Ren Yaohua was startled, frantically blocking Lei Ting’s wandering hands, but when she looked up, she met Lei Ting’s teasing eyes.

“Call me something nice and I’ll spare you,” Lei Ting said hoarsely, leaning down to kiss Ren Yaohua’s lips.

Ren Yaohua was already exhausted, afraid Lei Ting would misbehave. In her urgency, inspiration struck: “Husband… husband…”

Lei Ting thought for a moment and was finally satisfied. He tidied up Ren Yaohua’s disheveled clothing, pulled her into his arms again, and stroked her back, closing his eyes: “Good girl.”

Ren Yaohua: “…”

Being held against Lei Ting’s chest, Ren Yaohua stared at the man before her and couldn’t help thinking: Had she gotten on a pirate ship? What kind of judgment did she possess back then to see this man as a gentleman?

That night, Ren Yaohua finally fell into a hazy sleep in Lei Ting’s arms. Though she wasn’t used to having another person beside her while sleeping, Lei Ting’s scent made her feel very secure.

The Lei family no longer had proper elders alive, so on the second day after the wedding, Ren Yaohua didn’t need to serve tea and pay respects to anyone. When Lei Ting woke first and saw Ren Yaohua still sleeping, he didn’t rush to wake her. When Ren Yaohua leisurely awakened on her own, Lei Ting was sitting on the kang by the south window, reading a small booklet.

Hearing movement, Lei Ting put down his booklet, stood up, and walked to the bedside.

“Awake?” Lei Ting’s tone remained as steady as usual, revealing no particular emotion.

Ren Yaohua became fully alert, looking at him somewhat dazedly, then remembering their intimacy from the night before, she felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Lei… husband…” Ren Yaohua was about to greet him when she immediately corrected herself upon speaking, nearly biting her tongue. After calling out, Ren Yaohua looked at Lei Ting warily, afraid he would tease her as he had the night before.

Fortunately, Lei Ting only raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes holding some amusement: “I’ll have the maids come in to help you wash and groom. After breakfast, we’ll go to the ancestral hall.”

Though the Lei family no longer had elders, Ren Yaohua still needed to visit the Lei family ancestral hall.

Hearing this, Ren Yaohua realized it must be quite late already and felt somewhat uneasy: “Why didn’t you wake me earlier? If we’re late to the ancestral hall and people find out, it wouldn’t be proper.”

Lei Ting had been about to leave to call the maids in for Ren Yaohua, but hearing this, he stopped and turned back. Under Ren Yaohua’s surprised gaze, he reached out to gently pat her head, his words solemn: “From yesterday on, you are already the mistress of the Lei household. Apart from me, you are the highest authority in the Lei family, so you don’t need to explain your actions to anyone. Remember this, understood?”

Ren Yaohua was stunned. Seeing the firm look in Lei Ting’s eyes, she nodded seriously: “I understand… husband.”

Lei Ting was very satisfied. He gently squeezed her shoulder, then went out to call for servants.

After Ren Yaohua finished washing and grooming, Lei Pan’er came.

She was led by a maid and respectfully paid her respects to Lei Ting and Ren Yaohua with such an earnest expression that Ren Yaohua was stunned for quite a while. But after Lei Pan’er rose, she reverted to her old ways and rushed to Ren Yaohua’s side: “Mother! Mother, how did I fall asleep yesterday? Why didn’t you wake me? Didn’t we agree I would keep you company?” At the end, she even pouted with dissatisfaction.

Seeing her, Ren Yaohua’s mood grew even better: “You were sleeping too deeply, I couldn’t wake you.” Seeing Lei Pan’er frown, she added with amusement, “But even though you were asleep, you still stayed with me until the end. Your father only had someone take you back after he returned.”

Lei Pan’er became happy again upon hearing this.

Lei Ting walked to the outer room and called back: “Come eat.”

Lei Pan’er took Ren Yaohua’s hand and bounced out: “Mother, from now on, can Pan’er eat with you every day?”

After breakfast, Lei Ting first had Lei Pan’er sent to Lei Zhen’s courtyard, then took Ren Yaohua to the ancestral hall.

Though the Lei family didn’t have many living members, there were quite a few memorial tablets in the ancestral hall. After completing all the proper rituals, it was already quite late when they emerged.

“The second brother and the others are in the flower hall. Let’s go see them,” Lei Ting said to Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaohua withdrew her gaze from examining the surroundings and quietly agreed.

“This afternoon, if you have nothing else to do, have Pan’er show you around the estate to familiarize yourself with the household.” Since Ren Yaohua had never set foot in the Lei family before, Lei Ting was concerned about her convenience.

“Mm.”

Next, Lei Ting deliberately slowed his pace, occasionally pointing to surrounding buildings to tell Ren Yaohua what they were. Ren Yaohua felt very warmed by Lei Ting’s thoughtfulness, constantly wearing a smile, though she didn’t notice.

As they were approaching the flower hall, Lei Ting suddenly changed the subject: “This afternoon, have Pan’er move to the main courtyard. Let her live in the west wing. It’s ultimately inappropriate for her to always stay in her second brother’s courtyard. From now on, you should be the one to guide her education.”

Ren Yaohua had the same thought. Since she was Lei Ting’s wife, she naturally should be responsible for raising and educating the children. She just hadn’t had the opportunity to speak to Lei Ting about it since marrying into the Lei family, so hearing Lei Ting bring it up, she nodded: “I was thinking the same thing.”

