Clever as Concubine Fang was, she was now somewhat puzzled.
She had never felt that the things she had done over the years could be hidden from certain clever people in the Ren family. Everyone had coexisted peacefully all along, so she didn’t know why the Eastern Residence would interfere at this particular moment.
With such family scandal breaking out in the Ren family, Old Master Ren was the most furious. After the Kang and Liu families were settled, Old Master Ren severely scolded Old Madam Ren. However, considering Old Madam Ren’s dignity in front of the younger generation, Old Master Ren was quite measured and closed the doors to discipline her.
Since marrying into the Ren family, Old Madam Ren and Old Master Ren had always been in harmony as husband and wife, appearing very harmonious in front of outsiders. They had cooperated for decades and rarely quarreled. When Old Madam Ren occasionally had minor episodes, Old Master Ren would turn a blind eye. But this time, the loss of face was truly enormous.
Old Madam Ren also understood that she had done wrong. After being scolded, she couldn’t retort. Though her heart was extremely frustrated, after a few days, she still followed Old Master Ren’s instructions to release Ren Yaoyu and lift Fifth Madam Lin Shi’s house arrest.
Ren Yaoyu was, after all, just a teenage girl. This incident had dealt her an enormous blow. In just a few days, she had lost a full circle of weight. When released, she appeared listless, lacking the spirited energy typical of girls her age.
On the contrary, Fifth Madam Lin Shi came out with a radiant complexion. When looking at people, it was as if through two pools of autumn water, appearing decades younger.
Through this incident, Fifth Master benefited from misfortune and regained Fifth Madam’s acceptance. The two were now like newlyweds, constantly clinging together sweetly. Even their daughter Ren Yaoyu had to step aside.
As for the insignificant Concubine Kang and her ilk, they had long been forgotten by the couple.
If someone were to stand before Fifth Master Ren Shimao now and point at him, asking: “What about your vows of eternal love to Concubine Kang? What about the promised care?” Fifth Master would reward you with an eye roll and an additional gift of his enchanting departing figure.
The first day of the fifth month was the birthday of Old Madam Liao from the Eastern Residence.
Liao Shi had turned fifty the year before last, when Su Shi had also organized grand celebrations for her. The distant Second Old Master and Fourth Master from the Eastern Residence in the capital had both returned to Baihezhen. Liao Shi’s fiftieth birthday had been celebrated magnificently.
This year was just an ordinary birthday. Second Old Master didn’t return, and Fourth Master was too busy to come back either. However, birthday gifts had been sent half a month in advance – two generous cartloads including everything from fabric to food.
Originally, Su Shi had wanted to arrange ten or twenty tables for Liao Shi this year and invite an opera troupe to liven up the household. Unexpectedly, Liao Shi had consulted an old nun who came begging for alms last time. The nun calculated that this year’s fortune was poor and unsuitable for extravagance, as it would shorten one’s lifespan.
So in the end, Su Shi only invited people from the Western Residence, treating it as a family gathering. No outsiders were invited at all.
The Eastern and Western Residences were separated by only half a wall. Coming and going between the two sides saved the trouble of carriages and horses.
No matter how much Liao Shi disliked associating with the Western Residence people, the Eastern and Western Residences hadn’t truly separated households after all. Such matters of face still had to be maintained.
Ren Yaoqi and the other younger generation followed Old Madam Ren to the Eastern Residence. As a special existence in the Ren family, Concubine Fang was allowed by Old Madam Ren to appear publicly, same as in previous years.
Besides Concubine Fang, who respectfully followed behind Li Shi, Ren Yaoqi also saw Ren Yaoying, who hadn’t appeared before the crowd for a long time.
Since Ren Yaoying had lost face in front of everyone before New Year’s, she hadn’t shown herself for most of half a year. Seeing her again this time, Ren Yaoqi felt that Ren Yaoying was different from before.
When coming to pay respects to Li Shi, Ren Yaoying kept her eyes downcast and spoke much more softly than before, appearing considerably more demure. Apart from growing taller, her appearance hadn’t changed much – still fair and delicate.
In the past, her arch-nemesis Ren Yaoyu would certainly have launched into cold mockery upon seeing her. But recently, Ren Yaoyu had also been quite unlucky. Wherever she went, she appeared listless, looking far worse than Ren Yaoying. Moreover, Old Madam Ren’s temper hadn’t been good these past days, so no one dared provoke trouble at this time. Therefore, Ren Yaoying’s reappearance didn’t cause much commotion.
The elders played leaf cards in the main hall of the Eastern Residence, while Ren Yaoqi and the Ren family sisters drank tea and chatted in the side hall.
