Qi Shi blinked and walked toward Ren Yaoyin, saying grievously: “Fourth Sister, what kind of words are those? I’m just kindly coming along to see you off.”

Just as Ren Yaoyin was about to lose her temper, Qi Shi’s face suddenly revealed a big smile, then she waved her hand with impressive momentum.

A tall old woman who had been standing behind Qi Shi suddenly lunged forward and, without a word, chopped Ren Yaoyin on the neck. Ren Yaoyin didn’t even make a sound before rolling her eyes back and collapsing limply into the woman’s arms.

Everyone: “…”

“Carry Fourth Miss to the carriage, be careful not to bump or bruise her,” Qi Shi instructed without changing expression.

First Young Madam was stunned for a long while before coming to her senses, swallowing hard: “Yuegui… this… this isn’t good, is it?” First Young Madam was so frightened her legs went weak – Ren Yaoyin was her mother-in-law’s precious darling! She never imagined Qi Shi would do such a thing.

Qi Shi gave First Young Madam a comforting smile, patting her shoulder casually: “It’s fine, we’re doing this for her own good. She’ll understand later.”

The pale-faced First Young Madam couldn’t speak.

Only after Ren Yaoyin was carried onto the carriage did First Young Madam react: “Those old women just now were…”

Originally, First Young Madam had wanted to bring maids along, but when Qi Shi said she’d bring people, First Young Madam didn’t think much of it. But those old women looked somewhat unfamiliar, especially the one who knocked out Ren Yaoyin – First Young Madam felt very uneasy.

Qi Shi said nonchalantly, “Oh, those are people I borrowed from my young master. Don’t worry – even if there are accounts to settle, they won’t fall on our heads.”

Ren Yijun sneezed.

First Young Madam said hesitantly: “But isn’t what we’re doing too excessive? What if Fourth Sister complains to Mother later, we…”

As an obedient daughter-in-law, First Young Madam was very afraid of her mother-in-law.

Third Young Madam comforted her: “Even if Fourth Sister wants to complain, she’ll complain about me. Big Sister-in-law, don’t worry – I won’t implicate you when the time comes.”

First Young Madam became anxious: “I, I don’t mean that. You came to help me – how could I let you bear the responsibility! If Fourth Sister tells Mother, I, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Third Young Madam looked at First Young Madam, who, despite being pale with fear, still looked resolute, and sighed inwardly. She gently took First Young Madam’s arm and said with rare seriousness: “Big Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid. If Fourth Sister doesn’t learn to behave, I guarantee she won’t have the chance to complain to Mother. And even if she does complain, my young master will bear the consequences – we’ll be fine.”

First Young Madam was surprised: “But what if Mother misses Fourth Sister and goes to visit her…”

Third Young Madam interrupted: “I’ll handle all of that – I have ways.”

Looking at the confident Qi Shi, First Young Madam didn’t know what to say, only asking: “Aren’t… aren’t you afraid?” Afraid of being blamed by the mother-in-law, afraid of being cast out by the Ren family?

Qi Shi smiled slightly, sighing rarely: “Not afraid, because I seek nothing. What I want is already mine, and no one can take it away.”

First Young Madam stared blankly at Qi Shi, never having expected the usually carefree Qi Shi to say such words. Her heart immediately filled with envy and admiration.

At this moment, thinking of that person, Qi Shi felt filled with courage and secretly clenched her fist: Young Master, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you! All the demons and monsters around you – I’ll eliminate them all! Eliminate them all!

Third Young Master Ren Yijun rubbed his nose and sneezed again.

When Ren Yaoyin woke up in the nunnery, she was trembling with rage.

She thought that with her abilities, escaping from the nunnery would be easy, planning to make that wench Qi Shi pay dearly when she returned. But what she hadn’t expected was that no matter how she schemed to bribe the nuns in the nunnery, the messages she sent out sank without a trace like stones in the sea. She was confined in a remote courtyard, not even knowing which nunnery she was imprisoned in, able only to smell incense and hear the dull sound of wooden fish daily.

