Lin Shi was so frightened that she froze, even forgetting to cry out in pain.

It was Fifth Master Ren Shimao who reacted first, hurrying to Lin Shi’s side and asking anxiously: “Are you burned anywhere?” Then he turned to the old madam and said, “Mother, Huijun meant well, too. She just didn’t want to see her sister and brother-in-law at odds. How could you splash hot tea on her?”

Old Madam Ren angrily pointed at his nose and scolded: “You’re also an ungrateful wretch! An insider helping outsiders, I raised you all these years for nothing! Get out! All of you get out!”

Fifth Master, being the old madam’s youngest son who had grown up pampered, had never been scolded so harshly by his mother, pointing at his nose like this. He was immediately so frightened he didn’t know how to react.

The other children and grandchildren were also shocked by the old madam’s sudden outburst and didn’t know how to respond.

Ren Yaoqi stood far behind her parents, secretly observing everyone’s varied expressions in the room.

It wasn’t until Ren Shijia stepped forward and softly persuaded Old Madam Ren: “Mother, Fifth Sister-in-law, and Fifth Brother also meant well for me. It’s not their fault.”

Old Madam Ren surveyed everyone present and finally gave face to her pregnant daughter, taking a deep breath and saying somewhat wearily: “All of you go down.”

Everyone bowed to the old madam in salute, and Lin Shi finally came to her senses, covering her face as she ran out.

Fifth Master wanted to chase after her, but seeing his mother’s icy expression, he feared that chasing after his wife without regard for propriety would make things even more difficult for her. He could only follow everyone else slowly out the door, and as soon as he stepped outside, he grabbed a servant woman to ask about his wife’s whereabouts, then lifted his robes and ran.

His appearance amused several of the Ren family children, making them laugh. Eldest Master Ren Shizhong cleared his throat lightly and swept a glance at his sons and nephews, making them all fall silent.

Everyone returned to their respective courtyards.

The next day, the incident of Fifth Madam Lin Shi being humiliated in front of the old madam became known throughout the Ren household, though no one knew who had spread the news.

Although early spring in Yan Bei was still very cold in the mornings and evenings, there were signs of spring everywhere. In the corners of walls and on tree branches, green shoots were beginning to emerge, full of vitality.

Sister-in-law Yuan entered the residence again, bringing two pairs of spring shoes that she said were made by the Zhu family’s youngest daughter for Ren Yaoqi.

Two days after the Lantern Festival, Sister-in-law Yuan came to the residence as instructed by Ren Yaoqi. Ren Yaoqi had a maid tell her that she had already asked Third Master to speak to the mine, and in a few more days, they would be able to release Zhu Ruomei. Sister-in-law Yuan was overjoyed.

Sure enough, the day after Sister-in-law Yuan returned, the mine overseer returned Zhu Ruomei’s indenture contract to him and even gave him extra wages when settling his pay, saying it was a kindness from Third Master and Fifth Young Miss.

The Zhu family was extremely grateful. That very day, Zhu Ruomei took his mother and sister to Yunyang City to seek medical treatment.

During this period, every time Sister-in-law Yuan came to the Ren residence, she would bring things sent by the Zhu family—sometimes fresh game, furs, and even pickled vegetables made by the Zhu family themselves.

Ren Yaoqi accepted them all, sometimes giving gifts in return and inquiring about Sister-in-law Zhu’s condition.

The two pairs of embroidered shoes made by the Zhu family’s youngest daughter, though made of ordinary materials, showed considerable effort in the workmanship. The stitching was very fine, and when Ren Yaoqi tried them on, she found they fit perfectly and were very comfortable to walk in. The last time Sister-in-law Yuan came, she had asked Xiangqin for her shoe measurements.

After instructing maid Pingguo to put away the two pairs of shoes to wear when the weather got warmer, Ren Yaoqi called maid Xueli to help her change clothes. She wanted to visit Ren Shijia’s Warm Fragrance Pavilion today.

But just after she had changed and come out, she heard Pingguo’s quiet sobbing and Qingmei’s scolding.

Ren Yaoqi called both of them over.

Qingmei spoke first: “Miss, this new little maid doesn’t know the rules at all. You put her in charge of your seasonal clothes, but she stored silk garments together with fur garments. Just now, when this servant was looking for your spring shirts, I found they were all covered with fur lint.”

“It wasn’t me. When I took over, they were already stored like that,” Pingguo sobbed.

“You still dare to argue!” Qingmei scolded.

After the New Year, four new maids came to Ren Yaoqi’s room, replacing several little maids originally arranged by Concubine Fang. After observing for a while, Ren Yaoqi had Nanny Zhou promote two of them—one called Pingguo and another called Sangshen—to second-class maids.

Now in Ren Yaoqi’s room, there were still two people left by Concubine Fang: Xueli and Qingmei.

Faced with this change, Xueli’s temperament was relatively steady—she just became more respectful to Ren Yaoqi in daily life and worked even more diligently. But Qingmei was very uneasy, so during this period she kept finding fault with the newly arrived maids to highlight her competence. The newly promoted second-class maids, being honest, had often been nitpicked by her.

Ren Yaoqi saw all this but didn’t deliberately interfere. She lacked useful people around her, which was very inconvenient for future actions. As for who could be of great use, she needed to observe before making decisions.

