Was this asking her to go to White Dragon Temple for “one glance reveals all”?
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile bitterly. This person was…
Regarding this person’s identity, Ren Yaoqi already had some guesses.
And if it truly was him, should she feel honored and grateful that he would make such a creative invitation?
To go or not to go?
Ren Yaoqi slowly leaned against the pillow at the head of the kang and closed her eyes in contemplation.
Whether it was the current Han family or the future Zeng family, with her own strength alone, trying to shake either would be extremely difficult. The methods she could think of so far were merely to create balance.
This way, she might still accidentally repeat the mistakes of her previous life if she wasn’t careful.
Sighing softly, Ren Yaoqi opened her eyes again.
The next day, when Ren Yaoqi went to the main house to pay her respects, she said to Li Shi: “Mother, I want to go to White Dragon Temple again to burn incense.”
Li Shi was somewhat surprised: “Didn’t you go last time?”
Ren Yaoqi said with some worry: “Daughter made a wish last time, hoping that my family and I would all be safe and smooth. But for two consecutive nights, my daughter has dreamed of ants crawling all over my body, and each time, I was awakened by this nightmare. I asked several elderly nannies, and they all said this is not a good omen. It would be best to sincerely worship Buddha to ward off disasters and avoid misfortune.”
Upon hearing this, Li Shi was startled: “You’ve had this dream twice in a row?”
Ren Yaoqi nodded.
Nanny Zhou also frowned: “I’ve heard that if merchants dream of ants, their business will prosper, but for Fifth Miss, a boudoir young lady, to dream of being surrounded by ants is truly not a good omen.”
Li Shi had great faith in Nanny Zhou’s words: “Then what should we do?”
Ren Yaoqi said, “I heard that the abbot master of White Dragon Temple is very effective at resolving bad omens, which is why my daughter wants to go to White Dragon Temple again.”
Nanny Zhou thought for a moment and said to Li Shi: “Before Buddha, all ghosts and filthy things would be destroyed into nothingness. It would indeed be a good method for Fifth Miss to go burn incense at White Dragon Temple. Madam, you also haven’t been to the temple to burn incense for a long time. Why not take this opportunity to go with Fifth Miss?”
Li Shi nodded in agreement: “If that’s the case, I’ll go ask Mother for permission. If we can make it in time, let’s go today.”
Seeing Li Shi’s worried appearance, Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat guilty.
Seeing that Li Shi was going to Ronghua Garden to request permission from Old Madam, Ren Yaoqi also followed.
In Ronghua Garden, Eldest Madam was bringing Eldest Young Madam to report to Old Madam.
Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi stood behind Eldest Madam with an uneasy expression, listening to Eldest Madam making excuses for her before Old Madam.
“This is also because I didn’t teach her well, plus several matrons and maids below were too cunning. Seeing her inexperience, they bullied her. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and no major mistakes were made. Please give her another chance, Old Madam.”
When Ren Yaoqi and Li Shi entered and saw them talking, they silently performed courtesies and then withdrew to the side with their hands at their sides.
The eldest Madam smiled and nodded at them. Old Madam only glanced at them once before continuing to speak with Eldest Madam with some displeasure: “You go investigate which matrons and maids are so bold! Dismiss those who are unsuitable! Our Ren family cannot tolerate servants who deceive their superiors!”
Eldest Madam hurriedly said, “Yes, mother, this daughter-in-law understands.”
Ren Yaoqi looked at the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law group, remembering what she had heard from the maids below – that Eldest Young Madam had offended several junior stewards and young wives in the residence because of the spring shirt incident, so several things Zhao Shi had handled recently hadn’t gone smoothly.
Last time when Nanny Zhou was teaching Ren Yaohua about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships, she said that Eldest Madam clearly knew Eldest Young Madam had handled that matter poorly but didn’t stop her in time, instead allowing her to continue making mistakes, wanting to use this opportunity to control her daughter-in-law.
Now, Eldest Madam was indeed stepping forward to protect Zhao Shi before things became unmanageable and Old Madam got angry. From Zhao Shi’s appearance, she should truly be grateful to Eldest Madam.
Nanny Zhou’s prediction was correct.
However, seeing this today, Ren Yaoqi had to admire that Eldest Madam indeed had excellent methods.
Those who dared to be duplicitous toward Eldest Young Madam weren’t Eldest Madam’s people – they were most likely Fifth Madam Lin Shi’s people. With this move, Eldest Madam not only won her daughter-in-law’s heart but also took the opportunity to deal with Lin Shi’s people.
Although Eldest Madam had always been in charge of the household for these years, Fifth Madam Lin Shi, relying on Old Madam’s favor, had often competed for Eldest Madam’s authority. Eldest Madam had always yielded to Lin Shi, also following Old Madam’s wishes in letting Lin Shi manage several important household expenses.
However, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Just because Eldest Madam appeared magnanimous on the surface didn’t mean she truly had no grievances in her heart.
Now that Lin Shi had fallen from Old Madam’s favor, when would be a better time for Eldest Madam to make her move?
Watching Eldest Madam standing below Old Madam’s right side in a very respectful posture, gently responding, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile. This eldest aunt hadn’t managed the household for nothing all these years.
After Eldest Madam finished reporting, Old Madam turned to inquire about Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi, who had been standing to the side: “What do you need?”
Li Shi stepped forward to explain her desire to take Ren Yaoqi to the White Dragon Temple.
