Was this an invitation to meet at White Dragon Temple?
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but smile bitterly. This person really was...
She already had some guesses about this person's identity.
And if it really was him, should she feel honored and grateful for such an unconventional invitation?
To go or not to go?
Ren Yaoqi slowly leaned back against the pillow on the kang, closing her eyes in contemplation.
Whether it was the current Han Family or the future Zeng Family, shaking them with her own strength would be extremely difficult. So far, the only method she could think of was maintaining a balance of power.
Even so, she might still inadvertently repeat the mistakes of her previous life.
With a soft sigh, Ren Yaoqi opened her eyes again.
The next day, when Ren Yaoqi went to the main room to pay her respects, she said to Madam Li, "Mother, I would like to go to White Dragon Temple to burn incense again."
Madam Li was somewhat surprised. "Didn't you go once already?"
Ren Yaoqi said with concern, "Last time, I made a wish for myself and our family to have peace and smoothness. But for two nights in a row, I've dreamed of ants crawling all over my body. Each time, I woke up startled by this nightmare. I asked a few elderly nannies, and they all said this is not an auspicious sign. It would be best to sincerely worship the Buddha to ward off disaster and avoid misfortune."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li was startled. "Two nights in a row?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded.
Nanny Zhou also frowned and said, "I've heard that if merchants dream of ants, it means business will prosper. But for a young lady like the Fifth Miss to dream of being surrounded by ants is truly not an auspicious sign."
Madam Li trusted Nanny Zhou's words completely. "Then what should we do?"
Ren Yaoqi said, "I heard the abbot of White Dragon Temple is very effective at dispelling bad omens. That's why I want to go to White Dragon Temple again."
Nanny Zhou thought for a moment and said to Madam Li, "Before the Buddha, all ghosts and impurities are destroyed without a trace. The Fifth Miss going to White Dragon Temple to burn incense is indeed a method. Madam, you haven't been to the temple to burn incense for a long time either. Why not take this opportunity to go with the Fifth Miss?"
Madam Li nodded in agreement. "If that's the case, I'll go ask Mother for permission. If we can make it in time, let's go today."
Seeing Madam Li's worried expression, Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat guilty inside.
As Madam Li went to Glory and Splendor Courtyard to request permission from Old Madam Ren, Ren Yaoqi followed along.
In Glory and Splendor Courtyard, First Madam was with Eldest Young Madam reporting to Old Madam Ren.
Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi stood uneasily behind First Madam, listening as First Madam defended her before Old Madam Ren.
"...This is also my fault for not teaching her properly. Moreover, a few of the maids and nannies below were too cunning. Seeing her young and inexperienced, they took advantage. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and no major trouble occurred. Please give her another chance, Old Madam."
When Ren Yaoqi and Madam Li entered and saw them speaking, they silently bowed and then stepped aside with their hands at their sides.
First Madam smiled and nodded at them. Old Madam Ren merely glanced their way before speaking somewhat displeased to First Madam, "Go investigate which nannies and maids were so bold! If they're unsuitable, drive them out! Our Ren Family cannot tolerate servants who deceive their superiors and conceal the truth!"
First Madam quickly replied, "Yes, Mother. Your daughter-in-law understands."Ren Yaoqi looked at the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law, recalling what she had overheard from the maidservants—that Eldest Young Madam had offended several junior stewards and young wives in the household over the spring clothing incident, which had caused Zhao Shi’s recent tasks to face repeated setbacks.
Previously, when Nanny Zhou was teaching Ren Yaohua about the dynamics between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, she had mentioned that First Madam was well aware Eldest Young Madam had mishandled the matter but had not intervened promptly, instead allowing her to make mistakes, intending to use this opportunity to assert control over her daughter-in-law.
Now, as expected, First Madam had stepped forward to shield Zhao Shi before the situation spiraled out of control and Old Madam Ren grew angry. Judging by Zhao Shi’s demeanor, she seemed genuinely grateful to First Madam.
Nanny Zhou’s prediction had been accurate.
However, it was only today, witnessing it firsthand, that Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but admire First Madam’s skillful maneuvering.
Those who dared to feign compliance while secretly defying Eldest Young Madam were certainly not First Madam’s people; they were most likely Fifth Madam Lin’s. With this move, First Madam not only won over her daughter-in-law’s loyalty but also seized the opportunity to deal with Madam Lin’s followers.
Over the years, although First Madam had always been in charge of the household, Fifth Madam Lin, relying on Old Madam Ren’s favor, had frequently contested her authority. First Madam had always yielded to Madam Lin, even allowing her, in accordance with Old Madam Ren’s wishes, to manage several important household expenditures.
However, two tigers cannot share one mountain. First Madam’s outwardly magnanimous demeanor did not mean she harbored no resentment in her heart.
Now that Madam Lin had fallen out of favor with Old Madam Ren, if First Madam didn’t act now, when would she?
Watching First Madam stand respectfully beside Old Madam Ren, responding gently, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile. This aunt had certainly not been managing the household in vain all these years.
After First Madam finished speaking, Old Madam Ren finally turned her attention to Madam Li and Ren Yaoqi, who had been standing to the side all along. “What brings you here?”
