“Enough, I will make arrangements for them myself.” Old Master Ren interrupted Old Madam Ren with a flat tone. “What did the physician say?”

Old Madam Ren reined in her temper and lowered her voice: “He also said it’s possible the miscarriage was caused by human interference. Because of the previous miscarriages, her foundation has already been damaged. The physician wants Jia’er to take good care of herself. If this pregnancy cannot be preserved either, it will be difficult for her to conceive again in the future.”

Old Master Ren thought for a moment: “I heard before that Shijia came back because Lisheng took in one of her maids.”

Old Madam Ren shook her head: “That was just a smokescreen. My son-in-law is an upright man.” Speaking of this, Old Madam Ren sneered slightly, “My Ren family’s daughter has suffered such great grievance after marrying over there, and he still wants to take a concubine? Don’t even think about it!” Old Madam Ren was truly angered this time.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Ren scolded: “Nonsense!”

Old Madam Ren was startled and looked up at Old Master Ren.

Old Master Ren said slowly: “You know Shijia’s physical condition, too. Whether the child can be safely born is still unknown. Even if born, whether it’s a boy or a girl, and whether it can be raised to adulthood, is also uncertain. Moreover, the physician said Shijia is unlikely to give birth again in the future. You are her mother—don’t you know what would be best for her? What good does such impulsive behavior do?”

“You mean…” Old Madam Ren frowned.

Old Master Ren glanced at Old Madam Ren and said flatly: “You should advise Shijia to arrange for her husband to take a concubine.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren felt very displeased.

She had been married to Old Master Ren for so many years, and Old Master Ren was not a man who craved novelty or beauty—she was the only one in his inner quarters. Who would have thought her daughter would have to endure the hardships she never had to face? She had originally thought the Lin family was a good match and eagerly married her daughter off there.

Old Master Ren had been married to Old Madam Ren for many years and naturally saw her displeasure, so he advised: “If Shijia doesn’t want to, then take in a bed warmer. After the bed warmer gives birth, just send her far away. The second branch of the Ren family has too few heirs. Even if they establish a separate household in the future, they won’t be able to maintain their standing!”

“Establish a separate household?” Old Madam Ren looked at Old Master Ren in surprise. “You have a way to make the Lin family agree to establish a separate household?”

Old Master Ren pondered for a moment: “Let’s wait until the child is born before discussing this. This matter needs long-term planning. But if Shijia has no heirs under her name, even if they establish a separate household, what good would it do? Won’t they still end up being controlled by the main branch?”

Old Madam Ren now understood: “Master, you’re right. I was shortsighted before. It’s just a bed warmer maid—after she gives birth, just sell her off. Then I need to prepare two candidates…”

“You can handle these matters yourself. You can buy from outside or select from the Ren family’s household servants.” Old Master Ren frowned. “If you had made these arrangements for her earlier, you wouldn’t be in such a panic now.”

“Previously, didn’t I think the child was still young and could give birth? Besides, how can those raised by one’s side compare? How can children born of concubines be the same as one’s own?” Old Madam Ren argued.

Old Master Ren was too lazy to argue these points with the old madam and only gave a few more instructions before ordering dinner to be served.

In the afternoon, Old Madam Ren didn’t take her usual nap and personally led people to Ren Shijia’s Warm Fragrance Pavilion.

Old Madam Ren repeated Old Master Ren’s wish for her to help Lin Kun take a concubine. Ren Shijia was stunned for a long while before immediately objecting.

Old Madam Ren then carefully analyzed the situation in the Lin residence for her, warning her that even if the Ren family wanted to stand up for her, without a son it would all be in vain.

“Who says I don’t have a son? The one in my belly is a son. I’ve had several experienced midwives feel my belly, and they all said it’s a son!” Ren Shijia insisted.

Old Madam Ren frowned. She couldn’t very well explain to her daughter that her father was afraid that even if she gave birth to a son, he might not survive to adulthood. Moreover, one child was too precarious. In the end, she could only lecture her sternly.

Old Madam Ren gave her daughter a good talking-to, reasoning with her thoroughly. Finally, Ren Shijia compromised.

Only then did Old Madam Ren tell her to focus on nurturing the pregnancy and leave Warm Fragrance Courtyard. As soon as she left, Ren Shijia collapsed crying on the kang.

Early the next morning, the Lin family indeed sent someone again—this time it was a nanny from beside the Lin family’s eldest madam.

Fifth Madam Lin Shi joyfully led the person to Ronghua Garden to see the old madam.

Ren Shijia claimed to be unwell and didn’t appear.

“Mother, this is Nanny Rong from my mother’s side. She’s come under orders from my grandmother and mother to take Shijia back.” Lin Shi sat beside Old Madam Ren, holding her arm and smiling, appearing like a harmonious mother-daughter pair.

Old Madam Ren glanced at Ren Shijia, showed a kind smile on her face, patted her hand, then turned to the nanny and said: “Thank you for making this trip.”

Lin Shi smiled at Nanny Rong with a somewhat proud expression. Her family sisters all envied her for marrying into the Ren family—her husband was her childhood sweetheart who treated her with deep affection, and her mother-in-law treated her like a daughter. Every time Lin Shi returned to her maternal home, she often showed off to her sisters there.

