However, on the day before leaving Baihe Town, Concubine Fang sent Nanny Yu to Li Shi asking to see Ren Yaoying once.
Ever since Ren Yaoying had been ordered confined by Third Master Ren last time, she hadn’t stepped outside. Later, Li Shi had found a disciplinary nanny for Ren Yaoying according to Ren Shimin’s requirements to re-teach her proper behavior. When the Ren family crisis occurred, Li Shi and Ren Yaohua had rushed back, leaving Ren Yaoying in Yunyang City.
Previously, because of the Ren family’s major troubles, no one particularly noticed whether a concubine’s daughter was present or not. Now Li Shi realized it was somewhat improper that while Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and Ren Yihong had all returned to Baihe Town, only Ren Yaoying had been left alone in Yunyang City.
Ren Yaoqi thought that when they returned, Concubine Fang should already have known that Ren Yaoying didn’t come back with them and must have secretly inquired about the reason. However, during this period, Concubine Fang had been very clever in never mentioning it, probably fearing that Old Madam Ren would blame her for the Zeng family affair. That way, not only could she not stand up for Ren Yaoying, but her position would become awkward.
Now that the Ren family crisis was basically resolved and Old Master Ren’s health was gradually improving, Concubine Fang finally couldn’t help but bring up Ren Yaoying’s matter.
Li Shi had Nanny Zhou go out and reply to Nanny Yu, saying that Ren Yaoying had been punished by Third Master Ren to reflect behind closed doors for making a mistake. After hearing this, Nanny Yu returned.
Ren Yaohua said with a cold face: “Always causing trouble for people!”
Li Shi sighed: “Yaoying came from her womb, so it’s not wrong for her to worry.”
Ren Yaohua frowned and said to Ren Yaoqi: “Now that the East and West Residences have divided, all those Jiangnan properties belong to Great-uncle’s branch. Even if the Ren family’s southern business still needs the Fang family’s assistance, it doesn’t have much to do with our branch anymore. Shouldn’t she be keeping a low profile now?”
Ren Yaoqi thought about it. Based on her understanding of Old Master Ren, he didn’t seem like someone who would truly hand over all Jiangnan properties to the East Residence. This family division was probably an expedient measure.
She smiled and said to Ren Yaohua, “How much has the Ren family invested in those Jiangnan coal warehouses? They naturally can’t just abandon them, so the Fang family connections will still be needed.”
Concubine Fang’s understanding of Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren’s nature was no less than hers, so she naturally knew when to keep a low profile and when to seek benefits for herself.
After Old Master Ren returned, the Ren family hadn’t found any excuse to punish Concubine Fang. She must have understood the situation, so bringing up seeing Ren Yaoying before they left Baihe Town probably also meant to test Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren’s attitude.
Sure enough, soon someone came from Old Madam Ren’s side to summon Li Shi for questioning.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua accompanied Li Shi together.
Old Madam Ren had indeed called Li Shi over to ask about Ren Yaoying’s matter.
Li Shi explained about Ren Yaoying going out without permission and being punished by the Third Master Ren.
Originally, when Third Master Ren wanted to punish his daughter, it was indeed because Ren Yaoying was at fault; Li Shi couldn’t say anything. But when you dislike someone, even if they do nothing, you’ll still find them wrong.
So Old Madam Ren, who had never liked Li Shi, lectured her again: “Don’t you have any fault in this? Aren’t you managing the inner courtyard? A child wanted to go out and could just leave. What were your people doing? Tomorrow, wouldn’t anyone who wants to enter your inner courtyard be able to just walk in?”
Li Shi lowered her head and remained silent.
Ren Yaohua wanted to speak up for Li Shi, but Ren Yaoqi shook her head at her. Old Madam Ren was determined to find fault with Li Shi – Ren Yaohua defending Li Shi would only add fuel to the fire.
Ren Yaohua pressed her lips together, forcing herself to swallow the words that had reached her mouth.
Old Madam Ren looked at Li Shi: “If you can’t manage the courtyard properly, I’ll assign someone to help you!”
Ren Yaohua was alarmed: “Grandmother, you’re not thinking of sending Concubine Fang, are you?”
Old Madam Ren glared at her upon hearing this: “Shut up! I haven’t settled accounts with you yet!” Old Madam Ren turned and instructed Shanhu: “Go have Maidong’s wife come in.”
Ren Yaohua frowned and glanced at Ren Yaoqi.
Soon, Shanhu led a middle-aged woman in her early forties wearing a dark blue jacket.
After the middle-aged woman paid respects to Old Madam Ren and all the masters present, Old Madam Ren pointed at her and said to Li Shi, “This is Maidong’s wife. Take her with you to Yunyang City this time and let her help you manage the inner courtyard.”
