Although Lei Ting's opinion was objective, the Ren Family's reputation would inevitably suffer as a result, and Old Master Ren could not tolerate the reputation he had painstakingly built over decades being destroyed just like that.
Old Master Ren did not feel that his decision was wrong in any way. Although he had forced the victim to change their testimony, he would compensate them with silver, allowing both parties to get what they needed. Moreover, the incident itself had arisen from the coal depots he had handed over to the second branch of the family to manage, so it was not unreasonable for him to push the second branch to take the blame. Old Master Ren had also discovered that Ren Yongxiang had been in contact with the Han Family, and he could not simply beat his disloyal brother to death with family discipline.
Due to their differing perspectives, Old Master Ren could not understand Lei Ting's good intentions. He felt that the Lei Family was not putting in enough effort in this matter, and with the Ren Family now in trouble, Old Master Ren was very worried that the Lei Family might break off the engagement.
Coincidentally, at this time, a guest arrived at the Lei Family—someone from the family of Lei Ting's deceased wife had come seeking refuge.
Lei Ting's late wife, Madam Qiao, was from Jiangnan, and her family was not prominent. Moreover, there were hardly any relatives left. Madam Qiao had a younger sister who had originally married into a family in Yuezhou, but unfortunately, her husband passed away not long after the marriage, leaving Madam Xiao Qiao widowed at a young age.
The customs in Jiangnan were different from those in Yanbei. In the past, when Yanbei was in a state of universal conscription, women were forced to marry early and widows were encouraged to remarry to ensure population growth. Although there were no longer laws forcing women to marry, there was no discrimination against women who remarried, and the social atmosphere was relatively open. In Jiangnan, however, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism had long been revered, and women were taught to remain faithful to one husband. To reward chaste women, the imperial court would even grant them chastity arches and provide generous rewards to their families.
Madam Xiao Qiao was only in her twenties and exceptionally beautiful. Originally, she had been confined to a secluded courtyard in her husband's home, out of sight and out of mind, which was not an issue. However, less than a year after her father-in-law passed away, her mother-in-law also fell seriously ill. After her mother-in-law died, only her brother-in-law's family remained in the household. Unfortunately, her brother-in-law was a heavy drinker and a womanizer. Fearing that some scandal might erupt after her death, her mother-in-law plotted to have Madam Xiao Qiao strangled, arranging for her to be killed after her own passing. To the outside world, it would be claimed that Madam Xiao Qiao had hanged herself out of loyalty to her husband after fulfilling her duty of serving her in-laws, possibly even earning the title of a "chaste martyr" from the court and bringing benefits to the family.
However, someone close to Madam Xiao Qiao's mother-in-law was not tight-lipped, and Madam Xiao Qiao learned of the plan before her mother-in-law passed away. She eventually found an opportunity to escape. With no one left in her own family and fearing capture if she stayed in Jiangnan, she fled all the way to Yanbei, seeking refuge at the home of her late sister's husband.
The Ren Family somehow learned of this news and even found out that Madam Xiao Qiao was not only exceptionally beautiful but also bore a striking resemblance to her sister. Old Madam Ren believed that since the Lei Family had taken her in, Lei Ting might take Madam Xiao Qiao as a concubine to make her stay more legitimate.
If it were any other woman, the Ren Family would not have cared if Lei Ting took one or two more women. However, since Lei Ting had been willing to observe mourning for his deceased wife, it was clear he had deep affection for his first wife. Moreover, there was also Lei Pan'er... Having her own maternal aunt take care of her would certainly be better than anyone else. Naturally, the Ren Family began to form their own ideas.When Ren Yaoqi learned that the Lei Family had suddenly brought in Madam Xiao Qiao, she frowned. The timing of Madam Xiao Qiao’s appearance was far too coincidental, making it impossible for her not to suspect something. Moreover, could it really be so easy for a widow who had been confined to the ancestral hall day and night to escape from the inner courtyard, evade her husband’s family’s pursuit, and successfully seek refuge with the Lei Family, which was thousands of miles away?
The first possibility that came to Ren Yaoqi’s mind was that the Han Family was likely behind this. No one would be more eager than the Han Family to see the Ren Family and the Lei Family fall out at this moment, because with the Lei Family as a backing, it would be difficult for the Han Family to completely crush the Ren Family.
Ren Yaohua also learned about Madam Xiao Qiao, but this time, she remained remarkably composed. She said nothing and continued to follow Madam Li’s instructions, embroidering her dowry in her boudoir every day.
Some time later, one evening, as Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were leaving after dining with Madam Li, Ren Yaohua suddenly said to Ren Yaoqi, “It’s been a while since we’ve received a letter from Pan’er.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi paused and turned to look at Ren Yaohua, catching a glimpse of worry in her eyes.
Ever since Lei Pan’er began learning to read, she had frequently written letters to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua. At first, more than half of each letter was filled with scribbles, but with encouragement from Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua in their replies, Lei Pan’er practiced her handwriting diligently. Gradually, the scribbles decreased, and her characters became much neater.
“Third Sister, are you worried about Pan’er?” Ren Yaoqi asked softly.
