Ren Yaoqi dismissed the maids, and Ren Yaohua told Wujing to keep an eye on Sister-in-law Wen’s movements.

After everyone had left, Ren Yaoqi shared some of her speculations with Ren Yaohua.

“What exactly are they trying to do?” Ren Yaohua said with a cold expression.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and shook her head: “We can only wait and see.”

Based on these superficial clues, she could only speculate that the cook surnamed Wen was problematic and most likely arranged by Concubine Fang’s natal family to scheme against Lin Shi. Now that Lin Shi’s side was already completely defenseless, what purpose Concubine Fang still wanted to achieve using that cook was truly beyond Ren Yaoqi’s guess.

However, at least now they had some leads, which was much better than being completely in the dark.

Here, the two sisters were still speculating about Sister-in-law Wen, but what they hadn’t expected was that after two days, they heard that Sister-in-law Wen had requested to return to Jiangnan from Ren Shijia.

Ren Yaoqi was also somewhat surprised. Had Concubine Fang painstakingly arranged for someone to go to the Lin family, only to achieve the purpose of bringing down Lin Shi?

This day was the third day washing ceremony for Ren Shijia’s child. Since Ren Shijia was observing her confinement at her natal home, the child’s third-day ceremony was also held at her natal home.

Early that morning, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua followed Li Shi to Ren Shijia’s Xiangnuan Pavilion.

Ren Shijia was in good spirits. When Ren Yaoqi went in to see her, she was leaning against the headboard holding her sleeping child in her arms, her whole being radiating joyful happiness, appearing completely content with having a son.

Seeing Li Shi bringing Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua to visit her, she even offered to let Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua hold the child. Seeing both Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua looking helpless, she laughed delightedly.

Li Shi said, “Let the wet nurse hold him instead. How would they know how to hold a child? We can’t have him getting bumped or hurt.”

Ren Shijia pouted and complained to Li Shi: “Don’t let his father hear you say that. Yesterday, when Yu’er came to see the child and said she wanted to hold him, I was worried about the child getting hurt and didn’t agree, then I got scolded by his father. He said sons need to be raised roughly, and if I protect him like this, he won’t amount to anything when he grows up.”

Though her tone was complaining, everyone present could hear the coquettishness in it. Ren Shijia and her husband Lin Kun had always had an excellent relationship.

Li Shi just watched her and smiled.

Ren Shijia looked at the child in her arms and suddenly sighed: “I don’t expect him to achieve great things. I only hope he grows up safely, marries, and has children, continuing the line of the Lin family’s second branch.”

Seeing her like this, Li Shi knew she was probably thinking of the children she hadn’t been able to keep before, and couldn’t help feeling emotional herself. Among the Ren family members, Ren Shijia was one of the rare ones who treated her warmly, so she also had good feelings toward Ren Shijia. She sincerely comforted her: “You’ve suffered so much, now it’s surely the end of hardship and the beginning of sweetness. Rest assured, the child will grow up healthy and strong.”

Hearing this, Ren Shijia couldn’t help but smile, looking at Li Shi: “Everyone says I’m blessed, that I’ve been enjoying good fortune all these years married into the Lin family. Only Third Sister-in-law thinks I’ve suffered hardships… Only Third Sister-in-law understands my difficulties.” Though Ren Shijia was smiling, her eyes reddened.

Li Shi quickly said, “Look at me, bringing up these things to upset you for no reason. Women in confinement cannot shed tears.”

Ren Yaoqi leaned over to look at the child in the wet nurse’s arms, seeing him sleeping peacefully while sucking his thumb, his face already much better than on the second day after birth. She deliberately muttered: “Uncle-in-law said little cousin would be able to open his eyes and look at us in a few days. It’s already the third day and he’s still sleeping so well.”

Ren Shijia heard this and couldn’t help laughing: “Your uncle-in-law didn’t lie to you. He can open his eyes now, he’s just sleeping after nursing.”

Li Shi glared at Ren Yaoqi and lightly scolded: “No manners.”

