Ren Yaoqi sighed, patiently guiding the conversation: "Other matters might not matter, but if this matter is true, why would the Han Family take the risk to sell their shady treasures at this time? Could there be some unavoidable reason for their hurried departure from Jizhou to our White Crane Town?"
Ren Yaohua thought for a moment and suddenly understood, exclaiming in surprise: "Because the Han Family urgently needs money? But isn’t the Han Family very wealthy? They’re even about to partner with our Ren Family to open a salt field. I’ve heard that just to navigate the connections from top to bottom for opening a salt field requires a considerable amount of silver... Could it be... they want to get something for nothing?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head, not jumping to conclusions: "I don’t know about that. After all, the Han Family usually keeps a low profile."
Madam Li, listening to the sisters’ conversation, couldn’t help but say: "I hope this matter passes quickly. If it drags on for too long, I’m afraid..."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi knew that Madam Li still held onto illusions about the marriage alliance with the Han Family. She said seriously: "Mother, I actually hope this matter drags on as long as possible. It’s a good opportunity to see the true character of the Han Family. If they really are the kind of people the Han clan members say they are, do you think this marriage alliance should still go ahead? Such profit-driven, despicable people should be kept at arm’s length!"
Her words were somewhat harsh, and both Madam Li and Ren Yaohua looked at her in surprise.
Madam Li quickly explained: "I just think if this is a misunderstanding, it would be a pity to let it ruin things..."
"True gold fears no fire. If they are truly innocent, their day of vindication will come," Ren Yaoqi comforted softly.
But inwardly, she couldn’t help but sneer. Other matters might be clarified, but when it comes to money, even if you explain it clearly, it depends on whether people are willing to believe you.
When interests are at stake, people only believe what benefits them—that’s human nature.
Just wait and see! She didn’t believe that with the shrewd nature of the Ren Family’s patriarch, this marriage alliance could proceed smoothly.
Meanwhile, the Ren Family had already sent people to discreetly monitor the Han Family’s movements.
At this time, although the Han Family was no longer in chaos as before, with Old Master Han and Han Yunqian having returned, and everyone summoned by Old Master Han to sit in the flower hall, the atmosphere remained tense.
Before Old Master Han returned, the young men from the Han clan had been stirred up and were about to storm into the inner courtyard to search the Han Family’s premises. When Old Master Han entered, he saw each of them holding clubs, arguing and confronting the Han Family’s servants.
Some still held their clubs, unsure where to place them, eventually setting them down by their feet.
Old Master Han’s gaze swept over everyone’s faces, finally settling on a man around forty years old, sitting with his legs crossed in the pearwood armchair at the front left.
He laughed heartily, his smile still warm and affable: "Why didn’t you all let me know before coming to my home as guests? I could have stayed to host you. I happened to be out on business today and was quite startled when I returned."
The man in his forties curled his lips, unimpressed: "Han Dongshan, cut the nonsense. We’re not here as guests today—we’re here to settle accounts."Han Dongshan remained as steady as a mountain. "Oh? Brother Zuwang, what accounts do you have to settle with me?"
Han Zuwang abruptly stood up, pointing at Han Dongshan. "Are you still trying to deny it now? Hurry up and hand over the ancestral property of our Han Family!"
He sized up Han Dongshan from head to toe, his disdain unmistakable. "It's one thing for a grown man like you to make his fortune relying on his wife, but now you're even clinging to the clan property of your wife's family. Where do you even put your face? I'm embarrassed for you! We used to respect you a bit, but now it seems all your abilities were just built on the foundation of our Han Family ancestors' wealth. With enough capital to back you up, who couldn't make money? These days, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. You've swindled everyone in our entire Han Family Village, and after tossing us a few leftover bones, we're supposed to be grateful to you!"
His words stirred discontent among those who had come with him.
As they had entered earlier, although the Han Family’s outward appearance didn’t show it, some among them had seen fine things before. Just the two rows of sixteen identical pearwood armchairs arranged in the flower hall were beyond the means of ordinary families, let alone the various decorative items, large and small, placed throughout the hall.
The thought that all of these were the Han Family’s clan property—to which each of them originally had a rightful share—made their hearts ache with envy.
If anyone else had heard such words, they would likely have flushed with anger, but Han Dongshan’s expression remained unchanged. He asked calmly, "I truly don’t know of any clan property belonging to the Han Family. After my father-in-law passed away, I gave the original farmland of the Han Family to the clan as sacrificial fields. Even the ancestral house, I paid the clan enough silver to buy it outright. This is something everyone witnessed, and the deed is held by the clan leader. I really don’t know where Brother Zuwang heard such talk."
