However, on the day before they were set to leave White Crane Town, Concubine Fang sent Nanny Yu to Madam Li, requesting to see Ren Yaoying.
Ever since Ren Yaoying had been confined to her quarters by Third Master Ren’s order, she had not left her room. Later, following Ren Shimin’s instructions, Madam Li had found a governess to teach Ren Yaoying proper etiquette and manners. Due to the recent troubles in the Ren Family, Madam Li and Ren Yaohua had rushed back in haste, leaving Ren Yaoying behind in Yunyang City.
Previously, because the Ren Family had faced a major crisis, no one had paid particular attention to whether a concubine-born daughter was present or not. Only now did Madam Li realize that while Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and Ren Yihong had all returned to White Crane Town, she had left Ren Yaoying alone in Yunyang City, which was somewhat inappropriate.
Ren Yaoqi thought that Concubine Fang must have already known Ren Yaoying had not returned with them when they first arrived and had likely inquired about the reason in secret. However, during this period, Concubine Fang had wisely refrained from mentioning it, perhaps fearing that Old Madam Ren would vent her anger over the Zeng Family incident on her. If that happened, not only would she be unable to stand up for Ren Yaoying, but her own situation would also become awkward.
Now that the Ren Family’s crisis had largely been resolved and Old Master Ren’s health was gradually improving, Concubine Fang could no longer hold back from bringing up Ren Yaoying’s situation.
Madam Li sent Nanny Zhou to relay to Nanny Yu that Ren Yaoying had been punished by Third Master Ren with confinement for her wrongdoing. After hearing this, Nanny Yu left.
Ren Yaohua said coldly, "She only knows how to make things difficult for others!"
Madam Li sighed. "Yaoying came from her womb, so it’s only natural for her to be concerned."
Ren Yaohua frowned and said to Ren Yaoqi, "Now that the East and West Mansions have divided the family, all the properties in Jiangnan have gone to the branch of the granduncle. Even if the Ren Family’s business in the south still requires the Fang Family’s support, it has little to do with our branch. Shouldn’t she be keeping a low profile now?"
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. Based on her understanding of Old Master Ren, he did not seem like someone who would truly hand over all the Jiangnan properties to the East Mansion. This division of the family was likely a temporary measure.
She smiled and said to Ren Yaohua, "How much has the Ren Family invested in those coal depots in Jiangnan? Naturally, they can’t just abandon them, so the relationship with the Fang Family still needs to be maintained."
Concubine Fang’s understanding of Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren’s true nature was no less than hers. She naturally knew when to keep a low profile and when to seek benefits for herself.
After Old Master Ren returned, the Ren Family had not found any reason to punish Concubine Fang, which must have given her some confidence. Bringing up the request to see Ren Yaoying before they left White Crane Town was likely also a way to test Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren’s attitudes.
Sure enough, not long after, someone from Old Madam Ren’s side came to summon Madam Li for questioning.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua accompanied Madam Li.
Old Madam Ren had indeed called Madam Li over to inquire about Ren Yaoying.
Madam Li explained that Ren Yaoying had left without permission and had been punished by Third Master Ren.
Originally, if Third Master Ren wanted to punish his daughter, especially when Ren Yaoying was clearly in the wrong, Madam Li could not say much. But if you dislike someone, even if they do nothing, you will still find fault with them.Therefore, Old Madam Ren, who had never liked Madam Li, reprimanded her once more, saying, "Do you think you have no fault in this? Isn't the inner courtyard under your management? How could a child just leave whenever she wanted? What were your people doing? Tomorrow, will anyone who wants to enter your inner courtyard be able to do so?"
Madam Li lowered her head and murmured nothing.
Ren Yaohua wanted to speak up in defense of Madam Li, but Ren Yaoqi shook her head at her. Old Madam Ren was deliberately looking for an excuse to scold Madam Li, and if Ren Yaohua contradicted her, it would only add fuel to the fire.
Ren Yaohua pursed her lips, holding back the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
Old Madam Ren looked at Madam Li and said, "If you can't manage the courtyard properly, I'll assign someone to help you!"
Ren Yaohua was startled. "Grandmother, you're not thinking of sending Concubine Fang, are you?"
Old Madam Ren glared at her. "Be quiet! I haven't settled accounts with you yet!" She turned and instructed Shanhu, "Go and bring Maidong's wife in."
Ren Yaohua frowned and glanced at Ren Yaoqi.
A short while later, Shanhu led in a middle-aged woman in her early forties, dressed in a dark blue jacket.
After the middle-aged woman paid her respects to Old Madam Ren and the other masters present, Old Madam Ren pointed at her and said to Madam Li, "This is Maidong's wife. Take her with you to Yunyang City this time and let her help you manage the inner courtyard."
