After all the ceremony observers had arrived, Ren Yaoqi’s coming-of-age ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner under Ouyang Shi’s supervision. The hairpins, hair ornaments, crown, and ceremonial robes from inner to outer garments used in Ren Yaoqi’s coming-of-age ceremony were partly prepared by Li Shi and partly sent by Princess Consort Yanbei and Princess Consort Xian.
When the ceremony was completed, Ren Yaoqi stood below listening to Third Master Ren seriously and solemnly expressing gratitude to the guests, but her mind wandered, recalling the various events of this life and her previous life, feeling as if it were all a dream.
This somewhat melancholic mood didn’t follow Ren Yaoqi for long.
Taking advantage of Li Shi and Ren Yaohua entertaining relatives and friends, Xiao Jinglin called Ren Yaoqi aside.
“I’ve already thought of your courtesy name,” Xiao Jinglin said seriously.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi became interested: “Oh? What is it?” Ren Yaoqi was very curious about the courtesy name Xiao Jinglin had chosen for her.
Xiao Jinglin didn’t answer upon hearing this, but grabbed Ren Yaoqi’s hand and began writing stroke by stroke on her palm with her index finger.
Ren Yaoqi watched with a smile, tilting her head, then was stunned when she saw clearly what was written.
“Yaoyao.” After writing, Xiao Jinglin softly pronounced those two characters herself, then looked up at Ren Yaoqi with an expression of calm expectation: “How are these characters? Do you like them?”
“Yaoyao…” Ren Yaoqi also softly pronounced them once, then blinked and smiled at Xiao Jinglin: “Why this courtesy name? Is there some origin to it?”
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and said seriously: “There’s no need to quote classics—I just think these two characters suit you very well.” Someone else had said the same thing.
The smile on Ren Yaoqi’s face deepened, but after smiling for a while, she looked at Xiao Jinglin and asked: “Jinglin, I really like this courtesy name, but tell me the truth—did you really choose it for me?”
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin fell silent upon hearing this. She thought heavily for a long time, then decisively shook her head and confessed: “It wasn’t me. Though I think this courtesy name is both fitting and sounds like something someone without literary talent like me would think of, it’s still better than the ones I came up with myself.”
Ren Yaoqi wasn’t surprised by Xiao Jinglin’s answer. As soon as she heard “Yaoyao,” she felt it wasn’t Xiao Jinglin’s style. Her father had always privately called her “Yaoyao,” and “Yaoyao” was homophonous with it, so this courtesy name sounded remarkably intimate. As for whose handiwork it was, Ren Yaoqi could guess somewhat without asking.
She didn’t expose this, but was rather curious: “So what were the ones you thought of?”
This time Xiao Jinglin was silent even longer, then said irrelevantly: “My first warhorse was a white horse—I named her Xiaobai. My second mount was a dark brown Ferghana horse—I called it Atu. My current one is also a white horse, kept in the Jiajing Pass stables, named Youbai.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She finally understood why Xiao Jinglin had agreed so readily when she casually named the little white tiger Shanniu back then. She couldn’t help teasing: “What if your next mount is also white?”
Xiao Jinglin also laughed and said seriously, “That’s easy—I’ll call it Zaibai.”
After saying this, Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but burst out laughing herself. The two couldn’t help but laugh together, and Ren Yaoqi didn’t ask what courtesy names she had previously thought of for her.
When seeing off the guests that day, Rong Shi was in no hurry to leave first. When Ren Yaoqi returned after seeing Xiao Jinglin off, she saw Rong Shi sitting in Li Shi’s main room with maternal aunt Ji Shi, drinking tea and chatting with Li Shi.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi return, Rong Shi put down her teacup: “It’s getting late, I should go back too. Qi’er, see me out.”
Seeing Rong Shi’s manner, Ren Yaoqi knew she had something to say to her privately, so she had waited. She immediately stepped forward to support Rong Shi’s hand.
Li Shi also wanted to see Rong Shi out, but was stopped: “Just let Qi’er see me out. You go about your business.”
Li Shi could only stop there, standing at the courtyard gate watching them walk away.
Rong Shi had Ren Yaoqi help her into the carriage and invited Ren Yaoqi to sit as well, while Ji Fuying got into the following carriage alone.
Seeing that Rong Shi was in no hurry to have the coachman drive off, Ren Yaoqi smiled: “It’s been a troubled time recently. I thought Grandmother wouldn’t come today.”
