The two senior maids in Old Madam Ren’s room kept their eyes on their noses and noses on their hearts: “Yes, Eldest Madam.”

After dealing with Old Madam Ren, the Eldest Madam didn’t immediately leave Ronghua Garden. She still had doubts in her heart – namely, who had passed the news to Old Madam Ren? She had clearly instructed everyone in this courtyard…

Thinking of her son’s disappointed yet resolute gaze just now, the Eldest Madam’s heart ached, but her eyes gradually became sharp. The Ren family had reached this point and absolutely couldn’t allow anyone to secretly cause trouble, or this household would truly fall apart.

The Eldest Madam decided to thoroughly investigate this matter. She was originally the head madam and had some means, so before long, she discovered it was a second-class little maid in Old Madam Ren’s room who had told Old Madam Ren while serving her during her washing. After severe interrogation and following the trail, they traced it back to Fourth Miss Ren Yaoyin. The Eldest Madam was both shocked and furious, and felt a kind of inevitable sadness.

When Ren Yaoyin was brought before the Eldest Madam, her expression remained unchanged. She had recently been under house arrest by the Eldest Madam and had lost considerable weight, her complexion not as good as before.

The Eldest Madam looked at the daughter standing before her and suddenly felt somewhat unfamiliar.

“Why did you do this?” The Eldest Madam looked at Ren Yaoyin with some incomprehension.

Ren Yaoyin’s expression was very calm, without a trace of panic or unease. The Eldest Madam was her birth mother, and she knew very clearly in her heart that no matter how angry her mother became, she wouldn’t do anything to her. Besides, she was already under house arrest – there couldn’t be any more severe punishment than this.

“Mother, I don’t want to marry.”

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Madam slammed the table angrily: “Just because only your grandmother in this family supports you going to be someone’s concubine, you can abandon your parents and brothers? Do you know your third brother almost severed ties with the family?”

Ren Yaoyin pursed her lips and said stubbornly: “I was under house arrest – how would I know these things!”

The Eldest Madam sneered: “You know nothing, yet you could pass messages to your grandmother? Don’t think I don’t know you still have several people under you who can run errands for you.”

Ren Yaoyin bit her lip and turned her head away.

The Eldest Madam looked at her daughter, who wouldn’t listen to reason, feeling utterly weary and disappointed. She knew Ren Yaoyin had several usable people under her command, but since she was her daughter and would need confidants when she married, she had turned a blind eye and only temporarily transferred those people away. She hadn’t expected her daughter’s people to be used for such purposes.

But what Ren Yaoyin thought wasn’t wrong either – no matter how grave her mistakes, the Eldest Madam couldn’t do anything to her. No matter how the Eldest Madam treated outsiders, she couldn’t harden her heart against her children.

So, despite the conclusive evidence and Ren Yaoyin showing no intention of admitting fault, the Eldest Madam still kept the news secret, only dealing with the last few people under Ren Yaoyin’s command, so she would have no one left to use. What else could she do as a mother?

But when Ren Yaoyin saw that the Eldest Madam had dealt with her people and was about to confine her again, she said coldly: “Mother, I said I won’t marry! If you insist on forcing me to marry…” Ren Yaoyin paused, then said resolutely, “I’ll cut off my hair and become a nun. I mean what I say – if the Yang family doesn’t mind the bad luck, they’re welcome to come for the wedding ceremony.”

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Madam felt dizzy and collapsed into her chair.

The Eldest Madam couldn’t do anything about Ren Yaoyin, but Ren Yaoyin could grasp the Eldest Madam’s weak points and strike with precision. Because love was unequal, parents couldn’t win against their children.

Finally, the Eldest Madam leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and waved her hand, having someone take Ren Yaoyin back. She was too exhausted to speak any words of reprimand.

This time Ren Yaoyin said nothing and followed the people down, because she knew that in the short term, the Eldest Madam wouldn’t finalize her marriage. She wanted to first test her parents’ bottom line – after getting through grandfather’s mourning period, she would threaten with her life, and the Eldest Madam would have to compromise.

Although disappointed and saddened by her daughter’s matter, after resting briefly, the Eldest Madam still forced herself to have her two daughters-in-law called over.

Both the First Young Madam and Third Young Madam saw that the Eldest Madam wasn’t feeling well and asked with concern. The Eldest Madam vaguely brushed this off and instructed the two daughters-in-law to properly comfort and counsel their husbands. Both the First Young Madam and Third Young Madam respectfully agreed.

After instructing her daughters-in-law, the Eldest Madam was about to dismiss them when Third Young Madam smiled and asked: “Mother, I heard Fourth Sister came out just now. Is she well? Should Big Sister-in-law and I go see her?”

