Su Shi indeed went to Yunyang City on the second day.

The Zeng family and the Ren family had previously only been at the stage of negotiating a betrothal, without exchanging tokens or birth certificates, so now that the Ren family wanted to decline, even if the Zeng family was unwilling, they had no other recourse.

Su Shi went to Yunyang City and returned that same afternoon, telling Old Madam Ren that the Su family would step forward to help the Ren family explain the situation clearly to the Zeng family. Old Madam Ren expressed her gratitude to Su Shi repeatedly.

Meanwhile, First Master Ren had already begun working tirelessly for Old Master Ren’s release from prison. However, despite the Ren family’s efforts over several days, utilizing many connections and spending considerable silver, the authorities simply refused to release him. Fortunately, Secretary Yang, who had a relatively good relationship with the Ren family, informed First Master Ren that a physician had already been sent to the prison to examine Old Master Ren, and after drinking several doses of medicine, Old Master Ren’s fever had finally broken. The Ren family members finally felt somewhat relieved.

After Old Master Ren had been in prison for seven or eight days, Magistrate Mu finally agreed to see First Master Ren. Previously, after First Master Ren had been released, he had sought out Magistrate Mu several times, but Magistrate Mu had refused to see anyone from the Ren family again, and even Secretary Yang could do nothing about it.

When the Ren family learned this news, they were overjoyed, thinking that this matter had finally reached a turning point.

So on this day, First Master Ren, accompanied by Ren Shimao and Lin Kun, went to see Magistrate Mu, while the rest of the Ren family waited anxiously at home for news.

Unexpectedly, First Master Ren and his companions were gone for most of the day, and by the time they returned, it was already dark. Old Madam Ren immediately had someone summon First Master Ren and the others to come for questioning.

Old Madam Ren had originally had a fairly good constitution, and after First Master Ren was released, she had rested for several days and was able to get out of bed. However, this ordeal had left her looking considerably more exhausted.

Even if Old Madam Ren hadn’t summoned First Master Ren, he would still have come to Ronghua Garden first, because there were important matters that needed to be discussed with Old Madam Ren and even with people from all branches of the Ren family.

When Old Madam Ren saw First Master Ren arrive, she immediately asked, “How did it go? Has the government agreed to release him?”

First Master Ren, however, sighed wearily with exhaustion written all over his face: “Mother, please have someone invite Third Brother and Second Brother from the East Residence over. There are some matters I’m afraid I cannot decide on my own.”

When Old Madam Ren heard him say this, and seeing that Fifth Master Ren and Lin Kun, who had returned with First Master Ren, both wore serious expressions, her heart couldn’t help but sink. She immediately instructed the maids to go to the East Residence to invite people, and also had someone call Ren Shimin over.

After Second Master from the East Residence and Ren Shimin had both arrived, First Master Ren said, “Today, Magistrate Mu relented.”

Everyone was delighted upon hearing this, and Old Madam Ren breathed a sigh of relief, patting her chest and saying somewhat reproachfully, “If the government is willing to relent, that’s good news. You all gave me quite a fright with those expressions.”

First Master Ren sighed, “Being willing to release him is indeed good news, but the Ren family will also need to pay a certain price.”

Second Master frowned, “What price?”

Fifth Master Ren said, “Magistrate Mu said that this matter involves too serious implications, and originally, Father could not be released. However, considering that our Ren family is just an ordinary merchant who has never produced any criminals over the years, and given that Prince Yanbei’s residence has some impression of our Ren family, they agreed to impose a lenient punishment.”

“So what exactly does this lenient punishment entail?” Old Madam Ren asked urgently.

Fifth Master Ren said gravely, “Either hand over half of the coal mines and coal warehouses under the Ren family name, or provide one million five hundred thousand taels of silver. Additionally, starting next year, sixty percent of the annual profits from the Ren family’s coal mines and coal warehouses must be surrendered for ten consecutive years.”

“What!” Old Madam Ren nearly fainted. She said angrily, “This is called lenient punishment? Then what would constitute severe punishment?”

First Master Ren said with difficulty, “Do you know about the Yu and Wu families in Ningxia? They were also two families implicated by the Zeng family in this incident. All adult males of the Yu and Wu families, including the family heads, were beheaded, males under thirteen and all females were made into government slaves, and both families’ entire properties were confiscated.”

As soon as First Master Ren finished speaking, the room fell completely silent.

First Master Ren looked around at everyone, then closed his eyes and said, “Do you think we still have any choice?”

Old Madam Ren felt a wave of dizziness. Fortunately, she knew this wasn’t the time to faint, so she forced herself to ask First Master Ren, “Is there truly no other way? Isn’t this cutting off the Ren family’s future?”

