Reborn of the Rightful

Ren Yaoqi received news that Concubine Fang's maid had gone to the outer courtyard.

Ren Yaohua frowned and said, "What is she sending someone to the outer courtyard for? Sixth Brother has come to Purple Magnolia Courtyard, and Father has gone to Glory and Splendor Courtyard..."

Ren Yaoqi was also pondering this question. Concubine Fang must have realized by now that it would be difficult for her to escape unscathed this time, and she was looking for a way to protect herself.

So what else could she do?

Ren Yaoqi quickly sorted through the various members of the Ren Family and their intricate relationships, when suddenly an idea struck her.

Nanny Zhou asked, "Fifth Miss, should I send someone to intercept that little maid? No matter what she's going to do, as long as we control all her people, let's see how she can stir up trouble!"

Ren Yaohua also nodded and said, "That's right. No matter what she plans to do, we just need to make sure she can't do it."

Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "We can say we intercepted Sixth Brother because Father and Mother had given prior instructions, but if we intercept all her people, Grandfather and Grandmother will surely know we were behind it."

However, that wasn't the main point. The key was that Ren Yaoqi thought Concubine Fang might have some leverage in her hands—something that could save her life at a critical moment. So, what Concubine Fang was likely seeking now was someone in the Ren Family who had the authority to make decisions. Even if they intercepted Concubine Fang's people, as long as she still held that leverage, she would find a way to meet with someone.

No one in the Ren Family understood the temperaments of the elders better than Ren Yaoqi.

But what leverage could Concubine Fang possibly have? No matter how clever and resourceful she was, she was still just a concubine. If she did have leverage, it must be related to the Fang Family, or rather, leverage held by Fang Yacun.

Ren Yaoqi carefully recalled events from her past life. Unfortunately, during her time in the Ren Family, she hadn't paid much attention to family affairs, and so many years had passed that she could remember very little.

Ren Yaohua said, "If we can't deal a fatal blow to Concubine Fang this time, it will be difficult to completely neutralize her in the future. Right now, with Fang Yacun suffering setbacks in his official career, she has no backing..."

Unexpectedly, Ren Yaohua's words reminded Ren Yaoqi of something.

Had Fang Yacun truly suffered setbacks in his official career? He was doing perfectly fine in the south. Although his official rank wasn't high yet, he was deeply appreciated by his superiors, and his future prospects were undoubtedly bright. Yet, he was willing to abandon such favorable circumstances in the south to come to Yanbei. Why?

After the incident with Madam Fang coming to Yanbei, Ren Yaoqi understood even more clearly that although Yanbei was nominally still part of the Great Zhou dynasty, the Yanbei Prince's Mansion had long established its own set of rules for appointing and dismissing officials. It was difficult for the capital to interfere.

The Fang Family only had the Ren Family—a marital relative in Yanbei who couldn't offer any real help—with no foundation or broad connections. Otherwise, their plans wouldn't have been ruined by a few of her small schemes.

Even for Concubine Fang's sake, Fang Yacun wouldn't risk his own future. Even if he wanted to, he would have to consider his wife and children. Moreover, leaving the south would weaken his control over the Fang Family. Was it really worth it?

Yet, judging by the eagerness with which Madam Fang socialized with various families when she came to Yanbei, she seemed to think it was worth it.

Could it be that Fang Yacun had other reasons for coming to Yanbei?Ren Yaoqi felt that perhaps Fang Yacun was more complex than she had imagined.

"Speak up!" Ren Yaohua raised her voice after talking to Ren Yaoqi for a while without getting a response.

Ren Yaoqi snapped back to attention. "About what?"

Ren Yaohua's lips twitched, feeling her temper rising again. "I'm asking what we should do about Concubine Fang!"

Nanny Zhou also looked at Ren Yaoqi, waiting for her answer.

Ren Yaoqi, however, said, "Let's not act rashly for now. We'll wait and see." Noticing Ren Yaohua's displeased expression, Ren Yaoqi smiled to comfort her. "We've endured this long already; a little longer won't hurt."

Before Concubine Fang could send for Old Master Ren, the lookout maid returned to report that Old Madam Ren's people had arrived.

Concubine Fang thought for a moment. Since Fifth Madam Lin was still in Glory and Splendor Courtyard, and given Madam Lin's fiery temper, going to Old Madam Ren first would only invite trouble. So she instructed Jinjú, "I'll slip out through the back door first. Stall them for a while. Tell them I'm unwell today and haven't gotten up yet. I'll go with them once I'm dressed."

Jinjú acknowledged the order, and Concubine Fang immediately draped a dark blue silk cloak over herself and quietly left through the back door of Fangfei Courtyard.

After leaving Fangfei Courtyard, Concubine Fang avoided people and took a shortcut to the Inner Gate. From a distance, she saw several matrons guarding the moon gate at the entrance. Fortunately, Concubine Fang had no intention of leaving. She hid behind a rockery, where she could observe anyone entering from outside.

Concubine Fang waited for a long time. She even saw the matrons and maids sent to find her apparently discover her absence from Fangfei Courtyard and rush hurriedly toward Glory and Splendor Courtyard. Her maid, Jinjú, was also dragged along by them.

Concubine Fang watched them pass without moving a muscle.

Only when she saw Old Master Ren enter through the Inner Gate did she step out from behind the rockery and hurry to meet him.

