After Jiang Qianiang left, Madam Jiang’s status in the Han family indeed changed somewhat.

The Han family’s inner courtyard had originally been managed by Old Madam Han and several old stewards. At Han Yunqian’s suggestion, they began letting Madam Jiang involve herself in the Han family’s household affairs. The Han family was a typical patriarchal clan where men headed the household. When Old Master Han wasn’t home, everyone in the Han family, including Old Madam Han, followed Han Yunqian’s lead, and no one raised objections.

Fortunately, Madam Jiang was inherently clever and had learned household management while in the Jiang family, so these tasks weren’t difficult for her. She kept herself happily busy.

The Han family’s womenfolk originally had little interaction with the outside world—they rarely even attended ordinary banquets. When Madam Jiang first married in, she found this strange, because in her impression, although women from wealthy families wouldn’t show their faces publicly, social interactions and exchanges among the women were indispensable—they would go out several times a month. But Old Madam Han and the Han family young ladies truly never stepped beyond their gates. Sometimes when Madam Jiang wanted to go out to meet someone or attend a gathering, she needed to report in detail to Old Madam Han.

Now that the intimidating Old Master Han wasn’t home and she could manage part of the Han family’s affairs, Madam Jiang began socializing with the womenfolk from nearby families and sometimes went out to attend these women’s gatherings.

Old Madam Han was initially somewhat displeased, feeling that Madam Jiang was breaking the rules Old Master Han had established. But since Han Yunqian didn’t speak against it, Old Madam Han let her be, though she simply stopped going out herself, staying in her courtyard where she could avoid seeing what displeased her.

Han Yunqian didn’t stop Madam Jiang’s socializing with other families’ womenfolk and even had the steward allocate her a monthly allowance for transportation expenses, making Madam Jiang think very well of Han Yunqian. However, Han Yunqian also requested Madam Jiang, asking her to bring Han You along when going out if the occasion was suitable, and to teach her about human relationships and social customs.

When Han Yunqian made this earnest request of Madam Jiang, she truly didn’t refuse and would bring Han You along when going out. Perhaps out of consideration for her future position in the Han family, Madam Jiang was very dedicated when teaching Han You, just like a family matron teaching a daughter about to marry about social interactions. This made Han You grow much closer to Madam Jiang and enjoy accompanying her on outings.

Han Yunqian was very grateful for Madam Jiang’s guidance of Han You. Not only did he thank her several times, but he was also generous with material provisions for Madam Jiang. This way, everyone was happy.

At the same time, Han Yunqian was also handling matters with the Ren family.

The Gao family agreed to give the Ren family three years to raise the owed silver, but if the Ren family still couldn’t repay within three years, the entire Ren family residence would belong to the Gao family. After much consideration, the head of the Ren family agreed, naturally keeping this from Old Madam Ren.

Master Ren, the head of the Ren family, had thought it through clearly. The only way for the Ren family to escape their predicament now was to find the treasure left by the previous owner of this residence. If three years wasn’t enough time to find it, then the chances of finding it later would be slim—or perhaps there was no such treasure at all.

Thus, the Ren family began major construction work throughout the residence.

Publicly, they said they wanted to dig several wells in the residence to improve the feng shui, but these wells were connected underground. The Ren family seemed determined to dig three feet deep to find those things.

Ren Yaoqi also heard about the Ren family digging here and there throughout the residence, and naturally understood better than anyone what they were looking for. She could only sigh and shake her head with a smile.

The Han family remained patient. Despite all the commotion the Ren family was making, Han Yunqian hadn’t mentioned a word of it to Ren Yaoqi, as if certain that even if the Ren family dug three feet deep, they wouldn’t find anything. As for Old Master Han, he seemed to be tied up with affairs in the northwest and hadn’t returned.

What surprised Ren Yaoqi was that not long after the Ren family began digging wells everywhere, Ren Yijun and Madam Qi came to Yunyang City to find her.

If it had been other Ren family members, Ren Yaoqi would most likely not have received them, but she wouldn’t refuse to see Ren Yijun and his wife. Ren Yaoqi had originally planned to receive guests in Yingya Pavilion, but Xiao Jingxi suggested she invite Ren Yijun and his wife to Zhaoning Hall. Since Ren Yaoqi was already close to Ren Yijun and his wife, she had them led to where she and Xiao Jingxi lived.

This was Ren Yijun and Madam Qi’s first time at the Yanbei Prince’s Manor. Madam Qi was endlessly curious and excited as they walked, looking here and there, and was quietly scolded by Ren Yijun several times before settling down somewhat.

Xiao Jingxi also remained in Zhaoning Hall to wait for Ren Yijun and his wife’s arrival. When Madam Qi first saw Xiao Jingxi, she was stunned by his appearance and stood staring with her eyes fixed, unable to move. Ren Yijun secretly pinched her several times, his face reddening with anger.

Everyone in the hall couldn’t help but laugh quietly, finding this Third Young Madam of the Ren family truly amusing. Even Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingxi couldn’t help but smile.

Before Ren Yijun could become completely enraged, Ren Yaoqi stood up and took Madam Qi’s hand to sit together by the southern kang: “Third Sister-in-law, come sit.”

