“Father, what kind of scene is the Han family making?” After dismissing the people who had been sent to gather information, Ren Shizhong asked.

Ren Yonghe sat in the grand master’s chair in the study, pondering for a moment: “The Han clan suspects that Han Dongshan used their clan property to make his fortune. All this commotion now is nothing more than wanting a share of the profits.”

Ren Shizhong’s face showed some worry: “Originally, we thought the Han family’s situation was simple, but we didn’t expect it to be like this…”

Ren Yonghe gently waved his hand to interrupt: “Whether the Han family’s waters run deep or shallow has nothing to do with us. Right now, I’m only considering whether that salt field business can still proceed. If the Han family is truly secretly selling off their household assets at this critical juncture, then they’re not as wealthy as they’ve appeared to be in front of us. Han Dongshan has repeatedly shown off the Han family’s strength to us, intentionally or otherwise. Originally, I thought he wanted to reassure us, but thinking about it now, it seems somewhat too deliberate.”

Ren Shizhong couldn’t help but frown: “Father, are you saying the Han family wants to deceive us?”

Ren Yonghe didn’t answer directly but asked in return: “What were the results when I had you send people to investigate the salt field matter last time? Is the information reliable?”

Ren Shizhong nodded: “It’s roughly consistent with what the Han family said, doesn’t seem like there’s any deception.”

Ren Yonghe thought for a moment and smiled slightly: “Since it was meant for you to investigate, naturally, there wouldn’t be any obvious errors on the surface.”

“No wonder I always felt the Han family seemed to be deliberately getting close to our Ren family, which is quite different from their usual way of conducting affairs.” Ren Shizhong couldn’t help but become thoughtful.

“This matter is difficult to conclude definitively. Let’s just wait and see.” Ren Yonghe said flatly.

“Then the marriage between the Ren and Han families… should we also postpone it and wait until the situation becomes clear?”

“That’s natural. The Han family will certainly be in chaos for a while now. They probably can’t spare time for their children’s marriage matters. It won’t be too late for them to come propose to our Ren family after they’ve handled their household affairs.” Ren Yonghe said casually.

“Yes, your son understands.” Ren Shizhong respectfully agreed.

“By the way, where is Yiyan? Didn’t I tell you to keep him by your side?” Ren Yonghe remembered that his eldest grandson hadn’t appeared before him all morning and couldn’t help but frown.

Ren Shizhong hurriedly said, “Yiyan caught a cold a few days ago, so I let him rest for a few days.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yonghe snorted coldly: “How come I heard he had an argument with you over the matter of two miners dying in the coal mine collapse a few days ago?”

Ren Shizhong paused and lowered his head: “Yiyan just lacks some experience. That day was his first time accompanying me to handle my affairs, so he was somewhat unaccustomed to it.”

“You don’t need to make excuses for him.” Ren Yonghe interrupted. “Don’t I know my grandson? Raised in the inner quarters since childhood, spoiled by you all, and now indulging in the pleasures between husband and wife, he’s developed a woman’s soft heart. How can such a person accomplish great things in the future? How can I rest assured, leaving the Ren family’s business in your hands after I’m gone?”

Seeing him mention his son’s indulgence in bedroom pleasures without any reservations, Ren Shizhong felt very embarrassed.

“Your son will discipline him properly in the future.”

“Mm, you may go.”

The Han family was truly troubled this time.

After the group had their midday meal, they still couldn’t find a solution to the problem. The Han clan members wanted Han Dongshan to cough up the clan property he had embezzled, but Han Dongshan had never seen those legendary treasures, so naturally, he had no way to satisfy the Han clan members’ demands.

Finally, the Han family agreed that some would stay at the Han residence while the rest would return to Jizhou first. The Han family would begin searching for the person Han Zuwang mentioned, who had come looking to buy the shark pearl necklace. Both sides began a war of attrition.

The affairs of the Han family were also being closely watched from Ziwei Courtyard, with Nanny Zhou specifically sending an old woman to be responsible for gathering news from the Han residence.

Although they couldn’t know the specific details, the development of events was very satisfactory to Ren Yaoqi.

There was only one thing that made Ren Yaoqi somewhat worried – Zhu Ruomei still hadn’t contacted her.

Originally, she had instructed him that regardless of whether this matter succeeded or failed, after Zhu Ruomei returned to Yunyang City, he should quickly ask Sister-in-Law Yuan to come to the Ren residence to inform her.

But there had been no news from Zhu Ruomei’s side all along. She had originally been somewhat worried that he had encountered some mishap and failed to handle the matter she had entrusted to him.

Unexpectedly, today, the Han family had already erupted in conflict.

This showed that Zhu Ruomei had successfully followed her instructions and used that non-existent Han family legend to stir up the conflict between Han Dongshan and the Han clan members.

But why hadn’t Zhu Ruomei sent her any news?

After coming out of the main house that evening, Ren Yaoqi was just thinking of having someone call Xiangqin over to ask about it when a maid from the west side courtyard came to say that Ren Shimin was calling her to the study in the west side courtyard.

Ren Shimin had many peculiarities – not only was he a clean freak, he also liked to sleep alone. Sometimes when he became absorbed in reading or painting at night in the study, he would simply stay in the west side courtyard.

Although he had a wife and concubine, in his eyes, his wives and concubines weren’t as dear and pleasing as his beloved books and paintings.

