This Madam Zhou was the woman Ren Yaoqi had seen at Prince Yanbei’s mansion, who had gone with Liu Shi to meet Princess Consort Yanbei. She was about the same age as Liu Shi, but her appearance was much more refined and beautiful. When she spoke, she had the unique gentleness characteristic of women born in the Jiangnan water towns.

Women from Yanbei were reluctant to marry far into Jiangnan, but Yanbei men liked to marry southern women. Setting aside other qualities, their gentle and tender nature alone was quite appealing to men.

Madam Zhou had a son and a daughter whose ages happened to be close to Fang Shuzhou and Ren Yaoying. The four children had met several times before and immediately began chatting familiarly upon meeting. After Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua greeted Madam Zhou, they couldn’t join the conversation.

After exchanging a few words with them and having maids serve tea, Madam Zhou found an excuse to go aside with Liu Shi for a private conversation, leaving her children to entertain the guests.

Madam Zhou’s son, Zhou Wen, was a talkative youth. When he was with Fang Shuzhou, he did most of the talking while Fang Shuzhou listened. Boys of this age were at an awkward stage—seeing girls their age, especially attractive ones they had met several times, would naturally stir vague romantic thoughts.

Zhou Wen chatted with Fang Shuzhou while secretly glancing at Ren Yaoying’s face, occasionally looking at Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua as well.

To be fair, all the Ren family daughters were quite attractive. Ren Yaohua was brilliant and vivacious, Ren Yaoying was delicate and fragile, and Ren Yaoqi was elegant and refined. Standing together, they were very pleasing to the eye.

Ren Yaohua had a proud nature and felt somewhat annoyed sensing Zhou Wen’s gaze, though more than anything, she felt disdainful. In Ren Yaoqi’s eyes, someone like Zhou Wen was just a wet-behind-the-ears child, so she paid him no attention at all. As for Ren Yaoying, she had probably already sensed Zhou Wen’s interest in her and felt both embarrassed and inexplicably pleased. Her face showed some color, and she became rather reserved when talking with Miss Zhou Rong.

Miss Zhou Rong was also pretty with a lively, cheerful personality. She pulled Ren Yaoying aside to whisper and chatter quietly, her face showing deep dimples when she smiled. However, compared to her enthusiasm toward Ren Yaoying, she was rather cold toward Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua, only greeting them when they first met in front of Madam Zhou before ignoring them.

How could Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi not see that Zhou Rong was trying to favor Ren Yaoying? The two sisters didn’t particularly mind and chatted among themselves while drinking tea.

Though treated coldly, Ren Yaohua’s mood wasn’t affected today, perhaps because she had been bedridden for several days with her foot injury, and this was her first outing.

Since the weather was hot, Ren Yaohua had eaten little in the morning. After the carriage ride to Sun and Moon Spring, she felt hungry. Not one to make herself suffer, when the Zhou family maids served a pastry called Pine Nut and Lily Crisp that suited her taste, she ate two pieces with her tea.

Zhou Rong suddenly said, “Sister Yaohua likes Pine Nut and Lily Crisp? This pastry is one of the signature items from Fuман Tower, currently the most famous pastry shop in our Yunyang City. If Sister Yaohua likes it, I’ll have someone pack some for you to take home.”

Though Zhou Rong’s tone was gentle, it carried an air of superiority, as if mocking Ren Yaohua’s lack of worldly experience.

However, Ren Yaohua was in quite good spirits today and, being on someone else’s territory, endured Zhou Rong’s provocation. Hearing this, she merely curved her lips and replied coolly: “Thank you very much, Miss Zhou.”

Zhou Rong usually wasn’t a sharp-tongued, mean person. Seeing her barb had no effect, she continued talking with Ren Yaoying.

Ren Yaohua took the opportunity while wiping her hands with a handkerchief to whisper to Ren Yaoqi: “It seems Ninth Sister hasn’t been sparing in talking about us to others.” And most likely not saying good things.

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled and deliberately whispered back: “So what? If I were in her position, I wouldn’t make close friends with people who gossip behind others’ backs. If she can speak ill of others to my face, how do I know she won’t criticize me to others? Smart people understand this principle, so the only people she can befriend are either ill-intentioned or stupid and brainless. What is there to worry about?”

