Ever since Concubine Fang’s disappearance and Fang Yacun’s fall from favor, Old Madam Ren’s attitude toward Ren Yaoying had been one of indifference. So when she sent people to bring Ren Yaoying back alone this time, not only was Li Shi surprised, but even Ren Yaoying herself was astonished.

Since being taught a lesson by Ren Yaohua last time, Ren Yaoying had been ill for quite a long period. After recovering, she became much more well-behaved, and whenever she saw Ren Yaohua, she acted like a mouse seeing a cat.

Nanny Zhou had someone slip some silver to the nannies Old Madam Ren had sent to fetch people, trying to gather information. However, they only managed to learn that Ren Yaohua had been confined to the ancestral hall by Old Madam as punishment, with nothing else forthcoming.

Both Li Shi and Nanny Zhou were very worried. Li Shi specifically called Ren Yaoqi over and said, “Qi’er, why don’t you go back with them to take a look? Hua’er has an impulsive temperament—who knows how she angered Old Madam? With the wedding date approaching, we can’t afford any mishaps.”

Li Shi was concerned about Ren Yaohua and knew she couldn’t solve any problems by going back herself. However, her younger daughter was steady and intelligent, and the two sisters now had a good relationship. So she wanted Ren Yaoqi to go back and see what was happening—if anything arose, the sisters could discuss it together.

Seeing Li Shi’s worried expression, Ren Yaoqi immediately agreed, comforted her with a few words, then returned to Baihe Town with Ren Yaoying.

Since Ren Yaoying had been specifically summoned back by Old Madam this time, the Ren family members no longer dared to show her any cold faces. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoying went together to Old Madam’s Ronghua Garden.

Old Madam Ren didn’t say anything about Ren Yaoqi coming along, maintaining a fairly amiable attitude. Ren Yaoqi didn’t immediately ask about Ren Yaohua upon entering, and Old Madam Ren didn’t mention Ren Yaohua either. After a few exchanges, Old Madam Ren began showering Ren Yaoying with caring attention, leaving Ren Yaoying somewhat overwhelmed by this unexpected favor.

“Old Madam, everyone is ready. Shall we call them in now?” The head maid, Shanhu, approached Old Madam Ren and whispered.

Old Madam Ren sipped her tea, eyes downcast, seemingly lost in thought. “Let them come in.” After a pause, she added, “Send someone to the ancestral hall to bring Third Miss here as well.”

Shanhu acknowledged and left, soon returning with eight unfamiliar maids. Ren Yaoqi calmly observed them—the eight maids were between fifteen and sixteen years old, all beautiful with graceful figures, and two were particularly alluring.

Ren Yaoqi frowned, then revealed a cold smile before lowering her head and refusing to look again.

Ren Yaoying, seeing Old Madam Ren’s favorable attitude toward her today, boldly asked, “Grandmother, are these new maids for the household? They look unfamiliar.” Ren Yaoying knew that newly selected maids from outside were generally very young for easier training. These unfamiliar maids were quite old and would need to be released in a few years, which made her curious.

Old Madam Ren was appraising the maids and merely gave a noncommittal “mm” upon hearing this. Ren Yaoying didn’t dare ask further, but her gaze kept wandering over the maids’ faces as she listened to Old Madam Ren casually questioning them.

Before long, Ren Yaohua arrived as well.

Ren Yaoqi looked up to see that although Ren Yaohua had been confined for two days and appeared somewhat pale, her expression was very calm. Her gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaoying’s faces before she stepped forward to pay respects to Old Madam Ren.

Old Madam Ren’s attitude toward her was indifferent, and she didn’t call her to sit beside her as usual. Instead, she beckoned to Ren Yaoying: “Ying’er, come here.”

Ren Yaoying glanced at Ren Yaohua, then walked over to Old Madam Ren with lowered head, being pulled to sit together on the couch.

“Grandmother is getting old, and her eyesight isn’t good. You help Grandmother choose.” Old Madam Ren said to Ren Yaoying.

Ren Yaoying glanced at the maids and carefully asked, “Are we choosing them to serve in Grandmother’s courtyard?”

Old Madam Ren shook her head and said flatly, “They’re for your Third Sister—as dowry maids.”

At these words, everyone’s eyes fell on Ren Yaohua. Ren Yaohua was stunned, looked up to appraise the eight unfamiliar maids, and when her gaze fell on the two with alluring appearances and seductive figures, she suddenly understood, her face involuntarily stiffening.

Ren Yaoying also glanced at Ren Yaohua. In the past, she would have secretly rejoiced and added insult to injury, but after being taught a lesson by Ren Yaohua last time, she felt an instinctive fear of her. She knew that if Ren Yaohua wanted to teach her another lesson like before, it would be as easy as turning her hand.

“This… how could it be my place to choose Third Sister’s dowry maids?” Ren Yaoying forced a smile.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren smiled. She looked at Ren Yaoying meaningfully and said, “Why can’t you choose? Your Third Sister will need to rely on you often in the future!”

Ren Yaoying’s heart jumped in alarm, and she couldn’t help but look at Old Madam Ren, trying to judge the meaning behind her words. Ren Yaohua’s face grew increasingly pale.

Ren Yaoqi calmly walked to Ren Yaohua’s side, grasped her hand, and gently squeezed it. Ren Yaohua didn’t turn her head but gripped Ren Yaoqi’s hand tightly in return, as if trying to draw strength from her palm.

At the same time, Old Madam Ren’s imperious voice rang out in the room: “The Lei family is a great household. After your Third Sister marries in, she’ll not only be the Lei family’s principal wife but also the clan leader’s wife of the Lei clan. The Lei family isn’t like a small household—their rules are very strict. Your Third Sister has a somewhat impulsive temperament, which worries your grandfather and me greatly. So after consideration, we’ve decided to have you marry along as well. When great families marry off daughters, sisters marrying together is also considered a beautiful arrangement.”

Ren Yaoqi felt the grip on her hand tighten, and she could sense that Ren Yaohua, standing beside her, was trembling slightly.

She turned to look at Ren Yaohua, who had tightly pressed lips and a pale face, but her back remained straight, as if nothing could bend her.

Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly and gripped Ren Yaohua’s hand even tighter.

Ren Yaoying was also shocked by Old Madam Ren’s words: “Grand…Grandmother…”

Old Madam Ren said flatly, “Ying’er has always been obedient and sensible, and filial too. I trust she won’t disappoint Grandmother in the future, will she?”

Even if Ren Yaoying had been foolish, she now understood that Old Madam Ren—or rather, the Ren family—was dissatisfied with Ren Yaohua. Although she didn’t know the specific reason, judging from Old Madam Ren’s attitude, she was certainly very disappointed in Ren Yaohua, or she wouldn’t have devised this method of using her to suppress Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaoying’s feelings were complex. She naturally didn’t want to be a concubine, even though she would be the highest-ranking accompanying concubine. However, Ren Yaohua, as the principal wife, would suppress her for life.