Since Ren Yaoqi had suspected from the start that Madam Xiao Qiao’s appearance was related to the Han Family, and now Madam Xiao Qiao had suddenly stirred up trouble again, she knew in her heart that it was likely connected to the Han Family’s behind-the-scenes instigation.
Ren Yaoqi had never let her guard down against the Han Family, but the Han Family had been very quiet lately. Even when the Eldest Master of the Han Family remarried Madam Jiang from Shunzhou some time ago, the wedding was kept low-key, with invitations sent only to a few familiar families, and no grand celebration was held.
However, the sudden appearance of the merchant who wanted to buy the Ren Family’s ancestral home reminded Ren Yaoqi that the accounts between the Han Family and the Ren Family were not so easily settled. At the very least, the Ren Family’s residence had not yet fallen into Han Dongshan’s hands—how could he possibly give up so easily?
“Whether to let her into the manor is another matter, but now that the child has been born, those with ulterior motives outside are likely to become even more active. Ah!” Madam Li was deeply worried and couldn’t help but sigh.
Ren Yaoqi understood Madam Li’s meaning. If Ren Yaohua had given birth to a boy this time, those outside who had designs on the Lei Family would naturally hold back, as Lei Ting was not a man easily swayed by lust. However, since Ren Yaohua had given birth to a girl, some would feel that there was still an opportunity to exploit the Lei Family. After all, for a family like the Lei Family, with such a sparse lineage, heirs were a major concern.
It wasn’t that Madam Li disliked her granddaughter; she was simply reminded of her own experiences in the Ren Family, which made her worry for Ren Yaohua.
Back then, Ren Shimin was not the eldest son or grandson of the Ren Family, and there were several brothers in the family. Madam Li had faced immense pressure and spent over a decade unable to hold her head high in the Ren Family. If Ren Yaohua did not have a son to rely on, her situation would be even more difficult than Madam Li’s had been.
Ren Yaoqi softly comforted Madam Li for a few moments and was about to change the subject when she heard Ren Yaohua’s maid, Wujing, report from outside: “Madam, the Ren Family’s Third Young Master and Third Young Madam have arrived and are already at the Inner Gate.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was momentarily stunned but quickly realized it was Ren Yijun and Madam Qi who had come. She couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. Since she had not returned to the Ren Family, it had been a long time since she had seen this peculiar and stubborn third brother of hers.
Knowing that Ren Yaoqi had a good relationship with Ren Yijun, Madam Li smiled and said, “Then you should go out to greet them.”
Although Nanny Zhou disliked the Ren Family and its elders, and even had some grievances against the Ren Family’s First Madam, she had a favorable impression of Ren Yijun and Madam Qi. However, she was still worried that Ren Yijun and his wife might have been sent by the Ren Family as mediators, so she couldn’t help but glance at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi understood Nanny Zhou’s concern and shook her head at her before rising to go out. However, only after leaving the room did she remember that this was the Lei Family, not her own home—what was she doing going out to greet guests? Madam Li must have been too preoccupied to think clearly.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a wry smile. Fortunately, there was no need for her to go out and greet any guests. As she walked into the courtyard, she saw Ren Yijun and Qi Yuegui entering through the gate.
“Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law,” Ren Yaoqi stepped forward and called out with a smile.
Ren Yijun now looked quite different from when she had last seen him in the Ren Family. Not only did his complexion, which had once been perpetually pale and sickly, now have some color, but his body also appeared sturdier. He even smiled when he saw her.
Ren Yaoqi blinked, feeling pleasantly surprised, and glanced at Madam Qi.Yuegui winked at Ren Yaoqi, still looking lively and cheerful: "Your third brother and I came to Yunyang City for a stroll, and happened to hear that Yaohua just gave birth last night. Knowing you were also at the Lei Family, your third brother said we should come see you both."
Ren Yijun was displeased upon hearing this and glanced sideways at her: "Wasn't it you who insisted on coming? Always so eager to join the fun! Without even considering whether they'd welcome you." His words immediately gave him away—Ren Yijun's temperament hadn't changed a bit.
Madam Qi, mindful of Ren Yijun's pride in front of others, quickly went along with him, smiling as she said: "Yes, yes, the young master is right! It was me who insisted on coming to see my sister and my niece."
Ren Yijun gave a light hum, though the corners of his mouth curved upward slightly.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but marvel at the scene.
During her time away from the Ren Family, something must have happened between her third brother and Qi Yuegui, causing a shift in their relationship. The atmosphere between them was clearly different from before. The way Madam Qi had just referred to them and the child also indicated that Ren Yijun had likely acknowledged her as his wife now.
Moreover, given Ren Yijun's personality, he wouldn't have thought to visit Ren Yaohua and the child on his own—his relationship with Ren Yaohua was rather distant. So it must have been Madam Qi who suggested coming, and surprisingly, Ren Yijun had agreed.
Ren Yaoqi noticed this but didn't point it out, lest her third brother become awkward again. Pretending to know nothing, she led them inside while smiling and saying: "You're the uncle and aunt—who else would we welcome if not you? But have you prepared gifts? You can't show up empty-handed for the first meeting."
