Seeing that Madam Xu’s first reaction upon receiving the prescription was to look at the calligraphy, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but be stunned, then smiled.

Madam Xu realized this too and laughed: “I can barely understand prescriptions and know nothing about pharmacology. But when I see well-written characters, I can’t help but look at them a few more times.”

At this moment, urgent hoofbeats approached from outside the carriage. Nanny Xin immediately lifted the carriage curtain.

It was the guard Nanny Xin had sent back to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor for help, and he had brought a physician. The guard pulled the physician who had ridden with him down from the horse, handed him a medicine chest he had been carrying, and brought him toward the carriages.

Nanny Xin looked toward Madam Xu: “Madam, the Prince’s Manor’s physician has arrived. Shall we have him take your pulse again?”

Ren Yaoqi saw that Ouyang Shi’s complexion had improved considerably and knew she was temporarily out of danger. She said, “Madam should let the physician examine you. I’ll return to my carriage first.”

Ouyang Shi nodded. Nanny Xin had the breathless physician, who had rushed to get there, board the carriage to take Ouyang Shi’s pulse. Ren Yaoqi took the opportunity to return to her carriage.

However, Ren Yaoqi didn’t leave immediately, but had her coachman stop the carriage by the roadside to wait for the results of Madam Xu’s examination.

At this time, someone else came riding toward them – it was Sujin, a senior maid from the Princess Consort’s side. Presumably, the Princess Consort was worried something might happen to Madam Xu, so she had the guard bring the physician first, while the maid, being slower on foot, arrived later. As soon as Sujin dismounted, she hurriedly boarded Madam Xu’s carriage.

Pingguo and Sangshen accompanied Ren Yaoqi in waiting in the carriage. Sangshen looked at Ren Yaoqi with complete admiration: “Miss, did you save Madam Xu’s life?” When Ren Yaoqi was treating Ouyang Shi, she had been standing guard outside the carriage and had heard the commotion inside.

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “I just happened to remember a method I’d seen in a book before and managed to wake Madam Xu up. For actual treatment, you still need a physician.”

“That’s still very impressive,” Sangshen said earnestly.

The pulse examination on Madam Xu’s side didn’t take long. The physician soon came down from the carriage, followed by Nanny Xin and Nanny Gao, who were speaking with the physician about something.

The physician was helped onto a horse by the guard while Nanny Xin and Nanny Gao came toward her carriage.

The two nannies boarded the carriage, and Nanny Gao said with a choked voice: “Miss Ren, thanks to you today. The Xu family will remember your kindness.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and said gently, “Has the physician taken her pulse? What did he say?”

Nanny Gao looked grateful: “The physician said our madam suffered a heart attack, but fortunately, Miss rescued her in time, so our madam is now out of danger. The Princess Consort has already sent someone to request Imperial Physician Mou. Our madam usually sees Imperial Physician Mou for her condition, but since Imperial Physician Mou is advanced in years and couldn’t make it immediately, his disciple came instead. When Imperial Physician Mou comes to our manor, we’ll have him look at the prescription Miss wrote.”

Nanny Gao continued: “Madam asked this servant to thank you on her behalf. Since she’s unwell, she won’t come down from the carriage, but when her health improves in the future, she’ll meet with Miss again. Madam said the Xu residence isn’t far from Treasure Vase Alley, and if Miss has free time, you’re always welcome to visit for tea.”

These words meant Madam Xu was willing to treat her as a young friend and form a relationship with her. For Ren Yaoqi, this was all beneficial with no harm. In Yanbei, not many people could climb up to the Xu family or befriend Madam Xu.

Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded: “When Madam’s health improves, Yaoqi will certainly pay a visit.”

After saying this, Nanny Gao got off the carriage.

Nanny Xin said, “This servant must also return to report to the Princess Consort, lest she still worry about Madam Xu’s condition. Miss Ren saved our Princess Consort’s guest today, and the Yanbei Prince’s Manor also remembers Miss’s kindness.”

After saying this, Nanny Xin also got off the carriage.

The Xu family’s carriage gradually left the small street, and Nanny Xin also boarded a carriage back to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

Ren Yaoqi instructed: “Return to the Lin family.”

Not long after Ren Yaoqi returned home, rewards from the Yanbei Princess Consort arrived. The person delivering the items was Qiluo, another senior maid from the Princess Consort’s side.

Ren Shijia didn’t dare neglect someone from the Princess Consort’s side and personally received her. Both the Lin family’s Old Madam and Eldest Madam were alarmed and sent people to inquire.

What the Princess Consort sent were two sets of jewelry. One set was made of pure gold inlaid with the Eight Treasures in a Full Pond of Beauty style. The jewelry was inlaid with rubies, sapphires, amber, diamonds, and cat’s eye stones – each gem appeared to be of extraordinary quality. It was extremely luxurious, and when the box was opened, it nearly dazzled everyone in the room.

The other set of jewelry was more understated, made of jade and pearls. The jade was lustrous and seemed ready to drip water, while the pink, gold, white, and black pearls were all plump and lustrous, of various sizes. At first glance, it appeared ordinary and low-key, but those with discerning eyes could see the luxury.

Both sets of jewelry had very novel styles, exactly what was currently popular in the south.

Qiluo didn’t mention Ren Yaoqi’s rescue of Madam Xu today, only said with a smile: “The Princess Consort said these two sets of jewelry are for Miss Ren to match with her clothes when attending the Thousand Gold Banquet. From the styles to the gems and pearls used, the Princess Consort personally selected them with us servants. Our Princess also has two similar sets.”

