A major incident had occurred in the Ren Family, and Third Master Ren was temporarily unable to return to Yunyang City. Now Old Madam Ren had fallen ill, and Ren Yaoqi stayed overnight as well.
Ren Yaoqi watched as Old Madam Ren lay half-reclined on the kang, looking haggard and drowsy. She then glanced at the anxious and flustered expressions on the faces of the Ren Family members, her own feelings rather complicated.
Today’s events had all started because of her. As a daughter of the Ren Family, she was truly unfilial.
Yet Ren Yaoqi did not regret it. Compared to blind filial piety, she cared more about the lives and happiness of her parents and elder sister. If one day she were to face retribution for her actions today, she would accept it willingly.
First Madam and Eldest Young Madam stayed behind to care for Old Madam Ren. Ren Yaoqi remained in Glory and Splendor Courtyard until the Ren Family’s garden gates were locked for the night, then returned to rest in Purple Magnolia Courtyard, where the third branch had previously lived.
News of Old Madam Ren’s illness also reached Yunyang City. The next morning, Madam Li and Ren Yaohua returned, accompanied by Ren Shijia and her husband Lin Kun, who had rushed back together with Madam Li.
After discussing the matter, the Ren Family masters decided that no matter how much silver it cost, they must first rescue Old Master Ren and Master Ren the Elder from the government prison.
Thus, Fifth Master Ren Shimiao and his brother-in-law Lin Kun went together to the government office with banknotes. The womenfolk stayed at home, keeping Old Madam Ren company while awaiting news. A tense atmosphere filled every corner of the Ren Family, and even the usually boisterous Fifth Madam Lin wore a worried expression and spoke little, sending someone outside every quarter-hour to check whether Fifth Master Ren and the others had returned.
Old Madam Ren, already weakened from the fright that had caused her illness, grew even more unsettled by Fifth Madam Lin’s restless pacing. Leaning against the kang, she snapped, "If you can’t stand being here, then get out!"
Fifth Madam Lin’s eyes reddened at Old Madam Ren’s scolding. Feeling both wronged and afraid, she forgot her usual fear of Old Madam Ren and blurted out indignantly, "There are so many men in the Ren Family—why did it have to be Fifth Master? What if he doesn’t come back either?"
Old Madam Ren was so furious her eyes rolled back. Pointing at her, she shouted, "Shut up! Who said he won’t come back? Who won’t come back?"
Fifth Madam Lin sobbed, "Don’t you know? Nine out of ten who enter the government prison never come out! And the one who does returns skinned alive!"
In Fifth Madam Lin’s understanding, anyone who went to prison never returned. When disciplining the maids and servants, she often threatened to send them to the authorities.
When Ren Shimiao decided to go to the government office to rescue them, Fifth Madam Lin had objected. She believed that as the youngest son, Ren Shimiao ranked fifth—above him were his second and third elder brothers. Why should he take the lead when trouble arose?
But Ren Shimiao, who usually indulged Madam Lin in everything, refused to listen this time. Who else but he knew the temperaments of his two elder brothers? With Old Master Ren and Master Ren the Elder absent, only Ren Shimiao could step forward. Fortunately, his brother-in-law Lin Kun had also come, giving him some reassurance.
Madam Lin cried and protested relentlessly. Ren Shimiao comforted her for a long time but ultimately left with Lin Kun.Madam Lin was preoccupied with thoughts of Ren Shimiao and had barely spoken all morning, her heart constantly gripped by fear. Old Madam Ren was also afraid, unable to imagine what would become of the Ren Family if both Old Master Ren and Master Ren the Elder failed to return. Fifth Madam Ren’s words had struck right at her sore spot.
Old Madam Ren struggled to sit up, intending to scold Fifth Madam Ren. However, having eaten little from yesterday until now, and now agitated to the point of distress, she immediately felt dizzy and faint, nearly collapsing again.
Ren Shijia and First Madam Ren quickly stepped forward together to support the old lady, helping her settle back onto the bed. Ren Shijia rubbed Old Madam Ren’s chest while urgently comforting her. First Madam Ren, for the first time, turned a cold face toward Fifth Madam Ren and rebuked her sharply, “Didn’t you hear Mother telling you to leave? Do I need to call someone in to drag you out?”
First Madam Ren was also deeply angered by Fifth Madam Ren’s earlier remarks.
Fifth Madam Ren bit her lip and ran out of the room.
Madam Li, unable to intervene, could only ask from the side, “Should we call the doctor again to take a look?”
Ren Shijia examined Old Madam Ren’s complexion and nodded, saying to Madam Li, “Could I trouble Third Sister-in-Law to go outside and give the order? Please ask the doctor to come again and examine Mother. I just felt her forehead, and it seems a bit feverish.”
Madam Li immediately went out to relay the instruction.
Eldest Young Madam Zhao Shi and Third Young Madam Madam Qi took the towels handed to them by the maids and stepped forward to attend to Old Madam Ren, wiping her face.
Ren Yaohua stayed nearby, massaging Old Madam Ren’s arms and legs. She still held affection for this grandmother who had always protected her, so her care was sincere and heartfelt. In comparison, Ren Yaoqi appeared much more reserved and wooden.
The Ren Family waited like this for most of the day. By noon, son-in-law Lin Kun returned.
Old Madam Ren, who had been lying ill and weak, suddenly perked up. Struggling to sit up, she asked, “How did it go?”
