CH 25

November 22, 2022

When Young Lady Han heard this, she buried her head, looking a little shy.

Ren Yaohua smiled at Old Madam Ren: “I see that the sister from the Han family is sitting a bit stiffly, how about letting us sisters greet her?”

Ren Yaohua in front of Old Madam Ren was different from the taciturn person she was in front of Ren Shimin, but a lively and cheerful appearance.

Old Madam Ren smiled and said: “I see that you, little monkey, wants to make a new playmate, right? Sister You is a gentle girl who knows etiquette, don’t scare people.”

Sister You should be Young Lady Han, so Ren Yaohua cast some playful glances at Han You.

Han You hurriedly said: “I also like the sisters from the Ren family very much, and I was thinking of finding an opportunity to get close.”

Madam Han glanced at her daughter with a smile and said to Old Madam Ren: “She usually doesn’t like to go out, and she hasn’t made many friends of the same age since she moved to Baihe Town this year. She's delighted to see the ladies of Ren family today.”

Old Madam Ren laughed and said, “In this case, let the younger generations play together. Yin’er, Hua’er, Ying’er, please treat Young Lady You well, and don’t neglect the guest.”

Most of the time, Old Madam Ren is a kind and tolerant elder in front of the guests.

Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin immediately responded.

Old Madam Ren looked at Ren Yaoqi who was standing aside, and said kindly in front of the guests: “Since you are here, follow your two sisters to greet the guests, and don't be naughty anymore.”

It was as if she only ignored her granddaughter because she was usually too “naughty and mischievous”.

If it was in her past life, Ren Yaoqi would definitely feel wronged and sad, but now she sneered in her heart, bowing her head and saying yes.

She taught Ren Yaohua not to lose Old Madam Ren’s favor, but she had no intention of trying to please her herself.

Some people, no matter how hard you try to please them, will still be merciless when it is time to sacrifice you in the end.

In this new life, it is not difficult to please Old Madam Ren and get her attention by relying on what she knows, but she is not willing to waste this effort!

They went to the warm pavilion on the east together, which is now the living place of Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaoying.

Ren Yaoyin consciously assumed the role of the host and sent her maid to prepare tea and snacks, doing everything in an orderly manner, very much like her mother, Eldest Madam.

”What kind of pastimes does Young Lady Han like to do at home?” Ren Yaohua ignored Ren Yaoying, another owner of the warm pavilion, and led Young Lady Han to her seat. She has lived here longer than Ren Yaoyin, and she is very familiar with the warm pavilion.

Ren Yaoying hid her dissatisfaction on her face and sat down with Ren Yaoqi.

Han You looked at Ren Yaohua, who was smiling brightly, and Ren Yaoyin, who is suppressing her unhappiness, feeling a little at a loss.

”Third Sister likes to play chess and do needlework, Fourth Sister likes to play the guqin and read books, and Ninth Sister likes to write and paint. That’s why Third Sister asked Young Lady Han what kind of entertainment you like.” Ren Yaoqi looked at Han You and said with a smile.

”This sister from the Han family just came, and you have already revealed the ins and outs of our family's sisters.” Ren Yaoyin walked over and lightly patted Ren Yaoqi’s shoulder, pretending to be dissatisfied.

Han You finally was not so restrained. She pursed her lips and said with a smile: “I like reading, and occasionally learn to write and paint from my brother. Unfortunately, my aptitudes are not good so my paintings are not drawn well. Don’t call me Young Lady Han anymore. If you don’t mind, just call me Sister You.”

Ren Yaoqi secretly measured her and saw that her words and actions seemed to be from a big family. Although she looks a little shy, it may be because she seldom interacts with outsiders.

Ren Yaoqi became curious about the Han family, seeing that Madam Han and her two children are orderly people. In her past life, she only heard that Young Master Han was a dignified and handsome young man with outstanding talents, but because he is studying at a well-known academy in Yunyang City most of the time, almost no one has seen him.

As for the rest of the Han family, she had no impression at all. Only vaguely remembering that Madam Han will die of illness not long after, and Young Lady Han began to stay at home because of her filial piety for her mother.

