The next morning, Ren Yaoqi was reading in the study of the west side courtyard when Ren Yaohua’s maid Xiangqin requested an audience.

Since Ren Shimin’s study prohibited maids from entering casually, Ren Yaoqi went out to meet her.

“Fifth Miss, just now that accountant young man surnamed Yuan came to see you, but Madam sent Nanny Zhou to meet him. Seeing that he only came to deliver shoe pads on behalf of Sister Zhu, she accepted the items for you and sent him away.” Xiangqin approached and whispered in Ren Yaoqi’s ear.

Ren Yaoqi was startled and hurriedly asked: “Where is he? Has he already left? How long ago did he leave?”

Xiangqin nodded, then shook her head: “This servant happened to be out on errands just now. When I returned, I encountered him in the outer courtyard. He recognized this servant and thought I was a maid from your side, so he stopped me and asked me to tell you. This servant told him that if he had something to report, he should send a woman in, as it would displease Madam for an outer courtyard man to constantly request meetings with the inner courtyard young miss. He then said he would go find his mother to come in and reply to you.”

Ren Yaoqi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Xiangqin: “Good girl, thank you.”

Xiangqin grinned, showing two dimples: “This servant will go back first. Third Miss will be looking for this servant soon.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and let her go.

After thinking, she immediately called her maid Pingguo over and instructed her: “Go keep watch near the second gate. If you see Sister-in-Law Yuan coming, bring her to see me.”

Pingguo quickly agreed and left.

Since Ren Yaoqi was thinking about news from Yuan Dayong’s side, she tidied up the study and returned to her west wing.

In the inner room, Nanny Xu was leading Xueli and Sangshen in organizing trunks and boxes.

When Ren Yaoqi entered, she heard Nanny Xu saying, “Fifth Miss has very few clothes in bright red or purple.”

Sangshen said, “Third Miss likes to wear red. Our miss rarely wears red. But our miss looks good in anything.”

Nanny Xu said, “Fifth Miss has fair skin – she indeed looks good in anything.”

Since Nanny Xu was new, wanting to know her master’s preferences was quite normal. Ren Yaoqi only paused for an instant before entering the room.

Nanny Xu and the two maids hurriedly curtsied.

Ren Yaoqi nodded and instructed: “I still have some things stored in the east side courtyard’s warehouse. If Nanny Xu has time, please organize those as well, so there’s some foundation when changing room decorations later. The inventory book is with Nanny Zhou – just speak with her when the time comes.”

Nanny Xu hurriedly said, “Miss, are you returning to rest? Then this servant should wait until later to inventory the room’s items. This servant will go find Nanny Zhou for the book now.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and agreed: “That would be good. You may all go.”

Nanny Xu led Xueli and Sangshen in bowing farewell. Before leaving, she also softly instructed two junior maids to remain in the outer room to serve.

Ren Yaoqi casually picked up a travel journal and sat leaning against the south window to read while waiting for Pingguo to bring Sister-in-Law Yuan in.

After waiting quite a while, Pingguo finally returned.

“Miss, this servant has brought Sister-in-Law Yuan. She’s waiting outside. Would you like to see her now?”

Ren Yaoqi slowly sat up straight: “Let her come in. You go guard outside – if anyone comes, no matter who it is, remember to report early.”

Pingguo nodded solemnly: “This servant understands. Miss, please rest assured.”

Soon, Pingguo brought Sister-in-Law Yuan in and quietly withdrew.

Sister-in-Law Yuan performed her courtesy and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She must have hurried over.

“Fifth Miss, I’ve kept you waiting.”

Ren Yaoqi said apologetically: “I’m the one troubling you all.”

Sister-in-Law Yuan smiled: “This servant knows it’s because Fifth Miss has a kind heart, otherwise you wouldn’t concern yourself with these matters.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and said no more, directly asking: “Did Yuan Dayong find Zhu Ruomei at White Dragon Temple?”

Sister-in-Law Yuan sighed softly and shook her head: “No.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but frown. Could she have guessed wrong? That poem wasn’t hinting at White Dragon Temple?

But Sister-in-Law Yuan continued: “Dayong said he searched White Dragon Temple inside and out but didn’t discover anything unusual. However, just as he was about to leave, someone threw a paper strip at his feet.”

As she spoke, Sister-in-Law Yuan took from her sleeve pocket something similar to what Yuan Dayong had shown her last time – a rolled paper strip tied with a dark brown hair ribbon.

Fearing the item might be dirty, Sister-in-Law Yuan proactively helped Ren Yaoqi unwrap and unfold it, placing it on the small table before Ren Yaoqi.

Indeed, it was the same handwriting as last time, still written in neat, regular script. Only this time, there was just one character on the paper: “哓”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Will this person ever stop? Have they become addicted to riddles?

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s helpless expression, Sister-in-Law Yuan also examined the character up and down while saying curiously: “When Dayong picked up the note, he opened it to look first, but he didn’t know what this ‘哓’ character meant, so he could only bring it back for Fifth Miss to see. Dayong said your guess of ‘White Dragon in Fish Garb’ last time should have been correct, so maybe you can guess this one too.”

