After Xiao Jingxi said those words, the rumors about the Prince of Yanbei’s little young master being “immeasurably noble” indeed subsided. Of course, some people still spread stories, but what they spread was that the little young master was “blessed by auspicious stars” or “a literary star descended to earth” and such. Over time, the people of Yanbei all knew that little Master Xiao was a blessed child, but no one associated him with the so-called “imperial bearing” anymore.

Ren Yaoqi naturally breathed a sigh of relief.

After giving birth, Ren Yaoqi followed Nanny Gong’s instructions and properly completed her month of confinement. During this period, she did nothing but eat and sleep. Even when she sometimes wanted to fetch a few books from the study to relieve boredom, she was stopped by the maids, who said that mental exertion was most taboo during confinement.

She could see the child every day, though. The little one was well cared for, growing more tender and adorable each day. Whenever Ren Yaoqi saw him, she couldn’t help wanting to pinch that soft little face. Because of this, Ren Yaoqi didn’t find confinement tedious – with her husband and child both by her side, what more could she ask for?

Because he had already attracted enough attention at birth, the child’s full moon celebration wasn’t held grandly. They only verbally invited close relatives without even sending out invitations. This was the Princess Consort’s idea – Yanbei had just experienced warfare, the Old Princess Consort had died less than a year ago, and most importantly, they didn’t want to diminish the child’s good fortune. Ren Yaoqi also agreed.

On the full moon day, the Prince of Yanbei named the child Xiao Weizhuo, little “Ah Zhuo.” “Great straightness appears bent, great skill appears clumsy, great eloquence appears tongue-tied” – the Prince of Yanbei chose this name perhaps also because of the excessive attention the child had received at birth.

Several female relatives from her natal family were chatting and laughing at Ren Yaoqi’s place. Third Sister-in-law Qi Shi also came. From the Ren family side, only Qi Shi and the Ren Yijun couple attended, because Qi Shi and Ren Yijun had more face before Ren Yaoqi than other Ren family members. Now they also had great influence in the Ren family, but neither Ren Yijun nor Qi Shi had ever come to Ren Yaoqi to make any demands on behalf of the Ren family.

The Ren family was now far from what it used to be. When others mentioned the Ren family, they said it had declined. The Ren family had indeed declined – not a trace remained of their former properties, even the ancestral home had been used to pay debts. The money they had left was only enough for the family’s daily expenses, and seven or eight out of ten servants and maids had been dismissed. But Ren Yaoqi felt that the current Ren family was better than at any time in the past.

First Master Ren had become somewhat disheartened after these setbacks, but the two younger generation members Ren Yiyan and Ren Yijun had stepped forward. They were now trying to learn business from their Fifth Uncle Ren Shimao, not seeking to make a comeback, but only hoping to maintain the family’s basic needs.

Ren Yiyan was still manageable, but Ren Yijun somewhat surprised Ren Yaoqi. This young master’s temperament was somewhat similar to his Third Uncle Ren Shimin’s – he looked down on commerce as a lowly occupation and was rather high-minded.

When Ren Yaoqi had asked Ren Yijun about this, this young master had glanced at her sideways and said: “When the whole family is about to starve to death, what’s the use of putting on refined airs? Can this young master rely on women for support? That would be disgraceful! A real man can bend and stretch. Once this young master has supported mother and wife, then he’ll come back to listen to the sages’ words!”

This made both Ren Yaoqi and Qi Shi laugh uncontrollably.

With Ren Yijun and Ren Yiyan supporting the family outside, and First Madam teaching the two daughters-in-law, Zhao Shi and Qi Shi, to manage the household, the family was harmonious and happy. Unfortunately, neither Zhao Shi nor Qi Shi had children, which worried First Madam so much that her hair turned white. If Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren were still in charge, with the main branch having no heirs, the two daughters-in-law would certainly suffer greatly. Now, although First Madam was also dissatisfied and considered taking concubines for her two sons, she was dismissed by Ren Yijun’s single sentence: “No money to support idle people!”

First Madam knew the Ren family couldn’t withstand any more turmoil now, so after thinking it over, she let the matter drop and didn’t mention it again.

Ren Yaoyin was still staying at the nunnery. First Madam had also considered bringing her back, after all, Ren Yaoyin was getting older, and neither Qi Shi nor Zhao Shi had prevented First Madam from bringing her back.

Qi Shi had said: “Fourth Sister has stayed at the nunnery for so long, she should be brought back. However, bringing her back so abruptly might cause gossip about Fourth Sister. Fourth Sister is not young anymore – why doesn’t Mother first find her a good family? Then when we bring her back, we can say publicly that we’re bringing Fourth Sister back to prepare for marriage.”

Zhao Shi quickly agreed from the side.

First Madam thought this made sense. She also knew that now it was actually Ren Yaoyin’s brothers who were in charge, and the two sisters-in-law’s opinions were very important, since Ren Yaoyin’s dowry would have to come from the family’s common funds. What she could privately supplement would only be some old jewelry she had saved.

But when it came time to arrange a marriage, First Madam became troubled. With the Ren family’s decline, families who had previously associated with them naturally wouldn’t consider Ren Yaoyin. Those who could marry Ren Yaoyin were only some local gentry and ordinary merchants, even widowers. The psychological gap was too great, and First Madam couldn’t accept it for a while. She couldn’t help resenting that she hadn’t married Ren Yaoyin off earlier, and somewhat blamed Ren Yaoyin herself for causing trouble and delaying her prospects. The matter of bringing Ren Yaoyin back was shelved again, as First Madam feared that after Ren Yaoyin returned and saw this situation, she would make even more of a fuss about not wanting to marry.

