The environment here is quiet and peaceful, with occasional birdsong and insect chirping. It is more elegant than the large flower hall in the West Mansion.

The two chatted casually. Ren Yaoting asked Ren Yaoqi about the aftermath of Concubine Kang's last birth. She had been staying in the East Palace and hadn't visited the West Palace. Su had been keeping a close eye on her recently because she had been having nightmares for several days after returning from the West Palace. She only recovered after an old nun gave her a bowl of talisman water.

Although she was frightened, she was still curious. When she saw Ren Yaoqi, she started to ask about him. She even sent her maids and servants away with a guilty conscience.

Ren Yaoqi was picking at insignificant things. Suddenly, she changed the subject without leaving a trace. "It's not as lively here today as it was two years ago. I remember when my great-aunt celebrated her fiftieth birthday, guests from Yunyang City arrived early in the morning. The flower hall here couldn't accommodate them, so they opened the Rongjin Hall in the West Mansion."

Ren Yaoting curled her lips. "Originally, my mother wanted to invite the Dexin Troupe from Yunyang City to perform a big opera, and she booked it a month ago. But a few days ago, an old nun came and talked about this and that. So my grandmother won't be inviting guests or performing opera this year."

"But I heard from the maids below that quite a few people have come to the mansion to give gifts these days."

Ren Yaoting said disapprovingly, "Apart from the two carts of gifts sent by my fourth uncle in the capital, the other gifts were from stewards from various places." After a moment's thought, Ren Yaoting added, "The Su and Lin families in Yunyang City also sent stewards."

Ren Yaoting has been following Su for a while and learning some housework, so he knows a little about these etiquettes and exchanges.

"The birthday gift the Lin family gave this time is even more generous than the one last year." Ren Yaoting said casually.

Ren Yaoqi tilted her head and smiled at her, "You have such a good memory? Do you still remember what gifts each family gave you two years ago?"

Ren Yaoting glared at Ren Yaoqi. "You don't know, but recently my mother gave me all the gift lists from the mansion over the past few years so that I could learn some etiquette. I remember the last time the Lin family gave me a large gift was a red coral sculpture, and this time it's a white jade Guanyin statue. The other day, when I went to my mother's main room, I happened to meet the woman from the Lin family who came to give me the gift. Then she handed me a purse. Inside were two golden pearls as big as longan trees. Madam Lin gave them to me to calm my nerves."

Ren Yaoting nudged Ren Yaoqi with his elbow and winked, "No wonder Fifth Aunt and Eighth Sister usually don't take you seriously. The Lin family is so generous when it comes to spending, which shows how wealthy they are."

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said, "Isn't the Lin family close to ours? Do you still have a problem with them being so generous to you?"

Ren Yaoting smiled proudly: "Of course I have no objection. I am flattered, okay? My mother has kept the pearls and will use them as a head ornament for me in the future. But I have never seen the Lin family so generous before. I have never seen pearls of that quality at the homes of my fifth aunt and eighth sister."

"Is it because the Lin family and your maternal grandparents' family have a good relationship?" Ren Yaoqi asked doubtfully.

Ren Yaoting tilted his head to think about it, a little uncertain: "My mother didn't tell me about this, but the last time I was in Yunyang City, I went to visit the Lin family with my aunt. My aunt is quite close to the ladies of the Lin family."

Ren Yaoqi nodded, and said with a hint of understanding, "No wonder when Mrs. Lin came to our West Mansion last time, she mentioned Mrs. Su and Mrs. Lin San. It seems like they have a very good relationship privately."