Old Madam Ren was so frightened by Ren Shimin's display that she could hardly catch her breath. Even as Ren Shimin left, she opened her mouth but could not utter a single word. When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua also turned to leave, Old Madam Ren finally clutched her head and collapsed onto the bed, crying out, "You wretched creatures! Rebelling... all rebelling... Old Master! Open your eyes and see these unfilial descendants!"
First Madam Ren glanced at Old Madam Ren, then at Ren Yaoyin. After a moment's thought, she decided to follow Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua out first.
Ren Yaoyin silently watched the figures of Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaohua, and First Madam disappear from the main room. She took several deep breaths before turning to comfort Old Madam Ren, her voice gentle but her gaze icy cold.
When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua emerged from Old Madam Ren's room, they noticed that the courtyard was indeed empty. Even the maids and matrons who usually guarded the gate were nowhere to be seen. Just as they were feeling puzzled, they saw Third Young Madam Qi quietly peeking out from behind a pillar at the courtyard entrance, waving at them and winking. Ren Yaoqi immediately understood that Ren Shimin had been able to stand outside for so long without alerting those inside, listening clearly to their conversation, must have been related to Madam Qi.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to walk over, she heard First Madam catching up from behind: "Young Madams, please wait."
Madam Qi swiftly ducked back behind the pillar, hiding herself completely.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua paused and turned to face First Madam, who had hurried out after them.
"Young Madams, Old Madam... please bear with her and do not take it to heart. We are already immensely grateful that you were willing to return today, and we thank you for being willing to help the Ren Family despite past grievances," First Madam said sincerely.
Ren Yaohua curled her lips slightly: "You are too polite. It's just a pity that our father is stubborn and looks down on juniors who rush to become concubines, so I'm afraid we won't be able to help Ren Yaoyin much."
First Madam's expression stiffened slightly, but she still said, "Your uncle and I would never tolerate our own daughter becoming someone's concubine. Please pretend you never heard it and forget it."
Ren Yaoqi nodded to First Madam: "After negotiating with the Yu Family, I will send someone back to inform you."
First Madam escorted them out, repeatedly expressing her gratitude: "Thank you, Fifth Young Madam. This time, we truly owe it to you."
Compared to Old Madam Ren, First Madam was a pragmatic person. Back when Ren Yaoqi and the others were still in the Ren Family, although she had turned a blind eye to Concubine Fang's bullying of Madam Li, she had never openly clashed with Madam Li and her daughters. She had never shortchanged their allowances and always left room for compromise in all matters.
Ren Yaoqi, however, smiled meaningfully: "First Madam, don't thank me too soon. Whether I can help is still uncertain. I'm afraid if the negotiations fail, I might end up being blamed instead."
First Madam quickly replied: "Whether you can help or not, the Ren Family will still thank you, Young Madam. Please rest assured, my husband and I will remember this kindness. As for Old Madam... I will try to persuade her more. Please don't worry."
This time, First Madam even changed how she addressed Ren Yaoqi.Compared to Old Madam Ren, Ren Yaoqi still preferred dealing with someone as clever as First Madam. Although she didn’t have much fondness for First Madam either, at least First Madam knew when to adopt the right attitude and do what needed to be done.
“Speaking of which, Old Madam is getting on in years. In most families, someone her age would be enjoying a life of leisure by now, instead of worrying day in and day out about the marriages of her grandchildren. It’s such a strain on her… What do you think, First Madam?” Ren Yaoqi said with a smile.
At her words, First Madam’s eyes flickered. She remained silent for a moment before lowering her head and saying, “You’re right, Young Madam. It was my oversight as a daughter-in-law. Now that the old master is gone, Old Madam is grieving and in poor health. She should indeed rest and recuperate for a while.”
Ren Yaoqi glanced at First Madam, smiled, and said nothing more. She had already said what needed to be said.
First Madam personally escorted Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua to their carriage. Just as the carriage was about to depart, she couldn’t help but ask, “Young Madam, about Third Uncle…”
Ren Yaoqi lifted the curtain and said, “My father has already made everything clear. Is there something you still don’t understand, First Madam?”
First Madam looked at Ren Yaoqi and sighed inwardly, knowing there was no way to win back Ren Shimin and his family. Not wanting to make herself unwelcome, she immediately said, “I understand everything. To be honest, it was the Ren Family who was in the wrong. No wonder Third Uncle was so disheartened with the main family and unwilling to return. But as for the money, let’s forget it. I don’t think our master would be willing to accept Third Uncle’s silver.”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. “This is my father’s decision, and I cannot oppose it. Besides, we truly owe the Ren Family a debt of gratitude for raising us. Since my father insists on giving it, I hope you’ll persuade Eldest Master to accept it. Otherwise, he’ll feel even more unsettled.”
Hearing this, First Madam sighed and said nothing more. She watched Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua’s carriage depart before turning to go back.