At first, Ren Yaoyin thought her mother was too disappointed in her and wanted to teach her a lesson. Because she didn’t believe Qi Shi had such capabilities, she thought perhaps she should first yield to her mother, then settle accounts after getting out. But after trying to communicate with the little nun who brought her meals, she despairingly discovered she couldn’t even contact her mother – she was under house arrest by unknown people in an unknown nunnery, without a single usable person around her. Ren Yaoyin’s life had never been so desperate.

Meanwhile, Ren Yaoqi received a thank-you letter from Third Sister-in-law Qi Shi. Qi Shi’s handwriting was crooked and terrible to behold, and the letter’s content was very simple: “The place is nice! Thanks for the help!” After the letter was a big smiley face drawing.

Naturally, Qi Shi couldn’t possibly have confined Ren Yaoyin in the nunnery herself, but she had few partners to help!

At the Ren residence.

Master Ren, his head still wrapped in gauze, asked the Eldest Madam with some guilt: “How is Mother’s illness? Every time I visit her, she hasn’t woken up – it’s all because I’m unfilial…”

The Eldest Madam gently interrupted Master Ren: “It has nothing to do with you, Master. Ever since the Old Master passed away, Old Madam’s health hasn’t been good. The physician came to examine her and said there’s nothing seriously wrong – she just needs more rest due to poor spirits. With good care, she’ll recover.”

Master Ren sighed and nodded: “You take more care of her. The household matters will also require your attention.”

The Eldest Madam lowered her head: “I understand, Master, don’t worry.”

Thus, Old Madam Ren was placed under house arrest by her daughter-in-law. Without Old Madam’s interference, Master Ren’s negotiations with the Gao family proceeded smoothly. The Gao family was willing to buy the Ren family’s residence and mines, and both sides were currently negotiating the details.

What the Eldest Madam hadn’t expected was that her method of dealing with her mother-in-law would be learned and applied by her daughter-in-law.

The Eldest Madam asked First Young Madam: “How has Yin’er been lately?”

First Young Madam lowered her head and replied: “Fourth Sister is in good health and much better spirits. She reads and paints daily, occasionally copying Buddhist scriptures. A few days ago, she even secretly had a little nun buy her some snow cream and hair oil from outside.”

First Young Madam couldn’t lie – these were things she’d heard from Third Young Madam. She believed them, so the Eldest Madam believed them too.

The Eldest Madam sighed and nodded: “Then let her stay a while longer. When her heart is truly calm, we’ll bring her back.”

The Ren family had too many matters recently. After selling the residence, they would have to move from the Ren mansion. Although they had already bought another spacious four-courtyard residence, many household items needed organizing, and the storerooms required re-accounting. The Eldest Madam was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground, with no time to worry about Ren Yaoyin’s affairs. So she didn’t know her daughter was being severely mistreated by her daughter-in-law.

The Eldest Madam did notice that although her younger daughter-in-law couldn’t read many characters, she learned accounting quickly. She didn’t know how Qi Shi kept the account books, but she could handle small matters efficiently. This earned her some respect from the Eldest Madam, who began keeping both daughters-in-law by her side for training.

Although the Ren family had fallen, they could still ensure the family’s basic needs. The Eldest Madam hoped both sons would do well.

Thus, while Old Master Han hadn’t returned and Old Madam Ren was “bedridden with illness,” the Ren family and the Gao family’s backing Han family quietly completed a transaction.

The Zhai family’s ancestral home and the mines originally in Young Madam Zhai’s hands all returned to the Han family. The foundation the Ren family had built over three generations finally completely collapsed. Besides a modest sum of silver retrieved from the Gao family, the Ren family had nothing left, though at least all their debts were settled.

