"Don't you like any of these snacks?" Ren Shijia sat facing Ren Yaoqi on the heated brick bed. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi had only tasted one pine nut candy before stopping, Ren Shijia asked with a smile.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "I just had some in my own room earlier. I'm afraid eating too much might cause indigestion."
Just as Ren Shijia was about to say something, a maid led an older servant woman in through the doorway, so Ren Shijia temporarily held her words.
"Young Mistress, it's time for your medicine," the maid stepped forward and said.
An older servant woman behind her presented a small food box she was holding.
Ren Shijia frowned slightly and chided softly, "There's a guest here, and you're bringing medicine to the table?"
Ren Yaoqi quickly said, "Aunt, I'm not a guest. Please don't treat me like an outsider."
The servant woman holding the food box smiled and said, "Indeed, Young Mistress. This is your maiden home, and the Fifth Young Miss is your own niece. There's no need to be so formal. This medicine must be taken on time."
Ren Shijia then stopped insisting and gestured for the servant woman to bring out the medicine.
While Ren Shijia was drinking her medicine, Ren Yaoqi turned her gaze to the somewhat short servant woman. "Nanny, you speak with a southern accent, unlike us Yanbei people."
The servant woman had a clever and alert appearance. Hearing this, she quickly smiled and replied, "Fifth Young Miss has sharp ears. This servant is from Jiangning."
"Jiangning? That's a good place," Ren Yaoqi said with a smile. "My grandaunt lives in Jiangning."
Ren Shijia closed her eyes and drank the medicine in one gulp, then took the teacup handed by the maid to rinse her mouth. Hearing this, she added, "She's the kitchen servant my grandaunt found for me. She's skilled at making medicinal cuisine."
"Oh?" Ren Yaoqi glanced at the servant woman again. "No wonder Nanny looks so capable. That explains it."
Ren Shijia was very tolerant toward children and said kindly to Ren Yaoqi, "She truly is capable. Not only can she make medicinal cuisine, but she also knows some medicine. She's quite accurate at pulse reading and diagnosis. The medicine I drink is all brewed by her. By the way, I also have a cook who specializes in southern-style pastries. If you want to try southern-flavored snacks, just come and tell me."
Ren Yaoqi quickly expressed her thanks.
The servant woman collected the medicine bowl, bowed, and withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi picked a pitted preserved fruit for Ren Shijia and said, "I originally wanted to bring Eighth Sister along today. She used to love coming to your courtyard to play. But today her wet nurse said she wasn't feeling well, so I came alone."
Ren Shijia didn't know how to respond to this.
She was closest to her fifth brother Ren Shimiao and Madam Lin, so among her nieces, Ren Yaoyu was most familiar with her. However, yesterday Old Madam Ren had publicly reprimanded Madam Lin because of her, and afterward, she heard that Madam Lin had said many unpleasant things to Ren Shimiao when he went after her, even threatening to return to her maiden home. In the end, somehow, the couple had quarreled, and Ren Shimiao had been scratched on the neck by Madam Lin before angrily leaving the estate.
She didn't know what to say either, as what the Lin Family had done to her was too excessive, and her relationship with Madam Lin had also changed somewhat because of it. Thinking of this, Ren Shijia couldn't help but feel somewhat melancholy.
Ren Yaoqi had been observing Ren Shijia's expression all along.
She felt that the incident where Madam Lin had hot tea thrown at her by Old Madam Ren in public was not simple. This time, Old Madam Ren hadn't even spared the Lin Family basic face, and this had happened while the Lin Family's young mistress was present.What had suddenly intensified the conflict between the Ren and Lin families? Ren Yaoqi felt the answer might lie with Ren Shijia, who had unexpectedly returned home.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to speak again, a maid hurried in: "Miss, the young master has arrived."
From the address, this was likely Ren Shijia’s dowry maid.
Ren Shijia’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly rose to her feet. The maid rushed forward to support her: "Please be careful, Miss. The young master has been called away by the old master for questioning."
Only then did Ren Shijia slow her movements, glancing again toward the window. She hurriedly instructed the maid: "Go and tell the kitchen to prepare some hot dishes. My husband will likely arrive soon, and he probably hasn’t had a proper breakfast."
The maid promptly agreed, called another maid over to attend to Ren Shijia, and hurried off to the kitchen.
Watching from the side, Ren Yaoqi grew even more certain that Ren Shijia hadn’t returned to her maiden home because of the rumored conflict with Lin Kun. Judging by Ren Shijia’s demeanor, there was no trace of resentment toward Lin Kun.
Ren Yaoqi felt it inappropriate to stay any longer: "Since Uncle has arrived, I’ll come another time to visit, Aunt." As she spoke, Ren Yaoqi tugged shyly at Ren Shijia’s sleeve. "Is Uncle here to take you back to Yunyang City? I was hoping to try some of the Jiangnan pastries from your place."
Ren Shijia, in high spirits, patted Ren Yaoqi’s head. "You’re welcome anytime. I’ll be staying here for several more months and won’t be returning to Yunyang City. I find it too quiet here and would love for you all to visit often."
Ren Yaoqi was curious: "But Uncle has come personally to fetch you. Won’t he be upset if you don’t return with him?"
Ren Shijia smiled confidently. "Of course not. Your uncle has the best temper." Perhaps because she was speaking to her young niece, Ren Shijia let her guard down, her tone filled with trust and affection for her husband.
