After all the guests had arrived, Ren Yaoqi's coming-of-age ceremony proceeded smoothly under the direction of Ouyang Shi. The hairpins, hair clasps, coronet, and ceremonial robes from inner to outer layers used in Ren Yaoqi's ceremony were partly prepared by Madam Li, while others were gifts from the Princess Consort of Yanbei and Princess Consort Xian.
When the ceremony concluded, Ren Yaoqi stood below, listening as Third Master Ren solemnly and earnestly expressed gratitude to the guests, yet her mind began to wander. Recalling the events of this life and the previous one, it all felt like a dream.
This somewhat melancholic mood did not linger with Ren Yaoqi for long.
Taking advantage of Madam Li and Ren Yaohua entertaining relatives and friends, Xiao Jinglin called Ren Yaoqi aside.
"I've thought of your courtesy name," Xiao Jinglin said seriously.
Ren Yaoqi became intrigued. "Oh? What is it?" She was very curious about the courtesy name Xiao Jinglin had chosen for her.
Instead of answering, Xiao Jinglin took Ren Yaoqi's hand and began tracing characters on her palm with her index finger, stroke by stroke.
Ren Yaoqi watched with a smile, tilting her head. When she saw the characters clearly, she paused in surprise.
"Yaoyao," Xiao Jinglin softly recited the two characters after finishing, then looked up at Ren Yaoqi, her calm expression tinged with anticipation. "How about this name? Do you like it?"
"Yaoyao..." Ren Yaoqi also whispered the name, then blinked and smiled as she asked Xiao Jinglin, "Why this name? Is there a particular origin?"
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and replied earnestly, "There's no need to cite classics. I just think these two characters suit you well." That's what someone else had said too.
Ren Yaoqi's smile deepened, but after a while, she looked at Xiao Jinglin and asked, "Jinglin, I really like this name, but tell me the truth—did you really come up with it yourself?"
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin fell silent. She pondered seriously for a long time, then decisively shook her head and admitted honestly, "No, it wasn't me. Although I think this name is both fitting and sounds like something a person like me with little literary talent would come up with, it's still better than the ones I thought of."
Ren Yaoqi wasn't surprised by Xiao Jinglin's answer. As soon as she heard the name "Yaoyao," she felt it didn't match Xiao Jinglin's style. Her father had always privately called her "Yaoyao," and "Yaoyao" was homophonic to that, so the name felt very familiar. As for who had come up with it, Ren Yaoqi could guess without even asking.
She didn't press the matter and instead asked curiously, "Then what were the names you thought of?"
This time, Xiao Jinglin remained silent even longer before answering irrelevantly, "My first warhorse was a white horse, and I named her Little White. My second steed was a deep brown Akhal-Teke, and I called it A-Tu. My current horse is also white, kept in the stables at Jiajing Pass, and its name is White Again."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh. She finally understood why Xiao Jinglin had agreed so readily when she casually named the little white tiger Silly Girl. She teased, "What if your next steed is also white?"
Xiao Jinglin also smiled and replied seriously, "Easy. I'll just call it White Once More."After speaking, Xiao Jinglin herself couldn't help but let out a "pfft" laugh, and the two of them ended up laughing together. Ren Yaoqi didn't ask what nickname she had previously given herself.
When seeing off the guests that day, Rong Shi was not in a hurry to leave first. After Ren Yaoqi sent Xiao Jinglin out and returned, she saw Rong Shi sitting in Madam Li's main room with her aunt, Ji Shi, drinking tea and chatting with Madam Li.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi return, Rong Shi set down her teacup and said, "It's getting late, I should head back. Qi'er, see me out."
Seeing Rong Shi's manner, Ren Yaoqi knew she had waited because she had something to say to her, so she immediately stepped forward to support Rong Shi's arm.
Madam Li also wanted to see Rong Shi out but was stopped by her: "Qi'er seeing me off is enough, you attend to your own matters."
Madam Li had no choice but to stop at the courtyard gate, watching them walk away.
Rong Shi had Ren Yaoqi help her into the carriage and invited her to sit inside as well, while Ji Fuying boarded the carriage behind alone.
Seeing that Rong Shi was not in a hurry to have the coachman drive off, Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "With so many things happening lately, I thought you wouldn't come today, Maternal Grandmother."
Rong Shi patted her head and smiled affectionately, "It's just a few steps away, how could I not come?"
