Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but recall Yun Wenfang’s earlier words. Was this what he had meant by the benefits of coming to the Yun family?

Speaking of which, being able to participate in the Yun family’s Thousand Gold Banquet without meeting the standard requirements was indeed an honor, because those who usually received this privilege were either daughters of first-class families who were on good terms with the Yun family, or those young ladies with exceptional talent, beauty, and excellent reputations.

However, regarding Old Madam Yun’s offer to give her several sets of clothes, Ren Yaoqi felt it inappropriate to accept. It was obvious that the Yun family had invited seamstresses from the capital to make clothes for the Yun family misses and Xiao Jinglin so they could shine at the Thousand Gold Banquet. Each person’s clothes were limited in number—if she took one set, someone else would have one less. She didn’t need to make enemies with any of the Yun family misses over this.

Sure enough, upon hearing Old Madam Yun’s words, several of the Yun family misses all looked toward Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, “Thank you, great-aunt, but I won’t take any clothes. Otherwise, when I return home, my grandmother will scold me for coming here to compete with my cousins for clothes to wear.”

Third Miss Yun sized up Ren Yaoqi and laughed with a “pfft,” covering her mouth: “Cousin Ren, even if you wanted to compete for clothes, it wouldn’t matter much. Looking at your figure, you’re about the same size as my eldest sister and second sister.”

Third Miss Yun was slightly shorter than Ren Yaoqi, while eldest and second Miss Yun were about the same height as Ren Yaoqi. Yun Qiufang’s meaning was that since she couldn’t compete for her share anyway, she didn’t mind.

Second Miss Yun, Yun Qiuping, frowned slightly.

However, upon hearing this, Yun Qiuchen looked Ren Yaoqi over and smiled as she said to Old Madam Yun, “I think cousin Ren has the most similar figure to mine. Let her choose from my allotment. It happens that mother privately had two extra sets made for me, which seems quite fortuitous now.”

Actually, although the three Yun family misses had slight differences in height, their figures were quite similar, and they could exchange clothes among themselves. Yun Qiuchen’s words showed her generous and understanding nature.

Old Madam Yun smiled at Yun Qiuchen upon hearing this, her affection visible: “Then let her choose from yours, but grandmother won’t let you suffer any loss.”

This statement from Old Madam Yun changed the expressions of her other two granddaughters. Yun Qiufang’s lips curved into a cold smile, while the usually quiet Yun Qiuping lowered her head to fidget with her sleeves.

Ren Yaoqi instinctively looked toward Xiao Jinglin, and the two exchanged glances. Xiao Jinglin saw helplessness in Ren Yaoqi’s eyes, while Ren Yaoqi saw some impatience and forbearance in Xiao Jinglin’s eyes.

Indeed, battles for favor existed everywhere. The Yun family wasn’t peaceful either.

However, at this point, Ren Yaoqi could no longer refuse Old Madam Yun’s kindness. It was just a few sets of clothes—neither Xiao Jinglin nor Ren Yaoqi lacked them. So it could only be considered as thoughtfulness, not charity.

Finally, Yun Qiuchen led the Yun family sisters, along with Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin, to her place to select clothes.

Yun Qiuchen’s residence was in a two-story pavilion next to Old Madam Yun’s courtyard. Although it was very close to the old madam’s courtyard, it was an independent compound with its own entrance—a unique privilege within the entire Yun family. Second Miss Yun and Third Miss Yun both lived in their respective parents’ courtyards. This showed that Yun Qiuchen held a rather special position in the Yun family.

Yun Qiuchen had them sit in her small reception hall and instructed her maids to bring the clothes and jewelry.

Tea and refreshments were served successively. The tea, while not top-grade, was still good. The variety of pastries wasn’t extensive, but each was exquisite with unique flavors. They probably weren’t just randomly bought from outside pastry shops.

The Yun family’s furniture and furnishings, as well as their clothing and daily necessities, weren’t extravagant, but in the details, they demonstrated everywhere the foundation and style of an established noble family.

Yun Qiuchen didn’t speak much, but every time she did, her words were substantial, and her manner of receiving guests was just right. The three Yun sisters weren’t as harmonious in private as they appeared on the surface, but Yun Qiuping and Yun Qiufang were quite restrained when facing the two outsiders, Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin. Perhaps they were worried about having to answer to Old Madam Yun, but in any case, no quarrels broke out.

The maids entered carrying trunks. Yun Qiuchen set down her tea bowl and smiled at Xiao Jinglin: “Princess, you’re the eldest, please choose first.”

Yun Qiuchen consistently addressed Xiao Jinglin as “Princess,” whether in public or private. She was even more rule-abiding than her grandmother and mother.

If she had said to let Xiao Jinglin choose first due to status, Xiao Jinglin would have demurred. But saying it was by age made it difficult for Xiao Jinglin to decline, and she wasn’t the type to be coy. After the maids took out the clothes from the trunks and displayed them one by one, Xiao Jinglin casually pointed to a lake-water green cross-collar robe with gold trim embroidered with flying phoenix patterns and a matching pleated skirt of the same color.

Yun Qiuchen asked her to choose more, but Xiao Jinglin shook her head: “This is enough. I wouldn’t be able to wear more than this.”

Yun Qiuchen said, “Grandmother originally prepared four sets for the Princess. If the Princess finds it troublesome, please choose at least two sets. After all, it’s an elder’s thoughtfulness.”

Xiao Jinglin couldn’t very well say anything more, so she chose another thin silk robe in misty rose color embroidered with phoenix patterns along the edges.

After Xiao Jinglin finished choosing, Yun Qiuchen looked toward Ren Yaoqi: “By precedence, after the Princess chooses, I should choose next. So, since cousin Ren is choosing from my allotment, let’s consider it as choosing two sets for me.” This reasoning seemed flawless.

Yun Qiufang glanced at Yun Qiuchen and pursed her lips, but said nothing. Yun Qiuping simply focused on looking at her fingers.

Ren Yaoqi had guessed early on that Yun Qiuchen would have her choose after Xiao Jinglin, but she had been watching the gazes of the various Yun family misses. So when asked to choose, she demurred slightly before selecting a peach-colored short robe with broken-branch peach blossom patterns and a white silk skirt that had received less attention from others. Presumably, the Yun family girls all valued dignity and elegance, finding the peach color too bright and therefore disliking it.

In any case, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t truly coveting their few sets of clothes, so she was happy not to offend anyone.

Then she chose another robe in deep purple.