"Parting from the dead, I have stifled my sobs; but this parting from the living brings me constant pain. South of the Yangtze is a land of miasmal plagues; no word comes from the exile. Yet you have entered my dreams, old friend, showing that you remember me. Are you now in a net? How then can you have wings? I fear this is not your living soul; the road is so far. When your soul came, the maple grove was green; when it went back, the passes were black. You are now sunk in the deep, where I cannot follow you, and the dragons are there—the dragons of the waters." Yuan Dayong, who had indeed read some books, softly recited this poem while pondering.
Then his expression changed. "Parting from the dead, I have stifled my sobs; but this parting from the living brings me constant pain. Does this mean Ruomei has already met with misfortune?"
Ren Yaoqi was also contemplating the poem. Hearing Yuan Dayong's speculation, she shook her head and murmured, "That person went to such great lengths and followed you for so long. It shouldn't be just to tell you the person you're looking for is already dead."
"Then what does this line mean?" Yuan Dayong was utterly perplexed. "This person is truly strange. Why couldn't they just speak plainly instead of resorting to riddles!"
Ren Yaoqi, however, had a sudden thought. "'Are you now in a net?' Could it be a riddle to solve?"
"A riddle?" Yuan Dayong's expression turned odd. If that person had gone through all this trouble just to make them solve a riddle, they really had too much time on their hands.
"Then what's the answer to the riddle?" Although Yuan Dayong was somewhat dismissive in his heart, he truly couldn't figure out what this line meant, so he decided to give it a try anyway.
Ren Yaoqi tilted her head in thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up in surprise. "White Dragon in Fish's Clothing?"
"White Dragon in Fish's Clothing? Is that the answer to the riddle, Fifth Miss?" Yuan Dayong frowned in thought. "'Are you now in a net'... White Dragon in Fish's Clothing... That makes sense, but what does it mean?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head and said softly, "It's not about meaning something, but about telling us a place name."
"A place name?" Yuan Dayong was also taken aback. He pondered carefully for a long time, then suddenly his eyes lit up. "White Dragon... White Dragon Temple? Is the answer White Dragon Temple?"
White Dragon Temple was built on White Dragon Mountain. It was said that the origin of this place name was related to the story of the White Dragon in Fish's Clothing. If "Are you now in a net" hints at "White Dragon in Fish's Clothing," then it really could be referring to White Dragon Temple.
Ren Yaoqi nodded. "If Yuan Ruomei is truly in someone else's hands, then their most likely reason for coming to us is to tell us a location."
Yuan Dayong couldn't help but smile bitterly at this. "Then this person really is... What if we couldn't guess? Wouldn't all their efforts be in vain?" Yuan Dayong still felt this person was rather peculiar.
Ren Yaoqi wasn't entirely certain either; this was just her speculation.
"Then... should I go to White Dragon Temple to investigate?" Yuan Dayong asked.
Ren Yaoqi nodded. "Be careful, and it's best to take some people with you."
However, Ren Yaoqi felt that judging by this person's actions, they didn't seem malicious. Yuan Dayong acknowledged and withdrew.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi returned to Purple Magnolia Courtyard, Xier came running from the main house.
"Fifth Miss, Madam asks you to go to the main house," Xier said with a bow, respectfully.
Ren Yaoqi didn't return to her own west wing but followed Xier directly to the main house in the rear courtyard.
Madam Li was speaking with Nanny Zhou in the eastern side room. Ren Yaoqi lifted the curtain and entered, smiling as she asked, "Mother, what did you need me for?"Madam Li beckoned and had Ren Yaoqi sit beside her before slightly furrowing her brows and asking, "Qi'er, I heard you've been frequently going out of the Inner Gate to meet people lately?"
Ren Yaoqi had anticipated that Madam Li might question her about this matter when she came. Indeed, she had been going out more often recently.
Ren Yaoqi briefly explained the matter regarding the Zhu family to Madam Li.
After listening, Madam Li nodded and said, "I know you have a kind heart, and it's a good thing to build good connections. Nanny Zhou mentioned the gifts the Zhu family sent earlier, and I didn't stop it. However, they are still outsiders, and it's not appropriate for an unmarried young lady like you to frequently go out to meet guests. In the future, if they come again, you can have female visitors brought inside to speak with you, and for male visitors, just send a maidservant to meet them."
Ren Yaoqi originally wanted to say something more, but seeing Madam Li looking at her with a worried frown, she couldn't bring herself to argue. She could only nod in agreement for now.
At that moment, Ren Yaohua also lifted the curtain and entered.
Seeing both sisters had arrived, Madam Li smiled and said, "I called you both here today because of the matter regarding the housekeeping nannies. Nanny Zhou has already selected one housekeeping nanny for each of you, and they will arrive at the mansion shortly."
Nanny Zhou also smiled and said, "Third Miss and Fifth Miss, you can meet them today. If you feel they aren't suitable, I’ll go and select others. It’s important that you are satisfied with the housekeeping nannies, as they will accompany you when you leave the mansion in the future."
This meant selecting accompanying nannies.
Madam Li said with great trust, "Nanny Zhou has been selecting for so long; these two must be good."
Ren Yaoqi, however, recalled something from her past life—she hadn’t accepted the housekeeping nanny Madam Li had selected for her back then.
