Ren Yaohua frowned: “Then, when do you estimate you can repay the money owed to the Yu family?”

Old Madam Ren and the eldest madam exchanged glances. Finally, the eldest madam smiled bitterly: “Our Ren family is no longer what it once was. The outside businesses still can’t turn around properly. Under these circumstances, to repay the Yu family’s money… it would take at least three to five years.”

Ren Yaohua looked at the gloomy Old Madam Ren and eldest madam: “In that case, giving the East Manor to the Yu family first wouldn’t be impossible. After repaying the money, just redeem it.”

As soon as Ren Yaohua’s words fell, Old Madam Ren’s expression changed, and she said sternly: “How can this be acceptable?”

Everyone looked toward Old Madam Ren. Realizing she had been too agitated just now, Old Madam Ren softened her expression and put on a face full of grief again: “This is our Ren family’s ancestral home, the root of our Ren family! Although your grandfather is no longer here, I cannot let the Ren family be ruined in my hands. Otherwise, how could I face the Ren family ancestors underground in the future?”

Ren Yaoyin walked over to help Old Madam Ren smooth her chest, saying with a dim expression: “Before Grandfather passed away, he also told my father that the Ren family ancestral home cannot be sold. No matter what, this was Grandfather’s dying wish.”

Old Madam Ren sighed and gently patted Ren Yaoyin’s hand: “Yin’er is right.”

Ren Yaoqi coldly watched their performance. If Ren Yaoqi didn’t know the secret of this Ren family mansion, she might have been moved by them. Unfortunately, she understood better than anyone the secret behind their unwillingness to give up the mansion.

After Old Madam Ren and the others finished their lamenting and grieving, Ren Yaoqi finally spoke: “Then, according to Old Madam’s view, how should this matter be handled?”

Thinking Ren Yaoqi was going to help, Old Madam Ren quickly said: “Naturally, we should make the Yu family hand over our Ren family’s property deed! Who knows how that deed ended up in their hands? I think they want to swindle our mansion, so they’ve been plotting for a long time. They’re not good people!”

Ren Yaoqi looked at Old Madam Ren’s self-righteous expression and sighed inwardly: “Is that property deed real?”

Old Madam Ren paused, then said reluctantly: “Your uncle looked at it. It’s probably real.”

Ren Yaoqi asked again: “Is the loan contract in their hands real?”

The eldest madam glanced at Old Madam Ren and nodded: “It’s real.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “Then there’s no reason to make them hand over the property deed. Repaying debts is only natural. Even if this went to court, the Ren family would be in the wrong.”

Old Madam Ren’s expression immediately soured: “The Yu family might not give face to others, but with you representing Prince Yanbei’s Manor and the Lei family combined, your face is worth more than the sky. How would the Yu family dare not give face? I think it’s not that you can’t help, but that you’re unwilling to help your maternal family!”

Ren Yaohua had originally felt some sympathy for the Ren family’s plight, especially seeing Old Madam Ren’s pitiful appearance, which made her heart soften. But now Old Madam Ren’s words sounded wrong, so she immediately responded seriously: “Old Madam’s words are incorrect. No one should be exempt from repaying borrowed money! Even the Son of Heaven is subject to the same laws as commoners, let alone me and Yaoqi, who are just women. Where would we get such great influence? Not to mention other things, my younger uncle accidentally broke a jade cup at Jubao Studio before the New Year. The shop owner already said not to compensate. My uncle didn’t pay attention at the time, but later, when his brother found out, he not only had the steward pay the money but also gave my uncle a scolding. Does Old Madam want me to go back and get scolded, too? I’m still the Lei family’s head matriarch. Yaoqi isn’t in charge of Prince Yanbei’s Manor, and I heard Prince Yanbei and Princess Consort have always been upright people who handle affairs fairly and strictly. If Yaoqi were to use Prince Yanbei’s Manor’s name to intimidate others, how could she establish herself in Prince Yanbei’s Manor in the future?”

This rebuke made Old Madam Ren quite angry. According to her previous temperament, she would have scolded Ren Yaohua thoroughly, but the eldest madam kept giving her meaningful looks from the side, afraid she would fall out with the sisters. This would be of no benefit to the Ren family’s current situation.

Old Madam Ren could only suppress this anger in her heart, covering her chest and taking several deep breaths before saying with a dark face: “Then what do you say we should do! Should the whole family be driven out to drink the northwest wind!”

Ren Yaohua wasn’t intimidated by Old Madam Ren’s ugly expression: “I said to give the East Manor to the Yu family first. That courtyard is empty anyway. After three to five years, when the money is repaid, redeem it. As for whether this is worthy of the ancestors, consider that later. I think if the ancestors have spirits in heaven, they would rather give up the mansion than see their descendants suffer. Otherwise, if the Yu family takes us to court, would the eldest master have to be imprisoned like Grandfather was back then?”

As soon as Ren Yaohua spoke, the eldest madam was the first to change expression.

