Reborn of the Rightful

(Revised)

Ren Yaoqi knew that the "person who can make decisions" Concubine Fang mentioned did not refer to her. Given Concubine Fang's cunning, she was likely speculating that the ones imprisoning her were forces from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. What Concubine Fang must be thinking now was what secret she could trade for her freedom.

However, Ren Yaoqi had no intention of making any deal with her, nor was there anything between them worth trading. Ren Yaoqi only hoped that Concubine Fang would no longer affect her and her loved ones' lives in the future.

But Ren Yaoqi also knew that her wishes did not represent the will of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. What if Concubine Fang truly possessed something the Yanbei Prince's Mansion wanted to obtain?

Even the Ren Family could elevate a concubine for the sake of profit—what right did she have to ask the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to sacrifice its own interests to help an unrelated person like her? The grievances and entanglements between Concubine Fang and herself had nothing to do with anyone else.

Zhu Ruomei informing her before Concubine Fang could reach an agreement with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was already an act of loyalty and gratitude. He must have also told Xiao Jingxi this news, after all, Xiao Jingxi was his proper master. His help to her was premised on not harming the interests of the Xiao Family.

Ren Yaoqi thought that if Concubine Fang could indeed sway the Yanbei Prince's Mansion in the end, she had nothing more to say. Still, she wanted to find a solution that satisfied both sides—one that did not harm the interests of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion while also allowing her to have her way.

As Ren Yaoqi was pondering whether she should go see Concubine Fang and how to respond when they met, Pingguo suddenly returned from outside, holding a letter in her hand.

"Miss, the Commandery Princess has sent you a letter."

Ren Yaoqi was surprised to hear this. Just as she took the letter from Pingguo and was about to ask, Maid Maidong's wife hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered from outside.

"Miss, I heard the Commandery Princess has sent a letter?" Maid Maidong's wife's gaze lingered on the letter in Ren Yaoqi's hand, her face showing delight. However, ordinary people still held a certain reverence and fear toward a Commandery Princess, so she did not dare to presume authority and demand that Ren Yaoqi show her the letter first.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at her and nodded faintly, then opened the letter in front of her.

Maid Maidong's wife quickly asked, "Miss, what does the Commandery Princess say in the letter? Did she plead for you with the Princess Consort? When will the Princess Consort be able to receive you?"

Sangshen was just bringing in tea and, seeing this, curled her lip. "Miss has only just opened the letter and hasn't read it yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Maid Maidong's wife looked somewhat embarrassed at this but still watched Ren Yaoqi's expression closely.

Ren Yaoqi ignored her, lowering her head to read the letter carefully from beginning to end. Only after a long while did she look up and say, "The Commandery Princess says she will invite me to the Prince's Mansion after she returns, and then take me to pay respects to the Princess Consort."

Maid Maidong's wife hurriedly asked, "Then when will the Commandery Princess return?"

Ren Yaoqi frowned slightly. "Soon, I suppose. I heard she will return before her birthday."

In Yunyang City, Maid Maidong's wife spent her days doing only minor tasks like serving tea and water, work typically done by young maids. Nanny Zhou was a strong-willed person, and Maid Maidong's wife could gain no advantage under her. With her background and experience, if sent elsewhere, she would at least be a steward. Thus, Maid Maidong's wife had been feeling somewhat aggrieved these days. To make matters worse, there had been no news from the Commandery Princess, and the Princess Consort had not invited Ren Yaoqi to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion again. Maid Maidong's wife was so anxious her hair was nearly turning white.Now Ren Yaoqi finally received Princess Xiao's letter, allowing Mai Dong's wife to finally have something to report to Old Madam Ren.

However, good news was hard-won, and she wanted to know more details.

"Did the Commandery Princess say anything else? This servant noticed that the Commandery Princess's letter is quite long," Mai Dong's wife said with an ingratiating smile, leaning in closer.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at her but said nothing, so Mai Dong's wife grew even bolder and shamelessly leaned over to look at the letter in Ren Yaoqi's hand.

Ren Yaoqi read the letter once more and let her do as she pleased.

