The Eldest Madam’s complexion turned extremely ugly upon hearing this, and her heart trembled with anger.

When she had originally sent Ren Yaoyin to Jiangnan, besides preserving her reputation, she had also wanted her to give up her longing for the Yun family’s eldest son. Unexpectedly, during Ren Yaoyin’s time in Jiangnan, her older sister Ren Yaochi had also found her several good marriage prospects, but Ren Yaoyin had refused them all with various excuses. After returning to Yanbei, she had also put considerable thought into Ren Yaoyin’s marriage prospects, but unfortunately, the Ren family encountered disaster, leaving her with options that were neither high nor low.

The Eldest Madam had originally thought her daughter was simply unlucky, but she hadn’t expected that even now, Ren Yaoyin still hadn’t forgotten the Yun family’s eldest son, wholeheartedly wanting to enter the Yun family’s doors. Worse still, somehow she had even convinced Old Madam Ren behind her back.

“No! I’ve already arranged a family for you. Once your grandfather’s mourning period ends, you’ll get married!” The Eldest Madam said with a somewhat harsh tone. This was the first time she had openly opposed Old Madam Ren in front of others.

Old Madam Ren was stunned, then became unhappy: “Which family? You mean that impoverished Yang family you mentioned before? Even though he’s the eldest legitimate grandson, there’s barely any family property left to inherit? How can Yin’er marry into such a family?”

The Eldest Madam still tried to reason with Old Madam Ren: “Old Madam, although the Yang family doesn’t have much ancestral property left in this generation, Young Master Yang is a remarkably capable person. Yiyan says his character is also very good, and Young Master Yang’s maternal uncle’s family in Wuzhou is also a wealthy household. In a few years, he’s bound to be successful.”

But Old Madam Ren was never one to be reasoned with. Looking at the Eldest Madam, she snorted coldly: “Wait a few years? Can the Ren family wait for him for several years? Don’t worry about Yin’er’s marriage – I’ll make the decisions! If you have free time, you’d better properly discipline your daughters-in-law and set more rules for them!”

The Eldest Madam wanted to say something, but after glancing at Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua, she temporarily suppressed her words and remained silent with her head lowered and eyes.

Old Madam Ren thought the Eldest Madam had given in. She glanced at Ren Yaoyin and said meaningfully: “Besides, having Yin’er go to the Yun family might not be just our wishful thinking.”

The Eldest Madam looked up with a frown: “What does Old Madam mean by this?”

Old Madam Ren squinted her eyes and said to Ren Yaoyin: “Yin’er, tell your grandmother and mother honestly – do you have secret correspondence with the Yun family’s eldest son?”

Ren Yaoqi was slightly surprised upon hearing this and looked toward Ren Yaoyin.

Ren Yaoyin’s face first showed panic, then she lowered her head with a red face: “Grandmother, why do you say this? Granddaughter… granddaughter hasn’t…”

Although Ren Yaoyin didn’t admit it, her expression didn’t seem to match her denial.

Old Madam Ren was satisfied and looked at Ren Yaoyin: “Don’t try to hide it from me. I know you have several letters written to you by the Yun family’s eldest son.”

It turned out that a few days ago, Old Madam Ren’s maid had gone to find Ren Yaoyin’s maid to get some embroidery patterns, and happened to see Ren Yaoyin frantically hiding something. After returning, she told Old Madam Ren about this incident. After hearing this, Old Madam Ren felt something was wrong, so the next day she called Ren Yaoyin away, then had that maid go to Ren Yaoyin’s room to find what she had been secretly hiding. The result was that they found letters written to Ren Yaoyin by the Yun family’s eldest son, and there were even several that Ren Yaoyin had received while in Jiangnan.

After Old Madam Ren learned of this, instead of being angry, she was delighted.

Now that Old Madam Ren had brought this up, Ren Yaoyin kept her head down without speaking, but her face was red as blood. This was tantamount to admission.

The Eldest Madam was so shocked she couldn’t speak, pointing at Ren Yaoyin: “You… you… When did you…”

Ren Yaoyin looked at the Eldest Madam with guilty eyes: “Mother, I… I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I…” Ren Yaoyin bit her lip and mustered her courage: “Young Master Yun and I, we have mutual affection.”

The Eldest Madam looked at Ren Yaoyin, her face full of anger and disappointment, unable to speak. She had once had high expectations for Ren Yaoyin. This daughter was intelligent and sensible, and her appearance was outstanding, but Ren Yaoyin kept disappointing her more and more each time.

Old Madam Ren was very satisfied. In her heart, having Ren Yaoyin become a concubine in the Yun family was better than having her become the main wife in some worthless Yang family, because the Yun family could bring benefits to the Ren family, while the Yang family was unreliable.

Ren Yaoqi watched this drama from the side with cold eyes, disgusted by Ren Yaoyin’s pretense and Old Madam Ren’s single-minded pursuit of profit.

Others didn’t know, but Ren Yaoqi was clear about who the Yun family’s eldest son truly favored. Although she hadn’t had many interactions with Yun Wenting and didn’t have a good impression of the Yun family, she also didn’t believe that someone who had once been confirmed by Xiao Jinglin as a candidate for princess consort would have any secret improper relationship with Ren Yaoyin.

This matter was very likely fabricated entirely by Ren Yaoyin herself, with the purpose of gaining Old Madam Ren’s support.