Old Madam glanced at Ren Yaoqi: “It’s just a child having nightmares. Why are you making such a fuss? Didn’t she just go to White Dragon Temple recently? Your eldest sister-in-law and your nephew’s wife are probably too busy today. If you really must go, wait a couple of days.”
Li Shi opened her mouth but hadn’t spoken when Zhao Shi quickly said: “It’s fine, it’s fine. It’s just preparing carriages and attendants – we won’t be too busy.”
Zhao Shi had just been humiliated by the servants and didn’t want to offend the third branch over such a small matter.
Eldest Madam also helped: “Going today isn’t impossible, but preparing carriages and arranging personnel will take some time. Third sister-in-law might have to wait a while.”
Old Madam looked at Eldest Madam and Eldest Young Madam and snorted: “Fine, you all want to be good people, making me the unreasonable bad person!”
Upon hearing this, Eldest Madam smiled: “Mother, what are you saying? First, you’re worried that this daughter-in-law will be too busy, and second, you’re afraid the third sister-in-law and her daughter will be wronged. If you’re still an unreasonable bad person, then there are no reasonable elders in this world. Third sister-in-law, don’t you agree?” Eldest Madam gave Li Shi a meaningful look.
Li Shi hurriedly said, “Yes, mother. This daughter-in-law knows you mean well.”
Only then did Old Madam’s expression improve: “Since you insist on going today, then go.”
Li Shi and Ren Yaoqi quickly bowed their heads in thanks.
After withdrawing together with Eldest Madam and the others, Li Shi thanked Eldest Madam and Zhao Shi.
Eldest Madam smiled: “We’re all family – third sister-in-law is being too polite. It’s just that there are indeed many matters today, so we might have to leave later.”
“That’s fine, we’ll just wait,” Li Shi said courteously.
Ren Yaoqi returned to Ziwei Courtyard with Li Shi. Not long after, servants came to report that Eldest Madam was dealing with some cunning and slippery servants, and many matrons and maids were to be sold off by Eldest Madam.
Fortunately, the people in Ziwei Courtyard didn’t get involved in the Ren family’s household affairs, so Li Shi’s people weren’t affected. One could imagine that those who would truly suffer this time would be people who had used underhanded tactics against Eldest Madam, and the household had gained more understanding of her methods.
It wasn’t until nearly noon that Eldest Madam’s side finally had time to send someone to tell Li Shi that the carriages, horses, and attendants for the trip were all prepared. The messenger was Nanny Gui, a steward nanny close to Eldest Madam, who was very polite and respectful, maintaining proper appearances.
“Eldest Madam says it’s already quite late now. The third Madam can stay overnight at the temple and return to the residence tomorrow. She will speak to Old Madam about it.”
Li Shi quickly thanked Eldest Madam again and had Nanny Zhou escort Nanny Gui out, also rewarding her with a superior red envelope.
After Nanny Gui returned and reported to Eldest Madam, Eldest Madam nodded and instructed, “Have Yan’er’s wife handle arrangements there. You still need to watch over those people and not let them cause trouble before leaving the residence.”
Nanny Gui agreed and said with a smile, “All these years, Fifth Madam has liked to meddle in everything. This time, all her people have been dismissed by Madam. When she ‘recovers’ from her illness and comes out, she’ll be powerless even if she wants to stir up trouble.” At this point, Nanny Gui frowned: “However, she has always been favored by Old Madam. If she realizes what happened later and complains to Old Madam about you, then…”
Upon hearing this, Eldest Madam’s expression didn’t change as she took a sip of tea and said quietly: “Since I married into the Ren family, all these years I have never done anything against the elders’ wishes, and this time is no exception.”
Nanny Gui carefully pondered Eldest Madam’s words. Could it be that Eldest Madam driving away all of Fifth Madam’s people was also by Old Madam’s wishes?
In Ziwei Courtyard, Li Shi took Ren Yaoqi out to board the carriage.
Ren Yaohua had little interest in going to White Dragon Temple – she really hadn’t encountered anything good there last time. Li Shi didn’t force her to come along, just gave her detailed instructions before letting her stay behind.
Ren Yaoqi’s purpose for going to White Dragon Temple this time wasn’t simple, and she didn’t want too many people along.
Since Nanny Zhou was accompanying Li Shi, Ren Yaoqi suggested leaving the newly arrived Nanny Xu behind to watch over the courtyard. Li Shi and Nanny Zhou had no objections, so Nanny Xu didn’t accompany Ren Yaoqi this time.
Before departing, Ren Yaoqi had Pingguo go to the outer courtyard to tell Steward Yuan about her trip to White Dragon Temple, asking him to inform Yuan Dayong. After learning of this, Yuan Dayong also followed behind the Ren family’s carriages and horses, heading to White Dragon Temple together.
More than an hour later, the Ren family’s carriage smoothly entered the White Dragon Temple’s mountain gate.
When getting down from the carriage, Ren Yaoqi once again saw the not-unfamiliar scenery of White Dragon Temple.
There were still many worshippers, no different from usual days.
But Ren Yaoqi was pondering – she had arrived, but how should she contact that person?
Although she felt her guess was probably close to correct, what if she was wrong?
Was Zhu Ruomei here?
“Go help me donate some incense money and ask if the abbot master is available today. I want to take Qi’er to pay respects,” Li Shi quietly instructed Nanny Zhou.