Reborn of the Rightful

Han Yunqian glanced at Han You. Though he said nothing, his calm and gentle gaze gradually steadied her.

Ren Yaoqi pretended not to notice Han You’s unusual behavior, focusing instead on the plain red-lacquered wooden door.

“I heard this used to be a study?” Ren Yaoqi asked casually.

“The previous owner of this residence built this small study. When we moved in, we found the bookshelves damp and infested with insects. Worried that books stored here would mildew, we decided not to use it,” Han Yunqian nodded, speaking calmly.

Just then, the red-lacquered door creaked open, and Shan’er slipped out, followed by a hunched, diminutive figure.

Ren Yaoqi looked closely and saw an elderly woman, frail with age, appearing to be at least sixty years old. Noticing her masters standing outside, the woman approached to bow, her movements slow and deliberate.

“Young Master, Mute Granny says she was… cleaning the main hall earlier, so she didn’t see anyone. I also looked around but didn’t find the Ren Family’s Seventh Young Miss,” Shan’er reported to Han Yunqian.

Mute Granny was apparently not deaf, as she quickly gestured a few signs in response to Shan’er’s words.

Though Mute Granny stood with her back to Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaoqi still caught a few of her gestures. In her previous life, while living in the capital, the Pei Family had a chef who was an excellent cook but both deaf and mute. Ren Yaoqi had interacted with her before, so she could guess the meaning of some gestures.

Mute Granny seemed to mention that she had been burning incense earlier?

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel a stir in her heart.

She had originally suspected that this courtyard might be hiding someone connected to the Han Family’s secrets, and to prevent leaks, they had only employed a mute woman who couldn’t speak to serve here, delivering meals daily.

But Mute Granny didn’t seem to mention anyone; instead, she brought up burning incense.

Where would one burn incense? A Buddhist shrine? An ancestral hall?

Ren Yaoqi felt the truth was drawing closer, yet she couldn’t quite grasp it.

If the person she had seen earlier was Ren Yaoting, then Ren Yaoting was still in this courtyard and had managed to evade Shan’er and Mute Granny.

Han Yunqian treated Mute Granny with gentleness, even gesturing a few signs to her, as if offering words of comfort.

At that moment, an unfamiliar woman hurried out: “Young Master, Young Miss, the Old Master is heading this way.”

Hearing this, Han You instinctively glanced at the courtyard, her face tensing again.

Han Yunqian lowered his head and said to her, “Let’s go greet Grandfather.” Then, turning to Mute Granny, he added, “There’s nothing more to do here. You may go inside now.”

Shan’er said, “Young Master, I should continue searching for the Ren Family’s Seventh Young Miss. This garden isn’t particularly large, but it’s not small either. If she’s lost her way, it wouldn’t be good.”

Han Yunqian gave a faint nod without saying anything.

Mute Granny bowed and retreated. Shan’er quickly followed, whispering a few words in her ear. Mute Granny nodded and entered the courtyard, but Shan’er did not go in with her.

The red-lacquered door closed once more, and Ren Yaoqi even heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.

“Sister Yaoqi, please come with us,” Han You urged Ren Yaoqi, seemingly apprehensive about something and unwilling to leave her behind.

Ren Yaoqi nodded and followed behind Han Yunqian alongside Han You.Han You was still murmuring softly, "Where exactly has Sister Ting gone? How could she not be found?"

Ren Yaoqi glanced back and noticed that Shan'er, who had claimed to be searching for Ren Yaoting, hadn't gone far but was lingering around that door.

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but worry about how Ren Yaoting would manage to come out. If she exited through the main door, the sound of pulling the latch would likely alert the elderly Mute Granny, and even if it didn't, she would surely be caught red-handed by Shan'er blocking the entrance. Moreover, once Mute Granny entered the courtyard, she would likely search every corner of it.

The group hadn't gone far when they heard hurried footsteps approaching.

Soon, Han Dongshan appeared around the corner.

Ren Yaoqi looked up and couldn't help but feel startled.