Madam Li stepped forward and explained her intention to take Ren Yaoqi to White Cloud Temple.
Old Madam Ren glanced at Ren Yaoqi. “It’s just a child having nightmares. Why make such a fuss? Didn’t she just visit White Cloud Temple recently? Your sister-in-law and niece-in-law are likely too busy today. If you insist on going, postpone it for a couple of days.”
Madam Li opened her mouth to speak but hadn’t uttered a word when Zhao Shi quickly interjected, “It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s just arranging a carriage and attendants—it won’t be too much trouble.”
Having just been slighted by the servants, Zhao Shi truly didn’t want to offend the third branch over such a trivial matter.
First Madam also spoke up in support. “It’s not too late to go today, but preparing the carriage and arranging personnel will take some time. Sister-in-law, you may have to wait a while.”
Old Madam Ren glanced at First Madam and Eldest Young Madam, snorting, “Fine, you all want to be the good ones, leaving me as the unreasonable villain!”
Hearing this, First Madam smiled and said, “Mother, what are you saying? You were concerned that your daughter-in-law might be too busy and worried that Sister-in-law and her daughter might be inconvenienced. How could that make you an unreasonable villain? If so, there would be no reasonable elder in this world. Isn’t that right, Sister-in-law?” First Madam signaled to Madam Li with her eyes.
Madam Li hurriedly agreed, “Yes, Mother. I know you meant well.”
Only then did Old Madam Ren’s expression soften. “If you insist on going today, then go ahead.”
Madam Li and Ren Yaoqi quickly bowed their heads in gratitude.
As they withdrew together with First Madam and the others, Madam Li thanked First Madam and Zhao Shi.First Madam smiled. "We're all family, Third Sister-in-law, no need to be so polite. It's just that there really are many matters today, so we might have to leave a bit later."
"It's fine, we can wait," Madam Li said courteously.
Ren Yaoqi and Madam Li returned to Purple Magnolia Courtyard. Not long after, someone came to report that First Madam was dealing with some cunning and slippery servants, and many maids and matrons were to be sold off by First Madam.
Fortunately, the people in Purple Magnolia Courtyard were not involved in the Ren Family's household affairs, so Madam Li's people were not affected. It was easy to imagine who would truly suffer this time. The people in the mansion gained a deeper understanding of First Madam's methods.
It was almost noon when First Madam finally had time to send someone to inform Madam Li that the carriages and attendants for the trip were ready. The one who came was First Madam's stewardess, Nanny Cao, who was very polite and respectful, putting on a proper show of courtesy.
"First Madam says it's already quite late now. Third Madam may stay overnight at the temple and return tomorrow. She will speak with Old Madam Ren about it."
Madam Li hurriedly thanked First Madam again and had Nanny Zhou see Nanny Cao out, rewarding her with a generous red envelope.
After Nanny Cao returned and reported to First Madam, First Madam nodded and instructed, "Let Yan'er's wife handle things over there. You should go and keep an eye on those people to prevent them from causing any more trouble before they leave the mansion."
Nanny Cao acknowledged the order with a smile. "All these years, Madam Lin has always liked to meddle in everything. This time, all her people have been dismissed by you, Madam. When she 'recovers from her illness' and comes out, even if she wants to stir up trouble again, she won't have the means." At this point, Nanny Cao frowned slightly. "However, she has always been favored by Old Madam Ren. If she realizes what happened and goes to complain about you to Old Madam, then..."
Hearing this, First Madam remained expressionless as she took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Since I married into the Ren Family all these years, I have never once acted against the elders' wishes. This time is no different."
Nanny Cao pondered First Madam's words carefully. Could it be that driving out Madam Lin's people was also in line with Old Madam Ren's wishes?
In Purple Magnolia Courtyard, Madam Li took Ren Yaoqi out to board the carriage.
Ren Yaohua showed little interest in going to White Dragon Temple, as nothing good had happened there last time. Madam Li did not force her to come along, only giving her detailed instructions before letting her stay behind.
Ren Yaoqi's purpose for going to White Dragon Temple this time was not simple, and she did not want too many people around.
Since Nanny Zhou was accompanying Madam Li, Ren Yaoqi suggested leaving the newly arrived Granny Xu behind to watch over the courtyard. Madam Li and Nanny Zhou had no objections, so Granny Xu did not accompany Ren Yaoqi this time.
Before departing, Ren Yaoqi had Pingguo go to the outer courtyard to inform Manager Yuan of her trip to White Dragon Temple, asking him to relay the message to Yuan Dayong.
After learning of this, Yuan Dayong followed behind the Ren Family's carriages as they headed toward White Dragon Temple.
A little over an hour later, the Ren Family's carriage smoothly entered the mountain gate of White Dragon Temple.
As she stepped down from the carriage, Ren Yaoqi once again saw the familiar scenery of White Dragon Temple.
There were still many worshippers, no different from usual.
But Ren Yaoqi was pondering: she had arrived, but how was she to contact that person?Although she felt her guess was almost certainly correct, what if she was wrong?
Was Zhu Ruomei really here?
"Go make a donation for incense and ask the abbot if he has time today. I wish to bring Qi'er to pay him a visit," Madam Li whispered to Nanny Zhou.
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