Ren Yaoqi had already accompanied Xiao Jinglin in practicing the qin for several days. Although Xiao Jinglin’s talent in this area was not particularly good, fortunately, she was earnest and willing to put in effort when she applied herself. Since she focused wholeheartedly on practicing just that one piece, her progress was considerable.

On this day, when Ren Yaoqi had just returned from Prince Yanbei’s mansion, she discovered that Ren Shijia’s courtyard was much livelier than usual. It turned out that people from Baihe Town had come. Going to the main hall, she saw Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying accompanying Ren Shijia as they sat on the southern kang talking, with Ren Yaoyin also sitting nearby in attendance.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi return, Ren Shijia smiled and beckoned: “Qi’er, come quickly. Your third sister and ninth younger sister have come.”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Ren Yaoying, then looked toward Ren Yaohua. Ren Yaoying was the first to stand up, hurriedly bowing to Ren Yaoqi with a gentle and obedient smile on her face: “Fifth Elder Sister has returned. Just now Aunt was still mentioning you to us.”

Ever since Ren Yaoying had reappeared in everyone’s sight, her originally restless temperament had settled down considerably. She had also become more low-key in her conduct, and her bearing had gradually taken on some resemblance to her birth mother, Concubine Fang.

Ren Yaoqi smiled gently and exchanged greetings with each of them, then said: “Why didn’t Third Sister and Ninth Sister send word in advance that you were coming today? If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have gone out.”

Ren Yaoying smiled with pursed lips: “We’re family sisters – Fifth Sister is being too formal by saying such things. I heard from Aunt that Fifth Sister and Fourth Sister are very popular in Yunyang City. In the future, you must take good care of Third Sister and me.”

This implied they intended to stay in Yunyang City permanently? Ren Yaoqi smiled and said nothing, thinking she would ask Ren Yaohua privately later about what was going on.

After chatting and laughing for a few more exchanges, Ren Shijia instructed her senior maid to go to the kitchen and arrange for several additional dishes for dinner, while saying to Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying: “Since you don’t want to stay here with me, I won’t force you. But tonight’s dinner must still be taken here with me, otherwise this aunt of yours will be heartbroken.”

Ren Yaoqi asked in surprise: “Third Sister and Ninth Sister aren’t staying at Aunt’s place?”

Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi: “Grandmother sent Ninth Sister and me to keep our cousin’s wife company for a few days, so we’re staying at the Ren family’s separate residence.”

The cousin’s wife Ren Yaohua referred to was Liu Shi, Concubine Fang’s sister-in-law, who was currently staying at the Ren family’s separate residence.

Ren Yaoyin laughed and said, “Speaking of our cousin’s wife, when I went to the Yun family that day, I happened to encounter her. At the time, she was with several other ladies. Since there was some distance between us, I didn’t have a chance to greet her. By the time I had finished paying my respects to Old Madam Yun and wanted to go say hello, she had already left.”

Ren Shijia said, “I heard that Madam Fang has two close friends from her maiden days who also happened to marry into Yanbei. I imagine it must be those friends who have been taking Madam Fang around to various places these past few days. Since Master Fang is coming to Yanbei to take up an official position, such social engagements are unavoidable.”

Ren Yaoying smiled: “Aunt is right. Our cousin’s wife said she’ll come to Aunt’s residence tomorrow and wants to ask Aunt to accompany her to meet Third Madam Lin.”

Ren Shijia was momentarily stunned, then realized that Third Madam Lin was the wife of her third sister-in-law Yuan Shi’s uncle. Yuan Ping was a Chief Clerk at Prince Yanbei’s mansion. While Chief Clerk was nominally only a fifth-rank position, Yuan Ping had been by Prince Yanbei’s side for many years and had earned the prince’s deep trust, so his actual authority was considerable.

These past days happened to be a period when Yanbei officials were particularly active, and it wasn’t that there weren’t those with nimble minds who wanted to use Third Madam Lin as a connection to reach Chief Clerk Yuan. However, Third Madam Lin had recently been claiming illness and refused to see outside visitors.

With Ren Yaoying saying this, even someone as simple-minded as Ren Shijia in daily matters could understand Madam Fang’s intention. Although she didn’t want to owe the main branch’s sister-in-law any favors at this time, Madam Fang was, after all, her aunt’s daughter-in-law. Even though she was from a concubine’s line, it still counted as a matter of face for her maternal family. Moreover, since Madam Fang was only now approaching her, she must have previously been turned away at Third Madam Lin’s door.

Ren Shijia was kindhearted and couldn’t think of a reason to refuse, so she could only smile: “If the cousin’s wife wants to come, how could I not welcome her?”

Ren Yaoying smiled with pursed lips nearby and said a few more pleasant words.

Taking advantage of a gap in the conversation, Ren Yaohua suggested she wanted to see Ren Yaoqi’s bedroom. Ren Shijia, thinking that the two sisters must have some private matters to discuss, very considerately let only the two sisters leave.

Ren Shijia’s guess wasn’t wrong. Ren Yaohua indeed had quite a few things she wanted to say to Ren Yaoqi.

The two walked wordlessly to the side room where Ren Yaoqi was temporarily staying. After closing the door, Ren Yaohua’s first words were: “Liu Shi sent someone to fetch Ren Yaoying. I was afraid Liu Shi and Concubine Fang were plotting something again, so I begged Grandmother to let me come along as well. To tell the truth, this time I shamelessly insisted on coming.”

Ren Yaohua’s expression was cold, and the slight upturn of her lips held only sarcasm.

Ren Yaoqi sighed and said gently: “Would Sister like to stay here at Aunt’s place? Aunt has an excellent temperament, and this courtyard is also spacious.”

Ren Yaohua shook her head: “I came to Yunyang City precisely to keep watch over Liu Shi and Ren Yaoying, so naturally I must stay at the separate residence. With me there, whatever schemes and plots they have won’t succeed.”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment: “Cousin Fang has been quite active in Yunyang City these past days. I think our speculation wasn’t wrong – she has come to serve as an advance guard for Fang Yacun. Fourth Sister said she saw her at the Yun family, and I’ve also seen her at Prince Yanbei’s mansion. Now she wants to visit the Lin family too. She must have made the rounds to every prominent official family in Yunyang City.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaohua couldn’t help but sneer coldly, then frowned: “This won’t do. Fang Yacun cannot be allowed to come to Yanbei!”