Yun Wenfang settled down at the Ren family.

As Old Madam Ren’s great-nephew, Qiu Yun, frequently stayed at the Ren family and therefore had an independent courtyard. However, Yun Wenfang, this young man who had just arrived at the Ren family, didn’t stay in the outer courtyard’s guest rooms but lived together with Qiu Yun in his courtyard in the inner quarters. Old Madam Ren publicly declared that this “Young Master Wen” was a child from her maternal family’s close relatives.

Due to Old Madam Ren’s attitude, aside from a few people in the know, everyone in the Ren family became curious about Yun Wenfang’s identity.

Fifth Madam Lin Shi, one of those in the know, was very enthusiastic toward Yun Wenfang. Besides instructing her son Ren Yijian to get close to Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang, she also gave her daughter Ren Yaoyu some instructions.

First Madam was much more composed. Apart from taking good care of Jinxiu Courtyard, where Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang stayed, she made no special moves.

However, even those not in the know had guessed that this “Young Master Wen’s” identity was certainly not low.

Ren Yaoying told Concubine Fang about the matter.

After thinking it over, Concubine Fang called her son Ren Yihong to inquire in detail. However, Ren Yihong had little contact with Yun Wenfang and wasn’t one to gossip. He only knew that besides Qiu Yun, this Young Master Wen was only slightly closer to Fifth Young Master Ren Yijian. When they were together, they discussed things about Yunyang City and places to visit around Baihezhen in winter.

Concubine Fang wasn’t dissatisfied with her son’s lack of information. Instead, she praised him thoroughly, instructed him to study diligently, and let him return. She then ordered her trusted subordinate to inquire about “Young Master Wen’s” identity from Fifth Madam’s dowry servants who had come from Yunyang City.

Finally, she instructed her daughter: “Do as I previously told you, don’t be influenced by them. Lin Shi has always liked to jump up and down because she’s fortunate. Even when she makes mistakes, someone always cleans up her mess.” Concubine Fang’s gentle tone contained a trace of disdain and mockery.

“Mother said she would secure a good future for you, and she will do so.”

Ren Yaoying, who was impulsive and easily angered in front of others, lowered her head and softly replied, “Yes, daughter understands.”

In Ronghua Garden, Fifth Madam Lin Shi became particularly attentive to Old Madam Ren.

On Yun Wenfang’s first night at the Ren family, while massaging Old Madam Ren’s shoulders and back, Lin Shi subtly inquired about Old Madam Yun’s attitude toward Yun Wenfang’s marriage.

Old Madam Ren squinted her eyes and said quietly, “We’ll discuss this matter later.”

Fifth Madam smiled apologetically, “Mother, the eldest young master of the Yun family is fifteen this year. Although he’s also handsome, the age gap with Yu’er is too large, so your daughter-in-law also thinks it’s inappropriate. However, this second young master—when your daughter-in-law saw him today with our Yu’er, they looked like a perfect pair of golden boy and jade girl.”

Old Madam Ren slapped away Lin Shi’s hand and frowned, “What nonsense are you talking about! If this spreads, Yu’er’s reputation will be ruined!”

Lin Shi pursed her lips, “Mother, when Old Madam Yun entrusted her grandson to our Ren family at this time, didn’t she have that intention? The current Prince of Yan Bei is Old Madam Yun’s nephew, and although that Madam Yun isn’t the late Prince of Yan Bei’s principal consort, she has official imperial recognition. With Prince of Yan Bei’s support, who in the Prince of Yan Bei’s mansion is more noble than her? The Yun family has thus become the foremost noble house in our Yan Bei. If our Ren family could form a marriage alliance with the Yun family, the benefits would be numerous. You and Old Madam Yun are cousins—you’re her maternal family. If you spoke to her about this matter, she surely wouldn’t refuse.”

Old Madam Ren was silent for a while, then waved her hand, “I said we’ll discuss this matter later.”

Lin Shi wanted to persuade further, but meeting Old Madam Ren’s glaring eyes, she touched her nose and kept quiet.

In her heart, however, she was determined to have her daughter get closer to the Yun family’s second young master.

One couldn’t blame Lin Shi for being “open-minded.” She and Fifth Master Ren had married into the Ren family because they had been childhood sweethearts with deep affection since their youth.

Therefore, Lin Shi also wanted to find a good marriage for her daughter.

