“Fourth Sister had her hair shaved off in the woodshed at the Ren Retreat House last night? Who would be so bold?” Ren Yaoqi asked in shock.

Ren Yaohua shook her head: “Grandmother has already had Nanny Gui call everyone at the Retreat House in for questioning one by one, but couldn’t get any answers. The key to the woodshed has always been kept in Grandmother’s room, and it was only brought out by Nanny Gui early this morning. But the lock on the woodshed was intact and didn’t look like it had been tampered with. Moreover, there were people keeping watch near the woodshed all night. The women on night duty said they didn’t slack off or fall asleep, but they also didn’t hear any sounds. It would be impossible for someone to pass right in front of them without being noticed. I don’t think it was someone from the Retreat House. What do you think?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded – she also didn’t believe it was done by someone from the Ren family.

The Retreat House currently houses only Old Madam Ren and Madam Fang with her son. Madam Fang had no grudge against Ren Yaoyin and wouldn’t harm her, and even if she wanted to, she couldn’t manage it.

As for the Ren family servants, that was even more impossible. With Old Madam present, the servants below could only serve carefully. Who would dare cause trouble at this time? Insubordination was something no family would tolerate. Moreover, regardless of Ren Yaoyin’s true nature, in the eyes of the Ren family’s maids and servants, she was still a gentle, even-tempered master who was extremely easy to serve, making her quite popular.

But if it was someone from outside, who would be so idle as to sneak into the Ren Retreat House just to shave off Ren Yaoyin’s hair? This was too baffling.

Ren Yaohua said, “I originally thought it might be the County Princess who sent someone to get revenge for you, but if it was her, you should know about it.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “The County Princess wouldn’t do such a thing.” She might go after Wu Yiyu, but not Ren Yaoyin.

“Do you think it could be Wu Daxiaojie wanting revenge on her, so she sent someone to do it?” Ren Yaohua frowned.

Ren Yaoqi thought about it, somewhat uncertain: “Wu Daxiaojie is possible, but right now she should be thinking about settling accounts with Second Young Master Yun, and then with me and the County Princess. Even if Fourth Sister were to be targeted for revenge, it shouldn’t be happening now.”

Moreover, Ren Yaoqi felt that for Wu Yiyu, shaving someone’s hair would at most be considered playful mischief. If she wanted revenge, she would directly slash Ren Yaoyin’s face. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent them poisonous spiders just because she found her and Xiao Jinglin displeasing.

Ren Yaohua said, “If it’s none of them, could it be some ghost or spirit?” The maids and servants at theRetreat House all said Fourth Miss had encountered evil spirits and been targeted by some unknown demons or ghosts who shaved her hair.

Body, hair, and skin are received from one’s parents. Since ancient times, there had been sayings about using hair as a substitute body – shaving off the hair was equivalent to using the hair to replace Ren Yaoyin as a person.

However, Ren Yaoqi suddenly thought of someone – someone who had the ability to enter the Ren family’sRetreat House at night without being discovered, and was malicious and bored enough to do such a thing.

Years ago, that young man had stood in front of her with his arms crossed, examining her hair while saying with ill intent: “Ren Yaoqi, if you don’t obediently let this young master slap you back, this young master will sneak into your room at night and shave off all your hair, turning you into a nun!”

At the time, she had only rolled her eyes at him, but afterward she worried terribly, personally checking all doors and windows before sleeping each night.

It seemed that whenever Yun Wenfang was mentioned, Ren Yaoqi could only think of unpleasant memories.

But why would this young master bother with Ren Yaoyin for no good reason?

Ren Yaohua saw Ren Yaoqi looking thoughtful and asked: “What are you thinking of?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head – it was just speculation.

“With something like this happening, Old Madam definitely won’t want to stay at the Retreat House any longer. We’ll probably have to rush back to Bailu Town today,” Ren Yaohua said. “Isn’t your luggage still at Aunt’s place? Should we send someone to pack it now?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment: “I’d like to stay one more day and leave tomorrow. I need to say goodbye to Aunt, and the County Princess has some matters to discuss with me.”

Ren Yaohua frowned upon hearing this, then said: “Fine. Handle your affairs as you see fit. Grandmother should agree to it. Just be careful on the road.”

At this moment, someone came from outside saying the Ren family’s carriage could be arranged to leave.

Because of Ren Yaoyin’s incident, Eldest Madam wanted to leave early, so she sent someone to inform Eldest Madam Yun. Therefore, the Ren family left relatively early.

After the maids and servants loaded everything onto the carriage, Ren Yaoqi also got into the carriage with Ren Yaohua.

When Eldest Madam came out of the room, her eyes were red and swollen, and her face showed complete exhaustion. Ren Yaoqi had never seen Eldest Madam in such a disheveled state. She hurriedly got into the carriage with Nanny Cao’s support, not even noticing when Ren Yaoqi bowed to her.

Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaoyu must have heard some rumors, too, since Eldest Madam’s emotions were too exposed today. However, since Ren Yaoyin usually had decent relationships with them, they didn’t show any gloating expressions.

The carriage left the hot spring manor and drove back to the Ren Retreat House.

