Before Old Madam Ren came in, Ren Yaoqi called Nanny Zhou aside and gave her a few instructions.
When Mrs. Ren was welcomed into the main courtyard by Li's men, Ren Shimin, Li and Ren Yaoqi were already waiting there.
When Old Lady Ren's gaze rested on Li, her expression was somewhat complicated.
When Li went up to pay her respects to Old Madam Ren, she smiled and was about to help Li up and say a few kind words, but Nanny Zhou stepped forward first, supported Li, and whispered a warning in a voice that everyone present could hear: "Princess, this is not in accordance with etiquette!"
Mrs. Li was kind and didn't react. Nanny Zhou explained, "You are a princess appointed by the late emperor. According to the etiquette of our Great Zhou, apart from a few nobles in the palace, you only need to bow to the prince and princess. Although Mrs. Ren is an elder and should be respected, the rules of our ancestors cannot be abolished, and the reputation of the royal family cannot be damaged by anyone."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren's face froze, and she could no longer force a smile. She looked at Nanny Zhou with a fake smile on her face, but she turned to Li and said, "So, I have to pay my respects to the princess?"
Li immediately glanced at Ren Shimin. Ren Shimin stood beside Li with a slightly frown on his face as before, and did not show any dissatisfaction with what Nanny Zhou said. Li couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Not polite."
Li scolded Madam Zhou lightly, and then said to Old Madam Ren, "Old Madam, please take a seat." But she did not insist on bowing to Old Madam Ren. After being scolded by Li, Madam Zhou lowered her head and stood behind Li respectfully without saying a word.
Old Madam Ren knew she couldn't lose her temper and argue with Li at this moment. She took a deep breath to calm her anger, then took the steps Li offered her and sat in the seat of honor. However, she was even more upset with Ren Shimin, who had stood aside and allowed her to be insulted by a shrewd servant.
After Old Lady Ren sat down in the seat of honor, she slowly regained the aura she had when she was in the Ren family mansion in Baihe Town. She wanted to deliberately leave Ren Shimin and Li alone for a while according to her previous methods, in order to dampen Li's prestige as a princess.
Nanny Zhou didn't give Old Lady Ren a chance. She helped Li sit down and, with great fanfare, ordered the maid to replace the backrest of Li's chair. She changed the tea to Li's favorite and, in front of everyone, deliberately scolded Xi'er for scalding the water. She then had a roomful of maids busy themselves around Li, acting like a princess.
With Old Lady Ren sitting there, how could she maintain her dignity? Her face became even uglier.
It was not until Ren Shimin looked at Nanny Zhou that Nanny Zhou immediately stopped and knew when to stop. Nanny Zhou still gave Ren Shimin face.
"What brings you here today, old lady?" Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Ren Shimin, as the head of the family, spoke up on his own initiative.
Old Mrs. Ren said confidently, "Why? I came to see my son and daughter-in-law and they're not doing well anymore?"
Ren Shimin paused. Still speaking coldly, "I've been expelled from the Ren family. I'm no longer a member of the Ren family."
Seeing Ren Shimin like this, Old Lady Ren's tone finally softened. She sighed and said, "Mother knows you're still angry. But the situation at that time forced the family to make a choice. Now..."
Ren Shimin frowned and interrupted, "Since the choice has been made, then let it be. I've said it before. Once I leave the Ren family's gate, I won't go back."
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