Among the sisters of the Ren Family, Ren Yaoting was considered rather proud. If she hadn't been so eager to find out how Ren Yaohua and Han Yunqian's marriage arrangement was progressing, she wouldn't have rushed to seek out Ren Yaohua like this.
"Fifth Sister, look at how unreasonable Third Sister is! I haven't even said anything, and she's already giving me such a hard time!" In the end, Ren Yaoting restrained herself from storming off in anger and instead began complaining to Ren Yaoqi.
"No wonder you used to dislike her so much, and even Eighth Sister doesn't like her either."
Ren Yaoqi smiled, waiting for Ren Yaoting to finish her preamble before getting to the point.
"I was only asking out of concern for her. Yesterday, I heard that something happened in the Han Family, and the marriage alliance between our Ren Family and the Han Family might not go through." Ren Yaoting looked at Ren Yaoqi and asked tentatively, "Has Fifth Sister heard anything about it?"
Ren Yaoqi frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Who did you hear that from?"
"What? Isn't it true?"
Ren Yaoqi hesitated for a moment before whispering, "I only heard that Grandfather plans to wait until the Han Family's affairs settle down before discussing it further. I never heard that the marriage alliance is off. Both the Han Family and the Ren Family are prominent families, and a marriage alliance involves many aspects—it's no trivial matter. How could it be called off so easily?"
"Didn't my second brother break off his engagement with the Liu Family's young lady? Besides, Third Sister and Young Master Han haven't formally discussed marriage yet," Ren Yaoting argued.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head with a smile. "What kind of comparison is that? Why did the Ren Family break off the engagement with the Liu Family?"
The Ren Family broke off the engagement with the Liu Family because the Liu Family had lost its usefulness, and the marriage alliance no longer benefited the Ren Family. Although Ren Yaoting wasn't as perceptive as Ren Yaoqi, she had heard her mother's concubine, Aunt Yuan, crying to her mother about it before, so she understood the situation.
As for the marriage alliance between the Ren Family and the Han Family, it was said to be because the two families planned to jointly operate a salt field. If the Ren Family and the Han Family still intended to cooperate, it was highly likely that Ren Yaohua and Han Yunqian's marriage would be reconsidered. As Ren Yaoting thought this, her expression turned somewhat dejected.
"I heard Grandmother and Aunt chatting before, saying that your maternal grandfather's Su Family is trying to buy a salt field in Xining?" Ren Yaoqi asked casually.
Ren Yaoting had also heard her mother and her attendants mention this matter, so she nodded. "I heard that the original salt field owner, the Sun Family, got into some trouble and wants to sell the salt field. However, the Yun Family also wants to buy the Sun Family's salt field. My eldest uncle has negotiated with them several times but hasn't reached an agreement."
Ren Yaoqi said thoughtfully, "I seem to have heard that the salt well owned by the Han Family is also near Xining? In fact, if our Ren Family really goes back on its word and decides not to cooperate with the Han Family, it might offend them. I know you and the Han Family's young lady are close friends, Seventh Sister. I wonder if that would affect your relationship."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoting's heart stirred.
She had been thinking all along that it would be better if the Han Family and the Ren Family failed to cooperate, as that would mean Ren Yaohua and Han Yunqian's marriage wouldn't happen either. But she had forgotten that she was also a member of the Ren Family. If the Ren Family and the Han Family fell out, not only would Ren Yaohua's marriage be called off, but even her own hopes of marrying into the Han Family would be dashed.Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then suddenly tilted her head and said with a playful smile, "Actually, who knows how long the Han Family will keep making a fuss this time? Without the Ren Family as partners, whether they can even get their salt field up and running is still a question. It might be better to sell it to someone else instead—for example, to the Su Family? If the Han Family doesn’t want to sell, partnering with the Su Family would work too."
Ren Yaoting was momentarily taken aback by this. She pondered it for a long while, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt this was a good idea.
If the Han Family partnered with the Ren Family, she certainly wouldn’t gain any advantage. But if she could find a way to act as a bridge between the Han and Su Families, not only would she help the Han Family overcome this crisis and earn their admiration, but the current Old Madam of the Su Family, though not her biological maternal grandmother, was someone her maternal grandfather, eldest uncle, and aunt doted on her dearly.
It could be said that a partnership between the Han and Su Families would be more beneficial to her than one between the Han and Ren Families.
At this thought, Ren Yaoting felt as though the dark clouds that had been hanging over her recently had completely dissipated.
"Fifth Sister makes a good point! We and the Han Family see each other all the time—how awkward would it be if things turned sour? I’ll go talk to Mother right away." Ren Yaoting couldn’t sit still any longer and stood up.
Ren Yaoqi seemed startled and quickly said, "Seventh Sister, I was only joking. These are matters for the elders; we shouldn’t interfere. Please don’t take it seriously. If Second Aunt and the others find out I was spouting nonsense here, they’ll surely blame me."
Ren Yaoting smiled and said, "I won’t tell anyone it was your idea." She still wanted to earn the Han Family’s favor, and it was even better if Ren Yaoqi didn’t want to take responsibility.