With Old Master Ren no longer here, the eldest master Ren was head of the family. If the Yu family sued the Ren family, the eldest master would be the one in trouble.

“Mother, this matter should be discussed carefully. The Yu family only has the East Manor’s property deed. They can’t touch the West Manor side.” The eldest madam was also afraid Old Madam Ren’s temper would flare and she’d fall out with the two young madams. With the Ren family in such straits now, although Ren Shimin was unwilling to return to the Ren family, outsiders would still give some face out of respect for these two young madams. Otherwise, the Ren family’s situation would be even worse.

The eldest madam was also hinting to Old Madam Ren that even if treasures were hidden in this mansion, they would be in the West Manor, which served as the main courtyard. There couldn’t possibly be anything in the East Manor, so even if the East Manor were mortgaged to the Yu family, they wouldn’t find anything.

Although Old Madam Ren was dissatisfied and unwilling to give up half the mansion, she was also afraid the Yu family would take them to court. The Ren family had just lost Old Master Ren. If something happened to the eldest master, too, the Ren family would truly be finished.

Her expression changed several times before she said, “I suspect the Yu family is targeting our mansion. What if we repay their money later, but they’re unwilling to return the property deed?”

Ren Yaohua looked toward Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and said, “Then we should agree with the Yu family beforehand that the East Manor will be temporarily mortgaged to them. If the Ren family repays the debt within three years, they will return the property deed.”

“What if it can’t be repaid within three years?” Old Madam Ren said unpleasantly.

Ren Yaoqi said calmly, “Then the East Manor can only go to the Yu family. After all, the property deed was mortgaged to them. If they’re willing to wait three years, that’s already showing utmost benevolence.”

Eldest madam said hesitantly, “But looking at the Yu family’s attitude, they seem determined to get this mansion. They might not agree to give us three years to repay the money. After all, three years is neither long nor short.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and sighed: “That’s also true. After all, the house was originally mortgaged to them. Now that the Ren family can’t produce the money, there’s nothing wrong with them taking the house and not returning it. So some maneuvering will inevitably be needed.”

Old Madam Ren said: “Since you say this, you must have a solution?” Eldest madam also looked toward Ren Yaoqi.

But Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “What solution could I, a mere woman, have? It’s just that recently I heard my husband mention that Madam Xu knew the Yu family. It seems that Madam Yu has some family connection with one of the ladies at the academy. I was thinking we might try approaching Madam Yu through this connection. As for whether it will work, I dare not guarantee it.”

Ren Yaohua couldn’t help glancing at Ren Yaoqi. How come she had never heard Ren Yaoqi mention that Madam Xu knew Madam Yu?

Old Madam Ren and the eldest madam exchanged glances. Both were calculating in their hearts. Originally, their external debts had all ended up with the Yu family. If they could stabilize the Yu family, three years would be roughly enough for them to scrape together this sum of money. Moreover, considerable treasures were hidden in this Ren family mansion. Three years would be enough for them to dig three feet deep and find everything.

So Old Madam Ren was still somewhat satisfied in her heart, though her expression remained reluctant: “If there’s no other way, we can only do this. With Old Master gone and few sons to rely on, we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “My father is a straightforward person who always means what he says. When the Ren family expelled us, he was also hurt, which is why he’s unwilling to return.”

Ren Yaoqi brought up old matters, making Old Madam Ren’s expression unpleasant again.

“I gave birth to him! The Ren family also raised him for so many years. What’s wrong with suffering some grievances?”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “You’re right. So, although my father now has no relationship with the Ren family, he still rushed back to see Old Master one last time. Sister and I are no longer Ren family daughters, yet we’re still willing to step forward and help the Ren family at this time. Consider it repaying the Ren family’s years of nurturing grace.”

Old Madam Ren was stunned. Eldest madam realized what was happening and quickly said: “What are you saying, Fifth Young Madam? Family members don’t speak as outsiders. You and Third Young Madam are both our Ren family daughters.”

Old Madam Ren pushed the eldest madam aside and looked at Ren Yaoqi with a frown: “What do you mean by these words?”

Ren Yaoqi said sincerely, “Old Madam understands my father’s temperament. Since he’s already been expelled from the clan, he will never return to the Ren family, no matter who tries to persuade him. However, our branch ultimately originated from the Ren family. Now that the Ren family is in trouble, I’m willing to do my best to help, considering it repayment for the Ren family’s nurturing grace.”

Old Madam Ren was so angry at these words that she couldn’t speak. She pointed at Ren Yaoqi, about to scold her, but the eldest madam rushed over and held her back, afraid Old Madam Ren might strike. If she hurt Ren Yaoqi, that would be terrible.

Fortunately, Old Madam Ren didn’t dare strike. She cursed angrily: “The Ren family raised you for so many years. Where is it so easy to clear the slate! If you want to leave, fine – first repay everything owed to the Ren family!”