In May of that year, the Ren family finally moved from the “ancestral residence” they had lived in for decades. When the family left, they suddenly realized only their one branch remained – just a few people. The storeroom contents and furniture had been moved to the new residence days earlier, so when they left the Ren mansion early that morning, it felt quite desolate. This desolation made both Master Ren and the Eldest Madam feel sorrowful and melancholy.

Old Madam Ren remained weak and drowsy throughout. When carried to the carriage, her fingers only spasmed once, her lips moved, but no words came out, yet muddy tears continuously fell from her eyes.

Old Madam Ren’s head maid took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the tears, saying softly: “Old Madam hasn’t been outside for so long, her eyes can’t stand the light. It’s fine – we’ll reach the new residence soon, and then you can rest well.”

Old Madam Ren’s body shuddered once, then went still. The head maid straightened Old Madam’s clothes and gently fanned her.

The carriages of the two Ren young masters were quite quiet, with no one hearing their Third Young Master occasionally lowering his voice in exasperated scolding:

“Stupid girl! Can’t you keep your feet properly placed? You stepped on your young master!”

“That’s my painting paper, not for wiping your nose, you fool!”

“Stop! Put down my…”

Not far away, Han Yunqian quietly watched the Ren family carriages slowly exit the Ren mansion gates. He walked to the entrance, looked up at the somewhat dusty characters “Ren Mansion” on the gate plaque, stood for a long while, then sighed and turned to leave without entering.

When Old Master Han hurriedly returned from the northwest, everything was already settled.

Old Master Han, Han Dongshan, looked at his grandson standing before him with dark eyes, raised his hand and delivered a vicious slap with such force one could almost hear bones crack. Yet the Han family’s eldest young master’s expression didn’t change, he didn’t even furrow his brow, and his stance remained extremely steady.

“Who gave you such audacity!” Han Dongshan said word by word through gritted teeth. No one doubted he would pounce and tear his grandson apart the next second.

Han Yunqian calmly swallowed the blood in his mouth and said quietly: “Grandfather, it’s time this ended.”

Han Dongshan paced back and forth like a caged beast, then suddenly turned and kicked toward Han Yunqian’s abdomen.

Han Yunqian paused but still didn’t move, taking Han Dongshan’s kick head-on. The intense pain finally made him furrow his brow, and blood from his throat spilled from the corner of his mouth. Han Dongshan showed no mercy in this kick. Han Yunqian was severely injured internally, but he still straightened his pale body.

Han Dongshan seemed not to see his grandson’s wretched state, his face twisted with vicious cruelty: “End it? Dream on! It only ends when everyone in the Ren family is dead or I’m dead!”

“What good does getting back the residence and mines do? Don’t think this settles everything! Originally, I wanted to let them live a bit longer for some fun, but since you lack patience, I’ll give them a quick death.” Han Dongshan looked at Han Yunqian, his face suddenly revealing a sinister smile that distorted his originally handsome features.

Han Yunqian looked at his grandfather, his dark eyes showing no emotion.

Han Dongshan said coldly: “Since you won’t do it, I won’t force you. Before that whole family dies, you stay locked in your courtyard and don’t go anywhere!”

With that, Han Dongshan called people in to take Han Yunqian away.

When Han Yunqian lifted his foot, his step was somewhat unsteady, but he quickly steadied himself.

“Grandfather, even if your actions bring catastrophic disaster to the entire Han family, you still insist on doing this?” Han Yunqian’s voice remained calm, revealing no emotion.

Han Dongshan looked ruthless: “No matter what the cost, this revenge must be taken!”

Han Yunqian closed his eyes and sighed: “I understand.” After saying this, he left Han Dongshan’s study step by step. Though his pace was slow, no one could see any unsteadiness, and he even closed the study door behind him.

Han Dongshan watched his grandson’s retreating figure, snorted coldly, and didn’t take it seriously. His mind was now full of thoughts about how to exterminate the Ren family.

