Seeing Nanny Zhou about to leave as well, Ren Yaoqi quickly called out to stop her, "Nanny, please stay too."
Nanny Zhou acknowledged and stood respectfully by the side of the southern kang.
Only then did Ren Yaoqi say to Madam Li, "Mother, I just saw Grandfather and the Han Family's elderly master in the courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Madam Li exchanged a glance with Nanny Zhou and straightened her posture slightly. "Yunqian's grandfather has also come?"
It seemed Madam Li was truly quite satisfied with Han Yunqian, as even her form of address had changed.
"This shows the Han Family also attaches great importance to this matter," Madam Li said happily to Nanny Zhou.
"The Han Family has only this one son, so naturally they value it highly," Nanny Zhou also nodded in agreement with a smile.
Observing their expressions, Ren Yaoqi continued, "Just now, Father said Grandfather has already decided on Third Sister."
Madam Li shot Ren Yaoqi a reproachful look. "How could you go asking about such things? What are you, so young, worrying about?" Her words suggested she wasn't too surprised by Ren Yaoqi's news, likely having already picked up hints from Old Madam Ren earlier. However, the joy on her face was unmistakable.
Han Yunqian was handsome, modest in temperament, intelligent and studious, and the only son of the Han Family. Anyone would say this was a good match.
Madam Li, a mother who only had her daughter's best interests at heart, was not wrong.
Even Ren Yaoqi couldn't find anything wrong with this marriage proposal—if she didn't know the outcome.
"Mother, I previously overheard a nanny from You Jie'er's side quietly inquiring about Third Sister's temperament," Ren Yaoqi said, lowering her head.
Madam Li was taken aback and frowned slightly. "What exactly was she asking?"
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "Her temperament, how she handles matters, and why she was sent to the estate the year before last."
"Who was she asking? And how did that person respond?" Madam Li asked, somewhat tense.
"It was one of the little maids by my side. Don't worry, Mother, she didn't say anything inappropriate," Ren Yaoqi reassured her.
Madam Li couldn't help but sigh in relief. "That's good, that's good." She too was worried that rumors about her daughter's temper might be exaggerated and spread to the Han Family.
"Mother, You Jie'er doesn't seem like someone who would ask such things randomly, nor would she inquire about these matters. It must have been the Han Family's elderly madam or madam who sent that nanny to probe."
Nanny Zhou nodded in agreement. "That's certainly the case."
Ren Yaoqi then looked at Madam Li. "Mother, the Han Family is taking a bride, and the Ren Family is marrying off a daughter. Since the Han Family is probing our Ren Family's situation at this critical juncture, shouldn't we also send someone to investigate the Han Family's circumstances?"
"This..." Madam Li frowned and looked at Nanny Zhou.
Ren Yaoqi added, "Mother, I've heard that this branch of the Han Family holds significant sway within the Han clan. Moreover, the Han Family has only Han Yunqian as their male heir, so his future wife will undoubtedly bear many responsibilities. Given Third Sister's temperament, do you think she can handle it if she doesn't prepare in advance?"
This time, Nanny Zhou also nodded. "Fifth Miss makes a valid point. Family affairs are often the easiest to exploit. It would be good for Third Miss to prepare early, so she isn't looked down upon later."
Madam Li hesitated. "But the Han Family's household rules are extremely strict. What if we rashly send someone to inquire and the Han Family finds out?"Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "Mother, how long has the Han Family been living in our White Crane Town? Even if you send someone to inquire at the Han Family, what could you possibly find out? It's just like how our maids only speak well of us when talking to the Han Family. On the other hand, the Han Family has lived in Ji Prefecture for so many years, and their relatives, friends, and neighbors there know them well. It would be best if we could send someone to Ji Prefecture to make inquiries."
"To Ji Prefecture?" Madam Li looked at Ren Yaoqi and then at Nanny Zhou. "Wouldn't that be too cautious? I think the Han Family seems simple, with everyone getting along harmoniously. There shouldn’t be much to investigate."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi disagreed. "Mother, is the Han Family really simple? That’s because you’ve only seen the Han Family here in White Crane Town. How much do you know about the entire Han clan?"
"This..." Madam Li was at a loss for words.
Ren Yaoqi continued, "Just because we don’t know doesn’t mean there are no issues. For example, the Han Family holds a significant position within the Han clan, but why did they leave Ji Prefecture and move to our Yan Prefecture? How much do you know about that? The Han Family’s strict rules for women show that the head of the household is a serious person, but the Old Master Han I saw today seemed cheerful and very amiable. So, who is the real head of the Han Family now? Or is Old Master Han’s true nature completely different from what he shows on the surface? If that’s the case, shouldn’t we investigate thoroughly to prepare early? Otherwise, won’t Third Sister face difficulties at every turn in the future?"
