As ordinary merchants in Yanbei, the Ren family originally wouldn’t have been involved in these political struggles, but the Ren family had happened to run into the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion’s line of fire.

Ren Yijun thought about the actions of the Ren family elders. If his grandfather and father could return safely this time and learn from this incident, then perhaps the Ren family could continue to establish itself in Yanzhou. Otherwise, the Ren family ship would eventually capsize someday.

Ren Yijun didn’t think his thoughts were unfounded worries. Today’s imprisonment of Old Master Ren and Eldest Master Ren already foreshadowed that the Ren family was on a downward path.

It was at this moment that Ren Yijun realized his uselessness. What Qi Yuegui usually scolded him about wasn’t wrong – if he weren’t Third Young Master Ren, what else could he do? If someday he were no longer Third Young Master Ren, what could he do then?

This afternoon, Ren Yijun and Qi Yuegui stayed in the flower garden like this. After that conversation with Qi Yuegui, he thought about many things, while Qi Yuegui had somehow leaned against him and fallen asleep.

After Ren Yijun noticed, he frowned and looked with disgust at the person sleeping with drool flowing. He hesitantly reached out wanting to push her to the ground, but when his hand touched her shoulder, he inexplicably slowly moved his body to adjust his posture so she could sleep more comfortably.

Ren Yijun secretly made excuses for his behavior. When the day came that he, Third Young Master Ren, truly fell into poverty, he could probably only support this woman, who was satisfied with just three bowls of rice per meal. So he should give her a slightly better attitude in the future.

At this time at Ronghua Garden, Fifth Master Ren and Third Master Ren had finally brought Eldest Master Ren Shizhong back.

But everyone was startled when they saw Ren Shizhong.

As the eldest legitimate son of the Ren family and the next family head acknowledged by everyone as appointed by Old Master Ren, Ren Shizhong usually paid great attention to his image. At least every time he appeared before others, he wore dignified and respectable clothing, and his words and actions showed the bearing of a proper head of household.

But today, Ren Shizhong was being supported by his brothers Ren Shimao and Ren Shimin.

The crow-blue Hangzhou silk robe that Ren Shizhong had worn when he left was now wrinkled beyond recognition. Although he now wore a dark blue satin cloak that Ren Shimao had kept in his carriage, the exposed hem still showed some damage.

He had dark circles under his eyes, looked very tired, his lips were cracked from dehydration, and though his hair wasn’t askew, you could tell it had been hastily combed not long ago.

When Old Madam Ren saw his appearance, she cried out “Eldest Son” in shock and then couldn’t speak. When Eldest Master Ren knelt before Old Madam Ren, his expression was also somewhat emotional, while Eldest Madam and Eldest Young Madam wiped tears, watching from the side.

Old Madam Ren also cried for a while, then remembered that Old Master Ren was still in the government prison and hadn’t been released. But seeing Eldest Master Ren’s current state, Old Madam Ren didn’t dare to ask about Old Master Ren’s current condition.

Instead, Ren Shijia urgently asked: “Big Brother, did you suffer hardships in prison? What about Father? How is Father now?”

Eldest Master Ren said wearily, “Those jailers didn’t beat anyone, but we’ve been under interrogation continuously for two days. We’ve slept less than two hours total. The prison was very damp and cold. I’m fine, but Father caught a chill and has a fever. Originally, I wanted Father to come out while I continued staying in prison, but no matter how much we pleaded, the authorities refused to release Father, saying he was the current head of the Ren family. I also thought about not coming out either, so Father and I could look after each other, but Father disagreed. When I came out today, Fifth Brother and the others had already asked Magistrate Mu to send a physician to see Father.”

Fifth Master Ren also sighed: “But the government office won’t allow us to visit at all, saying this case has major implications and they fear Father might collude with outsiders. Before the truth comes to light, they need to keep Father in custody.”

Old Madam Ren became even more worried upon hearing this.

Third Master Ren said, “It’s good that Big Brother could return. At least you’re more familiar with official connections than Fifth Brother and I. We’ll have to rely on you for Father’s situation.”

Old Madam Ren also remembered and said urgently, “Eldest Son, you should go rest first. After you’ve rested well, think of ways to rescue your father. It doesn’t matter how much money it costs, as long as he can come out.” Without Old Master Ren, Old Madam Ren felt like she’d lost her backbone. She didn’t dare imagine what would happen if Old Master Ren truly couldn’t return.

Eldest Master Ren was indeed so exhausted he could barely stand, but he knew that whether rescuing Old Master Ren from prison or helping the Ren family safely weather this great disaster, both required his decisions. This was why Old Master Ren insisted he return.

