Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang exchanged glances. Jiang Qianiang smiled and said, “Why don’t we walk and talk in the garden? Does Young Master Han need me to excuse myself?”

Han Yunqian glanced at Jiang Qianiang and nodded: “Very well, Miss Jiang need not avoid us.”

Jiang Qianiang smiled back at Han Yunqian, seemingly having anticipated that she wouldn’t be dismissed by Han Yunqian. Han Yunqian indeed couldn’t very well send Jiang Qianiang away to speak only with Madam Jiang—if seen by others, it might give rise to unseemly gossip. Moreover, Han Yunqian now needed to reassure the Jiang family, if he cared about this marriage alliance.

Thus, Han Yunqian accompanied Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang in the garden for more than half an hour. As for what they discussed among themselves, apart from the three parties involved, no one else knew.

Several days later, Jiang Qianiang had Madam Jiang accompany her to the Yanbei Prince’s Manor again to request an audience with Young Madam Xiao, and Young Madam Xiao did receive these two women. Outsiders all speculated that Miss Jiang Six and Young Madam Xiao got along very well.

Ren Yaoqi still received Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang in Yingya Pavilion.

It seemed they knew that this time, Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang would be much more direct.

It was Madam Jiang who spoke first: “Recently, our Han family did some wrong things. We thank Young Madam for your magnanimity in not holding it against us. The Han family guarantees to be extremely cautious in all matters hereafter and hopes Young Madam can forgive us.”

This time, Ren Yaoqi didn’t play dumb either. She looked at Madam Jiang with a light smile: “Is this a guarantee made by Madam Han?”

Madam Jiang quickly said: “I’m just a woman—how could I have such authority? Today I’m merely running errands, conveying a message for those in our Han family who can make decisions. Young Madam, please rest assured, this was said personally by Young Master Han, and he absolutely will not go back on his word.”

Upon hearing that it was Han Yunqian’s intention, Ren Yaoqi wasn’t surprised. She only said with a tone of surprise: “Oh? Has the Han family now been taken over by Young Master Han?”

Madam Jiang pondered for a moment, then sighed: “Young Madam, you may not know, but the successor designated by our Old Master is not our Master, but Young Master Han. I only learned this after marrying into the Han family. Although I’m a second wife, I must admit that Young Master Han is more suitable to head this family than our Master. Speaking somewhat unfilially, our Old Master is getting on in years after all, and his way of looking at problems isn’t as flexible as young people’s, so… so the Han family members are still willing to follow Young Master Han.”

When Madam Jiang said this, her tone carried some helplessness. She wasn’t a woman completely without ambition—she had once fantasized about managing the Han family after giving birth to children in the future. But she also clearly understood that such thoughts were now merely wishful thinking. Even if she bore a son now, there would still be a twenty-year age gap with Han Yunqian. When Old Master was gone, she and her son would still have to make their living under Han Yunqian’s authority.

She still remembered what Han Yunqian had said yesterday. Han Yunqian had promised her that in the future, if she bore a son, even if he headed the family, her son’s rightful share wouldn’t be reduced by even a bit. If she remained childless, the Han family would not mistreat her.

Han Yunqian had said these words in front of Jiang Qianiang—that is, he made this promise before her natal family. Han Yunqian certainly wouldn’t have the face to go back on his word. After thinking it over, Madam Jiang felt this seemed to be the greatest benefit she could secure for herself and her future children at present.

Ren Yaoqi looked at Madam Jiang’s complex expression and could guess about eighty to ninety percent of her thoughts. After thinking for a moment, she smiled: “In that case, I’ll wait to see Young Master Han’s sincerity as the head of the family.”

At this point, Madam Jiang’s face showed some difficulty again.

Seeing this, Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile: “Does Young Master Han have other words to convey?”

Madam Jiang glanced at Jiang Qianiang, then said to Ren Yaoqi with some hesitation: “Our Young Master also said that as a descendant, defying his elders is already extremely unfilial, so there are some things he must do regardless. He said he wants to take back some things that belonged to his ancestors…”

Madam Jiang actually didn’t understand this statement very well. She had even pressed Han Yunqian about what ancestral things he meant. However, Han Yunqian had remained silent for a long time and still didn’t specify, only asking her to convey the original words to Young Madam Xiao.

Now, Madam Jiang felt somewhat uncertain, not knowing whether this Young Madam would understand Han Yunqian’s words or agree to them.

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then said to Madam Jiang: “Please help me convey to your young head of family: as long as he can keep his promise, what belongs to whom is what belongs to whom—I absolutely will not interfere with this. Regarding this matter, even if the Han family uses whatever means, I will not intervene.”

Ren Yaoqi knew that Han Yunqian was referring to the Ren family’s current residence and the things within it.

These originally belonged to the Zhai family, so it was entirely appropriate for Han Yunqian to want to take them back. Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t obstruct this. Ren Yaoqi’s purpose in intervening in the Han and Ren family affairs today was only to hope that after the Han family retrieved what rightfully belonged to them, they would know when to stop and leave the Ren family a way to survive.

Seeing that Ren Yaoqi had agreed, Madam Jiang couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, as did Jiang Qianiang.