“I just had some things to ask her. She’s not feeling well physically right now – you should wait a while before visiting her.” Although the person standing before her was her daughter-in-law, the Eldest Madam still wanted to cover for her daughter and didn’t mention the matter of her passing messages to Old Madam.

The third Young Madam glanced at First Young Madam. The usually honest First Young Madam hesitated for a while, then said: “About that Yang family Mother mentioned last time – I had someone inquire about them again. Young Master Yang has excellent character. Should this marriage be finalized?”

Third Young Madam clasped her hands together joyfully: “Oh, that’s wonderful! With our Fourth Sister’s character, how could ordinary people be worthy of her? This marriage should be settled early.”

The Eldest Madam felt that Qi Shi’s praise of Ren Yaoyin sounded somewhat awkward, but she didn’t have the mind to think about such things now. Seeing both daughters-in-law asking about Ren Yaoyin’s marriage, the Eldest Madam hesitated before sighing: “Let’s wait and see.”

First Young Madam was somewhat surprised – hadn’t the Eldest Madam been quite satisfied with the Yang family before?

But Third Young Madam hit the nail on the head: “Mother, is it because Fourth Sister looks down on the Yang family and refuses?”

The Eldest Madam was silent for a moment. Perhaps because her heart was too troubled, she still sighed: “Yaoyin said if we force her to marry, she’ll cut her hair and become a nun.”

Hearing this, First Young Madam and Third Young Madam exchanged glances.

Third Young Madam’s eyes rolled around, then she smiled: “Mother, since Fourth Sister wants to become a nun, just let her.”

First Young Madam was startled and quickly, quietly tugged at her sister-in-law’s sleeve, signaling her not to speak carelessly.

The Eldest Madam indeed became angry: “Nonsense! Why would she become a nun when everything’s fine?”

Qi Shi stepped forward to massage the Eldest Madam’s shoulders and calm her, still smiling: “Mother, don’t be angry. I don’t want Fourth Sister to become a nun. I heard that just a few days ago, Fourth Sister had someone send the finest rouge, powder, and pearl cream into the mansion. Have you ever seen such a beauty-loving nun? I think when Fourth Sister said this today, she knew you and Father couldn’t bear to part with her and was trying to frighten you. Why don’t you go along with her wishes for now and let her stay in a nunnery for a while? Let her calm her mind – maybe after staying there, she’ll come to her senses?”

The Eldest Madam frowned, thinking that what Qi Shi said wasn’t unreasonable, but she was still somewhat hesitant: “If others found out, wouldn’t it be bad for her reputation?”

Third Young Madam didn’t speak, but instead signaled to First Young Madam with her eyes, because some words would be more credible coming from First Young Madam.

The honest First Young Madam saw Qi Shi’s eyes twitching like she was having spasms. Feeling awkward, she could only steel herself and say: “Why don’t we tell outsiders that Fourth Sister is going to recite sutras for grandfather’s afterlife, plus pray for grandmother’s recovery from illness? Everyone saw Fourth Sister’s filial devotion when grandmother was sick before – no one should suspect.”

Third Young Madam nodded and delivered the final blow: “Right, right! Outsiders will say our Fourth Sister is truly filial, and when she comes out later, her reputation will be even better. And Mother, think about it – after Fourth Sister has been to a nunnery once, when she threatens to become a nun in the future, others definitely won’t take it too seriously.”

The Eldest Madam was somewhat swayed by what she heard. She knew she would soften toward her daughter, but if she kept giving in, she feared she wouldn’t be able to oppose Ren Yaoyin in the end. But could she watch Ren Yaoyin become a concubine?

The Eldest Madam couldn’t help but glance at Qi Shi. Meeting Qi Shi’s blinking eyes, the Eldest Madam became somewhat displeased and said irritably: “Are you so eager to drive your sister-in-law out? What benefit is that to you?”

First Young Madam was frightened and shrank her neck, lowering her head grievously.

Third Young Madam Qi Shi, hearing this, looked at the Eldest Madam with a confused, foolish expression: “Yes, Mother. What benefit would that be to us?”

The Eldest Madam: “…”

The Eldest Madam also realized that taking her anger out on her daughters-in-law was wrong, but Ren Yaoyin’s matter had to be resolved. After hesitating for a long time, she still sighed: “Fine, let her stay at the nunnery for a while.”

Third Young Madam continued fanning the flames: “Mother, you can’t handle this matter personally, or once you soften your heart, all efforts will be wasted!”