Eldest Madam hurried away as soon as she got out of the carriage. The remaining young ladies exchanged glances, then all went to Old Madam’s courtyard.

Old Madam was also severely shaken by what happened last night. She had investigated all morning without finding any answers. She didn’t dare keep Ren Yaoyin locked in the woodshed anymore and had servants carry her back to Ren Yaoyin’s room in the Retreat House.

When Ren Yaoqi and the others entered to pay their respects, Old Madam was reclining on the kang with her eyes closed, having her maid Jin Lian massage her temples. After the granddaughters finished their bows, she waved for Jin Lian to withdraw, opened her eyes to look at them, then fixed her gaze on Ren Yaoqi.

“You all may withdraw first. Go pack and prepare to return to Bailu Town. Qi’er and Hua’er stay – I have something to tell you.”

Ren Yaoying and Ren Yaoyu withdrew.

Old Madam Ren showed a kindly smile and beckoned to Ren Yaoqi, who lowered her head and stepped forward.

Old Madam Ren touched Ren Yaoqi’s head. Ren Yaoqi tried her best to ignore the goosebumps that sprang up all over her body and worked hard to appear meek and obedient.

“I heard you performed well at the Thousand Gold Banquet and even won runner-up?”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and replied: “This time I benefited from the County Princess’s influence.”

Old Madam Ren nodded and smiled: “Regardless, you brought honor to our Ren family this time. Tell Grandmother what you want, and Grandmother will reward you with it.”

“Thank you, Grandmother. Your granddaughter lacks nothing at home.”

Old Madam Ren chuckled: “You child. Very well, since you won’t speak up, how about I reward you with some treasured jewelry from my collection when we return?”

Ren Yaoqi quietly thanked her.

Old Madam Ren nodded, then suddenly asked: “Does the County Princess have any other thoughts?”

Ren Yaoqi didn’t understand: “What does Grandmother mean?”

Old Madam Ren said thoughtfully: “You must have heard about your Fourth Sister’s matter. She did such a shameful thing and deserves some punishment. Your grandfather and I won’t protect her. If the County Princess has any other thoughts…”

This time, Ren Yaoqi understood. Old Madam Ren also suspected that the County Princess had secretly sent someone to shave Ren Yaoyin’s hair for revenge.

However, Old Madam Ren’s attitude made Ren Yaoqi’s heart grow cold. Old Madam’s position was clear: if the County Princess felt Ren Yaoyin’s punishment wasn’t enough, the Ren family wouldn’t shield her either. If a granddaughter’s life could appease the Yanbei Prince’s Manor’s anger, Old Madam Ren wouldn’t mind handing Ren Yaoyin over.

Suppressing her inner discomfort, Ren Yaoqi said: “Fourth Sister’s matter has nothing to do with the County Princess. I’ve been with the County Princess the whole time – I would know everything she did. The Prince’s Manor wouldn’t do such things either.”

If the Yanbei Prince’s Manor wanted to punish Ren Yaoyin, it wouldn’t be as simple as just losing her hair.

Old Madam Ren’s suspicious heart finally relaxed: “You two go pack as well.”

Ren Yaoqi then brought up staying in Yunyang City for one more day. With the County Princess as a shield, Old Madam Ren agreed almost without hesitation.

After Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua left Old Madam’s courtyard, they encountered Madam Fang and Fang Shuzhou. Madam Fang remained composed and dignified, but no longer had the high spirits she’d shown when first arriving in Yunyang City.

Ren Yaohua and Madam Fang had some unpleasantness when they stayed at theRetreat House together. Both sides greeted each other politely, then passed by.

Madam Fang had been in Yunyang City for quite some time, but ultimately returned empty-handed. The appointments for Yanbei officials had been issued, and Fang Yacun was not among them.

Madam Fang would depart for Jiangnan tomorrow – she was going to bid farewell to Old Madam Ren.

Ren Yaoqi sat in Ren Yaohua’s courtyard for a while before calling for a carriage to the Lin Manor.

Ren Shijia was very happy to hear that Ren Yaoqi had won a championship at the Thousand Gold Banquet, then sighed repeatedly upon hearing about Ren Yaoyin’s incident.

Ren Yaoqi had always felt this aunt didn’t seem like a Ren family member – she was pure and genuine, never harboring ill will. Ren Yaoqi truly hoped she could live well.

In the afternoon, Ren Yaoqi was carefully organizing some books and paintings she had collected during her time in Yunyang City, planning to take them back tomorrow as gifts for her father, when Ren Shijia came looking for her, carrying little Cen.

“Qi’er, I’ll return to Bailu Town with you tomorrow.” Ren Shijia’s face showed no smile.

Ren Yaoqi was startled: “Aunt, what happened?”

Ren Shijia gently patted Lin Cen on her arms while sighing: “Madam Han passed away today.”

“Madam Han?” Ren Yaoqi was surprised.

Ren Shijia nodded: “The Lin family must also pay condolences. Tomorrow you’ll go with me and your uncle.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t clearly remember when Madam Han had died in her previous life, but it was vaguely around this time.

No wonder she hadn’t seen Han You and Han Yunqian at the Thousand Gold Banquet – Madam Han must have been unwell for the past few days.