Yes, she indeed wasn’t having difficulty guessing the answer, but whether to do as that person said was somewhat troubling.

Ren Yaoqi was silent for a moment, then sighed: “I understand. Sister-in-Law Yuan, please go back first. I’ll send you word later.”

Sister-in-Law Yuan didn’t know whether Ren Yaoqi had guessed it or not from her words, but she couldn’t very well ask. She could only rise and bow: “Then this servant will go out first. Miss, if you have any instructions, just send someone to the outer courtyard to tell my husband.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and dismissed Sister-in-Law Yuan with tea.

But just as Sister-in-Law Yuan reached the door, Ren Yaoqi heard Pingguo’s voice outside: “What are you doing? Miss said she doesn’t need anyone to serve.”

“Didn’t Nanny teach you that when guests come, tea should be served? I’m just going in to bring tea and will come out right away. What are you making a fuss about?” This was Qingmei’s voice.

Sister-in-Law Yuan stood at the door, unable to go out or come in.

Ren Yaoqi frowned slightly.

Then another voice scolded in lowered tones: “What are you all arguing about here? What if you disturb Miss?” Nanny Xu had returned.

Ren Yaoqi waved at Sister-in-Law Yuan, indicating she needn’t mind. Sister-in-Law Yuan then opened the door with a “creak.”

The voices outside immediately stopped.

Sister-in-Law Yuan greeted them and left.

Shortly after, Nanny Xu entered with Pingguo and Qingmei. Seeing Ren Yaoqi sitting on the kang reading, Nanny Xu hurriedly apologized: “Fifth Miss, please forgive us. This servant was lax in discipline and disturbed Miss.”

Ren Yaoqi looked up and glanced at Qingmei indifferently: “Go do what you’re supposed to do.”

“Miss, this servant only came to serve tea—” Qingmei heard the displeasure in Ren Yaoqi’s tone and bit her lips to explain, but when she looked up and met Ren Yaoqi’s eyes, she was so frightened she immediately lowered her head again, not daring to say anything more.

Nanny Xu was also startled by the sharp gleam that flashed in Ren Yaoqi’s eyes, lowered her head, and stood with her hands at her sides.

Last time in the main house, Ren Yaoqi had switched her and Nanny Gao with a casual joke. She had thought Ren Yaoqi was a spoiled, somewhat willful child.

But after serving by Ren Yaoqi’s side for a day, she discovered this Fifth Miss had no trace of pampered or tyrannical habits. She was very gentle and courteous in dealing with people. Among the several maids, except for Qingmei, who was sent by the concubine, all the others said Ren Yaoqi was a good-tempered master who was easy to serve.

But just now, that look in Ren Yaoqi’s eyes… though not fierce, and could even be said to reveal little emotion, made her, an experienced adult woman, somewhat apprehensive.

Nanny Xu couldn’t help but secretly remind herself to be more prudent in future actions.

Pingguo and Qingmei both withdrew. Nanny Xu poured a cup of tea for Ren Yaoqi and placed it on the small table in front of her.

“Does Nanny have something to say?” Ren Yaoqi turned a page without looking up, asking casually.

Nanny Xu thought for a moment: “Miss, is this maid Qingmei perhaps not suitable to remain by your side?”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi paused, raised her eyebrows to glance at Nanny Xu, her eyes carrying a gentle smile: “What does Nanny Xu mean?”

For some reason, Nanny Xu felt somewhat constrained. She steadied herself before saying: “Though this servant has only been in Ziwei Courtyard for one day and shouldn’t speak of such things, since this servant is already Miss’s house-managing nanny, disciplining the maids around Miss is this servant’s duty. This servant observes that Qingmei’s heart doesn’t seem to be in Ziwei Courtyard. If she remains, I fear trouble may arise someday.”

To figure out the maids’ backgrounds in just one day… this Nanny Xu was indeed no ordinary person. Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

“Then what does Nanny think should be done?” Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile. “Speaking of which, both Qingmei and Xueli were given to me when the concubine took over Ziwei Courtyard, along with several other maids and matrons. But I wasn’t satisfied with those others and had Nanny Zhou dismiss them. However, dismissing them all would be somewhat heartless, so I kept two. Speaking of it, Xueli is steady in her work and quite dutiful. Qingmei has a lively personality but hasn’t made any major mistakes.”

Nanny Xu thought for a moment: “This servant also sees that Xueli is good. If Miss wants to keep her, that would be fine. But this Qingmei seems inappropriate.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “Since I’ve entrusted the household matters to you, Nanny, handle it as you see fit. Just don’t make the situation ugly.”

“Yes, this servant understands.” Nanny Xu replied quietly.

Ren Yaoqi then lowered her head to read again.

Nanny Xu quietly withdrew.

Once Nanny Xu left, Ren Yaoqi put down her book, her face full of contemplation.

The character “哓(Xiāo)” just now was a word puzzle. Adding “一” to “哓” makes “晓(Xiǎo)”, so the answer was “one glance reveals all.”