Ren Shijia’s mood improved, and she said to Li Shi, “This isn’t Yaoqi lacking manners. Her uncle is always good-tempered with children. When we’re at the Lin family, those nephews and nieces love calling him ‘Sixth Uncle this’ and ‘Sixth Uncle that,’ and they always like to go to their Sixth Uncle with any problems.”

“Aunt, I heard that your cook, who makes Jiangnan pastries, is returning home?” Ren Yaoqi sat beside Ren Shijia and asked.

Ren Shijia nodded: “She didn’t sign an indenture contract when she came. This time she says her mother at home is seriously ill and she needs to return to care for her. I originally found her because I was pregnant and needed someone who could make medicinal meals. Now that the child is born and she wants to leave to fulfill her filial duty, I can’t very well stop her.”

Seeing Ren Yaoqi listening without speaking, Ren Shijia suddenly remembered something and said with a smile: “Do you like eating Jiangnan pastries? I’ll have my aunt find me another cook later.”

Ren Shijia had always thought Ren Yaoqi was interested in Jiangnan pastries. During her months at the Ren family, she would always have her small kitchen make pastries to send to various houses and courtyards, and would always proactively send people to ask Ren Yaoqi what pastries she wanted to eat.

Ren Yaoqi smiled embarrassedly: “Her pastries are indeed very delicious. Didn’t Aunt say before that you would keep her? Did she suddenly decide to leave?”

Hearing this, Li Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi somewhat strangely. Ren Yaoqi was acting as if she loved eating the pastries Ren Shijia sent over, but she knew her daughter. Ren Yaoqi didn’t like overly sweet pastries, and Jiangnan pastries tended to be sweet.

However, she didn’t expose Ren Yaoqi on the spot, just sat to the side drinking tea.

“Yes, originally when I asked her, she said she was willing to stay in Yanbei. But yesterday she came and said she wanted to leave and return to Jiangnan.” Ren Shijia also sighed with some regret.

She was quite satisfied with this cook, who made both medicinal meals and pastries well and was also clever. Having such a person who understood some medical principles by her side, she wouldn’t have to worry about others secretly harming her and her child when she returned to the Lin family.

Ren Yaoqi was speculating about the reason for Sister-in-law Wen’s sudden departure. Was it related to being caught by them last time? From what Ren Shijia said, she originally hadn’t planned to leave so soon. Was this Concubine Fang’s idea, or whose idea?

What Ren Yaoqi didn’t know was that at this moment, the Sister-in-law Wen she was secretly inquiring about was meeting with Lin Kun.

Lin Kun looked at the woman entering with a tray and frowned inwardly: “What do you want?”

Sister-in-law Wen placed the pastel longevity covered bowl from the tea tray in front of Lin Kun, smiling without warmth: “This servant is following Madam’s orders to bring Master lotus seed soup. Please enjoy it slowly, Master.”

Lin Kun didn’t even look at the so-called lotus seed soup, just nodded coldly: “Put it down and leave.”

Sister-in-law Wen’s expression also darkened: “Lin Sixth Master, what did you promise my master back then? Now you want to cross the river and destroy the bridge?”

Lin Kun said indifferently: “I don’t remember promising anyone anything, nor do I understand what you’re talking about. Who is your master? If I remember correctly, you’re a cook recommended to us by the Fang family.”

Sister-in-law Wen smiled: “Since Lin Sixth Master doesn’t remember, this servant will kindly remind you. Back then, when the Lin family’s main branch saw that your grandfather and father had both met with misfortune, they developed covetous intentions toward your second branch’s family property. They deliberately chose a sudden moment to tell your mother this terrible news, causing your mother to die in difficult labor while giving birth to you. And you were then adopted by the main branch, changing from the second branch’s eldest son to the sixth son of the Lin family’s main branch.”