Rong Shi touched her head and smiled lovingly: “It’s only a few steps away—how could I not come?”
Ren Yaoqi smiled with pursed lips and picked up the teapot that had been kept warm to pour Rong Shi a cup of tea: “Did Grandmother call me here for something?”
Rong Shi picked up the teacup and took a sip: “Your mother has already told me about what happened when you returned to the Ren family a few days ago. You needn’t worry about it at all.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded: “I know, Grandmother.”
Rong Shi hadn’t called Ren Yaoqi over today about the matter of the Ren family trying to place people with Ren Yaohua. She thought for a moment, then sighed again: “The Ren family probably won’t last much longer.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but fall silent.
But Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked: “Do you have any plans?”
Ren Yaoqi knew Rong Shi was asking about the third branch’s plans after the Ren family’s collapse. She thought carefully and was about to answer when Rong Shi waved her hand: “I know you’re clever and have made thorough arrangements for many things without my reminders, not to mention there’s that…” Rong Shi paused, “So if it were just you, I wouldn’t worry. But have you thought about what will happen to your sister after she marries into the Lei family?”
Ren Yaoqi frowned.
“With the Lei family’s current development momentum, being the Lei family’s matriarch is no easy task. The Lei family’s prospects are certainly bright.” Rong Shi sighed softly, “If Prince Xian’s manor… your grandfather and I will leave Yanbei then. If anything happens, distant water can’t put out a nearby fire, and anyone with intentions need only inquire to know that Yaohua isn’t close to her maternal grandparents’ family. When that time comes, where will your sister’s maternal family be?”
Ren Yaoqi had considered this problem before. The “maternal family” Rong Shi spoke of didn’t simply mean the natal family, but the “strength” that Ren Yaohua could display to others. Otherwise, even if Lei Ting himself didn’t mind, Ren Yaohua would ultimately lack confidence in the Lei family.
No matter how inferior the Ren family was, in Yanbei, they were still wealthy merchants of some renown. Once the Ren family fell, Ren Yaohua would have even fewer chips in her hand.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi pondering silently, Rong Shi gently patted her shoulder: “Grandmother says this today for your sister’s sake, and in the future for yours too. Whether now or later, Prince Xian’s manor truly cannot extend its reach into Yanbei. Good child, since you’ve already determined your future direction, you should prepare early for some things.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded: “Thank you for the guidance, Grandmother. I understand.”
Rong Shi smiled with satisfaction: “You’ve always been clever, so this time I want to see how far you can go. If you can truly reverse this disadvantage, only then can Grandmother truly feel at ease about your choice. Otherwise, you’d better abandon that idea early.”
Rong Shi’s words seemed joking, yet carried a trace of seriousness.
Although Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi were Prince Xian’s granddaughters, they were born at an unfortunate time and could only become merchants’ daughters. Now, seeing that even the Ren family was about to fall, though both Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi had good prospects, the risks they faced were also extreme. Rong Shi felt that if Ren Yaoqi couldn’t change this disadvantage herself, she might as well abandon her chosen path early and marry into an ordinary family, which would at least guarantee a smooth life.
So though she had given Ren Yaoqi this reminder, she didn’t intend to guide her on how to proceed. Rong Shi understood in her heart that she could help her for a while, but not for a lifetime.
Ren Yaoqi naturally understood the meaning in Rong Shi’s words.
After saying this, Rong Shi didn’t stay at the Ren residence any longer. Ren Yaoqi got off the carriage and watched Rong Shi’s carriage slowly drive out of the mansion before turning back.
After returning, Ren Yaoqi began seriously considering Rong Shi’s words. Since she had already thought of what Rong Shi reminded her about, she must have previously considered solutions, but the timing had never been right. Now with Ren Yaohua about to marry, the Ren family’s collapse imminent, and Prince Xian’s manor’s restoration in sight, the time should be ripe.
While Ren Yaoqi was calculating her strategy, Ren Yaoying in Baihezhen wasn’t idle either.
The day after Ren Yaoqi’s coming-of-age banquet, Ren Yaohua received news that the Zhou Wen and Zhou Rong siblings had gone to Baihezhen. With Zhou Rong as Ren Yaoying’s close friend as cover, they had openly submitted visiting cards to enter the Ren mansion.
