First Madam's expression turned extremely unpleasant upon hearing this, and she trembled with rage in her heart.
When she had sent Ren Yaoyin to Jiangnan, aside from protecting her reputation, she had also intended to sever her longing for the Yun family's eldest young master. Unexpectedly, during Ren Yaoyin's time in Jiangnan, her elder sister Ren Yaochi had arranged several decent marriages for her, all of which Ren Yaoyin rejected for various reasons. After returning to Yanbei, First Madam had also put considerable thought into Ren Yaoyin's marriage prospects, but it coincided with the Ren family's misfortunes, leaving her in an awkward position—too high to reach, yet too low to accept.
First Madam had originally believed it was her daughter's ill fate, but she never imagined that Ren Yaoyin still hadn't forgotten the Yun family's eldest young master to this day, stubbornly determined to enter the Yun family. Worse yet, she had somehow managed to persuade Old Madam Ren behind her back without her knowledge.
"No! I've already arranged a match for you. Once your grandfather's mourning period is over, you will marry!" First Madam said with a firm tone, marking the first time she had openly opposed Old Madam Ren in front of others.
Old Madam Ren was taken aback, then displeased. "Which family? That impoverished Yang family you mentioned before? The one where even the eldest legitimate grandson has little inheritance left? How can Yin'er marry into such a family?"
First Madam tried to reason with Old Madam Ren. "Old Madam, although the Yang family has little ancestral property left in this generation, the Yang family's eldest young master is a rare and capable man. Yiyan says his character is also quite good. Moreover, the Yang family's eldest young master's maternal uncle's family in Wuzhou is a prominent household. In a few years, he is sure to make something of himself."
But Old Madam Ren was never one for reasoning. She looked at First Madam and snorted coldly. "Wait a few years? How many years can the Ren family afford to wait? Don't worry about Yin'er's marriage; I will decide! You'd be better off spending your free time properly disciplining your daughters-in-law and setting more rules for them!"
First Madam wanted to say something but, after glancing at Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua, she restrained herself for the time being, lowering her head and remaining silent.
Old Madam Ren, however, thought First Madam had conceded. She glanced at Ren Yaoyin and said meaningfully, "Besides, sending Yin'er to the Yun family may not be just our wishful thinking."
First Madam looked up, frowning. "What does Old Madam mean by that?"
Old Madam Ren narrowed her eyes slightly and said to Ren Yaoyin, "Yin'er, tell your grandmother and your mother honestly—have you been secretly in contact with the Yun family's eldest young master?"
Ren Yaoqi was slightly surprised upon hearing this and looked at Ren Yaoyin.
Ren Yaoyin's face first showed panic, then she blushed and lowered her head. "Why would Grandmother say such a thing? Your granddaughter... your granddaughter has not..."
Although Ren Yaoyin did not admit it, her expression suggested otherwise.
Thus, Old Madam Ren was satisfied. Looking at Ren Yaoyin, she said, "Don't hide it from me. I know you have several letters written to you by the Yun family's eldest young master."
It turned out that a few days earlier, a maid serving Old Madam Ren had gone to Ren Yaoyin's maid to fetch embroidery patterns and happened to see Ren Yaoyin flustered and hiding something. After returning, she reported this to Old Madam Ren. The more Old Madam Ren thought about it, the more suspicious she became. The next day, she summoned Ren Yaoyin away and sent the maid back to Ren Yaoyin's room to find out what she had been hiding. As a result, they discovered letters written to Ren Yaoyin by the Yun family's eldest young master, some of which had even been received during Ren Yaoyin's time in Jiangnan.Old Madam Ren was not angry but rather pleased upon learning of this.
Now that Old Madam Ren had brought the matter into the open, Ren Yaoyin lowered her head and remained silent, her face flushed crimson—this was her tacit admission.
First Madam was so shocked she could not speak, pointing at Ren Yaoyin and stammering, "You... you... since when..."
Ren Yaoyin looked at First Madam with guilt-filled eyes: "Mother, I... I didn’t mean to hide it from you, I..." She bit her lip and mustered her courage, "Yun Lang and I... we are in love."
First Madam stared at Ren Yaoyin, her face filled with anger and disappointment, unable to utter another word. She had once held high hopes for Ren Yaoyin—this daughter was clever, sensible, and exceptionally beautiful—yet Ren Yaoyin had repeatedly left her heartbroken.
Old Madam Ren, however, was extremely satisfied. In her mind, it was better for Ren Yaoyin to become a concubine in the Yun Family than to become the mistress of that worthless Yang Family. The Yun Family could bring benefits to the Ren Family, while the Yang Family was unreliable.
Ren Yaoqi watched this grand drama unfold with cold detachment, inwardly disgusted by Ren Yaoyin’s affectations and Old Madam Ren’s mercenary nature.
Others might not know, but Ren Yaoqi was well aware of who the Yun family’s eldest young master truly favored. Although she had only interacted with Yun Wenting a few times and held no favorable impression of the Yun Family, she did not believe that someone once considered a potential candidate for Xiao Jinglin’s consort would have any secret, improper relationship with Ren Yaoyin.
It was highly likely that this entire affair had been orchestrated by Ren Yaoyin herself, with the aim of securing Old Madam Ren’s support.
Old Madam Ren was not like First Madam. Although First Madam was no saint, she genuinely cared for her children and wanted the best for them. Old Madam Ren, however, saw only profit. In these turbulent times for the Ren Family, forging a connection with the Yun Family would greatly improve their future prospects—especially since the noblewoman from the capital whom Yun Wenting was betrothed to was clearly meant to be a mere figurehead. It was uncertain whether the Yun Family would even allow her to bear children.
