"Oh? Then have you found out who brought those six boxes of pearl peach blossom powder?" Ren Shimin also realized the severity and maliciousness of the matter, his expression turning serious.
Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu had nearly died from poisoning this time, revealing the viciousness of the perpetrator. If they could identify who was responsible, they absolutely could not tolerate such a person continuing to harm the Ren Family.
Ren Shimiao sighed, "I've already questioned them, but those four maidservants keep shifting blame, unwilling to admit who did it."
Ren Shimin frowned, "Then how should this be handled? Report it to the authorities?"
Ren Shimiao clenched his fist, his voice cold, "Report it to the authorities? That would be letting her off too easily!"
Seeing Ren Shimiao's demeanor, Ren Shimin understood. Ren Shimiao must have already made a decision earlier, but because he feared the outcome might implicate Concubine Fang and worried Ren Shimin would hold a grudge, he had come to inform him first.
"Go ahead and do what you must. If the investigation ultimately proves her innocent, so be it. But if she truly is the one behind this harm, even if you don't act, I will no longer tolerate such a vicious woman, giving her the chance to stir up trouble again!" Ren Shimin said sternly.
Hearing this, Ren Shimiao did not show joy; instead, his expression grew even more hesitant.
Ren Shimin was puzzled, thinking to himself, Could Fifth Brother believe I would protect Concubine Fang?
But Ren Shimiao shook his head, "I naturally trust you, Third Brother. I'm just afraid that Father and Mother might prevent me from seeking justice for my wife and daughter."
Ren Shimiao's expression darkened slightly, "Third Brother must remember the last incident. The evidence against Madam Fang for harming Yu'er was already conclusive, yet Father still... If not for that, Huijun wouldn't have later lost her senses and angrily disfigured Madam Fang's face."
As he spoke these words, Ren Shimiao harbored resentment toward his father. If Old Master Ren had not been unjust in handling that matter, how could so many subsequent events have arisen? Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu would not have been targeted for revenge, and Ren Yaoyu might not still be unconscious to this day.
But a son does not speak of his father's faults. Old Master Ren was Ren Shimiao's father and the head of the Ren Family. No matter how uneasy Ren Shimiao felt, he could not openly criticize his father in front of his own brother.
This time, however, he did not want to follow his father's decisions anymore.
"Actually, this time Father sent me to the capital and gave me many tasks, all targeting the industries in Jiangnan. I finally understood that although Father agreed to divide the family with Second Uncle on the surface, the Ren Family is still under his control." Ren Shimiao sighed, "Since Father cannot give up the industries in Second Uncle's hands, there will inevitably be times when he needs to rely on Fang Yacun in the future. So he certainly won't allow us to truly break ties with the Fang Family!"
After all, Ren Shimiao was not Ren Shimin. Over the years, he had traveled between the capital and Yanbei, helping manage many of the Ren Family's businesses. After the previous incident, how could he not understand why Old Master Ren repeatedly protected a concubine?In the past, it might have been manageable, but recently, the Ren Family's coal depots in Jiangnan have turned losses into profits by relying on Fang Yacun's connections. With Old Master Ren's grand ambitions, how could he possibly abandon his goals? Everyone in the Ren Family understood that Old Master Ren's aim was to establish Ren Family coal depots throughout Great Zhou. This was also the expectation of the late Old Master on his deathbed for Old Master Ren.
Although Ren Shimin rarely concerned himself with such matters, he was not a foolish man. He understood Ren Shimiao's meaning perfectly well.
Ren Shimin felt that Ren Shimiao's words made some sense. If Old Master Ren were to protect Concubine Fang to maintain his relationship with Fang Yacun, how could they, as sons, possibly defy him?
Third Master Ren had rarely opposed Old Master Ren's decisions since childhood. On one hand, it was difficult to disobey a father's orders; on the other, Old Master Ren did not care much about such mundane affairs and was happy to have others arrange things for him so he wouldn't have to trouble himself.
Thus, Ren Shimin couldn't help but frown and say, "This is indeed a problem."
Ren Shimiao replied, "So if it is truly discovered that Madam Fang is involved, I hope Third Brother can help me."
"How can I help? Tell me," Ren Shimin nodded.
Ren Shimiao paused briefly before continuing, "It's true that a father's orders are hard to defy, and given Father's capabilities, it is indeed difficult for us to oppose him. So, I must act before Father learns of this matter. When the time comes, Third Brother, find an excuse to bring Concubine Fang to Yunyang City."
Ren Shimin now understood: "Fifth Brother, are you saying we should strike first behind Father's back?"
Ren Shimiao nodded firmly: "Yes! If I let the enemy off easily again this time, I would be unworthy as a husband and a father! Third Brother, will you help me?"
Ren Shimiao also felt that his request was somewhat excessive. He was risking offending his father to avenge his wife and daughter—what right did he have to ask Ren Shimin to defy their father for his sake? Moreover, Madam Fang was the birth mother of Ren Shimin's two children. And Ren Shimin had hardly ever questioned any of Old Master Ren's decisions since childhood.