She had originally intended to return to Old Madam Ren’s courtyard, but on the way, she ran into Third Young Madam, Madam Qi. First Madam stopped in her tracks and stood quietly, watching Madam Qi approach with an unreadable expression. Madam Qi lowered her head and curtsied respectfully.
After curtsying, Madam Qi waited for a long time without hearing First Madam speak. Unable to help herself, she stole a glance upward, only to meet First Madam’s scrutinizing and assessing gaze. Her heart skipped a beat.
“Mother? Is there something on my face?” Madam Qi forced a smile and touched her cheek.
First Madam continued to stare at her without saying a word.
Madam Qi thought to herself that she probably wouldn’t be lucky enough to escape First Madam’s criticism this time. She was considering whether to steel herself and admit her mistake proactively when First Madam let out a sigh.
“Do you really think your little tricks can fool everyone? Tell me, how did Old Madam fall so badly that day? And how did your Third Uncle and Third Aunt enter the courtyard today without alerting Old Madam?”
Madam Qi gave an awkward smile, lowered her head, and began fiddling with the hem of her clothes, preparing to face her mother-in-law’s anger with a proper attitude.First Madam looked at Madam Qi with a somewhat complex gaze, shaking her head after a long pause and speaking wearily, "Enough. After all this time, I’ve finally come to understand. Those who appear clever may not truly be wise, while those who seem foolish might actually be the smart ones. Everyone has their own fortune and destiny. You... take care of yourself."
Madam Qi blinked, her expression utterly bewildered.
First Madam shot her a sidelong glance, tossed out the words, "If you don’t want to understand, then don’t. Consider yourself blessed in your foolishness!" and walked away without another word.
Madam Qi watched First Madam’s retreating figure disappear through the side gate, blinked, and revealed a somewhat sly smile. Then, humming a tuneless song, she skipped away. After only five or six steps, she remembered that Old Master Ren’s body was not yet cold in the grave. She quickly coughed, wiped the smile from her face, and replaced it with a sorrowful expression—though her steps still seemed suspiciously light.
After Old Master Ren’s funeral, Third Master Ren and Madam Li returned to Yunyang City.
Ren Shimin’s intention to repay the Ren Family’s money was no joke. At times, he could be quite a stickler for his word. Upon returning, he began calculating the funds he had on hand. Over the years, Master Ren had never worried about money, but he also didn’t have large sums of idle cash lying around. After having the accountant tally all the available silver, it amounted to less than twenty thousand taels—far from enough to repay what he owed the Ren Family.
But for Ren Shimin, once words were spoken, there was no taking them back. In the end, he reluctantly turned his gaze to his collection of famous paintings and calligraphy. Master Ren had an excellent eye; whatever price he paid, he always acquired genuine treasures.
However, these were Master Ren’s most prized possessions. Parting with them would pain him more than parting with his own life. For days, he stayed in his study, taking out his treasures one by one, looking at this one and that, as if bidding them a final farewell—more heartbroken than when his own father, Old Master Ren, had passed away.
Then one day, as Master Ren sat at the dining table, eating without tasting his food, Madam Li had Nanny Zhou bring out a small camphorwood box and hand it to Ren Shimin.
When Ren Shimin opened it, he was stunned. Inside was a box full of silver notes—some with large denominations of thirty to fifty thousand, others with smaller ones of three to five thousand. All together, they amounted to at least one or two hundred thousand taels.
Even Master Ren, who had never lacked money, was taken aback. He stared blankly and asked Madam Li, "Where did all this come from?"
Madam Li smiled gently and said softly, "Some of this silver is what you’ve given me over the years, which I’ve saved up. When I took it out, I was surprised to see how much it added up to. Another several tens of thousands came from my brother when he visited recently. He said he was repaying an old debt. I know you’ve never liked him, so I kept it from you. But now that the family needs money, I’ve brought it all out."
Ren Shimin couldn’t help but be astonished. "You’ve saved all the money I gave you over the years? I thought..."Ren Shimin paused, then swallowed his words. He wanted to say that he had thought all these years Madam Li had been using the money he gave her to subsidize the Xianwang Residence. He himself never cared much about money, so he had always turned a blind eye, treating it as if he were buying rouge, powder, and jewelry for his wife and daughter. Who would have thought Madam Li hadn’t actually given the silver away?
After a moment’s thought, Ren Shimin sensed something amiss and frowned, saying, “Wait, when did Li Tianyou owe me silver?”
Madam Li cleared her throat lightly. “Has the master forgotten how he tricked you out of your paintings to sell for silver back then? Last time he came, he wanted to apologize to you, but he was afraid you’d still think him vulgar and wouldn’t be willing to pay him any mind.”
Ren Shimin glanced at the box of banknotes and muttered, “He hasn’t exactly become more refined now either.”
Posted late, lying down and awaiting your scolding... 〒_〒.
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