Ren Yaoqi pursed her lips into a smile, picking up the teapot that had been kept warm and pouring a cup of tea for Rong Shi: "Did you call me here for something, Maternal Grandmother?"
Rong Shi took a sip from her teacup: "Your mother has already told me about what happened when you returned to the Ren Family a few days ago. You don't need to worry about it."
Ren Yaoqi nodded: "I know, Maternal Grandmother."
Rong Shi hadn't called Ren Yaoqi today for the matter of the Ren Family trying to force people on Ren Yaohua. After thinking for a moment, she sighed again: "I'm afraid the Ren Family won't last much longer."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but fall silent.
Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked, "Do you have any plans?"
Ren Yaoqi knew Rong Shi was asking about the plans for the third branch after the Ren Family's collapse. She thought carefully and was about to answer when Rong Shi waved her hand: "I know you're clever. You've probably made thorough arrangements for many things without me needing to remind you, especially with that..." Rong Shi paused, "So I'm not worried about you alone, but have you thought about what will happen to your sister after she marries into the Lei Family?"
Ren Yaoqi frowned.
"With the current momentum of the Lei Family's development, being the mistress of the Lei Family is no easy task. The Lei Family's future is bound to be bright." Rong Shi sighed softly, "If the Xianwang Residence... when the time comes, your maternal grandfather and I will leave Yanbei. Once something happens, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire, and anyone with ill intentions can easily find out that Yaohua is not close to her maternal family. At that time, where will your sister's natal family be?"
Ren Yaoqi had actually considered this issue before. The "natal family" Rong Shi referred to wasn't just a simple family connection but rather the "strength" Ren Yaohua could display to others. Otherwise, even if Lei Ting didn't mind himself, Ren Yaohua would still lack some confidence in the Lei Family.
Even if the Ren Family was considered lowly, in Yanbei, they were still a wealthy household that could be counted among the notable ones. Once the Ren Family falls, the bargaining chips in Ren Yaohua's hands will be even fewer.Seeing Ren Yaoqi lost in thought, Rong Shi gently patted her shoulder. "Grandmother is telling you this today for your sister's sake now, and for your own sake later. Whether now or in the future, the hand of the Xianwang Residence cannot truly reach Yanbei. Good child, since you have already determined your future path, you should also make early preparations for certain matters."
Ren Yaoqi nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. I understand."
Rong Shi smiled with satisfaction. "You have always been clever, so this time I want to see how far you can go. If you can truly turn this disadvantage around, Grandmother will truly feel at ease with your choice. Otherwise, it would be better for you to give up the idea sooner rather than later."
Rong Shi's words seemed like a joke, yet they carried a hint of seriousness.
Although Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were granddaughters of Prince Xian, they were born at an unfortunate time and could only be reduced to daughters of a merchant family. Now, with even the Ren Family on the verge of collapse, although the prospects for Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi were promising, the risks they would face were also immense. Rong Shi felt that if Ren Yaoqi could not change this disadvantage on her own, it would be better for her to abandon her chosen path early and marry into an ordinary family, ensuring at least a smooth and peaceful life.
Thus, although she reminded Ren Yaoqi of this, she did not intend to guide her on how to proceed. Rong Shi understood in her heart that she could help her temporarily, but not for a lifetime.
Ren Yaoqi naturally grasped the meaning behind Rong Shi's words.
After saying this, Rong Shi did not stay longer at the Ren Family. Ren Yaoqi alighted from the carriage and watched as Rong Shi's carriage slowly drove out of the estate before turning back.
Upon returning, Ren Yaoqi began to seriously consider Rong Shi's words. Since she had already thought about the issues Rong Shi reminded her of, she must have previously considered solutions, but the timing had never been right. Now, with Ren Yaohua about to marry, the Ren Family on the brink of collapse, and the Xianwang Residence poised for a resurgence, the timing should be ripe.
While Ren Yaoqi was calculating her plans, Ren Yaoying in White Crane Town was not idle either.
On the second day after Ren Yaoqi's coming-of-age banquet, Ren Yaohua received news that Zhou Wen and Zhou Rong, the siblings, had gone to White Crane Town. Using Zhou Rong, Ren Yaoying's close friend, as a pretext, they openly entered the Ren residence by presenting their visiting cards.
According to reports from the people Ren Yaohua had arranged to monitor them, Zhou Wen still met with Ren Yaoying alone. However, this time Ren Yaoying did not fall for his tender and affectionate approach but straightforwardly rejected him.