Ren Yaoqi paid no attention to these undercurrents at home. As usual, she reported to Ronghua Garden twice daily in the morning and evening, then returned to her courtyard. She either stayed in Li Shi’s room, keeping her company while talking and doing needlework, or went to the study in the west wing to accompany Ren Shimin in writing couplets and carving peach wood charms. She was honored to receive from Ren Shimin the privilege of grinding ink, serving tea, and sanding peach wood charms with sandpaper.

This evening, when Ren Yaoqi went to pay her respects to Li Shi, she happened to hear Nanny Zhou reporting household matters to Li Shi.

“Two hams, four jars of Jinhua wine, a pair of live sheep, six wind-cured chickens, two fox pelts, one lynx pelt, and six bolts of brocade.”

Li Shi nodded as she listened, “With few people at home, these are sufficient for the New Year. Additionally, give two hundred taels of silver, all exchanged for small ingots of ten and five taels.”

After a pause, she emphasized somewhat helplessly, “Remember to deliver the silver directly to Mother’s hands.”

Nanny Zhou sighed, “This servant understands.”

Hearing movement in the curtain behind them, both immediately turned around.

Seeing it was Ren Yaoqi, Li Shi breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled somewhat awkwardly, “Qi’er, you’ve come?”

Ren Yaoqi, appearing oblivious, returned Li Shi’s smile, “Is Mother discussing matters with Nanny Zhou? I’ll wait in the west side room first.”

Li Shi quickly said, “You go sit for a while. I’ll come over after Nanny Zhou and I finish handling matters.”

Ren Yaoqi withdrew from the east side room and went to the west side room.

Soon, Nanny Zhou came out and smiled at Ren Yaoqi, “Madam is still changing clothes. The Fifth Young Miss came early today. Third Young Miss hasn’t returned from Old Madam’s courtyard yet?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded, “Third Sister will come shortly.” After thinking, she suddenly asked, “Are maternal grandfather and uncle… doing well?”

Nanny Zhou was startled, realizing that Ren Yaoqi might have overheard her conversation with Li Shi, and quickly said, “They’re doing well, doing well.”

Glancing at Ren Yaoqi, Nanny Zhou smiled apologetically, “Master sent New Year gifts, so Madam asked this servant to send some return gifts tomorrow.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded, “That’s proper.” She didn’t inquire about what New Year gifts her uncle had sent.

Nanny Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and was about to speak when Ren Yaohua lifted the curtain and entered, casually asking, “What New Year gifts?”

Seeing Nanny Zhou’s tense expression, Ren Yaoqi smiled and responded, “I was asking Nanny about gift exchanges between relatives. Third Sister, weren’t you playing leaf cards with Cousin and the others to accompany Grandmother? Who won?”

“Don’t you dislike playing? What does it matter to you who won?” Ren Yaohua walked to sit on the kang. Nanny Zhou excused herself to fetch Li Shi and withdrew.

Ren Yaoqi didn’t argue with her. She smiled, picked up the small teapot beside her, and poured herself a cup of tea.

Faced with Ren Yaoqi’s friendly attitude, Ren Yaohua couldn’t very well strike a smiling face. Since returning this time, she had felt that Ren Yaoqi was completely different from before. Previously, Ren Yaoqi would constantly clash with her, but now she always avoided conflicts. Fighting indeed takes two to tango, so the two had maintained peace.

“Third Cousin and Young Master Wen said they want to organize an ice sports competition, and Grandmother has agreed,” Ren Yaohua suddenly said after taking a sip of tea.

Although somewhat surprised that Ren Yaohua had initiated this conversation, Ren Yaoqi still feigned interest, “Oh? When? Will all the brothers at home participate?”

“Yes, it’ll be on Little White River outside town. We’ll all go to watch then,” Ren Yaohua replied in a rare show of friendliness.

Ren Yaoqi paused, “I… don’t know how.”

Ren Yaohua turned to glare at her, “So what? You won’t be competing. The household servants will naturally participate, and we’ll just watch the excitement from the side.”

Ren Yaoqi coughed lightly, “I see. I’ve been catching a cold easily lately, and it’s too cold outside. I won’t go.”

“Grandmother ordered that all the brothers and sisters at home must go, including people from the East Manor. Third Cousin specifically asked about you today,” Ren Yaohua said, frowning as she studied Ren Yaoqi.