Old Master Ren frowned when he saw Concubine Fang. After she finished her greeting, he said, "Matters of the inner courtyard should be brought to Old Madam Ren in Glory and Splendor Courtyard."

Although Concubine Fang had sent someone to fetch Old Master Ren, he might not have returned. However, he had also heard about the incident in the inner courtyard, so he came back anyway.

Concubine Fang lowered her head and said, "Old Master, I know it's improper to seek you out like this, but I truly have an important matter to discuss with you."

Old Master Ren remained silent, still frowning.

Concubine Fang glanced at him and continued, "Old Master, I heard from Yacun in a recent letter that the Ren Family's coal depots around the capital have been operating at a loss?"

Old Master Ren couldn't hide his surprise. He wasn't shocked that Fang Yacun would discuss such matters with Concubine Fang; what astonished him was that the losses from the Ren Family's coal depots around the capital had been kept secret. Even within the Ren Family, only he, his eldest son, and the second branch's father and son in the capital knew about it. How did Fang Yacun find out?

Although Fang Yacun served as an official in the south, he wasn't a capital official, and his rank wasn't high.

Seeing Old Master Ren's expression, Concubine Fang knew her information was accurate. She added, "Old Master, I heard from Yacun that the reason the Ren Family's coal mines in the south aren't as profitable as those in Yanbei isn't because the coal is poor or unsellable, but because they have to bribe numerous officials of varying ranks every year, leading to deficits."Concubine Fang's words were not wrong. The Ren Family had started their business in Yanbei, and their connections in the south were far weaker. Although the second branch's Old Master had been operating in the capital all along, he could not compare to the local powers there. Thus, even though the coal produced by the Ren Family's coal shops was of better quality than others, the family could only barely sustain itself.

Old Master Ren had once considered abandoning the business in the south, but as a merchant, his ambitions were not small. The vast market in the south was something the Ren Family could not bear to give up, even if it was as unprofitable as a chicken rib.

At this moment, Concubine Fang's next words left Old Master Ren astonished. She said, "This humble concubine can have Yacun introduce someone to the Ren Family. With this person's connections, the Ren Family's coal shops in the south will surely be revived. It will only be a matter of time before they spread throughout Great Zhou, just like the Wan Family's coal shops in the capital."

The Wan Family's coal shops were the largest in the south, with their main store located in the capital. They were also the biggest obstacle to the Ren Family's expansion in the south. The Wan Family had operated in the south for several generations to achieve their current scale.

"Who is this person?" Although it was strange for Concubine Fang, as a mere concubine, to speak with such grandiosity, Old Master Ren could not help but follow her words and ask.

Concubine Fang smiled gently, her usually soft eyes now carrying a hint of certainty and confidence. "This person's surname is Lu, and he is a eunuch."

Old Master Ren was startled upon hearing this. "A eunuch? A palace eunuch?"

Concubine Fang nodded. "Old Master, having always been in Yanbei, you may not have heard of this Eunuch Lu. He is a top favorite of Empress Dowager Yan, having served Her Majesty for over a decade and deeply trusted by her."

Old Master Ren was speechless with shock. After a long pause, he finally asked, "How did Yacun come to know this Eunuch Lu?"

Concubine Fang replied, "This humble concubine is not entirely clear on the specifics. It seems Yacun's superior recognized Eunuch Lu as his godfather, and since his superior has always held Yacun in high regard, Yacun was fortunate enough to meet Eunuch Lu. In his last letter, Yacun mentioned his intention to introduce Eunuch Lu to the Ren Family. In the capital, which official, big or small, would not give Eunuch Lu some face? Eunuch Lu's face is Empress Dowager Yan's face."

Although Old Master Ren was quite tempted, he was ultimately a cautious man and voiced his doubts. "Since Nephew Yacun has such connections in the capital, why would he go to such lengths to secure an official post in Yanbei? With Eunuch Lu as his backer, wouldn't his future be boundless if he went to the capital?"

"This..." Concubine Fang hesitated for a moment before saying, "This humble concubine, as a woman, does not understand the intricacies of officialdom. However, I believe Yacun must have his own considerations for coming to Yanbei."

Old Master Ren did not seem entirely satisfied with Concubine Fang's explanation.

Concubine Fang thought for a moment before lowering her voice and saying, "But this humble concubine has heard that Eunuch Lu may very likely be sent to Yanbei as an imperial envoy in the future."

Old Master Ren's heart stirred upon hearing this. If that were truly the case, it could explain why Fang Yacun was so eager to come to Yanbei.

Fang Yacun's arrival was likely on the orders of his superior or Eunuch Lu himself, to prepare for Eunuch Lu's future assignment to Yanbei.

Old Master Ren could not help but begin to calculate in his mind.Although Fang Yacun's trip to Yanbei this time did not go smoothly, it did not mean he would have no chance to come again in the future—especially if he managed to win the favor of that highly influential figure by Empress Dowager Yan's side.

While preparing dinner tonight, I accidentally cut my finger while removing chicken skin, and it bled quite a bit. Then, the author felt dizzy and lightheaded, and ended up sleeping for a long time afterward. Apparently, this is what they call a blood phobia reaction, though the author didn’t faint on the spot—only after bandaging the wound did the urge to sleep hit…

(The author is worried… will this leave me with a lifelong fear of chickens?!!!!)

Fortunately, I still managed to get up and post a chapter. Dear readers, please don’t mind its brevity (~>__