The nanny was Lin Shi’s mother’s confidant, who had watched Lin Shi grow up. Seeing her like this also brought a smile to her face, then she replied to Old Madam Ren: “Our old madam and eldest madam are very worried about Sixth Young Madam. When Sixth Young Madam wanted to come back yesterday, Eldest Madam personally went to persuade her, but ultimately couldn’t stop her.” Speaking of this, the nanny leaned in closer and said quietly, “Sixth Young Master is also very regretful and handed that shameless maid who didn’t know her place over to our old madam for disposal. The old madam immediately had her sold off and severely scolded our Sixth Young Master.”

Ren Shijia’s husband, Lin Kun, if ranked according to the Lin family’s main branch, was sixth in line, so the Lin family all called him Sixth Young Master.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren nodded: “Shijia is ignorant. Thank your old madam for her generous treatment of her.”

The nanny smiled and glanced at Lin Shi: “What are you saying? Our young lady always says you treat her like your own daughter. Besides, the old madam is also Sixth Young Madam’s legitimate great-aunt by marriage, so naturally, she’s always thinking of making arrangements for her.”

Old Madam Ren lowered her eyes slightly and twitched the corner of her mouth without speaking.

The nanny didn’t notice her unusual expression and only said: “Sixth Young Madam still won’t return? May this servant go and persuade her?”

Old Madam Ren sighed: “Thank you. You’re naturally welcome to visit her. It’s just that her complexion wasn’t good yesterday. I had a physician come to check her pulse, and he said her constitution is weak. Yesterday she was upset and then traveled for several hours—she should rest well. She absolutely cannot travel and tire herself out again. Although White Crane Town isn’t far from Yunyang City, it’s still over two hours by carriage. I’m worried she can’t handle going back right now. Please help me tell your old madam when you return that I plan to keep Shijia at her maternal home for the birth. It’s only about three more months anyway.”

The nanny paused upon hearing this, somewhat hesitant: “You mean you want Sixth Young Madam to give birth at her maternal home?”

Old Madam Ren glanced at her: “What? Is that inappropriate?”

The nanny quickly smiled apologetically: “No, no. This is the Sixth Young Madam’s maternal home—how could it be inappropriate? This servant will convey your meaning when I return.”

Old Madam Ren smiled and said to Lin Shi sitting beside her, “You accompany this nanny to Shijia’s courtyard. The old madam and eldest madam care so much about her—she should know about it.”

Lin Shi smiled and stood up upon hearing this: “Yes, your daughter-in-law understands.”

Lin Shi accompanied the nanny away from Ronghua Garden. As soon as they left, Old Madam Ren let out a cold laugh.

The servant woman attending in Ren Shijia’s courtyard saw Lin Shi and the nanny coming and stopped them, saying the young mistress had just taken medicine and fallen asleep. In the end, the servant woman couldn’t let them see Ren Shijia and only called out the two personal maids Ren Shijia had brought back to her maternal home to give them some instructions.

After leaving Ren Shijia’s Warm Fragrance Pavilion, the nanny quietly asked Lin Shi, “What did Sixth Young Madam say when she came back?”

Lin Shi was startled and asked, puzzled: “Say what?”

The nanny hinted: “About her reason for leaving the residence to return to her maternal home.”

Lin Shi didn’t understand: “Wasn’t it because Sixth Brother took in a maid without getting her consent?”

The nanny sighed and said nothing more.

Lin Shi thought she was worried about not being able to invite Ren Shijia back, so she said: “Tell grandmother and mother when you return that I’ll properly persuade Shijia to reconcile with Sixth Brother. I’ll also speak well of Sixth Brother to mother.”

But the nanny said, “When this servant came, Madam specifically instructed me to tell you not to get involved in Sixth Young Madam’s affairs. The old madam and the eldest madam will handle everything. You just focus on living well with your husband.”

Lin Shi pouted: “Mother always underestimates me and thinks I can’t handle anything well.”

The nanny looked at her lovingly: “Madam only wants you to live well and doesn’t want you caught between your in-laws and maternal family in a difficult position.”

Lin Shi disagreed: “They’re just small matters. What’s so difficult about them? Shijia is just throwing a tantrum now. I know her best—she’ll be fine in no time.”

The nanny seemed to want to say something but held back, swallowing her words. She repeatedly instructed Lin Shi not to get involved in her maternal family’s affairs.

But that evening, when the younger generation of the Ren family went together to Ronghua Garden to pay their respects, Ren Shijia was also there. Lin Shi pulled her husband along and, in front of the old madam, advised Ren Shijia: “What couple holds grudges overnight? Sixth Brother promises he’ll never do such foolish things again. Don’t be angry with him anymore. Just think of it for the sake of the child in your belly…”

But before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Ren flew into a rage and threw the teacup in her hand at her. The hot tea scalded Lin Shi, making her scream and jump far away.

“I’m not dead yet! You already can’t tolerate this sister of yours! If I die, how do you plan to mistreat her?” Old Madam Ren said, trembling with anger.