The two senior maids in Old Madam Ren's room kept their eyes downcast and replied, "Yes, First Madam."
After dealing with Old Madam Ren, First Madam did not immediately leave Glory and Splendor Courtyard. She still had doubts in her mind—specifically, who had leaked the news to Old Madam Ren? She had clearly instructed everyone in this courtyard...
Thinking of her son's disappointed yet resolute gaze earlier, First Madam felt a pang in her heart, but her eyes gradually sharpened. The Ren Family had reached a critical point, and she absolutely could not allow anyone to secretly cause trouble, or else this family would truly fall apart.
First Madam decided to thoroughly investigate the matter. As the head of the household, she had her ways, and it did not take long for her to uncover that a second-class maid in Old Madam Ren's room had informed the old madam while attending to her during her morning wash. After harsh interrogation and following the clues, the investigation surprisingly led to Fourth Miss Ren Yaoyin. First Madam was both shocked and furious, and a sense of sorrow washed over her—as if she had expected this all along.
When Ren Yaoyin was brought before First Madam, she remained expressionless. Recently confined by First Madam, she had lost weight and her complexion was not as good as before.
Looking at her daughter standing before her, First Madam suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
"Why did you do this?" First Madam asked, unable to comprehend as she looked at Ren Yaoyin.
Ren Yaoyin appeared calm, showing no trace of panic or unease. First Madam was her birth mother, and she knew very well that no matter how angry her mother was, she would not truly harm her. After all, she was already under house arrest—there could be no harsher punishment than this.
"Mother, I don’t want to marry."
Hearing this, First Madam slammed the table in anger. "Is it because only your grandmother supports you becoming a concubine that you would abandon your parents and brothers? Do you know your third brother almost severed ties with the family?"
Ren Yaoyin pursed her lips, her expression stubborn. "I’ve been confined—how would I know any of this?"
First Madam sneered. "You claim to know nothing, yet you managed to pass the news to your grandmother? Don’t think I don’t know you still have a few people at your disposal to run errands for you."
Ren Yaoyin bit her lip and turned her head away.
Seeing her daughter so unyielding, First Madam felt utterly exhausted and disappointed. She was aware that Ren Yaoyin had a few people she could rely on, but as her mother, she had turned a blind eye, thinking that her daughter would need trusted aides after marriage. She had only temporarily reassigned them, never imagining they would be used for such purposes.
Yet Ren Yaoyin’s assumption was not wrong—no matter how grave her mistake, First Madam could not truly punish her severely. No matter how she treated outsiders, she could not bring herself to be harsh with her own children.
Thus, despite the clear evidence and Ren Yaoyin’s refusal to admit fault, First Madam chose to keep the matter hidden. She only dealt with the last few people Ren Yaoyin had at her disposal, leaving her with no one to rely on. As a mother, what more could she do?
However, when Ren Yaoyin saw that First Madam had disposed of her people and intended to confine her again, she said coldly, "Mother, I said I won’t marry! If you insist on forcing me..." Ren Yaoyin paused, then declared resolutely, "I will shave my head and become a nun. I mean what I say. If the Yang family doesn’t mind the bad luck, they are welcome to come and fetch me."
Upon hearing this, First Madam felt dizzy and collapsed into her chair.First Madam could do nothing about Ren Yaoyin, but Ren Yaoyin was able to grasp First Madam's weakness and strike right at it. Because love is not equal, parents cannot win against their children.
In the end, First Madam leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and waved her hand, ordering someone to take Ren Yaoyin back. She was too exhausted to even speak words of reprimand.
This time, Ren Yaoyin followed without saying a word, because she knew that First Madam would not finalize her marriage arrangements in the short term. She wanted to first test her parents' limits, and after dragging things out until after her grandfather's mourning period, she would threaten with her life, forcing First Madam to compromise.
Although disappointed and saddened by her daughter's actions, after resting for a while, First Madam mustered her strength and had her two daughters-in-law summoned.
Seeing that First Madam was not in good spirits, Eldest Young Madam and Third Young Madam both asked a few concerned questions, which First Madam vaguely brushed aside. She instructed her two daughters-in-law to comfort and counsel their husbands properly, and both Eldest Young Madam and Third Young Madam respectfully agreed.
Just as First Madam was about to dismiss them after giving her instructions, Third Young Madam smiled and asked, "Mother, I heard Fourth Sister came out earlier. Is she all right? Should Eldest Sister-in-law and I go see her?"
"I just had some matters to ask her about. She's not in good health right now, so it's better if you visit her another time." Although her daughters-in-law were standing before her, First Madam still wanted to cover for her daughter and did not mention that she had sent a message to Old Madam Ren.
