Ren Yaoqi believed that Old Master Ren's insistence on not selling the Ren Family's mansion at this point was not only due to the loss of face but also because there was a significant amount of wealth hidden within the mansion that originally belonged to the Zhai Family, and the quantity of these valuables was astonishing. However, despite all these years, the Ren Family had never managed to locate those items.
Ren Yijun and Ren Yiyan were unaware of these matters. If one day they learned the whole story and this secret, yet still believed the Ren Family's mansion could be sold, perhaps the Ren Family would have a chance at salvation.
Ren Yaoqi thought that when the day truly came for the Ren Family to be saved, whether for public or private reasons, she should find a way to lend a hand. However, now was not yet the time. As the saying goes, "Without destruction, there can be no construction." If the Ren Family truly wanted to join the ranks of Yanbei's prestigious families, they had to completely eliminate the rot that had taken root from within, and what they owed the Zhai Family should also be repaid.
Ren Yaoqi chatted casually with Ren Yijun for a while. Ren Yijun did not mention a single word about asking them to return to the Ren Family. Perhaps Ren Yijun and Madam Qi's visit to the Lei Family today was instructed by the Ren Family elders, but given Ren Yijun's temperament, he would not say the things the elders wanted him to say. Ren Yaoqi had long understood this.
Not long after the two returned, Ren Yijun and Madam Qi stood up to take their leave. Madam Li tried to keep them for a while, but since this was the Lei Family after all, she could not force guests to stay in her capacity as the hostess.
Madam Qi looked at Ren Yaoqi with a smile and said, "Fifth Sister, why not see us off? It won't be so convenient to meet in the future, and your third brother often thinks of you."
Ren Yijun impatiently replied, "It's just a few steps away. Why bother having her see us off?"
Ren Yaoqi smiled and stepped forward to take Madam Qi's hand, saying to Ren Yijun, "I haven't had a proper chat with Sister-in-law yet. I'm going to see her off, not you, so don't find me annoying."
Ren Yijun pursed his lips and said nothing more.
The three of them walked out together. As they neared the Inner Gate, Madam Qi said to Ren Yijun, "I have a few private words to share with Sister. You go ahead a few steps and don't eavesdrop!"
Ren Yijun was quite displeased upon hearing this and said righteously, "What words can't I hear?"
Madam Qi blinked and said, "Young Master, it's not that you can't hear, but these are just private conversations between women. Are you sure you want to listen?"
Ren Yijun thought that Ren Yaoqi was getting married next month, and perhaps Madam Qi wanted to give her some advice. After all, as a sister-in-law, it was normal for her to want to teach her younger sister-in-law a few things.
So, Ren Yijun reluctantly walked ahead on his own, though his steps were heavy with displeasure.
Madam Qi shook her head with a smile and whispered to Ren Yaoqi, "He's just like a child!"
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "Third Brother has been like this since childhood, but fortunately, he has a pure heart. Please be patient with him, Sister-in-law."
Madam Qi smiled gently. Seeing that there were no outsiders around, she whispered, "Was your third brother just talking to you about children?"
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled without saying a word.Madam Qi smiled and said, "As you've said, he has a rare childlike innocence, so even if he doesn't speak of many things, I still understand. However, he cares about his pride and is thin-skinned, so I haven't found a good opportunity to talk with him about it. Fortunately, he is close to you and confides in you about these matters. That's good—I was just afraid he might overthink things." Madam Qi sighed. "Before, I worried he took too much medicine. Now, I'm troubled that he refuses to take any at all. Whenever I bring him a bowl of medicine, he loses his temper. I didn't understand at first, but later I realized it's because he wants a child."
Ren Yaoqi listened, feeling somewhat at a loss for words. This was something she couldn't help with. Given Ren Yijun's health condition, suddenly stopping all medication wasn't ideal either, as he had been taking it since childhood. However, Ren Yaoqi understood better than anyone that Ren Yijun was stubborn—the more you tried to stop him, the more he would defy you.
"But... where there's a will, there's a way. I've secretly been adding medicinal herbs to his daily soups and meals," Madam Qi said playfully, blinking her eyes. "He's been taking bitter medicine since childhood, and after all these years, his sense of taste has been affected, so he can't detect the medicinal flavor."
Ren Yaoqi exclaimed in surprise, "Don't you eat with him? Do you accompany him every day eating dishes with added herbs?"
Madam Qi smacked her lips and replied, "Yes, but I've gotten used to it, and it's not a big deal. Don't worry—I've consulted the physician. Most of the herbs are mild and nourishing, and they're good for strengthening my health too, so there's no harm. As for the special herbs I can't take, I only add them to a few specific dishes and just say I don't like them and won't eat them."
Though Madam Qi spoke casually, Ren Yaoqi knew the effort and hardship involved.
Madam Qi chuckled, "In a way, I'm sharing his joys and sorrows, right? When his health improves one day, I'll tell him about this. I'm his devoted wife! If he dares to abandon me casually, he'll be struck by lightning!"
