Ren Shimin always believed that Ren Yaoqi was somewhat different towards Han Yunqian. His thoughts were not entirely wrong, but he had simply mistaken the direction.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head: "Father, the reason I pay such close attention to the Han Family is merely because I find their actions somewhat peculiar."
"Peculiar? How is the Han Family peculiar?" Ren Shimin asked, puzzled.
Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Shimin seriously and said: "During the generation of Han Yunqian's maternal grandfather, the Han Family was merely a somewhat wealthy landowner. It wasn't until Han Yunqian's father appeared and persuaded the head of the Han Family to use their accumulated assets to conduct several successful trades that the Han Family gradually began to establish themselves in Ji Prefecture. Logically speaking, Ji Prefecture is one of the most prosperous prefectural cities in Yanbei, and the Han Family members are natives of the area. Whether in terms of connections or geographical advantages, there was no need for them to move from Ji Prefecture, where they had just gained a foothold among the wealthy and influential families, to White Crane Town in our Yan Prefecture. Moreover, the Han Family is not exactly a prominent aristocratic clan, yet their rules are stricter than anyone else's. Women of the Han Family find it difficult even to step outside, yet judging by Han Yunqian and Miss Han's speech and demeanor, they do not seem like people of shallow knowledge. Anomalies indicate something sinister, and the Han Family makes me feel uneasy."
Upon hearing this, Ren Shimin frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head and smiled: "Why do you spend your days thinking about such baseless matters? Perhaps the Han Family moved due to some unavoidable reason, and their strict family discipline is simply because the elders care too much for their descendants. Besides, the Han Family didn't appear out of thin air; they are a family with known roots. We have no past grievances or recent conflicts with the Han Family, so why would they go to great lengths to scheme against us? And even if they wanted to scheme, with your grandfather around, are you afraid the Ren Family would suffer losses?"
Ren Shimin's words were quite straightforward, as he was well aware of his father's shrewd nature.
Ren Yaoqi, however, felt somewhat helpless. If even Ren Shimin did not believe her, who else in the Ren Family would trust the "wild guesses" of a girl just over ten years old?
Even she herself, without the experiences of her previous life, would not believe it if someone told her that the Han Family members were all treacherous and ill-intentioned. Over the years, the Han Family had conducted their business discreetly but honestly, and those from the Han Family were all humble, courteous, and well-cultivated.
She could not possibly tell others about her experiences from her previous life. If the Ren Family heard it, their first thought would likely be to either burn her as a "demon" or send her to a madhouse, Ren Yaoqi thought with no small amount of irony.
Knowing it was futile to say more, Ren Yaoqi stopped trying to argue. She sat down and played a game of chess with Ren Shimin, then bid farewell and left the warm room.
Ren Shimin did not forget to remind her: "Since you dislike that Han Yunqian, keep your distance and don't go looking for trouble with him. Just think about how he lost to you twice in a row—he’s already lost face and dignity. Where you can be lenient, be lenient."
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
After leaving the warm room, only Ren Yaohua was in the pavilion. She stood by the railing facing the lotus pond, holding a small rouge-red porcelain bowl with blue-and-white Eight Immortals patterns, feeding the fish.
The spring breeze brushed against her face, lifting her hair slightly and flowing through her skirt. Her perfect side profile was exquisitely beautiful, like a pleasing and delightful scene.However, the next moment, Ren Yaoqi saw Ren Yaohua casually raise her hand and dump all the fish food from the bowl into the lotus pond, then stare blankly at a certain spot in the pond.
The maid Xiangqin beside her stomped her feet anxiously: "Ah, miss, who feeds fish like that! If you do that, all the fish in the pond will probably die from overeating."
Ren Yaoqi walked over slowly, stood beside her, and leaned slightly forward to watch the fish competing for food in the water.
Ren Yaohua glanced at her, then turned back, still staring silently at the pond.
The two stood wordlessly in the pavilion for a long time. The maids Wujing and Xiangqin quietly gestured to the other maids and matrons in the pavilion, signaling them to withdraw and keep watch from a distance.
"Do you share the same thoughts as Fourth Sister?" Ren Yaohua suddenly asked.
Ren Yaoqi leaned sideways against the railing, carefully observing Ren Yaohua. Ren Yaohua did not look at her, only pursed her lips and gazed at the pond’s surface, as if that abrupt and cryptic remark had not come from her.
"What if I do?" Ren Yaoqi found it both amusing and ironic that Ren Yaohua and Ren Shimin had coincidentally arrived at the same idea, and she responded with this question.
Ren Yaohua seemed startled by her reply: "You..." She glared at Ren Yaoqi for a long moment, wanting to scold her, but ultimately held back. Finally, she frowned and said, "Put away any inappropriate thoughts. These matters aren’t something you can decide as you wish. How can a girl like you..."
"Sister, if I said that I’ve obstructed you in the past for your own good, would you believe me?" Ren Yaoqi calmly interrupted her.
This was the first time she had called Ren Yaohua "sister." Ren Yaohua was taken aback. After a long pause, she turned her head away and snorted coldly, "I only hope you know what you’re doing. As for my affairs, the elders will decide. There’s no need for you to worry about me!" With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.
