Ren Yaohua turned to look at Ren Yaoqi, her eyes containing undisguised anxiety: “You also know what kind of position Mother holds in the Ren family now. Currently, the Fang family is still far away in Jiangnan, and Fang Yacun is nothing more than a minor southern official who has no connection with us whatsoever. But if Fang Yacun comes to Yanbei to become a local magistrate and lets the Fang family extend their reach into Yanbei, how will Mother and we manage? You don’t know – after returning this time, Grandmother has become increasingly close to Concubine Fang. Not only has she repeatedly rewarded her with food and fabric, but she even privately told Concubine Fang that in a few days, she would let her take over the internal affairs of our third branch.”

Ren Yaohua’s brows and eyes contained an icy sharpness like mountain peaks, and her pursed lips carried a sarcasm that didn’t match her age: “If things are already like this now, when Fang Yacun truly comes to Yanzhou, where will Mother have any place to stand in the Ren family? Grandmother usually teaches us plainly that our maternal family’s glory is our glory as women, and our maternal family’s strength determines our future status in our husbands’ families. Our mother was born of noble birth, but… hah, you understand what situation our maternal family is in. We can’t rely on them normally, and when it comes to crucial moments, can we depend on them? As one side wanes, the other waxes… so the Fang family cannot be allowed to rise.”

Ren Yaohua’s words revealed obvious dissatisfaction with their maternal family, making Ren Yaoqi frown: “I understand Sister’s concerns. I know that Grandfather’s family has their difficulties, and many things are not as simple as we think.”

Ren Yaohua raised her hand to interrupt Ren Yaoqi’s words: “You don’t need to tell me these things. I’m not ignorant of the fact that Grandfather’s family must keep a low profile due to their status, so I don’t hold it against them that they cannot stand up for Mother. I just…” Ren Yaohua paused here, and her expression also dimmed.

She just resented that since Grandfather knew he couldn’t protect his married daughter, why did he marry Mother into a family like the Rens? Merchants prioritizing profit was their nature – wouldn’t it have been much simpler if Mother had married into an ordinary scholarly family? She had heard that when Grandfather’s family first came to Yanbei, they were in dire straits, and the betrothal gifts from the Ren family truly resolved their urgent needs. After Mother married, she would secretly send money home every month to supplement the family, allowing them to afford keeping actors for entertainment.

Although Nanny Zhou had secretly told her that those actors’ identities were not simple, she still couldn’t let it go. One should wear a hat that fits one’s head – since they had already fallen on hard times, there was no need to maintain the airs of a prince’s mansion, not even secretly.

So in her view, Mother’s current difficulties were all caused by Grandfather’s family. This was her heart knot regarding Grandfather’s family, which no one could resolve.

However, Ren Yaohua didn’t intend to discuss this in detail with Ren Yaoqi. Her dislike of Grandfather’s family was her own matter – she wouldn’t use her reasons to prevent her sister from being close to their grandfather.

“Do you have any way to prevent Fang Yacun from coming to Yanbei?” Ren Yaohua stopped dwelling on their grandfather’s family matters and asked directly.

Although she spoke these words only because of the hope in her heart and didn’t hold much expectation, after all, Ren Yaoqi was just a young lady in her boudoir, and wanting to influence Yanbei’s official affairs was simply wishful thinking. But she also felt that Ren Yaoqi was somewhat different from ordinary young ladies, and what was impossible for others might not be impossible for Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaohua vaguely sensed that her sister had some backing outside, perhaps because of the Princess of Prince Yanbei’s mansion. However, since Ren Yaoqi didn’t speak of it, she didn’t want to investigate further.

Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaohua’s expression and could only sigh lightly: “I understand Sister’s meaning.” Many things could only be left to human effort. She couldn’t make any grand promises now.

Ren Yaohua nodded and stopped discussing these matters, instead asking: “By the way, what happened to that missing Nanny Luo and the maid?”

After finding the people, Ren Yaoqi had sent word home telling them to stop searching, but she hadn’t gone into specifics. No wonder Ren Yaohua would ask about this.

Ren Yaoqi briefly explained that Nanny Luo had been severely injured and eventually died, and that Shui Ai had been placed in her care outside. Ren Yaohua asked a few questions and then let the matter rest.

The two sisters talked about some personal matters. After Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying had dinner at Ren Shijia’s place, Ren Shijia sent people to escort them to the Ren family’s separate residence.

After Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoying left, Ren Shijia kept Ren Yaoqi to talk, then mentioned the letter that the servant woman sent by Old Madam Ren had given her.

The concubine Qingliu that Old Madam Ren had previously selected for her son-in-law had already been sent back to the Ren family. Old Madam Ren told Ren Shijia not to worry about this matter for now, and to leave everything else for her son-in-law to handle.

