Hearing this, the nanny wanted to persuade her further, but Su Shi had already lowered her head to look at the account books again.

Seeing Su Shi’s indifferent attitude, the nanny felt bitter in her heart.

Su Shi had been married into the Ren family for over ten years, but only had one daughter. This couldn’t be entirely blamed on Su Shi.

In the first few years after Su Shi married Second Master Ren Shiyuan, Second Master Ren was devoted to Buddhist studies, pure-hearted and with few desires, rarely entering Su Shi’s room, so Su Shi never became pregnant.

Later, one day, Second Master Ren suddenly had some kind of fit and insisted on becoming a monk, converting to Buddhism.

He wasn’t just talking – seeing his mother desperately trying to stop him from leaving the house, he actually took scissors to cut his own hair, causing chaos throughout the residence.

Compared to mother-in-law Liao Shi’s panic, Su Shi, as Second Master Ren’s wife, was much calmer. She somehow found a pair of twin sisters who were both beautiful and talented. These sisters’ special skill was singing Buddhist scriptures to popular contemporary melodies. That very night, the sisters were sent to exchange Buddhist teachings with Second Master Ren.

Three days later, Second Master Ren stopped clamoring about becoming a monk. Su Shi elevated the Yuan surname twin sisters to concubine status, having them accompany Second Master Ren in chanting scriptures daily. Soon after, Elder Concubine Yuan became pregnant and, after ten months, gave birth to the East Residence’s eldest grandson, Ren Yilin. Younger Concubine Yuan also gave birth to Second Master Ren’s second son, Ren Yixin, two years later.

Originally, Old Madam Liao Shi had some complaints about Su Shi, blaming her for not being able to hold her husband’s heart and making him feel the mortal world wasn’t worth clinging to, wanting to become a monk. However, after several years of interaction, Su Shi conducted herself generously, was extremely respectful to her mother-in-law Liao Shi, and was always obedient to Second Master Ren. Liao Shi really couldn’t find fault with her and gradually grew closer to her.

A few years later, Younger Concubine Yuan died of illness, and Second Master Ren again made a fuss about becoming a monk. This time, Su Shi elevated a concubine surnamed Xia into the residence. Although this Concubine Xia wasn’t as talented as the elder and younger Yuan concubines, she was born delicate and weak with a graceful figure, and spoke with a voice like a melodious oriole. Second, Master Ren then remained in the mortal world again.

Recently, Second Master Ren had begun showing little interest in anything, and when he came before Su Shi, he would speak of Buddhist principles and Buddhist verses. This time, Su Shi didn’t wait for him to mention becoming a monk and elevated a beautiful sixteen-year-old concubine into the residence.

Thinking of this, the nanny felt it was very unfair to Su Shi.

Su Shi was intelligent and capable. Not to mention being the head wife of an ordinary merchant family, she could even serve as a noble lady’s wife. Unfortunately, her appearance was too ordinary to capture Second Master Ren’s heart.

At this moment, an old woman outside reported that the young miss had come.

Only then did Su Shi look up again.

When Ren Yaoting entered and saw Su Shi looking at account books, she complained: “Mother, you stay in the residence every day managing the household and looking at accounts, while letting those who don’t know their place go around showing off. I just saw Concubine Lan accompanying Father out again, saying they were going to some banquet. She’s just a concubine who can’t appear in public – what qualifications does she have to accompany the master everywhere?”

Su Shi frowned: “Is this something you should be saying?”

Ren Yaoting glanced at Su Shi and swallowed back her remaining words.

Seeing her daughter had stopped talking, Su Shi softened her expression and smiled: “I was just about to have someone call you over. I heard you went to the West Residence again?”

Ren Yaoting didn’t immediately say what she had originally intended to say, but instead walked to sit beside Su Shi, following her lead: “Your daughter went to talk with the sisters from the West Residence. Does Mother have something for me?”

“The day after tomorrow, your eldest cousin is getting married, so we’ll go to Yunyang City tomorrow.” Su Shi said gently.

Only then did Ren Yaoting remember this matter. Recently, she had been distressed about Han Yunqian and Ren Yaohua’s engagement and had almost forgotten about this.

Su family’s eldest son, Su Yunyu, was the legitimate eldest son of Su Shi’s maternal brother, Su family’s eldest master Su Keqin, and had always been very fond of this cousin.

Ren Yaoting felt somewhat guilty and made conversation: “The future eldest cousin-in-law is from the capital. I haven’t met her yet. I wonder what kind of person she is.”

Speaking of her nephew’s marriage, Su Shi was also in a very good mood and smiled in reply: “I haven’t seen her either, but I heard from your aunt that she has an excellent temperament. You’ll know when you see her the day after tomorrow.”

However, Ren Yaoting’s heart stirred.

Since they were going to Yunyang City tomorrow, the matter she had originally planned to discuss with Su Shi might be better discussed directly with her uncle. Although Su Shi was her mother, Ren Yaoting knew Su Shi wasn’t easy to fool and wasn’t as easy to talk to as her eldest uncle.

Moreover, since the matter she wanted to discuss would benefit the Su family, speaking directly with her uncle would have a greater chance of success.

Thinking this way, Ren Yaoting temporarily swallowed the words she had originally intended to say and only asked Su Shi about the future eldest cousin-in-law Miss Zeng’s affairs.

Ren Yaoqi also remembered on this day that the Su family’s eldest son was about to marry Miss Zeng. Because not only would Su Shi go to Yunyang City, but even First Master Ren and Fifth Master Ren would also go to Yunyang City to attend the ceremony. Qiu Yun had already returned to Yunyang Academy and should also attend. Yun Wenfang was always nowhere to be seen – although the Su family’s second son had extended an invitation last time, whether he would go was unknown.

The Zeng family was also about to appear on stage…

That night, Ren Yaoqi again couldn’t sleep for a long time.

The next day, Ren Yaoqi was thinking of having someone investigate whether there were any unusual movements at various temples to judge how Xiao Jingxi’s affairs were progressing. Although she knew such matters couldn’t be implemented so quickly, Ren Yaoqi still couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Because everything had to be arranged before Zeng Pu came to Yanbei.

Originally, having Zhu Ruomei investigate this matter would have been best, but Zhu Ruomei had never sent any news again. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help feeling worried.

In the afternoon, just as Ren Yaoqi was planning to have someone call Sister-in-Law Yuan into the residence to inquire, Xiangqin ran over saying that Sister-in-Law Yuan had come and brought a girl of about ten years old into the residence.

For some reason, Ren Yaoqi’s heart sank.

From what Xiangqin said, she vaguely guessed this little girl might be Zhu Ruomei’s sister, Zhu Ruoju.

But why would Zhu Ruoju come to the Ren residence looking for her?

Could it be that something had happened to Zhu Ruomei?

“Go greet Nanny Zhou, then bring them in.” Ren Yaoqi calmed her emotions and instructed Xiangqin.

Soon, Xiangqin led Sister-in-Law Yuan and the girl of about ten years old inside, bringing them to the south room where the old women and maids rested.

When Ren Yaoqi went over, Sister-in-Law Yuan quickly pulled the little girl to pay respects and said: “Fifth Miss, this is the Zhu family’s daughter, Ruoju.”