Just as they had settled into position, they heard the voices of maids outside greeting Old Master and Old Madam in unison.

Ren Yaoqi’s upright spine stiffened, then she slowly inhaled and exhaled, forcing herself to relax.

The several masters who had been sitting in the eastern side room immediately stood up from their seats, while Eldest Madam, who had been personally arranging bowls and dishes, quickly placed the dish of cold mixed fortune and prosperity tofu she held to the southeast position of the kang table and hurried to greet them at the carved moon gate.

Like everyone else in the room, Ren Yaoqi leaned slightly forward and stood straight, hands hanging at her sides, eyes half-lowered.

Eldest Madam had only taken three or four steps when Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren walked in.

Old Master Ren was fifty-six this year, yet tall and dignified, spirited and vigorous, with eyes like torches. Old Madam Ren, standing beside him, was several years younger, with a round face, fine eyebrows, and delicate features. Though not young anymore, she had dimples on both cheeks that made her appear to be smiling even when she wasn’t, adding several points of kindness for no reason.

Ren Yaoqi watched these two enter and take their seats on either side of the kang, lowering her head to kowtow to Old Master and Old Madam Ren along with everyone else.

Her greeting and salutation movements were perfect. She heard Old Master Ren’s bell-like deep voice from above: “Everyone rise.”

Somehow she was reminded of when she left the Ren family in her previous life – it was this same voice that had spoken above her head with unquestionable authority: “Even after leaving the Ren family, you must always remember you are a person of the Ren family, remember that it was the Ren family that allowed you to grow up without want for food or clothing. Only when the Ren family stands firm can you Ren family daughters establish themselves outside!”

She didn’t know if every woman leaving the Ren family received such instruction from Old Master Ren before departure, but at the time she had only wanted to sneer coldly – it was the first time she’d heard someone speak such shameless words with such a matter-of-fact tone, making them sound so grand and righteous.

Old Master Ren seemed to have forgotten that the Ren family’s daughter, about to leave home, wasn’t going to be married.

Her life had been completely ruined, yet he could still calmly instruct her to contribute her last bit of effort for the family.

Ren Yaoqi’s right arm was gently nudged, quickly bringing her back to her senses. Turning her head, she met Fourth Miss Ren Yaoyin’s slightly surprised expression.

It turned out everyone had already stood up, and only she still knelt there motionless.

Ren Yaoqi pretended to appear somewhat weak as she stood up. Ren Yaoyin reached out to support her: “Fifth Sister, is your illness not completely cured yet?”

Everyone’s attention was drawn over, and Eldest Madam hurried over to feel her forehead: “What’s wrong? Weren’t you already better?”

Ren Yaoqi inconspicuously loosened her tightly clenched fists under her sleeves and said quietly, “I took the last dose of medicine when I got up this morning. It must be the medicine taking effect – the illness is indeed completely cured.”

Old Madam said flatly, “If you’re unwell, why did you come? Am I short of one or two people paying respects here?”

Eldest Madam quickly smiled to smooth things over: “The Fifth girl is also being filial, coming over as soon as she recovers.”

“Enough, let the children all go eat.” Old Master Ren tapped his hand lightly on the table, and the room immediately quieted.

Old Madam then waved her hand, her eyes sweeping over the younger generation: “Hua’er and Yin’er stay to eat in my room. The rest of you go.”

Everyone bowed to withdraw. Ren Yaoying pouted and glanced at Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin with some reluctance.

At this moment, bell-like laughter suddenly rang out from outside, then the curtain lifted and a young woman in her twenties entered, leading a little girl with obvious unwillingness on her face.

This woman wore a fox fur jacket with a purple brocade outer layer embroidered with a hundred butterfly patterns, an apricot yellow pleated skirt, her hair arranged in a yuanbao bun, jewelry jingling, with sweet and pleasing features and dimples on her cheeks somewhat similar to Old Madam’s.

“Oh my, am I late today?” The woman looked around at everyone in surprise, seeming very surprised about her tardiness, then immediately put on a sweet smile: “Father, Mother, please forgive your daughter-in-law this once? You both know that normally I’m most eager to come pay respects and rarely arrive late. Your daughter-in-law kowtows to you both.”

So saying, she quickly pulled the little girl standing beside her to kneel properly in the center of the room and kowtowed respectfully.

After she rose, the younger generation like Ren Yaoqi came forward to greet her, calling her “Fifth Aunt.”

Old Madam glanced at her: “I was just thinking the household rules were about to be abandoned, with one after another claiming illness and not coming. I was planning to discuss with Old Master eliminating these morning and evening greetings altogether to suit your wishes.”

Hearing this, Fifth Madam Lin Shi wasn’t afraid but covered her mouth and laughed, looking very charming: “What are you saying, Mother? I don’t know about other daughters-in-law, but if I don’t come to Ronghua Garden daily to serve you, I can’t even eat with an appetite. My Jade’er is the same way, isn’t that right, Jade’er?” After speaking, she gently tugged her daughter’s sleeve.

Eighth Miss Ren Yaoyu resembled her mother seven or eight parts. Hearing this, she quickly glanced at Old Madam and nodded.

Old Madam gave a light snort, but her expression remained normal, not appearing displeased, obviously not truly angry.

“Father, Mother, let your daughter-in-law serve you your meal.”

Lin Shi made a show of removing a pair of jade bracelets from her wrists, casually handing them to a nearby maid to hold, then stepped forward to stand beside Old Madam, picking up silver chopsticks to prepare serving food.

Old Madam glared at her: “Enough, what are you pretending for now? You’re in the way! You’re not needed here – let your eldest sister-in-law and nephew’s wife do it.”

Lin Shi smiled with pursed lips and didn’t insist, returning the silver chopsticks to Eldest Madam while laughing: “Mother dislikes me for being clumsy and incompetent. Eldest sister-in-law always pleases her more than I do.”

Eldest Madam smiled modestly and didn’t argue with her.

Old Madam looked at Lin Shi, then at Ren Yaoyu, who had seemed restless since entering and kept glancing toward the south window.