Hearing Ren Shijia say this, Ren Yaoqi thought that her uncle Lin Kun might have already secretly reached some agreement with the Ren family. However, Old Madam Ren hadn’t gone into detail about these matters with Ren Shijia, so when Ren Shijia told Ren Yaoqi, it was also rather vague.

Ren Yaoqi only hoped that the Lin family’s troubles would preferably wait until after she returned to Baihe Town before being stirred up, otherwise, she wouldn’t be comfortable staying here.

The next morning, Ren Yaoying came again, but this time she was accompanied by Cousin Fang Liu Shi and young Master Fang Shuzhou. Yesterday’s words from Ren Yaoying had indeed been testing the waters.

Ren Yaoqi had arranged to go to Prince Yanbei’s mansion in the afternoon with Xiao Jinglin, so when Liu Shi and the others arrived, Ren Yaoqi was called by Ren Shijia to the main hall to receive guests.

Liu Shi was just as when they first met – ordinary in appearance but extraordinary in bearing. Not long after sitting down, she was chatting happily with Ren Shijia and had made a very good impression on her, showing considerable social skills.

“Cousin, why didn’t my third sister come today?” When Ren Yaoqi entered and saw only Liu Shi and her son along with Ren Yaoying, but Ren Yaohua was absent, she couldn’t help asking.

Liu Shi glanced at Ren Yaoqi, sighed, and said gently: “I’ve already told your aunt – Yaohua accidentally fell this morning and sprained her ankle.”

Ren Yaoqi was alarmed: “Third Sister is injured?”

Liu Shi quickly comforted her: “Don’t worry, I’ve already had a physician examine her. The doctor said it’s just a sprain and the bones aren’t injured. She’ll recover after resting for three to five days. When I left, I had my nanny and two senior maids stay behind to care for her. They’re all experienced people who have been with me for years – they know what’s needed and are very experienced, so nothing will go wrong.”

Ren Yaoying also said: “That’s right, Fifth Sister, don’t worry. Third Sister’s injury isn’t serious and she’ll recover quickly. Originally Cousin wanted to stay home today to care for Third Sister, but I thought that since I had already told Aunt yesterday that Cousin would visit today, it would be impolite if Cousin didn’t come, so I persuaded her to come.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaoying, whose eyes were bright and voice gentle, then looked at Liu Shi with her tranquil bearing and gentle expression. She suddenly smiled and nodded: “Since Third Sister has Cousin’s care, I’m relieved. Thank you for your trouble, Cousin. I have a bottle of excellent medicine here that’s specifically for treating injuries from falls – it was even given to me by the Princess. I’ll have my maid take it to Third Sister right away and help me check on her.”

Liu Shi glanced at Ren Yaoqi, then smiled at Ren Shijia: “What did I just say? It’s still better to have daughters – girls are so thoughtful.”

Ren Shijia couldn’t help but smile, saying to Ren Yaoqi, “I was just about to send someone to check on Hua’er. Have your maid take the medicine and go together.” Then she said to Liu Shi: “You’ve come from far away and only brought those few capable people with you. Now they’re all attending to Hua’er, which leaves you inconvenienced. I should send a few people from my household over.”

Liu Shi didn’t object to this and readily agreed.

Ren Shijia beckoned to her trusted senior maid Dujuan: “Go call Nanny Li and take Moxiang with you to the Ren family’s separate residence. Stay at the residence for the next few days to care for Third Miss, and make sure to serve her well. If anything is lacking at the residence, immediately send someone back to inform me. Tell Hua’er to rest well and recover from her injury – Qi’er and I will come to see her tomorrow.”

Dujuan acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Ren Yaoqi also stood up: “Aunt, I’ll go get the medicine for Sister.”

Ren Shijia nodded: “Go ahead.”

When Ren Yaoqi came out of Ren Shijia’s room, once there was no one else around, the smile on her face immediately disappeared. Pingguo, who was following behind her, glanced at her master’s dark eyes and lowered her head.

Returning to her room, Ren Yaoqi called for Xiangqin. Even though Ren Yaohua had come, Xiangqin was still temporarily serving Ren Yaoqi.

“Go check on Third Sister and ask her exactly how she fell. Also, tell Wujing that when applying medicine, it’s best not to let others handle it except for the few trusted people around us and the two reliable maids that Aunt sent over.” Ren Yaoqi instructed in a low voice.

Xiangqin also looked anxious and quickly nodded after receiving the instructions: “Fifth Miss, don’t worry, this servant remembers.”

At this time, Dujuan had already called everyone and prepared the carriage, standing outside waiting for Xiangqin.

Ren Yaoqi nodded and let Xiangqin leave.

Once everyone was gone, her brows furrowed tightly.

How could Ren Yaohua fall and get injured when she was perfectly fine? Ren Yaohua had a steady temperament and was always careful when walking. How could she coincidentally get injured at the separate residence?