Today, it wasn’t only the young masters of prestigious families who received invitations from the Su family – the young ladies of prominent households in Yunyang City, whose families were on good terms with the Su family, also received invitations.

However, while the young masters received invitations to Second Young Master Su Yunchen’s poetry gathering, the young ladies received invitations to First Miss Su Fangfei’s tea party.

The Lin family misses, and Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoyin also received invitations from the Su family.

The invitation in Ren Yaoqi’s hand was delivered by a senior maid sent by Seventh Miss Ren Yaoting of the Ren family. Since all four Lin family misses were going and Ren Yaoyin was also going, Ren Yaoqi sent word to Xiao Jinglin’s side, telling her not to send a carriage the next day.

Ren Yaoqi came to the Su family together with Ren Yaoyin, accompanied by the four Lin family misses.

The Lin family’s younger generation had far more boys than girls. The young masters were already ranked in their teens, but there were only four Lin family misses.

Lin Baoling, the legitimate granddaughter of Third Master Lin, was the most beloved by the elders. Besides her, there were Lin Baozhu, the legitimate granddaughter of Fourth Master Lin, and Lin Baolan and Lin Baole, the concubine-born granddaughters of First Master Lin. Although Lin Baozhu was also legitimate, she rarely came out due to poor health. The concubine-born Lin Baolan and Lin Baole didn’t like playing with Lin Baoling much, as they were unwilling to be green leaves setting off Lin Baoling’s red flower.

Today, with the Su family sending invitations, the Lin sisters rarely came together so completely.

Lin Baoling enthusiastically asked Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoyin, “Will Sister Yaoying come today?”

Ren Yaoyin smiled and explained: “Cousin took Ninth Sister to Prince Yanbei’s mansion.”

Lin Baoling looked surprised: “Prince Yanbei’s mansion? Is Cousin acquainted with which master of the mansion?”

Ren Yaoyin smiled: “I’m not clear about that either, but I heard that one of Cousin’s close friends is acquainted with the wife of some secretary in the mansion. Originally, Cousin and Ninth Sister were also supposed to come to the Su family, but later, the secretary’s wife sent someone saying she had matters to discuss, so they went to Prince Yanbei’s mansion instead. Cousin sent word to inform Aunt.”

Lin Baoling covered her mouth and laughed: “Speaking of which, I’ve also been to Prince Yanbei’s mansion several times.” She then began telling Ren Yaoyin and the others about the layout of Prince Yanbei’s mansion, but suddenly stopped after a few sentences.

She glanced at Ren Yaoqi and said bashfully with a red face: “Oh, I forgot – Sister Yaoqi has been to Prince Yanbei’s mansion many more times than I have. It’s not my place to introduce it.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled upon hearing this: “Each time I go, I only accompany the Princess in practicing the qin. I haven’t moved around the mansion. I’m timid, and Prince Yanbei’s mansion is so large – I’m afraid of wandering into places I shouldn’t go, and afraid of getting lost. The places Sister Baoling mentioned, I’ve never been to. If you asked me to describe them, I couldn’t say much.”

Lin Baoling’s eyes widened in surprise: “Sister Yaoqi hasn’t even been to see the Old Princess Consort?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “Never been. Sister Baoling, could you tell us about it?”

Lin Baoling’s eyes curved with laughter again, and she enthusiastically began telling them about the time she accompanied her great-grandmother and grandmother to pay respects to the Old Princess Consort of Prince Yanbei’s mansion.

As they were walking and chatting, they heard someone call out from afar: “Fifth Sister, you’re finally here!”

Ren Yaoqi looked up and saw a young lady in a light green jacket and skirt walking over with a smile on her face. She couldn’t help but smile too, quickening her steps to meet her: “Seventh Sister, since you specially invited me, how could I dare not come?”

The newcomer was none other than Seventh Miss Ren Yaoting from the second branch of the Ren family. Ren Yaoting had been staying at her maternal grandfather’s Su family home these days and had invited Ren Yaoqi to visit the Su family several times, but Ren Yaoqi had always found excuses to decline.

