The Ren family and Han family now seemed like a man with feelings meeting a woman with intentions. Both sides had reached an understanding about the marriage alliance, and if nothing unexpected happened, they would soon exchange tokens to finalize this marriage arrangement.
The first to lose patience and jump out was Ren Yaoting from the Eastern Residence.
On the second day after the Han family’s visit, Old Madam Liao from the Eastern Residence came over.
Madam Liao came quite early. The younger generation from various branches of the Western Residence had just finished paying their morning respects to Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren at Ronghua Garden and were about to leave when the gatekeepers came to report that Madam Liao had arrived with Seventh Miss.
The Ren family had never formally divided the household. The Eastern and Western Residences were still one estate. Though the two residences were separated by a long flower wall, there were openings in the wall. However, whenever Madam Liao came to the Western Residence, she never passed through the flower wall. She insisted on walking through the main gate properly and having the gatekeepers announce her arrival.
Madam Liao and Qiu Shi hadn’t gotten along when they were young, engaging in countless rounds of open and covert warfare. When the previous Ren family head, Ren Baoming, was still alive, because he valued proper hierarchy above all else, no matter how the sister-in-laws fought, whenever their disputes reached the elders, it was always Madam Liao who was in the wrong. Madam Liao, therefore, harbored great resentment toward her father-in-law.
When Ren Baoming died, he left instructions that the first and second branches should not divide the household. Madam Liao agreed readily at his deathbed, but as soon as the seven-day mourning period for her father-in-law ended, she found an excuse to have a big fight with Qiu Shi. Then she moved with her son to the West Garden, separated by a flower wall. Though she never spoke of dividing the household, the two branches had lived separately all these years, with only the main branch providing monthly allowances to maintain the Eastern Residence’s expenses.
Madam Liao also insisted that people from the Eastern Residence must use the main gate when visiting the Western Residence, not allowing them to pass through the flower wall between the residences. The second master of the Ren family was away from Yan Bei year-round, and his letters reproaching her several times had no effect.
Old Master Ren of the Western Residence, seeing that she would only make such a fuss, let her be. The estate was large anyway, originally divided into Eastern and Western Residences, so no courtyards needed renovation. Instead, with Madam Liao and Qiu Shi separated, the Ren family became much more peaceful.
When the Ren family’s younger generation saw Madam Liao arrive, they all paid their respects and greeted her. Qiu Shi wore a polite smile on her face: “What brings you here today?”
Though Madam Liao was from Yan Bei, she was short and rather plump, appearing somewhat prosperous. Hearing Qiu Shi’s words, she also forced a smile onto her face, first greeting Old Master Ren by calling him “Elder Brother-in-law.”
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Eldest daughter-in-law, have two more sets of bowls and chopsticks brought over,” Qiu Shi instructed her daughter-in-law. Seeing that Madam Liao didn’t refuse, she then said to Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoyin, “You girls return to your courtyards to dine.”
Madam Liao’s eyes swept over Ren Yaohua, and she nodded: “I came today because I have matters to discuss with Elder Brother and Sister-in-law. It’s good for them to leave first. Ting’er, you go out first too.”
Ren Yaoting had been quietly following behind Madam Liao. When Ren Yaohua passed by her, she looked over, the coldness in her eyes heart-stopping. Hearing Madam Liao’s words, she responded quietly with “yes” and followed everyone else out.
“Third Sister, I have something to say to you,” Ren Yaoting called out to Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaohua had already sensed Ren Yaoting’s hostility and vaguely understood why. However, she wasn’t someone with a good temper either, so hearing Ren Yaoting’s words made her feel extremely annoyed. She replied coldly: “I need to return to dine first. Whatever you have to say can wait until I’m free.”
After saying this, she left without looking back.
Ren Yaoting stared intently at her retreating figure, biting her lower lip until it turned somewhat pale.
Once the irrelevant people left, Madam Liao sat down and spoke: “I remember Elder Brother once righteously criticized me, saying the Ren family doesn’t divide households?”
“What do you mean by this, younger sister-in-law?” Old Master Ren frowned in surprise, somewhat confused about why Madam Liao would bring up old matters again.
Madam Liao smiled coldly: “Since we haven’t divided households, how is it that such a major matter as the marriage alliance between the Han and Ren families is unknown to our Eastern Residence? I heard the Ren family also wants to partner with the Han family in operating salt fields. Ha, could it be that when good fortune comes, it only concerns your Western Residence?”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Ren shook his head helplessly: “Regarding the salt field matter, I wrote to inform Second Brother, and he also agreed. Since the first and second branches haven’t divided households, whatever benefits the Ren family gains are shared benefits for both branches. Sister-in-law’s words are truly unreasonable. As for the marriage between the Ren and Han families, both families merely have this intention—nothing has been finalized yet.”
Madam Liao was displeased hearing this: “I’m being unreasonable? Fine then. Since that’s the case, our Eastern Residence also has a daughter of marriageable age. Since you insist the East and West are one family, then whether it’s the Eastern or Western Residence’s daughter who marries makes no difference—let our Eastern Residence’s daughter marry instead.”
As she spoke, Madam Liao glanced at Qiu Shi: “Back then, your eldest daughter got that good match with the Gu family, and later your second daughter also married into the Yan family in the capital. Yet for our Eastern Residence’s eldest grandson, you arranged such a declining household, and that family’s daughter is one with a hard fate. If her family hadn’t encountered one disaster after another before she could even enter our doors, I’d still be kept in the dark. I won’t ask you for any explanation about that matter, but the Western Residence must yield the Han family match to us.”
