Since Concubine Fang's disappearance and Fang Yacun's fall from power, Old Madam Ren had paid no attention to Ren Yaoying. So when she sent people to specifically bring Ren Yaoying back alone, not only was Madam Li surprised, but even Ren Yaoying herself was astonished.
After being disciplined by Ren Yaohua last time, Ren Yaoying had been ill for quite a long time. Once she recovered, she became much more subdued. On ordinary days, whenever she saw Ren Yaohua, it was like a mouse seeing a cat.
Nanny Zhou gave some silver to the nannies sent by Old Madam Ren to fetch Ren Yaoying, hoping to gather some information. In the end, however, she only learned that Ren Yaohua had been confined by the old madam in the ancestral hall and punished with kneeling. Nothing more could be found out.
Both Madam Li and Nanny Zhou were very worried. Madam Li specifically called Ren Yaoqi over and said, "Qi'er, why don't you go back together to see what's happening? Hua'er has an impulsive temperament, and I don't know how she angered the old madam. With the wedding date approaching, I hope nothing goes wrong."
Madam Li was concerned about Ren Yaohua but knew that she herself couldn't solve any problems if she went back. On the other hand, her younger daughter was steady and clever, and the two sisters now had a good relationship. That's why she wanted Ren Yaoqi to go back and see. If anything happened, the two sisters could discuss it together.
Seeing the worried expression on Madam Li's face, Ren Yaoqi immediately agreed, comforted her a few words, and then returned to White Crane Town together with Ren Yaoying.
This time, since Ren Yaoying had been invited back by the old madam's people, no one in the Ren Family dared to treat her with disdain. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoying went together to the old madam's Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
When Old Madam Ren saw that Ren Yaoqi had come along, she didn't say anything and remained quite amiable. Ren Yaoqi didn't ask about Ren Yaohua as soon as she entered, and Old Madam Ren didn't mention Ren Yaohua either. Instead, after a few words, Old Madam Ren began to show concern for Ren Yaoying, which made Ren Yaoying feel both flattered and overwhelmed.
"Old Madam, everyone has been arranged. Should they be called in now?" The head maid, Shanhu, walked up to Old Madam Ren and whispered.
Old Madam Ren took a sip of tea, her eyes lowered as if lost in thought. "Let them come in," she said. After a pause, she added, "Send someone to the ancestral hall to bring Third Miss here as well."
Shanhu acknowledged the order and left. Not long after, she led in eight unfamiliar maids. Ren Yaoqi discreetly observed them. The eight maids were around fifteen or sixteen years old, all with delicate features and graceful figures. Two of them even had particularly alluring appearances.
Ren Yaoqi frowned, then a cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth before she lowered her head and didn't look again.
Ren Yaoying, emboldened by Old Madam Ren's favorable attitude toward her that day, gathered her courage and asked, "Grandmother, are these newly arrived maids in the mansion? They look unfamiliar." Ren Yaoying knew that newly selected maids from outside were generally very young, as they were easier to train. These unfamiliar maids were already quite old, and in a few years, they would have to be released. That's why she was curious.
Old Madam Ren was examining the maids and only gave a noncommittal "Hmm" in response. Ren Yaoying didn't dare to ask further, but her gaze kept wandering over the maids' faces as she listened to Old Madam Ren casually questioning them.
Not long after, Ren Yaohua also arrived.Ren Yaoqi looked up. Although Ren Yaohua had been confined for two days, her complexion appeared somewhat dull, yet her expression remained calm. Her gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoying’s faces before she stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Madam Ren.
Old Madam Ren’s attitude toward her was indifferent. Unlike usual, she did not call her to sit by her side. Instead, she beckoned to Ren Yaoying, “Ying’er, come here.”
Ren Yaoying glanced at Ren Yaohua, lowered her head, and walked over to Old Madam Ren, who pulled her to sit together on the Arhat Bed.
“Grandmother is old, and her eyesight is failing. You come and help Grandmother pick,” Old Madam Ren said to Ren Yaoying.
Ren Yaoying glanced at the maids and cautiously asked, “Are they to serve in Grandmother’s courtyard?”
Old Madam Ren shook her head and said calmly, “They are for your Third Sister, as dowry maids.”
At these words, everyone’s gaze fell upon Ren Yaohua. Ren Yaohua was taken aback, looked up, and examined the eight unfamiliar maids. When her eyes landed on the two maids with enchanting looks and graceful figures, she suddenly understood, and her face stiffened.
Ren Yaoying also glanced at Ren Yaohua. In the past, she would have secretly delighted in adding insult to injury, but ever since being reprimanded by Ren Yaohua last time, she had developed an instinctive fear of her. She knew that if Ren Yaohua wanted to teach her a lesson like before, it would be as easy as turning over her hand.
“This… how could it be my place to pick Third Sister’s dowry maids?” Ren Yaoying forced a smile.
Old Madam Ren, however, smiled at these words. She looked at Ren Yaoying meaningfully and said, “Why can’t you pick them? Your Third Sister will have many occasions to rely on you in the future!”
Ren Yaoying was startled and couldn’t help but look at Old Madam Ren, trying to discern the meaning behind her words. Ren Yaohua’s face grew increasingly pale.
Ren Yaoqi quietly walked to Ren Yaohua’s side and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Ren Yaohua did not turn her head but instead tightly grasped Ren Yaoqi’s hand in return, as if drawing strength from her palm.
At the same time, Old Madam Ren’s lofty voice rang out in the room: “The Lei Family is a prominent clan. After your Third Sister marries into it, she will not only be the mistress of the Lei household but also the wife of the Lei clan’s patriarch. The Lei Family is not like a small, humble household—its rules are strict, and your Third Sister’s temperament is somewhat impulsive. Your grandfather and I are both worried. After careful consideration, we have decided that you should also marry into the family. In prominent families, it is considered a fine tradition for sisters to accompany the bride as secondary wives.”
Ren Yaoqi felt the grip on her hand tighten. She could sense Ren Yaohua, standing beside her, trembling slightly.
She turned to look at Ren Yaohua. Ren Yaohua’s lips were pressed tightly together, her face pale, but her back remained straight, as if nothing could bend her.
Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly and held Ren Yaohua’s hand even tighter.
Ren Yaoying was also stunned by Old Madam Ren’s words: “Grand… Grandmother…”
Old Madam Ren said calmly, “Ying’er has always been obedient, sensible, and filial. I trust you will not disappoint Grandmother in the future, will you?”Even if Ren Yaoying were foolish, she would have realized that Old Madam Ren, or rather the Ren Family, was dissatisfied with Ren Yaohua. Though she didn’t know the reason, judging by Old Madam Ren’s attitude, she must have been deeply disappointed with Ren Yaohua. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thought of using Ren Yaoying to suppress Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaoying’s feelings were also complicated. Naturally, she was unwilling to become a concubine. Even as the highest-ranking secondary wife, Ren Yaohua, as the principal wife, would forever remain above her.
First, a short update...
A longer chapter will come tomorrow morning...
Don’t wait for updates～o(∩_∩)o.
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