When Ren Yaoqi returned to Ren Shijia’s room, she arrived just as Ren Shijia was preparing to take Liu Shi to meet Third Madam Lin – this was the purpose of Liu Shi’s visit to the Lin family today.

Ren Shijia had previously harbored some resentment toward the Lin family’s main branch, so she had been somewhat hesitant. But now, after Liu Shi’s gentle entreaties, she really couldn’t bring herself to refuse, so she could only reluctantly agree.

This wasn’t the time for Ren Yaoqi to voice opinions, so she only followed obediently beside Ren Shijia.

Following the proper order of seniority, to visit Third Madam Lin, they naturally had to first pay respects to Old Madam Lin.

Old Madam Lin had also been unwell recently and was recuperating. What had previously been the liveliest courtyard was now cold and quiet. However, hearing that Ren Shijia had come with her maternal cousin, Old Madam Lin graciously agreed to see them.

Speaking of relationships, Old Madam Lin was Liu Shi’s mother-in-law’s aunt, so they were also relatives. But because Old Madam Lin had married early, and Liu Shi’s mother-in-law had married far away, their relationship was nowhere near as close as that between Old Madam Ren and Old Madam Lin. Over the years, the interactions between the Lin and Fang families hadn’t been particularly close either.

Compared to the previous times she had been seen, Old Madam Lin seemed in poor spirits. Her attitude toward Ren Shijia and Liu Shi wasn’t as warm as usual, though she didn’t make them uncomfortable with a cold face either – overall it could still be considered gentle.

After barely exchanging a few words, Old Madam Lin became tired. Ren Shijia and Liu Shi couldn’t stay long. Before they withdrew, Liu Shi offered some gentle words of concern, but Old Madam Lin’s sighing remarks before parting were rather thought-provoking.

“I do want to live longer to see the Lin family flourish and prosper, to see the children and grandchildren united and loving. But alas, when children grow up, mothers can’t control them. They don’t understand your good intentions and always think whatever you do is meant to harm them. Sigh! They’re all parents themselves now – why can’t they understand that elders only think of what’s good for them?”

Liu Shi smiled gently, not speaking much, her expression not indicate whether she understood or not. Ren Shijia glanced at the old lady, bit her lip, and lowered her head without a word, her expression also unreadable.

Ren Shijia wasn’t good at concealing her emotions, so whenever she encountered situations she didn’t know how to handle, she would lower her head and remain silent.

Old Madam Lin waved her hand and lay down to rest again. Ren Shijia led Liu Shi to Third Madam Lin’s courtyard.

Third Madam Lin had given instructions not to receive guests, but when the servants in the courtyard saw it was Ren Shijia bringing people over, they immediately went to report, then respectfully invited everyone in.

Third Madam Lin wasn’t truly “bedridden” like Old Madam Lin. She sat on the kang in the side room watching her granddaughter embroider, occasionally offering a word or two of guidance. Her eldest daughter-in-law stood beside her, massaging her legs.

Third Madam Lin wasn’t as straightforward as First Madam Lin. She was rather similar to Liu Shi in temperament – gentle in appearance. However, seeing how her daughter-in-law kept her eyes lowered submissively in her presence, not daring to speak much, one could tell that this Third Madam Lin wasn’t as easy to get along with as she appeared.

Seeing so many guests arrive, Third Madam Lin smiled and invited everyone to sit. She had her daughter-in-law personally prepare tea and refreshments, and also had her call her grandson to accompany Fang Shuzhou in touring the Lin family gardens.

Lin Baoling, who had been sitting quietly embroidering, was very happy to see Ren Yaoqi and the others. She put down her needlework and slipped down from the kang, approaching them familiarly to chat. This drew Third Madam Lin’s laughing scolding about her lack of manners, though she didn’t truly reprimand her.

During Ren Yaoqi’s stay at the Lin family, she had met Lin Baoling several times, but only in passing – they weren’t close. All the Lin family’s younger generation, including Lin Baoling, were very fond of their sixth uncle Lin Kun and spoke intimately with him when they met. But normally none of the children visited Lin Kun and Ren Shijia’s courtyard to play. Whether this was due to private instructions from the main branch’s elders wasn’t clear.

Third Madam Lin chatted and laughed with everyone in a relaxed manner, never mentioning the reason Ren Shijia had brought Liu Shi, as if they had simply come to drink tea and chat with her.

Liu Shi was also very patient, not mentioning Fang Yacun’s matter at all, wholeheartedly accompanying Third Madam Lin in conversation. Though her appearance was ordinary, her words were quite witty, making Third Madam Lin laugh several times.

In the end, they had drunk two bowls of tea, but the conversation remained light and airy, from the scale of the Li family’s birthday banquet in the west of the city to the new bride the Gao family had recently married in the north of the city.

The children’s side was also lively. Ren Yaoying got along very well with Lin Baoling. Lin Baoling brought out several pouches she had embroidered recently, and Ren Yaoying exclaimed in admiration upon seeing them.