After Han Yunqian left, Han Dongshan called in his trusted aide: “Where has the Ren family moved to?”

The aide gave an address – still in Baihe Town, but far from the original Ren residence and in a somewhat remote location.

Han Dongshan revealed a chilling, sinister smile: “A four-courtyard residence? The location’s quite good – dry conditions, perfect for a fire to burn everything clean!”

The aide didn’t dare raise his head, only asking carefully: “Master’s meaning is… arson?”

Han Dongshan smiled with satisfaction: “I can’t think of a more suitable death for them. Find people to handle it. Keep it clean, and remember – burn them alive! Don’t leave a single survivor.”

The aide broke out in cold sweat upon hearing this – burning alive meant burning people to death while they were still living, not killing them first, then burning the bodies.

“This subordinate understands.” The aide bowed and withdrew.

When only Han Dongshan remained in the study, he suddenly couldn’t help laughing maniacally. This laughter sent chills down the spines of the attendants waiting outside the study.

That day, Old Master Han was in excellent spirits, eating an extra bowl of rice at dinner.

Having dinner in Grandmother’s room, Han You saw Grandfather in good spirits and carefully said: “Grandfather, may I take some food to see older brother? I heard he’s sick – can I have a physician come to the mansion?”

Old Madam Han glanced at Old Master Han. Though she said nothing, her eyes held worry.

Jiang Shi, standing behind Old Madam Han serving dishes, silently ladled a spoonful of tofu into Old Madam Han’s dish.

Old Master Han’s face turned cold as he looked at Han You: “Who told you your brother was sick?”

Han You was frightened and nearly fell from her chair, saying with red eyes: “I… I… I heard the guards outside saying it when I went to see my brother.”

Old Master Han snorted coldly, threw down his chopsticks, and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Tears immediately welled up in Han You’s eyes. Old Madam Han sighed softly, held Han You in her arms, and comforted her by stroking her back: “Don’t cry, your grandfather didn’t mean to scold you.”

Jiang Shi looked at Han You crying breathlessly, then at the direction Old Master Han had left, and couldn’t help but look thoughtful.

At the third watch that night, Old Master Han got up. Old Madam Han was awakened and asked in confusion: “Master?”

Old Master Han said flatly: “I have business to attend to.” After saying this, he tied his outer robe and left.

After leaving his courtyard, Old Master Han saw his aide waiting at the gate. He approached and asked: “How are the preparations?”

The aide lowered his head: “Everything is ready – we just await the right moment to act. Master, you should wait for news at the mansion.”

Han Dongshan smiled: “At such a time, I must personally witness them being burned to ashes – that would be interesting.”

Han Dongshan stepped out, with his aide following behind with a lowered head.

To avoid being seen, Han Dongshan boarded a carriage that slowly left the Han residence, heading toward the south side of Baihe Town.

Han Dongshan sat in the carriage with closed eyes, a satisfied smile at the corners of his mouth. With his long-held wish about to be fulfilled that night, his joy was beyond words.

Throughout the journey, he couldn’t help recalling the sight of his loved ones lying in pools of blood years ago. The hatred in his heart would be cleansed by tonight’s fire.

Just as Han Dongshan was imagining the Ren family’s miserable deaths, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Han Dongshan frowned – by his calculations, they shouldn’t have reached their destination yet.

He called his aide’s name, but no one outside answered. Sensing something was wrong, Han Dongshan threw open the carriage curtain.

He saw his carriage now stopped in a remote alley, with a cold crescent moon hanging overhead, barely illuminating the path ahead. A tall figure stood in front of his carriage, blocking the way. Though the dim light made it impossible to see his features clearly, Han Dongshan recognized him immediately.

Han Dongshan narrowed his eyes slightly and jumped down from the carriage, his ruthless eyes fixed on the familiar figure: “Who permitted you to come out? Get out of the way!”

