Chapter 084: Family Matters Should Not Be Treated as Separate Issues

Chapter 084: Family Matters Should Not Be Treated as Separate Issues

Upon learning that Ruan Qinghuan and He An had returned together, Ruan Xiaoyue suspected that Liu Yueru's plan had failed, but she wasn't sure if Liu Yueru had exposed her involvement.

Thinking about it, it didn't seem likely. If Ruan Qinghuan knew that she was involved, given her fiery temperament, she would have already come to confront her.

With this in mind, Ruan Xiaoyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that Ruan Qinghuan wouldn't stay at home for too long and would quickly return to the Prime Minister's residence.

In the hall, Zheng Qiaohui was stunned when she heard the mention of involving the authorities.

If this matter were brought to the authorities, her daughter and son's reputations would be ruined. Ruan Qinghuan had backed her into a corner, leaving no room for compromise.

Zheng Qiaohui's eyes reddened with anxiety, but she had no solution. She could only grit her teeth in frustration, unable to speak.

Twenty thousand taels of silver was a significant sum. Ruan Chenglin knew that the situation was beyond repair, but for the sake of his children, he still discussed with his elder brother, "Brother, even if we must divide the family, can we wait until Xiaoyue is married?"

Ruan Qinghuan nodded to her father, and Ruan Chengfu agreed, "Alright, let's settle it this way."

Regarding the division of the family, Ruan Chengfu was hesitant. He only had one younger brother and had originally intended to protect him for a lifetime. However, given the current situation, it would be difficult to continue living under the same roof.

After the matter was settled, He An accompanied his father-in-law to the study, while Ruan Qinghuan stayed with her mother to visit her grandmother. On the way, Zhou Yunzhi observed her daughter for a while before finally asking the question that had been on her mind, "Why did you suddenly make this decision?"

Zhou Yunzhi knew that today's events had succeeded largely due to her son-in-law's influence. Otherwise, given Ruan Chengfu's temperament, he would never have agreed to divide the family.

As for her daughter, rumors in the streets painted her as domineering and unreasonable. But Zhou Yunzhi knew how much her daughter had tolerated the second branch's mistakes over the years. For her to suddenly use her status as a first-rank titled noblewoman to propose dividing the family must mean something significant had happened.

Ruan Qinghuan smiled reassuringly, "Mother, you're overthinking it. As Grandmother said, the Pei family is not a good match. I'm just worried that if the Pei family makes a mistake, it could implicate our entire family."

She didn't tell her mother about Ruan Xiaoyue's collusion with Liu Yueru, as it would only cause unnecessary worry and fear.

The division of the family was justified by the Pei family alone.

Having managed the family business for years, Zhou Yunzhi had seen and heard much. Although she didn't understand court affairs, her daughter's explanation gave her some clarity.

Her son-in-law was the Prime Minister, and he must have heard some troubling news, which was why he was in such a hurry to divide the family.

**

In the study, Ruan Chengfu sighed repeatedly, partly out of concern for his younger brother and partly due to the pressure he felt from He An. Although He An was his son-in-law, the natural authority he radiated was intimidating.

He An said, "Father-in-law, there's no need to be nervous."

"No, no, I'm not nervous. I'm just thinking about the next move," Ruan Chengfu replied, laughing nervously.

His eyes were fixed on the chessboard, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

"It is indeed somewhat overstepping for me to involve myself in the internal matters of the Ruan household. It's understandable if you feel displeased, Father-in-law."

Even if Ruan Chengfu truly felt that way, he couldn't say it outright, "Son-in-law, you're being too formal. We're family, and family matters should not be treated as separate issues."

"If this matter involved anyone else, it wouldn't be as simple as dividing the family. I might have ensured they never saw the light of day."

With a clatter, the chess piece in Ruan Chengfu's hand fell, and he looked up in shock. He even wondered if he had misheard, but judging by He An's cold and imposing demeanor, he must have heard correctly.

Could it be that his younger brother had offended him?

That couldn't be. His younger brother had always been non-confrontational. Then, was it Zheng Qiaohui?

Ruan Chengfu's mind was spinning when He An continued, "Anyone who harms Qing Huan will face my full wrath. This time, it was only because Qing Huan cherishes family bonds and is concerned for her grandmother that I chose not to intervene."

Ruan Chengfu swallowed hard, still confused, "Son-in-law, what do you mean by that?"

He An told Ruan Chengfu about Ruan Xiaoyue plotting with Liu Yueru to harm Ruan Qinghuan. After hearing this, Ruan Chengfu couldn't believe it: "Xiaoyue would never dare to do such a thing. It must be that Liu woman with her malicious intentions..."

"I don't care if she had the courage or how much she was involved. As long as she harbored such thoughts, she deserves to die."

Ruan Chengfu: "..."

After He An left, Ruan Chengfu's hand, which had dropped the chess piece, remained raised, his expression blank and his mind in turmoil.

For a moment, he felt an unreal sense of time passing. Seeing how He An protected his daughter, was this still the same Prime Minister who had delayed the marriage repeatedly?

He An told his father-in-law these things because he knew that Ruan Chengfu was indecisive and prone to procrastination. He didn't want this matter to affect his wife's mood. The sooner the family was divided, the better.

The second branch of the Ruan family was in chaos.

Zheng Qiaohui returned to her courtyard and immediately started a loud argument, disturbing Xiaoyue and Xiao Rou in the next room. Xiao Rou, with red eyes, wanted to intervene and mediate, so she discussed with her sister: "Sister, let's go and see. Let's stop mom and dad from arguing."

Ruan Xiaoyue: "..."

Seeing that her sister didn't respond, Xiao Rou called out again.

Only then did Ruan Xiaoyue snap out of her thoughts and impatiently said, "Go back to your own room and stop bothering me."

Mother came back so angry. Could it be that Ruan Qinghuan found out something and caused a scene?

Zheng Qiaohui's hysterical shouting was interrupted by a sudden scream. Ruan Xiaoyue quickly got up and walked to the door but stopped just as she was about to open it.

It was clear that father had laid hands on mother, indicating that the matter was serious. If it was really because of that incident...

After hesitating for a moment, Ruan Xiaoyue turned back and sat down, uneasy, on the stool.

After a while, the commotion in the other room finally stopped, leaving only the sounds of her sister and mother crying. Ruan Xiaoyue's emotions gradually calmed down.

Ruan Chenglin had never struck Zheng Qiaohui before. Today, he was furious.

It was clear that she had harbored ill intentions, embezzled family funds, and not only showed no remorse but also blamed him for being incompetent. If it weren't for Xiao Rou rushing to protect her, Ruan Chenglin would have beaten her to death.

Years of pent-up frustration and anger came to a head at this moment.

Zheng Qiaohui was terrified and didn't dare to speak up anymore, but her eyes were filled with hatred. In her view, only an incompetent man would hit his wife.

Ruan Chenglin stormed out, but as he opened the door, he turned back and warned, "I've told you countless times, the Ruan family's success today is all thanks to the support of the eldest sister-in-law's family. Qing Huan's dowry was the same. The Ruan family gave five thousand taels of silver, shops, and estates. The rest was added by her maternal grandfather. If you dare to bother mother with this again, I'll break your legs."

The door slammed shut with a loud "bang," causing Zheng Qiaohui to tremble. Only then did she dare to burst into tears. The mother and daughter hugged each other, weeping bitterly.

Once she had cried her fill, Zheng Qiaohui, enduring the pain, helped her younger daughter stand up: "Where is your sister? Did she go out again?"