The Plot of a Concubine's Revenge

Chapter 21 Destiny

Ren Shimin's thoughts were like the surface of a lake brushed by the wind, causing ripples. He recalled the words of Old Madam Ren that had caused great displeasure in his heart earlier - she had even said that the paintings he had given away were nothing more than children's playthings. At that time, his heart was full of unhappiness like a suppressed volcano, but because of the old lady's status as an elder, he could only swallow that anger, keeping his face unperturbed.

Li stood by the side, by this sudden atmosphere of silence made a freeze, eyes flashed a trace of confusion and uneasiness, at a loss for words, will turn the help of the eyes to Sister Zhou, as if in a silent inquiry: what to do next?

As Sister Zhou was about to open her mouth to break the deadlock, she saw Ren Yaoqi interjecting with a coquettish smile, “Father, what kind of goodies have you prepared to give away, can you tell us about them so we can hear them and open our eyes?” Her voice was clear and pleasant, like a silver bell echoing in the room, adding a bit of spirituality to the slightly heavy atmosphere.

Ren Shimin's face gradually eased under Ren Yaoyi's words, seemingly infected by her daughter's spirituality, the corner of her mouth hooked up with a gentle smile, and she said to Ren Yaoyi: “Mr. Han had a fancy for a painting and calligraphy at my place, and when I was about to leave, I asked the boy to send that painting to him, as a thank you gift to him.”

Ren Yaoqi blinked her bright eyes, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “I guess the calligraphy and painting that Mr. Han was interested in must be your painting, father!” Her words carried a hint of certainty, as if she already knew the answer.

Ren Shimin's heart rejoiced, but her face remained calm, and she asked back without moving, “Oh? How can I see that?”

Ren Yaoqi said in a serious manner, “He has done us such a great favor, if he just picks someone else's painting or calligraphy, wouldn't that make us look too stingy? Moreover, father, your paintings are unique, who can compare?” Her words were full of admiration and trust for her father.

Ren Shimin laughed out loud, that laughter was bright and sincere, and all the people in the room could feel the pleasure he felt from the bottom of his heart. This laughter was like the warm spring sun, dispelling the previous gloom and making the entire room full of warmth and harmony.

Li looked at the father and daughter's appearance, the haze in her heart was also swept away, and a pleased smile appeared on her face. Ren Yaohua, however, still had her head lowered, playing with the onyx bracelet between her wrists, her eyes empty, seemingly absentminded, but also seemingly pondering over something important.

“This Han family's son is also a man of elegance. If there is a young lady in the Han family, it is possible to correspond with our third and fifth young ladies.” Taking advantage of Ren Shimin's happiness, Sister Zhou chimed in from the sidelines, but in actuality, she was prying into the Han family's situation in a roundabout way. A hint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes, as an old man in the inner mansion, she naturally knew that there were some things that were more advantageous the more clearly and explicitly she inquired about them.

The Han family only moved to White Crane Town last year, when they were still in the manor, after they came back, although they had heard people mention the Han family, but there was no communication. Sister Zhou's heart was filled with curiosity and the desire to explore, she wanted to know more about the Han family in order to gain a favorable position in the internal battle.

Ren Shimin was in a good mood, so she took on Sister Zhou's words: ''I heard Master Han say that he has a son and a daughter, Mr. Han is fifteen years old this year, and Miss Han doesn't know. I see the Han family's tutelage is good, the Han son although young, but good to learn to know the manners, especially that a hand of Yan style regular script, written extremely atmospheric.” A trace of appreciation flashed through his eyes, and he sincerely appreciated Mr. Han's talent.

Ren Yaoqi originally heard Ren Shimin mention the Han family for a moment without reacting to which Han family it was, but now that she heard him praise the Han family's son, she suddenly remembered. A complex emotion welled up in her heart, both envy for Mr. Han and worry for her sister Ren Yaohua.

In the year that her mother and Ren Yaohua went to the manor, a new large family of the Han surname moved to White Crane Town. Later, Ren Shimin saw the talent of the young son of the Han family and fixed the marriage for Ren Yaohua. The Ren family saw that although the Han family is low-profile, but has a wide range of contacts, the family property is quite rich, and there is only one only son, the marriage is also happy to see it.

But then the Han family's son suddenly withdrew from the marriage for some reason, the Ren family originally did not agree, but in the end somehow compromised. Ren Yaohua was deeply shocked, her temper became more and more violent, and the Ren family already regarded her as an abandoned child.