From Ren Yaoyin’s matter, Ren Yaoqi could see that this Third Sister-in-law Qi Shi was quite capable and would never be soft-hearted when ruthlessness was needed.

While holding Ah Zhuo and playing with him, Qi Shi casually said, “Ninth Sister’s wedding date is also approaching.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help raising her eyebrows to look at Qi Shi. Qi Shi had always known that she and Ren Yaohua both disliked Ren Yaoying, so she rarely mentioned her in front of them. Speaking of it, if Qi Shi hadn’t brought it up, Ren Yaoqi would have almost forgotten about Ren Yaoying.

Ren Yaohua’s face indeed turned cold: “Why mention her on such a good day? Whether she marries or not has nothing to do with us. Father has said we won’t acknowledge this relationship.”

Ren Yaoying’s marriage had been delayed until now due to various reasons. Originally, the He family had wanted to break the engagement, but once Master He went to Baihe Town on business and met Ren Yaoying, he dismissed the idea of canceling the engagement.

Ren Yaohua sneered: “In the inner chambers of a deep residence, to meet whenever she wanted – she does have some skill!”

Hearing this, Qi Shi couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed: “Madam had originally arranged for people to watch her, but now the Ren family is short-staffed, and with one moment of inattention…”

Ren Yaohua said: “Third Sister-in-law needn’t say more. I’m not blaming you. Originally, disciplining Ren Yaoying wasn’t the responsibility of Great Aunt or you sisters-in-law – speaking of it, it’s our fault. If it weren’t for Grandmother… We know very well what kind of person Ren Yaoying is. Even if you had people watching her every step of the way, when she wanted to find opportunities to meet men, she would always find a way.”

Qi Shi was amused by Ren Yaohua’s blunt and crude disdain: “Speaking of it, I also find it hard to understand what Ninth Sister is thinking. Didn’t she make a fuss about refusing to marry before? Now she seems eager for it.”

Enemies understand enemies best. Ren Yaohua immediately said contemptuously: “What’s hard to understand about this? Previously, she made a fuss about not marrying because she thought she could marry better. Now Father has expelled her from the family, and the Ren family has declined – can she still climb up to a family more wealthy and noble than the He family?”

Qi Shi laughed: “But if Ninth Sister wants to marry herself, it does save a lot of trouble. Since she’s determined to become the He family’s head wife, she’ll naturally prepare for marriage peacefully during this time and cause fewer problems. First Madam is currently frantic about Fourth Sister’s marriage and probably has no time to select a suitable husband who meets her standards.”

Ren Yaohua frowned: “The way you put it, I feel like this matter won’t end so easily?”

Ren Yaoqi took her sleeping son from Qi Shi’s arms and gave Ren Yaohua an exasperated look: “Crow’s mouth!”

Just as Ren Yaohua was about to retort, her face suddenly changed. She turned around, covered her mouth, and began dry heaving.

Seeing her face suddenly turn pale, Qi Shi was startled and quickly stepped forward to support her: “What’s wrong?”

Ren Yaohua kept dry heaving and wanted to speak, but couldn’t.

Ren Yaoqi had initially been anxious and wanted to have the maids fetch a physician, but after a moment’s thought, as if remembering something, her eyes held some hope as she asked quietly: “Sister, did your monthly courses come last month?”

Hearing this, Qi Shi was stunned and also thought of it, her gaze turning to Ren Yaohua’s abdomen.

Ren Yaohua’s face was still somewhat pale, but she had finally temporarily stopped dry heaving. She said uncertainly: “No, but sometimes my cycle is irregular.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was overjoyed and quickly instructed Sangshen: “Go fetch Nanny Gong.” After a pause, she added, “Also, get another physician.”

People outside were also alarmed by the commotion inside, and Li Shi and the others hurried in, thinking something had happened to Ren Yaoqi.

Nanny Gong came quickly. After taking Ren Yaohua’s pulse twice, she nodded with a smile: “It’s a slippery pulse – she’s with child!”

This one sentence put everyone’s minds at ease. The other physician they had summoned was naturally no longer needed. Ren Yaohua gently stroked her abdomen, also filled with surprise and joy.

Lei Pan’er clapped her hands happily beside them: “Going to have another little brother! Going to have another little brother!”

Li Shi, who had always worried about her daughter, immediately wanted to go burn incense for the Buddha. However, in her heart she was convinced that Ren Yaohua’s pregnancy was Ah Zhuo’s doing – because Ren Yaohua had been holding Ah Zhuo frequently recently.

Because Ren Yaohua was diagnosed as pregnant, little Xiao Weizhuo’s full moon celebration became even more lively. More people became convinced that Ah Zhuo was a blessed child. Qi Shi held Ah Zhuo even more tightly and wouldn’t let go, not caring even when everyone good-naturedly teased her about it.

Xiao Weizhuo’s birth also made people think of another child of the same generation – the little heir apparent of the Prince of Yanbei’s residence, Xiao Weiyong, who was far away in the capital.

Many people believed that the Prince of Yanbei’s establishment of Xiao Weiyong as heir apparent had been an expedient measure, and that the position would ultimately fall to Xiao Jingxi. Now, with the birth of little young master Xiao Weizhuo, this was a perfect opportunity.

However, no matter how the outside world speculated, the Prince of Yanbei’s residence showed no intention of changing the heir apparent. When others hinted at the topic, the Prince of Yanbei would always express sincere affection for that eldest legitimate grandson far away in the capital, making it impossible to discern his true attitude.