Ren Shijia was knowledgeable and felt the jewelry sent by the Yanbei Princess Consort was too valuable. She couldn’t decide whether to let Ren Yaoqi accept it. She looked at Ren Yaoqi, thought for a moment, and tentatively tried to decline on her behalf.

But Qiluo said, “Madam Lin doesn’t know – our Princess Consort said she has always regarded Miss Ren as her daughter and is extremely fond of her. So she also wants to see Miss Ren dressed beautifully, which would make her happy to see.”

With Qiluo saying this, Ren Shijia couldn’t say anything more in refusal and signaled for Ren Yaoqi to accept the gifts, repeatedly expressing thanks.

Only then did Qiluo smile, and she said to Ren Yaoqi: “The day after tomorrow is the Thousand Gold Banquet. Miss should rest well at home tomorrow. Early the day after tomorrow, the Prince’s Manor will send a carriage to fetch you, and you can go together with our Princess.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled in agreement and thanked the Princess Consort and Princess again.

Seeing that everything that needed to be conveyed had been conveyed, Qiluo took her leave.

After she left, Ren Shijia said happily to Ren Yaoqi: “Qi’er, the Princess Consort treats you so well – she even remembered to get you a set when having jewelry made for the Princess.”

A senior maid from Eldest Madam Lin’s side hadn’t left yet. She looked at the two jewelry boxes several times and smiled: “Indeed, even treating one’s daughter wouldn’t be better than this. Miss Ren is truly blessed.”

Since Ren Yaoqi was Ren Shijia’s maternal niece, these words pleased her, so her smile grew even broader.

However, a nanny sent by Old Madam Lin was thinking further ahead. Her eyes swept over Ren Yaoqi as she smiled: “Our Miss Ren has good looks and good character – who wouldn’t like her? This servant sees that the Princess Consort’s intention might not be to treat Miss as a daughter, but as a…” She stopped here, only giving two meaningful smiles.

Though her words weren’t completed, everyone understood, and their gazes toward Ren Yaoqi became subtle.

The Yanbei Princess Consort had two sons and one daughter under her care. Only the legitimate eldest son who had been made heir apparent had been granted a marriage by the Emperor. The famous Second Young Master Xiao Jingxi of Yanbei remained unmarried.

Originally, the Yanbei Prince’s Manor wouldn’t have formed marriage alliances with merchant families like the Ren family. However, it was well known that the Second Young Master Xiao was quite ill, so the Princess Consort could consider marriage candidates from families like the Ren family for her second son.

Hearing this, Ren Shijia frowned, wanting to scold her for speaking without restraint and talking nonsense in front of a young lady. But considering that the speaker wasn’t from her courtyard but was Old Madam Lin’s person, the scolding words became difficult to voice. She simply restrained her smile: “It’s better not to speak of groundless matters, lest people hear and laugh.”

Seeing Ren Shijia’s displeasure, the nanny quickly smiled apologetically: “Oh my, look at this mouth of mine – it has no filter. I carelessly spoke nonsense and truly deserve a beating.” As she spoke, she slapped herself, making quite a sound, though it didn’t seem to hurt much. “Please don’t blame me, Sixth Madam and Miss Ren.”

Ren Yaoqi pretended not to hear such talk.

The Princess Consort naturally hadn’t suddenly taken a fancy to her as a daughter-in-law. She was simply using this method to help her gain face. This was also what she currently needed, as the Ren family would treat her branch better because of the Yanbei Princess Consort’s favor toward her. Speaking of it, the Yanbei Princess Consort was quite considerate.

However, quite a few people present agreed with that nanny’s assessment.

Ren Shijia said, “It’s getting late. You should all return to your respective courtyards.”

Only then did the crowd of spectators disperse.

Seeing Ren Yaoqi with her head down and saying nothing, Ren Shijia touched her head: “Don’t mind that nonsense. The Princess Consort sent you things because she likes you – this is your good fortune. Continue as you always have in the future, don’t overthink things, and don’t let people think the Ren family’s daughter doesn’t know how to conduct herself just because of two sets of jewelry. You can bear this honor.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled at Ren Shijia: “I understand, Aunt. Thank you.”

What Ren Yaoqi hadn’t expected was that Madam Xu sent someone in the afternoon – it was Nanny Gao from Madam Xu’s side again.

Nanny Gao was in excellent spirits. After paying respects to Ren Shijia, she told Ren Yaoqi privately that Imperial Physician Mou had been very excited after seeing the prescription Ren Yaoqi had written, saying it could be used for Madam Xu and asking where the prescription came from. However, Madam Xu hadn’t revealed that the prescription came from Ren Yaoqi, only saying it was specially sought by a friend.

Ren Yaoqi was also very happy to hear the prescription was useful.

Nanny Gao also brought Ren Yaoqi a music score and a calligraphy copybook, saying they were gifts from Master Xu and Madam Xu.

Taking a look, Ren Yaoqi immediately knew the music score was an extremely rare, unique copy, while the calligraphy copybook was an authentic work by a famous calligrapher from the previous dynasty. Either item alone would be worth a considerable sum.

Before Ren Yaoqi could voice any refusal, Nanny Gao said: “Madam said these things only have value in the eyes of people who truly appreciate them and will treasure them – otherwise they’re just a pile of waste paper. Miss Ren, you are qualified to receive them, and we earnestly hope you will accept them.”