Yun Wenfang settled in at the Ren residence.
As Old Madam Ren’s grandnephew and a frequent visitor to the Ren family, Qiu Yun had his own independent courtyard within the estate. Yun Wenfang, however, was a newcomer and did not stay in the guest quarters of the outer courtyard. Instead, he shared Qiu Yun’s courtyard in the inner residence. Old Madam Ren publicly introduced this "Young Master Wen" as a close relative from her maternal family.
Due to Old Madam Ren’s attitude, most members of the Ren family grew curious about Yun Wenfang’s identity, with only a few insiders aware of the truth.
Among those insiders, Fifth Madam Lin was particularly enthusiastic about Yun Wenfang. Apart from instructing her son, Ren Yijian, to befriend Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang, she also gave similar advice to her daughter, Ren Yaoyu.
First Madam, on the other hand, remained much calmer. Aside from ensuring that Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang’s residence, the Brocade and Splendor Courtyard, was well taken care of, she made no special efforts.
Nevertheless, even those unaware of the truth guessed that this "Young Master Wen" must be someone of considerable status.
Ren Yaoying relayed the matter to Concubine Fang.
After some thought, Concubine Fang summoned her son, Ren Yihong, and questioned him in detail. However, Ren Yihong had little interaction with Yun Wenfang and was not one to gossip. All he knew was that apart from Qiu Yun, Young Master Wen was somewhat closer to Fifth Young Master Ren Yijian. Their conversations mostly revolved around affairs in Yunyang City and where to enjoy winter outings in White Crane Town.
Concubine Fang showed no dissatisfaction with her son’s lack of knowledge. Instead, she praised him warmly, urged him to focus on his studies, and sent him away. She then instructed her trusted confidante to inquire about "Young Master Wen’s" identity from the servants who had accompanied Madam Lin from Yunyang City as part of her dowry.
Finally, she advised her daughter, "Follow the instructions I gave you earlier and don’t be influenced by them. Madam Lin has always been fond of jumping around and making a fuss—that’s because she’s fortunate. Even when she makes mistakes, someone always cleans up the mess for her." Concubine Fang’s gentle tone carried a hint of disdain and mockery.
"Your mother has promised to secure a good future for you, and I will certainly do so."
Ren Yaoying, who was impulsive and quick-tempered in front of others, lowered her head and replied softly, "Yes, I understand, Mother."
In the Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Fifth Madam Lin became especially attentive to Old Madam Ren once again.
On Yun Wenfang’s first night at the Ren residence, while massaging Old Madam Ren’s shoulders and legs, Madam Lin subtly inquired about the Yun family’s attitude toward Yun Wenfang’s marriage prospects.
Old Madam Ren narrowed her eyes and replied calmly, "We’ll discuss that matter later."
Madam Lin smiled apologetically and said, "Mother, the Yun family’s eldest young master is fifteen this year. Though he is talented and handsome, the age gap with my Yaoyu is too large, and I don’t think it’s appropriate. However, this second young master… today, I observed that he and my Yaoyu would make a perfect pair, like a golden boy and a jade girl."
Old Madam Ren slapped Madam Lin’s hand away and frowned. "What nonsense are you speaking? If this spreads, Yaoyu’s reputation will be ruined!"Madam Lin curled her lip: "Mother, when Old Madam Yun entrusted her grandson to our Ren Family at this time, could it be she didn’t have that intention? The current Prince of Yanbei is the nephew of Old Master Yun. Although that Old Madam Yun was not the principal consort of the old Yanbei Prince, she holds an official title. With the Prince of Yanbei’s support, who in Yanbei Prince’s Mansion is more esteemed than her? Because of this, the Yun Family has become the foremost family in our Yanbei. If our Ren Family can form a marriage alliance with the Yun Family, the benefits would be countless. You and Old Madam Yun are cousins, you are her maternal relative. If you were to bring this up to her, she surely wouldn’t find it easy to refuse."
Old Madam Ren remained silent for a while, then waved her hand: "I said we’ll discuss this matter later."
Madam Lin still wanted to persuade her further, but meeting Old Madam Ren’s sharp gaze, she rubbed her nose and fell silent.
In her heart, however, she was determined to have her daughter become closer with the Yun family’s second young master.
It wasn’t that Madam Lin was too "forward." She and Fifth Master Ren had grown up together since childhood, sharing a deep bond, which was why she eventually married into the Ren Family.
Thus, Madam Lin also wanted to secure a good marriage for her daughter.
Ren Yaoqi paid no attention to these undercurrents within the family. As usual, she reported to Glory and Splendor Courtyard twice daily, morning and evening, before returning to her own courtyard. She either stayed in Madam Li’s room, keeping her company while doing needlework, or went to the study in the western wing to accompany Ren Shimin as he wrote couplets or made peach wood charms. She was honored to have earned the privilege of grinding ink, serving tea, and sanding peach wood charms for Ren Shimin.
