However, it was unclear whether White Cloud Nunnery had always been problematic or if the presence of the five thousand elite Yanbei Army troops at White Dragon Temple had attracted imperial spies.
Moreover, whether Liang Guzi’s previous connection with Li Tianyou had been orchestrated by someone behind the scenes remained uncertain.
Nevertheless, these questions and the future course of events were beyond the control of Ren Yaoqi, a woman confined to the inner quarters. She had already instructed Xia Sheng to report what he had uncovered to Prince Xian and Xiao Jingxi, and naturally, others would take over from there.
News of Concubine Fang’s disappearance at White Dragon Temple and the message from Zhu Ruomei, relayed by Yuan Dayong, about Concubine Fang’s capture reached Ren Yaoqi one after the other.
After listening to Pingguo’s account, Ren Yaoqi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhu Ruomei had asked Yuan Dayong to inform Ren Yaoqi of where Concubine Fang was being held and inquired whether Ren Yaoqi wanted to go see her.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head and said to Pingguo, "It’s not convenient for me to go now. Tell Yuan Dayong to pass on a message to Zhu Ruomei: have him keep an eye on her for me for now."
Ren Yaoqi had nothing to say to Concubine Fang, and she hadn’t yet decided how to deal with her.
Letting her go was naturally out of the question. Concubine Fang was now considered a "fugitive from justice." As long as she didn’t reappear, the charges of poisoning Madam Lin and Ren Yaoyu would be firmly established.
Neither the Ren Family nor the Fang Family could blame anyone for Concubine Fang’s disappearance, especially since more than one person knew she had dismissed her attendants and fled with Nanny Yu.
Kill her? Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to dirty her hands with that.
However, Concubine Fang still had some use for now. Until Ren Yaoqi figured things out, she would keep her locked up for a while.
Meanwhile, Third Master Ren and Madam Li were shocked to learn of Concubine Fang’s escape and immediately dispatched people to search for her. Upon hearing the news, Ren Shimiao also sent out search parties. Fearing that Concubine Fang might flee back to the Ren Family to seek Old Madam Ren’s protection, he even dispatched a fast horse to White Crane Town. However, the Ren Family reported that Concubine Fang had not returned.
Ren Yaoqi did not inform them that Concubine Fang was in her hands. By now, Concubine Fang’s case involved more than just two lives. Letting them know would only add unnecessary trouble and complicate the resolution of the matter without solving anything.
By the next day, Old Madam Ren had naturally learned of the incident and sent someone to Yunyang City to inquire. However, there was still no news of Concubine Fang.
In the afternoon of the second day, Old Master Ren received word and hurried back. While ordering the continued search for Concubine Fang, he summoned Ren Shimin and Ren Shimiao back to Yunyang City.
As soon as Ren Shimin and Ren Shimiao returned, they were scolded by Old Master Ren.
This time, however, Ren Shimiao did not stand obediently and take the scolding. With his head lowered and a wooden tone, he interrupted Old Master Ren: "Father, this is the first time I’ve seen you since Huijun and Yu'er were poisoned. Don’t you have anything to ask? For example, how is Huijun’s recovery? Has Yu'er woken up yet? When will she wake up? How were they poisoned? Who is the culprit? Have they been caught?"
As soon as Ren Shimiao finished speaking, the room fell into an eerie silence.
Old Madam Ren tried to smooth things over, saying, "Didn’t we send people to Yunyang City to check on them? We even sent plenty of medicinal herbs. Your father was the one who arranged for that."Ren Shimao ignored Old Madam Ren, raising his head to gaze resolutely at Old Master Ren, seemingly waiting for his response.
Old Master Ren frowned but still asked, "How are they now?"
Ren Shimao replied, "Huijun has mostly recovered, but the physician says she needs quiet rest for some time. Yu'er... Yu'er still hasn't woken up. The physician said she... she might not make it." Ren Shimin's tone seemed strained when speaking of his daughter.
Old Master Ren said to Old Madam Ren, "Send more physicians to examine Yaoyu. If no good physicians can be found in Yanbei, send someone to the capital to find one."
Ren Shimao wiped his face and said calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Father."
Old Master Ren glanced at him and continued, "Now, can you tell me why you summoned Madam Fang to Yunyang City? Shimin, you speak!"
Old Master Ren looked sternly at Ren Shimin. "Your mother said it was you and Madam Li who sent someone to fetch Madam Fang? Claiming Yaoying was ill and needed her to visit?"
Ren Shimao interjected, "Father, you should ask me instead. It was I who begged Third Brother to use Third Sister-in-law's name to lure Madam Fang to Yunyang City. Third Brother only agreed because I pressured him and out of brotherly affection, feeling he had no choice. After Huijun and Yu'er were poisoned, I captured a few people. Eventually, a maid confessed that Concubine Fang had bribed an apprentice at Hua Xiangrong to poison the cosmetics used by Huijun and Yu'er."