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "Don't worry, my third brother isn't that kind of person."
Madam Qi thought for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "I know he isn't. Although he doesn't say it, I know he wants a child for my sake too. He's afraid that with my ordinary background and no child to rely on, I might be bullied in the Ren Family."
Ren Yaoqi thought Ren Yijun's concerns were not unfounded. Her own mother had suffered so much injustice in the Ren Family, largely because she had no son. Even when oppressed by a concubine, she lacked the confidence to fight back. Ren Yijun was well aware of how the elders in the Ren Family operated.
Madam Qi patted Ren Yaoqi's shoulder. "I'm telling you this so you know—when he confides in you, listen attentively, but don't worry too much. Your most important task now is preparing for your marriage. Don't let our affairs distract you. This matter can't be resolved overnight. I'll find a way to talk properly with your third brother." Madam Qi glanced at Ren Yaoqi, her smile returning as she whispered, "I mean it—if you do well and become my support in the future, I won't have to fear being bullied."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel a bit helpless upon hearing this.Madam Qi continued, "By the way, it was actually Grandmother and Mother-in-law who asked us to come today. They approached me, saying they wanted me to persuade your third brother to convince you all to return to the Ren Family. I thought, with your third brother’s stubborn temper, if I really brought this up, he’d definitely scold me. So, even though I dragged him here, I never mentioned any of this to him. Just consider it as if you’ve heard it, and I’ll have fulfilled my task." Madam Qi sighed, looking thoroughly frustrated. "This kind of thankless job is only something someone as thick-skinned as me can handle. Your third brother is like a deity who needs to be worshipped on an incense altar every day! His grandmother and mother really don’t understand him!"
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh. "As long as you understand him, that’s what matters. After all, you’re the one who will spend your life with him, not anyone else."
Madam Qi chuckled softly and whispered to Ren Yaoqi, "Hey, don’t you think those who marry celestial beauties end up at most like me?"
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
Madam Qi grew more pleased with her own analogy and amused herself with another round of laughter.
Ren Yijun, hearing the commotion, turned back and looked at them with confusion and a hint of disdain. "What’s so amusing? I could hear your laughter all the way outside the gate. When you’re out in public, you should show some restraint and avoid embarrassing me."
Madam Qi burst into laughter, winking at Ren Yaoqi as if to say, "See? This celestial beauty is hard to please, isn’t he?"
Ren Yaoqi also felt like laughing but held it back as she escorted Ren Yijun and Madam Qi to the door.
Ren Yaoqi had always found Madam Qi somewhat enigmatic. On one hand, she could be clever, but on the other, her words and actions were often absurdly amusing. On the surface, she might seem clumsy, but deep down, she was sharp and perceptive. In the end, Ren Yaoqi stopped trying to figure her out. As long as Madam Qi treated Ren Yijun sincerely and the couple, despite their bickering, remained harmonious and affectionate, that was enough.
Shortly after seeing Ren Yijun and Madam Qi off, Ren Yaoqi also left the Lei Family. While it was acceptable for Madam Li to stay at the Lei Family for a few days under special circumstances, it was inappropriate for Ren Yaoqi, an unmarried woman, to remain for too long. Besides, she still had plenty of matters to attend to.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi returned home, the servant she had sent to deliver pastries to Matron Gong came to see her, reporting that Matron Gong had greatly enjoyed the osmanthus cakes Ren Yaoqi sent. She had even instructed someone to cook the tangyuan on the spot.
Matron Gong also sent a prescription back with the servant, saying it was for Ren Yaoqi’s health.
Ren Yaoqi took the prescription and examined it. It was indeed a good formula, but she had no intention of using it for now. Until the matters surrounding Matron Gong were clarified, Ren Yaoqi remained cautious. She had even advised Ren Yaohua to have the prescription Matron Gong gave her examined by several physicians first.
However, some people below couldn’t help but murmur to themselves, saying that Madam Li clearly favored her eldest daughter over her second. The eldest daughter had already given birth, while the second daughter was set to marry into the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion next month. Yet, Madam Li seemed preoccupied with the former while neglecting the latter.In truth, Ren Yaoqi did not mind that Madam Li paid more attention to Ren Yaohua than to her. She felt that Ren Yaohua needed Madam Li more than she did. Her own marriage had already settled into its proper course, and all she needed to do was follow the rules step by step. Even if there were matters she did not fully understand, there were people from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to provide detailed guidance, so Madam Li did not need to worry.
These words happened to be overheard by Ren Shimin, who then sent someone to summon Madam Li back, instructing her to assign several capable stewards to assist Ren Yaohua.
Although Madam Li still could not let go of Ren Yaohua, who had just given birth, she thought it over and eventually returned, leaving only Nanny Zhou and two of her senior maids at the Lei Family.
Shortly before Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi's wedding, another incident occurred in Yanbei: many court officials were urging the Yanbei Prince's Mansion to appoint an heir.
After several chapters of buildup, the climax is approaching once again, and the author breathes a sigh of relief.
OpenNovel