Ren Yaohua scrutinized Maidong's wife up and down, then curled her lip and said, "Grandmother, where did you find her? She doesn't seem to be one of your attendants, does she? She looks unfamiliar. If you're going to assign someone, shouldn't it be someone from your own courtyard?"
In a way, Ren Yaohua's words were a subtle flattery of Old Madam Ren. Ren Yaoqi glanced at her in surprise.
Old Madam Ren's expression indeed softened considerably. She said to Ren Yaohua, "How is she not one of my people? Her mother was once my personal maid, and she was extremely capable. Later, she married the chief manager of the Jizhou coal depot."
So she really was one of Old Madam Ren's people? This made it truly difficult to refuse.
Ren Yaoqi pondered that Old Madam Ren's move today was likely because she was uneasy about them breaking free from the Ren Family's control and establishing their own household outside. Thus, she wanted to place a "trusted person" to keep an eye on them. The incident with Ren Yaoying was merely an excuse; whether Ren Yaoying was involved or not, Old Madam Ren would have found a reason to insert someone into their branch.
One cannot refuse what an elder bestows. When Old Madam Ren decided to assign someone to the third branch, Madam Li had no room to refuse at all. She could only lower her head and accept.
Seeing that Madam Li had accepted the person, Old Madam Ren finally said with satisfaction, "Although Yaoying is not your biological daughter, she is still your child. You should pay more attention to her in the future. She has been confined long enough and has learned her lesson. Release her when you return. She's not young anymore, and you won't have to worry about her for much longer."
Madam Li lowered her head and agreed once more.
Old Madam Ren then turned to Ren Yaoqi and instructed, "After you return to Yunyang City, you must still go to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to pay your respects to the Princess Consort. Aren't you still corresponding with the Commandery Princess? If the Princess Consort still refuses to see you, ask the Commandery Princess to put in a good word for you in front of her!"Before Ren Yaoqi could respond, Old Madam Ren instructed Mai Dong’s wife, who was standing nearby, "When you go to Yunyang City, remember to keep an eye on Fifth Miss! I recall you are literate, so from now on, you will serve as her attendant for writing letters to the Commandery Princess. Do you understand?"
Mai Dong’s wife lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
Seeing Ren Yaoqi remain silent, Old Madam Ren turned her stern gaze toward her.
Ren Yaoqi met Old Madam Ren’s eyes and smiled slightly. "Understood, Grandmother."
She’s literate? So Old Madam Ren was sending Mai Dong’s wife to Yunyang City to monitor her correspondence with the Commandery Princess!
Old Madam Ren nodded in satisfaction and waved her hand dismissively. "Very well, you may all leave now. Mai Dong’s wife, stay behind. I have further instructions for you."
Madam Li led Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua out of the room.
As soon as they left Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Ren Yaohua’s expression turned cold. "We shouldn’t have agreed just now! Who does this Mai Dong’s wife think she is? What right does she have to meddle in our household affairs?"
Madam Li sighed. "There’s nothing we can do about it." When an elder assigns someone to you, you can only accept it with gratitude.
Ren Yaohua understood this, which was why she hadn’t been able to refuse earlier. Still, she was seething with anger and muttered under her breath, "That wretched Madam Fang never misses a chance to stir up trouble for us!"
Ren Yaoqi comforted her, "It’s alright. She’s just a servant. Is she worth getting so worked up over? No matter how influential she may seem, she’s still just a servant. If she knows her place, fine. But if she doesn’t…"
Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly. Did Old Madam Ren really think she could control Third Master’s household just by sending one of her own people? This was the best she could do.
The night passed without incident. The next day, Madam Li returned to Yunyang City with her two daughters.
Ren Shimin had already left two days earlier to attend the academy, and Ren Yihong had also departed ahead of them.
Upon returning to their residence in Yunyang City, both Madam Li and the sisters felt a sense of relief and ease, even though the house in Yunyang City was less than half the size of the Ren Family’s ancestral home.
That same day, while Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were in Madam Li’s room, Nanny Zhou asked how they should settle Mai Dong’s wife.
After a moment’s thought, Ren Yaoqi said, "Arrange for her to stay in the servants’ quarters. Since Grandmother sent her to assist Mother in managing the household, let her take charge of the storeroom. We’ll hand over the account books to her later."
"Is… is that appropriate?" Madam Li hesitated.
Although Third Master Ren had a wide range of interests, and the storeroom contained many valuable items, managing the storeroom was far less prestigious than overseeing personnel matters.
"Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? Didn’t Grandmother say she’s capable? Then let her prove it to us! Otherwise, how can a newcomer expect to manage everything? Does she have the ability?" Ren Yaohua scoffed.
Ren Yaoqi’s arrangement was also a way to test Mai Dong’s wife—to understand her character and figure out how best to deal with her.
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