“Originally, you were sickly from childhood, and the main branch thought you wouldn’t live to adulthood. They didn’t expect your life to be so resilient – not only did you safely grow to adulthood, you also deliberately married the niece of Old Madam Lin’s natal family. All these years, the main branch has been giving Sixth Madam medicine to cause her frequent miscarriages, hoping to make you couple give up thoughts of dividing the family and adopt sons from the main branch. Last time, when this servant first arrived at the Lin family, I told you about this matter, but you scolded me without question, saying I was talking nonsense. This servant could only tell Sixth Madam about it instead. Originally, my master thought you were truly grateful to the main branch and had even forgotten your birth parents, but later realized that you didn’t disbelieve-you were just waiting for a better opportunity, and that opportunity was the Ren family’s intervention.”

Sister-in-law Wen glanced at Lin Kun, “Perhaps you knew from the beginning about the reason for Sixth Madam’s miscarriages, but deliberately endured without acting. You wanted to secure the Ren family as an ally. Only when the Lin family’s main branch created a rift with the Ren family could the Ren family brazenly stand on your side. Lin Sixth Master, such deep scheming, such decisive methods!”

Lin Kun looked at Sister-in-law Wen expressionlessly, his gaze profound.

Sister-in-law Wen felt somewhat unsettled for unknown reasons, but still steeled herself to continue with an unchanged expression: “Lin Sixth Master, do you think Master Ren will willingly help you? No matter how much Old Madam Ren dotes on Sixth Madam as her daughter, she’s still just a daughter who became part of the Lin family upon marriage. Even if Master Ren says he’s willing to help you, he only wants to profit from the Lin family’s division. When the Ren and Lin families agreed to your marriage with Sixth Madam, both families had their calculations. Are you willing to let what originally belonged to you pass from the Lin main branch’s hands to the Ren family’s?”

After Sister-in-law Wen finished speaking, she carefully observed Lin Kun’s expression, but to her surprise, Lin Kun remained calm and didn’t become angry from shame or worried and fearful at being exposed.

Sister-in-law Wen couldn’t quite read Lin Kun now. Could it be that her master’s speculations and investigations were wrong?

Lin Kun looked at Sister-in-law Wen for a moment, then calmly walked to a chair and sat down. While continuing to organize the account books on the table, he said indifferently, “Your master’s story is well-crafted, but I’m not interested. You should leave soon.”

Sister-in-law Wen gritted her teeth, very displeased with Lin Kun’s imperviousness: “Lin Sixth Master, aren’t you afraid I’ll spread this matter around?”

Lin Kun’s hand paused, then he continued with his work, not looking up: “Please do as you wish.”

“Lin Sixth Master, you should know that this servant’s departure from Sixth Madam this time isn’t because this servant and my master fear you, but to show our side’s sincerity. Rather than being schemed against by the Ren family, you’d be better off cooperating with my master. Then everyone gets what they need – wouldn’t that be more satisfying than groveling before the Ren family?” Sister-in-law Wen persisted.

Only then did Lin Kun look up at Sister-in-law Wen, asking with some curiosity: “Actually, I’d like to know what your master is so busy with? How did he learn about my Lin family’s affairs?”

Sister-in-law Wen frowned: “Lin Sixth Master, don’t mistake others’ good intentions for ill will!”

Lin Kun smiled slightly: “Whether it’s good intentions or ill will doesn’t need your reminder for me to know. I don’t want some inexplicable outsider interfering in my Lin family’s affairs. As for you, since it was agreed you would leave soon, I turned a blind eye to let you stay at the Lin family and follow Madam to the Ren family. I didn’t expect your master to go back on their word, wanting you to continue staying at the Lin family to become her future assistant. Your master overestimates my tolerance!”

Seeing Sister-in-law Wen about to say something more, Lin Kun raised his hand to interrupt: “This matter between your master and me can be considered even, and presumably there won’t be any further involvement. I heard you’ve already told Madam you want to leave. In a couple of days, our Lin family is going a boat to the capital. You can take the Lin family’s boat.”