Han Zuwang couldn’t help but spit in contempt. "Isn’t the current clan leader of the Han Family just a dog at your heels? If you tell him to go west, do you think he’d dare go east? And that bit of farmland is nothing more than a drop in the bucket compared to the Han Family’s clan property. You only brought it out to shut us up—how could it compare to the priceless treasures left behind by our ancestors? As for where we heard it..."
Han Wangzu curled his lip and sneered. "Last time, when you sold our great-great-aunt’s pair of blood jade bracelets—said to be ancient treasures—you accidentally let the news slip, and another treasure lover came knocking. They said they were willing to pay triple the price for the mermaid pearl necklace in your possession. Do you know how much triple the price is? That’s three thousand taels of gold!"
Han Zuwang’s eyes were red—with urgency.
Even Han Dongshan, with all his composure, couldn’t help but scoff at this. "Absurd!"
He frowned as he scanned the crowd. "You actually believe such baseless rumors? What blood jade bracelets, what mermaid pearl necklace—such things don’t exist in this world!"
Yet everyone simply stared at him without speaking. Their gazes held indifference, jealousy, malice... everything but trust.Han Dongshan couldn't help but shake his head and curl his lips, revealing a hint of mockery. Soon, he composed his expression and said seriously, "I have never seen the things you mentioned. Since you claim someone bought a blood jade bracelet from me, bring that person here to confront me!"
Han Zuwang sneered, "That man later realized I was tricking him—I didn’t have the item he wanted. Afraid of ruining his master’s plans, he fled overnight. Where am I supposed to find him for you? Could it be that someone deliberately deceived us? What benefit would anyone gain from tricking us? On the other hand, you moved to Yan Prefecture for no reason, surely to sell off your treasures conveniently without us noticing. Unfortunately, plans don’t always work out—someone came seeking you but went to the wrong place! That day, I happened to be near your ancestral home, and the man mistook me for you! Otherwise, we’d still be in the dark!"
Han Dongshan frowned slightly and lowered his head in thought.
Han Yunqian glanced at the others and said, "Grandfather, the uncles and elders have traveled all morning and must be tired. It’s already noon, and this matter won’t be resolved quickly. Why not have the servants prepare a meal first? We can discuss it further after lunch."
With a slight smile, he added jokingly, "After all, we can’t run away—the temple may flee, but the monk cannot."
Han Dongshan nodded, "Then let’s have dinner and talk later."
The members of the Han Family were also hungry and had no objections. Han Yunqian was right—they were already here, and Han Dongshan couldn’t escape.
Han Yunqian instructed the steward to lead everyone to the dining hall reserved for guests.
Once everyone had left and only the grandfather and grandson remained in the parlor, Han Dongshan’s expression turned grim.
"In your opinion, who is behind this?"
Han Yunqian thought for a moment, "The one with the most reason to do this is likely Han Zuwang. He has always seen you as a rival. By stirring up the clan, he stands to gain the most."
Han Dongshan nodded with a cold laugh, "If it really is him, I’ve underestimated him. He’s more capable than his father!"
As if recalling something, he paused, his sarcasm deepening, "The Han Family’s ancestral property? Hah, these fools actually believe the Han Family left behind any property! If I hadn’t been supporting these useless people all these years, they wouldn’t even have a full meal! Now, after fattening them up, they turn around and bite me."
Han Yunqian lowered his head in silence.
Han Dongshan glanced at him and said calmly, "See, Qian’er. This is human nature, as I’ve always told you. For money, people in this world will feed their conscience to the dogs! Being good is only for show—never take it seriously yourself, or one day you’ll regret it bitterly."
"Yes, Grandfather," Han Yunqian replied softly, not refuting.
Han Dongshan raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you thinking?"
Han Yunqian shook his head and smiled, "Nothing. I just feel there are some inconsistencies in this matter that don’t quite add up."
"Then send someone to investigate! Find out who the person Han Zuwang mentioned is—dig three feet into the ground if you have to! Once we find him, this trouble will be resolved!" Han Dongshan said sternly.
"Yes, Grandfather," Han Yunqian replied again."First go and placate those people. Though none of them can accomplish anything, a rabble gathered together is still enough to cause a headache."
"I'll go to the inner courtyard first to check on Grandmother and Mother. They must have been startled just now," Han Yunqian said quietly.
Han Dongshan nodded, letting Han Yunqian go.
Meanwhile, at the Ren Family, Old Master Ren and Master Ren the Elder had just finished listening to the news they had inquired about. The father and son were discussing matters in the study. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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