Ren Yaoqi sighed softly, still not turning around, and continued to watch the gradually calming fish in the pond.
After an unknown length of time, footsteps approached once more.
Ren Yaoqi tilted her head and saw Han Yunqian walking slowly toward her.
"Why is Fifth Miss alone here? Where are Brother Yiyan and the others?" Han Yunqian smiled politely at Ren Yaoqi as he asked.
"When I returned, they were no longer here. Weren’t you with my brother and the others, Master Han?" Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile.
Han Yunqian walked over and stood beside Ren Yaoqi, both facing the pond. He replied gently, "No, I was..."
Just then, a burst of hearty laughter came from the small path on the opposite side of the pond, separated by the water: "Brother Ren, you flatter me. I think Yiyan is excellent—not only steady and well-mannered but also eloquent and refined."
Ren Yaoqi found the voice unfamiliar and turned to look. She saw Old Master Ren walking side by side with a man around fifty years old.
Though no longer young, the man was still vigorous, with a straight back, a broad forehead, and a dignified appearance, his face glowing with health. He appeared cheerful and approachable, easily winning others’ favor.
As Ren Yaoqi wondered who this man was, she noticed Han Yunqian beside her subtly change expression and quietly step away from her side.Although his expression quickly returned to its usual gentleness and his movements were not obvious, Ren Yaoqi still noticed. She felt slightly surprised inwardly.
"It's my grandfather who has arrived." Han Yunqian nodded toward Ren Yaoqi, said this, then turned and went out to greet him. His steps were steady, neither hurried nor flustered, just as always.
So this was Old Master Han, Han Dongshan? Ren Yaoqi grew even more astonished.
Han Dongshan did not originally bear the surname Han; Han was his wife's family name. His own surname was of no concern to anyone, and Han Dongshan himself never mentioned it in public.
Based on her own speculations and what she had heard from the maid who went to the Han Family to fetch the painting last time, Ren Yaoqi had always imagined Han Dongshan as an old man with sinister eyes and a stern expression. She never expected him to be so open and cheerful in appearance.
Though inwardly extremely surprised, Ren Yaoqi immediately walked out as well.
Old Master Ren and Old Master Han, who had been chatting and laughing, noticed them.
"Qian'er, why are you still here?" Old Master Han asked cheerfully as they approached. His gaze lingered on Ren Yaoqi for a moment, carrying the kind of scrutiny an elder might give a younger person, but it was not unpleasant.
Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to pay her respects to Old Master Ren and Han Dongshan.
Old Master Ren nodded. Seeing Han Dongshan examining Ren Yaoqi, he casually remarked, "This is my third son's younger daughter."
Upon hearing this, Han Dongshan looked Ren Yaoqi up and down again, then suddenly smiled and said kindly to her, "Are you called Yaohua?"
Ren Yaoqi immediately understood that Han Dongshan had misunderstood Old Master Ren's words and mistaken her for Ren Yaohua. Old Master Ren promptly corrected him, "Yaohua is the eldest daughter of my third son. This is my fifth granddaughter."
Han Dongshan continued to smile but glanced toward Han Yunqian. Although he quickly averted his gaze, Ren Yaoqi, who had been observing him closely, still noticed.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't quite determine the meaning behind Han Dongshan's glance just now, but she felt it carried some significance.
Han Yunqian lowered his head and stepped behind Han Dongshan.
Han Dongshan smiled and said to Old Master Ren, "Didn't you say you wanted me to take a look at the geomancy of this garden? Shall we continue?"
Old Master Ren stroked his beard and said, "Please."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and asked the amiable Han Dongshan, "Old Master Han knows how to assess geomancy?"
Han Dongshan merely smiled without answering. Old Master Ren explained, "In his youth, Old Master Han happened to receive guidance from a master of metaphysics."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Han Yunqian.
Not long ago, Han Yunqian had told her that his grandfather did not believe in geomancy. How had he now become a master of feng shui?
Han Yunqian remained slightly bowed, his expression unchanged, as if he hadn't heard anything.
"We're going to take a look at the rockery. You should return to your courtyard now," Old Master Ren instructed Ren Yaoqi. In front of outsiders, Old Master Ren was always very kind and affectionate toward his grandchildren.
Ren Yaoqi curtsied and said, "Yes." She stopped in her tracks.
She quietly watched the three of them walk away, lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then turned and headed toward Purple Magnolia Courtyard.
In the main room of Purple Magnolia Courtyard, Madam Li was sitting on the kang chatting with Nanny Zhou. Whatever they were discussing seemed to have put Madam Li in a very good mood.
Ren Yaohua had not returned, likely having gone to Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Ren Yaoqi walked over with a smile, bowed, and took a seat beside Madam Li. "Mother, there's something I need to discuss with you."Madam Li glanced at Ren Yaoqi with some surprise. "What is it?"
Nanny Zhou had already risen from the stool, dismissed the few maidservants waiting nearby, and arranged for Xier and Que'er to stand guard at the door.
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