Although Lei Ting’s opinion was objective, the Ren family’s reputation would inevitably suffer as a result, and Old Master Ren could not tolerate seeing the reputation he had painstakingly built over decades destroyed in this manner.

Old Master Ren didn’t think there was anything wrong with his decision. Although he wanted the victims to change their testimony, he would compensate them financially, each party getting what they needed. Moreover, this incident had originated from the coal shops he had assigned to the second branch to manage, so there was nothing improper about pushing the second branch forward to bear responsibility. Old Master Ren had also discovered that Ren Yongxiang had been in contact with the Han family, and he couldn’t help but want to beat this traitorous brother to death with family punishment.

Due to their different perspectives, Old Master Ren couldn’t understand Lei Ting’s good intentions. He felt that the Lei family wasn’t willing to exert their full effort in this matter, and with the Ren family now in trouble, Old Master Ren was very worried that the Lei family might break off the engagement.

Coincidentally, at this time, a guest arrived at the Lei family—someone from Lei Ting’s deceased wife’s natal family had come to seek refuge.

Lei Ting’s late wife, Qiao Shi, was from Jiangnan. Her family wasn’t prominent, and there weren’t many people left in the household. Qiao Shi had a younger sister who had originally married in Yuezhou, but unfortunately, her husband died not long after the marriage, leaving young Qiao Shi widowed at a tender age.

The customs in Jiangnan differed from those in Yanbei. Back when all of Yanbei’s people were soldiers, to ensure population growth, they had forced early marriages for women and encouraged widows to remarry. Although there were no longer laws forcing women to marry, there was no discrimination against remarrying women, and the atmosphere was relatively open. Jiangnan, however, had always revered Confucian moral philosophy, teaching women to remain faithful to one husband. The court even awarded chastity memorial arches to reward virtuous women and gave generous rewards to these families.

Young Qiao Shi was only in her twenties and quite beautiful. Originally, being confined daily to a remote courtyard in her husband’s family, where she saw no daylight, wasn’t a problem, but less than a year after her father-in-law’s death, her mother-in-law fell seriously ill. After the mother-in-law died, only the younger brother-in-law’s family remained, and unfortunately, this younger brother-in-law was fond of drink and lechery. Her mother-in-law, fearing that after her death some scandal might arise in the household, conceived murderous thoughts. She arranged for her subordinates to strangle young Qiao Shi after her death, claiming to the outside world that Qiao Shi had hanged herself in devotion to her husband after fulfilling her duty of serving her parents-in-law. This might even earn recognition from the court as a virtuous woman and bring some benefits.

However, the people around Qiao Shi’s mother-in-law were loose-lipped, and young Qiao Shi learned of this plan before her mother-in-law’s death. She finally found an opportunity to escape. With no one left in her natal family and not daring to remain in Jiangnan for fear of being captured, she fled to Yanbei, coming to her deceased sister’s husband’s family to seek protection.

The Ren family somehow learned of this news and also discovered that young Qiao Shi was not only stunningly beautiful but bore five or six parts resemblance to her sister. Old Madam Ren felt that since the Lei family had kept her, Lei Ting might take young Qiao Shi as a concubine to make the arrangement proper.

If it were any other woman, the Ren family wouldn’t care about Lei Ting having one or two more women. However, since Lei Ting had been willing to observe mourning for his deceased wife, he must have had feelings for his first wife. Combined with Lei Pan’er’s presence… having her own aunt’s care would certainly be better than anyone else’s. The Ren family naturally had their calculations.

When Ren Yaoqi learned of young Qiao Shi’s sudden appearance at the Lei family, she frowned. The timing of young Qiao Shi’s appearance was too coincidental, making her inevitably suspicious. Moreover, would it be so easy for a virtuous widow confined daily in an ancestral hall to escape from the inner courtyard, evade her husband’s family’s pursuit, and successfully seek refuge with the Lei family thousands of miles away?

Ren Yaoqi’s first thought was that this matter was very likely the Han family’s doing. No one would hope more than the Han family at this time for the Ren and Lei families to fall out, because with the Lei family as backing, it wouldn’t be easy for the Han family to destroy the Ren family.

Ren Yaohua also learned about young Qiao Shi’s situation, but this time Ren Yaohua remained composed, saying nothing, continuing to embroider her dowry in her boudoir daily as Li Shi required.

After some time, one evening when Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua finished dining at Li Shi’s place together, Ren Yaohua suddenly said to Ren Yaoqi, “It’s been quite a while since we received a letter from Pan’er.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Ren Yaohua, catching sight of eyes filled with some worry.

Ever since Lei Pan’er began learning to read, she had frequently written letters to Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua. Initially, more than half of each letter consisted of circles, but encouraged by Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua’s replies, Lei Pan’er practiced writing very earnestly. Later, the circles gradually decreased, and her characters became much neater.

“Is Third Sister worried about Pan’er?” Ren Yaoqi asked softly.

