Fifth Madam immediately stopped in her tracks. The surprise and joy in her eyes instantly filled her with vitality, and all her previous grievances and resentment vanished without a trace.

“Sister-in-law, do you see if my eyes are swollen?” Lin Shi hurriedly tugged at Eldest Madam’s sleeve, asking somewhat shyly.

Before Eldest Madam could answer, the servants and maids in Old Madam’s room covered their mouths and giggled, and the previously tense and oppressive atmosphere disappeared.

Old Madam looked over: “Why are you still here?”

Lin Shi looked at Old Madam with a face full of pleading: “Mother, Shimao has returned, I—”

Everyone in the Ren mansion knew that Fifth Madam and Fifth Master had been childhood sweethearts. Though the young couple had quarreled since their marriage, they always made up quickly, fighting at the head of the bed but reconciling at the foot. As long as Fifth Master was home, the two were so close they seemed like one person.

Old Madam Ren loved her youngest son, and this daughter-in-law was from her natal family, so she usually turned a blind eye to their behavior.

However, this time, Lin Shi had offended Old Madam severely. Old Madam kept a stern face and scolded: “Did my words go in one ear and out the other?”

Eldest Madam tugged at Fifth Madam, who was overjoyed, and whispered: “Fifth sister-in-law, your eyes are swollen like peaches, and your makeup is ruined—”

Lin Shi touched her face and became anxious: “Mother, let me go back and wash my face first.” She then hurriedly ran outside, completely forgetting Old Madam’s order for her to reflect in the ancestral hall.

Old Madam Ren’s anger flared again. Pointing at her retreating figure, she said to Eldest Madam: “Look at her, just look at her! Where’s even half a bit of propriety? She’s completely lawless!”

Eldest Madam lowered her head with a smile, stepped forward to direct the maids to clear the table, then said gently, “Fifth sister-in-law knows you’ve always doted on her. She acts this way because she feels close to you.”

Old Madam Ren snorted coldly: “I’ve indulged her so much that she’s lost all sense of boundaries. Now she doesn’t even respect me!”

As soon as these words were spoken, a loud voice from outside responded: “Who dares not respect you, Mother? Your son will be the first not to spare them!”

Immediately after, the curtain lifted and two men of similar height entered.

The one walking in front had a round face and round eyes, with deep dimples on both cheeks identical to Old Madam Ren’s, making him look somewhat childish. Despite being twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, he appeared like a young man who had just reached adulthood.

The man walking behind him was considerably more mature in comparison, with handsome brows and refined eyes. Despite the cold weather, he wore only a white, wide-sleeved single robe, moving with ethereal grace and elegant bearing.

Old Madam Ren glanced at the baby-faced man and said coldly, “Those are your words! Don’t deny them later!”

Ren Shimao, who had just casually responded, realized something was wrong. His eyes darted around, and he immediately pulled Ren Shimin forward, smiling as they kowtowed to Old Madam Ren, glossing over the previous topic.

Old Madam’s gaze shifted to Ren Shimin’s clothing, and she frowned: “What are you wearing? Are all your attendants dead?”

Ren Shimin calmly raised his head: “Mother, this is called a ‘望仙袍’ (Immortal-Gazing Robe). It’s the latest fashion in the capital, and every scholarly gentleman has one. This one was personally sewn by the capital’s skilled seamstress, Mu Ying. Fifth brother also has a similar one, but his is made of blue cloud brocade.”

“Go back and change it! If your father sees you, you’ll have to kneel in the ancestral hall again! All of you, get up!” Old Madam Ren looked displeased.

Ren Shimin didn’t argue and rose gracefully. A nearby maid, knowing his particular nature, quickly walked over and knelt at his feet to smooth out the slightly wrinkled hem of his robe.

Meanwhile, Ren Shimao had already sat on the kang and was telling Old Madam about their journey: “We were originally going to be delayed for several days, but we happened to encounter the Han family father and son. Their merchant caravan was large with dedicated pathfinders, so the third brother and I followed behind them and returned.”

“Since you owe them a favor, remember to have the steward prepare a thank-you gift to send over later.” Old Madam Ren instructed.

Ren Shimin walked to a chair and sat down, accepting tea from a maid: “I already gave Young Master Han a piece of calligraphy—”

“What, calligraphy and painting?”