Old Madam Ren was not like the Eldest Madam. Although the Eldest Madam wasn’t exactly a good person either, she truly loved and cared for her children, wholeheartedly wanting what was best for them. But Old Madam Ren only saw profit. In today’s precarious situation for the Ren family, if they could establish a connection with the Yun family, the Ren family’s future days would be much better. Especially since the capital woman granted in marriage to Yun Wenting was meant to be a decoration, and it was hard to say whether the Yun family would even let her have children.

Old Madam Ren felt that even if Ren Yaoyin married as a concubine, as long as she had children in the future, combined with the fact that the Yun family’s eldest son had feelings for Ren Yaoyin, her status in the Yun family would surely be comparable to that of a legitimate wife.

Now that Ren Shimin was unwilling to return to the Ren family, and Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi, despite their high status, were not of one heart with her, Old Madam Ren naturally had to hold tight to this “obedient and well-behaved” granddaughter, Ren Yaoyin.

It must be said that Ren Yaoyin was quite scheming. She had completely figured out Old Madam Ren’s thoughts. The grandmother and granddaughter calculated against each other and used each other, but in the end it was Ren Yaoyin who gained the upper hand.

Old Madam Ren looked at Ren Yaoqi again: “How about it? Are you willing to help with this favor?”

Before Ren Yaoqi could speak, a male voice interrupted coldly: “No help!”

Everyone turned around upon hearing this and saw Ren Shimin and Li Shi lifting the curtain to enter. Ren Shimin’s face was ice-cold without any expression, and Li Shi stood one step behind him, still looking very submissive.

Ren Shimin’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces and finally stopped on Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua. He said indifferently, “What are you still doing here? The Xiao and Lei family carriages are already waiting outside. Go back to your own homes. The affairs between your maternal family and the Ren family are not for you to interfere with.”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at Li Shi, who gently shook her head at her. Ren Yaoqi understood somewhat.

Ren Shimin and Li Shi must have been standing outside for a long time, but for some reason, no one had come in to announce them.

Ren Yaoqi knew that at this moment she couldn’t contradict anything her father said, so she pulled Ren Yaohua back, but wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

Ren Shimin glanced at them and then ignored them, walking directly to Old Madam Ren’s bedside. With an expressionless face, he performed a bow: “How is your health today?”

Old Madam Ren had been startled by his angry entrance earlier, but now that she had recovered, she couldn’t help but snort coldly: “Originally I wouldn’t have died yet, but after being defied by an unfilial son, that’s hard to say!”

Ren Shimin didn’t respond, only looking at Old Madam Ren: “I will repay the debt of gratitude for raising us that we owe the Ren family. They are merely married daughters who no longer have any relationship with the Ren family.”

As he spoke, Ren Shimin glanced at Ren Yaoyin again. His already cold and hard expression became even more unpleasant, and the disdain and contempt in his tone were completely undisguised: “As for rushing to become someone’s concubine – if you’re willing to do such things, then do them, but don’t drag Yaoqi into it and make her lose face along with you. I’m putting my words here today. If she dares to help you with this favor, I’ll give her a severe beating and throw her out of the house, refusing to acknowledge this daughter! Ren Yaoqi, did you hear me?”

The last sentence was said as Ren Shimin turned to face Ren Yaoqi directly. This was the first time he had spoken to Ren Yaoqi in such a stern tone, making Ren Yaoqi freeze for a moment.

“Yes, Father, your daughter understands.” Ren Yaoqi lowered her head.

Not only Ren Yaoqi, but the others also rarely saw Ren Shimin so harsh and severe. Generally speaking, Master Ren was quite particular about grace and demeanor, and didn’t pay much attention to small matters that didn’t catch his eye. But when such a person didn’t lose his temper, it was fine, but once he did, few people wouldn’t be afraid.

Even Old Madam Ren was momentarily intimidated by Ren Shimin.

Ren Shimin turned back to Old Madam Ren: “How much silver is owed to the Ren family, I will repay it all within one year. Principal and interest included, please rest assured.”

As he spoke, Ren Shimin lifted his robe hem and knelt in front of Old Madam Ren’s bed. Li Shi was startled and quickly knelt as well. Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua exchanged glances and also knelt.

Ren Shimin kowtowed to Old Madam Ren without saying a word. The “thud, thud, thud” sounds echoed in the room. Li Shi watched as Ren Shimin’s forehead immediately turned bruised, feeling heartbroken but only able to follow him in kowtowing with red eyes.

Ren Shimin efficiently performed nine kowtows, then pulled Li Shi up and said to the dumbfounded Old Madam Ren: “After Old Master’s funeral is finished, I will return to Yunyang City. Except for when you pass away, I, Ren Shimin, will never set foot in the Ren family’s doors again in this lifetime. My branch’s children and descendants, from today onward, will never set foot in the Ren family’s doors again.”

After saying this, Ren Shimin walked outside. When he reached Ren Yaoqi’s side, he paused and said indifferently: “You mentioned earlier about helping the Ren family negotiate a three-year deadline with the Yu family. Since you’ve already said it, help them. We should repay more to shut others’ mouths and prevent people from having opportunities to constantly make you do such senseless things.”

After saying this, Ren Shimin left with his bruised forehead without looking back. Li Shi also followed behind Ren Shimin. She hadn’t expressed any opinion from the beginning to the end.

Ren Yaoqi curved the corners of her mouth, suddenly feeling very pleased. Even facing Old Madam Ren’s dark and livid expression didn’t affect her mood. She pulled Ren Yaohua and bowed to Old Madam Ren: “In that case, sister and I will take our leave first. Old Madam, please take care of your health.”