Early the next morning, before dawn broke, the servants of the Ren Family began bustling about quietly. The masters would rise later, so the maids and old women had to move the items needed for the journey onto the carriages first.
Ren Yaoqi woke up relatively early. After washing up and changing clothes, she sat in her room for a while, waiting until there was movement in the main quarters before going to pay respects to her parents.
Today, Old Madam Ren had excused everyone from morning greetings, so Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua had breakfast with Madam Li.
When someone came to fetch Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua to depart, Madam Li held the two sisters’ hands and gave them careful instructions, then had Nanny Zhou give each of them a heavy pouch.
"If it’s convenient, remember to visit your maternal grandfather and grandmother at their home," Madam Li added at the end.
Ren Yaohua remained silent, while Ren Yaoqi smiled and replied, "Understood. I heard Grandmother will also be watching the dragon boat race. We might run into her then. Does Mother have any messages for Grandmother? Or anything you’d like me to pass along?"
Madam Li thought for a moment but shook her head. "Just have a good chat with your grandmother. She always asks about you in her letters."
Ren Yaoqi agreed again, then left with Ren Yaohua. When they reached the courtyard gate and turned back, they could still see Madam Li standing under the corridor, watching them.
Over twenty carriages were arranged for today’s outing, lined up in a long row outside the Inner Gate.
Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were assigned to the same carriage. In the past, neither would have been willing, but now that the sisters had grown much closer and were biological siblings, they were often arranged together for outings.
Led by a steward, the two passed through the Inner Gate. Their carriage, like those of the other young ladies of the Ren Family, was placed in the middle.
They arrived relatively early. Apart from Fifth Master and Madam Lin, who had come early with Ren Yaoyu and were chatting cheerfully as a family squeezed into one carriage, no one else had arrived yet. Only a few old women stood scattered by the carriages, waiting to assist their mistresses.
Just as Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were about to board their carriage to wait, a little girl suddenly darted out from somewhere.
"Fifth Miss..."
Ren Yaoqi turned in surprise and realized it was Old Woman Luo’s granddaughter.
Ren Yaohua also looked over and immediately frowned. "Which little maid are you? Under which nanny do you serve?"
The girl was wearing the summer attire of a third-class maid in the mansion today. Ren Yaohua, finding her unfamiliar, assumed she was a newly arrived maid unfamiliar with the household rules.
The girl glanced at Ren Yaohua, then looked at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi said to Ren Yaohua, "She came from the estate yesterday. You go ahead and board the carriage; I’ll join you shortly."
Ren Yaohua gave the girl a suspicious look before turning and leaving.
Only then did Ren Yaoqi speak gently to the girl. "Why are you here? Didn’t I have Nanny Zhou arrange for you and your grandmother to stay in the outer courtyard?"
Seeing that the fierce Ren Yaohua had left, the girl grew bolder and replied crisply, "Grandmother said there’s still farm work unfinished at the estate and wanted to ask Fifth Miss when we can leave. But the inner courtyard people wouldn’t let us in or report for us. I saw you from afar just now and ran over."Ren Yaoqi now noticed that although the little girl's complexion wasn't particularly good, her voice was quite pleasant. She couldn't help but smile and ask, "What's your name?"
The little girl blinked her bright eyes at Ren Yaoqi and smiled, "Shui Ai, my name is Shui Ai. It's a type of wild vegetable. Grandmother says wild vegetables are the best—they can fill your stomach when you're hungry and grow back again with the spring breeze."
At these words, the two senior maids behind Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but chuckle.
Ren Yaoqi also smiled. Looking up, she saw Old Woman Luo hurrying over from a distance. Seeing the situation here, she seemed to want to approach but didn't dare, standing far off and watching Shui Ai with concern.
Ren Yaoqi pointed behind Shui Ai, "Your grandmother is looking for you. Go help her. Walk slowly—running isn't allowed in the mansion, or the nannies who teach manners might catch you and slap your palms."
Shui Ai playfully winked at Ren Yaoqi, "They can't catch me." Despite saying this, she lowered her head and imitated the way the mansion's maids walked before turning to leave. Her steps were quite proper, leaving Ren Yaoqi unable to find fault.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh softly. After a moment's thought, she instructed her maids briefly before heading toward Old Woman Luo with Pingguo and Sangshen.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi approach, Old Woman Luo quickly pulled Shui Ai into a bow, anxiously saying, "Please forgive us, Miss. Shui Ai doesn't know the rules and has offended you."
Seeing her trembling figure, Ren Yaoqi hurriedly had Pingguo step forward to support her and said gently, "Children are always lively. It's fine. I'll be going to Yunyang City for a few days. You two stay in the mansion for now. If anything comes up, have someone find Nanny Zhou—I'll inform her later. I'll also have someone notify the estate."
"Will there be snacks every day?" Perhaps sensing Ren Yaoqi's gentle nature, Shui Ai wasn't afraid of her and couldn't resist whispering this question.