According to reports from the surveillance people Ren Yaohua had arranged, Zhou Wen had still met with Ren Yaoying alone, but this time Ren Yaoying didn’t fall for his tender affection and quite decisively refused Zhou Wen.
At the time, Zhou Wen looked at Ren Yaoying with a face full of hurt: “Sister Yaoying, didn’t you already agree before? I’ve already convinced Father and Mother—they’ve agreed to let me marry you as my wife.”
Ren Yaoying’s eyes showed some impatience, but she still tried to make her voice sound gentle: “Young Master Zhou, I don’t remember agreeing to anything with you. Moreover, marriage matters are decided by elders. Please don’t make things difficult for me anymore, and don’t come looking for me again.”
Just then, Zhou Rong, who had gone to Ren Yaoying’s room to change clothes, ran over. She threw something at Ren Yaoying angrily: “What is this? So you’re already engaged to someone? If so, why did you deceive my brother?”
Looking down, Ren Yaoying saw that what Zhou Rong had taken out was the wedding dress she had been embroidering for herself recently. She couldn’t help feeling both ashamed and angry: “Sister Zhou, how could you go through my things without permission!”
But Zhou Wen stared at the wedding dress with a frown: “This color is…”
The wedding dress Ren Yaoying had embroidered for herself wasn’t pure red, but silver-red, which was close to pure red.
Zhou Rong had a quick temper and wasn’t very good-natured. She immediately said: “Brother, I’ve already inquired—she’s going to marry into the Lei family as a concubine.”
Zhou Wen looked at Ren Yaoying in disbelief: “You’re going to be someone’s concubine? Why?”
Ren Yaoying was already impatient with dealing with these siblings. She turned to leave but was grabbed by the arm by Zhou Wen, who persistently asked: “Why? You promised me you’d wait for me…”
Ren Yaoying broke free from Zhou Wen’s hand. Too lazy to maintain her gentle lady act, she looked at Zhou Wen coldly: “What did I promise? To wait for you to pass the imperial examination and then agree to your proposal? Young Master Zhou, may I ask if you’re a scholar now?”
At these words, Zhou Wen’s face turned deathly pale.
They were talking in a garden not far from Fangfei Courtyard. Ren Yiyan, who had been accompanying them, had temporarily left on business. Ren Yaoying feared their entanglement would be discovered and reported to Old Madam Ren. After breaking free from Zhou Wen, she ran away without even looking back.
Ren Yaoying parted with the Zhou siblings on bad terms. Before Zhou Wen left the Ren family in a daze, Ren Yaoying had a maid call Zhou Rong and return the jade pendant Zhou Wen had given her to Zhou Rong for forwarding, without showing her face at all.
Zhou Rong hated Ren Yaoying to death, viciously cursing “slut” several times.
After Zhou Wen returned in a daze, he fell ill again.
Ren Yaoqi said nothing after hearing about this farce.
She had no intention of using this handle to deal with Ren Yaoying. Ren Yaoying was her and Ren Yaohua’s half-sister by the same father. Damaging Ren Yaoying’s reputation would first affect Ren Yaohua’s marriage prospects.
However, Ren Yaoying’s enthusiastic attitude toward preparing for marriage left Ren Yaoqi astonished. She had thought that even as a concubine, the proud Ren Yaoying wouldn’t be so willing.
Ren Yaoqi had underestimated Ren Yaoying’s level of hatred toward Ren Yaohua.
But while Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to deliberately ruin Ren Yaoying’s reputation, someone else couldn’t wait for Ren Yaoying’s reputation to become as stinking as possible.
After returning, Zhou Rong spread rumors everywhere about Ren Yaoying coveting her future brother-in-law, saying she was not only promiscuous and liked seducing men, but was also greedy and ambitious—simply the worst among women. Her words were so harsh they were unbearable to hear directly.
Fortunately, Ren Yaoying rarely went out in Baihezhen, so she was unaware of the rumors in Yunyang City.
On this day, the weather was perfect—clear skies without a cloud. Ren Yaoqi pulled Ren Yaohua along to visit their aunt Ren Shijia.
Ren Yaohua originally didn’t want to go out. She was to marry in August, and it was already nearly the end of April. Though her wedding dress was almost finished embroidering, there were still many things requiring her attention. However, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t easily dismissed, so in the end, Ren Yaohua was still dragged away by her.