Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua followed behind Ren Shimin toward the main room.

From time to time, Ren Shimin would turn to tell Ren Yaoqi about his participation in the painting gathering in the capital.

“This time, the top prize was won by Prince Yan Bei’s heir with his ‘Autumn Residence at East Manor,’ but what Father liked most was Elder Chen Jingyang’s ‘Passing Through the Plum Grove.’ It truly possessed ancient elegance and refined charm, with flawless brushwork, exquisite ink usage, varied composition, and magnificent coloring—”

Seeing how he became excited and animated whenever he talked about painting, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile: “Didn’t Father also participate this time? I remember it was your most prized piece, ‘Four Scenes of West Mountain.'”

Ren Shimin’s words halted, and he looked somewhat bashful: “This was Father’s first time participating in a painting gathering. Before going to the capital, I was quite confident, thinking that even if I didn’t win first place, I would surely be among the top three. But after seeing Elder Chen’s painting, Father deeply realized that I had been like the man of Yelang who thought too highly of himself—”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “Elder Chen is already past sixty, while Father, you haven’t even reached thirty. When he was your age, he might not have been better than you. I’ve heard people say that while painting relies heavily on foundational skills and techniques, one’s life experiences cannot be ignored either. Even for the same person, the autumn scenery he sees at thirty is different from what he sees at fifty. Different perspectives and mindsets naturally produce different brushwork.”

Hearing this, Ren Shimin was astonished and even stopped walking to ponder these words carefully. Then he turned to look at Ren Yaoqi with hearty laughter: “Yaoqi, what you say is quite novel, yet extremely reasonable. I wonder which master you heard this from? Father must seek him out for guidance.”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head with a smile, her thoughts drifting somewhat.

It was quite a pity that her father’s “Four Scenes of West Mountain” didn’t participate in this year’s painting gathering. This painting was the only thing she had taken from the Ren mansion when she left. Later, when Master Pei accidentally saw it, he was amazed and kept asking where the artist was. When he learned it was her deceased father, he was filled with regret.

Master Pei had once discussed this painting with some of his friends, and they all said the artist possessed an extraordinary spiritual essence, only lacking some refinement. Given time, he would surely have become famous throughout the land. Spiritual essence was the most precious and indispensable soul for any artist.

“Yaoqi?” Ren Shimin leaned over and gently patted her head.

Ren Yaoqi said with displeasure: “Father, how many times have I told you not to pat my head!” Her tone unconsciously carried a little girl’s petulance, which startled even herself.

But Ren Shimin was already accustomed to his younger daughter’s occasional acts of coquetry and laughed heartily: “For someone so young to be so clever, it must be thanks to Father’s daily head-patting—this is called a ‘wake-up call’!”

Seeing his self-satisfied expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile. In the eyes of everyone in the Ren family, Ren Yaohua was smarter and more sensible than Ren Yaoqi, and her mother was no exception.

Only her father thought his younger daughter was better than anyone else.

From a young age, she had shown talent in painting that surpassed her peers. To compete with her sister and win her father’s favor, she was willing to work hard at calligraphy and painting.

Although Master Pei later criticized her paintings as being too eager for quick success and overly mechanical, saying she could never become a true master, in her father’s eyes, this daughter, who could discuss music, chess, calligraphy, and painting with him at such a young age, was the most like him.

Because of this, while he was indifferent toward his other children, he doted on her especially.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Ren Yaohua beside her. Ren Yaohua had been very quiet throughout the journey. She was always quite silent when facing Ren Shimin. She wasn’t close to her father.

While talking and laughing, they had arrived at the main room.

Nanny Zhou had already been craning her neck at the doorway, and seeing the three of them approach, she hurried forward with a smile to pay her respects: “Master, you’ve finally returned! Madam and the two young misses have been thinking of you constantly. Hearing that heavy snow had blocked several roads outside the city and many merchants were stranded halfway, knowing you had already departed from the capital, Madam was extremely worried and sent several groups of people to gather news—”

Ren Shimin nodded slightly at her and led the way into the main room.

Li Shi had already received news of Ren Shimin’s return. She had someone fix her hair and changed into brighter-colored clothing, sitting propped against the head of the bed. When she heard voices outside, her gaze fixed on the curtain.

When the father and daughters entered, Li Shi quickly sat up straight, looking at Ren Shimin with some restraint: “You… you’ve returned—”

Ren Shimin smiled slightly and nodded, then found a chair close to the bed and sat down, saying gently, “I heard you were ill. Has a physician examined you? What medicine are you taking?”

Li Shi answered each question carefully.

The husband and wife exchanged questions and answers, with Ren Shimin seeming to go through the motions, thorough yet distant. Li Shi, however, answered each question cautiously, afraid of using even one inappropriate word.

After Ren Shimin finished his questions, the couple had nothing more to say. One looked down while drinking tea, the other stared blankly at her clasped hands.

Nanny Zhou watched anxiously from the side, constantly giving Li Shi meaningful looks.

Seeing this, Li Shi bit her lip and finally gathered the courage to initiate conversation.

“I heard earlier that you wouldn’t arrive for several more days, but unexpectedly you returned today.”

Nanny Zhou couldn’t help but cover her forehead secretly, thinking to herself: How does this sound like she’s unhappy he returned so early?

Fortunately, Ren Shimin didn’t mind. He put down his teacup and nodded: “I happened to meet people from the Han family. With more people, it was convenient to clear the roads.”

Li Shi said hesitantly: “Oh, the Han family.”

The Han family had newly moved to Bahe Crane Town. Li Shi had rarely gone out for social engagements before, and having spent a year at the manor, she had no impression of them, so she couldn’t continue the conversation.

Nanny Zhou quickly said, “Then we should prepare a gift to send to the Han mansion to express our thanks.”

Li Shi immediately nodded: “Yes, yes, yes, Nanny Zhou—”

Ren Shimin frowned slightly, seeming somewhat displeased as he interrupted Li Shi: “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve already prepared a gift.”