At that moment, Zhou Wen looked at Ren Yaoying with a heartbroken expression. "Yaoying, didn't you already agree to me before? I have persuaded my father and mother, and they have consented to me marrying you."
Ren Yaoying's eyes showed a hint of impatience, but she tried to keep her voice gentle and soft. "Young Master Zhou, I do not recall agreeing to anything with you. Moreover, marriage matters are decided by elders. Please do not make things difficult for me, and do not come looking for me again in the future."
Just then, Zhou Rong, who had gone to Ren Yaoying's room to change clothes, rushed over. She threw something at Ren Yaoying and said angrily, "What is this? So you are already betrothed? If that's the case, why did you deceive my brother?"Ren Yaoying lowered her head to look and saw that what Zhou Rong had taken out was actually the wedding dress she had been embroidering for herself these past few days. She couldn’t help but feel both embarrassed and angry. “Sister Zhou, how could you rummage through my things so casually!”
Zhou Wen, however, was frowning as he stared at the wedding dress. “Why is the color…”
The wedding dress Ren Yaoying had embroidered for herself was not the proper bright red, but a silvery red that was somewhat close to it.
Zhou Rong was impatient by nature and had a rather bad temper. She immediately said, “Brother, I’ve already inquired about it. She’s going to marry into the Lei Family as a concubine.”
Zhou Wen looked at Ren Yaoying in disbelief. “You’re going to be someone’s concubine? Why?”
Ren Yaoying was already tired of dealing with this brother and sister. She turned to leave but was grabbed by the arm by Zhou Wen, who persisted in questioning her. “Why? You clearly promised me you would wait for me…”
Ren Yaoying shook off Zhou Wen’s hand. She couldn’t be bothered to maintain her gentle and ladylike facade anymore and looked at Zhou Wen coldly. “What did I promise? That I would accept your proposal once you passed the imperial examination? Young Master Zhou, may I ask, are you a provincial graduate now?”
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Wen’s face instantly turned pale.
They were speaking in the garden not far from Fangfei Courtyard. Ren Yiyan, who had originally been accompanying them, had temporarily left on some business. Afraid that their entanglement would be discovered and reported to Old Madam Ren, Ren Yaoying ran away after shaking off Zhou Wen, not even looking back once.
Ren Yaoying parted ways with the Zhou siblings on bad terms. Before Zhou Wen left the Ren Family in a daze, Ren Yaoying had her maid stop Zhou Rong and return the jade pendant Zhou Wen had given her, asking Zhou Rong to pass it on. She herself didn’t even show her face again.
Zhou Rong hated Ren Yaoying to the core, viciously cursing her several times as a “shameless woman.”
After returning in a daze, Zhou Wen fell ill again.
When Ren Yaoqi heard about this farce, she said nothing.
She had no intention of using this as leverage to deal with Ren Yaoying. Ren Yaoying was her and Ren Yaohua’s full sister, and damaging Ren Yaoying’s reputation would first affect Ren Yaohua’s marriage prospects.
Instead, Ren Yaoying’s enthusiastic attitude toward preparing for her marriage surprised Ren Yaoqi. She had thought that Ren Yaoying, with her pride, would be unwilling even as a concubine.
Clearly, Ren Yaoqi had underestimated the extent of Ren Yaoying’s hatred for Ren Yaohua.
However, while Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to deliberately ruin Ren Yaoying’s reputation, there were others who couldn’t wait for it to become as tarnished as possible.
After returning, Zhou Rong spread rumors everywhere that Ren Yaoying had designs on her future brother-in-law. She also claimed that Ren Yaoying was not only fickle and flirtatious but also insatiably greedy, making her a disgrace among women. The harshness of her words was truly unbearable to witness.
Fortunately, Ren Yaoying rarely went out in White Crane Town, so she remained unaware of the rumors circulating in Yunyang City.
On this day, the weather was fine, with clear skies and not a cloud in sight. Ren Yaoqi dragged Ren Yaohua along to visit their aunt, Ren Shijia.
Ren Yaohua had originally not wanted to go out. She was to marry in August, and it was already nearing the end of April. Although her wedding dress was almost finished, there were still many things she needed to attend to personally. However, Ren Yaoqi was not easy to brush off, so in the end, Ren Yaohua was pulled along by Ren Yaoqi.
It just occurred to me that February only has 28 days, so today is the last day of the month.
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