Mai Dong's wife quickly skimmed through the letter and found that, aside from mentioning an invitation for Ren Yaoqi to attend her coming-of-age ceremony upon her return, it only recounted some amusing incidents that had happened at the border and described the natural scenery near Jiajing Pass. Seeing there was nothing else of importance, she averted her eyes.

Ren Yaoqi put the letter away and said to Mai Dong's wife, "Aren't you returning to White Crane Town? Go back early to reassure Grandmother."

Mai Dong's wife immediately smiled and replied, "Fifth Miss is right. This servant will leave now. Old Madam Ren has been worried all along."

Old Madam Ren believed that the Princess Consort's attitude toward Ren Yaoqi represented the Yanbei Prince's Mansion's attitude toward the Ren Family. Therefore, she paid close attention to how the Princess Consort treated Ren Yaoqi. Now that the Commandery Princess was about to return, with her presence, the Princess Consort would surely not refuse to see Ren Yaoqi and disregard the Commandery Princess's face. Old Madam Ren could finally set her mind at ease.

Having received the good news, Mai Dong's wife returned to White Crane Town contentedly to report to Old Madam Ren.

After she left, Ren Yaoqi instructed Pingguo, "Go and have Nanny Zhou arrange for a carriage. I need to go out."

Pingguo asked, "What should this servant say about where Miss is going?"

Pingguo did not ask, "Where is Miss going?" but rather, "What should this servant say about where Miss is going?" This showed that although the maid appeared dull on the surface, she was not truly foolish.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said, "Just say I'm going to my maternal grandmother's house again."

Pingguo acknowledged and left.

Ren Yaoqi then went to Madam Li's side to seek permission and happened to encounter Ren Yaoying crying in Madam Li's room.

Concubine Fang had gone missing, and Ren Yaoying was panicking.

Earlier, when Ren Shimiao sent someone over, she overheard people discussing that Concubine Fang had fled in fear of punishment after being discovered by Fifth Master for poisoning Madam Lin and Ren Yaoying.

No matter what others said, Ren Yaoying could not believe that Concubine Fang had simply run away. Concubine Fang would never leave her and Ren Yihong in Madam Li's hands.

So Ren Yaoying came to beg Madam Li to send people to search for Concubine Fang. She had heard that Fifth Master and Madam Lin were also looking for Concubine Fang and wanted her dead. She could not bear the thought of Concubine Fang dying outside but dared not beg her own father. Thus, she had no choice but to turn to her legal mother. In her impression, Madam Li, as the legal mother, was generally quite reasonable.

However, this matter was beyond Madam Li's control. What would happen to Concubine Fang once she was found was not something Madam Li could decide. So she only comforted Ren Yaoying softly but refused to promise to plead with Third Master Ren, as she knew all too well what kind of temper Ren Shimin had. If she pleaded, Ren Shimin would blame her for failing to distinguish right from wrong.

Thus, Ren Yaoying remained in the main room, crying.When Ren Yaoqi arrived, Ren Yaohua had also rushed over upon hearing the news. She directly instructed several maids to help Ren Yaoying back to her room to rest.

After Ren Yaoying was tearfully escorted away, Ren Yaoqi mentioned her plan to go out.

Madam Li was somewhat surprised to hear that Ren Yaoqi wanted to visit her maternal grandparents again, as she had been going there quite frequently lately.

Ren Yaoqi also wished she could come up with a better excuse to go out, but she truly couldn’t think of one, so she once again used visiting her maternal grandparents as a pretext.

Fortunately, Madam Li didn’t suspect anything and simply gave her a few instructions before letting her leave.

Once inside the carriage, Ren Yaoqi followed the same route as last time. She first arranged for someone to buy pastries from Fumanlou, then instructed the coachman to drive the carriage into the same teahouse as before.

As soon as she entered through the back door, Ren Yaoqi indeed saw Tong Xi waiting in the courtyard.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi enter, Tong Xi hurried forward to bow and said, “Miss, please follow me.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded without saying a word and followed behind Tong Xi.

