The Ren Family, as ordinary merchants in Yanbei, should not have been dragged into these political struggles, but they had unfortunately crossed paths with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
Ren Yijun thought about the actions of the Ren Family elders. If his grandfather and father could return safely this time and learn a lesson from this incident, then perhaps the Ren Family could continue to establish themselves in Yan Prefecture. Otherwise, the Ren Family ship would inevitably capsize one day.
Ren Yijun did not think his concerns were unfounded. Today's imprisonment of Old Master Ren and Master Ren the Elder already indicated that the Ren Family was on a downward spiral.
It was at this moment that Ren Yijun realized his own uselessness. Qi Yuegui's usual scolding was not wrong—if he were not the Third Young Master of the Ren Family, what could he do? If one day he was no longer the Third Young Master of the Ren Family, what would he be capable of?
That afternoon, Ren Yijun and Qi Yuegui stayed in the flower garden. After his conversation with Qi Yuegui, he pondered many things, while Qi Yuegui, at some point, had leaned against him and fallen asleep.
Noticing this, Ren Yijun frowned and glanced disdainfully at the person drooling in her sleep. He hesitantly reached out, intending to push her to the ground, but when his hand touched her shoulder, he inexplicably and slowly adjusted his posture to make her sleep more comfortably.
Ren Yijun secretly justified his actions to himself. If the day ever came when he, the Third Young Master, truly fell into destitution, the only person he could likely support was this woman who was content with just three bowls of rice per meal. So, perhaps he should treat her a little better from now on.
Meanwhile, at the Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Fifth Master Ren and Third Master Ren had finally brought back Master Ren the Elder, Ren Shizhong.
However, everyone was shocked when they saw Ren Shizhong.
As the eldest legitimate son of the Ren Family and the acknowledged next head of the family appointed by Old Master Ren, Ren Shizhong usually paid great attention to his appearance. At the very least, whenever he appeared in public, he was always dressed in dignified and elegant attire, and his words and actions carried the authority befitting the future head of the family.
But today, Ren Shizhong was supported back by his brothers, Ren Shimiao and Ren Shimin.
The dark blue Hangzhou silk robe he had worn when he left home was now crumpled and disheveled. Although he was draped in a dark blue satin cloak that Ren Shimiao kept in his carriage, the exposed hem of his robe still showed signs of damage.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and he looked utterly exhausted. His lips were so dehydrated that they had cracked. Although his hair bun was not askew, it was clear that it had been hastily tied up not long before.
Old Madam Ren was so shocked by his appearance that she cried out "Dalang" and could say no more. When Master Ren the Elder knelt before Old Madam Ren, his expression was also visibly emotional. First Madam and Eldest Young Madam stood to the side, wiping away tears.
Old Madam Ren wept for a while before remembering that Old Master Ren was still imprisoned in the government jail. However, seeing Master Ren the Elder's current state, she was too afraid to ask about Old Master Ren's condition.It was Ren Shijia who hurriedly asked, "Eldest Brother, did you suffer in prison? What about Father? How is he now?"
Master Ren the Elder looked weary as he replied, "The jailers didn’t lay a hand on us, but we’ve been interrogated continuously these past two days, sleeping less than two hours in total. The cell was damp and bitterly cold. I managed, but Father caught a chill and is running a fever. I originally wanted Father to be released while I stayed behind, but no matter how much I pleaded, the authorities refused to let him go, saying he is the current head of the Ren Family. I even considered staying in prison with him so we could look out for each other, but Father wouldn’t hear of it. When I was released today, Fifth Brother and the others had already asked Lord Mu to send a physician for Father."
Fifth Master Ren also sighed, "But the yamen absolutely refuses to allow us to visit, saying this case is of great importance and they fear Father might collude with outsiders. Until the truth comes to light, he must remain in custody."
Old Madam Ren grew even more anxious upon hearing this.
Third Master Ren said, "It’s good that Eldest Brother is back. At least you’re more familiar with navigating official circles than Fifth Brother and I. We’ll rely on you to help Father."
Old Madam Ren remembered as well and urged, "Eldest Son, go back and rest first. Once you’ve recovered, find a way to rescue your father. No amount of money matters, as long as he can be freed." Without Old Master Ren, Old Madam Ren felt as if she had lost her backbone. She couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen if Old Master Ren truly never returned.
Master Ren the Elder was indeed exhausted to the point of barely standing, but he knew that whether it was rescuing Old Master Ren from prison or helping the Ren Family survive this calamity, he had to take charge. This was precisely why Old Master Ren had insisted he return.
Master Ren the Elder asked First Madam to help him sit on a cushioned chair brought by a maid. "I’ll say a few more words before going to rest."