Ren Yaohua pondered Ren Yaoqi’s words carefully, then broke into a brilliant smile: “That’s quite right. Does this mean I can’t speak ill of her in public anymore?”

Ren Yaoqi blinked: “Naturally. You’re our eldest sister—in front of outsiders, you can only say good things about us. Toward Ninth Sister, our youngest sister, you should praise her to the skies.”

Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi sideways, but her eyes held laughter.

Between a younger sister who seized every opportunity to criticize her eldest sister and an older sister who spoke well of her younger sisters everywhere, who had the bigger heart was obvious to any discerning person, requiring no self-defense from Ren Yaohua.

Zhou Wen was dazzled by the brilliant smile that suddenly bloomed on Ren Yaohua’s face and stood somewhat stunned. Ren Yaoying inadvertently noticed and felt displeased.

It wasn’t that Ren Yaoying was interested in Zhou Wen, but he was the first boy her age to show interest in her. During their previous meetings, he had made quite an effort to show off in front of her and was willing to flatter her everywhere, nicely satisfying Ren Yaoying’s vanity. Now, seeing Zhou Wen’s attention drawn to Ren Yaohua felt like something belonging to her had been stolen, especially by her legitimate older sister, whom she always liked to compete with.

So Ren Yaoying unusually addressed Zhou Wen: “Brother Zhou, I heard from Sister Rong that the scenery around this estate is excellent?” Zhou Rong had mentioned earlier that when they came to the estate, her brother could take them around to look. This was her hint that she wanted to go out and see.

Hearing Ren Yaoying actively speak to him, Zhou Wen immediately had his attention diverted. Being quite a clever youth, his eyes lit up upon hearing this: “Yes! Especially a waterfall about two li from our estate. Though we can’t enter Sun and Moon Spring since it’s in Prince Yanbei’s villa, we can still visit this waterfall. If Sister Yaoying wants to go, I’ll speak to Mother right away.” He stared at Ren Yaoying expectantly, waiting for her answer.

Having her vanity satisfied, Ren Yaoying deliberately hesitated for a moment, making Zhou Wen watch her nervously, afraid she might refuse.

Zhou Rong pulled Ren Yaoying and said, “Sister Yaoying, you rarely visit. Let’s go see that waterfall? The scenery there is no worse than Sun and Moon Spring.”

Having maintained her airs sufficiently, Ren Yaoying finally nodded reservedly: “Then… alright, but if Aunt doesn’t agree, we’ll forget it.”

Zhou Wen beamed with joy: “How could she disagree? I’ll go tell Mother and Aunt Liu right away. Sister Yaoying, just wait.”

Ren Yaoying lowered her head and smiled, but just as Zhou Wen was about to leave, she suddenly seemed to remember something and said to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua: “Oh! I forgot to ask Third Sister and Fifth Sister’s opinion. If my sisters don’t want to go, I won’t go either.”

How could Ren Yaoqi not understand her little scheme? She looked at her and smiled softly. Ren Yaoying felt somewhat guilty at this smile and blushed.

Ren Yaohua smiled meaningfully: “If Ninth Sister wants to go, how could we older sisters spoil the fun? If the elders agree, let’s go.”

Zhou Wen immediately pulled Fang Shuzhou to the next room to petition his mother.

Soon, Zhou Wen returned excitedly: “Mother and Aunt Liu agreed! But they told us to bring more people. I’ll arrange everything right away—please wait here, sisters.” He went out to make arrangements.

Wanting to impress the young ladies, Zhou Wen quickly arranged carriages, horses, and attendants, then personally came to invite the Ren sisters out.

This time, they used the Zhou family’s carriage. Since the distance wasn’t far, Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, Ren Yaoying, and Zhou Rong shared one carriage, while Zhou Wen and Fang Shuzhou rode horses alongside, with several sturdy servants following. Before departure, Madam Zhou came to give instructions and, seeing her son’s arrangements were sound, felt reassured.

The weather was excellent that day—not too hot, with a breeze. Though their relationships weren’t as harmonious as they appeared on the surface, the group of young people was cheerful throughout the journey. Even Ren Yaoqi found the scenery around Sun and Moon Spring quite beautiful. The wind blowing through the latticed bamboo curtains lifted some of her heavy, melancholy mood.