Ren Yijun felt Madam Qi’s behavior was incredibly stupid and had greatly embarrassed him. His expression remained sour, and he was somewhat cold even toward Xiao Jingxi.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Jingxi tactfully went to his study to handle official business.

Only after Xiao Jingxi left did Ren Yijun’s expression improve somewhat.

Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile: “Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, what made you suddenly think of visiting me today?”

Ren Yijun glanced at Ren Yaoqi without any intention of beating around the bush: “The family has been digging wells everywhere recently. They even dug one in front of my courtyard, making such noise that I couldn’t sleep even in the middle of the night. When I went to ask Father, he told me it was for the Ren family’s feng shui.” Ren Yijun snorted derisively: “As if ghosts would believe that!”

Then, Ren Yijun looked at Ren Yaoqi with slightly narrowed eyes: “I came to ask you—do you know something?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled calmly: “I’ve been in Yunyang City all along. What does Third Brother think I could know?”

Madam Qi covered her mouth and laughed: “Some people can know everything under heaven without leaving their homes. Your third brother firmly believes you’re such a person. No matter how I try to persuade him otherwise, he won’t listen and insists on coming to ask you.”

Ren Yijun snorted lightly but continued staring at Ren Yaoqi without moving.

After considering and hesitating in her mind for a long while, Ren Yaoqi finally sighed softly and dismissed all the personal maids serving nearby, not even keeping her trusted senior maids.

“Since Third Brother has asked me directly, let me tell you a story. This story is quite long and will be rather uncomfortable to hear. Are you certain you want to listen, Third Brother?”

Ren Yijun frowned but still nodded: “Go ahead.”

Madam Qi looked at Ren Yijun, then at Ren Yaoqi, and blinked: “Perhaps I should excuse myself first.” Madam Qi anticipated that what she was about to hear from Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t be pleasant, and she wasn’t sure if she should be present.

Ren Yaoqi smiled at her: “It’s fine. What Third Brother can hear, Third Sister-in-law can naturally hear as well.”

Ren Yijun glanced at Madam Qi and tacitly agreed.

So Madam Qi obediently sat back down. Honestly, she wasn’t interested in these family secrets! She felt that in large families, the more secrets you knew, the faster you died. But her husband just didn’t understand this principle—no matter how she tried to persuade him, he wouldn’t listen and insisted on getting to the bottom of things. She was helpless!

Thus, Ren Yaoqi told Ren Yijun and Madam Qi a very long story involving decades of grievances between the two families.

If they had heard such a twisting, bizarre, and climactic story in a tavern or teahouse, listeners would surely have ordered another pot of tea and called out their approval. But Ren Yijun became increasingly alarmed as he listened, his face gradually turning somewhat pale. Even the usually lively, cheerful, optimistic, and open-minded Madam Qi remained unusually silent throughout Ren Yaoqi’s story.

After Ren Yaoqi finished speaking, Ren Yijun remained silent for a long time before asking hoarsely: “In your story, the one seeking revenge is the Han family?”

Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi’s answer, Ren Yijun continued: “And that beast who committed all manner of evil deeds and deserved to be struck by heavenly lightning was our Ren family ancestor?”

At some point, Madam Qi had moved to sit beside Ren Yijun. She secretly tried to hold his hand and found his palm ice-cold.

“The Ren family’s current residence belongs to the Han family? What they’re desperately searching for is property left by the Han family ancestors?”

Ren Yaoqi didn’t speak, but looked at Ren Yijun with gentle, comforting eyes. Ren Yijun knew that all the questions he had just asked had affirmative answers.

“Heh…” Ren Yijun covered his face and laughed—a laugh full of sarcasm.

Madam Qi was somewhat worried and held his hand tightly, but didn’t offer any words of comfort.

After laughing enough, Ren Yijun slowly straightened up and said coldly: “I never imagined that the blood flowing in my body was so filthy. No wonder you all refused to stay in the Ren family one by one. So that’s how it is… so that’s how it is…”

Ren Yaoqi said gently, “Third Brother, I told you these things today not to make you despise yourself. No matter what Great-grandfather did back then, once we’ve repaid what should be repaid, none of us owes anything.”

Ren Yijun smiled bitterly: “The lives of the entire Zhai family… should we all repay with our lives?”

Madam Qi said seriously: “Grievances have their source, debts have their creditors—naturally, whoever owes the lives should repay with their own life! You haven’t done anything wrong, so what does it have to do with you? What you can do now is simply return all the Zhai family’s belongings as they were! As for what Ren Baoming did, when he entered the underworld, the Zhai family would naturally seek justice from the officials there. Mountains of knives and seas of oil, tongue-pulling hell—he’ll face everything he deserves!”

Ren Yijun frowned: “Mountains of knives and seas of oil, tongue-pulling hell? Didn’t you say before that you don’t believe in ghosts and spirits?”

Madam Qi replied without changing expression: “When you should believe, you must believe! Anyway, I believe now!”

With Madam Qi’s interruption, Ren Yijun’s expression looked somewhat better.