Third Master Ren’s words satisfied Fifth Master Ren reasonably well. He was also considering that this Fang Shi had borne a son for the Ren family, otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t let her be driven out of the Ren family so easily. However, Lin Shi was still somewhat unwilling—just sweeping Concubine Fang out the door was too easy on her! But with Fifth Master Ren comforting her at her side, Lin Shi thought that once this bitch left the Ren family, she would settle accounts with her. She would have her revenge! By then, no one would be able to stop her! Thinking this way, Lin Shi’s heart also calmed down slightly.

Old Madam Ren still had some hesitation about Third Master Ren’s decision. After all, this involved the Fang family, and she didn’t know what Old Master’s opinion was. Just now, Concubine Fang had gone to find Old Master—she didn’t know what they had discussed.

Although Old Madam Ren was also somewhat displeased that Concubine Fang had bypassed her to find Old Master Ren and had even dared to bribe her trusted confidants, major matters in the Ren family still required Old Master Ren to make the decisions.

After thinking, she beckoned the maid Shanhu and instructed, “Go see if Old Master has gone to the study. Ask him to come over.”

Shanhu responded and left. Old Madam Ren said to Ren Shimin, “Although Fang Shi is your concubine, she is after all a proper concubine who has contributed to our Ren family by bearing children, and her natal family is related to the Ren family by marriage. So this matter still needs to be handled carefully.”

Fifth Master Ren disagreed, “The Fang family being our in-laws is correct, but the marriage relationship between the Ren family and the Fang family has nothing to do with a concubine. Since ancient times, a concubine’s family relatives have never been considered proper relatives. Even if she bore Third Brother a son and daughter, the children are recorded under Third Sister-in-law’s name—what does it have to do with her? At most, let Third Brother give her some silver! That would already be considered merciful! If the Fang family has any objections, let them come and discuss it with us!”

At this moment, Old Master’s scolding voice rang out at the door, “You can’t even manage the affairs of your household properly, yet you dare to meddle in your elder brother’s business?”

Fifth Master, who had just been full of prestige, immediately wilted upon seeing Old Master Ren. Remembering his recent disgraceful affairs, Fifth Master now felt somewhat embarrassed. After all, it was his incompetence that had caused trouble.

Everyone in the room stood up to greet Old Master Ren. Old Madam Ren only sat down beside him after Old Master Ren had taken his seat.

“Third Son intends to send Concubine Fang back to the Fang family. What do you think?” Old Madam Ren said quietly.

Concubine Fang spoke at this time, “This concubine is willing to leave the Ren family!” When she said this, her eyes were filled with tears, and her face showed complete desolation and despair.

The Fifth Master couple breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, Old Master Ren asked Old Madam Ren, “Is this matter already conclusively proven? Has Fang Shi also confessed to the crime?”

Old Madam Ren looked at Nanny Gui, who had collapsed on the ground, and said quietly, “That’s roughly the case.”

Concubine Fang rarely contradicted Old Madam’s words, “No. This concubine only agrees to leave the Ren family, but this concubine does not confess to any crime! This concubine has been wronged!”

Old Madam Ren frowned.

Old Master Ren asked calmly, “Oh? Then who has wronged you?”

Concubine Fang glanced toward Li Shi from the corner of her eye. Li Shi was startled when their eyes met. But Concubine Fang said nothing and lowered her head again.

Old Master Ren looked at Li Shi with a thoughtful expression in his eyes. Then he said slowly, “Since there are still doubts about this matter, let’s investigate further. We can’t wrongly accuse good people. After all, she is a proper concubine who has borne children.”

Still investigate? The evidence was already laid out before them—how else to investigate? Investigate until Concubine Fang was cleared of guilt, and then implicate someone else?

Old Master Ren’s words indicated he wanted to muddy the waters.

Everyone present was shocked. Even Old Madam Ren could sense that Old Master Ren wanted to favor Concubine Fang. Only Concubine Fang’s lips curved up imperceptibly.

Third Master Ren said in confusion, “Father, with both human and material evidence present, how can this be considered wronging good people? If that’s the case, I’m afraid we won’t be able to investigate anything else.”

Old Master Ren glanced at Third Master Ren, successfully making him shut his mouth.

Lin Shi finally couldn’t bear it anymore, “Father, your daughter-in-law is not convinced! You’re showing favoritism toward her!”

Fifth Master Ren was frightened and tried to cover Lin Shi’s mouth, but it was too late. The next moment, Old Master Ren’s cold, stern gaze looked their way.

“Impudent!” Old Madam Ren scolded.

Lin Shi was still unconvinced, bit her lip, and was about to cry again.

Old Master Ren commanded coldly without being moved, “Fang Shi should return to her courtyard to reflect behind closed doors. After the truth comes to light, punishment will be decided. Shimao and Shimin stay behind; everyone else may withdraw.”

Fifth Master Ren looked at his wife, crying to the point of nearly fainting, in his arms. His heart also harbored some resentment toward his father—she was just a concubine, yet Old Master Ren valued her more than his granddaughter.

Third Master Ren increasingly felt sorry for Fifth Brother, but at this moment, in Old Master Ren’s presence, it wasn’t appropriate to say more. He thought of discussing with Ren Shimao after they left and providing some compensation to the fifth household.

Li Shi obediently curtsied to withdraw. Concubine Fang looked at Li Shi, then at Fifth Madam, who was glaring at her with hatred, stood up, lowered her head, and followed behind Li Shi, leaving the main room together with her.