Before Ren Yaoqi could reply, Old Woman Luo immediately stiffened her expression and scolded sternly, "What happened to the manners I taught you! Who allowed you to be so disrespectful!"
Shui Ai seemed startled by her grandmother's tone and lowered her head, not daring to speak further.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to say something, a figure appeared from the corridor leading to the main gate.
The man wore a plain sky-blue Lu silk robe, yet even such ordinary clothing carried an elegance and dignity on him that set him apart from others.
Ren Yaoqi was about to tell Old Woman Luo and her granddaughter to return to their assigned quarters when she turned and saw Old Woman Luo staring wide-eyed at the newcomer, her face filled with astonishment.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but frown and turned to look at the newcomer as well.
The newcomer also noticed the attention from this direction. His steps paused only briefly before he emerged from under the corridor and walked until he was three or four steps away from Ren Yaoqi. He then bowed calmly and saluted, "Fifth Miss Ren."
Ren Yaoqi curtsied in return, "Young Master Han."
The newcomer was none other than Han Yunqian.
Han Yunqian straightened up, his gaze sweeping briefly over Old Woman Luo and her granddaughter before turning away, as if they were strangers. By then, Old Woman Luo had already concealed her look of surprise, standing to the side with her head bowed and back bent.
"Young Master Han, are you not going to Yunyang City today?" Ren Yaoqi asked casually with a smile.
"My grandfather sent me to inquire when the Ren Family plans to depart and how many carriages and horses you'll have. This way, we can avoid congestion at the city gates later."In White Crane Town, besides the Han and Ren families, several other households were also preparing to depart, each with numerous carriages. In previous years, incidents of being stuck at the city gates or on the narrow roads leading out of town were not uncommon. Thus, it was best to plan ahead from the start.
Ren Yaoqi nodded and quickly said, "My eldest aunt is in the meeting hall over there. She is in charge of all travel arrangements. You should head over quickly to avoid delaying the departure."
Han Yunqian gave a slight nod, glanced at Ren Yaoqi once more, bowed slightly, and then turned to leave.
"That young gentleman... is he surnamed Han?" Old Woman Luo, who had been standing quietly to the side with her hands clasped, suddenly spoke up.
Ren Yaoqi looked at her and replied calmly, "Yes, the Han family moved here from Jizhou the year before last. Do you recognize Young Master Han?"
Old Woman Luo was taken aback and quickly shook her head. "No, no. It's just that... he looks somewhat familiar."
Ren Yaoqi smiled faintly. "Oh? Then perhaps you've seen him somewhere before?"
"This servant has always stayed at the estate and never ventured out. Besides, this Young Master Han is so young. It's impossible for me to have met him. It must be my old eyes playing tricks on me." Old Woman Luo shook her head again.
"Perhaps he resembles one of his elders, and you've met that elder before," Ren Yaoqi suggested.
Old Woman Luo thought for a moment and sighed. "This servant is old and can't remember."
"No rush. Take your time over the next few days, Nanny. You'll remember eventually." Ren Yaoqi glanced back and saw Ren Yaoyin and Ren Yaoyu also emerging, her tone carrying a meaningful note.
"It's getting late. I should go now. Nanny, please rest assured and stay in the manor. If you need anything, go find Nanny Zhou." Ren Yaoqi nodded and, without waiting for Old Woman Luo to say anything more, turned and left.
Ren Yaoqi was now certain that this Old Woman Luo knew something about the Han family, though for some reason, she was unwilling to speak.
Since she had found the right person, Ren Yaoqi was in no hurry. She would surely find a way to make Old Woman Luo talk.
Old Woman Luo watched Ren Yaoqi's figure gradually disappear into the distance, shook her head, and a bitter smile touched her lips, making her wrinkled face appear even more weathered.
"Grandmother?" Shui Ai timidly tugged at Old Woman Luo's sleeve and called out softly.
Old Woman Luo snapped back to reality and gently patted her granddaughter's head with her rough hand, her expression full of affection. "Haven't I told you many times? Once we're in the manor, you must behave, not speak carelessly, and not make mistakes."
Seeing her grandmother regain her usual kindness, Shui Ai asked in confusion, "Grandmother, I think this Fifth Young Miss seems very nice. Why were you willing to let a dog bite you rather than come into the manor?"
Old Woman Luo was so startled that she covered her granddaughter's mouth, looked around, and only relaxed when she saw it was just the two of them. She scolded in a hushed voice, "I told you to be careful with your words. Why won't you listen? Do you want us both to lose our lives before you regret it?"
Shui Ai felt wronged by the scolding but still lowered her head in apology. "Grandmother, I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again. Please don't be angry and harm your health."
Old Woman Luo, however, gazed at the surroundings, her eyes aged and sorrowful, murmuring softly, "What is meant to come will come."
This long-overdue extra update is for Brother Melin from Southern California. Please don't mind the delay～^^(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian () to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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