Old Madam Ren immediately said, "Speak. Did your father entrust you with something?"
Master Ren the Elder thought for a moment and said, "Judging from the interrogations we underwent in prison these past two days, today’s misfortune for the Ren Family may indeed be connected to the Zeng Family."
Old Madam Ren and everyone in the room recalled what Ren Yijun had said earlier, their expressions changing, especially Old Madam Ren’s, which was particularly telling.
Master Ren the Elder glanced at Third Master Ren and sighed, "Third Brother, perhaps we should have listened to you back then and not formed a marriage alliance with the Zeng Family."
Standing at the edge of the room, Ren Yaohua looked at Ren Yaoqi upon hearing this. Ren Yaoqi stood with her head bowed, her expression unreadable.
Old Madam Ren said, "What’s the use of saying this now? Besides, we haven’t formally exchanged betrothal cards with the Zeng Family yet, so we’re not officially in-laws. We can simply reject the Zeng Family’s proposal." At this point, she asked Master Ren the Elder worriedly, "What will happen if we don’t proceed with the marriage alliance? Will the authorities release your father?"
Master Ren the Elder sighed, "That depends on the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion."
Old Madam Ren said anxiously, "That’s still not enough? What else must we do?"
Master Ren the Elder remained silent for a moment before saying, "I’m afraid the Ren Family will have to relinquish the coal depots in the capital first."Old Madam Ren immediately frowned, "How can this be? The Ren Family's coal depots have only just achieved their current scale with great difficulty. Don't you know how much effort your father has poured into them over the years?"
Expanding the Ren Family's coal depots throughout Great Zhou was Old Master Ren's wish, as well as the dying wish of the late Great Master Ren Baoming.
Master Ren the Elder said, "Father said that if forced into a corner, the Ren Family can only sacrifice a pawn to save the chariot."
Old Madam Ren could not help but look dejected. At this moment, she felt resentment toward the Eastern Mansion and the Fang Family in her heart. Originally, Old Master Ren had not intended to immediately agree to the Zeng Family's marriage proposal, but just then, letters arrived from Second Old Master Ren of the Eastern Mansion and Fang Yacun.
After saying so much, Master Ren the Elder was somewhat unable to hold on.
First Madam Ren hurriedly said, "Master, you should go back and rest first. Since Father has already said so, we will simply follow his instructions. If you don't rest well, how will you have the energy to handle the matters ahead?"
Old Madam Ren also said, "Go and rest. I will arrange for someone to go and decline the Zeng Family. We can discuss the rest after you have rested properly."
This time, Master Ren the Elder did not refuse. He allowed First Madam Ren to accompany him back to his own courtyard.
Old Madam Ren was also extremely exhausted now. The crowd was making her head ache with all the noise. She waved her hand at everyone and said, "All of you, don't stay here either. Go out."
Everyone then withdrew from Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Old Madam Ren knew that severing ties with the Zeng Family could no longer be delayed. She immediately sent someone to the neighboring Eastern Mansion to invite Second Madam Ren over.
Second Madam Ren came from the Su Family, and the Su Family was related by marriage to the Zeng Family. Therefore, having Su Shi act as the intermediary was most appropriate.
Second Madam Su Shi had also heard the news that Master Ren the Elder had returned and was about to send someone to find Second Master Ren so they could go together to the Western Mansion to see. However, before Second Master Ren could be found, Old Madam Ren's maid arrived to summon her.
Su Shi tidied up a bit and went over by herself.
Old Madam Ren lay on the kang and explained her reason for inviting Su Shi over. After listening, Su Shi frowned inwardly and asked, "Aunt, is all this information gathered from the yamen?"
What Su Shi was asking about was the Ren Family being implicated because of the Zeng Family. Although Old Madam Ren had not stated it explicitly, her words seemed to imply just that.
The reason Old Madam Ren revealed this was that although Su Shi came from the Su Family, and the Zeng Family was merely a marital relation of the Su Family, Su Shi was genuinely a daughter-in-law of the Ren Family.
Old Madam Ren sighed, "If it weren't truly a last resort, we wouldn't want to go back on our word. But look at your uncle, still suffering hardships in prison..." As she spoke, Old Madam Ren choked up.
Su Shi gently comforted Old Madam Ren. Knowing that this matter was the will of Old Master Ren, who was still in prison, Su Shi said no more. She knew very well who held authority in the Ren Family. If Old Master Ren said to reject the Zeng Family's marriage proposal, it meant there was no room for reversal.
Therefore, when Su Shi left Old Madam Ren, she promised to return to the Su Family as soon as possible and ask the Su Family to intervene to decline the Zeng Family's marriage proposal on their behalf. With the Su Family acting as intermediaries, both sides would save face.
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