The happiest person about the Lin Family's division was undoubtedly Ren Shijia. On the second day after the split, she began making arrangements to move out of the Lin Family residence. Lin Kun, feeling guilty toward his wife, naturally complied with all her wishes in this matter.
Although the Lin Kun couple failed to purchase the house in Treasure Vase Alley, Lin Kun still owned a three-courtyard residence under his name. Its location was quite favorable and spacious enough, so Ren Shijia immediately set about organizing the move.
Even though the Lin Family had divided, the tangled interests between Lin Kun and the main branch were not so easily resolved. However, these matters were now Lin Kun's own affairs to handle.
After the Lin Kun couple moved out of the Lin Family ancestral home, Ren Shijia hosted a banquet for relatives and friends at their new residence.
Ren Yaoqi naturally went along with Madam Li. Ren Shijia was overjoyed and, after drinking a few cups of wine, pulled Ren Yaoqi aside to talk in a room.
"Qi'er, I don't know how to thank you. Back then, when Cen'er was poisoned, it was all thanks to you discovering it in time. And this time, our ability to move away from there is also because of you..."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and stopped Ren Shijia, saying, "Aunt, we are family. Saying such things only creates distance between us."
Ren Shijia then found it difficult to continue, simply holding her hand and smiling at her.
However, compared to Ren Shijia's contentment, the Ren Family's mood was far from pleasant.
Old Master Ren had always believed he had Lin Kun under his control, but he never expected the Lin Family to divide so quickly, especially at a time when the Ren Family was too preoccupied to intervene. His anger was understandable.
Yet, the Ren Family's current situation was not optimistic, and Old Master Ren lacked the energy and time to specifically go and reprimand his son-in-law.
At this time, Second Old Master Ren was causing trouble. The Ren Family's recent troubles were undoubtedly linked to him, but Old Master Ren had not yet been able to deal with him. Instead, Second Old Master Ren preemptively struck first, outmaneuvering Old Master Ren. He openly admitted to the Ren Family coal depot's practice of passing off inferior goods as quality ones, revealed some of the Ren Family's shady dealings over the years, and publicly accused Old Master Ren of being heartless and unjust. Although he had ostensibly agreed to divide the family with the second branch, he had secretly manipulated things to leave them with nothing.
Ren Yongxiang's accusations directly plunged the Ren Family into a quagmire. Old Master Ren deeply regretted his actions and, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, chose to follow Lei Ting's advice to first calm the storm. Unfortunately, by then, the opportune moment had passed. Although the Lei Family agreed to assist the Ren Family, they could not prevent the situation from worsening as everyone turned against them.
Under immense stress and exertion, Old Master Ren once again coughed up blood and fainted, throwing the Ren Family into further chaos.
This time, Old Master Ren's illness was more severe than before. His health had never fully recovered from the previous blow, and coupled with the recent strain, he fell into a coma upon collapsing.
Filial piety comes first in all matters. Regardless of Ren Yaoqi's feelings toward Old Master Ren, she still had to return to White Crane Town with Ren Shimin and Madam Li to visit him.
However, the current Old Master Ren appeared utterly aged, with none of the imposing authority he once held as the head of the Ren Family. When his descendants gathered around him, he could no longer recognize who was who, and his speech had become unclear.Fortunately, Old Master Ren's life was preserved, and aside from his mental confusion, there was no danger to his life. The rest could only rely on gradual recuperation.
Third Master Ren stayed at home for several days, and after Old Master Ren's condition stabilized, he returned to Yunyang City first. However, Madam Li stayed a few more days with Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua.
One day, while Ren Yaoqi was practicing calligraphy in her room, Sangshen came in to report that Yun family's second young master had come to visit Old Master Ren, and Old Madam Ren wanted Ren Yaoqi to go to Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Upon hearing this news, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but frown. After thinking for a moment, she still changed into guest-appropriate attire and went to Old Madam Ren's courtyard.
Yun Wenfang was sitting in the main room chatting with Old Madam Ren. Compared to a few years ago, Yun Wenfang's speech and demeanor had become much more composed. Although Old Madam Ren was deeply distressed by Old Master Ren's condition, she was still amused by Yun Wenfang's few words, her face full of smiles.