Third Young Madam glanced at Eldest Young Madam, who, always honest and straightforward, hesitated for a moment before saying, "Regarding the Yang family that Mother mentioned last time, I asked someone to inquire further. Young Master Yang has excellent character. Should this marriage arrangement be finalized?"
Third Young Madam clapped her hands together happily and said, "Ah, that's wonderful! With Fourth Sister's character, who among ordinary people could possibly match her? This marriage should be settled sooner rather than later."
First Madam felt that Madam Qi's praise of Ren Yaoyin sounded somewhat awkward, but she had no mind to dwell on it now. Seeing her daughters-in-law inquire about Ren Yaoyin's marriage, First Madam hesitated for a moment before sighing and saying, "Let's wait and see a little longer."
Eldest Young Madam was somewhat surprised. Hadn't First Madam been quite satisfied with the Yang family before?
Third Young Madam, however, got straight to the point: "Mother, is it because Fourth Sister doesn't like the Yang family, so Young Master Yang is unwilling?"
First Madam remained silent for a moment. Perhaps because she was too troubled in her heart, she sighed and said, "Yaoyin said that if she is forced to marry, she will cut off her hair and become a nun."
Hearing this, Eldest Young Madam and Third Young Madam exchanged glances.
Third Young Madam's eyes darted around, and then she smiled and said, "Mother, if Fourth Sister wants to become a nun, then let her."
Eldest Young Madam was startled and quickly tugged discreetly at her sister-in-law's sleeve, signaling with her eyes for her not to speak carelessly.
Sure enough, First Madam angrily retorted, "Nonsense! What kind of talk is becoming a nun for no reason!"Madam Qi stepped forward to massage First Madam's shoulders and soothe her temper, still smiling cheerfully: "Mother, don't be angry. Your daughter-in-law isn't really trying to make Fourth Sister become a nun. I heard that just a few days ago, Fourth Sister had someone send high-quality rouge, powder, and pearl cream into the mansion. Have you ever seen a nun who loves beauty so much? I think Fourth Sister said this today because she knows you and Father can't bear to part with her, so she's trying to scare you. Why not go along with her wishes for now and let her stay in the nunnery for a while? She can calm her mind there, and perhaps after staying for some time, she'll come to her senses?"
First Madam frowned, thought it over, and felt that Madam Qi's words weren't without reason. Still, she hesitated: "If others find out, won't it harm her reputation?"
The third young madam didn't speak but instead signaled to the eldest young madam with her eyes, because some words sounded more reliable coming from the eldest young madam.
The honest and simple eldest young madam, seeing Madam Qi's eyes twitching as if having a fit, felt embarrassed but had no choice but to brace herself and say: "How about we tell outsiders that Fourth Sister is going to recite sutras for Grandfather's rebirth and also pray for Grandmother's recovery from illness? When Grandmother was sick before, everyone saw how filial Fourth Sister was. No one should suspect anything."
The third young madam nodded vigorously, adding fuel to the fire: "Yes, yes! Outsiders will instead say our Fourth Sister is truly filial. After she comes out, her reputation will surely be even better. And think about it, Mother—once Fourth Sister has been to the nunnery once, if she ever talks about becoming a nun again in the future, people won't take it too seriously."
First Madam wavered upon hearing this. She knew she would soften toward her daughter, but if she kept giving in, she might eventually be unable to resist Ren Yaoyin. Yet, could she stand by and watch Ren Yaoyin become a concubine?
First Madam couldn't help but glance at Madam Qi. Meeting Madam Qi's blinking eyes, First Madam felt displeased and vented her anger: "Are you all so eager to drive your sister-in-law out of the house? What good does it do you?"
The eldest young madam shrank her neck in fear and lowered her head in grievance.
Upon hearing this, the third young madam, Madam Qi, instead looked at First Madam with a bewildered, foolish expression: "Yes, Mother, what good does it do us?"
First Madam: "..."
First Madam also realized that venting her anger on her daughters-in-law was somewhat wrong. However, Ren Yaoyin's matter had to be resolved. After hesitating for a long time, she finally sighed and said: "Fine, let her stay in the nunnery for a while."
The third young madam continued to fan the flames: "Mother, you can't handle this matter personally. Otherwise, if you soften your heart, all our efforts will be wasted!"
The eldest young madam glanced at Madam Qi. For some reason, she felt that her usually honest (?) and simple (?) sister-in-law now seemed a bit like the treacherous officials described in operas. Blinking, the eldest young madam then thought she must be mistaken—her sister-in-law was a decent and good person; how could she be a villain?
