Very quickly, the room resumed its conversation, naturally as if the simultaneous silence that had just fallen over everyone didn’t exist at all.

Princess Consort Xian rarely participated in the social gatherings of the ladies in Yunyang City under normal circumstances. If Xiao Jinglin hadn’t personally invited her to the Dragon Boat Race during the last Dragon Boat Festival, she wouldn’t have appeared either. Even when she did attend that day, she hadn’t spoken to anyone. So, regarding her arrival today, everyone present had their thoughts.

Eldest Madam Lin was quick to react, smiling as she said, “So Madam Li has come—what an honored guest indeed.” As she spoke, she glanced toward Old Madam Lin.

When others referred to Madam Rong as “that madam from Treasure Vase Alley,” there was inevitably some isolating implication in it. If addressing her face-to-face, it would be somewhat disrespectful. But Eldest Madam Lin calling Madam Rong “Madam Li” was appropriate—after all, there weren’t many in Yunyang City who could be addressed as “Madam.” This way, she avoided the awkwardness brought by Madam Rong’s identity while also not making the Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua sisters present feel uncomfortable.

Moreover, although she said this, she didn’t presume to immediately have someone escort Madam Rong in, but first looked toward Old Madam Lin and the other mothers-in-law to make the decision. Eldest Madam Lin offended no one.

Before Old Madam Lin could speak, Ren Shijia hurriedly said, “What an honored guest indeed… I should go greet her personally.” Ren Shijia lacked Eldest Madam Lin’s shrewdness and tactfulness. After a moment’s confusion, she felt somewhat uneasy, having some reservations about Madam Rong’s identity.

Old Madam Ren glanced at her daughter, her brow slightly furrowing.

Old Madam Lin observed this and laughed heartily, saying to Ren Shijia, “You’ve only just finished your month of confinement—you should sit properly.” As she spoke, her gaze swept among her several daughters-in-law, though she felt somewhat uncertain in her heart, not knowing whether she should have any of her daughters-in-law go greet the guest.

The Lin family was planning to hold a grand full-moon celebration for Lin Cen this time, so quite a few households in Yunyang City had received invitations. Treasure Vase Alley might have received one, too, though it was merely a courtesy—Madam Rong never attended banquets. She understood that those extending invitations weren’t genuinely inviting her, and going would only make both parties uncomfortable.

Therefore, Old Madam Lin couldn’t fathom Madam Rong’s purpose in coming and hadn’t decided what attitude to take in receiving her into the residence.

“Aunt still needs to look after Brother Cen and can’t get away. Why don’t Fifth Sister and I go receive Grandmother on Aunt’s behalf?” Ren Yaoqi seemed not to notice the awkwardness among everyone present, speaking with an innocent expression.

It wouldn’t be proper for Ren Yaoqi to receive guests on behalf of the Lin family, but going to receive her maternal grandmother on behalf of her legitimate aunt—no one found anything wrong with that.

Hearing this, Ren Shijia smiled slightly at Ren Yaoqi: “That would be good.”

This time, Old Madam Ren only glanced at Ren Yaoqi without speaking to stop her. Old Madam Lin nodded with a smile: “Then have Ling girl go with you two.”

Lin Baoling immediately stepped forward: “Good! I’ll accompany Third Cousin Sister and Fifth Cousin Sister.”

Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua followed Lin Baoling to the second gate to receive Madam Rong. Though Ren Yaoqi smiled on her face, she was thinking to herself that it was no wonder Xiao Jinglin disliked associating with these inner-residence women. Just receiving a guest into the residence, yet those people had so many complicated thoughts in their hearts, afraid of suffering some loss.

When several people reached the second gate, they saw Madam Rong just entering from outside. Ren Yaoqi pulled Ren Yaohua forward: “Grandmother.”

Ren Yaohua’s attitude toward Madam Rong was much better than toward her maternal grandfather and uncle. She also followed Ren Yaoqi in performing the proper courtesy.

Lin Baoling was seeing this legendary “madam from Treasure Vase Alley” for the first time. Though she tried her best to conceal it, one could still detect several traces of curiosity in her eyes. However, she didn’t lose her manners, stepping forward to perform the junior’s courtesy to Madam Rong.

Madam Rong nodded and smiled at Lin Baoling, then looked toward her two granddaughters: “I came to see your aunt and the child.”

Lin Baoling smiled sweetly: “Please follow us, Madam. Sixth Aunt is in good health, and Fourteenth Brother has such a tiger-like head and looks so handsome.”

Madam Rong smiled and nodded. Ren Yaoqi stepped up to support Madam Rong’s arm, and Madam Rong gently patted the back of Ren Yaoqi’s hand. Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi and, though she didn’t come forward to assist, also stood beside Madam Rong on the other side.

Lin Baoling walked ahead. Though young, she wasn’t shy with strangers and had a naturally familiar manner with everyone. While leading the way, she chatted and laughed with Ren Yaoqi and the others, very lively indeed.

As Ren Yaoqi was walking, she suddenly felt someone gently tugging at her sleeve from behind. Turning to look, she saw it was Chuchu, Madam Rong’s maid.

Chuchu usually attended to Madam Rong’s daily needs. She was probably in her early twenties but still wore her hair in an unmarried girl’s style. Her appearance was merely average.

Before Ren Yaoqi could speak, Chuchu stepped forward slightly, moving close to Ren Yaoqi’s ear: “Xia Sheng has returned.”

Her voice was extremely soft. After speaking, she immediately stepped back and continued walking with her head down.

Ren Yaoqi’s eyes brightened as she glanced at Madam Rong. Madam Rong smiled at her warmly and gently patted her hand without saying anything.

When Madam Rong appeared before everyone, they had already recovered from their earlier loss of composure. Though Old Madam Lin didn’t display much enthusiasm, she still rose from the kang and addressed her as “Madam Li.” Old Madam Ren, as the in-law, nodded toward Madam Rong.

Madam Rong’s etiquette was thorough. She had Chuchu present the congratulatory gifts she’d brought to Ren Shijia’s maid, smiling as she said, “Congratulations on the joyous addition of your son.”

Ren Shijia was very pleased and even had a maid bring the child over for Madam Rong to see.

Although Madam Rong’s arrival didn’t cause any surface disturbance, everyone unconsciously became somewhat guarded in their speech, so the atmosphere wasn’t as lively as before.

Madam Rong knew she was probably unwelcome, so after chatting briefly with Old Madam Lin and her in-law Old Madam Ren, she proposed to take her leave.

From entering the residence to bidding farewell, she had stayed at the Lin residence for no more than half an hour.

The Lin family still hadn’t figured out Madam Rong’s reason for coming today. Old Madam Lin was also somewhat puzzled in her heart—could it be that she came to give gifts and see the child for the sake of this in-law connection with the Ren family?

Nevertheless, Old Madam Lin and Eldest Madam Lin still politely made efforts to detain her. Only after Madam Rong insisted on leaving did they express words like “welcome to visit again.” Old Madam Ren, as the in-law, remained cold throughout the entire encounter. When Eldest Madam Lin offered to escort Madam Rong out, Madam Rong politely declined, suggesting that her granddaughter Ren Yaoqi escort her instead. So in the end, it was still Ren Yaoqi who accompanied Madam Rong out.

This time, Ren Yaoqi accompanied Madam Rong past the second gate to Madam Rong’s carriage.

At a glance, Ren Yaoqi saw the man sitting on the carriage shaft—it was indeed Xia Sheng, whom she hadn’t seen for several months.