Ren Yaoqi sighed and patiently guided: “Other matters might not be related, but if this is true, then why would the Han family risk selling treasures that can’t see the light of day now? Their hasty departure from Jizhou to our Baihe Town – might there also be some compelling reason?”

Ren Yaohua thought for a moment, then suddenly understood and said in surprise: “Because the Han family urgently needs money? But isn’t the Han family quite wealthy? They’re even planning to partner with our Ren family to open a salt field. I heard that just greasing the palms up and down the chain of command to open a salt field requires quite a bit of silver… Could it be… they want to get something for nothing?”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head, not jumping to conclusions: “I don’t know about that, since the Han family has always kept a low profile in daily life.”

Li Shi, listening to the sisters’ conversation, couldn’t help but say: “I hope this matter passes quickly. If it drags on too long, I’m afraid…”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi knew that Li Shi still harbored fantasies about this marriage arrangement with the Han family. She said seriously, “Mother, I hope this matter drags on as long as possible. It’s a good opportunity to see clearly what kind of people the Han family are. If they truly are the kind of people the Han clan members describe, do you think this marriage can still proceed? Such profit-seeking, despicable, and shameless people should be avoided at all costs!”

Her words were somewhat harsh, and both Li Shi and Ren Yaohua looked at her with some surprise.

Li Shi hastily explained: “I just think that if this matter is a misunderstanding, it would be a pity to delay…”

“True gold fears no fire. If they truly have clear consciences, they will have their day of vindication,” Ren Yaoqi consoled gently.

However, she couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. Other matters might be clarified, but when it comes to money, even if you explain clearly, it still depends on whether people are willing to believe you.

When interests are involved, people will only believe what benefits them – this is human nature.

Just wait and see! She didn’t believe that with Old Master Ren’s shrewd nature, this marriage could still proceed smoothly.

The Ren family had already sent people to quietly observe the Han family’s movements.

At this moment in the Han residence, although things weren’t as chaotic as before now that Old Master Han and Han Yunqian had returned, and everyone had been called by Old Master Han to sit in the flower hall, the atmosphere was still very tense.

Before Old Master Han’s return, the young and middle-aged men from the Han clan had already been stirred to passionate fervor and were about to force their way into the inner courtyard to search the Han residence. When Old Master Han entered, he saw each of them holding clubs and staffs, arguing and confronting the Han family’s guards.

Even now, some still held their clubs, not knowing where to put them, finally placing them at their feet.

Old Master Han’s gaze swept over everyone’s faces and finally settled on a man of about forty years old who was sitting in the leftmost rosewood armchair in the front row with his legs crossed.

He laughed heartily, his smile still hearty and amiable: “Why didn’t everyone give advance notice when coming to visit my residence? I could have stayed home to receive guests. I happened to have business outside today and went out, so I was quite startled when I returned.”

The forty-something man smirked upon hearing this, not buying it: “Han Dongshan, don’t give us that nonsense. We didn’t come here today as guests – we came to settle accounts.”

Han Dongshan remained unmoved: “Oh? Brother Zuwang, what accounts do you have to settle with me?”

Han Zuwang suddenly stood up, pointing at Han Dongshan: “You still want to deny it now? Quickly hand over our Han family’s ancestral property!”

He looked Han Dongshan up and down, the disdain in his eyes very obvious. “It’s one thing for a grown man to make his fortune through his wife, but now you’re also hoarding your wife’s natal family’s clan property. Where exactly do you plan to hide that face of yours? I’m embarrassed for you! We originally respected you somewhat, but now it seems your abilities were nothing more than relying on our Han family ancestors’ foundation. Anyone can make money when they have capital as a cushion. These days, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. You’ve cheated our entire Han family village, and then you throw us a few leftover bones, and we’re supposed to be grateful to you!”

His words resonated with those who came with him.

They had walked in and seen that although the Han family didn’t show off on the surface, some among them had seen fine things before. Just the two rows of sixteen matching sandalwood armchairs in this flower hall alone weren’t something ordinary families could afford, not to mention all the various ornaments displayed in the hall.

Thinking that all these were Han family clan property that they originally all had shares in made their hearts ache with a scratching pain.

If others heard such words, they would probably be flushed red with anger, but Han Dongshan’s expression didn’t change at all. He asked calmly, “I truly don’t know what Han family clan property exists. After my father-in-law died, I gave all the Han family’s original farmland to the clan as sacrificial fields, and even bought that ancestral house from the clan with silver. This was witnessed by everyone, and the contracts are still kept by the clan leader. I don’t know where Brother Zuwang heard such talk?”

