Han Xianren, seeing Han Dongshan's expression, sighed inwardly and lowered his head, not daring to say anything more that might provoke Han Dongshan's anger.
Han Dongshan glanced back at Han Xianren, growing even more displeased at his demeanor. "Where is Yunqian? Wasn't he supposed to come to Yunyang City? It's been days, and there's still no sign of him?"
Afraid his son would be blamed, Han Xianren quickly replied, "His mother's illness has worsened..."
Han Dongshan impatiently cut him off. "How can someone destined for great deeds be so soft-hearted! Yunqian isn't a physician—what can he do staying in the inner quarters? Go and summon him here!"
Han Xianren inwardly sighed bitterly, but outwardly he respectfully bowed and acknowledged the order before retreating from the study.
He beckoned his personal servant, his eyes filled with worry and impatience. "What exactly is keeping Yunqian in White Crane Town? Go back again, and this time, make sure you bring him here."
The servant murmured an acknowledgment and hurried away.
Meanwhile, Han Yunqian was not idle. The reason he hadn't gone to Yunyang City was that he was searching for someone, but despite several days of effort, he had found no trace.
Coincidentally, on that day, Han Yunqian had personally escorted the physician who had examined his mother to the door. There, he spotted an elderly woman and a child who appeared to be grandmother and grandson. They looked strangely familiar.
Han Yunqian had always possessed an excellent memory and immediately recalled seeing the pair at the Ren Family residence during the Dragon Boat Festival. This alone was unremarkable, and he was about to look away after a brief glance when the elderly woman, meeting his gaze, suddenly showed a look of terror. She grabbed the child beside her and fled, so panicked that she collided with a carriage coming from behind.
Startled, Han Yunqian stepped forward to investigate. The woman, who had fallen, scrambled to her feet and limped away, pulling the frightened, crying child into an alley. Injured and slowed, she was eventually caught up by Han Yunqian.
"You..." Han Yunqian frowned at the disheveled pair, about to speak, when the old woman stammered out a single word that left him stunned.
The word Han Yunqian heard was "Zhai."
Just then, a Han Family servant came running over. Han Yunqian hesitated for a moment, and in that instant, the old woman fled again.
Watching the approaching servant, Han Yunqian thought for a moment and then summoned his trusted attendant. He instructed him to discreetly bring the grandmother and grandson back without alerting anyone and to post someone near the Ren Family residence. Unexpectedly, the pair managed to escape and did not return to the Ren residence.
Recalling the old woman's terrified utterance of "Zhai" upon seeing him, Han Yunqian became even more convinced that she knew something.
He remembered encountering the old woman at the Ren Family residence. Could it be that the Ren Family already knew the Han Family's secrets? After brief consideration, he dismissed this idea. The old woman had likely been with the Ren Family for some time, and based on the Ren Family's recent behavior, they did not seem aware.
However, the image of a young woman suddenly surfaced in Han Yunqian's mind. He recalled how, from their very first meeting, she had harbored an inexplicable hostility toward him, which had long puzzled him.
Now, he wondered—could it be because she knew something?For some reason, he did not inform his grandfather about this matter immediately, and Old Master Han happened to be in Yunyang City that day.
However, to uncover the truth, Han Yunqian could only secretly search for the grandmother and grandson. Unfortunately, after two days of searching, he found nothing. It wasn’t until the third day, when one of his subordinates sent out in secret returned to report that they had located the pair, that he was about to go meet them in person—only to find that the grandmother and grandson had vanished again. And this time, they disappeared even after being placed under tight surveillance by his men.
Upon hearing this news, Han Yunqian found it impossible to put his complicated feelings into words.
It was at this moment that the person sent by Han Xianren found Han Yunqian.
After listening, Han Yunqian nodded faintly. “I was just about to go to Yunyang City.”
Ren Yaoqi was unaware of all this. She was accompanying Rong Shi and Li Qian in a game of mahjong, and since they were one player short, Yihong had been pulled in to make up the numbers.
Just then, a maidservant came in to announce that a guest had arrived.
This took everyone present by surprise, as the Xianwang Residence in Treasure Vase Alley rarely had visitors throughout the year.
“Who is it? Did they present a name card?” Rong Shi calmly accepted a tile from Li Qian, overturned the tiles in her hand, and asked.
People in Yanbei disdained associating with those from the Xianwang Residence, and similarly, the Xianwang Residence was not particularly enthusiastic about fostering neighborly relations.
“No, but Xiao Chunzi said that person came to our backyard yesterday.” The maidservant was still dressed in the attire of an old female role. Upon hearing this, she glanced subtly in Ren Yaoqi’s direction before replying respectfully.
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback and immediately thought of Zhu Ruomei. Could it be that Old Woman Luo had news so quickly? But if Zhu Ruomei was looking for her, why didn’t he come through the back door instead of the front? And why was he making a formal visit? Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in surprise.
Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi, as if seeking her opinion.
Ren Yaoqi quickly said, “It might be someone looking for me. I asked a friend to help me with something earlier.”
Rong Shi nodded, thought for a moment, and said gently, “Please invite them in. It’s been a long time since we’ve had guests in our residence.” With that, she stood up and asked Chuchu to clear the mahjong table.