Ren Yaohua looked Maidong’s wife up and down critically and said dismissively, “Grandmother, where did you find this person? She doesn’t serve you personally, does she? She looks quite unfamiliar. If you’re going to assign someone, shouldn’t it be someone from your courtyard?”
Ren Yaohua’s words were a disguised way of flattering Old Madam Ren. Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaohua in surprise.
Old Madam Ren’s expression indeed improved considerably. She said to Ren Yaohua: “How is she not my person? Her mother used to be my dowry maid, very capable. Later she married the head steward of Jizhou coal warehouse.”
She was Old Madam Ren’s person? Now it would be difficult to refuse.
Ren Yaoqi pondered that Old Madam Ren’s move today was probably because she didn’t feel comfortable with them being beyond the Ren family’s control and establishing their household, so she wanted to place one of her “own people” to watch them. Ren Yaoying’s matter was just an excuse. With or without Ren Yaoying, she would have found an excuse to place someone in their branch.
When elders bestow something, one cannot refuse. Since Old Madam Ren wanted to assign someone to the third branch, Li Shi had no room to decline and could only bow her head in acceptance.
Seeing Li Shi accept the person, Old Madam Ren was satisfied: “Although Yaoying wasn’t born to you, she’s still your daughter. You should pay more attention to her in the future. She’s been confined for so long and has learned her lesson. Release her when you return this time. She’s not young anymore, so you won’t need to worry about her for many more years.”
Li Shi bowed her head in agreement again.
Old Madam Ren then turned to instruct Ren Yaoqi: “After returning to Yunyang City, you must visit Prince Yanbei’s residence to pay respects to the Princess Consort. Aren’t you still corresponding with the Princess? If the Princess Consort still won’t see you, have the Princess put in some good words for you!”
Before Ren Yaoqi could answer, Old Madam Ren instructed Maidong’s wife standing to the side: “After you go to Yunyang City, remember to remind Fifth Young Lady! I remember you can read and write. When the Fifth Young Lady writes to the Princess in the future, you should attend to the ink and paper. Do you hear?”
Maidong’s wife lowered her head and replied, “Yes.”
Seeing Ren Yaoqi remain silent, Old Madam Ren directed her stern gaze toward Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi met Old Madam Ren’s eyes, then smiled slightly: “I understand, Grandmother.”
Someone who could read and write? So Old Madam Ren’s purpose in sending Maidong’s wife to Yunyang City also included monitoring the correspondence between her and the Princess!
Only then was Old Madam Ren satisfied. She waved her hand: “Alright, you may all go. Maidong’s wife stays behind. I have some things to instruct you.”
Li Shi withdrew with Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua.
As soon as they left Ronghua Garden, Ren Yaohua’s expression turned cold: “We shouldn’t have agreed just now! Who knows what kind of person that Maidong’s wife is – what right does she have to manage our inner courtyard?”
Li Shi sighed: “There’s no helping it.” When elders want to assign someone to you, you can only happily accept.
Ren Yaohua understood this principle, which is why she couldn’t voice a refusal earlier. But she was still full of resentment and muttered under her breath: “That bitch Fang Shi can’t feel comfortable unless she’s causing us trouble!”
Ren Yaoqi consoled her: “Come now, she’s just a servant’s wife. Is it worth making yourself angry? No matter how impressive her background, she’s still just a servant. If she behaves properly, that’s fine, but if she doesn’t…”
Ren Yaoqi smiled. Did Old Madam Ren think she could control the third branch by randomly sending one of her people? This was all she could manage.
Nothing happened that night, and the next day Li Shi returned to Yunyang City with her two daughters.
Ren Shimin had already left two days earlier to go to the academy, and Ren Yihong had also departed first.
After returning to their Yunyang City residence, whether Li Shi or the Ren Yaoqi sisters all felt a sense of relief and comfort, even though the Yunyang City house wasn’t even half the size of the Ren family ancestral residence.
On the day they returned, while Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were both in Li Shi’s room, Nanny Zhou asked how to arrange accommodations for Maidong’s wife.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment: “Arrange her in the stewards’ quarters. Didn’t Grandmother say she came to assist Mother in managing the inner courtyard? Let her manage the storeroom then, and give her the account books later.”
“Is this… appropriate?” Li Shi hesitated.
Although Third Master Ren’s diverse interests meant the third branch’s storeroom contained quite a few valuable items, managing the storeroom wasn’t as prestigious as managing personnel.
“What’s inappropriate about it? Didn’t Grandmother say she’s very capable? Then let her show us how capable she is! Otherwise, as a newcomer, she wants to manage everything – does she have that ability?” Ren Yaohua snorted coldly.
Ren Yaoqi made this arrangement to first test Maidong’s wife’s character, so she’d know how to deal with her.