Han Zuwang couldn’t help but spit: “The current Han family clan leader is just a dog in front of you! If you tell him to go west, would he dare go east? Moreover, that bit of farmland was just a drop in the ocean of our Han family’s clan property. You brought it out merely to shut our mouths – how could it compare to those priceless treasures left by our ancestors? As for where we heard this…”

Han Zuwang curled his lips and sneered: “When you sold our great-great-aunt’s pair of blood jade bracelets that were supposedly ancient treasures last time, you accidentally let word slip, and a certain treasure lover tracked you down. He said he was willing to pay three times the price to buy that shark pearl necklace you have. Do you know what three times the price is? Three thousand taels of gold!”

Han Zuwang’s eyes were red with urgency.

Even with Han Dongshan’s composure, hearing this, he couldn’t help but scold lightly: “Absurd!” He frowned and looked around at everyone. “You believe such nonsense? What blood jade bracelets, shark pearl necklaces – where do such things exist in this world!”

But everyone just looked at him without speaking, their eyes showing indifference, jealousy, fierceness… everything except belief.

Han Dongshan couldn’t help but shake his head and curl his lips in a mocking expression. He quickly collected himself and said seriously, “I have never seen the things you mention. Since you say someone bought some blood jade bracelets from me, then bring that person to confront me!”

Han Zuwang scoffed: “That person later realized I was trying to trick information out of him and that I didn’t have what his master wanted. Afraid of ruining his master’s business, he fled overnight. Where am I supposed to find him for you? Could it be that someone wanted to deliberately deceive us? What would be the benefit of deceiving us? But you, moving to Yanzhou for no reason, must have been to more conveniently sell the treasures in your hands without us discovering. Unfortunately, man proposes, but heaven disposes. Someone came seeking by reputation but found the wrong place! I happened to be near your ancestral home that day, and that person mistook me for someone else! Otherwise, we’d still be in the dark!”

Han Dongshan frowned slightly.

Han Yunqian glanced at everyone and said: “Grandfather, all the uncle-ancestors and uncle-fathers have traveled all morning and must be tired. It’s already noon now, and this matter probably can’t be resolved quickly. Why don’t we have food served first? We can discuss further after the midday meal.”

He smiled slightly and said jokingly, “After all, we can run away from the monk but not the temple.”

Han Dongshan nodded: “Then let’s discuss this after the meal.”

The Han family members were all hungry, and hearing this, none had any objections. Han Yunqian was right – they were already here and weren’t afraid Han Dongshan would run away.

Han Yunqian instructed the steward to escort everyone to the adjacent dining hall used for entertaining guests.

After everyone left and only the grandfather and grandson remained in the flower hall, Han Dongshan’s expression had become completely gloomy.

“In your opinion, who’s behind this mischief?”

Han Yunqian thought for a moment: “The one with the most reason to do this should be Han Zuwang. He’s always regarded you as his rival. This time, stirring up the clan members, he’s the most likely to benefit.”

Han Dongshan nodded with a cold laugh: “If it’s him, I’ve underestimated him. He’s more capable than his father!”

As if thinking of something, he paused and the mockery on his face intensified: “Han family clan property? Hah, these fools believe the Han family left behind some clan property! If I hadn’t been supporting these wastrels all these years, they couldn’t even get a full meal! Now they’ve fattened up and come to bite the hand that fed them.”

Han Yunqian lowered his head without speaking.

Han Dongshan glanced at him and said flatly: “See that, Qian’er? This is the human nature that your grandfather usually tells you about! For money, people in this world will feed their consciences to dogs! Being a good person is only for show to others – never take it seriously yourself, or someday you’ll regret it until your intestines turn green.”

“Yes, grandfather.” Han Yunqian lowered his head and responded quietly without objecting.

But Han Dongshan raised an eyebrow and asked: “What are you thinking about?”

Han Yunqian shook his head and smiled: “Nothing, I just feel there are some things about this matter that don’t quite add up.”

“Then send people to investigate! Find out who that person Han Zuwang mentioned – dig three feet underground if necessary! Once we find that person, this trouble will be resolved!” Han Dongshan said in a heavy voice.

“Yes, grandfather.” Han Yunqian responded again.

“Go stabilize those people first. Although none of them can accomplish anything, a rabble gathered together is still quite troublesome.”

“I’ll first go to the inner courtyard to check on grandmother and mother. They must have been frightened earlier,” Han Yunqian said quietly.

Han Dongshan nodded and let Han Yunqian go.

At this moment in the Ren residence, Old Master Ren and First Master Ren had just finished hearing the intelligence they’d gathered, and father and son were discussing the matter in the study.