Pink 840+
Su Shi indeed went to Yunyang City the next day.
The Zeng family and the Ren Family had only been at the stage of discussing marriage arrangements, without exchanging betrothal gifts or birth date cards. Therefore, if the Ren Family now wanted to refuse, even if the Zeng family was unwilling, there was nothing else they could do.
Su Shi returned from Yunyang City that same afternoon and told Old Madam Ren that the Su family would step forward to help the Ren Family clarify the matter with the Zeng family. Old Madam Ren expressed her gratitude to Su Shi.
Meanwhile, Master Ren the Elder had already begun working to secure Old Master Ren's release from prison. However, despite the Ren Family's efforts over several days, leveraging many connections and spending a considerable amount of silver, the authorities refused to relent and release him. Fortunately, Master Yang, who had a good relationship with the Ren Family, informed Master Ren the Elder that a physician had already been sent to the prison to examine Old Master Ren. After taking several doses of medicine, Old Master Ren's fever had subsided. The Ren Family finally felt somewhat relieved.
Thus, after Old Master Ren had been in prison for seven or eight days, Lord Mu finally agreed to meet with Master Ren the Elder. Previously, after Master Ren the Elder was released, he had tried to see Lord Mu several times, but Lord Mu refused to meet anyone from the Ren Family again. Even Master Yang could do nothing about it.
Upon receiving the news, the Ren Family was overjoyed, thinking that the situation had finally taken a turn for the better.
So, on that day, accompanied by Ren Shimiao and Lin Kun, Master Ren the Elder went to see Lord Mu, while the rest of the Ren Family anxiously awaited news at home.
Unexpectedly, Master Ren the Elder and the others were gone for most of the day, returning only after dark. Old Madam Ren immediately sent someone to summon Master Ren the Elder and the others to question them.
Old Madam Ren's constitution had originally been quite good. After Master Ren the Elder was released, she rested for a few days and was able to get out of bed. However, this ordeal had left her looking considerably more fatigued.
Even if Old Madam Ren had not summoned him, Master Ren the Elder would have come to Glory and Splendor Courtyard first, as there were important matters that needed to be discussed with Old Madam Ren and even with members of the various branches of the Ren Family.
As soon as she saw Master Ren the Elder arrive, Old Madam Ren immediately asked, "How did it go? Have the authorities agreed to release him?"
Master Ren the Elder sighed wearily, "Mother, please send someone to invite Third Brother and Second Brother from the Eastern Mansion. There are some matters I'm afraid I cannot decide on my own."
Hearing this and seeing the serious expressions on the faces of Fifth Master Ren and Lin Kun, who had returned with Master Ren the Elder, Old Madam Ren's heart sank. She immediately ordered a maid to go to the Eastern Mansion to invite them and also sent for Ren Shimin.
After Second Master from the Eastern Mansion and Ren Shimin had arrived, Master Ren the Elder finally spoke, "Today, Lord Mu has relented."
Everyone was delighted upon hearing this. Old Madam Ren breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest and chiding them, "If the authorities have relented, that's good news. Your expressions gave me quite a fright."
Master Ren the Elder sighed, "It is indeed good that they are willing to release him, but the Ren Family will also need to pay a price."
Second Master Ren frowned, "What price?"
Fifth Master Ren said, "Lord Mu stated that this matter is too significant, and originally, Father should not be released. However, considering that our Ren Family is merely an ordinary merchant household and has not produced any criminals over the years, coupled with the fact that the Yanbei Prince's Mansion has some impression of our family, they agreed to show leniency."“So what exactly does ‘leniency’ entail?” Old Madam Ren pressed anxiously.
Fifth Master Ren replied gravely, “Either surrender half of the Ren Family’s coal mines and coal depots, or pay 1.5 million taels of silver, and in addition, hand over sixty percent of the annual profits from the Ren Family’s coal mines and depots for ten consecutive years starting next year.”
“What!” Old Madam Ren nearly fainted from shock. She exclaimed angrily, “And this is called leniency? Then what would severe punishment look like?”
Master Ren the Elder spoke with difficulty, “Do you know of the Yu and Wu families in Ningxia? They were also implicated because of the Zeng family this time. All adult males of the Yu and Wu families, including the heads of the households, were executed. Males under thirteen and all females were enslaved as government property, and the entire assets of both families were confiscated.”
As soon as Master Ren the Elder finished speaking, the room fell into dead silence.
Master Ren the Elder glanced around at everyone, then closed his eyes and said, “Do you think we have any choice in the matter?”
Old Madam Ren felt dizzy, but she knew this was not the time to faint. She forced herself to ask Master Ren the Elder, “Is there truly no other way? Isn’t this cutting off the Ren Family’s path to survival?”
