After leaving Madam Xu’s place, Ren Yaoqi returned to the warm pavilion and, following Madam Xu’s instructions, told everyone about Guo Yujiao’s condition.

With such an incident occurring, today’s warm stove gathering naturally couldn’t continue. After Li Shi and the others had also finished explaining things on their end, Ren Yaoqi helped Madam Xu see off the guests. Although everyone was somewhat surprised by Ren Yaoqi stepping forward to handle matters, upon reflection they all felt it was reasonable – everyone had witnessed Madam Xu’s favoritism and regard for her final disciple Ren Yaoqi.

Li Shi and Ren Yaohua also left first. After Ren Yaoqi finished handling the follow-up matters, she went to find Madam Xu. When she arrived at the study where Guo Yujiao had been settled, she discovered that the Guo family had already arrived upon hearing the news. Just as Ren Yaoqi arrived, she happened to see the Guo family members coming to take Guo Yujiao home.

As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered the study, she heard an angry woman’s voice: “…the maidservant saw that it was Jiang Yuanniang who pushed our Yujiao into the river during their argument. How can this matter be settled just like that? The Jiang family is truly going too far!”

Madam Xu comforted her gently: “I asked about it earlier. The maidservant said the two had indeed argued, but no one saw Eighth Miss Jiang push anyone.”

The woman said angrily, “The two were arguing at the time. If it wasn’t Jiang Yuanniang who pushed Yujiao, could it be that our Yujiao jumped into the lake herself?”

Madam Xu sighed and, turning to see Ren Yaoqi arrive, beckoned her over.

Ren Yaoqi then saw a woman in her thirties sitting beside the soft couch where Guo Yujiao lay, her face still showing barely suppressed anger. Ren Yaoqi had seen this woman before and knew she was the head madam of the Meng family, born into the Guo family of Weizhou. She was Guo Yujiao’s paternal aunt, and when Guo Yujiao came to Yanzhou, she always stayed at her aunt’s house. The Meng family was one of the top prominent families in Yanzhou, and although Mrs. Guo had only been in charge for a short time, she was formidable.

Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to greet Madam Meng, who was somewhat surprised, not knowing why Ren Yaoqi would appear here, though she still nodded reluctantly.

Madam Xu quietly asked Ren Yaoqi a few questions, which she answered one by one.

At this moment, Guo Yujiao, who was lying on the couch, suddenly woke up. Madam Meng immediately turned and asked urgently, “Yujiao, you’re awake? How do you feel? Are you still cold?”

Seeing this, Madam Xu also stood up and walked over to inquire, with Ren Yaoqi following behind.

Guo Yujiao’s lips still had a bluish-purple tinge, but her complexion looked much better than before. The water in that lake wasn’t deep, and she had been rescued promptly, so she hadn’t swallowed much water. Earlier, she had just been frozen badly and hadn’t recovered her strength. The physician had just examined her and said there was nothing seriously wrong.

“Yujiao, tell me – was it Jiang Yuanniang who pushed you into the water just now?” Madam Meng asked.

“Yes, it was her,” Guo Yujiao said hoarsely. “Aunt, I’m cold.”

Madam Meng immediately ordered the maidservants: “Quickly bring another quilt. Where are the hand warmers? Bring several more hand warmers.” After giving these orders, she said to Madam Xu: “You heard it too, Madam. Yujiao said it was that Jiang family girl who pushed her into the water. Please don’t try to be a peacemaker – the Jiang family must give our Guo family an explanation for this matter.”

Madam Xu sighed. Since Guo Yujiao had the accident at her place, she had to be involved, but Madam Meng’s words meant she wanted to settle accounts with the Jiang family herself and didn’t want her interference. With Madam Meng taking such a firm stance, she couldn’t say much more.

After Guo Yujiao had recovered somewhat, Madam Meng wanted to take her home. Madam Xu didn’t stop her, only instructed the maidservants and old women to carefully lift Guo Yujiao along with the soft couch onto the carriage. Madam Meng hurriedly left with Guo Yujiao, presumably wanting to go immediately to the Jiang family to demand an explanation.

After everyone had left, Madam Xu rubbed her temples somewhat wearily. Shijin supported Madam Xu as she sat down and massaged the acupoints on her head.

Madam Xu pulled Ren Yaoqi to sit beside her as well: “Thank you for your hard work today.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. Seeing that Madam Xu didn’t look well, she also began massaging the acupoints on her hands: “I didn’t do much, just saw off some guests.”

Madam Xu squeezed Ren Yaoqi’s hand, then had someone call in Granny Gao and asked: “What exactly happened? Have you investigated it?”

Madam Xu had no intention of having Ren Yaoqi avoid the conversation, so Ren Yaoqi continued sitting there massaging Madam Xu’s acupoints.

Granny Gao said, “It was Miss Guo who suggested going for a walk by the lake. Later, for some unknown reason, Miss Guo suddenly flew into a rage, pointing at Eighth Miss Jiang and scolding her. Eighth Miss Jiang has a good temperament and didn’t talk back, only quietly defended herself, while Sixth Miss Jiang also tried to mediate between them. Then Second Young Master Yun suddenly appeared. Seeing them arguing, Second Young Master Yun didn’t approach. Just then, Eldest Miss Guo suddenly fell into the lake.”