Ren Yaoting greeted Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaoying, and the four Lin family misses, then took Ren Yaoqi’s arm and pretended to pinch her waist, laughing while glaring: “You have some nerve to say that! I’ve invited you several times, and you never came. If you hadn’t come this time, I wouldn’t be friends with you anymore.” Though she spoke thus, her tone was cheerful, showing she was very happy about Ren Yaoqi’s appearance.

Ren Yaoqi quickly dodged and begged for mercy.

A young lady about their age had come with Ren Yaoting. She was pretty and now spoke up with a laugh: “Cousin, Mother sent you to welcome guests, not to chase them away. If you scare all the guests, how will you explain yourself?”

Ren Yaoting laughed: “Alright, alright, so you’re the only one who’s well-behaved and sensible, is that it, Cousin?”

This young lady was none other than First Miss Su Fangfei of the Su family.

Lin Baoling was familiar with Su Fangfei from their usual interactions. She now went over to her, and being lively by nature, she chatted non-stop while holding Su Fangfei’s arm, covering her mouth and laughing as she spoke, looking carefree.

Su Fangfei listened with a smile, occasionally replying in a low voice. The two were very much in sync, appearing to have a good private friendship.

The group chatted and laughed as they went to Old Madam Su’s courtyard.

No matter what pretext one used to visit any family, the first people to see were the elders of that family. After paying respects and receiving the elders’ permission, one could then move about – this was proper etiquette.

Old Madam Su was Old Master Su’s second wife. Both First Master Su Keqin and Second Madam Ren (this aunt) were children of the first wife. The current Old Madam Su had given birth to Second Master Su Kejian and Third Master Su Keji.

Both Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting were from the main branch. Though they brought everyone to see Old Madam Su out of propriety, their attitude couldn’t be called particularly warm.

Although Old Madam Su’s expression was kind, it was merely surface courtesy. After a few words, she dismissed them.

Next, Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting took them to see Su family’s First Madam. First Madam Su’s courtyard was much livelier – besides them, there were several other young ladies of similar age and several madams as well.

Although Old Madam Su currently held the highest rank in the Su family’s inner quarters, the one truly in charge was First Madam Su.

It was said that this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair had once engaged in fierce competition, with blood and storms not fit for outsiders to know. The result was that Old Madam Su now kept a low profile while First Madam Su was triumphant.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships were always a case of either the east wind prevailing over the west wind, or the west wind over the east – there were always those who rejoiced and those who worried.

“Sister-in-law, tell Aunt to let us go play in the garden,” said a young lady with a gentle bearing as she entered. Ren Yaoting released Ren Yaoqi’s hand and went up to her, speaking in a coquettish whisper.

Ren Yaoqi’s gaze also fixed on that young lady. Her smile remained unchanged, but the mirth didn’t reach her eyes.

Mrs. Zeng, the Su family’s eldest daughter-in-law, lightly scraped Ren Yaoting’s nose with her finger, her smile gentle and indulgent: “Little imp, you only know how to make me do things. If you want to go out, why don’t you ask your Mother-in-law yourself?”

Su Fangfei also came over, taking Mrs. Zeng’s other hand and shaking it gently with a sly smile: “Sister-in-law, Mother loves you most. If you ask, it’s a sure thing. If Cousin and I go, we might get scolded by Mother.”

Mrs. Zeng looked at them, suppressed her laughter, sighed, and said helplessly: “I can’t afford to offend my sister-in-law – what else can I say?”

Su Fangfei and Ren Yaoting exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

When Mrs. Zeng walked to Ren Yaoqi’s side, she unconsciously glanced in her direction. Meeting Ren Yaoqi’s smiling face, she also smiled and nodded. Then she went to First Madam Su and spoke a few words softly.

First Madam Su looked at the young ladies, then nodded and gave some detailed instructions, which Mrs. Zeng listened to respectfully.

Seeing Mrs. Zeng return, Ren Yaoting was the first to approach her, asking eagerly: “How was it? What did Aunt say? Did she agree?”