Today, the Ren family sisters had rarely gathered together again, yet the atmosphere couldn’t be called lively.
Ren Yaoyu and Ren Yaoying sat far apart from each other, neither acknowledging the other nor speaking up. Ren Yaohua had a cool temperament and rarely spoke. So only Ren Yaoting, Ren Yaoyin, and Ren Yaoqi occasionally exchanged a few words.
Ren Yaoting couldn’t hold back first and said to Ren Yaoqi: “Fifth Sister, I’m going to freshen up. Do you want to come along?” While secretly winking at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi nodded, and the two left the side hall together.
Passing by the main hall, Ren Yaoqi glanced inside. The two Old Madams of the Ren family, plus First Madam and Second Madam, were gathered around a table playing leaf cards. Concubine Fang had moved a small stool to sit behind Old Madam Ren, offering advice and strategies. First Young Madam sat behind First Madam, observing. Fifth Madam Lin Shi wasn’t in the main hall – only Third Madam sat alone to one side, drinking tea.
Ren Yaoqi was accustomed to such scenes. Her mother had never truly integrated into the Ren family’s social circle during all her years of marriage.
When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoting came out after freshening up, they saw that Ren Yaoying had also come.
Seeing the two of them, Ren Yaoying appeared somewhat unnatural. She nodded and quickly walked away.
Only after Ren Yaoying’s figure entered the side room for freshening up did Ren Yaoting burst into laughter with a “puchi” sound. She leaned close to Ren Yaoqi’s ear and whispered: “I bet Ninth Sister now feels uncomfortable whenever she hears the words ‘freshen up.’ When we came out, she didn’t come. She had to sneak around by herself.”
Ren Yaoqi just smiled and changed the subject. However, she noticed that besides Ren Yaoying’s maids, Concubine Fang’s head maid, Jin Ju, was also following her. The previous incident still left Ren Yaoying with lingering fears.
As the two were about to reach the corridor beside the main hall, Ren Yaoqi stopped Ren Yaoting: “It’s a bit stuffy inside. Let’s sit here for a while.”
The main hall used for banquets in the Eastern Courtyard had corridors of moderate length on both east and west sides instead of side rooms. In front was a square courtyard, while behind grew a circle of shrubs with dense green shade. The main hall would be very cold in winter without burning ground dragons, but it was quite cool in summer.
Ren Yaoting laughed: “I also don’t like going in to watch them stare at each other with big eyes. I see there’s still plenty of time before the banquet. Let’s sit for a while, then.”
Saying this, Ren Yaoting first sat down on the green-painted horizontal railing of the corridor. Ren Yaoqi sat beside her.
The environment here was quiet and secluded. Occasionally, they could hear a few bird calls and insect chirping, much more elegant than the main hall of the Western Residence.
The two chatted desultorily. Ren Yaoting asked Ren Yaoqi about the aftermath of Concubine Kang’s miscarriage last time. She had been staying obediently in the Eastern Residence recently without visiting the Western Residence. Su Shi had been watching her somewhat strictly because after returning from the Western Residence last time, she had consecutive nightmares for several days. Only after an old nun gave her a bowl of talisman water did she recover.
Though she had been quite frightened, her curiosity remained. Seeing Ren Yaoqi now, she began inquiring. She had even guiltily sent away all her maids and servants.
Ren Yaoqi was selectively sharing unimportant details when she suddenly and seamlessly shifted the topic: “Today, the residence isn’t as lively as it was two years ago. I remember when Great-Aunt’s fiftieth birthday was celebrated last time, guests from Yunyang City came early in the morning. The main hall here couldn’t accommodate everyone, so they also opened Rongjin Hall in the Western Residence.”
Ren Yaoting pouted: “Originally, my mother said she wanted to invite the Dexin Opera Troupe from Yunyang City to perform. It was booked a month in advance. A few days ago, an old nun came and spoke about this and that. My grandmother then said we wouldn’t invite guests or have opera this year.”
“But I heard from the servants below that quite a few people have come to the residence to send gifts these past days.”
Ren Yaoting said dismissively: “Apart from Fourth Uncle sending two cartloads of gifts from the capital, it’s just tribute from managers in various places.” After thinking, Ren Yaoting added, “The Su and Lin families from Yunyang City also sent managers.”
Ren Yaoting had been learning some household management by Su Shi’s side recently, so she knew something about these ceremonial exchanges.
“This time the Lin family’s birthday gift was even more generous than two years ago,” Ren Yaoting said casually.