Madam Xu frowned: “Who rescued Eldest Miss Guo?”

Granny Gao understood Madam Xu’s meaning and quickly said, “It was an old woman from the Jiang family who could swim who rescued Eldest Miss Guo. Although they had dismissed their attendants during the argument, the maidservants and old women didn’t dare go too far away. After Eldest Miss Guo fell into the water, although Second Young Master Yun was close to them, he didn’t go into the water to save her – probably afraid of getting involved in trouble. He left without waiting for Miss Guo to be rescued and brought ashore. It was Eighth Miss Jiang who called over an old woman from her family who could swim to save her. Fortunately, the lake water wasn’t deep.”

Madam Xu shook her head without saying anything.

If Yun Wenfang had gone to rescue Guo Yujiao, he would probably have been even more deeply entangled in the affair. But his decisive refusal to save someone’s life inevitably made people think he was too cold-hearted.

Granny Gao thought for a moment, then said hesitantly: “However, some people also say that Eighth Miss Jiang doesn’t seem like someone who would push someone into the water. It’s more likely that Second Young Master Yun used some means to push Eldest Miss Guo.”

Yun Wenfang was engaged to Jiang Yuanniang, and he had a reckless temperament. It wasn’t impossible that he might act to defend his fiancée after seeing her wronged. Although Yun Wenfang wasn’t close to Guo Yujiao at the time, he knew martial arts, so it wasn’t impossible that he used some method to make Guo Yujiao fall into the water.

Madam Xu frowned: “Don’t mention baseless matters in the future. Tell the people below not to gossip about this.”

Granny Gao quickly agreed.

Ren Yaoqi listened silently to the entire account without offering any opinions.

After Madam Xu’s complexion improved, she gently patted Ren Yaoqi’s hand: “You’re tired too. Go back. I’ll arrange for someone to escort you.”

Since there was nothing more for Ren Yaoqi to do here, she nodded and took her leave from Madam Xu.

When she came out, the light snow had stopped, but it was still very cold. Ren Yaoqi still put on her hood, the wide, thick brim almost covering half her face.

When Ren Yaoqi saw Yun Wenfang appear before her again, she showed no surprise. She lowered her eyes, her expression very calm.

Yun Wenfang was happy to see her. He must have been waiting here for a long time – although no snowflakes had fallen on him, his deerskin boots were wet.

“You’re finally out!”

He walked over, his burning gaze falling on the half of Ren Yaoqi’s face that was exposed. Then, at a speed no one could react to, he reached out and lifted Ren Yaoqi’s hood.

Ren Yaoqi frowned. Pingguo and Sangshen quickly stepped forward to stand in front of her, blocking Yun Wenfang and staring at him warily like they were guarding against a thief.

Yun Wenfang paid them no mind. His attention was entirely focused on Ren Yaoqi, and he even seemed somewhat mesmerized looking at her.

After nearly three years apart, Ren Yaoqi had also grown taller. Although her figure couldn’t be seen due to her thick clothing, one could guess that it must be graceful and slender. Her originally delicate features had matured, making her appearance increasingly striking. Undeniably, Ren Yaoqi was a rare beauty, and with her special, tranquil, and gentle temperament, Yun Wenfang couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Have you been well these past few years?” Yun Wenfang asked aloud.

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Yun Wenfang and replied as calmly as possible: “Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master Yun. I am well.”

Yun Wenfang smiled slightly, still looking at her: “That’s good. I’ve always…” He paused, then changed direction: “Do you still remember what I said in my letter when I left?” There was a barely detectable hope in Yun Wenfang’s tone.

Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly and lowered her head: “Second Young Master Yun, you’ve returned to get married this time, haven’t you? Since I cannot attend the ceremony, let me congratulate you in advance.”

Upon hearing this, the smile on Yun Wenfang’s face froze. He looked at Ren Yaoqi with a frown: “Who told you I was getting married! Even if I were to marry, I wouldn’t marry Jiang Yuanniang. Don’t you know who I want to marry?”

From the moment Yun Wenfang saw Ren Yaoqi, he had been gentle and pleasant, trying hard to restrain his young master’s temper. But now, because of Ren Yaoqi’s words, he felt very irritated and somewhat uneasy.

Over these years, he had matured considerably and no longer flew into reckless, consequence-ignoring rages at the drop of a hat as he did in his youth. But one sentence from Ren Yaoqi still made him unable to control his restlessness and impulsiveness.

Since there was no one else nearby except them, Ren Yaoqi smiled bitterly: “Second Young Master Yun, when you give something to someone, do you never consider whether they want it or not?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang’s expression turned completely cold. With a stiff face, he asked word by word: “Ren Yaoqi, what do you mean?”

Ren Yaoqi looked at him calmly. She didn’t speak, but her indifferent expression explained everything.

Yun Wenfang unconsciously clenched his fists. He gritted his teeth and endured, finally managing to suppress the anger and panic rising in his heart.

After a moment of silence, he pressed his lips together and said: “Ren Yaoqi, in these three years I’ve been wounded sixteen times, and three times I nearly didn’t wake up.”