He could live in the main house of Ziwei Courtyard for at most seven or eight days out of thirty in a month, and as for Concubine Fang’s Fangfei Courtyard, even less – going once a month would be considered good.

But Third Master Ren’s willfulness was known throughout the Ren family, and even Old Madam Ren could do nothing about him.

When Concubine Fang first entered the Ren family, she had used all sorts of methods to compete for favor. Initially, this had some effect; after all, Ren Shimin was also a normal man. But after a long time, no methods worked anymore. After Concubine Fang had children and could establish her position in the Ren family, she gave up trying.

After all, if she were competing with women for favor, she wouldn’t be afraid, but competing with Ren Shimin’s hobbies for favor, she had no chance of winning.

When Ren Yaoqi entered the study, Ren Shimin was leaning against the soft couch in the inner room with his hair loose, reading a book. He was probably absorbed in what he was reading, because even when Ren Yaoqi walked up close to him, he still hadn’t noticed.

Ren Yaoqi looked at the candlestick on the table, and with mischief rising in her heart, she quietly moved to block the candlelight. The sudden dimming of the light made Ren Shimin blink his eyes, and only after a moment did he realize what was happening and look up.

“What is Father reading so intently?” Ignoring Ren Shimin’s annoyed expression, Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile.

Seeing that it was Ren Yaoqi who had come, Ren Shimin’s expression improved somewhat, while scolding: “Why didn’t you announce yourself when you came in?”

Ren Yaoqi said innocently: “I did call out to you, but you didn’t hear.”

Ren Shimin helplessly put the book aside: “Alright. Move away quickly, you’re blocking all the light.” He also muttered, “Six or seven parts full at dinner is enough, don’t get so fat that your father won’t recognize you.”

Ren Yaoqi: “…”

“What does Father want with me at this hour?” Ren Yaoqi decided not to argue with him and found a small stool nearby to sit on.

Hearing this, Ren Shimin thought for a moment before saying: “Your grandfather called me over this evening and said to put your third sister’s matter aside for now and discuss it later.”

Ren Yaoqi felt joy in her heart: “The marriage arrangement won’t go through?”

Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s undisguised delight, Ren Shimin became conflicted again and said seriously, “Your grandfather only said to put it aside temporarily. After the Han family matter passes, it’s still possible he’ll bring it up again.”

Ren Yaoqi gave Ren Shimin a big fake smile, but inwardly, she was dismissive.

Having come this far, if she still lets Ren Yaohua and Han Yunqian’s marriage go through, she might as well die again.

Ren Shimin didn’t know his daughter’s thoughts and was still rambling: “This Han Yunqian, aside from being good-looking, well-educated, intelligent, and steady… doesn’t have any other advantages.”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at the book Ren Shimin had placed on the couch and saw it was “Records of Ancient Mirrors.” She said: “Father, ‘red head, white forehead, body of blue-yellow mixed colors. No scales but with slime, snake-shaped with dragon horns, pointed mouth, shaped like a sturgeon, moving with light. Living in muddy water, thus unable to travel far.’ What creature is this describing?”

Ren Shimin was startled and picked up the book he had set aside earlier to examine it carefully.

Ren Yaoqi cleared her throat softly and stood up: “Father, I’ll go out first. Don’t read too late at night, it will hurt your eyes. If your eyes are damaged, you’ll have to lean over the table when painting in the future, which wouldn’t look very elegant.”

Ren Shimin nodded while flipping through the book: “I know, I’ll sleep soon.”

Ren Yaoqi then turned and left, also instructing a maid to go in and light another candle, and told her to cut the candles into short segments in the future to remind Ren Shimin not to read too late at night.

The next day, Ren Yaoting from the East Residence came.

Ren Yaoting had come to gather information. She had heard about some things but wasn’t sure about them, so she came to the West Residence. Moreover, she rarely came to Ziwei Courtyard.

As she was a guest, both Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi accompanied her in conversation in the west side room of the main house.

At first she restrained herself from asking about Ren Yaohua’s marriage arrangement, instead talking about Ren Yilin’s broken engagement.

Last time, Second Madam Su from the East Residence had gone to Jizhou specifically to help Ren Yilin break off his engagement.

“My mother promised the Liu family many benefits, and Old Madam Liu agreed to return Second Brother’s birth chart to my mother.”

“What about that, Miss Liu?” Ren Yaoqi rarely spoke up to ask.

Ren Yaoting shook her head: “That’s unclear. I heard from a nanny beside my mother. They only met with Old Madam Liu; Miss Liu didn’t come out to receive guests.”

Then she changed the subject and looked at Ren Yaohua: “This year seems to be inauspicious for everything. First, my second brother’s marriage arrangement fell through, and I heard that you, Third Sister…”

As soon as Ren Yaohua heard this opening, she knew what Ren Yaoting wanted to say. Without giving any face, she immediately stood up and said coldly: “I just remembered I have some unfinished business. Fifth Sister, please entertain Seventh Sister well.” After saying this, she left without waiting for Ren Yaoting’s reaction.

Ren Yaoting’s face alternated between red and white, making her quite embarrassed.

Ren Yaoqi smiled and poured tea for Ren Yaoting: “Don’t mind her, Seventh Sister. Third Sister will be back soon.”