Ren Shimin frowned and glanced at Ren Yaoying: “Do you truly think this way?”

Ren Yaoying hurriedly nodded, her eyes brimming with tears as she said: “Yes, thank you. Your daughter would rather become a nun than marry into the He family and bring shame to you, Father. Father…”

Ren Shimin fell silent for a while, then sighed: “You go back first. Your mother and I will discuss this further.” No matter how little Ren Shimin favored this daughter, he ultimately didn’t wish to see Ren Yaoying truly marry that Old Master He, who was even older than himself. Even though he had separated from the Ren family, Ren Yaoying was still part of his household.

Ren Yaoying’s face lit up with surprise and joy: “Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!” She then looked at Ren Yaoqi with hopeful eyes: “Fifth Sister…”

In her heart, Ren Yaoying understood very clearly that if she wanted to successfully break off the engagement, relying solely on her father wouldn’t work – she needed Ren Yaoqi to use the influence of the Yanbei Prince’s Manor.

Ren Yaoqi smiled slightly, neither annoyed nor anxious: “Since Father has promised you that he’ll discuss it with Mother, then he’s planning to find a way to break off your engagement. You needn’t worry.”

Ren Yaoying hurriedly said: “Thank you, Fifth Sister. Your younger sister will repay you in the future.”

Ren Yaoqi still just smiled and said nothing.

At this moment, Lei Ting was led in from outside. Seeing Ren Shimin, Xiao Jingxi, and the others all standing in the courtyard, he couldn’t help but be somewhat surprised. He quickly walked over and paid his respects to Master Ren, then greeted Xiao Jingxi and Ren Yaoqi.

Master Ren had a fairly good impression of his eldest son-in-law and nodded. Xiao Jingxi was also familiar with Lei Ting, especially after that time when Ren Yaoqi helped the Lei family – Xiao Jingxi and Lei Ting had several interactions. However, today both of them came to the Ren family as sons-in-law, so Xiao Jingxi didn’t carry himself with any of the airs of a young master from the Yanbei Prince’s Manor, treating Lei Ting with the attitude of an ordinary brother-in-law.

Ren Yaoying stood to the side, not yet having left. Her gaze swept back and forth between Xiao Jingxi and Lei Ting, and at this moment, only she could comprehend the complexity of her emotions.

Since childhood, Ren Yaoying had envied, resented, and harbored hatred toward her two legitimate elder sisters, feeling that she was in no way inferior to either of them – what she lost out on was merely birth circumstances alone. How unfair was fate? Now, to avoid marrying a disgusting old man, she had to humble herself and beg others. But why were Ren Yaohua’s and Ren Yaoqi’s fates so fortunate? Ren Yaoqi could marry Xiao Jingxi from the Yanbei Prince’s Manor – her luck was so incredible it was almost unbelievable. Why could even Ren Yaohua, when becoming a second wife, encounter a man like Lei Ting?

Ren Yaoying quietly clenched her fists, ten thousand kinds of unwillingness surging from the depths of her heart.

However, none of those present paid her any attention. Li Shi had already sent someone out to invite them into the main hall.

Before leaving, Master Ren saw that Ren Yaoying was still standing in place and instructed her to return first.

This time, Ren Yaoying very obediently lowered her head, curtsied, and agreed.

As Ren Yaoqi walked to the steps of the main hall, she inadvertently looked back and saw that Ren Yaoying was still standing in the same spot, watching them leave. Because she was backlit, the emotions in her eyes were unclear.

With Lei Ting’s company, the subsequent meal became much livelier. The three men sat at one table, eating and drinking, chatting about various topics in harmony. Master Ren also completely abandoned his prejudice against his second son-in-law, though he still felt somewhat uncomfortable facing the man who had married his youngest daughter.

After the meal, Lei Ting and Xiao Jingxi went off to chat together. Master Ren, having some matters to discuss with Li Shi, returned to the main hall. Ren Yaoqi, who was keeping Li Shi company, said: “Father, you’ve come at just the right time. I was just discussing Ninth Sister’s engagement cancellation with Mother.”

Master Ren sighed: “This matter is indeed somewhat difficult to handle. In a few days, I’ll send someone to the He family to sound out their intentions…”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled: “If Father trusts me, why don’t you let me handle this matter?”

Master Ren was stunned: “You?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “Yes, I’ll go back and petition the Princess Consort. No matter what, the He family should give the Yanbei Prince’s Manor some face, shouldn’t they?”

Before Ren Shimin could respond favorably, Nanny Zhou became anxious: “Miss, you’ve only been married into the Yanbei Prince’s Manor for a few days. This is precisely the time when you need to keep a low profile before your parents-in-law. This is somewhat inappropriate.” It wasn’t a matter of propriety, but rather one of worth. Nanny Zhou felt that, given the Princess Consort’s fondness for her young miss, petitioning her for other people wouldn’t be a problem, but if this person was Ren Yaoying, then it wasn’t worth it.

Hearing this, Ren Shimin also shook his head: “Forget it, don’t concern yourself with this matter. I’ll ask your Fifth Uncle instead. He has broader connections than I do and has business dealings with many families in Zhuozhou. Perhaps he can help me establish contact with the He family, and then we can just compensate them with more betrothal money.”

However, Ren Yaoqi pouted and said reproachfully: “How is it that Father is now eager to treat me as an outsider? Since your daughter has promised, she naturally has a way.” As she spoke, Ren Yaoqi even winked at Nanny Zhou, indicating that she shouldn’t worry.

Ren Shimin had never been particularly concerned or skilled with such matters. Seeing Ren Yaoqi so confident, he thought it over and didn’t insist, only saying: “Then you try, but don’t force yourself.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and agreed, then added: “It’s just that what Ninth Sister said earlier about becoming a nun after breaking off the engagement won’t do either. A perfectly good unmarried young lady becoming a nun after breaking off an engagement – what would others think of our family?”

Ren Shimin nodded: “You’re right.”

Ren Yaoqi continued: “So, I think if Ninth Sister’s engagement is broken off, we should immediately arrange a new match for her to prevent any further complications.”

Li Shi couldn’t help but frown: “Arranging an engagement isn’t that simple. Suitable candidates aren’t easy to find…”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi smiled at both Li Shi and Master Ren: “Who says there’s no suitable candidate? Didn’t Father have someone in mind before? That Young Master Meng, Father’s prized student.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Shimin’s eyes lit up, but after thinking it over, he hesitated: “But if Yaoying has had her engagement broken off, would the Meng family be willing?”

Nanny Zhou rolled her eyes and suddenly interjected: “Master, look what you’re saying! How could the Meng family be unwilling? Although Ninth Miss isn’t legitimate-born, her two sisters now have different statuses. Once the He family engagement is broken off, I’m afraid many people would want to become brothers-in-law with Young Master Xiao and Master Lei. Moreover, Young Master Meng is your student – if he marries your daughter, this would also be considered a good story.”

Ren Shimin nodded and pondered: “That makes sense. Then, in a few days, I’ll send someone to sound out the Meng family’s intentions.”

Wanting to return and continue chatting with his two sons-in-law about topics he enjoyed, and seeing that this matter had been discussed thoroughly, Ren Shimin left.

Once Master Ren left, Nanny Zhou couldn’t help but ask quietly: “Second Miss, do you want to help Ninth Miss break off her engagement?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and smiled: “I saw that Father disapproves of the He family match, so I thought I’d help if I could help – it’s not a big deal. But whether it can ultimately succeed doesn’t depend on me.”

“Then who does it depend on?”

Ren Yaoqi sighed and said softly: “It depends on Ren Yaoying herself.”