As she was thinking this, the eldest young madam heard Madam Qi say the next moment: "Why not leave this matter to Eldest Sister-in-law? Eldest Sister-in-law is steady and careful—she'll definitely handle it without a problem."
The eldest young madam looked up at Madam Qi in a daze.
First Madam thought it over, glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law, and felt this might actually be a good idea. If Madam Qi had suggested entrusting Ren Yaoyin to her own care, she would certainly have been uneasy. But if it was the honest and obedient eldest daughter-in-law, there shouldn't be any issues.
Clearly, compared to the eldest young madam, First Madam had a better ability to see through people's true nature."Then let the eldest daughter-in-law handle it." First Madam finally decided.
Eldest Young Madam broke out in a cold sweat instantly, feeling somewhat tearful and helpless. Why did such a thankless task that could easily offend people fall on her head?
When she left First Madam's quarters, Eldest Young Madam's steps were somewhat unsteady.
Madam Qi, holding her sister-in-law's arm, looked at her strangely: "Sister-in-law, what's wrong? Are you unwell?"
Eldest Young Madam looked at Madam Qi, stammering: "I... I'm afraid I can't handle it. Shouldn't we... shouldn't we tell Mother to send someone else?"
Madam Qi frowned: "How can that be! The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother! Who could be more suitable than you to educate your younger sister?"
Eldest Young Madam felt ashamed under Madam Qi's righteous tone.
Madam Qi then smiled and comforted her: "But don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll help you."
Eldest Young Madam's eyes lit up: "Really?"
Madam Qi nodded with a simple smile: "Of course. You've always been so good to me, sister-in-law. If I don't help you, who will? Don't worry, I'll handle the difficult tasks for you. I won't let you offend people alone! But don't tell Mother, she'll scold me for meddling."
The kind-hearted Eldest Young Madam quickly nodded: "I know, don't worry. You're helping me so much, I won't betray you." Remembering Fourth Sister Ren Yaoyin's unfathomable eyes, Eldest Young Madam felt that with Madam Qi's help, she was finally less afraid.
Eldest Young Madam thought, Third Sister-in-law really is a good person.
Madam Qi smiled, her eyes narrowing, thinking: For her young master, for the stability and unity of the family, playing the villain to eliminate unstable factors... she was making a great sacrifice. But what could she do? Who made her such a kind-hearted, good person?
That evening, when Eldest Young Madam and Madam Qi stood before Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaoyin could hardly believe her ears.
"Mother wants to send me to a nunnery to become a nun? That's impossible!"
Eldest Young Madam was at a loss: "It's true, Mother asked me to take you to the nunnery."
"I want to see Mother!" Ren Yaoyin took a deep breath, calmed down, and looked coldly at Eldest Young Madam.
Eldest Young Madam opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Madam Qi interrupted.
Madam Qi looked surprised: "Huh? Didn't you yourself want to go to the nunnery to become a nun, Fourth Sister? Mother was originally reluctant, but parents are always soft-hearted—how can they resist their children's wishes? After much thought, Mother finally decided to follow your wishes. You don't know, but Mother fell ill from making this decision, so I'm afraid you won't be able to see her for now."
Ren Yaoyin was left speechless by Madam Qi's words, unable to speak for a long time.
Eldest Young Madam glanced at Madam Qi and silently retreated behind her.
Ren Yaoyin looked at the several matrons who had entered with her two sisters-in-law, suppressing her anger: "It's already very late. Even if we must go, let's wait until tomorrow. And I still need to pack some things."
If it were any other daughter-in-law, hearing her sister-in-law say this would likely agree—at least Eldest Young Madam was about to nod.Unexpectedly, Madam Qi displayed rare assertiveness. She smiled and said, "Fourth Sister, you might not understand. Going to the nunnery is just like getting married—you need to choose an auspicious time to depart. I’ve already consulted a fortune-teller, and among these days, this exact hour today is the most favorable. As for packing your belongings..." Madam Qi looked utterly baffled. "Fourth Sister, aren’t you going to become a nun? Monastics travel light—what do you need to pack? But out of motherly affection, I’ve still had bedding prepared for you."
Eldest Young Madam: "..."
Ren Yaoyin: "..."
"Escort Fourth Miss out," Madam Qi commanded with a sweeping gesture, her presence imposing.
Several matrons hurried forward and respectfully urged, "Fourth Miss, please!"
Ren Yaoyin angrily exclaimed, "Qi Yuegui, have you lost your mind?"
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