Old Madam Ren believed that even if Ren Yaoyin married into the Yun Family as a concubine, as long as she bore children and the Yun family’s eldest young master remained fond of her, her status in the Yun Family would eventually rival that of the principal wife.
Now that Ren Shimin refused to return to the Ren Family, and Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi, despite their elevated status, were not aligned with her, Old Madam Ren naturally had to hold tightly to Ren Yaoyin, this "obedient and compliant" granddaughter.
It must be said that Ren Yaoyin was quite cunning—she had perfectly grasped Old Madam Ren’s intentions. Grandmother and granddaughter schemed against and used each other, but in the end, Ren Yaoyin came out on top.
Old Madam Ren then turned to Ren Yaoqi: "Well? Are you willing to help with this?"
Before Ren Yaoqi could respond, a man’s voice interrupted coldly: "No!"
Everyone turned to see Ren Shimin and Madam Li lifting the curtain and entering. Ren Shimin’s face was icy and expressionless, while Madam Li stood a step behind him, maintaining her usual submissive demeanor.
Ren Shimin’s gaze swept over everyone’s faces before settling on Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua. He said calmly, "What are you still doing here? The carriages from the Xiao Family and Lei Family are already waiting outside. Return to your own homes. Matters of your maternal family and the Ren Family are not for you to interfere with."Ren Yaoqi glanced at Madam Li, who gave her a slight shake of the head. Ren Yaoqi immediately understood somewhat.
Ren Shimin and Madam Li must have been standing outside for quite some time, though it was unclear why no one had come in to announce them.
Ren Yaoqi knew she could not contradict her father’s words at this moment, so she pulled Ren Yaohua back, though they did not hurry to leave.
Ren Shimin glanced at them but paid no further attention. He walked directly to Old Madam Ren’s bedside and bowed expressionlessly. “How are you feeling today?”
Old Madam Ren had been startled by his anger when he entered, but now that she had recovered, she snorted coldly. “I wasn’t dead yet, but after being disobeyed by an unfilial son, who knows?”
Ren Shimin ignored her remark and simply looked at Old Madam Ren. “I will repay the debt of gratitude for the Ren Family’s upbringing. They are married daughters now and have nothing to do with the Ren Family anymore.”
Then Ren Shimin glanced at Ren Yaoyin, his already stern expression turning even more unpleasant. The disdain and contempt in his tone were unmistakable. “As for rushing to become someone’s concubine—if you’re willing to do such a thing, go ahead. But don’t drag Yaoqi into it and make her lose face along with you. I’ll make this clear today: if she dares to help you with this, I’ll give her a good beating and drive her out of the house, disowning her as my daughter! Ren Yaoqi, did you hear me?”
The last sentence was directed at Ren Yaoqi as he turned his head. This was the first time he had spoken to her in such a severe tone, leaving Ren Yaoqi momentarily stunned.
“Yes, Father, I understand,” Ren Yaoqi replied, lowering her head.
Not only Ren Yaoqi, but the others present had also rarely seen Ren Shimin so furious. Generally, Master Ren was quite particular about his demeanor and composure, often overlooking minor matters that did not concern him. However, when such a person lost his temper, it was difficult for anyone not to feel afraid.
Even Old Madam Ren was momentarily intimidated by Ren Shimin.
Ren Shimin turned back to Old Madam Ren and said, “I will repay every cent owed to the Ren Family within a year, principal and interest included. You need not worry.”
With that, Ren Shimin lifted the hem of his robe and knelt before Old Madam Ren’s bed. Madam Li was taken aback but quickly knelt as well. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua exchanged a glance and also knelt.
Ren Shimin silently kowtowed to Old Madam Ren, the sound of his forehead striking the floor echoing through the room. Madam Li watched as his forehead immediately turned bruised, her heart aching, but she could only follow suit with reddened eyes.
After kowtowing nine times resolutely, Ren Shimin helped Madam Li to her feet and addressed the stunned Old Madam Ren. “Once the funeral for the old master is over, I will return to Yunyang City. Except for the day of your passing, I, Ren Shimin, will never set foot in the Ren Family’s gate again in this lifetime. From today onward, none of my descendants will ever step into the Ren Family’s gate.”
Having said this, Ren Shimin turned to leave. Pausing beside Ren Yaoqi, he said calmly, “You mentioned helping the Ren Family secure a three-year extension from the Yu Family. Since you’ve already said it, go ahead and help. Repaying more will also silence others, so no one can pressure you into doing meaningless things.”After saying this, Ren Shimin turned and left without looking back, his face dark with anger. Madam Li also followed behind Ren Shimin and left. From beginning to end, she had not expressed any opinion.
Ren Yaoqi curved the corners of her mouth, suddenly feeling quite cheerful. Even facing Old Madam Ren’s dark and livid expression did not affect her mood. She took Ren Yaohua’s hand and bowed to Old Madam Ren: “In that case, my sister and I will take our leave now. Please take care of your health, Old Madam.”
If there is no update in the evening, it will be posted in the morning. Sometimes I may not have time to give notice in advance, please forgive me... o(∩_∩)o
The author has asked the moderator to create a plot discussion thread in the pinned post in the book review section to gather everyone’s thoughts on the upcoming plotlines or characters they are most interested in. Since the concluding parts of the story may vary in detail, and not every character can be covered in the epilogue, the author will try to elaborate on the parts everyone enjoys. I hope you can participate ^^～
However, please note that the plot and the endings of all characters cannot be changed. This is still up to the author, and no amount of begging or pleading will work... o(∩_∩)o
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