After Ren Yaoqi entered and finished paying her respects, she stood to the side, lowering her head without speaking. Besides Old Madam Ren and Yun Wenfang, the room also had Ren Yaoying, who was attending to Old Madam Ren, and Ren Yiyan, who had come to entertain Yun Wenfang.
Although Yun Wenfang was speaking with Old Madam Ren, his eyes kept drifting toward Ren Yaoqi. Ren Yaoqi's expression remained calm, as if she noticed nothing.
While they were talking, Ren Yaohua also walked in.
Old Madam Ren frowned and glanced at her: "Why have you come out now?"
Ren Yaohua had rarely gone out these days, mostly staying in her room doing embroidery work, and Old Madam Ren hadn't said anything about it.
Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi and lowered her head: "Your granddaughter was just about to discuss needlework techniques with Fifth Sister. I heard from the maids in the courtyard that she had come to Grandmother's place, so I followed."
Ren Yaoqi, however, understood that Ren Yaohua must have heard Yun Wenfang had come and, fearing she might be at a disadvantage, had come over.
Since there was a guest present, Old Madam Ren didn't press the matter further and simply said: "Second Young Master Yun rarely visits, and you've all been familiar since childhood. Accompany him for a walk in the courtyard."
Yun Wenfang was naturally pleased, as he had originally wanted to find an opportunity to see Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi didn't say anything either. When Ren Yiyan led them out, Old Madam Ren stopped Ren Yaoying: "Ying'er, don't go. Stay and massage my legs."
Ren Yaoying glanced at Yun Wenfang, then at Ren Yaoqi, her eyes showing some unwillingness. But in the end, she didn't dare disobey Old Madam Ren's wishes and obediently lowered her head in agreement.
Old Madam Ren then looked at Ren Yaohua: "Weren't you saying you wanted to ask about needlework? Shanhu in my room is the best at embroidery. Stay and ask her."
As soon as Ren Yaohua heard this, she felt something was off and was about to refuse, but Ren Yaoqi gave her a look, signaling her to stay calm. Ren Yaohua slowly took a breath and finally lowered her head in agreement.
Seeing that Ren Yaohua was also kept behind, Ren Yaoying felt somewhat balanced, though her gaze still couldn't help but secretly shift between Ren Yaoqi and Yun Wenfang.
Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yiyan, and Yun Wenfang left Glory and Splendor Courtyard together. Ren Yiyan exchanged a few words with Yun Wenfang along the way, while Ren Yaoqi remained silent from start to finish, following them at a distance, neither too close nor too far.Until Yun Wenfang turned to Ren Yaoqi and said, "I remember there is a bamboo grove over there. Back then, Fifth Miss Ren even taught me how to distinguish between male and female bamboo."
Ren Yiyan smiled and said, "Why not go take a look at that bamboo grove? Over the past few years, we’ve arranged for people to tend to it, and the bamboo has grown even better."
Yun Wenfang naturally had no objections, but just as the three of them reached the edge of the bamboo grove, someone hurried over and told Ren Yiyan that the Eldest Master urgently needed to see him and was waiting for him in the outer courtyard, urging him to go immediately.
Ren Yiyan couldn’t help but frown and glance at Ren Yaoqi. He had naturally sensed something amiss and felt somewhat hesitant. However, the messenger pressed him urgently, saying the Eldest Master insisted the eldest young master must go at once. The Ren Family had been in turmoil recently, and Ren Yiyan was often summoned by his father for sudden matters. Yet, with Yun Wenfang here, he couldn’t simply leave Ren Yaoqi, a young woman, to entertain him alone.
Yun Wenfang, however, said, "If the eldest young master has matters to attend to, please go ahead. I stayed with the Ren Family for a while and am quite familiar with the place. Besides, Fifth Miss Ren is here."
Ren Yiyan looked at Ren Yaoqi and could only say, "I’ll return as soon as possible."
Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to put Ren Yiyan in a difficult position, so she nodded.
After Ren Yiyan left, he still felt uneasy and secretly instructed his attendant to go to Qingfeng Courtyard and fetch Ren Yijun to accompany Yun Wenfang.