She kept Xueli because she felt this maid was very perceptive and had a flexible mind. As long as she could control herself properly, she wouldn’t be without merit as an assistant.

As for Qingmei, keeping her was actually to temper the newly arrived maids. And she had other arrangements for Qingmei.

To be both loyal and greatly useful was rare and hard to come by. Being able to achieve one of usefulness or loyalty was already quite good.

“Xueli,” Ren Yaoqi called.

“This servant is here.”

“Nanny Zhou is still looking for a house-managing nanny for me. Before the house-managing nanny is found, the affairs in the room will temporarily be managed by you, including handling disputes between maids.” Ren Yaoqi waved her hand.

Xueli bowed her head and agreed, then looked at Qingmei and Pingguo.

“Who was in charge of Miss’s seasonal clothes before Pingguo came?” Although she asked this question, Xueli’s eyes were fixed on Qingmei.

Qingmei gritted her teeth.

Ren Yaoqi’s approach to the two maids originally sent by Concubine Fang was to suppress one and elevate the other. Therefore, the two who had originally gotten along well now had numerous conflicts.

“Qingmei?” Seeing that Qingmei didn’t speak, Xueli called her again.

Glancing at Ren Yaoqi, Qingmei said word by word through gritted teeth: “It was this servant!”

“I remember the new spring shirts from the sewing room haven’t been delivered yet. The spring shirts in the chest should still be from last year. You only recently gave the chest keys to Pingguo. When we inventoried the chests, I was also present. She hasn’t touched these old clothes yet.”

Qingmei glared at Xueli, angrily turning her head away, her lips moving, muttering curses under her breath.

Xueli acted as if she didn’t see this and continued: “Qingmei damaged Miss’s clothes and still shirked responsibility. She’s fined half a month’s allowance. If she does this again, she’ll be handed over to Nanny Zhou for punishment. Do you accept this?”

Qingmei was naturally unwilling to accept this, but she was also afraid that Xueli would hand her over to Nanny Zhou. Nanny Zhou’s strictness was well-known throughout Ziwei Courtyard, so she could only grit her teeth and endure it.

Only then did Ren Yaoqi stand up and ask: “Finished handling it?”

Xueli bowed her head respectfully: “Yes, Miss, it’s all handled.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and walked outside: “I’m going to my aunt’s courtyard. You all prepare. I’ll go to my mother’s place first.”

The maids all responded in unison.

When Ren Yaoqi went to Li Shi’s room, a nanny from outside came to report that Young Master Biao and Young Master Wen had arrived.

Li Shi was very surprised upon hearing this. Young Master Biao referred to the old madam’s grand-nephew, Qiu Yun. When he came to the Ren family, he never came to Ziwei Courtyard to pay respects. She didn’t know why he had come today.

“Quickly invite them in,” Li Shi said hurriedly.

Ren Yaoqi frowned secretly. What were these two doing here?

Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang had come to pay respects.

Qiu Yun spoke politely: “I often come to disturb the Ren family, but rarely come to pay respects to Third Uncle and Third Aunt. Please forgive your nephew’s rudeness.”

Yun Wenfang was also very polite when speaking in front of Li Shi, but when no one was paying attention, he cast glances toward Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi kept her head lowered, observing her nose and heart, pretending to know nothing.

She heard Qiu Yun say, “The spring weather is perfect. Your nephew would like to invite several cousins, brothers, and sisters to go on a spring outing in the countryside and eat vegetarian food at White Dragon Temple outside the city. If Third Aunt has free time, it would be even better if you could come along.”

Although Li Shi was somewhat surprised, she still smiled and said, “You young brothers and sisters, go ahead. Third Aunt won’t go.”

Qiu Yun looked up happily: “Then Third Aunt agrees to let Fifth Sister and Third Sister go?”

Li Shi glanced at Ren Yaoqi and smiled: “Since everyone is going, you and your third sister should go together too.” Li Shi naturally hoped that Ren Yaoqi and her sisters could become close with Qiu Yun and this Young Master Yun. The two sisters had no blood brothers, so if they could have the care of their cousin brother Qiu Yun in the future, that would be perfect.

But Ren Yaoqi looked at Qiu Yun and asked: “Are my third brother, fourth sister, seventh sister, and eighth sister also going?”

Qiu Yun nodded with a smile: “Naturally, they’re going. I’ve already arranged it with them.”

Ren Yaoqi was speechless. Li Shi had already agreed to her—what else could she do?

Qiu Yun had achieved his purpose and politely stood up to take his leave.

Li Shi said to Ren Yaoqi, “Didn’t you say earlier you wanted to visit your aunt? Go out together then. Mother won’t go today.”

Ren Yaoqi also stood up to take her leave.

After leaving Li Shi’s main room, Ren Yaoqi smiled and said to Qiu Yun and Yun Wenfang: “Cousin Brother and Young Master Wen, please go slowly. I still need to return to my room to pack.”

But Yun Wenfang raised an eyebrow: “Jinyuan and I were just going to pay respects to the Ren family’s aunt. Shall we go together?”

Ren Yaoqi felt that today’s Yun Wenfang was somewhat strange. Understanding his persistent nature of not giving up until achieving his goals, she could only reluctantly nod and return to her room to pack.