At that moment, another matron rushed in and nearly collided with Ren Yaoqi. After hastily offering a bow and apologizing, she hurried toward Eldest Young Master Ren Yiyan. Ren Yaoqi recognized her as the steward matron serving Eldest Young Madam and couldn’t help but feel a flicker of suspicion.
Once she had moved away from the crowd, Ren Yaoqi turned to the matron behind her and asked, “What happened? Why haven’t Third Sister and the others returned yet?”
Upon hearing this, the matron leaned closer and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Fifth Miss, Third Miss is still in the washroom over there. Madam Lin and the others have just gone back as well. It’s Ninth Miss—something happened to her.”
Ren Yaoqi was startled, but the matron continued without pause, “Ninth Miss isn’t used to having attendants accompany her when using the privy. Today, she dismissed everyone and went in alone.”
The matron’s expression turned peculiar, as if she were trying to suppress a laugh. “After waiting outside for a while, the maids and matrons suddenly heard a scream from inside the privy. They rushed in immediately, and Eldest Young Madam, Miss Han, and others who were washing their hands in the outer room next door also hurried over. They saw… they saw Ninth Miss sitting on the floor of the privy, screaming with her eyes shut tight. She had knocked over the chamber pot, and her entire body… was covered in filth.”
How could this have happened? Ren Yaoqi was astonished.
Even when they traveled outside, the privies were usually clean and tidy, with little odor. This was because, aside from incense, the chamber pots were constantly cleaned and filled with fine sand. On more extravagant occasions, they were even filled with mercury.
Thus, chamber pots were typically quite heavy. How could Ren Yaoying possibly have knocked one over, especially one filled with waste?
“What caused Ninth Sister to end up in such a state?” Ren Yaoqi asked.
The matron also looked puzzled. “After Eldest Young Madam entered, she immediately ordered Ninth Miss’s attendants to help her out. It was only then that everyone heard Ninth Miss muttering something about ‘a snake…’ Eldest Young Madam quickly had the privy searched from top to bottom, but nothing was found.”
“How could there be a snake in such cold weather?” Ren Yaoqi frowned.
The matron nodded in agreement. “Exactly! Everyone searched thoroughly, even checking the roof and every nook and cranny. Not only was there no snake, but there wasn’t even a rope that resembled one. So, everyone said Ninth Miss must have been possessed or offended some deity—not only did she see something she shouldn’t have, but she also ended up dousing herself in filth.”
Ren Yaoqi remained noncommittal about the possession theory. “Didn’t Fifth Aunt and the others come out earlier?”
“Madam Lin did come out first with Eighth Miss and the others, saying they wanted to take a walk along the riverbank for some fresh air. But when they heard the commotion from the privy, they all went back. They’re still there now, helping Eldest Young Madam with the aftermath.” Though the matron claimed Madam Lin had returned to help, her expression suggested otherwise. Madam Lin harbored deep resentment toward Concubine Fang and her daughter, and it would be a miracle if she didn’t add fuel to the fire.
“Fifth Miss, would you like to go and see for yourself?” the matron asked, her tone tinged with schadenfreude. Those from Purple Magnolia Courtyard, loyal to Madam Li, had little fondness for Concubine Fang and her people. Seeing Ren Yaoying humiliated brought them a sense of satisfaction.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and shook her head. “I won’t go. Third Sister and the others should be back soon.”
Remembering that she had mentioned earlier she would come out to greet Eldest Young Madam and the others, Ren Yaoqi decided to take a casual stroll outside.When she reached the shed where the servant women rested, two figures hurried toward her.
Ren Yaoqi turned to look and saw the young man named Yuan Dayong, who had been with Zhu Ruomei earlier. A middle-aged man in his forties was tugging at him discreetly. Seeing the man’s appearance, Ren Yaoqi realized he was likely Yuan Dayong’s father—Steward Yuan, who worked in the Affairs Reporting Office of the Ren Family’s outer courtyard.
“This humble servant Yuan Zhi pays his respects to Fifth Miss.” Steward Yuan bowed to Ren Yaoqi. Though Yuan Dayong remained silent, he followed his father’s lead and respectfully bowed as well.
Ren Yaoqi looked at Yuan Zhi and nodded with a smile.
Though Yuan Zhi was only a minor steward, he had a scholarly air about him—refined in appearance, with a short goatee.
