After Ren Yaoying was confined to her quarters, life for the third branch of the Ren Family in Yunyang City became even simpler and more leisurely.
In the first few days after being confined, Ren Yaoying had cried and made a fuss, but she ultimately did not want to act like a shrew. She was still very concerned about her image. What she had learned from her mother, Concubine Fang, was that even crying should be done with grace, as only then could others feel pity for her. Throwing tantrums and wailing loudly would do nothing to improve her situation, and Ren Yaoying had always excelled at learning these lessons. However, when no one in the Ren Family paid her any attention, no matter how beautifully or pitifully she cried, it was useless. After two days of making a scene, Ren Yaoying had only succeeded in making her eyes swollen, with no other effect.
She had also considered secretly sending someone back to White Crane Town to seek help from Concubine Fang, but her personal maids were also forbidden from leaving the courtyard. As for the others, since they had been brought to Yunyang City by Madam Li, they were all Madam Li’s people. With Nanny Zhou keeping watch, Ren Yaoying could not even attempt to bribe them. Ren Yihong was not restricted from leaving the house, but Ren Yaoying’s confinement had been ordered by Third Master Ren himself. Even if Ren Yaoying begged Ren Yihong for help, Ren Yihong, who deeply admired and respected his father, would not fulfill her wish by delivering a letter for her.
After two or three days of such struggles, Ren Yaoying finally recognized the reality that one must lower their head when under another’s roof. She obediently stayed in her room, waiting for Third Master Ren’s anger to subside so she could be released.
One day, when Third Master Ren returned from the academy, Ren Yaoqi went to the main room to discuss something with him. By chance, she overheard Third Master Ren speaking with Madam Li about how the Zeng Family had sent someone to the Ren Family again the previous day to see Old Master Ren. They had brought a handwritten letter from Zeng Pu, and besides the matchmaker, Eldest Master Su was also present to accompany them. This time, Zeng Pu was formally proposing marriage on behalf of his son to Ren Yaohua, making a grand and humble gesture.
"Did Grandfather agree?" Ren Yaoqi lifted the curtain and asked with a frown.
Ren Shimin looked up and saw Ren Yaoqi entering. Knowing that she had always been very concerned about Ren Yaohua’s marriage, he did not mind her interrupting the elders’ conversation and nodded. "I think Father seems inclined to agree. He specifically sent me a message today because he believes this marriage is feasible."
Ren Yaoqi frowned and thought for a moment before asking, "Father, have you heard any news about Ningxia at the academy? About Zeng Pu?"
"Zeng Pu?" Ren Shimin thought carefully. "Ah! There has indeed been talk about Zeng Pu these past few days. I heard that Zeng Pu is quite capable. Previously, wasn’t there no one in Ningxia willing to listen to him? But over the past few months, Zeng Pu has gathered around him some people who were not heavily relied upon by Commander Wu. Although his influence is not yet significant, his situation is much better than when he first arrived in Ningxia."
Although Ren Shimin was not particularly interested in such matters, he spent his days at Yunyang Academy. Since ancient times, scholars gathering together not only enjoyed romantic and poetic topics but also liked to discuss politics and critique current affairs. No matter how detached Ren Shimin tried to be from worldly matters, being in such an environment inevitably exposed him to these discussions.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi curled her lips into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in her eyes. "No wonder Grandfather wants to agree to this marriage."
Madam Li had also heard about Zeng Kui and was not entirely satisfied with this marriage. She hesitated and asked Ren Shimin, "Husband, is there no room for negotiation in Hua’er’s marriage?"Ren Shimin looked at the expressions of his wife and daughter, understanding their thoughts, and sighed, "The marriages of the younger generation have always been decided by the elders. Father likely won’t allow me to interfere. However, if none of you take a liking to the Zeng family’s young master, I can go back and speak with Father about it."
Although Third Master Ren felt that even if he expressed his disagreement, Old Master Ren would not heed his opinion—despite him being Ren Yaohua’s father.
Ren Yaoqi also knew that Third Master Ren’s words might not carry much weight with Old Master Ren, but she was still pleased to hear that he was willing to return and advocate for Ren Yaohua. Madam Li was also delighted.
The next day, Third Master Ren indeed made a special trip back to White Crane Town for Ren Yaohua’s marriage prospects.
However, the final outcome was as they had anticipated. Old Master Ren merely listened without taking the opinion of Ren Shimin, the father, seriously. After weighing the pros and cons, Old Master Ren felt that forming a marriage alliance with the Zeng family was a favorable choice. As for the attitude of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, wasn’t there still the Su family, who were also related to the Zeng family by marriage? Over the years, the Su family had remained stable and even enjoyed the favor and trust of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion.
The conflicts between the imperial court and Yanbei were not new, nor were they likely to be resolved anytime soon. However, the exchanges between Jiangnan and Yanbei had never been significantly affected. Even if, in the worst-case scenario, the Zeng family and the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion were to become irreconcilable enemies one day, affecting the Ren family through this marriage alliance, the Ren family could simply sacrifice a daughter.