“Young Master Han saw the third brother’s calligraphy and painting and liked them very much. The third brother gave him one of his recent masterpieces.” Ren Shimao winked at Ren Shimin.

Old Madam Ren glared at them: “Those are just children’s playthings—how can they count? Remember to have the steward prepare a generous gift, and if you have time, personally take it to the Han family, or have your servant accompany the steward there.”

Ren Shimao cheerfully agreed, but Ren Shimin frowned and glanced at his mother, ultimately shaking his head and drinking his tea quietly.

After the mother and sons talked for a while, Old Madam Ren noticed that although Ren Shimao kept trying to please her, his mind wasn’t there. Understanding this but pretending not to, she instead said to Ren Shimin: “Li Shi and Yaohua have returned. Go back and see them.”

Ren Shimin was startled, then nodded: “Yes, Mother.”

Ren Shimao happily stood up: “I’ll go with the third brother. I’ll go back to change clothes first, then come back later to keep Mother company.”

Old Madam Ren glanced at him indifferently: “Did I say you could leave? Stay here—I still have things to tell you!”

Ren Shimao was somewhat disappointed but obediently sat back down, smiling: “That’s fine. I also want to spend more time with Mother, as long as you don’t mind your son being travel-worn and dusty.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren snorted coldly, not falling for his trick.

Ren Shimin put down his teacup, stood up to take his leave. Before leaving, he paused in front of the maid who had served him tea and said slowly: “The water temperature wasn’t right. Next time you serve this type of Wuyi tea, remember to use freshly boiled water.”

“This servant will remember, Third Master.” The maid replied with a bitter expression, bowing her head.

Ren Shimin walked away gracefully.

When he was nearly at Ziwei Courtyard, he saw from afar a figure standing at the courtyard gate, wrapped in a thick fur cloak with a hood covering it completely.

As he drew closer, the person seemed to see him and hurried forward two steps to meet him, but nearly tripped over the stone steps, causing the hood to slip down and reveal a delicate little face.

Seeing this, Ren Shimin burst into laughter and walked over quickly, his pleasant and clear voice echoing in the courtyard where ice and snow were melting: “Yaoqi, are you waiting for Father?”

Ren Yaoqi looked at the handsome man striding toward her, at his still spirited demeanor, at how he maintained his elegant bearing even while walking, and tears blurred her vision.

“Father—”

She had once blamed her father for being obsessed only with books and paintings, caring nothing about the Ren family’s affairs, having no voice in the elders’ decisions.

But in the end, he had used his own life to fight for her.

Ren Yaoqi suddenly rushed forward and hugged Ren Shimin, burying her tear-stained face in the front of his robe.

Ren Shimin had been quite happy, but now his body stiffened. With a conflicted expression, he stared at the top of his little daughter’s head, finally unable to resist placing his hands on her shoulders and prying her away.

“Yaoqi, you’ve dirtied Father’s clothes!” Ren Shimin looked with disgust at the wet patch on his chest and accused her.

Seeing his disgusted expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh “pfft” and could no longer cry: “Father, you’re still the same—” she said softly.

“What?”

Ren Shimin took out his handkerchief, first cleaned his clothes, then pinched the handkerchief with two fingers and handed it to Ren Yaoqi.

“Quickly wipe your face—you’re dirty like a little kitten.”

Ren Yaoqi looked at the handkerchief speechlessly, shook her head, and pulled out her own from her sleeve: “No, I’m just very happy that you’ve returned.”

Ren Shimin casually threw away the handkerchief and patted Ren Yaoqi’s head: “Good girl. Father remembers the clothes and jewelry you wanted—I bought you two big chests worth. I’ll have someone send them to your room later.”

Ren Yaoqi was about to say something when she saw Ren Shimin’s gaze shift behind her, and he seemed startled.

She turned around and saw Ren Yaohua standing behind the door, wearing only a rouge-colored cotton jacket and skirt, looking at her and Ren Shimin.

“Ah, Yaohua has returned?” Ren Shimin nodded at Ren Yaohua with a smile.

Ren Yaohua stepped forward and curtsied to Ren Shimin: “Father.” Her posture was proper, and her bowed head made her appear less domineering and proud than usual.