Master Ren the Elder still felt a trace of guilt in his heart and instinctively took a few steps forward, wanting to call out to Ren Shimin.
However, Nanny Zhou’s voice soon drowned out Master Ren the Elder’s hesitant call of "Third Brother": "Master Ren the Elder, after you return, please plead for our master. Although we are now implicated by the Xianwang Residence and our future is uncertain, our master still bears the Ren surname."
Ren Shizhong’s attention was drawn by Nanny Zhou’s words, and he frowned with a sigh. "So it really is because of the Xianwang Residence."
"Our Third Master has been implicated. The affairs of the Xianwang Residence have nothing to do with our master and madam. Master Ren the Elder, could you think of a way to save our master and madam? I heard that not long ago, that Eunuch Lu sent by the court also came, intending to arrest our master, madam, and young lady and take them to the capital to be dealt with by the court. Fortunately, Eunuch Lu later had urgent matters and did not enter. But avoiding it now doesn’t mean avoiding it forever. Who knows if the court will send others to arrest them later? Master Ren the Elder, what should we do?"
Ren Shizhong was startled upon hearing this. "The court wants to arrest Third Brother and his wife to the capital for punishment?"
Nanny Zhou wiped her tears behind the door.
The old master of the third branch was also frightened and quickly said, "This... commoners should not fight with officials. Nephew, should we go back first? If the clan wants to expel Third Nephew... to expel Ren Shimin from the clan, there’s no need to seek his consent." If they encountered those coming to arrest people and were found to be related to the residents of this house, they might be detained as well.
The other members of the Ren Family were also afraid and quickly agreed.
"Master Ren the Elder..." Nanny Zhou continued to plead.
Ren Shizhong glanced at the Yanbei Prince's Mansion guards standing straight nearby. "What did the Prince's Mansion people say?"
Nanny Zhou shook her head. "They said we are not allowed to leave and must await further orders."
Ren Shizhong sighed. "I’ll go back and discuss this with the elders." With that, Ren Shizhong led the clan members away.
After they left, Nanny Zhou sneered coldly and turned back inside.
Ren Shizhong still held some brotherly affection in his heart. After returning to White Crane Town and explaining the situation in Yunyang City to Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren, he suggested, "Father, since this matter arose because of the Xianwang Residence, what if we have Third Brother divorce his wife..." The Ren Family had not proposed divorce earlier because they were uncertain why Ren Shimin’s family was surrounded by soldiers. Being implicated by the Xianwang Residence was only one possibility.
Old Master Ren’s health had declined significantly since he last regained consciousness. He spent his days lying in bed, his mind still clear but his speech somewhat slurred, and he was often drowsy.
"Wouldn’t it be too late to divorce her now?" Old Madam Ren spoke up.
Ren Shizhong said, "If Third Brother agrees to divorce, then we will have no connection to the Xianwang Residence. Whatever happens to the Xianwang Residence naturally won’t implicate us."
Old Master Ren closed his eyes and did not respond.
Old Madam Ren, however, was furious. "I always knew Madam Li was a jinx! Not only could she not bear a son, but now she’s dragging the whole family down! She should have been divorced and driven out of the Ren Family long ago!"
At that moment, someone at the door said coldly, "Who does the Ren Family want to divorce?"
Old Madam Ren was startled and looked up to see Ren Yaohua standing in the room."Hua'er? Why have you returned? Why was there no announcement?" Old Madam Ren was taken aback.
Ren Yaohua walked to the center of the room, her gaze slowly sweeping over Old Madam Ren, Old Master Ren, and Master Ren the Elder. "Just now, who were you saying the Ren Family intends to divorce?"
Old Madam Ren, displeased that she had entered without a sound, shown no respect to her elders, and spoken so insolently, said, "How dare you interrupt when your elders are speaking! Leave at once!"
Ren Yaohua sneered, "What has my mother done wrong to be divorced?"
Old Madam Ren was furious at her attitude. "What has she done wrong? She has failed to bear a son, violating one of the seven grounds for divorce! The Ren Family has supported this useless woman all these years—we have already shown the utmost benevolence!"
Ren Yaohua looked at Old Madam Ren, her eyes flashing with anger, disappointment, and sorrow. "Then what has my father done wrong to be expelled from the clan?"
Earlier that day, Ren Yaohua had been startled to hear that her natal home was surrounded by soldiers. She was about to return to check on them when Lei Ting stopped her. He explained the situation regarding the Xianwang Residence and assured her not to worry—the house arrest of Third Master Ren and the others was only temporary and would soon be resolved.
Knowing Lei Ting would not deceive her, Ren Yaohua felt somewhat reassured. Still, the ones surrounded by soldiers were her parents and younger sister, so she remained concerned. In the end, Lei Ting agreed to accompany her back to her natal home. As they neared the entrance, they happened to see Master Ren the Elder and the others leaving. Ren Yaohua inquired with the Ren Family's gatekeeper and learned that her father had just been expelled from the clan over a series of fabricated charges. Enraged, she immediately rushed back to confront the Ren Family. Upon reaching the main hall, she overheard them discussing divorcing her mother.
Old Madam Ren, flushed with anger and shame, suddenly remembered: How had Ren Yaohua returned alone? She clearly had Mai Dong's wife and several maidservants accompanying her. Why hadn't Mai Dong's wife sent word ahead?