Seeing Lin Kun was impervious to persuasion, Sister-in-law Wen was annoyed and couldn’t help sneering coldly: “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lin Sixth Master!”

Lin Kun waved his hand, indicating that Sister-in-law Wen should leave. Sister-in-law Wen left with a cold expression.

Although Lin Kun was nominally her master, she had previously thought she held Lin Kun’s secrets and didn’t take him seriously. She hadn’t expected that while Lin Kun’s previous attitude had been ambiguously unclear – neither agreeing nor refusing – after the child was born, he directly refused them without hesitation.

He completely ignored her threats and even threatened her in return, saying if she didn’t leave voluntarily, he would find ways to make her leave.

Regardless of Lin Kun’s previous considerations for not breaking with Sister-in-law Wen and those behind her, he truly wasn’t afraid of them. The leverage Sister-in-law Wen spoke of was merely their speculation, while her relationship with the Fang family was traceable. If it came to public exposure, Lin Kun wouldn’t be the one suffering.

After Sister-in-law Wen left, Lin Kun put down the account book in his hands and gently pinched his brow with his right hand, looking somewhat absent-minded.

Though he wasn’t afraid of Sister-in-law Wen’s threats, the words she had just said still reminded him of his experiences over the years. He had investigated later and found that his grandfather and father’s deaths were indeed accidental, and his mother had indeed gone into premature labor after suddenly hearing news of his father’s death, ultimately dying from excessive blood loss.

Regarding his mother’s death, he had suspicions, but because so many years had passed, despite years of investigation, he had no concrete evidence proving the main branch had deliberately harmed anyone.

As for his wife Ren Shijia, Lin Kun’s feelings were complex.

Although he had only begun suspecting the Lin family’s main branch after his wife had several miscarriages, he didn’t know whether, if he had known about this matter early on, he would have played along and used Ren Shijia to secure the Ren family’s support.

At least Sister-in-law Wen was right about one thing – Lin Kun had married Ren Shijia because he had reached a dead end and could only rely on the Ren family, who were related to Old Madam Lin by marriage.

After Sister-in-law Wen left Lin Kun’s place, her expression was very unpleasant. Though Concubine Fang hadn’t blamed her and had even promised her money to return to Jiangning, what could she do after returning? Madam Fang had brought many trusted servants from her natal family, and she would never truly trust someone like her who had joined halfway. She had seen this clearly, which was why she had volunteered to come to Yanbei to help the Fang family’s young madam.

When she hurriedly turned out of the small path, Sister-in-law Wen nearly collided with a group of people. Fortunately, a little maid walking in front reacted quickly and jumped aside.

Sister-in-law Wen had already been in a bad mood and was about to scold them, but when she saw the person behind the maid, her expression stiffened, then quickly changed to a smile. She curtsied and called out: “Fifth Miss.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled as she watched Sister-in-law Wen’s instant face change, glancing at the small path she had just emerged from: “Where is Sister-in-law Wen coming from?”

Sister-in-law Wen thought that the person before her was just a young girl and relaxed somewhat: “Earlier, Madam instructed this servant to bring Lin Sixth Master into the study a bowl of sweet soup at this time every day.”

Ren Yaoqi withdrew her gaze and nodded: “I heard Sister-in-law Wen is returning home? Your pastries are delicious and I like them very much. I’m afraid I won’t have the chance to eat them in the future.”

Sister-in-law Wen was a lively and cheerful woman in public, so she smiled: “What would Fifth Miss like to eat? This servant will go back and make some to send to the Fifth Miss. This servant still has a couple of days before leaving the Ren family anyway, so there’s time to make pastries.”

Ren Yaoqi was very happy to hear this: “That would be too much trouble for Sister-in-law Wen. If Aunt knew, she’d probably laugh at my gluttony.”

“What are you saying, Fifth Miss? Our Sixth Madam dotes on all the misses most. She’d be delighted to know you love eating pastries from her courtyard.”

At this moment, Sister-in-law Wen appeared to be a gentle and loyal servant, showing none of her previous cold expression.