This time, however, Tong Xi did not lead Ren Yaoqi upstairs. Instead, he took her through a relatively hidden side door, outside of which stood an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage.

Ren Yaoqi instructed Sangshen to stay behind in the teahouse to handle matters, while she took Pingguo and boarded the carriage.

Tong Xi jumped onto the carriage shaft and drove it out of the small alley.

After exiting the alley, the carriage returned to Zhengyang Street.

Ren Yaoqi sat in the carriage for about a quarter of an hour before feeling it gradually slow down and finally enter a residential house.

“Miss, we’ve arrived,” Tong Xi said softly from outside.

Pingguo lifted the curtain and stepped down first, then turned back to help Ren Yaoqi out of the carriage.

Ren Yaoqi glanced around the house and found it quite ordinary, with no one in sight in the outer courtyard of the first section.

“Miss, please follow me,” Tong Xi said as he led the way.

Ren Yaoqi nodded and followed him through the Inner Gate.

As soon as she entered this time, Ren Yaoqi saw Xiao Jingxi standing in the covered corridor to one side.

Upon seeing Xiao Jingxi, Tong Xi bowed and retreated behind Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi walked to the corridor and curtsied to Xiao Jingxi. “Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Jingxi looked at her with a smile. “Did you understand my letter?”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh. Previously, when she had sent a message to Xiao Jingxi, she had used a hidden-head sentence. This time, Xiao Jingxi had used a hidden-tail sentence to ask her to come here. The way they exchanged messages like this was rather amusing.

Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to speak, she noticed movement in a low bush in the flowerbed in the middle of the corridor. Turning her head, she saw a massive white creature rise from the grass where it had been hiding and begin walking toward them.

Ren Yaoqi was stunned, momentarily unable to react.

The massive creature twitched its nose and was about to pounce toward Ren Yaoqi when Xiao Jingxi raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The creature abruptly halted its steps just three paces away from Ren Yaoqi. Then, under Ren Yaoqi’s astonished gaze, it sat down, staring at Xiao Jingxi with wide, pleading eyes while wagging its upright tail.

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

“Do you still recognize it?” Xiao Jingxi asked, smiling at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi looked at the large creature on the ground and tentatively called out, “Silly Girl?”

The big white tiger stared at Ren Yaoqi with wide eyes, wagging its tail even faster.Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jingxi with a strange expression. "Who did it learn this from?"

Xiao Jingxi's expression remained unchanged. "It was kept at the hot spring villa before. I heard it likes to play with a mastiff now."

Ren Yaoqi: "..."

It had been a long time since Ren Yaoqi last saw Silly Girl. The little tiger that could once be held in someone's arms had now grown into a tiger the size of an adult. However, this big tiger, raised in some unknown way, lacked any trace of the so-called "kingly" aura. Instead, it had developed habits like those of a cat or a dog.

Ren Yaoqi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Silly Girl kept staring curiously at Ren Yaoqi, but due to the intimidating presence of a certain someone, it lay on the ground, only daring to wag its tail to express its inner joy, not daring to move an inch. It seemed even animals knew how to read the room.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi examining Silly Girl, Xiao Jingxi said, "Although it has grown up, it still likes having its fur stroked. Are you afraid?"

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and indeed reached out to stroke Silly Girl's fur. Silly Girl wagged its tail happily, glanced at Xiao Jingxi, then cautiously rubbed its head against Ren Yaoqi. Despite its large and clumsy appearance, it acted coquettishly like a kitten, amusing Ren Yaoqi greatly.

Remembering the big silly creature's childhood preferences, Ren Yaoqi crouched down and used her other hand to scratch its neck. Silly Girl squinted its eyes contentedly, then, carried away by delight, tried to lick Ren Yaoqi's hand.

Xiao Jingxi immediately reached out and pressed against its big forehead. Silly Girl obediently sat back, its gaze toward Xiao Jingxi pitiful no matter how you looked at it. Unfortunately, Xiao Jingxi remained unmoved.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, curled the corners of her mouth, and deliberately said, "I heard animals have the most sensitive sense of smell. When facing something more dangerous than themselves, they always carefully show submission."

