Fortunately, a son-in-law’s visit was a great, happy occasion. The lively atmosphere was quite appropriate, especially since many places had customs of giving the son-in-law a show of force. For example, getting the son-in-law drunk, having the family’s men take turns giving him a hard time, and there were even stories of places where, according to old customs, the “natal family” would give the son-in-law a beating with sticks when he visited, sometimes even causing deaths.

In any case, on the day when a son-in-law visited, no matter how the woman’s family treated him, the son-in-law couldn’t get angry. The Ren family wouldn’t dare give Second Young Master Xiao any attitude, but having the manor’s servants come out to join the excitement was still within the permitted range. This was their only chance to observe the son-in-law so brazenly without being scolded by their superiors.

As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered the main courtyard, Nanny Zhou, who had been waiting nearby, came forward and happily bowed to Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi: “Second Miss, Second Son-in-law, the master and madam are waiting for you in the main room.”

While saying this, Nanny Zhou couldn’t help but glance toward Xiao Jingxi.

Nanny Zhou had some concerns about the rumors of Second Young Master Xiao’s poor health, but seeing that Ren Yaoqi looked well in complexion and spirit, with her sharp eyes, she could tell that this couple got along harmoniously with quite a bit of marital harmony. Looking at Second Young Master Xiao, his appearance went without saying, and his complexion didn’t carry the sickly appearance of someone terminally ill.

On the day Xiao Jingxi came for the wedding ceremony, Nanny Zhou had observed him from a distance and felt that Second Young Master Xiao was somewhat different from the rumors. However, that day was special, and she thought perhaps the Xiao family had given him some medicine for the wedding ceremony, or had carefully made him up. So today, having the opportunity for close contact, Nanny Zhou looked particularly carefully.

Facing her scrutinizing gaze, Second Young Master Xiao showed no displeasure and even smiled at her. Nanny Zhou felt that from this second son-in-law’s every move and composed demeanor, she couldn’t see anything inappropriate. This made Nanny Zhou somewhat puzzled – could the rumors be unreliable?

Before Nanny Zhou could figure it out completely, Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi had already reached the main room.

Master Ren and Li Shi were already seated in the place of honor, waiting for them.

With Xiao Jingxi’s status, other families would certainly not dare to make him perform the full kowtow ceremony, but when Second Young Master Xiao faced his father-in-law and mother-in-law, he didn’t dare show the slightest airs of being a Prince of Yanbei’s manor young master. He properly performed the grand ceremony together with Ren Yaoqi for Master Ren and Li Shi.

Master Ren and Li Shi were not ordinary people either. Facing Xiao Jingxi’s grand ceremony, although they were somewhat surprised, they accepted it graciously and magnanimously. Xiao Jingxi’s attitude immediately won the favor of all the women present, including Li Shi and Nanny Zhou. Modest, well-mannered men who respected their elders and had outstanding looks naturally tended to gain women’s favor more easily.

Only Master Ren’s face remained indifferent. He merely glanced at his younger daughter and frowned: “Why does Yaoyao look like she has no energy?”

Ren Yaoqi was stunned. Xiao Jingxi turned to look at Ren Yaoqi but smiled without speaking.

When Ren Yaoqi met his gaze, not knowing what she thought of, her face reddened somewhat as she said quietly: “No, it might be because of sitting in the carriage…”

Nanny Zhou smiled and whispered something in Li Shi’s ear. Li Shi glanced at Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi, and for the first time contradicted her husband’s words in front of others, smiling as she smoothed things over: “What lack of energy? I think she looks very well. Glowing with health.”

The maids and matrons in the room all laughed.

Ren Yaoqi stood there pretending to be composed, ignoring the meaningful implications in everyone’s kind laughter.

Master Ren didn’t refute Li Shi’s words, only gave a light “hmph” noncommittally.

Although Li Shi had previously been dissatisfied with Xiao Jingxi as a son-in-law due to the rumors, mothers-in-law, looking at sons-in-law, always found them more pleasing the more they looked. Especially since Xiao Jingxi not only had a face that could charm young and old alike, but when speaking with people, his tone was modest and gentle, his conversation witty and knowledgeable about propriety. Moreover, when he specifically wanted to make a good impression, Second Young Master Xiao was simply invincible.

Li Shi fell for his approach completely. Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea after Xiao Jingxi entered, her way of addressing him changed from “Second Son-in-law” to “Jingxi” and “my son”…

Ren Yaoqi watched from the side in amazement, unable even to interject.

Compared to Li Shi’s joy and affection, Master Ren’s expression couldn’t be called very pleasant. Ren Yaoqi observed her father several times and felt she could read his assessment of Xiao Jingxi in his eyes: “Glib-tongued!”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel somewhat troubled.

Li Shi’s aesthetic sense was no different from the vast majority of well-born women in the world. However, scholars like Master Ren preferred sons-in-law with a strong scholarly air, preferably those who were taciturn and devoted entirely to learning, or who had “special skills” and real abilities.

Taking advantage of Li Shi calling someone to change Xiao Jingxi’s tea, Ren Yaoqi glanced at him, though it was just a light, plain glance with no particular meaning, it miraculously made Xiao Jingxi understand something, and he even secretly winked at her.