When she noticed that only Lin Kun had returned, Old Madam Ren’s face turned pale, and she seemed on the verge of fainting again. “Why are you the only one back? Where is Fifth?” In truth, Old Madam Ren was still troubled by what Fifth Madam Lin had said earlier.
Lin Kun quickly reassured her, “Please don’t worry. Shimiao and Elder Brother will return a bit later. I came back first because I was afraid you’d be anxious for news and wanted to let you know as soon as possible.”
First Madam Ren, overjoyed at the news, immediately stood up. “Will the Eldest Master return as well?”
Old Madam Ren finally managed to catch her breath and had Ren Shijia and Ren Yaohua help her sit up straight. “Are they all coming back? Is everything all right?”
Lin Kun replied, “Shimiao and I took the silver to seek Master Yang’s help in mediating. In the end, Lord Mu accepted ten thousand taels in banknotes and agreed to release Elder Brother.”
Old Madam Ren’s initially joyful expression froze, and she hurriedly asked, “If Elder Brother is released, what about the Old Master?”
Lin Kun sighed. “We spent ten thousand taels and sought help from many intermediaries before Lord Mu reluctantly agreed to release Elder Brother. However, because this matter involves significant implications, Lord Mu said that Father-in-law must remain at the yamen until the case is fully resolved.”
Old Madam Ren felt as if the sky were collapsing. How could the situation have become so severe?First Madam Ren asked, "Even if we spend more silver, they won't release them? If ten thousand taels won't work, what about twenty thousand, thirty thousand, or even a hundred thousand taels?" The Ren Family was not short of silver.
A voice at the door said, "This time, it's no longer a matter of silver."
It was Third Young Master Ren Yijun and Eldest Young Master Ren Yiyan who had entered.
"If it's not about silver, then what is it about?" Ren Shijia hurriedly asked.
Ren Yiyan, frowning deeply and looking weary, replied, "A while ago in Ningxia, a group of bandits stormed into the home of a lieutenant colonel, slaughtering over fifty members of his family, young and old, and then set fire to the residence. This incident caused quite a stir in Ningxia recently, and to this day, the bandits have not been found."
Upon hearing this, everyone felt a sense of foreboding. First Madam Ren asked, "What does this have to do with our Ren Family?"
Ren Yijun said, "Although the bandits haven't been found, they left behind some weapons at the scene. And yesterday, the authorities discovered weapons in our coal mine that exactly match those used by that group of bandits."
"How could this be?" First Madam Ren was somewhat incredulous.
Old Madam Ren’s face also grew increasingly pale.
Ren Yiyan sighed and said, "So now the authorities suspect that our Ren Family has some connection with that group of bandits, which is why they refuse to release them."
Old Madam Ren snapped back to her senses and suddenly slapped the edge of the kang in anger, exclaiming, "This is utterly absurd! No one from our Ren Family has ever been to Ningxia. How could we be involved with those bandits? Moreover, we’ve never even heard of that lieutenant colonel. We have no grievances or grudges against him—why would we kill his entire family?"
Old Madam Ren’s words echoed the thoughts of everyone in the Ren Family.
Even if the weapons found in the Ren Family’s coal mine matched those used by the bandits, it didn’t necessarily mean the Ren Family was connected to them! One was in Yan Prefecture, the other in Ningxia—they were worlds apart.
At that moment, Ren Yijun suddenly interjected, "Grandmother, do you know who benefited the most after that lieutenant colonel died?"
Old Madam Ren retorted irritably, "How would I know? I’m not in Ningxia!"
Ren Yijun curled his lips slightly. "Then let me tell you: the ones who ultimately benefited from this tragedy were the Zeng Family! The newly appointed Ningxia Regional Commander, Zeng Pu, took over all of Lieutenant Colonel Li’s troops after his death and used this opportunity to establish a foothold in Ningxia!"
After finishing, Ren Yijun glanced around at everyone and remarked sarcastically, "You don’t even know these things, yet you still want to form a marriage alliance with the Zeng Family? No wonder you wouldn’t even know how you were brought down in the end!"
Ren Yijun’s words were like a thunderbolt striking everyone’s hearts. Old Madam Ren was so shocked she couldn’t speak, even ignoring the sharp sarcasm in his tone.
"Is it because of the Zeng Family that the Old Master and your father were imprisoned this time?" Old Madam Ren stared at Ren Yijun in disbelief.
Ren Yiyan gently chided, "Third Brother, these are just our speculations."
Ren Yijun snorted lightly and looked at Ren Yiyan. "What other reason could there be besides this one? Could it really be that our Ren Family has been out there committing murder and arson?"
Ren Yiyan was left speechless.Ren Yijun said coldly, "Our Ren Family is just a merchant household. We should be content with being ordinary merchants, at least ensuring the family's safety and peace of mind, without constant fear! Yet you are insatiably greedy, trying to please both sides, but have you ever considered what weight our family truly carries?"
Zhu Mei is flying~ Happy birthday, girlie~ Eat whatever you like, stay forever young~ o(∩_∩)o
Thank you, Selah, for smashing the He Shi Bi^^~
All you rich and generous girls, come be friends with Author Jun~
Author Jun can cook, warm the bed, and even fight off hooligans~ A qualified tough girl! Except for often dropping her integrity, everything else is great! Y(^_^)Y
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