As for Ren Yaohua’s housekeeping nanny, Granny Xu, she had indeed been capable. Later, when Ren Yaohua married, Granny Xu somehow managed to have her own daughter replace one of Ren Yaohua’s senior maidservants and accompany Ren Yaohua as a dowry maid to the Zeng family.
After Ren Yaohua killed Zeng Kui, all her accompanying maidservants suffered alongside her, except for Granny Xu’s daughter, who remained unharmed—because it was she who had informed Zeng Pu.
Ren Yaoqi had heard of many who betrayed their masters for personal gain, but this one chilled her the most.
Que'er lifted the curtain and entered to report that Granny Xu and Nanny Gao had arrived and were waiting outside.
Madam Li nodded and instructed Que'er to bring them in.
Ren Yaoqi sat silently on the kang, waiting.
After a short while, Que'er led in two women in their thirties.
The one walking in front was neatly dressed, her hair meticulously tied up. Though her expression was somewhat stern, her features were delicate. At first glance, her demeanor resembled Nanny Zhou’s.
The one behind her was dressed more plainly, with a slightly round face and a consistently appropriate, gentle smile at the corners of her mouth, giving the impression of a good-natured temperament.
Both women stepped forward to kowtow and pay their respects to Madam Li and the two young ladies. Nanny Zhou pointed to the stern-faced nanny and said, "This is Granny Xu, selected for Third Miss."
Then, pointing to the round-faced one, she introduced, "This is Nanny Gao, selected for Fifth Miss."
Ren Yaoqi observed the two of them. Ren Yaohua glanced at Granny Xu, who had been selected for her, and nodded to Madam Li, indicating she had no objections. She had always trusted Nanny Zhou greatly.Madam Li then looked at Ren Yaoqi, waiting for her response.
Ren Yaoqi suddenly turned to Ren Yaohua and said with a playful smile, "Third Sister, how about we swap our assigned nannies? I feel like Granny Xu looks somewhat familiar."
Everyone was taken aback. Madam Li shot Ren Yaoqi a reproachful glance and chided, "Qi'er, you're being mischievous again!"
Nanny Zhou also appeared troubled. Granny Xu had been specifically chosen for Ren Yaohua because Ren Yaohua would be marrying a few years earlier than Ren Yaoqi and would need someone capable of holding her own in her future husband's household. After evaluating Granny Xu several times, Nanny Zhou found her highly suitable.
Ren Yaoqi made a face, tugged at Ren Yaohua's sleeve, and persisted, "Third Sister, let's swap, please, please, please..."
Ren Yaohua frowned, glanced at Ren Yaoqi, then at the two nannies, and pushed Ren Yaoqi's hand away impatiently. "Fine, we'll swap. But think carefully—if you change your mind later and want to swap back, I won't entertain you!"
Ren Yaoqi smiled gently. "Thank you, Third Sister."
Madam Li and Nanny Zhou exchanged a look, both wearing expressions of helplessness.
However, deep down, Madam Li was pleased. Seeing her two daughters getting along so harmoniously now, unlike the days when they acted like enemies upon meeting, filled her motherly heart with immense relief.
Nanny Zhou also didn't want the sisters to fall out over this matter, so she remained silent.
Nanny Gao had also been carefully selected. Even if she had any shortcomings, Nanny Zhou believed she could be trained further to become presentable.
Thus, the nannies assigned to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were swapped just like that.
Both Granny Xu and Nanny Gao stepped forward without changing their expressions, kneeling and bowing to their new mistresses.
Madam Li spoke to them gently, "You may each stay in the small side rooms in the east and west wings. Since it's your first day in the mansion, go and settle in, familiarize yourselves with the household, and start your duties formally tomorrow."
The two nannies thanked Madam Li again, rose, and withdrew.
Ren Yaoqi quietly watched Granny Xu's retreating figure, her expression inscrutable.
Although Madam Li had arranged for the two nannies to start their duties the next day, Granny Xu came to attend to Ren Yaoqi by evening.
When she reappeared, Granny Xu had changed into the spring attire issued by the Ren Family. Her hair was still meticulously styled into a neat bun, adorned only with a silver comb, giving her a capable and composed appearance.
Ren Yaoqi had Xueli summon all eight maids in her quarters, large and small, to introduce them to Granny Xu.
When it was time to retire for the night, Granny Xu personally attended to Ren Yaoqi's washing up.
Ren Yaoqi observed discreetly and had to admit that Nanny Zhou's judgment was indeed sound. Granny Xu's words and actions were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
"Who else is in your family, Granny Xu?" Ren Yaoqi asked casually, her eyes closed, as Granny Xu bent to tuck the blanket around her.
Granny Xu replied respectfully yet warmly, "My husband has passed away. I have only one son, who is fourteen this year. He is currently apprenticing under the second manager of the coal depot the Ren Family runs in Yunyang City."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but open her eyes. "You have only one son?"
Granny Xu nodded. "I have only one son."
Ren Yaoqi fell silent.Granny Xu waited by the bedside for a long while. Seeing that Ren Yaoqi had fallen silent, she assumed she had fallen asleep, so she gently lowered the bed curtains, picked up the candlestick from the small table, and quietly left the room.
The room gradually darkened inch by inch, and Ren Yaoqi slowly closed her eyes. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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