Ren Yaoqi slowly let out a sigh, somewhat helplessly. "Is there something you need, Young Master Han?"
Only then did Han Yunqian turn to glance at Ren Yaoqi. That glance made Ren Yaoqi feel a sharpness as tangible as a blade, yet she remained unmoved. Instead, Han Yunqian softened his demeanor.
"I recall asking you once before, Fifth Miss, if I had inadvertently offended you in some way, to the point where you detest me so. It wasn’t until recently that I understood the reason."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "Young Master Han, you’ve misunderstood. To be honest, I am not very familiar with you, so saying I detest you is unfounded."
Upon hearing this, Han Yunqian actually curved his lips into a smile, one tinged with an ambiguous meaning. "Oh? Then why did Fifth Miss scheme from the very beginning to make your father and Third Young Master Ren hold prejudices against me? And why did you go to such lengths to retrieve the painting your father gifted me?"
Ren Yaoqi paused her steps slightly, mimicking his manner by curving her own lips into a smile. "Then could Young Master Han tell me why someone as low-key as you went to such lengths to befriend my father and third brother? If it was because your Han Family, newly arrived, sought business alliances, surely you knew my father and third brother have never concerned themselves with worldly affairs? If it was due to shared interests... in Yan Prefecture, there are many more learned individuals than my father and third brother. Not to mention elsewhere, right here in Yunyang City, there are figures like Second Young Master Xiao and Young Master Yun, who are around your age and exceptionally talented—some even your former classmates. As the saying goes, one should harbor no ill intentions but remain vigilant. Since your own actions are questionable, don’t blame others for being cautious around you."
"As for the matter of that painting..." Ren Yaoqi glanced sidelong at Han Yunqian, lifting her chin with a proud tilt, her tone carrying a subtle disdain. "That was simply because your skills fell short, Young Master Han!"
Han Yunqian: "..."
After a long silence, Han Yunqian sighed. "Fifth Miss Ren, your sharp tongue leaves me in awe."
Ren Yaoqi replied lightly, "You flatter me."
Han Yunqian felt that while he was not one to speak excessively, he could still be eloquent when it mattered. Yet, for some reason, in front of Ren Yaoqi, he could only suppress his words, nearly causing internal frustration.
Even the usually composed and gentle Young Master Han felt a spark of anger. "Then, Fifth Miss, will you still deny that you had no involvement whatsoever in the Lei Family’s affairs?"
Han Yunqian’s dark gaze fixed on Ren Yaoqi, as if trying to see through her.
Ren Yaoqi wore an expression of surprise, tinged with amusement. "Young Master Han, do you expect me to admit to such a baseless accusation if I don’t deny it? What does the Lei Family have to do with me, and what affairs would warrant my interference? Spring is no time for studying, and the scorching summer is perfect for sleeping. Are you sure you were fully awake when you left home today?"
Han Yunqian: "..."
Taking a deep breath, Han Yunqian tried to ignore the mockery and teasing on Ren Yaoqi’s face. He knew his question had been rash. He only sensed that Ren Yaoqi had meddled in the conflict between the Lei Family and the Han Family, but it was merely his speculation. He had no evidence, though he believed his guess was not mistaken."I have no desire to engage in a war of words with you. Some matters are best left understood between us." When Han Yunqian spoke again, his tone had regained its composure. "I merely wish to remind Fifth Miss that, no matter how clever you are, you are still just a young lady confined to the inner chambers. There is no need to shoulder these burdens yourself. Otherwise, you will inevitably suffer for it."
This time, it was Ren Yaoqi who fell silent.
Her silence was spent pondering Han Yunqian's attitude.
His words carried a hint of goodwill, making her wonder if Han Yunqian was perhaps not as fixated on revenge as his grandfather? Otherwise, even after she had deliberately provoked him, he would not have spoken such words.
Could there be a turning point to be found with Han Yunqian?
She had never intended to help the Ren Family bring down the Han Family. The Ren Family was not innocent; she only wanted to ensure the survival of her own loved ones.
"Master Han, if you were in my position, what would you do?" Ren Yaoqi asked softly, her tone no longer as confrontational as before.
Han Yunqian was taken aback for a moment, then fell silent.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at him and suddenly smiled. "I do not wish to shoulder these burdens, but the tree may crave calm, yet the wind will not cease. Can you point me to a clear path?"
The look in Han Yunqian's eyes grew even more complex, but he could not find the words to respond.
As a descendant of the Zhai Family, the blood debt of his family's annihilation could not go unavenged. Moreover, even if he could let it go, his grandfather never would. Revenge was his grandfather's lifelong obsession, and no one could stop him.
Ren Yaoqi felt a pang of disappointment but did not show it.
No matter how long the corridor, it eventually comes to an end. Ren Yaoqi's carriage was already waiting on the flat ground not far ahead. She paused her steps, glanced at the carriage, then turned to look at Han Yunqian.