Xiao Jingxi looked at the innocent-looking big tiger, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "I heard the world as seen through a tiger's eyes is different from the world as seen by us ordinary people. So, what we find pleasing to the eye, it might find repulsive."

Ren Yaoqi suppressed a laugh. "Hmm, in Young Master Xiao's eyes, we ordinary people must all be repulsive." Was Xiao Jingxi indirectly saying he was good-looking while she was ugly?

Xiao Jingxi shook his head seriously. "I haven't finished. It's said that white tigers are anomalies among tigers. They are driven away by their mothers to live alone from birth. Do you know why?"

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "Is it because their white fur makes them easily exposed to predators, making them difficult to raise?"

Xiao Jingxi shook his head again, speaking earnestly. "Actually, it's because the world as seen through a white tiger's eyes is the exact opposite of what other tigers see. So, no matter where they are, anomalies struggle to survive."

Ren Yaoqi laughed upon hearing this and joked, "In Young Master Xiao's hands, white can be said to be black, and black can be turned back to white. That's really..."

Xiao Jingxi watched her laugh and asked softly, "Really what?"

Ren Yaoqi smiled without answering.

Xiao Jingxi also smiled but didn't press further.

At that moment, Tongde walked over, bowed his head, and reported, "Young Master, everything has been arranged."

Xiao Jingxi nodded and looked at Ren Yaoqi. "Let's go."Ren Yaoqi patted Silly Girl's head and stood up. "Do you want me to see Concubine Fang?"

Xiao Jingxi shook his head and smiled. "You don't have to see her if you don't want to. I just thought you might be curious about what she wants to say."

Ren Yaoqi was indeed curious about what Concubine Fang had to say, so she said nothing and followed Xiao Jingxi.

"Woof—"

Seeing both of them about to leave, Silly Girl scrambled to her feet with a puzzled expression, watching them curiously.

Ren Yaoqi glanced back.

Xiao Jingxi instructed Tongde, "Feed her something first. If she rolls around the garden and gets dirty again, have Tong He give her a bath."

"Woof…"

Ren Yaoqi looked at Silly Girl, who didn't dare follow anymore, waved at her with a smile, and then left.

The two walked one after the other along the path. After a while, when they reached a separate courtyard, Xiao Jingxi suddenly stopped and turned around. "Indecision invites trouble. You've softened your heart again this time."

Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, then shook her head. "No, I haven't."

Xiao Jingxi smiled. "Oh? If you haven't softened your heart, why did you only order Zhu Ruomei to lock her up and leave it at that?"

Ren Yaoqi was left speechless.

Of course, she knew that if she could seize this opportunity to make Concubine Fang disappear forever, there would be no more worries in the future. But even though she had lived a second life, she was still just an ordinary woman. Ending someone's life with just a few words was something she couldn't bring herself to do.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi silent, Xiao Jingxi sighed softly, then looked at her gently. "Having a soft heart isn't necessarily a bad thing, and I don't mean to lecture you. It's just that if there are things you find difficult to do, you can leave them to me." Xiao Jingxi paused. "If you trust me, that is."

Ren Yaoqi looked at Xiao Jingxi. She wanted to say thank you, but the words stuck in her throat.

Xiao Jingxi's gaze was gentle and earnest, making Ren Yaoqi feel that a simple, casual "thank you" would be far too perfunctory. So she looked at him and said nothing.

Xiao Jingxi turned and walked into the courtyard. Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and followed.

The courtyard wasn't large, and the garden was small, with only three rooms on the north side and no side wings. Ren Yaoqi noticed guards stationed both at the doors of the rooms and in various corners. For someone of Concubine Fang's status, this level of surveillance was rather special treatment.

Xiao Jingxi led Ren Yaoqi to the central room. Ren Yaoqi glanced around but didn't see Concubine Fang.

Without saying anything, Xiao Jingxi motioned for Ren Yaoqi to follow him and sit at the Eight Immortals table in the middle of the room.

Tong He soon brought tea and snacks. Ren Yaoqi noticed that among them were several signature pastries from Fumanlou.