Old Master Ren’s calculations were shrewd. With the situation still unclear, he would hedge his bets on both sides. Once the situation became clearer, he would then firmly take a stand.
Having already anticipated Old Master Ren’s attitude, Ren Yaoqi was not overly disappointed when Third Master Ren returned and spoke to her about the matter.
However, Ren Yaohua sought out Ren Yaoqi after hearing the news and said bluntly, "I heard that Grandfather has already decided to formally accept the Zeng family’s proposal, and the engagement will be finalized soon? I’d rather shave my head and become a nun than marry someone like Zeng Kui."
If not for the incident at White Dragon Temple where they had encountered Zeng Kui, Ren Yaohua might not have been so averse to this marriage proposal. But having witnessed Zeng Kui’s true nature, Ren Yaohua, with her pride, would rather die than marry him and suffer his mistreatment.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and comforted Ren Yaohua, saying, "Third Sister, don’t worry. Such a thing will not happen."
I swear I won’t let you marry into the Zeng family! Ren Yaoqi vowed silently in her heart.
That afternoon, when Ren Yaoqi sent a letter to Xiao Jinglin at the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, she included an unsigned letter.
By evening, Ren Yaoqi received an equally unsigned reply.
Under the lamplight, Ren Yaoqi silently read the letter, thought for a moment, and then tossed it into the incense burner to burn.
The next day, Ren Yaoqi proposed to Madam Li that she wanted to visit her maternal grandmother’s family.
When they had first moved, Rong Shi had sent over some items, mostly homemade food. Although Ren Shimin did not hold his wife’s family in high regard, he was still mindful of propriety and sent generous gifts in return. However, the interactions between the two families had remained limited to that.Madam Li thought that in just over a month it would be her mother Rong Shi’s birthday, and she would return then to visit her parents. So aside from sending gifts twice to the Xianwang Residence, she had not gone back to her maiden home.
Hearing that Ren Yaoqi wanted to visit her maternal grandparents, Madam Li was pleased. She knew that Ren Yaoqi had often visited Rong Shi while in Yunyang City.
Due to various reasons, Madam Li herself could not frequently return to her maiden home to avoid gossip, but there was no issue with Ren Yaoqi going.
Thus, Madam Li immediately agreed and prepared some food and medicinal herbs for Ren Yaoqi to take along. She had originally wanted Ren Yaohua to go as well, but Ren Yaohua said that the eldest daughter of the Lei Family would be visiting in the coming days, and she was afraid that if both she and Ren Yaoqi left, Lei Pan’er would cry and fuss upon arriving and finding no one there. Although Madam Li knew Ren Yaohua’s words were merely an excuse, she could only sigh without saying anything more.
Ren Yaoqi took two trusted maids and rode in a carriage alone.
The courtyard where the third branch of the Ren Family now lived and the residence of Prince Xian’s family were located in the southwest and northwest of Treasure Vase Alley respectively, separated by the vast grounds of Yunyang Academy. The distance was not too far, but neither was it particularly close.
After the carriage emerged from the alley in front of the Ren Family, Ren Yaoqi instructed the coachwoman, “Take a detour to Zhengyang Street. I also need to buy two boxes of pastries from Fumanlou to bring along.”
The coachwoman, suspecting nothing, turned the carriage toward Zhengyang Street.
Ren Yaoqi had set out quite early. The area near Fumanlou on Zhengyang Street was mostly filled with teahouses, restaurants, and pastry shops. As it was not yet mealtime, it was not as bustling as at noon, and there were fewer people around.
Ren Yaoqi’s carriage first stopped in front of Fumanlou. She dismissed the two accompanying women, saying, “Go inside and buy two boxes of pastries for me. Make sure they are freshly baked. It’s still early, so you may have to wait a while.”
The two women quickly assured her it was no trouble.
Ren Yaoqi then had Pingguo count out some loose silver for them. “Fumanlou has tea and snacks. Go inside and have some tea while you wait. I’ll wait for you at the teahouse up ahead.”
The two women happily accepted the money and went inside.
Ren Yaoqi then had the coachman drive the carriage a bit further, finally entering a side alley behind a teahouse and going in through a side door.
This teahouse catered to female guests, so there was a separate entrance for women.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi stepped out of the carriage, she saw Tong Xi.
Logically, there should be no male guests here, making Tong Xi’s presence rather abrupt. However, Ren Yaoqi showed no surprise, as aside from them, there were no other guests in the teahouse that day.
Tong Xi immediately approached Ren Yaoqi upon seeing her and bowed. “Fifth Miss.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded and motioned for him to lead the way.
Tong Xi led Ren Yaoqi and her two personal maids up to the second floor of the teahouse, stopping in front of a private room.
After glancing at Ren Yaoqi, Tong Xi stepped aside.
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