One evening, when Ren Yaoqi went to pay her respects to Madam Li, she happened to hear Nanny Zhou reporting household matters to Madam Li.
"...Two hams, four jars of Jinhua wine, a pair of live sheep, six wind-dried chickens, two fox pelts, one lynx pelt, and six bolts of brocade..."
Madam Li listened and nodded: "With few people in the household, this should be enough for the New Year. Additionally, set aside two hundred taels of silver, all exchanged into small ingots of ten and five taels each."
After a pause, she added with some helpless emphasis, "Remember to hand the silver directly to Mother."
Nanny Zhou sighed: "I understand, Madam."
Hearing the rustle of the curtain behind them, both turned around.
Seeing it was Ren Yaoqi, Madam Li relaxed, then smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Qi’er, you’ve come?"
Ren Yaoqi, noticing nothing amiss, returned Madam Li’s smile: "Are you discussing matters with Nanny Zhou, Mother? I’ll wait in the western side room first."
Madam Li quickly replied: "Then go and sit for a while. I’ll join you after finishing with Nanny Zhou."
Ren Yaoqi withdrew from the eastern side room and went to the western side room.
Not long after, Nanny Zhou came out and smiled at Ren Yaoqi: "Madam is still changing clothes. Fifth Miss, you’ve come a bit earlier today. Has Third Miss not yet returned from Old Madam’s courtyard?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded: "Third Sister will be here shortly." After a moment’s thought, she suddenly asked, "How are Grandfather and Uncle... doing?"
Nanny Zhou was taken aback, realizing Ren Yaoqi might have overheard her conversation with Madam Li earlier. She hurriedly replied, "They’re doing well, very well."
Glancing at Ren Yaoqi, Nanny Zhou added with an apologetic smile, "Master sent New Year’s gifts, so Madam instructed me to send some return gifts tomorrow."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded: "That’s only proper." She did not inquire further about what gifts her uncle had sent.Nanny Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and was about to speak when Ren Yaohua lifted the curtain and entered, casually asking, "What New Year's gifts?"
Glancing at the nervous Nanny Zhou, Ren Yaoqi smiled and replied, "I was asking Nanny about the customary exchanges between relatives. Weren't you just playing leaf cards with our cousins to accompany Grandmother earlier, Third Sister? Who won?"
"Didn't you dislike playing? What does it matter to you who won?" Ren Yaohua walked over and sat on the heated brick bed. Nanny Zhou excused herself, saying she needed to fetch Madam Li, and left the room.
Ren Yaoqi didn’t argue with her, just smiled and picked up the small teapot beside her to pour a cup of tea for her.
Faced with Ren Yaoqi’s friendly gesture, Ren Yaohua couldn’t very well slap a smiling face. Since her return this time, she had noticed that Ren Yaoqi seemed like a completely different person from before. In the past, Ren Yaoqi would often clash with her, but now she always avoided conflict. Arguments truly couldn’t happen with just one side, so the two had been getting along peacefully.
"Third Cousin and Young Master Wen said they want to organize an ice-skating competition, and Grandmother has already agreed," Ren Yaohua said suddenly after taking a sip of tea.
Though surprised that Ren Yaohua was voluntarily sharing this with her, Ren Yaoqi pretended to show some interest. "Oh? When? Will all the brothers from our family participate?"
"Yes, it’ll be on the Little White River outside the town. We’ll all be going then," Ren Yaohua replied, offering a rare friendly response.
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback. "I... don’t know how."
Ren Yaohua turned and glared at her. "So what? You don’t have to compete. The servants from the household will naturally be arranged to participate. We’ll just be watching from the sidelines."
Ren Yaoqi coughed lightly. "Oh, I see. I’ve been catching colds easily lately, and it’s too cold outside. I won’t go."
"Grandmother said all the siblings from our family must attend, and the East Mansion will be there too. Third Cousin even specifically asked about you today," Ren Yaohua said, frowning as she gave Ren Yaoqi a scrutinizing look.
Thank you, Liangli, for the reward~
Thanks to Sunjia Xiaomogu for the long review~
As for the male lead... I won’t be answering that for now ^^~... but I’ll make sure most readers like him (with Xuan Shao as an example, I think my taste isn’t off, right?).
Also, this novel will be going VIP in a week. To ensure no interruptions in updates during busy periods or when I can’t make it back, Mei Nan has been working hard to stockpile chapters recently, so please forgive the slower updates~ Brighter times are coming soon~ ^^·
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[bookid=2288861,bookname=《名门闺杀》]·
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