Eldest Master Ren had Eldest Madam support him as he sat on a chair with soft cushions that maids had brought over: “Let me say a few more things, then I’ll go rest.”

Old Madam Ren immediately said: “Speak. Did your father instruct you about something?”

Eldest Master Ren thought for a moment, then said: “From the questions those officials asked Father and me during these two days in prison, the Ren family’s current troubles may indeed have some connection to the Zeng family.”

Old Madam Ren and everyone in the room remembered what Ren Yijun had said today, and their faces all changed, especially Old Madam Ren’s.

Eldest Master Ren glanced at Third Master Ren and sighed: “Third Brother, perhaps we really should have listened to you that day and not formed a marriage alliance with the Zeng family.”

Standing at the periphery, Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi upon hearing this. Ren Yaoqi kept her head down, standing at the side with no expression on her face.

Old Madam Ren said, “What’s the use of saying this now? Besides, we haven’t formally exchanged birth charts with the Zeng family yet, so we can’t be considered proper in-laws. We’ll just refuse the Zeng family.” Old Madam Ren said this with some worry, asking Eldest Master Ren: “If we don’t form a marriage alliance with the Zeng family, what will happen? Will the authorities release your father?”

Eldest Master Ren sighed: “That depends on the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion’s intentions.”

Old Madam Ren said uneasily, “That’s still not enough? What else needs to be done?”

Eldest Master Ren was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m afraid the Ren family needs to give up the coal shops in the capital first.”

Old Madam Ren immediately frowned: “How can that work? The Ren family’s coal shops finally reached today’s scale with great difficulty. Don’t you know how much effort your father has put into them over the years?”

Expanding Ren family coal shops throughout the Great Zhou was Old Master Ren’s wish and also the dying wish of the late Great Master Ren Baoming.

Eldest Master Ren said, “Father said that if forced to, the Ren family can only sacrifice pawns to save the king.”

Old Madam Ren looked dejected. She couldn’t help but resent the East Mansion and the Fang family in her heart. Originally, Old Master Ren hadn’t planned to immediately agree to the Zeng family marriage proposal, but they happened to receive letters from the Second Old Master of the East Mansion and Fang Yacun at that time.

After saying so much, Eldest Master Ren could barely hold up anymore.

Eldest Madam quickly said, “Master, you should go rest first. Since Father has already said this, we’ll do as he says. If you don’t rest well, how will you have the energy to handle what comes next?”

Old Madam Ren also said, “You go rest. I’ll arrange for someone to go refuse the Zeng family. We’ll discuss other matters after you’ve rested well.”

This time, Eldest Master Ren didn’t refuse and let Eldest Madam accompany him back to his courtyard.

Old Madam Ren was now also very tired. The crowd made her head ache, so she waved at everyone: “Don’t all stay here either. Everyone goes out.”

Everyone withdrew from Ronghua Garden.

Old Madam Ren knew that distancing themselves from the Zeng family was urgent, so she immediately sent someone to the neighboring East Mansion to invite Second Madam Ren over.

Second Madam Ren was born into the Su family, and the Su family had marriage ties with the Zeng family, so having Su Shi serve as mediator for this matter was most appropriate.

Second Madam Su Shi had also heard that Eldest Master had returned and was thinking of having someone find Second Master so they could go to the West Mansion together to see. But before Second Master Ren could be found, Old Madam Ren’s maid came to invite her.

Su Shi tidied up a bit and went over by herself.

Old Madam Ren lay on the kang and told Su Shi her purpose for inviting her. After hearing everything, Su Shi frowned inwardly and asked: “Eldest Sister-in-law, is all this information from inquiries at the government office?”

Su Shi was asking about the Ren family being implicated because of the Zeng family. Though Old Madam Ren hadn’t said it explicitly, her words seemed to convey this meaning.

The reason Old Madam Ren revealed these things was because although Su Shi was born into the Su family, the Zeng family was just one of the Su family’s marriage connections, while Su Shi was genuinely a Ren family daughter-in-law.

Old Madam Ren sighed: “If we weren’t truly forced to, we wouldn’t want to go back on our word. But look – your father-in-law is still suffering in prison…” As she spoke, Old Madam Ren choked up.

Su Shi gently comforted Old Madam Ren. Knowing this was the intention of Old Master Ren, who was still in prison, Su Shi said no more. She was very clear about who made decisions in the Ren family. If Old Master Ren said to refuse the Zeng family marriage proposal, it meant there was no room for reversal.

So when Su Shi left Old Madam Ren, she promised to quickly return to the Su family and ask them to come forward to refuse the Zeng family’s marriage proposal. With the Su family as mediator, both sides would save face.