Ren Yaoqi thought to herself that he must be a man of upright character, willing to risk his own connections to help Zhu Ruomei.
“This humble servant has brought his son to apologize.” Yuan Zhi glanced at his son and bowed again to Ren Yaoqi. “Earlier, my son behaved improperly and disturbed Fifth Miss. Fortunately, Fifth Miss is magnanimous and did not hold it against him. You troublemaker, come here and kowtow.” The last remark was directed at Yuan Dayong.
Ren Yaoqi raised her hand to stop Yuan Dayong’s movement and said to Yuan Zhi with a smile, “He merely took a wrong path by chance and avoided me in time without causing any offense. It’s not a serious matter. Steward Yuan is making too much of it.”
Yuan Zhi looked at Ren Yaoqi, then at his son, and finally motioned for him to step back behind him.
“Thank you, Fifth Miss.” Yuan Zhi hesitated for a moment before adding, “That Zhu…”
Before he could finish, Ren Yaoqi gently interrupted, “As I said, it was just a case of taking the wrong path. Nothing serious.”
Hearing this, Yuan Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief. Earlier, when his son told him that he and Zhu Ruomei had argued in an area forbidden to male servants and encountered the Ren Family’s Fifth Miss, he had been uneasy, even though his son said Fifth Miss had not blamed them.
After all, Zhu Ruomei should not have participated in the ice-skating competition. It was only because his son had pleaded with him, and he saw that Zhu Ruomei’s mother was seriously ill and in desperate need of money, that he had asked the chief steward, with whom he had a close relationship, to let Zhu Ruomei replace another guard who had coincidentally injured his leg.
This matter could be trivial or serious. If it were investigated by those above, not only would Zhu Ruomei and his son lose their positions, but even the chief steward who had granted the favor would face severe consequences.
Thus, he quickly bowed his head and said gratefully, “Yes, yes, this humble servant understands. Thank you, Fifth Miss.”
Ren Yaoqi, however, realized that while Yuan Dayong had told his father about their argument and her encounter with them, he had concealed the fact that she had rewarded Zhu Ruomei with a hundred taels of silver.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at the father and son and suddenly smiled. “However, such matters should not happen again. I intervened this time because I know you, Steward Yuan, are kind-hearted. But if someone more rigid were involved, many people could be implicated. I am not one to meddle, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t others who would.”
Yuan Zhi wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed his head in acknowledgment. “This humble servant understands. Thank you, Fifth Miss, for the reminder.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded and suddenly said, “Now I remember—you’re Steward Yuan from the outer courtyard’s Affairs Reporting Office? I once heard my father say your cursive script is exceptional.”Yuan Zhi looked up, somewhat flattered. "Third Master remembers this lowly one?"
Ren Yaoqi looked at him with a smile but said nothing.
At that moment, the matron behind her reminded Ren Yaoqi, "Fifth Miss, Third Miss and the others have returned."
Ren Yaoqi looked up and indeed saw Ren Yaohua, Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaoyu, Ren Yaoting, and Han You following behind Fifth Madam Lin, heading this way. Eldest Sister-in-law Zhao Shi and Ren Yaoying were nowhere to be seen. Presumably, Zhao Shi was still there comforting Ren Yaoying.
Ren Yaoqi said to Yuan Zhi and Yuan Dayong, "You may withdraw for now."
Father and son hurriedly bowed again and retreated respectfully.
As the two walked away, Yuan Dayong suddenly asked his father with some confusion, "Father, when did Third Master ever see your cursive script?"
Yuan Zhi glanced at his son and replied calmly, "At the Affairs Reporting Office, what I write most are invitations and reply letters. These are all required to be in regular script. Where do you think Third Master would have seen my cursive script?"
Yuan Dayong frowned. "Then why did Fifth Miss say..."
Yuan Zhi sighed softly. "Third Master may not know, but Fifth Miss can remind him. You, my son, are clever enough, but you still lack some experience."
Although Third Master did not manage much within the Ren Family, he still had the authority to promote one or two people. Nominally, he was also in charge of three coal depots in Yanbei and the south, as well as a coal mine in the Western Hills.
Of course, Third Master himself never bothered with such mundane matters. He entrusted these affairs to a few trusted shopkeepers under him.