Ren Shimiao thought that if Ren Shimin refused him, he would not hold it against him.
Indeed, Ren Shimin hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he nodded. He reached out and patted Ren Shimiao's shoulder, saying, "If it truly is her, I will bring her to Yunyang City and leave her at your disposal!"
Concubine Fang was, after all, a member of his third household, and Ren Shimin felt he still had the authority to deal with a concubine.
Upon hearing this, Ren Shimiao said gratefully, "Third Brother, thank you. I know I am asking too much of you."
Ren Shimin sighed, "This is actually my fault for failing to manage the household properly. I am ashamed."
Both brothers felt somewhat emotional.
After visiting Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu, Ren Shimin returned home with his wife and children.
Whether intentionally or not, although Ren Shimin and Madam Lin had brought Ren Yihong to the villa, they had not brought Ren Yaoying along.
After returning home, Ren Yaoqi keenly sensed that her father seemed troubled. She had earlier seen Ren Shimiao ask Ren Shimin aside for a private conversation and thought it must be related to the poisoning of Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu.Ren Yaoqi was also eager to know how Ren Shimiao's investigation of the matter was progressing. She had previously tried probing Madam Lin, but Madam Lin had truly undergone a transformation—she refused to mention the poisoning incident or Concubine Fang. Madam Lin said that after regaining consciousness, she had not inquired further, and Fifth Master Ren had not deliberately brought it up either. All she hoped for now was that Ren Yaoyu would wake up. As long as Ren Yaoyu recovered, she was willing to let go of her grievances.
At this point, Ren Yaoqi truly believed that Madam Lin, having brushed with death, had undergone a complete rebirth. Even Ren Yaohua was convinced of Madam Lin's change and treated her with much more kindness.
Ren Yaoqi brought a bowl of tea to the study to find Ren Shimin. As soon as Ren Shimin saw Ren Yaoqi enter, he knew what she wanted to ask.
Ren Shimin was accustomed to speaking openly with Ren Yaoqi and saw no issue discussing such matters in front of his daughter. He felt his younger daughter was clever and often able to offer solutions to his worries. Thus, he recounted to Ren Yaoqi everything Ren Shimiao had discussed with him earlier.
After hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but sigh inwardly. After the incident with Concubine Kang, she had somewhat looked down on Fifth Master Ren, as Ren Shimiao indeed lacked exceptional talent—his abilities in both scholarship and business were mediocre. However, this time, Fifth Master Ren's performance was truly remarkable.
Regardless of Ren Shimiao's capabilities, at the very least, he genuinely cared for his wife and daughter and did his utmost to protect them.
Madam Lin's current appearance was far from beautiful, yet Ren Shimiao did not disdain her because of it. Although Ren Shimin was her own father, Ren Yaoqi felt she had to be fair: if it were her mother whose appearance had been damaged, her father would likely not enjoy staying with her.
Third Master Ren was a lover of beauty and extremely particular. While he wouldn't divorce his wife over damaged looks, he would undoubtedly feel some resistance.
At the very least, after Concubine Fang's appearance was ruined, Third Master Ren had not seen her again. Previously, he would spend a few nights each month in Concubine Fang's courtyard, as her skills in serving others were quite commendable.
Of course, it was also possible that Third Master Ren still harbored some disdain for Concubine Fang's character. In Third Master Ren's heart, both character and appearance were important. To put it nicely, Third Master Ren appreciated women who cultivated both inner and outer qualities.
After hearing Ren Shimiao's plans, Ren Yaoqi said nothing.
But she knew things wouldn't be so simple. If Concubine Fang were easy to deal with, so many incidents wouldn't have occurred.
Ren Yaoqi believed that Concubine Fang or Fang Yacun likely had some connections at their disposal. For instance, Concubine Fang had managed to enlist people like Aunt Xiao, Concubine Kang, and the maid who administered the poison to serve her purposes.
After learning about Fang Yacun's relationship with Eunuch Lu and his ties to the imperial court, Ren Yaoqi began to understand: how could Fang Yacun have come to Yanbei unprepared?
If Xiao Jingxi had so many useful people in Jiangnan and the capital, it was unlikely that Eunuch Lu, sent to Yanbei by the Empress Dowager, had none.
As for how Concubine Fang had obtained these connections from Fang Yacun, Ren Yaoqi did not know.
However, this might very well be the opportunity to uproot all these things entirely, Ren Yaoqi thought to herself.Three days later, news came from Ren Shimiao's side, inviting Ren Shimin to the villa for a discussion.
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi thought that there must be news from Ren Shimin's side. Although she was extremely eager to know the follow-up, it was not appropriate for her to accompany Ren Shimin to the villa, especially since Ren Shimiao's messenger had specifically mentioned that Ren Shimin was being invited to discuss important matters.
Making up for yesterday's update.
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