Just then, Ren Yaoqi clearly heard the sound of a door opening next door, followed by Concubine Fang's voice. "Well? Has your master agreed to see me yet?"

Concubine Fang's voice sounded tired but relatively calm.

The person who opened the door didn't seem to answer, but soon footsteps were heard again, and a man's voice spoke unhurriedly. "What is it you want to see me about?"

Ren Yaoqi was slightly taken aback. The voice sounded familiar, and she immediately remembered it belonged to Min Wenqing, whom she had met before.Concubine Fang did not recognize Min Wenqing. After scrutinizing him for a long time, she finally spoke, "Are you their master?"

Min Wenqing smiled, "In this world, there are those who have masters, but I dare not claim to be one."

Concubine Fang paused, then said, "What I mean is, I want to see the person who has the authority to release me."

Min Wenqing seemed to have taken a seat in a chair. "That depends on whether you have any value left to continue living."

Concubine Fang asked, "So, you have the authority to decide?" Her caution seemed to indicate that what she had to say was truly important.

Min Wenqing replied playfully, "Whether I have the authority or not is not the point. The point is whether you have the ability to walk out of here." He chuckled, "Do you know where this is? A residence in Wanfu Lane, not far from Zhengyang Avenue. But who knows, this might just be your burial ground."

Min Wenqing's tone was not harsh; it even carried a hint of amusement. Yet, no one doubted the truth in his words.

"So this is Wanfu Lane," Concubine Fang murmured.

Min Wenqing seemed to recall something and added, "I almost forgot. You shouldn’t be unfamiliar with this place. The Guangli Bank you know is just two streets away."

Concubine Fang’s eyes flickered at his words. "No wonder this place sounds familiar. I have indeed been to Guangli Bank once."

Min Wenqing asked with a smile, "Oh? Just once?"

But Concubine Fang began to evade the question.

Ren Yaoqi frowned, leaned closer, and whispered, "What did they find out about Guangli Bank?"

Xiao Jingxi paused, then lowered his voice as well. "Earlier, I sent someone with that letter to Guangli Bank and had them repeat what she said to the bank manager. The bank did indeed give out eight hundred and fifty taels of silver. However, after the person left, they sent someone to follow them, and others went to White Cloud Nunnery."

Ren Yaoqi frowned. "Are these all secret agents of the court?"

Xiao Jingxi smiled. "Guangli Bank? No, the owner of Guangli Bank has good relations with the Yun Family. It’s the bank manager’s identity that seems suspicious."

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and agreed.

Guangli Bank was one of the largest banks in Yanbei. Naturally, such an industry should be under the control of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. If she were in charge of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, she would not allow an unknown bank to control most of the silver flow in Yanbei.

Xiao Jingxi said, "Even the people in White Cloud Nunnery are not all problematic. If I’m not mistaken, these people appeared in Yanbei only after the court’s military downsizing order was issued. Because it hasn’t been long, they haven’t gained much influence yet. If it weren’t for your situation, these people might have been overlooked."

Ren Yaoqi thought Xiao Jingxi’s speculation was highly plausible.

Perhaps Fang Yacun had come to Yanbei to make use of these people. Unfortunately, due to her interference, Fang Yacun never made it to Yanbei. As a result, these people ended up connected to Concubine Fang. It was unclear whether Concubine Fang had obtained permission from Fang Yacun’s superior to use these people for herself. If that superior knew that all the people he had deployed had been wasted by a woman, what kind of expression would he have?Ren Yaoqi recalled that Aunt Xiao, who had previously aided the evildoer, likely had some issues as well, so she mentioned it to Xiao Jingxi.

Xiao Jingxi nodded. "I understand, don't worry."

Ren Yaoqi truly felt reassured.

Some people's casual words are enough to put others at ease.

If we can eradicate these budding forces of the court this time, it would be a preemptive measure. Although for Xiao Jingxi, these people are merely small fry, even fleas can bite painfully when there are too many.

Alright, the author has finished revising...

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas once again~

Although the author had a rather miserable Christmas^^

Finally: When possible, the author doesn’t want to break the update streak, so I hope everyone can forgive...