The nanny wanted to say more, but Su Shi had already lowered her head to look at the account books again.
Seeing Su Shi's indifferent expression, the nanny felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
Su Shi had been married into the Ren Family for over a decade, yet she only had one daughter. In truth, this couldn't entirely be blamed on Su Shi.
In the first few years after Su Shi married Ren Shiyuan, the Second Master of the Ren Family, he was deeply devoted to Buddhist studies, leading a simple and ascetic life, rarely entering Su Shi's chambers. As a result, Su Shi had never become pregnant.
Then one day, Ren Shiyuan, for reasons unknown, suddenly insisted on leaving home to become a monk and devote himself to Buddhism.
He wasn't just making empty threats. When his mother desperately tried to stop him from leaving, he took scissors and cut his own hair, causing chaos throughout the household.
Compared to her mother-in-law Madam Liao's frantic anxiety, Su Shi, as Ren Shiyuan's wife, remained much calmer. She somehow found a pair of exceptionally talented twin sisters whose specialty was chanting Buddhist scriptures using popular tunes of the time. That very evening, the twins were sent to discuss Buddhist teachings with Ren Shiyuan.
Three days later, Ren Shiyuan stopped clamoring about becoming a monk. Su Shi elevated the twin sisters, surnamed Yuan, to concubines, allowing them to accompany Ren Shiyuan in chanting scriptures every day.
Not long after, Eldest Concubine Yuan became pregnant and, after ten months, gave birth to Ren Yilin, the first grandson of the Eastern Manor. Two years later, Youngest Concubine Yuan gave birth to Ren Shiyuan's second son, Ren Yixin.
Initially, Old Madam Ren had some criticism of Su Shi, blaming her for failing to capture her husband's heart and making him feel disillusioned with the mortal world, leading him to seek monastic life.
However, after several years of interaction, Su Shi proved to be generous and dignified in her conduct, showing great respect to her mother-in-law Madam Liao and always being obedient in front of Ren Shiyuan. Madam Liao could find no fault with her and gradually grew closer to her.
A few more years passed, and Youngest Concubine Yuan fell ill and passed away. Ren Shiyuan once again threatened to become a monk. This time, Su Shi brought in a concubine surnamed Xia. Although Concubine Xia wasn't as multi-talented as the Yuan sisters, she was delicate and graceful, with a voice as melodious as a nightingale's. Ren Shiyuan thus remained in the mortal world.
Recently, Ren Shiyuan had begun to lose interest in everything, and whenever he saw Su Shi, he would talk incessantly about Buddhist principles and verses. This time, before he could even mention becoming a monk, Su Shi brought in a beautiful sixteen-year-old concubine.
Thinking about all this, the nanny felt deeply that Su Shi deserved better.
Su Shi was intelligent and capable. Not only was she fit to be the mistress of an ordinary merchant family, but she could even serve as the lady of a noble household. Unfortunately, her appearance was too plain, and she couldn't capture Ren Shiyuan's heart.
When she first married into the Ren Family, Ren Shiyuan rarely visited her courtyard. Later, with a constant stream of beautiful concubines by his side, his visits became even rarer. If not for Old Madam Ren's pity for Su Shi and her frequent admonishments to Ren Shiyuan, he wouldn't even have made his perfunctory visits to the main courtyard twice a month.
Just then, a servant outside announced that the young lady had arrived.
Su Shi finally looked up again.
Ren Yaoting walked in and, seeing Su Shi looking at the account books, complained, "Mother, you stay in the mansion every day managing the household and checking accounts, while those who don't know their place go out and show off. I just saw Concubine Lan going out with Father again, saying they were attending some banquet. She's just a lowly concubine—what right does she have to come and go alongside her master?"Su Shi frowned and chided softly, "Is that something you should say?"
Ren Yaoting glanced at Su Shi and swallowed the rest of her words.
Seeing her daughter fall silent, Su Shi softened her expression and smiled. "I was just about to send for you. I heard you went to the West Mansion again?"
Ren Yaoting did not immediately voice what she had originally intended to say. Instead, she walked over and sat down beside Su Shi, following her lead. "I went to chat with the sisters in the West Mansion. Did you need me for something, Mother?"
"Your eldest cousin is getting married the day after tomorrow. We’ll go to Yunyang City tomorrow," Su Shi said gently.
Only then did Ren Yaoting remember this matter. Lately, she had been preoccupied with the engagement between Han Yunqian and Ren Yaohua, nearly forgetting about this event.
Su Yunyu, the eldest son of the Su Family, was the legitimate eldest son of Su Keqin, Su Shi’s elder brother from the same mother. He had always been very fond of his cousin.
Feeling somewhat guilty for forgetting about her cousin’s wedding, Ren Yaoting chimed in, "I haven’t met the future eldest cousin-in-law yet—she’s from the capital. I wonder what kind of person she is."
Su Shi was also in high spirits when discussing her nephew’s marriage and replied with a smile, "I haven’t met her either, but your aunt says she has an excellent temperament. You’ll see for yourself the day after tomorrow."
Ren Yaoting’s heart stirred.
Since they were going to Yunyang City tomorrow, it might be better to speak directly with her uncle about what she had originally planned to discuss with Su Shi. Although Su Shi was her mother, Ren Yaoting knew she wasn’t easily fooled and was less approachable than her eldest uncle.
Moreover, since what she wanted to discuss would benefit the Su Family, speaking directly with her uncle would likely yield a greater chance of success.
Thinking this, Ren Yaoting temporarily held back what she had intended to say and instead asked Su Shi about the future eldest cousin-in-law, Lady Zeng.
On the same day, Ren Yaoqi also remembered that the eldest son of the Su Family was about to marry a daughter of the Zeng Family. Not only was Su Shi going to Yunyang City, but even the Eldest Master and Fifth Master of the Ren Family would attend the ceremony. Qiu Yun had already returned to Yunyang Academy and would likely be present as well. Yun Wenfang was always nowhere to be seen; although the Second Young Master Su had extended an invitation last time, it was uncertain whether he would attend.
The Zeng Family was about to make an appearance...
That night, Ren Yaoqi once again found it difficult to sleep.
The next day, Ren Yaoqi considered sending someone to investigate whether there were any unusual activities in the various temples, hoping to gauge how Xiao Jingxi’s plan was progressing. Although she knew the implementation couldn’t happen so quickly, she couldn’t help feeling anxious.
Everything had to be arranged before Zeng Pu arrived in Yanbei.
Originally, it would have been best to have Zhu Ruomei investigate this matter, but he had sent no further news. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but worry.
In the afternoon, just as Ren Yaoqi was about to send for Sister-in-law Yuan to inquire, Xiangqin rushed over to say that Sister-in-law Yuan had arrived, bringing a young girl around ten years old into the mansion.
For some reason, Ren Yaoqi’s heart sank.
From what Xiangqin said, she vaguely guessed that the girl might be Zhu Ruomei’s younger sister, Zhu Ruoju.
But why would Zhu Ruoju come to the Ren Family to find her?
Could it be that something had really happened to Zhu Ruomei?
"Go inform Nanny Zhou and then bring them in," Ren Yaoqi calmed her emotions and instructed Xiangqin.Before long, Xiangqin led Sister-in-law Yuan and the little girl around ten years old inside, bringing them to the southern room where the maids and servants rested.
When Ren Yaoqi arrived, Sister-in-law Yuan hurriedly pulled the little girl to bow and said, "Fifth Miss, this is the Zhu family's daughter, Ruoju."
Thank you to Haiyan Zhuiyue, Jiajia, and enigmayanxi for your pink votes~ ^^
(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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