yaoqi now felt somewhat reassured about Xiao Jingxi's situation, so she was happy to converse with Rong Shi.

When the topic turned to the Lei Family, Rong Shi said: "The mourning period for the Lei Family has passed. Recently, matchmakers have nearly worn out the threshold of the Lei Family's home, but the head of the Lei Family doesn't seem in a hurry to remarry. Are you and Yaohua familiar with that child from the Lei Family?"

Ren Yaoqi replied: "We've met a few times. Pan'er is a very innocent and adorable child. Both my sister and I like her very much."

Rong Shi held her teacup and mused: "Lei Ting is a rare young man—calm, steady, and not frivolous. He may not have as much experience as those old foxes, but given a few more years or even a decade or two of tempering when opportunities arise, the Lei Family will surely achieve something under his leadership. As for the legitimacy of the Lei Family... when you think about it, how many true aristocratic families are there in Yanbei? If the Xiao Family acknowledges you, then you are one."

Ren Yaoqi hadn't expected Rong Shi to hold such a high opinion of Lei Ting and couldn't help but feel surprised.Rong Shi smiled upon seeing this and said, "A few days ago, when your maternal grandfather and uncle were out, their carriage collided with his. Although it wasn’t his fault, he took the initiative to apologize, letting your grandfather’s carriage go first. Afterward, he even sent gifts to make amends. Among young people his age in Yanbei, how many can remain so composed?"

The Xianwang Residence occupied an awkward position in Yanbei, and few families were willing to associate with it. Of course, the residence was content to keep to itself. If an ordinary person collided with Prince Xian’s carriage, they would simply let it go, not handling the situation as meticulously as Lei Ting did. Having witnessed the fickleness of human relationships, Rong Shi couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration upon seeing Lei Ting’s conduct.

Ren Yaoqi stayed for a meal at Treasure Vase Alley before returning to the Ren Family Villa. Not long after she returned, Su Jin, sent by the Princess Consort, arrived under the pretext of delivering gifts. The Princess Consort had sent Ren Yaoqi several bolts of silk and satin, along with a basket of autumn grapes.

After dismissing the maids and servants, Ren Yaoqi wrote a letter to the Princess Consort in Su Jin’s presence, informing her that the Xianwang Residence had sent someone as Xiao Jingxi had mentioned. However, she refrained from elaborating on other matters.

Su Jin took the letter and immediately returned to report to the Princess Consort.

Since Ren Shimin planned to stay in Yunyang City for a few days, Ren Yaoqi remained at the Ren family’s villa in the city. Ren Shimin would return to the villa to rest after finishing his lectures at Yunyang Academy.

Another day passed, and Ren Shijia sent someone to fetch Ren Yaoqi to the Lin residence. As Ren Yaoqi had a good relationship with Ren Shijia, she went when invited.

On the way, Ren Yaoqi overheard several scholars discussing matters related to Ningxia outside a teahouse. She instructed the coachman to stop the carriage and listened for a while.

They were saying that due to the sudden death of Commander Wu, Ningxia had descended into chaos. Several of the Wu family’s former subordinates, lacking restraint, had begun fighting among themselves. Some even suggested supporting Wu Yiyu, Wu Xiaohe’s only daughter, as the new Ningxia Regional Commander. However, this proposal was met with ridicule, with many saying it would be better to find a husband for Miss Wu and appoint him instead.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wu was considering the idea, and many people had recently approached the Wu family, either openly or discreetly, to propose marriage alliances. However, for some reason, Miss Wu had caused a scene at her father’s mourning hall upon hearing the news, driving everyone out and embarrassing Madam Wu.

One scholar remarked with a sigh, "With such a fierce temperament, even if Miss Wu brings the military power of Ningxia as her dowry, few would be able to handle her," eliciting laughter from the others. This showed that Wu Yiyu’s reputation in Yunyang City was far from favorable.

Ren Yaoqi merely listened casually to these remarks. What caught her attention was a comment made by an older, middle-aged scholar, who said, "I heard that the emperor in the south intends to appoint a new Ningxia Regional Commander from the capital. The decree is already on its way and will likely reach Yanbei soon."

As for who this newly appointed Ningxia Regional Commander would be, the man did not specify. Yet, a name involuntarily surfaced in Ren Yaoqi’s mind: Zeng Pu.

Could it be that in this lifetime, Zeng Pu would still come to Yanbei?Ren Yaoqi closed her eyes and leaned back against the carriage wall, her face expressionless, yet her hands slowly clenched into fists.

"Let's go," Ren Yaoqi said softly, instructing the coachman.

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A request for pink votes at the beginning of the month～o(∩_∩)o.