Han Yunqian stopped walking.
Ren Yaoqi nodded politely to him, then turned and walked toward her carriage without looking back.
Han Yunqian stood beneath the eaves of the corridor, quietly watching Ren Yaoqi's retreating figure. He watched her step into the sunlight, watched her board the carriage with the help of her maid, and watched the carriage slowly disappear from view.
His gaze seemed fixed on the carriage, yet also seemed to look through it into emptiness. Standing in the shadows beneath the tree, no one could clearly discern the expression on his face.
After returning, Lin Baoling immediately went to her grandmother, Third Madam Lin, to pour out her grievances. Upon hearing the story, Third Madam Lin was both shocked and furious. While comforting Lin Baoling, she turned to the matron who had accompanied her and asked, "Are you certain of what you saw?"
The matron nodded. "This servant was standing nearby attending to the young miss. It was indeed her pouch, without a doubt."
Third Madam Lin's expression turned icy.
Lin Baoling's mother, Madam Mu, the wife of Third Madam Lin's eldest son, grew anxious and said urgently, "Mother, this Master Fang is too reckless! How could he act so improperly? As a man, he may face no consequences, but what about our Ling'er?"
The matron said, "I thought that Master Fang seemed like an honest sort. He probably wouldn't have the nerve for such a thing, would he?"
Third Madam Lin sneered coldly. "This matter does not seem simple to me either."
Madam Mu said, "Mother, we must retrieve that pouch immediately. If he goes out carrying Ling'er's pouch from now on, what will people think? If word gets out, how will our Ling'er ever show her face?""Don't rush just yet. Mrs. Fang is still staying at the Ren Family Villa, isn't she..." Third Madam Lin thought for a moment, then instructed the matron, "Go to the storeroom and fetch some fabric to send to the Ren Family Villa for Mrs. Fang. Say it's a return gift from your mistress, and while you're there, discreetly gather some information." With that, Third Madam Lin lowered her voice and gave a few more instructions.
The matron hurriedly acknowledged the orders and left.
It wasn't until the afternoon that the matron returned. Although Mrs. Fang was not at the villa that day, the steward matron left in charge accepted the return gift on her behalf and even prepared a feast for the matrons and maids from the Lin Family.
"Madam, although Mrs. Fang wasn't there when we visited today, the feast arranged by the steward was of the standard reserved for distinguished guests. I discreetly inquired and actually overheard their servants privately gossiping that our Fang and Lin families intend to form a marriage alliance. Last time Mrs. Fang brought their young master to our residence, it was to have you look him over."
Upon hearing this, Third Madam Lin was both shocked and furious: "How utterly shameless!"
Mu-shi looked anxious: "Mother, this Fang family is going too far. How can they treat marriage matters as they please?"
Third Madam Lin, who usually emphasized self-cultivation and always presented a gentle and refined demeanor, cursed once before gradually calming down, though her expression turned cold: "Last time Mrs. Fang came to ask me to put in a good word for Fang Yacun with my uncle. Nowadays, in Yanbei, the desirable positions are few and far between, and securing a lucrative post is no easy task. I didn't give a definitive answer. Presumably, the Fang family believes that by forming a marriage alliance with us and climbing onto the coattails of Chief Secretary Yuan, Fang Yacun will have an extra path in Yanbei. After all, the Fang family's roots are in Jiangnan, and marriage is the fastest and most effective way to establish themselves firmly in Yanbei."
Mu-shi fumed: "But they'd have to be worthy of our Lin family! Although the Fang family can be considered wealthy in Jiangnan, this is Yanbei. Fang Yacun is merely a concubine-born son of the Fang family, a minor sixth-rank official with no foundation here. Besides, I find that young master Fang rather ordinary, hardly promising."
Third Madam Lin glanced at her daughter-in-law: "If the Fang family spreads the rumor that our Lin family intends to marry into theirs, what can you do? Once Ling-er's reputation is tarnished, who else could she marry but the young master of the Fang family?"
Mu-shi was left speechless: "This... this is too shameless!"
Third Madam Lin snorted lightly: "Such things happen all the time. That's why I want you to keep a close watch on Ling-er."
Mu-shi bit her lip: "Mother, what should we do now?"
Third Madam Lin instructed the matron: "Go to the Ren Family Villa again. This time, wait until Mrs. Fang and Ninth Miss Ren return, then exchange the two pouches embroidered by the maids for the ones embroidered by our young lady. Use this to warn the Fang family. If they know what's good for them, that will be the end of it. Otherwise... our Lin family is not to be trifled with."
The matron hurried off again, returning only when the sky had grown dark.
"Madam, Ninth Miss Ren said the pouches are lost," the matron reported, sweating profusely.
With a sharp crack, the teacup in Third Madam Lin's hand shattered on the floor.
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