Mrs. Zeng sighed, then smiled charmingly and winked: “Mission accomplished.”

Ren Yaoting immediately beamed with joy.

Su Fangfei, remembering she was the hostess, quickly went to invite the other young ladies to tour the garden together.

The young ladies all laughed, but no one refused or said they wouldn’t go. Several shy ones even secretly blushed.

Everyone knew that it wasn’t only young ladies and madams who had come to the Su family today – Second Young Master Su was holding a poetry gathering, and quite a few talented young masters from prominent families had come today.

So while they said they were going to tour the courtyard, everyone had the idea of stealing glances at the demeanor of these talented young men – it was an unspoken understanding.

As long as nothing improper happened, the elders would turn a blind eye. Who hadn’t had their youthful years? Everyone had gone through this.

It would be difficult to do anything improper anyway, considering all the servants and maids throughout the courtyards and gardens were watching with keen eyes – they weren’t just for show.

The Su family’s eldest daughter-in-law and Su Fangfei led the young ladies in front, while Ren Yaoting deliberately tugged at Ren Yaoqi’s sleeve, and the two fell back a few steps behind the others.

“Fifth Sister, I heard he’s coming today too.”

Ren Yaoqi saw her maid Pingguo quietly withdraw, and hearing Ren Yaoting’s words, asked somewhat absentmindedly: “Who’s coming?”

After asking, seeing Ren Yaoting pulling at her skirt with a shy expression, she immediately understood that the “he” Ren Yaoting referred to could only be Han Yunqian.

Perhaps because Ren Yaoqi knew about her feelings for Han Yunqian, Ren Yaoting had always been closer to Ren Yaoqi than to her other sisters, willing to share secrets with her.

“Fifth Sister, Young Master Han will compose poetry today.” She looked around, then lowered her voice: “I’ll have someone steal the poem he writes later.”

Ren Yaoqi was startled. Looking at Ren Yaoting beside her with flushed cheeks but bright eyes, she thought for a moment and still advised: “Seventh Sister, what do you want his poem for? What if someone discovers it?”

Ren Yaoting frowned, but finally pouted: “If they discover it, so be it! It would be best if they did! Uncle and Aunt love me most ordinarily – if they found out, they certainly wouldn’t scold me and would even find ways to smooth things over. Besides, because of the salt well matter, Uncle has been getting closer to the Han family recently. If Uncle came forward… Fifth Sister, do you think I have a chance?”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaoting’s stubborn and determined expression, looking like she wouldn’t turn back until she hit the wall, and felt quite a headache.

She and Ren Yaoting couldn’t be said to have deep sisterly feelings, but she also didn’t want to see her come to ruin.

After all, Ren Yaoting was part of the Ren family – if her reputation was ruined, it would affect the other Ren family daughters too.

“Seventh Sister, you’re right. The Han family is now on good terms with the Su family. If it came from First Master Su, you might not lack opportunity.” Ren Yaoqi nodded.

Ren Yaoting’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, staring at Ren Yaoqi happily: “Fifth Sister, are you serious? You think so too?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “It’s just that I think, precisely because you now have an opportunity, you should be even more careful. Otherwise, if something goes wrong at this time, wouldn’t all your previous planning be wasted? Like today, you shouldn’t risk your reputation being ruined for the sake of one poem. Ask yourself, which family would be willing to marry a girl with a bad reputation? Even if the Su family wants to maintain good relations with the Han family, doesn’t the Su family have suitable girls who could marry into the Han family?”

Ren Yaoting frowned upon hearing this, somewhat hesitant: “What you say makes sense, but I…”

At this moment, Lin Baoling, who was walking ahead, turned back: “You two, why are you so slow! What are you whispering about?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and pulled Ren Yaoting to catch up quickly, no longer discussing this topic with her. She had said all she could – she hoped Ren Yaoting wouldn’t be too foolish.

The Su family’s poetry gathering was being held in the lakeside pavilion in the Su family garden.

The Su family’s eldest daughter-in-law and Su Fangfei led the group straight to the Su family garden.