Wanting to show off to the young ladies, Zhou Wen sat straight on his horse and competed with Fang Shuzhou in impromptu poetry composition. Whether he truly had literary talent or had prepared beforehand, he composed two poems that were more outstanding than Fang Shuzhou’s efforts.

Their voices carried from outside, naturally heard by the girls in the carriage. Zhou Rong said proudly, “My brother studies at Yunyang Academy, and his teacher often praises him. He even passed the xiucai examination last year.”

Ren Yaoying’s eyes flashed with surprise: “Brother Zhou is truly capable—passing xiucai at such a young age. Won’t the juren examination be easy for him too?”

Zhou Rong smiled modestly, but her eyes held some pride: “His teacher says the same, but Father fears early success might make him frivolous, so he’s told him to wait and calm his mind before taking the next exam.”

Ren Yaoqi was also somewhat surprised, not expecting Zhou Wen to have real literary talent.

The carriage moved slowly but still reached their destination quickly.

Sitting in the carriage, Ren Yaoqi heard the sound of water and felt moisture in the air.

The carriage stopped, and Zhou Wen called from outside: “Sister, Ren family sisters, we’ve arrived. Please remain in the carriage while I have people tidy up the area before you get out.”

No one objected. Zhou Wen led the servants to busy themselves nearby while Zhou Rong had a maid lift the carriage curtain. Everyone could see a waterfall not far ahead, like white silk falling from a cliff over ten zhang high. Water droplets splashed around the waterfall with mist everywhere, and below was a deep pool of unknown depth, reflecting flowing light and emerald green from the surrounding verdant scenery.

Zhou Wen had the Zhou family servants spread felt blankets not far from the waterfall and arrange small tables, brocade cushions, tea, and pastries—very thoughtfully done. Compared to the honest, simple Fang Shuzhou, he was much more capable and considerate.

Once the servants had everything ready, Zhou Wen personally came to invite them from the carriage. The young ladies had already been captivated by the scenery. This was the Ren sisters’ first visit and first time seeing a waterfall, leaving them amazed.

Zhou Wen eagerly invited the Ren sisters to sit while introducing the waterfall’s features. Having had no previous opportunity to speak directly with the Ren sisters, he naturally wouldn’t waste this chance. Zhou Wen truly had good eloquence and some learning; besides speaking eloquently, he could quote classics. Even the proud Ren Yaohua listened with interest and somewhat revised her opinion of this youth she had previously considered frivolous.

Seeing Zhou Wen speaking confidently, Ren Yaoying’s blush became more obvious, and her smile never faded. Seeing this, Zhou Wen became even more attentive.

The sisters Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua didn’t talk much, focusing on admiring the waterfall’s beauty.

“Fifth Sister, let’s walk by the pool?” While Zhou Wen was holding forth in response to one of Ren Yaoying’s questions, Ren Yaohua had no interest in listening and suggested to Ren Yaoqi.

Though Zhou Wen was chatting and laughing with Ren Yaoying, as a proper host, he paid attention to all guests. Hearing this, he paused and looked at Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi, then at Ren Yaoying: “Why don’t we all walk by the pool together?”

Ren Yaoying lowered her eyes, then smiled: “I’m still a bit tired from getting out of the carriage, but if Third Sister wants to walk, let’s walk.” Her naturally delicate temperament made her smile and soft voice evoke protective feelings.

Seeing this, Zhou Wen hesitated.

Ren Yaohua glanced at her, thinking she resembled Concubine Fang perfectly, and felt disgusted. She said coolly: “Ninth Sister should rest then—don’t tire yourself out. Fifth Sister and I will walk around.”

Ren Yaoying looked at Ren Yaohua with hesitation, her expression showing both uncertainty and apology.

Zhou Rong immediately said, “Then my brother, Fang brother, and I will keep Sister Yaoying company. Sisters Yaohua and Yaoqi, please go ahead.”

Zhou Wen looked at Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi, feeling it wasn’t quite proper as a host to let the two young ladies walk alone. But just then, Zhou Rong glared at him while Ren Yaoying looked at him with a soft, blushing face, so Zhou Wen swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

Unable to stand their sticky, clingy behavior, Ren Yaohua pulled Ren Yaoqi to her feet and nodded to Zhou Rong: “Thank you, Miss Zhou, for taking care of our Ninth Sister. We’ll walk around and return shortly.”

Without waiting for Zhou Wen to say more, she pulled Ren Yaoqi away.