Ren Yaohua frowned and said, “I wonder if she’s fallen ill.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled, “How about I write a letter to the little girl tomorrow? After all, I could be considered half her teacher, so it’s perfectly natural to inquire about her calligraphy practice.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaohua’s brow relaxed somewhat, and she nodded, “I was thinking the same thing.” Lei Pan’er had somehow learned that Ren Yaoqi wrote beautifully and insisted on becoming her disciple. Sometimes in her letters, she would playfully address Ren Yaoqi as “Sister Yaoqi Teacher,” which was both touching and amusing.

However, the next day, before Ren Yaoqi’s letter could be sent to the Lei family, the Ren family lost their composure first. Old Madam Ren sent someone to fetch Ren Yaohua back to Baihe Town.

Ren Yaoqi had originally wanted to accompany Ren Yaohua back, but after thinking it over, she ultimately decided not to go. She could predict why the Ren family wanted Ren Yaohua back and could guess what the Ren family elders would say to her. She smiled somewhat sarcastically—it was time for Old Madam Ren to exhaust the last bit of grandmother-granddaughter affection with Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaohua returned to Baihe Town alone. Although the Ren family was currently in the eye of the storm, the entourage that came to receive Ren Yaohua was still quite impressive. After Ren Yaohua arrived at Ronghua Garden, Old Madam Ren still called her “precious heart and liver,” then led Ren Yaohua to visit the ailing Old Master Ren, after which the grandmother and granddaughter had some intimate conversation.

When the atmosphere was most harmonious, Old Madam Ren made her request to Ren Yaohua.

Old Madam Ren’s request was quite simple: “You’ve seen the family’s situation, and your grandfather is… sigh! Tomorrow is the birthday banquet for Old Madam Jin in Yunyang City. Grandmother will take you to offer congratulations. The Lei family has some friendship with the Jin family, so Lei Ting will certainly appear at such an occasion. I’ll find a way for you to meet with Lei Ting.”

As Ren Yaohua listened, she frowned tightly. She glanced at Old Madam Ren and said with pursed lips, “Grandmother, I heard from Father that the Lei family has helped our Ren family considerably this time?” Ren Yaohua felt somewhat displeased—hearing such words about secretly meeting Lei Ting from her own elder’s mouth was awkward, no matter how she heard it.

Old Madam Ren dismissed this: “They merely spoke a word at the government office—it was effortless for the Lei family. However, this way our Ren family’s reputation will inevitably suffer, which your grandfather and I don’t want to see. Good child, think about it—when you marry into the Lei family, if the Ren family isn’t doing well and something happens, who will support you? If your natal family isn’t strong, how can you have good days in your husband’s family? Moreover…”

Old Madam Ren paused and sighed, “I heard that a woman seeking refuge has come to the Lei family, not only resembling Lei Ting’s former wife but also quite scheming.” Old Madam Ren glanced meaningfully at Ren Yaohua, “That little girl from the Lei family hasn’t sent you letters for quite some time, has she?”

Ren Yaohua looked at Old Madam Ren with tightly pursed lips, saying nothing.

Old Madam Ren patted Ren Yaohua’s somewhat stiff hand comfortingly, “Don’t worry. Once the Ren family overcomes this difficulty, Grandmother will certainly stand up for you. You needn’t take it to heart.”

Ren Yaohua slowly withdrew her hand from Old Madam Ren’s grasp, lowered her eyes, and remained silent.

Old Madam Ren paid no mind and continued in a low voice to carefully explain her arrangements for tomorrow and what she wanted Ren Yaohua to say to Lei Ting. Ren Yaohua sat there with a tense expression, never opening her mouth.

After Old Madam Ren finished her instructions, she asked, “Have you remembered everything Grandmother told you?”

Ren Yaohua was silent for a moment, finally saying with some difficulty, “Grandmother, if I act this way before even marrying into the Lei family, have you considered how the Lei family will view me?” Old Madam Ren’s words had implied that she could use some tactics when facing Lei Ting.

Old Madam Ren smiled, “What’s wrong with that? Your wedding date isn’t far off—you’ll be family then.”

Ren Yaohua blinked hard to suppress the sourness in her eyes. She opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.

Old Madam Ren made the final decision: “This matter is settled. Go rest at Ziwei Courtyard first, and tomorrow come with me to Yunyang City.”

Ren Yaohua took a slow breath and withdrew silently with a lowered head. When she left Old Madam Ren’s room, she walked somewhat hurriedly, nearly colliding with a maid who was about to enter.

Not long after Ren Yaohua returned to Ziwei Courtyard, Old Madam Ren sent someone to deliver clothing, along with a set of hair ornaments and jewelry accessories. The clothing was exquisite, and the hair ornaments and jewelry were Old Madam Ren’s treasured possessions. However, Ren Yaohua didn’t even glance at the items on the table—she simply sat leaning against the head of her bed, staring blankly at the bedding embroidered with flowing clouds and a hundred blessings.

The next day, Old Madam Ren indeed sent someone to fetch Ren Yaohua to take her to Yunyang City. Ren Yaohua said nothing, put on the outfit Old Madam Ren had prepared for her, and under Old Madam Ren’s satisfied gaze, followed her into the carriage.