From afar, everyone could see figures moving about in the lakeside pavilion. Getting a bit closer, they could even hear some young master reciting poetry.

The young master currently reciting poetry was presumably going through voice changes – his voice was hoarse and certainly couldn’t be called pleasant. Yet this young master recited with abundant emotion and varied intonation, his earnestness making it hard to criticize him.

The young ladies walking ahead were all laughing.

The people in the pavilion also saw someone coming, and that poetry-reciting young master’s voice became noticeably louder, startling a pair of mandarin ducks that had been preening each other’s feathers on the lake.

The young ladies laughed even harder, some uncontrollably so.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh too – joyful things always resonated with most people.

Mrs. Zeng didn’t lead the young ladies into the lakeside pavilion, but instead had them circle around the lake, always separated from the young masters in the pavilion by more than two zhang of green lake water.

The breeze made their skirts flutter, creating fragrant, beautiful scenes with laughter like silver bells.

Neither side could see faces, only distinguishing between men and women by clothing, yet this miraculously inspired the “poetic nature” of the talented young men, making everyone in the pavilion passionate.

The young master, going through voice changes, finally finished his poem, but immediately someone else took over.

The next young master had a much more pleasant voice, but unfortunately, he always delivered his seven-character regulated verse three characters at a time, often leaving the last character isolated, completely disrupting the rhythm and sounding quite odd.

The young ladies dissolved in laughter.

Lin Baoling even came over with a grin, whispering: “I bet this young master reciting poetry is that young master from the Gu family.”

Ren Yaoting, not being from Yunyang City, asked in confusion: “Which young master from the Gu family? We can’t see the people in the pavilion from here – how can you guess?”

Lin Baoling covered her mouth and laughed: “You don’t know – this young master from the Gu family has stuttered since childhood. Later, his mother taught him a way to speak without being mocked – breaking sentences into groups of three characters. This method worked. After practicing for a long time, as long as he spoke slowly, you couldn’t tell. But after this young master’s stutter improved, he developed a fatal hobby – composing poetry… haha…” Lin Baoling burst out laughing before finishing.

The other young ladies listening nearby also couldn’t help but smile.

As everyone was chatting and laughing, they saw a young man in sapphire blue silk robes emerge from a side path, apparently heading to the lakeside pavilion.

This young man had fair skin and quite ordinary features, with only a pair of phoenix eyes adding some color to his appearance.

Seeing so many young ladies suddenly appear before him, the young man was also startled. He quickly bowed, then slightly turned aside to avoid them, not daring to look in their direction – his etiquette was quite proper.

The young ladies hadn’t expected anyone to come by and were initially startled and somewhat shy. But seeing the young man avoiding them with ears red as blood, they couldn’t help but laugh again. The young man’s face became even redder, and he buried his head, not daring to lift it, only showing the top of his head.

This made the young ladies look at him even more. Though the young man’s features were ordinary, his bashful yet proper, embarrassed appearance wasn’t annoying at all – it was rather endearing.

Mrs. Zeng from the Su family also laughed and was about to have a servant lead the poor young man, who was at a loss from the young ladies’ laughter, to the lakeside pavilion when Ren Yaoyin exclaimed “Eh!” and hesitantly called out: “Cousin from the Fang family?”

Fang Shuzhou raised his head slightly, saw Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaoqi, immediately recognized them, bowed again, and said with a red face: “Cousins from the Ren family.”

Mrs. Zeng smiled: “Is Young Master Fang going to the lakeside pavilion?”

Fang Shuzhou nodded: “Yes, yes.”

Mrs. Zeng didn’t make things difficult for him anymore and had a servant from her side lead Fang Shuzhou away.

Fang Shuzhou quickly bowed again, causing the young ladies to cover their mouths and laugh once more.

As Fang Shuzhou passed by everyone, someone suddenly cried out in alarm.

Lin Baoling was staring at Fang Shuzhou in a daze, her mouth agape, forgetting to cover her slightly uneven teeth with her hand.