At this moment, Han Dongshan walked briskly, his expression filled with a chilling coldness, starkly different from the cheerful and kindly elder Ren Yaoqi had seen in the Ren Family's garden before. It was hard to believe the same person could wear such two contrasting faces.

Could this version of Han Dongshan be his true nature? Was that why his grandchildren, Han Yunqian and Han You, were so wary of him?

Instinctively, Ren Yaoqi turned her head away, pretending to admire the surrounding scenery.

It wasn't until Han Yunqian and Han You called out "Grandfather" that Ren Yaoqi belatedly turned back.

When she looked at Han Dongshan again, although his face still seemed somewhat stiff, the abrupt chill in his expression had already faded away.

"Old Master Han," Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and curtsied.

Han Dongshan changed his expression swiftly, his voice now warm and affectionate: "Oh, you are a daughter of the Ren Family?"

Ren Yaoqi softly acknowledged this.

Han Dongshan's gaze lingered on Ren Yaoqi for a moment before shifting to Han Yunqian and Han You, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Han Yunqian stood with his head bowed, obedient and respectful, while Han You couldn't help but shiver.

"Accompany Fifth Miss Ren to the pavilion to sit for a while," Han Yunqian said softly, without looking at Han You, as if aware of her fear of their grandfather, offering her a way out.

Han You glanced at Han Dongshan. Perhaps because Ren Yaoqi was present, Han Dongshan nodded, allowing Han You to withdraw.

Han You breathed a sigh of relief but also cast a worried glance at her brother, hesitating.

Han Yunqian gave her a gentle smile. "Go on, be a good host to our guest."

Only then did Han You lower her head and lead Ren Yaoqi away.

As soon as Ren Yaoqi and Han You left, Han Dongshan's face immediately turned cold again. Without a word, he left Han Yunqian behind and continued walking briskly forward.

Han Yunqian followed with his head bowed.

Han Dongshan went straight to the courtyard gate. Shan'er, who was standing guard nearby, hurried over to bow when she saw Han Dongshan approaching.

"Have you found anyone?" Han Dongshan asked calmly.

Shan'er shook her head, somewhat nervously replying, "Perhaps she didn't go in but went somewhere else. Mute Granny has already locked the door."

Han Dongshan raised his hand and knocked on the red-painted wooden door. Before long, the door opened again. Mute Granny peeked out and, seeing Han Dongshan and Han Yunqian who had returned, quickly pulled the door wider and stepped aside.

Han Dongshan strode inside. Han Yunqian followed.

Once the courtyard gate closed again, Han Dongshan shot a cold glare at Han Yunqian and demanded sharply, "Who allowed you to bring people in here!"Han Yunqian lowered his head and said, "Guests who enter the door are guests after all; we cannot even forbid them from entering the garden."

Han Yunqian glanced at Mute Granny again. "Mute Granny has been guarding this place all along and has not seen anyone enter. That room is also locked from the outside, so even if someone mistakenly wandered in, they couldn't get inside."

Upon hearing this, Mute Granny raised her head as if wanting to gesture something, but as soon as she met Han Yunqian's gentle and calm gaze, she lowered her slightly raised hand again.

Han Dongshan's expression finally improved somewhat, but he said coldly, "In that case, she can be considered to have escaped with her life!"

His voice was icy and sinister, making anyone who heard it shudder involuntarily.

"Go open the door. Qian'er, come with me!" Han Dongshan signaled to Mute Granny.

The door he referred to was not the courtyard gate but the main hall in the rear section of this courtyard.

Mute Granny took out a brass key from her waist and walked ahead of the Han family grandfather and grandson toward the backyard.

After the three figures disappeared from the front courtyard, a cautious head suddenly peeked out from behind a column base under the eaves of the northern room in the front courtyard.

Since this column base was visible as soon as one entered the gate—right under people's noses—and was not particularly large, Mute Granny had inadvertently overlooked this spot while searching the courtyard earlier.

And who else could this person peeking out be but Ren Yaoting? Fortunately, her slender frame allowed her to hide effectively; otherwise, she would have been caught.