”Are there any other sisters in Sister You’s family?” Ren Yaoqi asked curiously, “There are many sisters in our family, besides Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Ninth Sister sitting here, the Eldest Sister who is married, and Second Sister. In the east mansion next door, there is Seventh Sister from Granduncle’s family and Sixth Sister who is in the capital with Fourth Uncle. Oh, and…”

”Alright Fifth Sister, your long line of sisters made me dizzy, let alone Sister You.” Ren Yaoyin interrupted Ren Yaoqi’s words with a laugh and shook her head.

Han You said enviously: “It’s so lively that you have so many sisters, my brother and I are the only ones in my family.”

Ren Yaoyin comforted gently: “In the future, you will come to play often, just treat our sisters as your sisters.”

Han You’s face darkened: “Grandfather and Father don’t like us going out often, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to come here often in the future.”

”Why aren’t you allowed to go out?” Ren Yaoying asked curiously.

Han You bowed her head: “Grandmother said that women should be quiet and self-respecting, and it’s not good to always go out. Mother and I usually don’t go out. Today, Grandmother only let Mother come. So I begged Grandmother to allow me to come with her.”

Everyone couldn’t believe it when they heard the words.

Yanbei was once ruled by the people of Liao, but the people of Yanbei never really succumbed to the Liao's iron cavalry. Later, under the leadership of King Yanbei, the people of Yanbei drove the Liaos out of the north of the Great Wall. It may be because of this historical background that the people of Yanbei are much more open than people in the south. Even the defense against men and women is not as strict as in the south. It is normal for ladies from rich families to make friends and hang out.

Nowadays, even those aristocratic families in the south do not have such a strict family style as the Han family.

”You really don’t go out? Follow the elders to visit relatives and friends, go to temples to worship Buddha…have you never done these things?” Ren Yaoying asked. Even though she was a concubine-born daughter, she still has the opportunity to go out and show her face.

Han You blushed and shook her head: “When I was in Jizhou, I still had family contacts. After arriving in Baihe Town… today is the first time I go out.”

The sisters of the Ren family couldn’t say anything more.

Madam Han talked with Old Madam Ren and Eldest Madam who came later, politely declined the Old Madam's lunch invitation, and sent someone to call Han You back.

It was rare for Han You to have so many peers chatting together, and she was extremely reluctant, but she got up without saying anything.

”Will you come to our house to play in the future?” Han You invited.

The sisters of the Ren family all said yes with a smile and sent Han You out together.

Seeing that the Han family’s mother and daughter had left, Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to stay in Ronghua Courtyard anymore, so she bid farewell to Old Madam Ren. Ren Yaohua stayed to talk with the Old Madam.

While walking back, Ren Yaoqi was thinking about the affairs of the Han family, and couldn’t help but pause when she reached the garden.

After thinking for a while, she ordered the maidservants behind her: “Father told me to visit him before lunch, Xi’er and Xueli follow, Qingmei will lead the others back to the yard first.”

Xi’er is a maid from née Li, and she came here with her just now.

Qingmei looked at Xueli, and said with a smile: “Should this slave stay here to serve the Young Lady? You only have two people around, I’m afraid they will not be able to serve you.”

Xi’er scolded coldly: “Young Lady tells you to go, if you don’t know who's superior and who's inferior, then you can go to Momo Zhou to get a board first!”

Qingmei does not dare to be presumptuous to a maid from the main room, so she can only look flatteringly at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi turned around and left.

Xi’er and Xue Li hurriedly followed, Qingmei gave a soundless 'pei' at Xi’er’s back, then turned and left.

”Young Lady, if these little hoofs cannot be used smoothly, they should be sent out. You are a lady of the Ren family, do you still need someone else to command?” Xi’er said and glanced at Xueli meaningfully.

Ren Yaoqi also turned her head to look at Xueli, who hurriedly lowered her head, her posture becoming more respectful.

Ren Yaoqi smiled lightly, and said to Xi’er: “One will have feelings for a cat and a dog after having them for a long time, let alone a person serving close to you? I see that Xueli is not bad. You can give her some pointers when you have time. In time, it may not be impossible to get on the stage.”

Xueli was overjoyed, and hit the snake with a stick: “Thank you, Young Lady, thank you, sister Xi’er. I will definitely not disappoint Young Lady's promotion.”

Xi’er snorted softly and didn’t say anything harsh in front of Ren Yaoqi.