She vaguely recalled that in her previous life, when her mother and Third Sister returned, she had been too ill to pay her respects to her mother in time. Yet, a few days later, when her father returned to the estate, she had dressed in the clothes and jewelry he brought back from the capital to greet guests.
Because of this, Third Sister Ren Yaohua had grown even more displeased with her.
Ren Yaohua resented her for not keeping their mother in mind, for being cold-hearted and ungrateful.
She, too, resented her mother for treating her sister a thousand times better than her—willing to accompany her sister to endure hardships on the estate, while leaving her alone in the mansion under the care of a concubine. Even when she fell seriously ill, her mother never sent anyone to check on her, and even dismissed the physician who came to treat her, sending him instead to her perfectly healthy Third Sister.
Just when Ren Yaoqi thought she had forgotten, the past gradually became clear again. Looking back at those events now, she naturally saw the hidden schemes.
Someone had been stirring trouble behind the scenes, constantly driving a wedge between her and Ren Yaohua.
"Fifth Miss? If you don’t drink it soon, the medicine will turn cold." Seeing her frown at the medicine bowl, Jinjú hurriedly urged with a forced smile.
Ren Yaoqi frowned as she took the bowl and brought it to her lips. Just as Jinjú was about to sigh in relief, Ren Yaoqi moved the bowl away again, her frown deepening. "Why does today’s medicine seem even more bitter?"
Jinjú’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes flickered toward the bowl as she forced a smile. "How could that be? You haven’t even tasted it yet..."
Ren Yaoqi shot her a sidelong glance and said haughtily, "I’ve been ill for so long that I’ve become my own physician. Just one sniff tells me today’s medicine is bitter!"
"This..."
Suppressing her temper, Jinjú forced another smile and tried to persuade her further, but Ren Yaoqi spoke again. "Go ask Concubine Fang for a plate of preserved dark plum shreds—the kind marinated with mint leaves and honey, sprinkled with powdered sugar on top."
The corner of Jinjú’s mouth twitched. So, the reason she was being so difficult today was because she was craving something sweet. Relieved, she stood up and said, "I’ll go right away." With that, she turned and left.
Once Jinjú’s figure disappeared from the inner chamber, Ren Yaoqi dropped her haughty expression, wrapped herself in a thick cotton coat, got out of bed, and carried the medicine bowl behind the screen in the room. There, she poured the medicine into the chamber pot.
Afterward, she returned to bed and leaned back, thinking for a moment before dipping her finger into the few remaining drops of medicine in the bowl and smearing them at the corner of her mouth.
Jinjú returned quickly. Upon entering and seeing the empty medicine bowl, she couldn’t help but pause in surprise. Ren Yaoqi already sounded impatient. "What took you so long! Were you trying to make me suffer from the bitterness?"
Jinjú hurriedly handed over the plate of preserved dark plum shreds. Ren Yaoqi picked up a piece with the silver pick beside the plate, placed it in her mouth, and then narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. "So sweet—"
Jinjú, however, stole a glance at the medicine bowl and then at Ren Yaoqi. Seeing the traces of medicine at the corner of her mouth, she felt satisfied, and her smile grew more genuine. "These preserved dark plum shreds were made by the concubine using a secret recipe from her family. You won’t find them anywhere else. This year, there was too much rain, and several northern gardens growing the finest green plums were flooded, so the concubine only preserved one jar. Last time, Ninth Miss asked for some, but the concubine refused, saying she was saving them for Fifth Miss. Ninth Miss was so upset she held a grudge against our concubine for days."Ren Yaoqi noticed the curtain outside move slightly and suddenly tilted her head, winking at Jinjú with a smile. "Thank you for telling me all this. So Ninth Miss is so petty—I wouldn’t have known if you hadn’t told me. But don’t worry, I won’t let her know you spoke ill of her to me."
Upon hearing this, Jinjú’s face paled. She hadn’t meant to speak poorly of Ninth Miss behind her back.
"Fifth Miss, I—"
Ren Yaoqi cut her off, removing a lustrous, translucent white jade bracelet from her own wrist and holding it out to Jinjú. "I never mistreat those who are loyal to me. This is your reward."
Jinjú glanced at the bracelet, her heart skipping a beat. The words of rebuttal she was about to utter were swallowed back down.
She looked around cautiously, then tucked the bracelet into her sleeve and whispered, "This servant thanks Fifth Miss for the reward."
Ren Yaoqi covered her mouth with a small yawn. "I’m tired and want to sleep for a while. You may leave."
"Yes, Fifth Miss." After helping Ren Yaoqi lie down, Jinjú withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi waited a moment, then called softly, "Who’s outside?"
After a rustling sound, the maids Qingmei and Xueli lifted the curtain and entered.
"Miss, what do you need?" Qingmei eagerly stepped forward.
Ren Yaoqi said, "Come help me dress and get up."
Qingmei smiled apologetically. "Miss, whatever you need, just give this servant the order. There’s no need to get up, is there?" Her eyes, however, darted to Ren Yaoqi’s wrist.