Once Ren Yiyan had departed, Yun Wenfang’s gaze remained fixed on Ren Yaoqi.
Seeing that he remained silent, Ren Yaoqi spoke up, "Did Second Young Master Yun come today just to visit the sick?"
Hearing this, Yun Wenfang smiled. He stepped closer, stopping about two paces away from Ren Yaoqi—a distance neither too far nor too close, allowing him to clearly observe her subtle expressions without making her feel the need to retreat.
"I heard the Ren Family is facing serious trouble, and I want to help," Yun Wenfang said earnestly, looking at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi frowned, "What do you mean?"
Seeing that Ren Yaoqi seemed displeased, Yun Wenfang quickly explained, "Don’t misunderstand. This time, I genuinely want to help you."
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but curl her lips slightly and said calmly, "Help me? Second Young Master Yun, do you know what I want?"
The smile on Yun Wenfang’s face faded somewhat. He studied Ren Yaoqi’s expression carefully and frowned, "Don’t you want the Ren Family to overcome its difficulties?"
Ren Yaoqi met Yun Wenfang’s gaze and said seriously, "What if I said I don’t?"
Yun Wenfang was taken aback. He didn’t understand Ren Yaoqi, nor did he know what she had experienced in the past. He simply assumed that no woman would want her maternal family to lose power, which was why he had told Ren Yaoqi he was willing to help the Ren Family.
But seeing the sincerity in Ren Yaoqi’s eyes, Yun Wenfang felt she wasn’t deceiving him, leaving him somewhat bewildered, "But why?"
Ren Yaoqi replied coldly, "No reason. I just hope you won’t interfere in the Ren Family’s affairs. Moreover, although the Yun Family is powerful, it has never had dealings with the Ren Family. The Ren Family cannot afford to owe such a great favor!"
Yun Wenfang felt that he had come with good intentions only to be met with Ren Yaoqi’s coldness, and he grew somewhat angry. In his entire life, apart from in front of Ren Yaoqi, he had never humbled himself like this before anyone."What is there to bear! If you agree to enter the Yun Family's door, the Ren Family's affairs will become the Yun Family's affairs!" Yun Wenfang's patience was nearly exhausted, and he spoke with some impatience.
After finishing his words, Yun Wenfang met Ren Yaoqi's cold and sarcastic expression and suddenly felt a pang of regret. Before coming, he had intended to speak with Ren Yaoqi properly and had never thought of using this matter to threaten her.
He thought that as long as she agreed to him, he would comply with her in everything in the future and would be willing to put effort into coaxing and yielding to her. Yet, for some reason, every time he saw Ren Yaoqi's indifferent and calm demeanor, he couldn't help but feel restless inside.
Yun Wenfang felt he had matured considerably, but when facing Ren Yaoqi, he always regressed into that irritable and easily angered youth.
Yun Wenfang let out a sigh, trying hard to suppress the fire in his heart: "Ren Yaoqi, I didn't come here to argue with you."
Ren Yaoqi also felt weary. She could find ways to resolve schemes and plots, but she felt somewhat powerless when dealing with Yun Wenfang. She had exhausted all words, both kind and harsh, yet Yun Wenfang still refused to give up.
Ren Yaoqi sighed, her voice softening a little as she spoke frankly: "Second Young Master Yun, I remember I have never provoked you. I don't know what I did wrong to give you the wrong impression. Why would you..."
Ren Yaoqi didn't finish her sentence, but Yun Wenfang understood perfectly well—she was asking him why he had taken a liking to her.
Yun Wenfang remained silent for a long time. Just as Ren Yaoqi thought he wouldn't say anything, he looked up at her and said, "Since I was young, I have been having a dream, and in that dream, it's always you."
Yun Wenfang's answer left Ren Yaoqi stunned. She truly hadn't expected this to be the reason, no wonder Yun Wenfang had once asked her why she didn't remember him.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi frowning and remaining silent, Yun Wenfang thought she didn't believe him and couldn't help but curl his lips: "I'm not lying to you. In the dream, you always look at me crying, saying something to me over and over, but I can't hear it. The first time I came to the Ren Family, in the corridor, it was our first meeting for you, but not for me. I thought since I could dream of you, you must also be able to dream of me, but you have no impression of me." Yun Wenfang's expression darkened as he spoke.