Ren Yaohua furrowed her brows and said, “I wonder if she’s fallen ill.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled and replied, “How about I write her a letter tomorrow? After all, I’m practically half her teacher, so it’s only natural for me to ask about her handwriting practice.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaohua’s expression softened slightly, and she nodded. “I was thinking the same.” Lei Pan’er had somehow learned that Ren Yaoqi’s calligraphy was excellent and had pestered her to become her teacher. Sometimes, in her letters, she would playfully address Ren Yaoqi as “Teacher Sister Yaoqi,” which was both amusing and exasperating.
However, the very next day, before Ren Yaoqi could send the letter to the Lei Family, the Ren Family was the first to lose their composure. Old Madam Ren sent someone to fetch Ren Yaohua back to White Crane Town.
Ren Yaoqi had initially intended to accompany Ren Yaohua back, but after some thought, she ultimately decided not to go. She could foresee the reason the Ren Family wanted Ren Yaohua back and could guess what the elderly couple would say to her. She smiled wryly to herself—it was about time for Old Madam Ren to exhaust the last bit of affection between her and Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaohua returned to White Crane Town alone. Although the Ren Family was currently in a precarious situation, the entourage sent to fetch her was still quite grand. Upon arriving at Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Old Madam Ren greeted Ren Yaohua with affectionate endearments, then took her to visit Old Master Ren, who was ill. Afterward, the grandmother and granddaughter shared some intimate conversation.
When the atmosphere was at its most harmonious, Old Madam Ren made her request to Ren Yaohua.
Her request was simple: “You’ve seen the state of the family, and your grandfather is… well, sigh! Tomorrow is the birthday banquet of Old Madam Jin of Yunyang City. I’ll take you there to offer congratulations. The Lei Family has some ties with the Jin Family, so the Eldest Master of the Lei Family is sure to attend such an occasion. I’ll find a way for you to meet Lei Ting then.”Ren Yaohua listened with a deepening frown. She glanced at Old Madam Ren and pressed her lips together, saying, "Grandmother, I heard from Father that the Lei Family has helped our Ren Family quite a bit this time?" Ren Yaohua felt somewhat displeased. Hearing her own elder suggest she secretly meet with Lei Ting felt awkward and uncomfortable no matter how she thought about it.
Old Madam Ren dismissed it casually, "It was just a word in the yamen, a trivial effort for the Lei Family. However, this will inevitably damage the Ren Family's reputation, something your grandfather and I do not wish to see. Think about it, dear child—when you marry into the Lei Family, if the Ren Family is in a bad state and something happens, who will stand up for you? If your natal family is not well-off, how can you expect a good life in your husband's home? Moreover..."
Old Madam Ren paused and sighed, "I heard that a woman has come to seek refuge with the Lei Family. Not only does she resemble Lei Ting's former wife, but she is also quite clever and resourceful." She gave Ren Yaohua a meaningful look, hinting, "That little girl from the Lei Family hasn't sent you any letters for a while now, has she?"
Ren Yaohua looked at Old Madam Ren, her lips pressed tightly together, and remained silent.
Old Madam Ren patted Ren Yaohua's somewhat stiff hand, comforting her, "Don't worry. Once the Ren Family overcomes this difficulty, I will certainly stand up for you. You need not take it to heart."
Ren Yaohua slowly withdrew her hand from Old Madam Ren's grasp, lowered her eyes, and still said nothing.
Old Madam Ren paid no mind and continued in a low voice, carefully explaining her arrangements for the next day and what Ren Yaohua should say to Lei Ting. Ren Yaohua sat there with a tense expression, never once opening her mouth.
When Old Madam Ren finished, she asked, "Have you remembered everything I said?"
After a moment of silence, Ren Yaohua finally spoke with difficulty, "Grandmother, have you considered how the Lei Family will view me if I act this way before even marrying into their family?" Old Madam Ren's words, both explicit and implicit, hinted that she could use some tactics in front of Lei Ting.
Old Madam Ren smiled, "What does it matter? Your wedding is not far off. Soon, you will be one family."
Ren Yaohua blinked hard to suppress the stinging in her eyes. She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Old Madam Ren, however, made the final decision, "This matter is settled. Go rest in Purple Magnolia Courtyard first. Tomorrow, come with me to Yunyang City."
Ren Yaohua took a slow breath, bowed her head in silence, and excused herself. As she left Old Madam Ren's room, she walked somewhat hurriedly and nearly knocked over a maid who was about to enter.
Not long after Ren Yaohua returned to Purple Magnolia Courtyard, Old Madam Ren sent someone to deliver a set of clothes, along with a complete set of hair ornaments and jewelry accessories. The clothes were exquisite, and the hair ornaments and jewelry were among Old Madam Ren's finest treasures. Yet, Ren Yaohua did not even glance at the items on the table. She simply sat leaning against the headboard, staring blankly at the quilt cover embroidered with flowing clouds and a hundred blessings.
The next day, Old Madam Ren indeed sent for Ren Yaohua to take her to Yunyang City. Ren Yaohua said nothing. She put on the attire Old Madam Ren had prepared for her and, under Old Madam Ren's satisfied gaze, followed her into the carriage.
These past few days have been busy during the day, with unavoidable social engagements, and by the time I return at night, I'm too exhausted to write 〒_〒...
Thank you to the deputy moderator for helping me request leave.
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