Compared to Han Dongshan’s ruthlessness, Han Yunqian’s voice was much calmer: “Grandfather, go back – there’s still time.”

Han Dongshan sneered: “What audacity!” As if thinking of something, Han Dongshan couldn’t help looking to the side, where a figure stood in the distance with head deeply bowed – it was his trusted aide.

Han Dongshan narrowed his eyes, looking at Han Yunqian: “Li Wei has been bought by you too?”

Han Yunqian didn’t speak – tacit acknowledgment.

Han Dongshan laughed in anger, pointing at Han Yunqian and nodding: “Very good! Excellent! I indeed didn’t train you wrong! How many more of my people have become yours? Tell me so I can broaden my horizons.”

Han Yunqian ignored Han Dongshan’s fury, only saying: “I cannot watch the Han family be buried alongside your hatred.”

Han Dongshan raged: “I am the Han family head – whoever I want dead dares not live! Is it your turn to point fingers?”

Han Yunqian was silent for a moment, then said quietly: “Grandfather, you’ve forgotten this is the Han family, not the Zhai family. You may forget this point, but I cannot.”

This statement made Han Dongshan’s face extremely ugly.

The world had almost forgotten that Old Master Han wasn’t surnamed Han by birth – he was a son-in-law who married into the Han family. Years of smooth sailing and absolute authority had made Han Dongshan forget this himself. He never expected his grandson would point this out someday. He was the Han family head, but didn’t bear the Han surname. The Han family had nothing to do with him.

“I didn’t buy anyone – they were originally Han family people,” Han Yunqian said expressionlessly.

Because you never considered yourself a Han family member, you don’t understand this point. This sentence Han Yunqian didn’t voice.

“Very well, so you want to move against me?” Han Dongshan’s voice was icy.

Han Yunqian paused, then seriously asked: “Grandfather, are you willing to spare the Ren family and return with me?”

Han Dongshan sneered: “Impossible.”

Han Yunqian sighed, then without hesitation raised his hand: “Escort the old master to the carriage.”

As soon as he finished speaking, several attendants who had originally followed Old Master Han from behind the carriage quickly surrounded them.

Han Dongshan was both shocked and enraged: “Han Yunqian!”

Han Yunqian listened but didn’t hear, standing in place without moving, silently watching those attendants subdue Han Dongshan and put him in the carriage.

Only after Old Master Han’s carriage disappeared back down the original route did Han Yunqian purse his lips and turn to look at Li Wei, who stood motionless to the side, his tone emotionless: “You did well. Continue serving grandfather as before.”

Li Wei secretly wiped the cold sweat from his hands on his clothes, bowing respectfully and acknowledging.

Han Yunqian nodded, glanced at his grandfather’s former trusted aide, and comforted him: “If you hadn’t done this, the Han family would have been destroyed, so you need not blame yourself.”

Li Wei was grateful that Han Yunqian would comfort him at such a time, and couldn’t help asking: “About the old master…”

Han Yunqian said expressionlessly, “Grandfather will understand someday that the Han family shouldn’t be buried alongside the Zhai family’s hatred.”

Li Wei thought for a moment, then couldn’t help saying: “Young Master, this time we were also forced by circumstances. Who could have known the Ren family would successfully climb the social ladder back then? If we didn’t need to consider those people from the Ren family’s third branch, Young Master, you would help the old master take revenge, right?”

Han Yunqian was silent for a moment, then, without saying anything, turned and walked away.

Li Wei watched Han Yunqian’s tall but lonely retreating figure and sighed heavily.

His reason for betraying Old Master Han was also understanding the circumstances – he had elderly parents and young children, and like the young master, didn’t want his family buried alongside Old Master Han’s hatred.

Old Master Han’s failure was ultimately because he didn’t bear the Han surname.

The Ren family members, who had moved to their new residence, were all sleeping soundly at this time. They would never know they had just walked past the gates of hell.