When the two arrived at the flower hall, Lei Zhen was already there. Besides Lei Zhen, Lei Pan’er and Xiao Qiao Shi were also present. Lei Zhen was sitting in a chair drinking tea, while Xiao Qiao Shi was speaking quietly to Lei Pan’er about something.

Lei Zhen looked up when he saw Lei Ting and Ren Yaohua, quickly standing to bow and cheerfully calling: “Elder brother, sister-in-law.”

Lei Ting nodded, while Ren Yaohua returned the courtesy.

Xiao Qiao Shi also stood and bowed her head in greeting, then inconspicuously took Lei Pan’er’s hand, stopping her from moving forward. Lei Pan’er looked at Xiao Qiao Shi and blinked, ultimately not struggling free from her grasp, only giving Ren Yaohua a sweet smile.

This was Ren Yaohua’s first time seeing Xiao Qiao Shi. Seeing that she remained silent, Ren Yaohua took the initiative to exchange some pleasantries as a greeting, maintaining proper etiquette that no one could fault.

After everyone was seated, they casually chatted about family matters, though from beginning to end, it was mainly Lei Ting, Lei Zhen, and Ren Yaohua talking, while Xiao Qiao Shi never interjected. Lei Zhen had a gentler and more cheerful disposition than Lei Ting, always wearing a smile when speaking. When talking with Ren Yaohua, he showed no constraint, though his attitude was very respectful.

Suddenly Lei Ting said: “I’ve already discussed with your sister-in-law. This afternoon we’ll have Pan’er move back to the west wing of the main courtyard. Thank you for your hard work these past few years, second brother.”

Lei Zhen wasn’t surprised by this and smiled: “Elder brother, what are you saying? If you hadn’t brought it up, I would have been happy to play dumb and keep Pan’er at my place. But now that sister-in-law has entered the family, it’s proper in every way for her to return.” He turned to wink at Lei Pan’er, “Just don’t cry and miss your second uncle.”

Lei Pan’er made a face at Lei Ting, then looked at Ren Yaohua with rare shyness. Though she didn’t speak, she wasn’t opposed to the arrangement.

But upon hearing this, Xiao Qiao Shi’s face went pale. She suddenly looked up at Lei Ting and Ren Yaohua, opening her mouth, but she had no standing to suggest that Lei Pan’er move to her place instead. And no one in the Lei household thought to ask for her opinion.

Suddenly, Lei Pan’er frowned and instinctively tried to pull her hand free from Xiao Qiao Shi’s grasp. Xiao Qiao Shi had suddenly tightened her grip, making her hand hurt. Fortunately, Xiao Qiao Shi quickly realized and loosened her hold. Lei Pan’er looked up at her but said nothing.

Ren Yaohua noticed this detail and put down her teacup, beckoning to Lei Pan’er: “Pan’er, come here. Your hair ornament is crooked. Let Xiangqin fix it for you.”

Lei Pan’er instinctively started to release Xiao Qiao Shi’s hand and walk over, but was held firmly by Xiao Qiao Shi. Lei Pan’er paused mid-step and turned to look at Xiao Qiao Shi. Xiao Qiao Shi pressed her lips together and let go. Lei Pan’er then walked to Ren Yaohua and was led away by Xiangqin, who had come up from behind Ren Yaohua.

Xiao Qiao Shi took a deep breath and suddenly spoke: “I heard Madam just visited the ancestral hall?”

Ren Yaohua glanced at her. Though unsure of her intentions, she smiled and nodded.

Xiao Qiao Shi looked at Lei Pan’er, then forced a smile at Ren Yaohua: “Then surely you also saw my sister’s memorial tablet?”

Lei Ting couldn’t help but frown and glance at Lei Zhen.

Lei Zhen immediately smiled and changed the subject: “Speaking of the ancestral hall, I’m reminded of a strange incident. This past New Year, the Li family ancestral hall at Li Family Village outside the city suddenly caught fire in the middle of the night, but no cause for the fire was ever found. Some people claimed they saw a fire qilin hovering above the village when they got up to relieve themselves at night.”

Knowing Lei Zhen meant well, Ren Yaohua was about to continue his topic when Xiao Qiao Shi, undeterred, continued: “Normally, I shouldn’t bring this up today and spoil the atmosphere, but the Qiao family has few members, and my sister and I have no brothers. Now, apart from me, no one can speak a fair word for my sister. Though you’ve entered the family as the legitimate wife, according to the rules, when you encountered my sister’s tablet, you should have performed the concubine’s courtesy. I wonder if this propriety was observed?”

Ren Yaohua’s expression changed as she looked at Xiao Qiao Shi without speaking.

Though Xiao Qiao Shi wasn’t wrong about this rule, Yanbei was after all different from Jiangnan, without so many elaborate ceremonies, and no household would insist on this point to make trouble for a newly entered second wife. Just now in the Lei family ancestral hall, Lei Ting hadn’t mentioned this matter either. Ren Yaohua had simply bowed to all the Lei family ancestors’ tablets together and, out of courtesy, offered three sticks of incense to Qiao Shi, which wasn’t improper.

For Xiao Qiao Shi to bring this up at this moment was looking for trouble. Moreover, she deliberately mentioned it in front of Lei Pan’er – her intentions were truly malicious!