He had full authority over small shopkeepers. As for appointing or dismissing chief or deputy shopkeepers, although he still needed to discuss with Eldest Master and seek his opinion, Eldest Master was relatively lenient with his younger brothers. As long as the requests were not too excessive, he would not refuse his brother's face.
Yuan Dayong pondered his father's words carefully and was somewhat astonished. "Father, aren't you overthinking this? How old is Fifth Miss?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he recalled the calm gaze she had fixed on him when he and Zhu Ruomei had encountered her earlier, as well as the instructions she had given when she had her matron deliver a hundred taels in silver notes to Zhu Ruomei. He began to feel uncertain again.
While Yuan Dayong was struggling to figure out what kind of person Ren Yaoqi was, Ren Yaoqi had already gone to greet Fifth Madam Lin and the others.
"Fifth Sister, you didn't see it earlier, but Ninth Sister looked so pitiful just now. Ah! Does she have hysteria? How will she ever show her face in public again?" Ren Yaoyu exclaimed loudly as soon as she saw Ren Yaoqi. Though her tone was sympathetic, her expression betrayed a hint of schadenfreude.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Madam Lin, whose lips were slightly curved, and shook her head inwardly. Ren Yaoying had likely been set up this time.
When they entered the warm pavilion, everyone inside looked over. Ren Yaoqi observed their gazes and glanced at the matrons and maids whispering behind them, realizing that news of Ren Yaoying's incident had already spread.
Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu did not make any more loud remarks after entering. However, Ren Yaoyu occasionally whispered mysteriously to Ren Yaoyin and Han You, wearing an expression of extreme sympathy. Ren Yaoyin and Han You, however, kept their heads down and showed little reaction.Madam Lin sighed and instructed Ren Yaohua, "Yaohua, Yaoqi, you should comfort Yaoying more later. It's just... ahem... nothing serious. I've already ordered them not to spread it around. Fifth Aunt knows you sisters have never gotten along well, but Yaoying is, after all, your own sister. What lasting grudge could there be between sisters?"
Madam Lin's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for those in the warm shed to hear clearly. Her words indirectly acknowledged Ren Yaoying's misfortune while also taking the opportunity to criticize Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaohua immediately responded with a slight, mocking smile, "So Fifth Aunt ordered people not to spread it? Why didn't you stop Eighth Sister when she was shouting so loudly that everyone knew about it?"
Madam Lin's expression changed slightly, and Ren Yaoyu glared at Ren Yaohua indignantly, "What do you mean by that? When did I ever shout?"
Ren Yaohua glanced toward the maids and elderly servants whispering on the other side of the warm shed and sneered without saying another word.
Following her gaze, everyone noticed that among those maids and servants were two who had accompanied Ren Yaoyu to the washroom earlier.
Just as Ren Yaoyu was about to jump up and argue with Ren Yaohua, Madam Lin quickly held her back. Glancing toward the men on the other side of the warm shed, she suppressed her temper and said to Ren Yaohua, "Yaohua, don't make baseless accusations. As an older sister, you should set an example. How can you casually pin blame on your younger sister?"
Ren Yaohua replied with disgust, "At least I wouldn’t resort to such vicious means over minor disagreements, trying to ruin my own sister!"
Hearing this, Madam Lin’s eyes flickered, and she snorted coldly, "For every word I say, you have ten in return. Where did you learn such manners?"
Ren Yaohua was about to retort again when Ren Yaoqi pinched her arm, signaling her to consider their surroundings.
Ren Yaoqi knew that Ren Yaohua suspected Madam Lin and her daughter of scheming against Ren Yaoying and despised their behavior of causing harm and then shifting the blame.
But Madam Lin was an elder, and she was a junior. No matter how justified she might feel, it was not her place to criticize Madam Lin. Even if she won the argument, what good would it do? She would still be the loser.
Ren Yaohua also feared that Madam Lin might use her lack of manners as an excuse to involve her mother, so she took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and turned her head away, refusing to look at Madam Lin.
After a while, Han You stood up, looking restless. "I... my grandmother told me to return early when I left. My brother and I should go now."
Everyone saw Han Yunqian walking over.
Madam Lin smiled affectionately and patted Han You’s hair. "Good child, you’re the most sensible and obedient, and you know how to respect your elders, unlike some... Ah! You and Yunqian should go back today. Come visit our house another day. Our Yu’er likes you very much."
Ren Yaoting affectionately took Han You’s hand and whispered something in her ear, making Han You giggle before quickly stifling her laughter.