Ren Yaoqi casually mentioned two pastry names, and after Sister-in-law Wen noted them down, she respectfully withdrew.

After emerging from the corridor, Ren Yaoqi looked back. Sister-in-law Wen had already left by another branching path. Looking at the small path she had emerged from earlier, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but look thoughtful.

What connection did Concubine Fang have with Lin Kun?

And why had Sister-in-law Wen’s expression been so unpleasant earlier? Was her leaving the Ren family not of her own volition? Given Concubine Fang’s nature, even if someone was just a chess piece, she wouldn’t abandon them before they had served their full purpose – this wasn’t Concubine Fang’s style.

Ren Yaoqi felt there was something wrong here, but she was still separated by layers of fog. This feeling was truly uncomfortable.

Knowing yourself and your enemy ensures victory in every battle. What method could she think of to clarify this matter? Walking in the garden, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but rapidly turn over ideas in her mind.

This day passed quickly, and the next morning, when Ren Yaoqi was listening to Nanny Zhou teach household management with Ren Yaohua in Li Shi’s room, an unexpected visitor suddenly arrived.

When Ren Yaoqi heard a servant from the gatehouse rushing over, out of breath, saying that Princess Consort Yanbei had come and had specifically asked for her, she was also surprised.

Seeing Li Shi, Ren Yaohua, and Nanny Zhou all looking at her puzzled, Ren Yaoqi collected her surprised expression and smiled: “Last time, Princess Consort said she wanted to come play in Baihezhen. I thought she was just joking, but she came today.”

Li Shi thought for a moment and smiled: “It seems this Princess Consort has taken a liking to you. When guests come, you should quickly get ready and go meet them.”

Xiao Jinglin’s arrival naturally startled everyone in the Ren family from top to bottom. Old Madam was the first to react, hurriedly leading Eldest Madam out of Ronghua Garden personally to welcome her.

Old Madam’s solemnity wasn’t strange, though Xiao Jinglin was only a princess consort, given the Xiao family’s status in Yanbei, Xiao Jinglin’s position was equivalent to a princess. All the women in Yanbei wanted to associate with her, but unfortunately, Xiao Jinglin was rarely at the residence year-round and never participated in various gatherings of noble ladies. So this time, her initiative to come to the Ren family surprised the Ren family’s women while also making them feel somewhat honored.

So by the time Ren Yaoqi learned the news, Xiao Jinglin had already been respectfully invited to Ronghua Garden by the Ren family.

When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua arrived, they saw the composed Xiao Jinglin sitting quietly in the seat of honor, with Old Madam Ren also seated in a lower position.

Eldest Madam from the main branch, Eldest Young Madam, and Fourth Miss Ren Yaoting all stood behind Old Madam Ren. Even Fifth Madam Lin Shi, who was currently in a cold war with Ren Shimao and displeased with everyone, had brought Ren Yaoyu over. Only she assumed familiarity in talking with Xiao Jinglin. Though Xiao Jinglin only nodded simply, it didn’t dampen Fifth Madam’s enthusiasm.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua enter, Fifth Madam said to Xiao Jinglin: “Princess Consort, our Yaoqi has arrived.”

Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua stepped forward to pay respects to Xiao Jinglin. Old Madam frowned and looked behind them: “Where is your mother? Why didn’t she come to meet Princess Consort?” Old Madam Ren felt that even though she had gone out to welcome Xiao Jinglin, Third Madam Li Shi hadn’t even shown her face, which was improper.

Ren Yaoqi knew her mother well. Though Prince Xian’s residence no longer existed, she didn’t have the awareness to bow and scrape before a regional prince’s daughter. Li Shi wasn’t deliberately putting on airs – her pride had been cultivated from childhood and was embedded in her bones, so she didn’t come not out of intention but from lack of awareness that she should.

Ren Yaoqi also hadn’t reminded Li Shi, knowing that certain things would touch a particular nerve in her mother’s heart and make her sad.