In the end, Ren Yaohua married Zeng Kui, a cousin of Grandma Su, the nephew's daughter-in-law of the second wife, through the matchmaking of Su, the second wife of the second house. Grandma Su was from the capital, and her cousin was Zeng Pu, the newly appointed general of Ningxia at the time. Zeng Pu had countless wives and concubines, but only had one son, Zeng Kui.

At that time, the unmarried sisters of the Ren family envied Ren Yaohua's good fortune to find such a good marriage even after she was withdrawn from the marriage. However, it was not until a few days before Ren Yaohua's marriage that they learned that the young master of the Zeng family had been scalded by his nurse with boiling water when he was young, which had damaged half of his face and blinded one eye.

The old lady Ren had to come to the Ziwei courtyard to persuade Ren Yaohua to get married, during the process, the old lady persuaded her with reasoning, Ren Yaohua didn't know how she persuaded her granddaughter, who was proud and domineering and was “the most beloved in her life”, to happily marry a person who looked as ugly as a ghost.

But she succeeded, and Ren Yaohua married into the Zeng family without a fight.

Half a year later, Ren Yaohua strangled her new husband with her own hair and was thrown to the red tent of the military camp by Zeng Pu in a rage. On the night of the northwest wind, Ren Yaohua burned down the barracks and buried herself in the fire.

As a result, the Ren family became enemies with the Zeng family and bad luck ensued.

And with Ren Yaohua retired from the marriage of the Han family's son exactly in this year to marry the cloud family Miss Yun Qiuchen, the man and the woman, ten miles of red makeup, I do not know how many teenage boys and girls envied Yan Bei.

“Yao Yao? Yao Yao?” Ren Shimin shook his hand in front of Ren Yaozhi's eyes and called her with a frown. There was a hint of concern and worry in his voice, as if he was asking if she had encountered any difficulties.

Ren Yaoqi returned to her senses, seeing that everyone in the room was looking at her, a forced smile appeared on her face.

“Yao Yao are you not feeling well?” Ren Shimin reached over to probe her forehead, his movements were gentle and meticulous, as if he was treating a precious treasure.

Li also said, “Is it because you're still sick? Why does your face look so ugly?” Her words were filled with motherly love and worry, her eyes full of concern for her daughter.

Ren Yaoqi obediently let Ren Shimin touch her head without any rules and regulations, and did not remind him that the palm of his hand which had only served hot tea could not detect the body heat, only bowed her head and said, “No, just now I just suddenly remembered that when father left home, he had assigned me quite a lot of paintings and calligraphy to copy, and I didn't finish it because I had been sick for a long time, and was afraid that father would scold me when he checked the coursework later on. ” Her words carried a hint of aggression and helplessness, as if she was a child who had made a mistake.

Ren Shimin sniffed helplessly and took his hand back, scolding with a smile, “When has father ever chastised you? And made you scared like this?” His voice carried a hint of favor and helplessness, as if saying, You little girl, always so timid.

Seeing that Ren Yaoqi's face had looked much better, Li couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, “It's good that you're not sick.” Her words carried a hint of celebration and relief, as if a big stone hanging in her heart had finally fallen to the ground.

In the following time, although Ren Yaoqi had been acting as a bridge of communication between Ren Shimin and Li, her heart was constantly worried. She knew that the future of the Ren family was full of unknowns and dangers, and she had to stop everything before it happened. Her heart was filled with anxiety and uneasiness, yet she did not know what to do.

“Master, Mistress, Aunt Fang has brought Sixth Young Master and Ninth Young Miss to ask for peace.” The eldest maid Coral reported through the curtain, her voice clear and loud, breaking the silence in the room.

Ren Shimin looked at Li in surprise: “Isn't Aunt Fang still sick? How come you're free to come over to ask for peace today?” There was a hint of doubt and disbelief in his voice, as if he was inquiring, Shouldn't she be resting in her room?

Li thought that these words were a rebuke to her, and her heart couldn't help but panic as she uneasily said, “I, I explained that I told her not to come, it might be that she heard that you had returned and couldn't help but want to come over to take a look.” There was a hint of apprehension and uneasiness in her voice, as if she was waiting for Ren Shimin's scolding.

Ren Shimin nodded and signaled for someone to come in.

Not long after, Aunt Fang walked in with a pair of children. Her dress today was different from usual, wearing a light blue sheepskin jacket of ordinary fabric, pulling up a round bun, with a Zhaojun set on her forehead. Makeup is clean but not change the dignified beauty, all the way to the head of a cicada slightly low, bees waist full, lotus step light point, own some of the style posture, but also rare not see frivolity.

Ren Shimin looked at Auntie Fang, his eyes could not help but contain some appreciation of the color. For beautiful things, he has always been not stingy sight.