The two sat down in the pavilion, and Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile, “It’s been a long time since I last saw Miss Han. How have you been lately?”
Han You smiled gently. “I’ve been well.” Though she said this, her smile carried a faint trace of melancholy, something that had not been present in Han You before.
Ren Yaoqi recalled that Master Han would soon be welcoming a new wife into the household. This lady hailed from the Jiang Family of Shun Prefecture and, though born of a concubine, was said to be quite capable.
Master Han was just over thirty and the only son of the Han Family. It was only natural for him to remarry after the passing of Han You’s birth mother. However, from Han You’s perspective, the arrival of a stepmother was far from simple.
As Ren Yaoqi was thinking this, Han You hesitantly spoke up, “Yaoqi, do you happen to know Miss Jiang Six and Miss Jiang Eight from the Jiang Family of Shun Prefecture?”
“I did meet Miss Jiang Eight at the last Thousand Gold Banquet, but Miss Jiang Six happened to fall ill suddenly and couldn’t attend, so I didn’t get to see her,” Ren Yaoqi replied with a smile.
“I see…” Han You paused before continuing, “Yaoqi, could you do me a favor?”
Ren Yaoqi was curious. “Tell me what it is.” However, she didn’t agree immediately.
Han You said somewhat sheepishly, “I heard that the Jiang Family’s young ladies will be coming to Yan Prefecture soon. When they arrive, could you introduce me to them?”
Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s silence, Han You quickly added, “Just if there’s an opportunity, introduce them to me. I… I’d like to get to know them.”
Seeing Han You’s demeanor, Ren Yaoqi guessed that the marriage arrangement between the Han and Jiang families had likely been settled. Han You, knowing this, wanted to meet the Jiang Family’s young ladies beforehand. Whether she intended to inquire about her future stepmother’s temperament or simply wished to build good relations with the Jiang Family, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t be sure. The Madam Jiang who would marry into the Han Family was of an older generation than Jiang Yuan Niang and Jiang Qianniang—their aunt—though not much older in age.
After a moment’s thought, Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, “If the opportunity arises, I can introduce you. However, I’ve only met Miss Jiang Eight once and am not familiar with her.”
Han You happily replied, “Thank you, Yaoqi! It’s alright. I just feel that approaching them without an introduction might seem abrupt and deliberate.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded and asked with a smile, “When will the Jiang Family’s young ladies be arriving in Yan Prefecture? Will both Miss Jiang Six and Miss Jiang Eight be coming?”
Han You said, “I believe it’s early next month. Both Miss Jiang Six and Miss Jiang Eight will be here.”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but recall Xiao Jinglin’s earlier mention of Yun Wenfang’s impending return. Yun Wenfang was engaged to Jiang Yuan Niang—could the Jiang Family’s visit be related to the marriage?
By now, the sky had darkened. Though lanterns illuminated the pavilion, it was not as bright as indoors. Having said what she needed to, Han You suggested, “Yaoqi, it’s getting late. Shall we head back? Sister Yaohua might be worried.”
Though Ren Yaoqi would have preferred to stay and enjoy the breeze, she thought of Han You’s delicate health and stood up with a smile. “Then let’s go back.”The two of them left the pavilion and walked back along the lake. The large red lanterns along the shore reflected in the water, one turning into two, two into four, creating a vibrant and prosperous scene, with both light and liveliness doubled.
As they strolled back, chatting casually, they hadn’t gone far when they saw someone approaching from ahead.
The person was backlit, making it difficult to see their face clearly, but it was evident they were a man dressed in white.
At that moment, Han You, walking beside Ren Yaoqi, suddenly exclaimed softly, "Huh?" and then called out, "Brother?"
As the man stepped into the light, Ren Yaoqi finally got a clear look at his face—dark hair, well-defined eyebrows, a high nose, and thin lips. It was Han Yunqian, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Since Mrs. Han’s passing, not only had Han You avoided seeing outsiders, but Han Yunqian had also rarely left home while observing mourning for his mother. Ren Yaoqi hadn’t expected to run into both siblings from the Han Family today.
Han Yunqian’s gaze lingered on Ren Yaoqi, his dark eyes appearing even deeper and more profound than before.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head to avoid his gaze and curtsied in greeting. "Young Master Han."
Han Yunqian nodded, withdrawing his gaze, and said to Han You, "Grandmother is looking for you. It’s time to go back."
Han You seemed quite relaxed in front of Han Yunqian. She stuck out her tongue playfully and said, "Oh, I lost track of time while talking with Yaoqi. Brother, you’ll have to speak up for me in front of Grandmother when we get back."
The three of them walked back together. Han You was on Ren Yaoqi’s left, while Han Yunqian walked on her right.
Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat uncomfortable walking in the middle, but then she suddenly heard Han Yunqian say quietly, "The Ren Family’s businesses in the capital and Jiangnan are on the verge of collapse, aren’t they?"
Ren Yaoqi understood his words clearly. Her steps faltered for a moment before she continued walking. "Thank you for your concern."
Han You only heard Ren Yaoqi’s reply and hadn’t caught what Han Yunqian had said earlier. She glanced at them in surprise.
"Ayou, walk ahead," Han Yunqian said calmly.
Han You looked at her brother, then at Ren Yaoqi, and obediently distanced herself from them. However, she didn’t go too far, so from a distance, it would still appear as though they were walking together.
Ren Yaoqi frowned and was about to leave first, but Han Yunqian anticipated her move and spoke up. "I never meant you any harm before, and I still don’t now. I just wanted to remind you that the fall of the Ren Family in the capital is only the beginning. I’m afraid the Ren Family is about to face a major upheaval. You... take care of yourself."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was no longer in a hurry to leave. She glanced at Han Yunqian and frowned. "Young Master Han, first of all, I thank you for your repeated kindness. But I truly don’t understand—what do you want?"
If Han Yunqian wanted revenge, he should keep his distance from someone like her, who already knew the Han Family’s secrets, and focus on his vengeance. If he wanted to resolve the feud between their families, he should persuade his grandfather or take action to stop his grandfather’s schemes. Yet, judging by Han Yunqian’s actions, neither seemed to be the case.
Upon hearing this, Han Yunqian lowered his eyelids. The reflections of the lanterns on the lake shimmered around him, making his figure appear both real and illusory, shrouded in ambiguity.
He remained silent for a long time, and in the end, only said one word: "Sorry."Ren Yaoqi was somewhat baffled by Han Yunqian's apology. Why was Han Yunqian apologizing? For the Han Family's retaliation, or because he couldn't stop his grandfather from seeking revenge?
I went shopping for New Year's goods with my mom today and came back a bit late~ o(∩_∩)o
This chapter is a bit short, please don't mind it. The next chapter will probably be updated around two o'clock.
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