Ren Yaoqi had meant it as a joke, but Ren Yijun took it seriously. He paused in his steps, frowning as he patted himself down, as if trying to find some suitable gift on his person. Unfortunately, Third Young Master Ren was the type who usually left even his money pouch to his servant when going out—a hands-off master. Naturally, he couldn't find anything appropriate on him, leaving him in a bit of a dilemma.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to tease him, Qi Yuegui beside him took out a delicate-looking small pouch from her sleeve and placed it in Ren Yijun's hand, smiling as she said: "The gift you prepared is with me. Did you forget, young master?"
Ren Yijun stared blankly at the pouch in his hand: "Isn't this the one you just..." Under the gazes of Qi Yuegui and Ren Yaoqi, he swallowed the words, "the one you just fancied and made me buy for you." Only then did he realize that the jade pendant Qi Yuegui had picked out earlier was meant as a meeting gift for Ren Yaohua's daughter.
Ren Yaoqi led the two inside, only to find that Ren Yaohua seemed to have already woken up. Voices could be heard from the inner room—Madam Li and Ren Yaohua talking—and the child had been taken in as well.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Ren Yijun and Qi Yuegui, smiling as she said to them: "I'll take Third Sister-in-law inside to see Elder Sister. Third Brother, you can wait here in the main hall for a bit. We'll bring the child out for you to see later."
Ren Yijun nodded and stayed in the main hall, while Ren Yaoqi led Qi Yuegui into the inner room.
Ren Yaohua was indeed awake, leaning against the headboard with her child cradled in her arms, speaking softly with Madam Li. Though her face still looked somewhat weary, her expression was gentle and serene.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered, she said with a smile: "Elder Sister, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law have come to see you and the child."Ren Yaohua looked up at them, then nodded toward Madam Qi. "Third Sister-in-law."
During her time in the Ren Family, Ren Yaohua had not been particularly close to Madam Qi either, so after greeting her, she wasn’t sure what else to say. Fortunately, Madam Qi was not one to let a situation turn awkward. She bowed to Madam Li with a smile and called her "Auntie," then walked to the bedside and leaned over to look at the child in the swaddling clothes.
"Oh, even asleep, this little one looks so lively! Look how tightly those tiny fists are clenched! Auntie, please let me hold them," Madam Qi said cheerfully.
Madam Li carefully handed the child to her, initially somewhat uneasy and wanting to offer a few pointers. To her surprise, Madam Qi held the baby with practiced ease.
Seeing this, Madam Li smiled. "You clearly have experience holding children. Not like Yaoqi—she gets all flustered the moment she takes a baby. I hardly dare let her hold one."
Madam Qi chuckled. "At home, I used to help take care of my younger siblings."
Madam Qi came from a modest family, where it was common for older children to help look after their younger brothers and sisters.
Nanny Zhou chimed in with a smile, "Holding your own siblings is different from holding other children."
Madam Qi couldn’t help but ask curiously, "How is it different?"
Nanny Zhou replied with a grin, "If you hold a child often now, the Goddess of Childbirth might just send one your way too."
Madam Qi was instantly embarrassed, her cheeks flushing slightly. However, her nature was not one to be overly shy or reserved. She simply pursed her lips and smiled. "Then I’ll take your kind words as a blessing."
Nanny Zhou and Madam Li were not fully aware of the situation between Madam Qi and Ren Yijun. Out of concern, they quietly asked her a few questions. Madam Qi had been married into the Ren Family for quite some time, yet there had been no sign of a pregnancy, and First Madam was growing anxious.
They naturally didn’t know that for a long time after marrying Ren Yijun, Madam Qi and he had slept separately. It was only recently that they had begun sharing a bed. Ren Yijun was stubborn, willful, and had a young master’s temper—difficult to please. On the surface, Madam Qi often contradicted him and tried to provoke him, but in truth, she was open-minded, optimistic, and tolerant. Their personalities complemented each other in a way. So, after such a long period of adjustment, their feelings for each other had gradually begun to warm.
However, even someone as open-minded as Madam Qi couldn’t withstand the well-meaning concern from Madam Li and Nanny Zhou. In the end, she made an excuse about taking the child to show Ren Yijun and fled the scene.
Seeing that they had scared her off, Madam Li and Nanny Zhou couldn’t help but laugh. The two of them went out together to look after the child, while Ren Yaoqi stayed a while longer in Ren Yaohua’s room.
Ren Yaohua said to Ren Yaoqi, "This time, it’s all thanks to you for inviting that Nanny Gong. Otherwise, the child might have..."
Ren Yaoqi had been somewhat angry earlier about Ren Yaohua risking her own safety to protect the child during the danger. But now that both Ren Yaohua and the child were safe, she understood a mother’s heart. So, she didn’t bring up the past again and simply smiled. "We’re sisters—why say such things? I just ran a few errands, nothing major."
Ren Yaohua shook her head. "I heard this Nanny Gong is very difficult to invite. Especially in the past decade or so, she’s hardly appeared in public. They say her hearing and eyesight aren’t what they used to be, and she’s been living in retirement at the Prince’s residence."Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi seemed to recall something and asked, "Who suggested inviting Granny Gong back then? Most people wouldn’t remember someone who hadn’t appeared for over a decade, right?" At the very least, she herself had been unaware of Granny Gong’s existence, despite frequently visiting the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
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