First Master Ren smiled bitterly in consolation, “As long as the green mountains remain, we need not worry about lacking firewood. If people are still here, we can earn back these losses. But if people are gone, what good would it do? Wouldn’t all of this belong to others anyway?”

Old Madam Ren stared blankly without speaking.

First Master Ren rubbed his temples, “I’ve already told Magistrate Mu that this matter is too significant. I need to see Father once before making a decision. Magistrate Mu has agreed to let me visit Father in prison tomorrow.”

Only then did Old Madam Ren regain some spirit, hastily saying, “Yes, yes, yes, this matter still needs your father to make the decision. Tomorrow, when you go, discuss it thoroughly with him to see what should be done.” Ever since Old Madam Ren had married into the Ren family, all major household decisions had been made by Old Master Ren. She felt that as long as Old Master Ren knew about it, perhaps he could think of some way to turn the situation around.

After all, producing one million five hundred thousand taels of silver and surrendering sixty percent of annual profits would be devastating to the Ren family’s foundation. Old Madam Ren didn’t dare make this decision herself.

Since this matter ultimately depended on Old Master Ren’s decision, Old Madam Ren dismissed everyone from each branch to return home.

After Third Master Ren returned, Ren Yaoqi also learned about this matter.

Third Master Ren said optimistically, “If Father can be released and the family can remain safe by just spending some silver, then we should spend the silver.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head and sighed inwardly. If everyone in the Ren family had the same mindset as her father, there wouldn’t be so many disputes and troubles. Once money was involved, how could things be so simple? The Ren family was probably in for more turmoil ahead.

The next day, First Master Ren indeed went to the prison to visit Old Master Ren. After he returned, people from all branches of the Ren family gathered again at Ronghua Garden.

First Master Ren said, “Father has agreed. Let’s proceed according to what Magistrate Mu said. From now on, the government will send people annually to examine our accounts to ensure that sixty percent of the profits are surrendered. As for that one million five hundred thousand taels of silver, we probably can’t produce that much cash at once. Magistrate Mu has agreed to let us submit it in three installments within one year.”

Everyone looked at each other without saying anything.

Old Madam Ren asked, “When can your father come back?”

First Master Ren said, “Once the accounts for the coal mines and coal warehouses are properly transferred and we first pay five hundred thousand taels of silver, Father can be released. I’ll immediately arrange for people to handle this quickly. When I saw Father today, although his fever had broken, he’s been coughing constantly and his spirits aren’t good. The prison environment is too cold and damp. If he stays there any longer, Father might not be able to hold on.”

Hearing First Master Ren say this, Old Madam Ren had no further objections. After all, they would have to pay the silver anyway, so what difference did it make whether they paid early or late? Could they possibly owe the government money?

“Then go quickly, go quickly, and bring your father back soon.”

First Master Ren was about to agree when they heard commotion outside.

Old Madam Ren frowned with displeasure. “Who’s making all that noise outside?”

Shanhu rushed in hastily and reported, “Old Madam, it’s the Old Madam from the East Residence who has come. She…”

Before Shanhu could finish speaking, Liao Shi from the East Residence strode in.

Second Master hurriedly said, “Mother, why have you come?”

Liao Shi glanced at Old Madam Ren and snorted coldly, “Why shouldn’t I come? If I don’t come, the entire Ren family will be ruined without anyone knowing!” She walked over and heavily poked Second Master’s forehead with her finger, “Only you are so honest, believing whatever others say. If I don’t watch more carefully, you’ll probably be devoured without even bones remaining.”

Old Madam Ren said with displeasure, “Second Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?”

Liao Shi sneered, “What do I mean? Let me ask you, are you planning to take half of the Ren family’s assets to save Big Brother from prison? I naturally don’t oppose saving him, but before that, let’s divide the family first!”

Everyone in the room was shocked upon hearing this.

Second Master coughed lightly, “Mother, what are you saying?”

Old Madam Ren glanced at Second Master and snorted coldly in her heart. If someone hadn’t deliberately told Liao Shi about this matter, how would she have known and chosen this moment to cause trouble? No wonder Second Master hadn’t said a word earlier, hadn’t even mentioned sending a letter to inform his father and brother in the capital – it turned out there was this scene waiting behind it all.

Old Madam Ren cursed inwardly. They say that dogs that bite don’t bark. Ren Shiyuan usually appeared devoted to Buddhism and unconcerned with worldly affairs, but at crucial moments, he had the most schemes.

First Master Ren said, “Second Aunt, when Grandfather was alive, he stated clearly that the Ren family would not divide.”

Liao Shi replied, “That was then, this is now! If your grandfather knew that you would ruin the Ren family, he would have agreed to divide it long ago! Dividing now would be better for the Ren family, wouldn’t it? Our East Residence takes our share, and you take your share to save Big Brother. At least half of our ancestors’ foundation can be preserved, right?”