Although they only had a partial understanding of the entire matter and still didn’t know the whole story, they were happy that the situation could be resolved peacefully. This meant that the Jiang family’s problems could also be resolved, and Madam Jiang could establish firmer footing in the Han family because of this matter—it was truly everyone being happy.

Since the matter had been settled, Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang tactfully offered to take their leave. This time, Ren Yaoqi had her steward Pingguo personally escort them out.

After returning home, Madam Jiang relayed Ren Yaoqi’s words to Han Yunqian word for word. After hearing this, the Han family’s eldest young master remained silent for a long while, then nodded and left.

Han Yunqian hadn’t expected Ren Yaoqi to agree so readily. When he had Madam Jiang propose that he wanted to take back the Zhai family’s belongings, it was merely a test, like doing business, allowing the other party to bargain. He hadn’t expected the other party to agree without saying anything, which instead made Han Yunqian feel he wasn’t as straightforward as a woman.

Especially starting from the day after Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang returned from the Yanbei Prince’s Manor, the Han family’s situation began to improve. Their bad luck seemed to be dissipating, and all their various businesses began flowing smoothly as before.

Everyone in the Han family was delighted by this, and even Old Master Han smiled more frequently. However, Han Yunqian felt pressured because of this.

He had originally planned to resolve this matter slowly. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day—getting Old Master Han to let go of his hatred wouldn’t be easy. But Han Yunqian hadn’t expected Ren Yaoqi to be so decisive and true to her word. In comparison, he seemed somewhat indecisive.

Whenever he thought of this, Han Yunqian couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It seemed that from beginning to end, he had never won against her. However, he didn’t want to lose too ungracefully either.

The Han family’s salt wells in the northwest still had some unresolved problems, so after the Han family’s other businesses began returning to order, Old Master Han decided to personally go to the northwest to resolve the issues and left Yunyang City.

After Old Master Han left Yunyang City, Jiang Qianiang also had to return to Shunzhou.

Madam Jiang urged Jiang Qianiang to stay longer. Jiang Qianiang smiled: “Father wrote earlier saying the Gao family has agreed to make concessions. I’ve been enjoying leisure at Aunt’s place for so long—if I don’t return soon, my parents will forget what I look like.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang teased with a smile: “I think you’re not afraid your parents will forget what you look like, but because happy events are approaching, right?”

Jiang Qianiang smiled with pursed lips upon hearing this.

Seeing this, Madam Jiang couldn’t help but sigh and said with some hesitation: “Qianiang, I heard that this marriage the family arranged for you… The man seems to be in poor health. If you’re unwilling, I’ll go speak with your brother and sister-in-law.”

The man’s condition was more than just poor health—Madam Jiang had heard the other party was a mute who couldn’t speak.

Although his family background was excellent, his family assets were considerable, he was the legitimate eldest son of the main branch, and indeed the only legitimate son of that main branch, being unable to speak was still wronging Jiang Qianiang. Madam Jiang couldn’t understand why the Jiang family would arrange such a marriage for Jiang Qianiang. She had previously thought her brother and sister-in-law weren’t the type of short-sighted people who only cared about money—how could they wrong their only legitimate daughter?

Madam Jiang said these words because she truly felt sorry for her niece. Through their time together, Madam Jiang and Jiang Qianiang had developed some affection. Jiang Qianiang was a woman who understood situations and knew propriety—one really couldn’t dislike her. During her stay at the Han family, not only had Han You grown close to her, but even Old Madam Han liked to call her over for conversation when free. In short, Jiang Qianiang was a clever woman who knew how to conduct herself, making it impossible to dislike her.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qianiang instead grasped Madam Jiang’s hand to comfort her: “Aunt needn’t worry about me. I agreed to this marriage myself. He… is very good.”

Madam Jiang noticed that when Jiang Qianiang said “he is very good,” she didn’t show the bashfulness women typically displayed when mentioning their fiancés—it was more like an objective assessment. She couldn’t help but be stunned.

Jiang Qianiang looked at Madam Jiang and smiled, saying lightly: “Father and Mother also feel they’ve wronged me, but I think it’s quite good. Isn’t marriage just about each getting what they need?” At this point, Jiang Qianiang winked at Madam Jiang: “Aunt, do you know what my childhood wish was?”

Madam Jiang shook her head. When she was in the Jiang family, she wasn’t familiar with Jiang Qianiang and rarely interacted with her.

Jiang Qianiang said jokingly: “When I was little, I always thought it would be good if I were a man—then I could be the head of the family and make decisions. Only when everything is in your own hands do you not need to fear anything, right?”

Madam Jiang thought Jiang Qianiang was joking and smiled while tapping her forehead: “Then Aunt wishes you’ll realize this wish in your next life.”

Jiang Qianiang smiled brilliantly—only she knew she wasn’t joking.

Everyone has different aspirations; hers were just different from most women’s. Others hoped their husbands would be accomplished and capable of supporting the family, but she felt that when men were too capable, women could only become appendages and decorations.

Just like in the Han family, Young Master Han was too capable, so even if her aunt were capable and bore sons in the future, she still couldn’t head the Han family.

Although she admired men like Han Yunqian, she would never marry such a man.