“Sister Baoling, your embroidery is truly excellent! Look at this ‘Year After Year Abundance’ – the two carp on it seem to come alive.”

Lin Baoling covered her mouth and laughed, looking very happy. The little girl loved to laugh while covering her mouth – it was her signature gesture.

Seeing her happiness, Ren Yaoying enthusiastically asked about needlework techniques with a humble learning attitude, delighting Lin Baoling so much that her laughter never stopped, and she even forgot her mouth-covering habit. Only then did everyone see that two of her teeth hadn’t grown in straight. When she smiled too broadly and her mouth opened wide, the teeth were easily exposed – no wonder she liked to cover her mouth when laughing.

“If Sister Yaoying likes them, pick one to take home. I’ve embroidered quite a few. When Brother Cen had his full-month celebration, Sister Li, Sister Chen, and Sister Su all said they looked good when they saw them. The ladies all praised them, too. I modified all the patterns myself – they’re unique!”

Third Madam Lin over there glared at her: “You child, how can you praise yourself like that? So improper – you’ll make your sisters laugh at you.”

Ren Yaoying quickly said: “How could that be? Sister Baoling’s embroidery is truly excellent. Unlike me, no matter how Aunt teaches me hand by hand, I just can’t embroider well.”

Everyone loves to hear praise, and seeing her beloved granddaughter complimented, Third Madam Lin’s smile deepened considerably.

“Sister Yaoying, pick one! Which one do you want?” Lin Baoling asked with a grin. Remembering there were several other sisters present, she turned to ask Ren Yaoqi and the others: “Sister Yaoyin, Sister Yaoqi, you should each pick one too.”

Seeing Lin Baoling’s high spirits, the group smiled and each chose one. Ren Yaoying even looked troubled as she asked Lin Baoling: “Both this ‘Certain Fulfillment’ and ‘Chang’e Flying to the Moon’ are beautiful – which one do you think I should choose?”

This delighted Lin Baoling so much that she covered her mouth and laughed again, finally giving her both.

Over there, Liu Shi and Third Madam Lin’s conversation had become increasingly familiar, with their words gradually revealing intimacy and closeness. Liu Shi took the opportunity to say, “Sister Yuan, I heard you’re also very skilled at appreciating calligraphy and paintings. I recently bought a painting and don’t know if it’s authentic. I wonder if Sister Yuan could help me authenticate it?”

Third Madam Lin was startled. Though she came from a scholarly family, being skilled at appreciating calligraphy and paintings was rather flattering. However, looking at Liu Shi’s expression, she immediately realized this was Liu Shi’s excuse to have a private conversation with her.

After thinking it over, Third Madam Lin still smiled and agreed: “How about we go to the study?”

Liu Shi quickly smiled and stood up: “Thank you so much, Sister Yuan.”

Ren Yaoqi sat to one side, chatting with Lin Baoling and the others. When she saw Third Madam Lin and Liu Shi getting up to leave, she merely glanced over with a smile before turning away.

Ren Yaoying also glanced toward Liu Shi, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curving up. When her gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi, seeing nothing amiss in her expression, she turned back to huddle with Lin Baoling in conversation, occasionally letting out laughter.

Liu Shi and Third Madam Lin’s conversation didn’t last long – just about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before they returned.

From their expressions, nothing could be discerned, though Liu Shi’s demeanor could be considered relaxed.

After sitting a bit longer, Liu Shi proactively suggested taking leave: “I’ll come visit Sister Yuan again in a few days. Thank you for taking the trouble this time.”

Third Madam Lin’s response was quite cautious: “Don’t mention trouble or no trouble – I can’t help with anything significant.”

Liu Shi smiled: “Your consideration is already a great help to me.”

Lin Baoling was somewhat reluctant to part with Ren Yaoying, tugging at her sleeve: “Sister Yaoying, remember to come play again next time.”

Liu Shi looked at Ren Yaoyin with a kind smile, saying to Lin Baoling: “How rare that you two are so compatible.”

After leaving Third Madam Lin’s courtyard, Ren Shijia invited Liu Shi to sit at her place again, but Liu Shi politely declined.

After a few attempts at persuasion, Ren Shijia let it go, though she did ask: “Was cousin successful this time?”

She naturally knew Liu Shi’s real reason for seeking out Third Madam Lin.

Liu Shi sighed lightly: “How could it be that easy? But Third Madam Lin didn’t completely refuse either.” She didn’t explain in detail.

Liu Shi had hinted at promising considerable benefits, and Third Madam Lin only agreed that if the opportunity arose, she would mention Fang Yacun’s name to her uncle. She didn’t make any firm commitments. However, Liu Shi was fairly satisfied with this result. She had made preparations from all angles – she only needed Third Madam Lin’s uncle to say a few words for her husband at the crucial moment. It was merely a small favor.