The next moment, Ren Yaoqi heard Xiao Jingxi say gently to Li Shi: “Mother, please don’t trouble yourself yet. I have something I want to discuss with my father-in-law. The tea can wait.”

Everyone couldn’t help but glance at Master Ren upon hearing this.

Master Ren frowned: “You want to see me? About what?”

Ren Yaoqi also couldn’t help but look at Xiao Jingxi, asking with her eyes: What are you going to do? Xiao Jingxi gave her a reassuring look, then smiled very politely: “I wonder if father-in-law has time now?”

Master Ren glanced at him, then stood up with great dignity: “Come with me to the study.” With that, he walked out first.

Ren Yaoqi hesitated about whether she should follow, but seeing Xiao Jingxi almost imperceptibly shake his head at her as he passed by, she immediately dismissed the thought. Xiao Jingxi was quite measured in his actions, and her father wasn’t an unreasonable person… right?

After Master Ren and Xiao Jingxi left, only Li Shi, Ren Yaoqi, and several maids and matrons from Li Shi’s room remained.

Li Shi presumably wanted to take this opportunity to chat with Ren Yaoqi about some private matters. She kept only Nanny Zhou and sent all the other maids and matrons away.

The three moved to the right secondary room to talk. Li Shi pulled Ren Yaoqi to sit on the kang, then carefully examined her for a while, reaching out to tidy her hair as she smiled: “Your husband is different from the rumors, and he values you so much. As your mother, I can finally be at ease.”

Ren Yaoqi was puzzled, wondering how Li Shi could tell that Xiao Jingxi valued her. Since entering the door, Xiao Jingxi hadn’t spoken a word to her.

Nanny Zhou smiled and explained to Ren Yaoqi: “If the son-in-law didn’t value you, why would he spend so much effort trying to please his father-in-law and mother-in-law? With his status, even if he just came in, showed his face, and left today, no one would say anything.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled with pursed lips. After thinking, she still said: “Yes, Mother, he treats me very well and respectfully. Please be at ease.”

Li Shi’s smile grew even brighter upon hearing this.

However, Nanny Zhou asked: “What about the Prince and Princess Consort? And that Consort Dowager Yun, the Prince’s birth mother?” Nanny Zhou didn’t ask about the Old Princess Consort because the answer was obvious without asking.

Ren Yaoqi answered seriously: “The Prince and Princess Consort are also very good, treating me like their own daughter. Although Consort Dowager Yun is somewhat stern, she has helped me several times and even asked me to help her copy scriptures.”

Both Nanny Zhou and Li Shi beamed with joy. Nanny Zhou smiled: “That’s good, that’s good, this is truly a great thing. As long as the elders all value you, Second Miss, your position in the Prince of Yanbei’s manor is truly secure. However, this servant heard that Consort Dowager Yun has a cold temperament and isn’t easy to get along with.”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and smiled: “The Consort Dowager does have a somewhat cold temperament and doesn’t appear very warm toward her grandsons and granddaughters on the surface, but in her heart, she’s a clear-minded person and takes good care of me. Originally, according to the Xiao family’s clan rules, Xiao family daughters-in-law needed to bear children before being recorded in the genealogy. This time, thanks to her mediation in front of the Old Princess Consort, I was able to enter the Xiao family genealogy on the second day after entering the family.”

Ren Yaoqi was someone who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment. Although she knew that Consort Dowager Yun might not like her in her heart, help was help, and she had helped her more than once. Therefore, toward Consort Dowager Yun, Ren Yaoqi truly respected her as an elder from her heart and wouldn’t speak any ill of her in front of her natal family. No matter who asked her, she would give the same answer.

These words were obviously what Li Shi and Nanny Zhou wanted to hear. Li Shi had suffered greatly over the years precisely because she wasn’t liked by her in-laws’ elders, so she cared deeply about this issue. Part of the reason she had agreed to let Ren Yaohua become Lei Ting’s second wife was because she saw that the Lei family had no elders who could suppress Ren Yaohua. Now that Ren Yaoqi had married into the Xiao family, Li Shi was most concerned about these issues.

While Ren Yaoqi was chatting with Li Shi in the main room about her recent days at the Prince of Yanbei’s manor, Xi’er suddenly entered and reported: “Madam, Ninth Miss requests an audience, saying she wants to congratulate Second Miss.”

Li Shi’s people referred to Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi as “Eldest Miss” and “Second Miss” respectively, but when it came to Ren Yaoying, they used her ranking in the Ren family, clearly treating her as an outsider.

Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow: “Yaoying? She didn’t go back to Baihe Town? The Ren family didn’t send anyone to fetch her?”

Li Shi sighed: “The Ren family did send someone on your wedding day, but at that time…” Li Shi had only learned later from Nanny Zhou about Ren Yaoying being drugged. At that time, to avoid embarrassment, they naturally couldn’t carry Ren Yaoying out.

“Later, we heard that Old Master Ren was seriously ill, and the Ren family had no time to manage her. Your father wanted to send her back, but she refused to leave, no matter what.” Li Shi said.