Ren Yaoting seemed to realize she had caused trouble, her face pale and anxious. She glanced toward the courtyard gate. Earlier, she had heard the sound of the gate bolt dropping and knew that even if she tried to escape now while the others were in the backyard, she might alert them. Moreover, she wasn't sure if anyone was still guarding the gate, as she had just heard a woman's voice speaking.

Now she deeply regretted her curiosity, which had led her to trick Han You and sneak in. Old Master Han's words had made her tremble uncontrollably, though she couldn't understand why such a gentle and refined gentleman like Han Yunqian would have such a hot-tempered grandfather.

At this moment, although Ren Yaoting realized she had caused trouble, she did not yet understand that the trouble she had caused was fatal. Thus, she merely thought Han Dongshan was a hot-tempered person and dismissed his earlier statement, "In that case, she can be considered to have escaped with her life!" as nothing more than an outburst of temper, not taking it seriously.

Her current worry was more about leaving a bad impression on the Han family elders than about her own safety.

Meanwhile, Ren Yaoqi followed Han You for a while when Han You suddenly stopped, touching her wrist and exclaiming, "Huh? My bracelet is missing!"

She lifted her sleeve, and indeed, her right wrist was bare.

"What should I do? This bracelet was given to me by Grandmother to ward off evil spirits," Han You said, her face full of anxiety.

Her maid was also startled. "Miss, how could your bracelet be missing? If it fell to the ground, there should have been a sound."

Han You frowned and thought for a moment. "That bracelet was always a bit too loose and prone to slipping off. It must have been caught by some branches or leaves when I was with Sister Ting near the dove tree earlier. The grass there is thick, so even if the bracelet fell to the ground, it wouldn't make a sound."Han You then instructed the maids behind her, "Go quickly and search over there for me. Aunt Xiao said my luck is poor this year, so Grandmother gave me this jade bracelet she used to wear, which has been blessed by a high monk. If it’s lost, I’ll have let down Grandmother’s kindness."

The several maids behind Han You hurriedly responded and went off. Seeing the maid named Qin'er, who served Old Madam Han, still standing in place, Han You anxiously said, "Sister Qin'er, you go help me look too. Those few are all clumsy!"

Hearing this, Qin'er hesitated, "Miss, won’t you need someone to attend to you?" As she spoke, she glanced at Ren Yaoqi.

"The pavilion is just ahead, with maids and servants all there. Could I possibly lack attendants? Go quickly and help me search. Oh, and check around the rockery—I lingered there earlier when I was looking for Sister Ting."

Qin'er looked at the pavilion not far away, thinking that Old Master Han must have gone to that courtyard. The young lady surely wouldn’t deliberately defy the old master’s taboo by going there again, so she nodded in agreement, "This servant will go look right away. Don’t worry, Miss, it must be somewhere and won’t run off."

Han You nodded, "Go quickly, go quickly."

Qin'er hurried off toward the eastern fork in the path.

Once everyone had left, Han You grabbed Ren Yaoqi’s hand, her expression grave, "Sister Yaoqi, come with me."

"You Jie'er?" Ren Yaoqi looked at Han You in surprise.

Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi’s agreement, Han You pulled her and turned back the way they came, explaining softly as they walked, "I deliberately sent them away. Sister Ting..." She paused, glanced at Pingguo behind Ren Yaoqi, and looked inquiringly at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi smiled, "It’s fine. She won’t tell anyone."

Only then did Han You sigh, "You all have people you can trust around you. If I do anything, those around me are sure to tell Grandfather and Grandmother. Even my brother..." At this point, she suddenly realized she had spoken carelessly again and quickly stopped herself.

Ren Yaoqi pondered her words. Did Han You mean that neither she nor Han Yunqian had trusted confidants? That those serving them were loyal to Old Master Han and Old Madam Han?

Han You’s voice grew even softer, "Sister Yaoqi, listen to me. Sister Ting must have secretly gone into that courtyard just now. But my grandfather went there too, so she definitely can’t come out now. If my grandfather finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable. We must get her out before she’s discovered."

Han You’s small face was filled with seriousness.