Having likely obtained the answer she sought, Ren Yaoqi stood up to take her leave.
As she was about to exit the courtyard, Ren Yaoqi encountered the old woman who had earlier delivered medicine to Ren Shijia. Ren Yaoqi paused and said with a smile, "I heard you make licorice-preserved plums. My concubine is also skilled at making them. Oh, my concubine’s surname is Fang, and she comes from the Fang family in Jiangning. Since you’re also from the Fang family, did my concubine learn her craft from you? She said she learned it from a kitchen maid before she married."
The old woman was taken aback that Ren Yaoqi could connect her to Concubine Fang and quickly distanced herself. "This servant never worked for the Fang family and does not know the concubine you mentioned. In my early years, I served in a wealthy household surnamed Yang. Later, when Old Madam Fang was looking for a cook skilled in medicinal cuisine for the young mistress of the Lin family, Madam Yang recommended me."
Ren Yaoqi frowned. "Is that so? What a pity. I was hoping to invite you to visit my concubine’s courtyard often and chat with her about the Fang family."
The old woman merely smiled politely and remained silent.
Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly and walked past her.
As she stepped outside, she nearly collided with a man around thirty years old.
The man was of average height, with a dignified appearance and a notably square jaw. He wore a dark blue satin-lined thin jacket and walked with steady steps. Upon noticing Ren Yaoqi and her companions, he looked up, his eyes sharp and alert.After a brief moment of surprise, Ren Yaoqi realized this man was her aunt Ren Shijia’s husband, Lin Kun of the second branch of the Lin Family.
Ren Yaoqi curtsied and addressed him as "Uncle."
Lin Kun paused mid-step, glanced at Ren Yaoqi, and replied with a gentle smile, "You are Third Brother’s daughter, Yaoqi, right? Your aunt mentioned you are exceptionally skilled at painting."
Ren Yaoqi felt a flicker of surprise.
In her previous life, she had little impression of this uncle, though everyone in the Ren Family described him as gentle, easygoing, and agreeable—or more bluntly, as someone without great ambition, who simply followed the crowd.
Yet, with just one glance, he had recognized her as Ren Yaoqi from the third branch of the Ren Family and even knew she excelled at painting. The Ren Family had many young ladies with similar names, and Ren Yaoqi had met him no more than a handful of times. Even her aunt had remarked upon seeing her that she had grown almost unrecognizable after a year apart, yet he had identified her at once.
This man possessed keen observational skills and was remarkably attentive. Though he was cautious, careful observation seemed to have become second nature to him.
Ren Yaoqi found it hard to believe he was as soft-spoken and unambitious as everyone claimed.
Unaware that the young girl before him had already sized him up from head to toe, Lin Kun nodded to Ren Yaoqi with a smile, bid her farewell, and continued toward Warm Fragrance Pavilion.
Ren Yaoqi turned to watch his retreating figure, a trace of doubt flickering in her eyes.
The waters of the Lin Family ran deeper than she had imagined.
Originally, she had orchestrated the confrontation between Concubine Fang and Madam Lin, but now, more players had entered the game than she had anticipated.
Her own side was already at a disadvantage within the Ren Family. Stirring the waters would help her leverage the situation and mitigate her weaknesses.
At this point, she needed to carefully reconsider her future plans.
How could she ensure that, whether the east wind prevailed over the west wind or the west wind over the east, she would always emerge as the one to benefit?
Meanwhile, Lin Kun and his wife, Ren Shijia, had just reunited.
Ren Shijia dismissed the servants and was embraced by Lin Kun.
After a tender moment, Ren Shijia looked up at him nervously and asked, "Husband, what did Father discuss with you when he called you over?"
Lin Kun guided his wife to sit on the heated brick bed, settling beside her and placing a hand on her abdomen. He replied gently, "Nothing much, just a few questions."
Ren Shijia lowered her head, took Lin Kun’s hand, and said with a hint of bitterness, "Husband, I… I should arrange for two concubines for you."
Lin Kun chuckled softly, looking down at her. "What’s gotten into you? Didn’t I promise you? It will only be us and our children, no one else."
Ren Shijia felt both sweetness and sorrow at his words. Her eyes reddened as she lowered her head. "I know your heart, Husband. But my parents’ concerns are not unfounded. I cannot be so selfish. The second branch of the Lin Family now relies solely on you, and I… I have not been blessed with a child. If… if something were to happen… how could I ever face your parents in the afterlife?"
Lin Kun’s eyes flickered, but he remained silent, holding Ren Shijia close.Ren Shijia tried again to persuade Lin Kun: "Even if I give birth to a son this time, he alone cannot support the Second Branch's family business. My mother said that once the concubine gives birth, she will be sent away. Then, then it will only be us and our children." After a pause, she added, "Your children are my children. I will raise them well and help them become successful."
Originally, I wrote two chapters but wasn’t satisfied. After deleting and revising until two in the morning, it became one chapter...
Lately, writing has been quite challenging...
I need to sort out my thoughts. Making a domestic intrigue story flow smoothly is really mind-boggling... T-T
Well, the owed chapter will be updated tomorrow.
I still owe two chapters for the pink ticket bonuses, and I’ll make them up as soon as possible in the coming days.
Thank you all for your support of this book. Seeing so many pink tickets added suddenly today really moved me... ^^~
With you all here, no matter how difficult the writing gets, I will persevere...
(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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