“Baoling, what’s wrong?” Su Fangfei immediately went over to ask.

Lin Baoling came to her senses, her face turning pale, but her eyes reddened.

Su Fangfei suspiciously followed Lin Baoling’s gaze, meeting Fang Shuzhou’s bewildered eyes. Then her gaze moved down, sweeping past Fang Shuzhou’s waist, and she froze.

“Eh—”

Fang Shuzhou didn’t know what was happening, but he really didn’t dare stay any longer and hurriedly walked away.

After Fang Shuzhou left, Su Fangfei looked at Lin Baoling somewhat suspiciously. The other three Lin family misses exchanged glances, all looking rather strange.

Lin Baoling’s originally pale face suddenly flushed, and she opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.

“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Zeng, who had been walking ahead, noticed something amiss and came back to ask.

Lin Baoling took a deep breath, shook her head, then forced herself to say: “Nothing, I just suddenly felt a bit unwell.”

Mrs. Zeng looked at Lin Baoling, then at the other Lin family misses with their strange expressions, then glanced at her sister-in-law.

None of the Lin family misses spoke, and Su Fangfei, after looking at her sister-in-law, also said nothing.

Seeing this, Mrs. Zeng very naturally and considerately said to Lin Baoling: “Miss Lin doesn’t feel well? Would you like to rest? Although it’s summer, this lakeside garden is quite windy – you must have caught some wind to feel unwell?” Her concern was just right.

Lin Baoling quickly nodded.

Mrs. Zeng then instructed a servant to take Lin Baoling to rest in First Madam Su’s garden first.

The Lin family exchanged glances and said they wanted to accompany Lin Baoling.

Su Fangfei thought for a moment and said to Mrs. Zeng, “Sister-in-law, I’ll accompany Baoling.”

Mrs. Zeng nodded without objection.

Su Fangfei then left with the Lin family’s ladies.

Ren Yaoting watched them leave and whispered to Ren Yaoqi: “What happened? Is Lin Baoling in poor health?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head, indicating she knew nothing.

Ren Yaoting had only asked casually anyway – her attention wasn’t on this minor matter at all. She was trying hard to locate Han Yunqian’s whereabouts, hoping for an unexpected encounter.

Mrs. Zeng continued leading the young ladies along the lakeshore, listening to their chatter and laughter.

Just as they were about to complete the circle, Ren Yaoting beckoned her maid over and whispered: “Follow the maids serving tea to the lakeside pavilion and see if Young Master Han is there.”

Ren Yaoqi, who heard this clearly from nearby, tried hard to suppress the urge to sigh.

When they had nearly finished touring the garden, the maid Ren Yaoting had sent out finally returned and reported quietly: “Miss, Young Master Han is not in the pavilion.”

Ren Yaoting looked disappointed and frowned: “Didn’t Cousin say he would come?” After thinking, she instructed the maid again: “Go guard that outer path – if he comes, immediately send someone to tell me.”

The maid left with a bitter expression.

The young ladies were finally tired from walking and tired of the excitement. Mrs. Zeng suggested that everyone go to the flower hall in front of First Madam Su’s courtyard for tea.

As they were about to leave the garden, Ren Yaoqi sensed something and looked back, just in time to see a sapphire blue figure hurriedly emerging from the lakeside pavilion. A slight smile curved Ren Yaoqi’s lips as she turned back around nonchalantly.

Upon leaving the garden, they happened to encounter one of Lin Baoling’s nannies with one of her senior maids hurrying over.

Mrs. Zeng couldn’t help but ask: “What’s this about, Nanny?”

The nanny smiled apologetically: “This servant left in such haste earlier that I dropped the bracelet my mistress had given me. I’m looking for it.”

“Then I’ll send some people to help you look.” Mrs. Zeng was good-natured even toward other families’ servants.

The nanny quickly said, “This servant is just looking for peace of mind – it might have been dropped somewhere else entirely. Madam needn’t trouble yourself with this servant – please continue with your business.”

Mrs. Zeng let it go, nodded, and led the group away.