"Where is Mai Dong's wife? I have matters to discuss with her. Have her come see me later!" Old Madam Ren had only received verbal messages from Mai Dong's wife recently, saying Ren Yaohua was doing well in the Lei Family and that the maidservants would be of use soon. With so much happening in the Ren Family, Old Madam Ren had not summoned Mai Dong's wife back for a proper inquiry.
Ren Yaohua, already furious, curled her lip at the question. "Mai Dong's wife? I've never met her."
Only then did Old Madam Ren sense something amiss. "Never met her? How is that possible? Isn't she your accompanying matron? And what about the maidservants Chunfang and Qiuyue?"
"I don't know! My accompanying matron is Nanny Gao, and my maidservants are only Wujing, Xiangqin, Shui Ai, and Handong. I have no idea who those people you mentioned are!" Ren Yaohua was no longer afraid of breaking with Old Madam Ren, and speaking these words gave her a sense of satisfaction.
Old Madam Ren finally realized she had been deceived and was both shocked and enraged. Pointing at Ren Yaohua, she stammered, "How dare you... How dare all of you..." She glanced around, picked up an empty medicine bowl nearby, and was about to hurl it at Ren Yaohua.Ren Yaohua was about to dodge when she was pulled into a warm, broad embrace. The medicine bowl shattered at her feet, yet not a single drop splashed onto her. Behind her, Lei Ting’s steady and cool voice rang out: "My wife has acted improperly. I beg Old Madam Ren to calm your anger."
Old Madam Ren was taken aback. Why was Lei Ting here as well? What did he mean by his words? "My wife"? "Old Madam Ren"?
Old Master Ren, lying on the bed, suddenly began coughing violently, drawing everyone’s attention and breaking the somewhat awkward atmosphere.
Old Madam Ren, feeling somewhat embarrassed, quickly went to attend to Old Master Ren.
Seeing that Old Master Ren was fine, Master Ren the Elder stood up and greeted Lei Ting: "Third son-in-law has returned as well? Someone, go tell Madam to check the kitchen immediately and add a few more dishes."
Lei Ting nodded politely to Master Ren the Elder, addressing him as "Master Ren the Elder," then lowered his head to look at Ren Yaohua.
Watching her grandparents putting on such a display, Ren Yaohua said coldly, "There’s no need for the trouble. Haven’t we already been driven out of the Ren Family? We can’t afford to eat the Ren Family’s food."
Ren Shizhong glanced at Lei Ting, looking somewhat awkward. "Child, what kind of talk is this? Your grandfather and grandmother have always doted on you. How could they bear to drive you out?"
Ren Yaohua remained unmoved. "My father has been expelled from the clan, so naturally, I no longer count as a member of the Ren Family. Let’s go." The last sentence was directed at Lei Ting.
Lei Ting said nothing, merely nodding politely to the few people in the room once more before taking Ren Yaohua’s hand and leading her out.
Old Master Ren, lying on the bed, was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged. It took Old Madam Ren a long time to react, and she fumed, "They’ve rebelled! They’ve all rebelled!"
Master Ren the Elder shook his head with a bitter smile. Now even the Lei Family had been offended.
"Father, Mother, what should we do now?" Master Ren the Elder asked helplessly.
Old Master Ren lay on the bed, panting heavily, the sound like a bellows. After a long while, he squeezed out two words: "Divorce! Her!"
Old Master Ren’s mind was still clear. If Third Master Ren were driven out, the marriage alliance with the Lei Family could not be acknowledged. Ren Yaoying’s marriage prospects would also become troublesome.
Though Old Madam Ren was still seething with anger, she could only say, "Tomorrow, go to Yunyang City again and tell your third brother to divorce Madam Li. After some time, when the rumors have died down, let him return."
Master Ren the Elder agreed.
After leaving the main room, Ren Yaohua lowered her head and walked quickly outward, as if she didn’t want to stay in the Ren Family for another moment. Initially, Lei Ting had been holding her hand, but in the end, she was the one pulling him along. It wasn’t until they reached the carriage that Ren Yaohua realized she had been dragging Lei Ting along the entire way. She couldn’t help but feel deeply embarrassed, and the sadness and anger in her heart faded slightly.
Lei Ting accompanied her into the carriage and held her in his arms.
Ren Yaohua whispered, "You’ve seen me make a fool of myself again."
"Nonsense!"
"This place is no longer my maternal home from now on," Ren Yaohua bit her lip and said.
"Hmm," Lei Ting gently patted her back.
"Aren’t you going to express your opinion?" Ren Yaohua felt Lei Ting’s reaction was too calm. Wasn’t her father’s branch being expelled from the clan a major event? Thus, Ren Yaohua was once again dissatisfied with her husband’s attitude.Lei Ting raised an eyebrow, then said softly, "You are the mistress of the Lei Family, the wife of the Lei clan's head—that is what matters most."
With just this one sentence, Ren Yaohua felt reassured.
"Are my father and the others truly alright?" Ren Yaohua asked again.
She had asked this question no less than ten times today, yet Lei Ting still answered patiently, "They are truly fine. I have already gone to see Second Young Master Xiao."
Ren Yaohua was completely at ease.
OpenNovel