Ren Yaoqi breathed a sigh of relief and asked curiously, "Are you really planning to talk to Second Aunt, Seventh Sister? How will you convince her about such an important matter? Sometimes when I want to discuss something with Mother, she always says I’m too young and inexperienced, and she doesn’t trust me."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoting sat back down, deep in thought.
"I’ll say that the Han and Ren Families shouldn’t let this matter drive a wedge between them, but since Granduncle and the others are so cautious, having the Su Family step in would make everyone happy?" Ren Yaoting mused aloud.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head and gently guided her, "You’re asking the Su Family to intervene, but you’re framing it as benefiting the Han and Ren Families? Actually, a partnership between the Han and Ren Families is mutually beneficial. For the Han Family, the Su Family has more connections than the Ren Family and the backing of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, so the salt field would run more smoothly. And for the Su Family... aren’t they currently competing with the Yun Family for the Sun Family’s salt field in Xining? The Han Family’s salt well is also near Xining. If they can get that salt well operational, it would give the Su Family more convenience and confidence to buy the Sun Family’s salt field. Perhaps the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion might even lean more toward the Su Family after considering this."
Ren Yaoting’s eyes lit up at these words. "That’s a great argument! If Mother doesn’t agree, I’ll go talk to my eldest uncle. Fifth Sister, you’re so clever!"
Ren Yaoqi smiled and blinked. "How am I clever? I wouldn’t dare get involved in such important matters. Clearly, it was you who thought of this, Seventh Sister. Don’t pin it on me later and get me scolded by Grandfather and Grandmother."Ren Yaoting understood the hint and also blinked: "Fifth Sister is right, this is my own idea, it has nothing to do with you." As she said this, she felt her relationship with Ren Yaoqi had grown closer.
However, preoccupied with this matter and fearing the Ren Family might change their mind again, she stood up and smiled: "Fifth Sister, I should head back now. Thank you for today."
Ren Yaoqi rose to see her off: "Seventh Sister, what are you saying? Third Sister has a straightforward temperament, please don’t take her words to heart."
At this point, Ren Yaoting no longer cared about Ren Yaohua’s few cold remarks. She generously said it was nothing and hurried away.
Ren Yaoqi watched her hurried figure disappear into the courtyard and smiled faintly.
No matter how much the Su Family doted on Ren Yaoting, they would not disregard their family’s interests for her sake. Therefore, to draw the Su Family into the game, only benefits could lure them in.
Currently, the Su Family was competing with the Yun Family for the lucrative Xining salt field. The Han Family’s salt wells were indeed highly coveted, not just by the Ren Family.
Given the Su Family’s past behavior, they would not act as cautiously as the Ren Family. With the Su Family’s strength, they had no fear of the Han Family scheming behind their backs.
She only hoped that Ren Yaoting, who was tasked with delivering the message, would prove capable and not mess things up.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi returned to her room and sat down, Ren Yaohua came back.
"What did you say to her? She left looking so pleased," Ren Yaohua asked directly, sitting opposite Ren Yaoqi with a frown.
Ren Yaoqi looked innocent: "She was talking to me about the Han Family and the Ren Family when she suddenly thought of something and rushed off."
Ren Yaohua’s frown deepened as she scrutinized Ren Yaoqi suspiciously: "You really don’t know what it was about?"
Ren Yaoqi sighed softly: "Third Sister, why do you care so much about her? As long as she doesn’t think of opposing you or secretly plotting against you, that’s enough."
Ren Yaohua pursed her lips: "Are you sure she isn’t plotting against me?"
Ren Yaoqi shook her head: "She doesn’t have time to plot against you now, and you shouldn’t provoke her in the future. We’re not on the same path anyway. Let her do her thing, and we’ll live our lives. They don’t interfere with each other."
Ren Yaoqi’s tone was gentle, but her words carried a cold indifference.
Ren Yaohua fell silent for a moment and ultimately did not ask further.
After returning to the East Mansion, Ren Yaoting went straight to her mother’s main room.
Su Shi, the second wife of the East Mansion, was listening to her maidservant’s report on the affairs of the inner courtyard.
"...Last month, the master spent fifteen nights in Concubine Lan’s room, eight nights in Concubine Xia’s room, five nights in Concubine Yuan’s room, and two nights in the main room. Madam, should we do something about Concubine Lan..."
Su Shi was sitting behind the desk reviewing account books, listening somewhat absentmindedly. Without looking up, she said calmly, "No need. The children in this mansion have all grown up. Old Madam Ren complained the other day that the mansion is too quiet and not as lively as the West Mansion. It’s time to add a grandson or granddaughter for her."
Seeing Su Shi speak so readily, the maidservant felt uneasy: "Madam, you are still young. I’ve asked the midwife, and you are still capable of bearing children. Why let those seductive women take advantage?"
Hearing this, Su Shi looked up from the account books, revealing a rather plain face. Her eyes were not large, her nose was not high, and her lips were somewhat thick. Fortunately, her fair skin added some charm."Stop Concubine Xia's medicine as well." Su Shi ignored the matron's words and instead instructed her, "After all, she has served the master for so many years. Even if she hasn't made great contributions, she has put in hard work. As for who gets pregnant first, it will depend on their luck."
Su Shi's voice was extremely calm, and her expression was serene and peaceful. Her outstanding demeanor was quite at odds with her ordinary appearance. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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