First Young Madam glanced at Qi Shi, somehow feeling that her usually honest (?) and innocent (?) sister-in-law looked somewhat like the treacherous officials described in operas. Blinking, First Young Madam felt she must have seen wrong – her sister-in-law was an honest, good person. How could she be a treacherous villain?

As a result, just as First Young Madam was thinking this, she heard Qi Shi say: “Why don’t we leave this matter to Big Sister-in-law? Big Sister-in-law is steady and careful – she’ll handle it well.”

First Young Madam looked up at Qi Shi in bewilderment.

The Eldest Madam thought about it and glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law, feeling this wasn’t a bad idea. If Qi Shi had said to leave Ren Yaoyin in her care, she would be uneasy, but if it was the honest and obedient eldest daughter-in-law, there would be no problem.

Compared to First Young Madam, the Eldest Madam had a better ability to see through people’s true nature.

“Then let’s leave it to the eldest daughter-in-law.” The Eldest Madam finally decided.

First Young Madam immediately broke out in cold sweat, feeling somewhat like crying. Why had this thankless task that could easily offend people fallen to her?

When leaving the Eldest Madam’s place, First Young Madam’s steps were somewhat unsteady.

Qi Shi took her sister-in-law’s arm with a strange expression: “Big Sister-in-law, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

First Young Madam looked at Qi Shi hesitantly: “I… I’m afraid I can’t handle it. Maybe… maybe we should tell Mother to assign someone else?”

Qi Shi frowned: “How can that work! The elder sister-in-law is like a mother! Who could be more suitable than you for educating a younger sister?”

First Young Madam felt ashamed after being spoken to with such righteous indignation by Qi Shi.

Qi Shi smiled and comforted her: “But Big Sister-in-law, don’t worry – I’ll help you.”

First Young Madam’s eyes lit up: “Really?”

Qi Shi nodded with an innocent smile: “Of course! Big Sister-in-law, you’ve been so good to me normally – if I don’t help you, who will? Don’t worry, I’ll handle the difficult things for you. I won’t let you offend people alone! But don’t tell Mother – she’ll scold me for meddling in other people’s business.”

The kind First Young Madam quickly nodded: “I know, don’t worry. Since you’re helping me like this, I won’t betray you.” Thinking of Fourth Sister Ren Yaoyin’s inscrutable eyes, First Young Madam felt that with Qi Shi’s help, she was finally less afraid.

First Young Madam thought to herself that Third Sister-in-law was a wonderful person.

Qi Shi smiled until her eyes crinkled, thinking: For the sake of her young master, for the stability and unity of the family, playing the villain and eliminating unstable factors… she was making a great sacrifice. No helping it – who told her to be such a kind-hearted, good person?

That evening, when First Young Madam and Qi Shi stood before Ren Yaoyin, Ren Yaoyin could hardly believe her ears.

“Mother wants to send me to a nunnery to become a nun? This is impossible!”

First Young Madam said helplessly: “It really was Mother who told me to take you to the nunnery.”

“I want to see Mother!” Ren Yaoyin took a deep breath, calmed down, and looked coldly at First Young Madam.

First Young Madam opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Qi Shi interrupted.

Qi Shi looked surprised: “Huh? Wasn’t it you, Fourth Sister, who wanted to go to the nunnery to become a nun? Mother was originally reluctant, but parents tend to be soft-hearted – how could she oppose her daughter? Mother thought it over and finally decided to fulfill your wishes. You don’t know – Mother even fell ill from making this decision, so you probably can’t see her for now.”

Ren Yaoyin was speechless after being blocked by Qi Shi, unable to speak for a long while.

First Young Madam glanced at Qi Shi and silently retreated behind her.

Ren Yaoyin looked at the several old women who had come in with her two sisters-in-law, suppressing her anger: “It’s already very late. Even if I’m going, let’s wait until tomorrow. And I still need to pack some things.”

If it were another daughter-in-law, seeing her sister-in-law say this, she would agree – at least First Young Madam was about to nod.

But Qi Shi showed rare forcefulness, smiling: “Fourth Sister, you might not understand – going to a nunnery is like getting married. When leaving home, you need to choose an auspicious time. I’ve already had someone calculate it – of these few days, this moment today is the best. As for packing things…” Qi Shi looked confused. “Fourth Sister, aren’t you going to become a nun? Nuns have nothing but the clothes on their backs – what do you need to pack? But Mother feels sorry for you and had people prepare bedding for you.”

First Young Madam: “…”

Ren Yaoyin: “…”

“Escort Fourth Miss out.” Qi Shi waved her hand grandly with impressive momentum.

Several old women quickly stepped forward respectfully: “Fourth Miss, please!”

Ren Yaoyin said angrily: “Qi Yuegui, have you gone mad!”