Ren Shimao then recounted the incident in detail, concluding, "When I asked Third Brother to summon Concubine Fang to Yunyang City, I had no intention of doing anything drastic. I merely wanted to clarify whether she was truly involved. If she was indeed responsible, I would have handed her over to you for punishment according to family rules!"
At this moment, Ren Shimao naturally wouldn't admit that he had never intended to let Concubine Fang return.
Ren Shimao sneered, "I never expected her to be so guilty that she feigned fainting halfway, claiming she needed to rest at White Dragon Temple. She then used this opportunity to escape with her maidservant."
Old Master Ren, however, was skeptical. Where could a frail woman like Concubine Fang possibly flee, even if she were escaping guilt?
"Do you believe the poison was administered by Madam Fang based solely on that maid's one-sided testimony?" Old Master Ren asked.
Hearing this, Ren Shimao clenched his fists, trying to restrain himself, but ultimately failed. He growled softly, "If having a witness isn't enough, then what do you consider solid evidence, Father? Like the last time she framed Yu'er for knocking down Madam Kang? Yet in the end, you still protected her!"
"Outrageous!" Old Master Ren said displeased. "Is this how you speak to your elders?"
Ren Shimao took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. "Father, I have always respected you, but this time, can you give me, your daughter-in-law, and your granddaughter justice?"
Old Master Ren snorted coldly. "Are you accusing me of being unjust?"
"I wouldn't dare!"
Old Master Ren glared at Ren Shimao and scolded, "I told you last time that as a descendant of the Ren Family, you must prioritize the family's interests! Otherwise, what was the point of raising you all these years? Now is not the time to turn against the Fang family!"
Ren Shimao could no longer contain himself. He angrily retorted, "So you mean that even if Madam Fang truly poisoned Huijun and Yu'er this time, you still expect me to swallow my anger and let her go?"Old Master Ren slapped the table, causing the teacups on it to rattle loudly: "I'm telling you to prioritize the bigger picture and not let things escalate beyond control! Once things in Jiangnan are on track, if you want to hold someone accountable then, would I even stop you?"
Ren Shimiao stiffened his neck and said coldly, "Then what kind of man would I be? I'd rather not eat from the Ren Family's bowl than fail to seek justice for my wife and daughter."
"What do you mean by that?" Old Master Ren's expression turned icy.
Ren Shimin tugged at Ren Shimiao's sleeve from the side.
Old Madam Ren quickly added, "Be quiet! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Old Master Ren sneered, "Let him speak. I want to see what he thinks makes a man!"
Ignoring Old Madam Ren's meaningful look, Ren Shimiao said firmly, "What I mean is, this time, Madam Fang had better run far away and not be found by my people. Otherwise, she won't escape blame this time! Is Father going to cut off our funds again this time? Go ahead."
After saying this, Ren Shimiao turned and left.
Old Master Ren was so angry that his chest ached. Suddenly, he began coughing violently. Old Madam Ren was about to signal Ren Shimin to go persuade Ren Shimiao to return and apologize to Old Master Ren when she saw Old Master Ren cough up a mouthful of blood.
Both Old Madam Ren and Ren Shimin were startled. Old Madam Ren repeatedly urged Ren Shimin to fetch a doctor.
After the coughing fit, Old Master Ren collapsed weakly onto the Arhat Bed, panting. He looked extremely exhausted, his face pale and drained of color, much like when he had first emerged from prison.
Old Madam Ren stood by, frightened and shedding tears.
Finally, the doctor arrived to examine Old Master Ren. He said the previous illness had not been fully cured, and today's rage had aggravated his condition, causing him to cough up blood. He advised Old Master Ren to rest more and avoid exertion.
Ren Yaoqi was unaware of the situation in the Ren Family. She had anticipated that her father and Fifth Uncle would be scolded upon their return, but she thought it would only be a reprimand. With Concubine Fang missing, Old Master Ren couldn't do much.
However, in the afternoon, Zhu Ruomei sent Yuan Dayong to deliver a message to Ren Yaoqi, saying Concubine Fang wanted to meet with someone in charge, as she had urgent matters to discuss.
Concubine Fang had initially thought those who captured her were Ren Shimiao and Madam Lin. But after seizing her, they simply locked her up. No one came to question her about anything, nor did they torture or retaliate against her.
When she was brought in, she noticed she was being held in an ordinary courtyard, but it was heavily guarded. Even a weak woman like her couldn't escape, let alone a martial artist. Nanny Yu had been taken elsewhere as soon as they arrived, and Concubine Fang was imprisoned alone.
She tried to speak with the guards outside, but no matter what she said, they gave no response. If not for the footsteps she could hear and the food delivered to her, she would have thought no one was there.
Concubine Fang finally sensed something was amiss. The people who captured her weren't Madam Lin and Fifth Master Ren—they didn't have such capability.
Concubine Fang pondered: if it wasn't for personal vendetta, then it must be for other reasons. She began to have some idea of what was going on.That's why she called out that she wanted to see the person in charge, as she had important matters to discuss.
Only one update today, the author is out and about 〒_〒...
A little preview: in the next chapter, the beloved Xiao Er will make an appearance...
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