Master Ren the Elder smiled bitterly and comforted her, “As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. As long as people are alive, these losses can be recovered. But if people are gone, what then? Won’t everything just belong to others?”
Old Madam Ren fell silent, lost in thought.
Master Ren the Elder rubbed his temples and said, “I have already spoken with Lord Mu. This matter is too significant, and I need to see Father before making a decision. Lord Mu has agreed to let me visit Father in prison tomorrow.”
Old Madam Ren perked up at this and quickly said, “Yes, yes, this matter must be decided by your father. Go and discuss it with him carefully tomorrow to see what can be done.” Since marrying into the Ren Family, Old Madam Ren had always relied on Old Master Ren to make major decisions. She felt that as long as Old Master Ren knew about this, perhaps he could come up with a way to turn things around.
After all, paying 1.5 million taels of silver and handing over sixty percent of the annual profits would be a devastating blow to the Ren Family. Old Madam Ren herself did not dare to make such a decision.
Since the final decision still rested with Old Master Ren, Old Madam Ren dismissed everyone from the various branches of the family.
Ren Yaoqi learned of the matter after Third Master Ren returned.
Third Master Ren said optimistically, “If spending some money can secure Father’s release and ensure the Ren Family’s safety, then we should just spend the money.”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head inwardly and sighed. If everyone in the Ren Family thought like her father, there would be far fewer disputes and troubles. When money was involved, how could things ever be so simple? The Ren Family was likely in for more turmoil.
The next day, Master Ren the Elder indeed went to visit Old Master Ren in prison. After he returned, the various branches of the Ren Family gathered once again in the Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Master Ren the Elder announced, “Father has agreed. We will proceed as Lord Mu instructed. From now on, government officials will inspect our accounts annually to ensure that sixty percent of the profits are handed over. As for the 1.5 million taels of silver, we likely cannot produce such a large sum in cash all at once. Lord Mu has agreed to let us pay it in three installments over the course of a year.”
Everyone exchanged glances but said nothing.Old Madam Ren asked, "Then when can your father return?"
Master Ren the Elder said, "Once the accounts from the coal mine and coal depot are settled and five hundred thousand taels of silver are paid first, Father will be released. I’ll instruct someone to handle it as soon as possible. When I saw Father today, although he no longer had a fever, he was coughing constantly and didn’t look well. The prison environment is too damp and cold—if he stays there any longer, I’m afraid he won’t be able to hold on."
Hearing Master Ren the Elder’s words, Old Madam Ren had no objections. Since they had to pay the silver anyway, what difference did it make whether it was sooner or later? Could they possibly owe a debt to the authorities?
"Then go quickly, go quickly. Bring your father back as soon as possible."
Just as Master Ren the Elder was about to agree, a commotion erupted outside.
Old Madam Ren frowned in displeasure. "Who’s making such a racket outside?"
Shanhu hurriedly ran in and reported, "Old Madam, it’s the old madam from the East Residence. She..."
Before Shanhu could finish speaking, the old madam from the East Residence, Madam Liao, strode in.
The Second Master quickly said, "Mother, why have you come?"
Madam Liao glanced at Old Madam Ren and snorted coldly. "If I didn’t come? If I didn’t come, I wouldn’t even know the Ren Family was being ruined!" She walked over and jabbed the Second Master’s forehead hard with her finger. "You’re too honest, believing whatever others say. If I didn’t keep a close eye on things, you’d probably be devoured until not even your bones remained."
Old Madam Ren said unhappily, "Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?"
Madam Liao sneered. "What do I mean? Let me ask you—are you planning to use half the Ren Family’s assets to rescue the Eldest Master from prison? I certainly don’t oppose saving him, but before that, let’s divide the family property first!"
Everyone in the room was shocked by these words.
The Second Master coughed lightly and said, "Mother, what are you saying!"
Old Madam Ren glanced at the Second Master and inwardly snorted. If someone hadn’t deliberately informed Madam Liao, how would she have known and chosen this moment to cause trouble? No wonder the Second Master had remained silent earlier and hadn’t even mentioned sending a letter to his father and younger brother in the capital—it turned out he had this trick up his sleeve.
Old Madam Ren inwardly cursed: They say the dog that bites doesn’t bark. Ren Shiyuan usually acts as if he’s devoted to Buddhism and detached from worldly affairs, but when it comes to critical moments, he’s the one with the most schemes.
Master Ren the Elder said, "Aunt, when Grandfather was alive, he made it clear that the Ren Family would not be divided."
Madam Liao replied, "Times have changed! If your grandfather knew the Ren Family would be ruined by you, he would have agreed to divide it long ago! Wouldn’t it be better for the Ren Family to divide it now? Our East Residence will take our share, and you can use your share to rescue the Eldest Master. At least half of our ancestors’ legacy can be preserved, right?"
OpenNovel