The Plot of a Concubine's Revenge

Chapter 9: Grandparents: Shadows in the Morning Light

The morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting its rays upon Ren Yaoqi's shoulders, highlighting her solitary figure at that moment. She was aware that this was not just an ordinary morning; it marked another turning point in her destiny.

Standing in the eastern side room, Ren Yaoqi straightened her spine involuntarily, her heart pounding rapidly within her chest as if echoing the sound of her own heartbeats. At that very moment, the maids outside chorused their greetings in unison, their voices piercing the tranquility of the early morning.

She took a deep breath, attempting to calm the turmoil within. The atmosphere inside the room tensed as the seated men rose to their feet, and the first lady put down her bowl and rushed to greet the elders at the carved moon gate.

Ren Yaoqi, along with the others, leaned slightly forward with hands hanging down and eyes cast downward, awaiting the two family patriarchs. The first lady had barely taken a few steps when the old master and matriarch of the Ren family entered the room.

The old master, past his fifties, remained tall and imposing, his spirit vigorous and his gaze as sharp as a torch. Beside him, the old matriarch, slightly younger, had a round face with gentle eyebrows and eyes. Even without a smile, the dimples on her cheeks seemed to carry a hint of a smile, exuding an inexplicable sense of benevolence.

As Ren Yaoqi's gaze followed them to their seats, she bowed respectfully, but her mind inevitably drifted back to the time when she had left the Ren family in her previous life, remembering the old master's unequivocal voice: "Even if you leave the Ren family, you must always remember that you are one of us, that it was the Ren family that provided for you and saw you grow up without worries. Only as long as the Ren family stands tall can you Ren women stand firm outside!"

A cold laugh welled up in her heart; that was the first time she had heard someone so brazenly justify the shameless. The old master seemed to have forgotten that she, a Ren woman about to leave home, was not to be married but rather had her entire life destroyed.

Ren Yaoqi's heart was a tapestry of anger and resentment. She knew she must find her place within this family, or she would forever be crushed by the wheels of fate.

Her reverie was interrupted by the gentle touch of the Fourth Miss, Ren Yaoyin. Snapping back to reality, she realized she was the only one still kneeling. Feigning weakness, she rose, and Ren Yaoyin supported her with concern: "Sister Five, are you not fully recovered from your illness?"

All eyes turned to her, and the first lady hurried over to feel her forehead: "What's going on? I thought you were better?" Ren Yaoqi unclenched her fists and whispered, "I took the last dose of medicine this morning, and I suppose its effects are manifesting. I am indeed fully recovered."

The old matriarch spoke indifferently, "If you're unwell, why come here at all? Do I lack a few people to greet me?" The first lady quickly interjected with a smile, "The Fifth is just filial; she came as soon as she recovered."

"Enough, let the children all withdraw and have their meal," the old master's hand tapped lightly on the table, and the room fell silent immediately. The old matriarch waved her hand, scanning the younger generation: "Hua'er, Yin'er stay and dine with me here; the rest of you may go."

As everyone bowed to leave, Ren Yaoying glanced at Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin with a pout, reluctant in her demeanor. At that moment, a peal of silvery laughter echoed from outside, and the curtain was lifted to reveal a young woman in her twenties, leading a reluctant-looking young girl.

The woman was dressed in a genuine purple brocade jacket with a hundred butterfly patterns, apricot-yellow pleated skirt, and a treasure bun coiffure, with jingling ornaments, her appearance sweet and pleasing, bearing a pair of dimples on her cheeks that resembled those of the old matriarch.

"Oh, am I late today?" the woman feigned surprise, looking around at everyone as if her tardiness was quite unexpected, then swiftly replaced it with a sweet smile: "Father, Mother, please forgive your daughter-in-law this once? You both know how eager I usually am to pay my respects, rarely ever arriving late. I kowtow to you both."

With that, she promptly pulled the young girl standing beside her into a formal kowtow in the center of the room. Once she rose, Ren Yaoqi and the other juniors approached to pay their respects, addressing her as "Aunt Five."

The old matriarch glanced at her: "I was beginning to think the rules of this house were to be**, with everyone claiming illness to avoid coming. I was about to discuss with the old master about abolishing the morning and evening greetings to suit your wishes."

Aunt Lin, upon hearing this, did not seem frightened but instead covered her mouth and laughed, her demeanor very coquettish: "Mother, what are you saying? I don't know about others, but if I, your daughter-in-law, don't come to Ronghua Hall to attend to you every day, I can't even enjoy my meals. My Yu'er feels the same way, doesn't she, Yu'er?" After speaking, she also gently tugged at her daughter's sleeve.

Eighth Miss Ren Yaoyu, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother, quickly glanced at the old matriarch and nodded. The old matriarch let out a soft hum, her expression unchanged and not at all displeased, clearly not truly angry.

"Father, Mother, allow your daughter-in-law to serve you your meal," Aunt Lin said, theatrically removing a pair of emerald bracelets from her wrist and handing them to a maid nearby. She then stepped forward to stand beside the old matriarch, picked up a pair of silver chopsticks, and prepared to serve the dishes.

The old matriarch gave her a stern look: "Enough, what's the point of playing nice now? You're just in the way! We don't need you here; let your elder sister-in-law and niece-in-law do it." Aunt Lin smiled without insistence, handing the silver chopsticks back to the first lady and jesting, "Mother thinks I'm too clumsy and unsightly; elder sister-in-law always has her favor."

The first lady responded with a modest smile, not engaging in the banter. The old matriarch looked at Aunt Lin and then at Ren Yaoyu, who had been restless since entering and kept glancing out the south window.

Ren Yaoqi's gaze wandered around the room, aware that everyone in this family was fighting for their status and future. She must be more cautious; otherwise, she might easily become a casualty in this struggle.