Qiu Shi had endured for a long time, but hearing these words, she was so angry her liver hurt. She couldn’t help but say: “When the marriage with the Gu family was arranged, did the Western Residence have any daughters of suitable age? Should the Gu family’s second young master have waited seven or eight years to marry? As for the Yan family match, wasn’t it Second Brother who sent word begging me to give Yaoqin as a replacement wife? These past years, Second Brother and Shixu have lived smoothly in the capital—wasn’t that with the Yan family’s support? And regarding Yilin’s marriage, we consulted Second Brother and your opinion before finalizing it. Why didn’t you stand up to object then? Before the Liu family’s troubles, who could have predicted that the family’s daughter would have such a fate? Sister-in-law, even when speaking of grievances, there should be limits.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Liao pursed her lips. She was unwilling to be left speechless by Qiu Shi’s refutation, but temporarily couldn’t think of any comeback.
Old Master Ren understood both women’s temperaments and knew he couldn’t let them continue arguing, or it would be endless. He stepped forward to mediate: “Enough, both of you say one less word.”
He spoke seriously: “The marriage between the Han and Ren families was first proposed by the Han family. Old Master Han and the Han family’s madam initially took a liking to Yaohua. Moreover, only Yaohua and Yaoyin are of suitable age to match the Han family’s young master. As for Yaoting’s marriage, I’ll keep it in mind and certainly won’t do her wrong when the time comes. They’re all Ren family daughters—I won’t show favoritism.”
Madam Liao came today because last night she heard several servants in her granddaughter’s courtyard discussing the marriages of the young masters and misses from both residences, saying all the good matches went to the Western Residence, which showed that in the future, when the Western Residence feasted on meat, the Eastern Residence might not even get soup. They also spoke of how wealthy the Han family was, how outstanding their young master was, and how clearly the Eastern Residence also had suitable daughters, yet the Western Residence hadn’t even asked before deciding on the engagement.
After hearing this, Madam Liao couldn’t sleep.
She wasn’t particularly shrewd or formidable, but she had spent her whole life in conflict with Qiu Shi. Everything else was manageable, but she couldn’t stand seeing Qiu Shi more pleased than herself, couldn’t bear Qiu Shi gaining more advantages.
Therefore, after the previous Ren family head died and she knew that Qiu Shi, as the eldest daughter-in-law, controlled the household’s inner affairs, she tried every means to draw clear boundaries with the main branch, just to avoid living according to Qiu Shi’s moods.
Hearing Old Master Ren’s words, Madam Liao sneered: “Who can be certain about future matters? I’m not so easily fooled.”
Seeing her stubbornness, Old Master Ren could only say good-naturedly: “Then what does sister-in-law want? The Han family marriage can’t be our one-sided decision—the Han family has indeed set their sights on Third Girl.”
Hearing this, Madam Liao looked at Qiu Shi, who had turned her head away. After thinking, her heart stirred, and she smiled: “I don’t insist on the Han family match. I know the Yun family has a young master staying at our Ren family. The Yun family might not be unwilling to form a marriage alliance with our Ren family, and Old Madam Yun and Sister-in-law are cousins… If Elder Brother truly has no private motives as you claim, why not find a way to arrange a marriage between our Eastern Residence and the Yun family?”
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shi couldn’t help but sneer coldly—what a fine calculation. She was about to speak when Old Master Ren shot her a warning glance. Qiu Shi bit her teeth and turned her head away, pretending not to hear.
Old Master Ren said gently to Madam Liao: “I will carefully consider what sister-in-law has said. If the Yun family truly has such intentions, then it makes no difference whether it’s the Eastern or Western Residence’s daughter who marries.”
Madam Liao looked at Qiu Shi, who was quite angry, and smiled: “Does Elder Brother truly mean this?”
Old Master Ren’s expression grew stern: “Have I ever spoken empty words?”
Madam Liao smiled: “Naturally not. Then why doesn’t Elder Brother give me a definite answer today? If the Han family match cannot go to our Eastern Residence, then if the Ren family discusses marriage with the Yun family in the future, only our Eastern Residence’s daughter should marry over. How about that?”
“You’re still being unreasonable!” Qiu Shi said angrily.
But Old Master Ren waved his hand: “Let this matter be settled thus.”
Qiu Shi was so angry her chest felt tight, nearly fainting from rage.
Madam Liao smiled, no longer making unreasonable demands, and stood up cheerfully: “In that case, I won’t disturb your meal.”
After Madam Liao left, Qiu Shi, who had been trembling with anger, suddenly calmed her furious expression and became composed.
Old Master Ren looked at her with some surprise.
Qiu Shi leisurely instructed the maids to replace the food with hot dishes, saying: “I understand her temperament better than anyone—she just can’t stand seeing me pleased. If I didn’t let her vent her anger, she wouldn’t leave.”
Qiu Shi felt somewhat disdainful. With Madam Liao’s mind, she couldn’t even control her daughter-in-law—she was only fit to be used as someone’s weapon. She had never taken Madam Liao seriously.
As for the Yun family marriage, there wasn’t even a hint of it yet. Even if there were hints in the future, while Old Master Ren had agreed, she hadn’t.