Madam Lin found it strange that Ren Yaoting, who had always been somewhat aloof, would get along so well with a shy girl like Han You. But when she caught Ren Yaoting stealing glances at Han Yunqian, she suddenly understood and couldn’t help but curl the corners of her lips slightly.
Han You bid farewell to Ren Yaoting and walked over to Han Yunqian. The siblings bowed to Madam Lin and the others before taking their leave.Ren Yaoqi rose to return the courtesy, lifting her head to meet Han Yunqian's calm and profound gaze. In his eyes was a hint of inquiry that had not been there before.
Ren Yaoqi met his gaze for a moment, then nonchalantly averted her eyes.
Han Yunqian also turned and left.
At this moment, Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi returned. Madam Lin hurriedly stood up with an anxious expression and asked Zhao Shi, "Yan-ge's wife, has Yaoying improved? And has the earlier matter been clarified?"
Zhao Shi's brows were tightly furrowed, her heart troubled. She feared being reprimanded by Old Madam Ren and her own mother-in-law upon returning. Seeing Madam Lin's inquiry, she glanced toward her husband and shook her head. "Fifth Aunt, let's discuss this after we return."
Madam Lin looked surprised. "What exactly was discovered? You should speak now, lest someone falsely accuse an innocent person." Madam Lin cast a subtle glance toward Ren Yaohua.
Zhao Shi hesitated for a moment. Finally, considering Madam Lin was an elder and it would be improper not to answer, she leaned close to Madam Lin's ear and whispered a few words.
Madam Lin looked astonished, her eyes widening. "How could it be her?"
Zhao Shi nodded vaguely. "It's not certain yet. Let's wait until we return and ask Old Madam to decide. After all, it's not someone from our household, so we cannot deal with it arbitrarily."
The others nearby caught fragments of the conversation and were also surprised. Could someone truly have caused Ren Yaoying to fall into the filthy water? And it wasn't even someone from the Ren Family.
Ren Yaohua looked suspiciously at Ren Yaoyu and Madam Lin. She still felt that Ren Yaoying's misfortune was connected to this mother and daughter pair. Their earlier rush back to watch the commotion had been too coincidental.
Ren Yaoyu, however, glared at Ren Yaohua with an air of arrogance.
"In that case, shall we return to the estate first?" Madam Lin said to Zhao Shi.
Zhao Shi nodded and instructed the matron behind her to inform Fifth Master, the eldest young master, and the others.
Originally, there were still several ice-skating performances scheduled, but they were all canceled.
The members of the Ren Family began their journey back.
On the return trip, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua boarded the same carriage.
As the carriage was about to depart, Ren Yaohua beckoned her maid, Xiangqin, and sent her to inquire with someone close to Eldest Young Madam.
Xiangqin had some familial ties with a matron surnamed Feng who served Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi.
"I don't believe this matter has nothing to do with Fifth Aunt and her daughter. Ren Yaoyu's expression when she rushed over earlier seemed as if she knew something," Ren Yaohua said with a frown.
Ren Yaoqi did not stop her, only smiled and said, "I was worried earlier that you and Fifth Aunt would truly quarrel. Speaking of which, isn't their confrontation something we had hoped for?"
Though she could hardly admire Madam Lin's methods—instead of dealing with Concubine Fang, she vented her anger on a child like Ren Yaoying.
Ren Yaohua fell silent for a moment. "Do you also think it was Fifth Aunt's doing?"
Ren Yaoqi did not answer Ren Yaohua directly. Instead, she tilted her head thoughtfully, then suddenly smiled. "Third Sister, I've been meaning to tell you something for a long time."
Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi with suspicion.Ren Yaoqi said unhurriedly, "Before deciding to argue with someone, you should first consider whether the other person is an unreasonable shrew. If they are, then you should stop in time, calm yourself down, and not argue with them. Because when you argue with a shrew, whether you win or lose, you are the loser. If you lose the argument, the shrew will take advantage and not let go, causing you to lose face and waste your effort. If you win, others will say you are even more unreasonable and shrewish than the shrew. Either way, you end up in a bad position."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaohua stared blankly at Ren Yaoqi. "You..."
The maids and elderly servants attending in the carriage couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Ren Yaoqi blinked at Ren Yaohua. "Third Sister, don't you think that makes sense?"
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