Although Ren Yaoqi found it somewhat strange, she did not stop Rong Shi. At the moment, she was eager to find Old Woman Luo and her grandson as soon as possible.
Since the guest had come formally through the front door, it was only proper to bring them in to meet the master of the house.
Before long, Li Qian and Rong Shi had taken their seats in the main hall, and footsteps could be heard from outside.
Then, the curtain was lifted, and Ren Yaoqi turned to see that it was indeed Zhu Ruomei.
She smiled and was about to stand up to greet him when, unexpectedly, she saw a young man emerge closely behind Zhu Ruomei.
This young man had an exceptionally handsome appearance, with elegant and noble bearing in every gesture. He wore only a plain, unadorned blue robe without any patterns or gold and jade accessories. Despite the simplicity of his attire, he radiated a dazzling brilliance that captivated all who saw him.
Ren Yaoqi was stunned. “Second… Second Young Master Xiao?”
The others in the room were also taken aback.
Xiao Jingxi nodded to Ren Yaoqi, then stepped forward gracefully to greet Prince Xian and his wife.
Rong Shi quickly composed herself, masking the flicker of surprise in her eyes. She looked at Xiao Jingxi with a polite and gentle smile. “So it’s Second Young Master Xiao. We apologize for our lack of courtesy.”Li Qian sized up Xiao Jingxi for a moment, then glanced at Ren Yaoqi standing silently to the side. When Xiao Jingxi greeted him, he gave a faint nod without further acknowledgment.
Ren Yaoqi watched Xiao Jingxi’s retreating figure and subconsciously furrowed her brow, then cast a questioning look toward Zhu Ruomei.
Noticing Ren Yaoqi’s gaze, Zhu Ruomei gave a slight shake of his head, as if reassuring her that nothing was amiss and she need not worry.
Over there, Xiao Jingxi began exchanging pleasantries with Rong Shi and Li Qian. Ren Yaoqi observed him discreetly, trying to discern the purpose of his visit today from his expression.
Xiao Jingxi seemed to notice Ren Yaoqi’s gaze. During a pause in his conversation with Rong Shi, he turned his eyes toward her, smiled briefly, then looked away again.
“Qi’er, go prepare some tea and refreshments,” Rong Shi said gently to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi obediently assented and withdrew.
Naturally, preparing tea and refreshments did not require Ren Yaoqi’s personal involvement. Chuchu followed her out, and Ren Yaoqi understood this was merely Rong Shi’s pretext to send her away. Though curious about Xiao Jingxi’s purpose, she still stepped out.
Once the tea was ready, Chuchu carried it inside. Ren Yaoqi considered for a moment but did not follow her back in. Just then, Zhu Ruomei emerged from the room.
Seeing him, Ren Yaoqi felt a wave of relief. Zhu Ruomei had likely come out specifically to speak with her, so the two exchanged nods and wordlessly moved toward the covered walkway nearby with tacit understanding.
“Fifth Miss, Old Woman Luo and her granddaughter have been found,” were Zhu Ruomei’s first words to Ren Yaoqi.
This news brought Ren Yaoqi joy. “Where were they found? How are they?”
“When we found them, they were being secretly watched. It seemed they had hidden themselves earlier and were just discovered. Old Woman Luo sustained some injuries. After settling them, I called a physician to treat her. It shouldn’t be a serious issue, so please rest assured, Fifth Miss.”
“Who was looking for them?” Ren Yaoqi asked calmly.
“After having them taken away, I went back to take a look and happened to see Young Master Han,” Zhu Ruomei replied gravely.
“Han Yunqian? So it was indeed the Han Family,” Ren Yaoqi could not help but frown.
“Fifth Miss, since this woman came from your household, you should be cautious in your actions from now on. After all, both sides have now crossed paths,” Zhu Ruomei added with concern after a moment’s thought.
Ren Yaoqi had already prepared for this. In truth, she was not afraid of the Han Family and the Ren Family breaking openly.
Now that the Ren Family was again considering a marriage alliance with the Han Family, it might be better for this enemy to be exposed openly.
But before that, she needed to clarify the grievances between Han Dongshan and the Ren Family.
“Where are they? I want to see them.”
Zhu Ruomei said, “I placed them at my mother and sister’s residence. You can see them anytime, Miss.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded, then glanced toward the main room and asked, “Why did Young Master Xiao come here today?”
At this, Zhu Ruomei scratched his head. “What I do cannot be hidden from the Young Master, and you also said there was no need to conceal it. So when I went out today, I happened to meet him. He knew I was coming to see you and said he was passing by, so he came along.” Zhu Ruomei’s expression also held a trace of puzzlement.This answer naturally could not help Ren Yaoqi clear her doubts, so she thought for a moment but ultimately reached no conclusion. Still, she would find out eventually, Ren Yaoqi thought as she looked at the door curtain of the main room.
Ren Yaoqi wanted to go out quickly to see Old Woman Luo, but now that guests had arrived at the estate—and distinguished ones at that—she could only wait for Xiao Jingxi to finish speaking and come out.
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