Ren Yaoqi, however, thought to herself that it wasn't that she had no impression of him—she remembered him quite vividly. But how could she explain to Yun Wenfang that what lay between them wasn't the good fate he imagined, but a doomed one?
"Second Young Master Yun, that was just a dream. You shouldn't mistake it for some special feeling you have for me."
Yun Wenfang stubbornly shook his head, staring intently at Ren Yaoqi as he said, "No, perhaps at first I was just curious about you, but now I am certain of my feelings. Ren Yaoqi, can't you just agree to me? I, I will truly treat you well in the future."
Yun Wenfang mustered all his courage to confess, feeling his heart pounding like a drum. He stared closely at Ren Yaoqi's expression, as if her next words could determine his fate.
But in the end, Ren Yaoqi shook her head. Though she didn't say a word, the refusal in her eyes was unmistakable.Yun Wenfang felt his heart grow colder inch by inch, even experiencing a sense of disorientation, unsure of where he was.
"Sorry, Second Young Master Yun, I must take my leave." Ren Yaoqi curtsied and turned to leave.
"Wait—" Yun Wenfang swiftly stepped in front of Ren Yaoqi, blocking her path, but when he met her gaze, he found himself at a loss for words.
He had already said and pleaded all he could, and he no longer knew what else to do.
As they stood locked in this stalemate, a cool voice interjected, "Second Young Master Yun, is there something we have failed to provide for your comfort?"
Ren Yaoqi looked up to see her third brother, Ren Yijun, approaching with a furrowed brow, his eyes fixed on Yun Wenfang.
Yun Wenfang glanced at Ren Yijun, pursed his lips, and then turned his gaze back to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yijun strode over impatiently, pulling Ren Yaoqi aside and positioning himself in front of Yun Wenfang. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Since Second Young Master Yun is a guest, I will accompany you wherever you wish to go next. Fifth Sister, your third sister-in-law is looking for you. Go find her at Qingfeng Courtyard."
Ren Yaoqi acknowledged with a nod, but Yun Wenfang ignored Ren Yijun entirely, his eyes fixed on Ren Yaoqi as his voice suddenly turned cold. "If I were to tell your grandmother that the Yun Family is willing to extend aid to the Ren Family, do you think she would grant my wish and marry you to me?"
Yun Wenfang was well aware of Old Madam Ren's eagerness to curry favor with the Yun Family; otherwise, he would not have been able to meet Ren Yaoqi alone today. The reason he had not approached Old Madam Ren first about this matter was out of consideration for Ren Yaoqi.
But Ren Yaoqi did not value his feelings. She was always trying to escape from him, pushing him further and further away. Yun Wenfang felt the bitterness and sorrow in his heart. He knew full well that saying these words would only make Ren Yaoqi resent him even more, but he simply wanted her to stay, even if it meant she hated him—it was better than being ignored.
Yun Wenfang did not understand why he was so fixated on Ren Yaoqi. He just wanted her to look at him, even if only for a moment longer.
Before Ren Yaoqi could react to Yun Wenfang's words, Ren Yijun, standing in front of him, was already enraged. Without another word, Ren Yijun swung his fist and struck Yun Wenfang squarely in the face.
Logically, a frail scholar like Ren Yijun should not have been able to land a blow on Yun Wenfang, yet the punch connected with such force that Yun Wenfang staggered back a step.
"Grant your wish, my ass! Get out of here! The Ren Family has not fallen so low as to sell off our daughters. If it ever came to that, I'd rather burn the Ren Family to ashes than sell a daughter for glory. Then no one would get anything!" Ren Yijun pointed at Yun Wenfang and cursed vehemently.
After taking the punch, Yun Wenfang neither retaliated nor cursed back. He merely wiped the corner of his mouth, his expression blank, and stubbornly kept his eyes on Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi also looked at him with an impassive expression.