Old Madam Ren glanced toward Lin Shi. Lin Shi sniffled and also withdrew.

As soon as Lin Shi came out of the main room, she wanted to settle accounts with Concubine Fang. Unexpectedly, Concubine Fang, who had been following behind Li Shi, parted ways with Li Shi after leaving the main room and hurriedly walked toward the courtyard exit by herself. Lin Shi gritted her teeth and followed, “Fang Yaru, you bitch, stop right there!”

Concubine Fang, walking ahead, turned a deaf ear and quickened her pace. Li Shi, seeing trouble brewing, looked back at the main room, then at the direction Lin Shi and Concubine Fang had left, hesitating whether to follow.

Xi’er said, “Madam, didn’t you just twist your ankle? You certainly can’t catch up to them. This is Ronghua Garden—why don’t you tell Sister Shanhu to stay by Old Madam’s side and have her send someone to keep watch? We servants will escort you back.”

Li Shi hadn’t injured her foot, but she understood Xi’er’s meaning. After thinking, she nodded, “Then quickly go tell Shanhu.” Xi’er responded and left.

Over there, despite Concubine Fang’s usual delicate appearance, Lin Shi was now panting heavily and still couldn’t catch up to her, infuriating Lin Shi to the point of stamping her feet.

Concubine Fang was determined not to engage with Lin Shi and planned to have someone close the courtyard gate as soon as she returned—hadn’t Old Master told her to reflect behind closed doors? But just as she reached the garden, she heard quarreling voices ahead. She originally wanted to go around, but discovered that one of the quarreling voices belonged to Ren Yaoying.

Concubine Fang’s steps halted, and she hurriedly ran toward the sound. She saw Ren Yaoying being held by two old women, each gripping one of her arms, while Ren Yaoyu pulled out a dagger from her sleeve. Gesturing it toward Ren Yaoying’s face, she said viciously, “Didn’t your concubine mother want to make me crazy? I’ll show her crazy! Once I scar your face and make you an ugly monster, let’s see how you’ll face people!”

Ren Yaoying was frightened to tears, “No, go away! Grandfather and Grandmother won’t spare you!”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoyu grabbed her hair and pressed the dagger against her face, “Then let me see if they’ll spare me!”

Seeing this situation, Concubine Fang was so frightened she nearly lost her soul and immediately ran over, “Stop!”

Ren Yaoyu had originally just wanted to frighten Ren Yaoying—she wouldn’t dare to scar her face. But Concubine Fang’s shrill cry startled her, making her hand shake. The dagger slipped and cut Ren Yaoying’s neck. Although it was only a thin wound that didn’t injure the carotid artery, it still drew some blood. Ren Yaoying was so frightened that her eyes rolled back, which also scared Ren Yaoyu into freezing. The scene of Concubine Kang bleeding profusely from her lower body appeared before her eyes, making her body feel weak.

Seeing this, Concubine Fang ran over like a madwoman and heavily pushed Ren Yaoyu away. Ren Yaoyu stumbled and fell to the ground with a muffled groan—her wrist was twisted, and the dagger fell to the ground.

Concubine Fang pushed away the two equally frightened old women and carefully picked up Ren Yaoying, examining her injury while calling, “Ying’er? Ying’er?”

At this time, Lin Shi also ran over. Seeing Ren Yaoyu lying on the ground, covering her wrist and moaning, she panicked too, “Yu’er, what happened?”

“Mother, my hand…” Seeing Lin Shi, Ren Yaoyu’s sense of grievance immediately surged, and she burst into tears.

Lin Shi bent down to look at Ren Yaoyu’s hand and couldn’t help being startled. Ren Yaoyu’s right wrist was swollen all around. She had seen from afar how Concubine Fang had ruthlessly pushed Ren Yaoyu to the ground, but she hadn’t expected it to be this serious.

Ren Yaoyu’s hand throbbed with piercing pain, “Wuu wuu wuu… Mother, my hand is broken…”

Lin Shi turned her head to look coldly at Concubine Fang nearby.

This was simply too much bullying!

The hatred Lin Shi felt toward Concubine Fang, combined with the frustration and unwillingness she had experienced at Ronghua Garden, plus the heartache and fear she felt seeing her daughter’s injury, ignited a mad rage from the depths of her heart.

Lin Shi couldn’t even remember afterward what she had done.

But Ren Yaoyu saw her mother pick up the dagger from the ground, rush over to Concubine Fang and her daughter in a few steps, then, without saying a word, raise the dagger and slash at Concubine Fang’s face—one cut, two cuts, three cuts…

Blood splattered onto the pink petals of the nearby rose bush, potted landscape, like drops of a beauty’s tears.

Ren Yaoyu was so frightened that she forgot her pain entirely—she was completely stunned.

Concubine Fang also came to her senses from the screams of the maids and old women.

She only felt a burning, stinging pain on her face, with thick liquid dripping down her chin onto her dress skirt. The “drip—drip—drip—” sound seemed capable of shattering her eardrums.

At this moment, Concubine Fang thought of her short-lived concubine mother. She was using her dry, thin hand, so disproportionate to her age, to lift the heavy, coarse blue cloth bed curtain, sticking out her haggard and sickly head to spit thick phlegm into the spittoon she held in her hands. But that mouthful of thick phlegm, heavy with the smell of blood, ultimately fell onto her blue cloth shoes.

Her feelings then were just like now—disgusted, panicked, desperate…