Pretending not to notice her gaze, Ren Yaoqi replied with a faint smile, "Can you take care of my personal needs for me too?"
Qingmei hurriedly said, "Then, then just put on the padded jacket."
Ren Yaoqi frowned. "Do you want me to catch a chill, or do you want me to be improperly dressed and lose all dignity while attending to my needs?"
What dignity is needed for that? Isn’t it always like this? Qingmei broke into a sweat.
Xueli, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward. "Miss, don’t be angry. This servant will help you dress." She shot Qingmei a look, signaling her to keep quiet.
Xueli helped Ren Yaoqi into a thick padded jacket and then a pleated skirt.
"Fetch my thick lynx-fur cloak," Ren Yaoqi instructed Xueli.
Xueli was startled—this was attire for going out.
"Miss? Are you going out?" Qingmei had already asked.
Ren Yaoqi ignored her, only glancing at Xueli.
Under her gaze, Xueli had no choice but to rise. "Yes, this servant will go right away." Before turning, she gave Qingmei another meaningful look.
Qingmei smiled and said, "Miss, where are you going? Tell this servant so I can make arrangements."
Seeing Ren Yaoqi ignore her, she rolled her eyes. "This servant will prepare a hand warmer for you, so you don’t catch a chill when you go out." With that, she turned to leave.
"Stop," Ren Yaoqi called softly. Though just two quiet words, they halted Qingmei in her tracks.
"Find that long necklace with two hundred and fifty-six beads for me."
"Yes, Miss." Though Qingmei was desperate to go inform Nanny Zhu, she didn’t dare disobey Ren Yaoqi’s order. She hurried to the dressing table and soon retrieved a long strand of pink, white, and gold pearls, each the size of a thumbnail."Miss, shall I put it on for you?" The chain was too long, and would need to be wrapped around Ren Yaoqi's neck three or four times. She usually found it cumbersome and never wore it, so it was odd that she suddenly thought of it today.
But Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "I think this chain looks tacky. Change it for me."
"Huh?" Qingmei was stunned. "How would you like it changed, Miss?"
Ren Yaoqi pointed at the pearls on it. "Take them apart and string them together alternating pink, white, and gold."
Qingmei made a pained face and went to the wall cabinet to look for needle and thread.
Meanwhile, Xueli had already found the lynx-fur crane cloak. Seeing Qingmei still in the room and not leaving, she couldn't help but frown.
Ren Yaoqi had Xueli simply style her hair, put on the crane cloak, and was about to head out.
"Qingmei, stay and string the pearls. Xueli, come with me."
Exchanging a glance with Qingmei, Xueli hesitated for a moment before hurrying forward to lift the curtain for Ren Yaoqi.
This was Ren Yaoqi's first time stepping out in two days. As soon as the outer curtain was lifted, a biting cold wind swirled in, carrying snowflakes as large as goose feathers, the icy shards stinging her face.
Even though she was dressed warmly and her body remained cozy, her face instantly grew cold. Snowflakes clung to her eyelashes, and when she blinked, one melted, blurring her vision.
It had been years since she had seen the snowstorms of the north.
"Miss, it's cold outside. Shouldn't we go back?" Xueli cautiously advised.
Ren Yaoqi paid no heed. She pulled the wind hood lower, covering most of her face, and without looking back, headed toward the main house. Her steps quickened as she went, and soon she was almost running.
"Fifth Miss, be careful of the slippery ground—" Xueli called after her.
Purple Magnolia Courtyard was not small. The west wing was separated from the main house by a passage hall and a large courtyard.
Ren Yaoqi dashed along the covered walkway, nearly slipping on the half-melted, thin layer of snow under the eaves of the main house as she emerged from the corridor connecting the winding veranda. But when she finally stood before the main house entrance, she felt a sudden apprehension, as if approaching a long-unseen home.
From beneath the indigo-blue curtain embroidered with "Gold and Jade Fill the Hall," a few slivers of light leaked out. Ren Yaoqi faintly heard voices speaking inside the main house.
"Fifth Miss." The maid on duty had been puzzled when she saw a figure bundled up tightly running along the covered walkway. But when she recognized Ren Yaoqi under the windproof lantern light by the corridor, she was startled. She quickly curtsied and hurried inside to report.
Soon, the indigo-blue curtain was lifted from within, and a beautiful girl with almond-shaped eyes and snow-white skin stepped out. She wore a silver-red embroidered peony fur-lined jacket with exposed trim and a goose-yellow pleated skirt.
Two years older than Ren Yaoqi and taller than her peers, she stood under the door eaves, looking down at Ren Yaoqi with a frosty expression. Even the warm orange-red glow of the lanterns around her could not soften her icy demeanor.
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, her mouth slightly agape. "Third..."
Before she could finish speaking, the girl suddenly raised her hand and slapped Ren Yaoqi hard across the face. The crisp, sharp sound of the slap left everyone present stunned.
"Ren Yaoqi, how dare you show your face here!" a cold, mocking voice rang in Ren Yaoqi's buzzing ears.
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