Ren Yijun gritted his teeth in anger and wanted to throw another punch, but this time Yun Wenfang raised his hand without even looking, blocking the blow effortlessly.
Ignoring Ren Yijun's insults, Yun Wenfang gave Ren Yaoqi one last steady look before turning and walking away. He kept his back straight and proud, yet his retreating figure resembled that of a stubborn child.
Only then did Ren Yijun turn to Ren Yaoqi with a grim expression. "What's wrong with that lunatic? Does he really think the Yun Family can dominate Yanbei single-handedly?"Ren Yaoqi did not want to discuss Yun Wenfang. Lowering her head to glance at Ren Yijun's hand, she noticed it was slightly scraped from the excessive force he used while hitting someone earlier. She quickly said, "Third Brother, you're injured. You should go back and tend to it first."
Ren Yijun waved his hand impatiently. "Tsk, it's just a scratch. No, I need to follow that madman to make sure he doesn’t go spouting nonsense in front of Old Madam Ren. You go back first and don’t come out again." With that, Ren Yijun hurried off in the direction Yun Wenfang had gone.
Ren Yaoqi watched Ren Yijun’s retreating figure, standing in place for a long while before finally sighing and returning to Purple Magnolia Courtyard.
She didn’t know whether Yun Wenfang would truly use helping the Ren Family out of their predicament as a bargaining chip for marriage. All she knew was that if Yun Wenfang really did this, Old Madam Ren would absolutely agree. However, while Yun Wenfang might convince Old Madam Ren, he might not necessarily persuade the elders of the Yun Family. Even if the Ren Family wanted to climb onto the Yun Family’s towering tree, it couldn’t be accomplished with just a verbal promise from Yun Wenfang. So even in the worst-case scenario, this matter wouldn’t be easily settled.
Not long after returning, Ren Yijun sent her a message: Yun Wenfang had not gone to Glory and Splendor Courtyard to see Old Madam Ren. He had left the bamboo grove and departed.
Clearly, Yun Wenfang also knew that convincing Old Madam Ren wouldn’t be enough—the most important thing was gaining the Yun Family’s approval. However, before coming to the Ren Family to find Ren Yaoqi, he had already made plans. He believed he could persuade the Yun Family to relent because he held leverage in his hands, but the timing wasn’t right yet. He still had to wait a little longer.
In all his years, Yun Wenfang had only ever taken a liking to Ren Yaoqi. And because of Ren Yaoqi alone, he had experienced unprecedented frustration and defeat. He felt that in this lifetime, he would never allow anyone else to sway his emotions like Ren Yaoqi did—making him unable to hit, scold, or obtain what he desired. And this one and only Ren Yaoqi, he would not easily let go.
As for the Ren Family, since Old Master Ren fell ill, the external situation had actually improved somewhat. Although the Ren Family had lost a considerable amount of money this time and their business had been greatly affected, the Ren Family was, after all, a large and established household. Like a centipede that dies but doesn’t stiffen immediately, they still had some resilience.
However, it seemed as though an invisible hand was secretly tightening around the Ren Family’s throat. It didn’t want the Ren Family to collapse cleanly but rather seemed to take pleasure in watching them struggle on the brink, wanting the Ren Family to gradually decline at a pace visible to the Ren Family members themselves.
In early June, Madam Li planned to take Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua back to Yunyang City. After all, Third Master Ren also needed someone to care for him, and Ren Yaohua’s wedding date was approaching. Madam Li intended to add a few more items to Ren Yaohua’s dowry.
However, Old Madam Ren refused to let Ren Yaohua leave, as Ren Yaohua was to be married from the Ren Family’s ancestral home.
After some thought, Ren Yaoqi suggested that Madam Li return first while she stayed behind to accompany Ren Yaohua.
By the time July arrived, the Ren Family had communicated with the Lei Family, and the Lei Family learned of the Ren Family’s intention to send Ren Yaohua’s younger half-sister as a concubine to the Lei Family.
A few days later, the matchmaker hired by the Lei Family visited the Ren Family to convey that the Lei Family refused to accept a concubine.The backlog from February has been cleared~*********************************************************************************************************************
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