Ren Yaoqi turned her head and smiled at her: “Your memory is so good? You still remember what gifts each family sent two years ago?”
Ren Yaoting glared at Ren Yaoqi: “You don’t know – my mother has been showing me the gift lists from recent years. She said it’s to teach me about these ceremonial exchanges. I remember last time the Lin family’s major gift was a red coral sculpture. This time, they sent a white jade Guanyin statue. The day before yesterday, when I went to my mother’s main room, I happened to meet the Lin family servant woman who came to deliver gifts. She casually gave me a purse containing two dragon-eye-sized golden pearls, saying it was from Lin First Madam to calm my nerves.”
Ren Yaoting nudged Ren Yaoqi with her elbow, winking: “No wonder Fifth Aunt and Eighth Sister usually don’t take you seriously. The Lin family is so generous with their gifts – they have deep pockets.”
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said, “Isn’t the Lin family close to our family? Are you complaining about them being generous to you?”
Ren Yaoting smiled smugly: “Of course, I have no complaints. I’m flattered, okay? My mother put those pearls away, saying they’ll be used for my jewelry later. But the Lin family was never this generous before. I haven’t seen pearls of that quality at Fifth Aunt’s or Eighth Sister’s place.”
“Could it be because the Lin family has closer relations with your maternal family?” Ren Yaoqi asked puzzledly.
Ren Yaoting tilted her head thoughtfully, somewhat uncertain: “My mother hasn’t mentioned this to me. But last time when I was in Yunyang City, I went with my eldest aunt to visit the Lin family. My eldest aunt is quite close to several Lin family madams.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded as if understanding: “No wonder when Lin First Madam visited our Western Residence last time, she mentioned Su First Madam and Lin Third Madam, as if the two had quite good private relations.”
Ren Yaoting didn’t care much about this matter. Hearing Ren Yaoqi’s words, she didn’t take it to heart.
Whether it was Lin Third Madam or Lin Second Madam made no difference to her. She didn’t understand these things, so her attention quickly shifted elsewhere.
However, Ren Yaoqi caught sight of someone turning and retreating down a small path not far away. Shortly after, Ren Yaoying emerged from the small path with several maids and servants.
As the group passed by Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoting, Ren Yaoqi’s eyes swept over the hem of Concubine Fang’s maid Jin Ju’s dress before looking away.
Someone had been eavesdropping behind the shrubs while she and Ren Yaoting were talking. Ren Yaoqi had noticed early on but hadn’t spoken up.
Presumably, that person, seeing that Ren Yaoting had sent all her people far away, thought they were discussing something private.
Ren Yaoqi had deliberately mentioned Lin Third Madam earlier.
The prominent families of Yanbei intermarried with each other. After several generations, the more deeply rooted families like the Rens had increasingly complex relationships – each family could somehow be connected to others.
The matter of Concubine Fang’s sister-in-law coming to Yanbei finally reminded Ren Yaoqi of something.
Fang Yasun was coming to Yanbei as an official. His wife’s visit to Yanbei this time wasn’t simply to attend Ren Shijia’s son’s full-month celebration – she was coming to pave the way for her husband. Yunyang City, as the seat of the Yanbei Prince’s residence, was essentially the hub of all Yanbei factions. Naturally, connections had to be established first.
Fang Yasun wanted to compete for an official position in Yanbei, with Yanzhou being the best vacancy. However, Ren Yaoqi remembered that in her previous life, Fang Yasun hadn’t managed to stay in Yanzhou. Instead, a Su family relative who came with the same batch of local officials appointed by the court to Yanbei had remained in Yanzhou.
Ren Yaoqi had already inquired before – that person was Su First Madam’s maternal brother, just a regular jinshi graduate, hoping to use the Su family’s connections to become a minor local official in Yanbei. Meanwhile, Lin Third Madam’s uncle was a powerful official responsible for Yanbei’s personnel assignments, equivalent to a Ministry of Personnel official in the court.
Although the court had the authority to dispatch officials to Yanbei, how these officials were ultimately arranged was still up to the Yanbei Prince’s residence.
The maid Jin Ju who had eavesdropped on their conversation indeed returned to the residence and reported what she had heard to Concubine Fang.
“Lin Third Madam?” Concubine Fang lowered her eyes and pondered carefully. The pair of jade butterfly earrings swaying by her ears cast delicate shadows in the lamplight. She always liked to wear such small flowing tasseled earrings, giving her the distinctive gentleness of a Jiangnan woman.
After a long while, Concubine Fang’s brow furrowed slightly, as if somewhat surprised, she raised her head: “So that’s how it is.”