Ren Yaoqi also whispered to her, "Why would the consequences be unimaginable if she’s discovered? Isn’t it just an abandoned study?"Han You shook her head: "You don't understand, my grandfather... he doesn't allow anyone into that courtyard. Only my grandfather, grandmother, father, and brother are permitted to enter. Even my mother and I are not allowed. Trusted maids can only wait in the first courtyard if they enter, and only Mute Granny, who guards the courtyard, can move about freely inside. When we first moved here, I once went in out of curiosity. Just as my grandfather entered, I hid behind a column base. However, Ling'er, the personal maid I brought from Jizhou, was discovered by my grandfather. Later... later, my brother came in quietly and took me out, but Ling'er was punished with caning and sold for violating my grandfather's taboo."

Han You's eyes dimmed slightly: "Ling'er has served me since childhood, and she was the only one who truly sided with me."

Even Han You, a member of the Han Family, didn't know about that courtyard? Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel surprised.

"Sister Ting asked me about that courtyard earlier, and I told her all this. She even asked me to take her inside to see, but I said I didn't dare, so she didn't press further. However, now that she's nowhere to be found in the entire garden, I think she must have sneaked into that courtyard on her own."

Ren Yaoqi asked doubtfully, "Since she can't come out, how can we go in to find her? That maid named Shan'er seems to be guarding the entrance, and the door might also be locked."

Hearing this, Han You blinked: "Just follow me. I have a way to sneak her out."

Although Ren Yaoqi was somewhat skeptical, her curiosity about the Han Family's secret kept her following Han You.

Shan'er was indeed still guarding the courtyard entrance. Han You said to Ren Yaoqi, "Can your maid wait here?"

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then nodded and instructed Pingguo: "Wait here. If anyone asks, say you're here to help Miss Han look for her bracelet."

Pingguo softly agreed.

Han You pulled Ren Yaoqi into a side path in the garden.

When they emerged again, Ren Yaoqi realized Han You had led her around in front of Shan'er and finally stopped before a courtyard wall.

Ren Yaoqi carefully examined the surroundings and realized this was likely the side wall of that mysterious courtyard.

Han You then pulled Ren Yaoqi through a narrow passageway, looking down at the wall bricks as they walked. Soon, she stopped: "It's here."

She let go of Ren Yaoqi's hand and crouched down to tap the wall bricks on her own.

Ren Yaoqi stood aside, watching curiously. She saw Han You locate a large blue brick and, somehow, push it inward by half an inch, revealing a wire. Han You pulled the wire outward with force, and the brick was pulled out. Realizing the brick was movable, Ren Yaoqi crouched down to help Han You pull.

Together, they pulled out the brick. Han You then moved to shift the adjacent one. After the first brick was removed, the rest became much easier. After removing four bricks in a row, Han You pointed downward for Ren Yaoqi to see.

There was a hole underneath, and the soil below had been hollowed out, large enough to accommodate a person—like a dog hole.

Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel astonished.Han You explained in a low voice, "The original owner of this estate had a mischievous youngest son. He built this study in the garden to confine him there for studying. Unexpectedly, that youngest son was quite clever—he secretly dug this hole and would sneak out from time to time. I only discovered this secret by accidentally finding a handwritten journal left behind by that person. That time, I also entered through here. Sister Yaoqi, please keep watch for me here. I’ll go in alone to find someone. It’s better if you don’t come with me—having too many people might make things inconvenient."

Ren Yaoqi glanced at the "dog hole" and nodded. "Be careful when you go in. Don’t let anyone see you."

Han You took off her outer robe and handed it to Ren Yaoqi to hold. This way, when she came out, she could put the robe back on, and no one would notice that the clothes underneath were dirty.

"There’s a fish tank blocking the way once you go in. If I’m careful, I shouldn’t be discovered. My grandfather and the others probably aren’t in the front courtyard right now."

How did Han You know that Elder Han wasn’t in the front courtyard? Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but wonder.

It seemed that Han You actually knew something but hadn’t spoken about it.

Still, from her willingness to risk her grandfather’s reprimand to look for Ren Yaoting and her readiness to explain so much to someone she wasn’t familiar with, Han You was clearly a kind-hearted person. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)