Faced with this series of questions from Ren Yaoqi, Madam Li couldn’t help but blush.
She truly hadn’t thought about any of these things.
Thinking about how, over the years in the Ren Family, she might not have survived without Nanny Zhou’s care, Madam Li realized she really hadn’t considered enough.
"But who should we send to Ji Prefecture?" Madam Li relented and thought for a moment. "Should we discuss it with Master, or ask Old Master and Old Madam Ren to send someone?"
"We can just inform Father; he likely won’t object. As for Grandfather and Grandmother... I think we should send someone ourselves and not trouble the elders for now. Otherwise, even if the Ren Family discovers any issues with the Han Family, we wouldn’t know about it."
As long as it benefits the Ren Family, even if the Han Family is unsuitable, they would still have Ren Yaohua marry into it.
Madam Li fell silent for a moment and didn’t argue further. She only asked, "Then who would be best to send?"
Ren Yaoqi blinked playfully. "Mother, has it been a while since you wrote to Grandmother?"
Madam Li was taken aback, then her eyes lit up. "That’s right, we can ask Mother for help. The Li Family has no dealings with the Han Family, so even if the Han Family finds out later, we can deny it."
Nanny Zhou smiled and said, "Then, Madam, why not write a letter now? This servant can have it delivered to Yunyang City as soon as possible. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later."
Madam Li nodded and was about to stand up when Ren Yaoqi quickly pressed her back down. "I’ll prepare the brush and ink. You dictate, Mother, and I’ll write for you."
Seeing her like this, Madam Li couldn’t help but laugh. "Then go ahead."
Ren Yaoqi went out to call for a maid.
Watching her retreating figure, Madam Li smiled contentedly. "I’m relieved to see the two sisters getting along so well."Nanny Zhou also smiled: "After all, they are biological sisters, Madam, what are you worried about? In previous years, it was just that the two young ladies were young and had stubborn temperaments."
Not long after, Ren Yaoqi entered with a maid carrying brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Ren Yaoqi sat at the table, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and asked Madam Li with a smile: "Mother, you speak and I'll write."
Madam Li explained the matter of requesting her own mother to investigate the Han Family while Ren Yaoqi sat upright at the table, steadily writing. However, besides what Madam Li said, she added some words of her own.
After all, the focus of Madam Li's investigation differed from hers.
After finishing the letter, Ren Yaoqi read it over herself, then asked Madam Li to review it to see if anything needed to be added. Madam Li nodded repeatedly after reading it: "This is perfect, this is perfect."
Ren Yaoqi then dried the ink, sealed the letter, and handed it to Nanny Zhou: "Nanny, please have someone deliver this to my maternal grandparents' house quickly."
Nanny Zhou did not dare delay and took the letter, agreeing to send it.
Ren Yaoqi suddenly felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
What she most wanted to investigate was Han Dongshan's background.
For generations, the Han Family had been landowners in Jizhou, their wealth only extending to affluence. Han Dongshan's emergence was a variable for the Han Family.
After the Han grandfather and grandson returned from the Ren Family, they also had a conversation.
In the Han Family's study, Han Dongshan sat behind the desk, expressionlessly observing his grandson standing before him, slowly rotating a pair of white jade balls the size of a child's fist in his palm.
Han Yunqian slightly lowered his head, as if looking at the small space before him, yet also as if seeing nothing. Though his head was bowed and his posture respectful, his back remained straight.
"The Ren Family has agreed to form a marriage alliance with us," Han Dongshan said lightly, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, yet his expression was thoroughly mocking.
Han Yunqian seemed not to have heard, or as if the matter had nothing to do with him, not even lifting his eyelids.
"Was that Fifth Miss Ren today the same person who took the painting back from you last time?" Han Dongshan asked unexpectedly.
"Yes, Grandfather," Han Yunqian replied softly.
The two jade balls in Han Dongshan's hands spun faster, as if he were pondering: "The Ren Family's intention is for you to become engaged to Third Miss Ren. However, it seems to me that you and that Fifth Miss are more compatible. Since the marriage arrangement hasn't been finalized yet, how about I request Fifth Miss Ren for you?"
Han Yunqian's expression changed immediately, and he looked up, meeting Han Dongshan's sharp, cold eyes that faintly gleamed with calculation.
Han Yunqian took a deep breath inwardly to steady himself, hearing his own calm voice slowly say: "Who is chosen makes no difference in the end. Why go to the trouble of displeasing the Ren Family at this time?"
Han Dongshan looked at Han Yunqian for a long time, then leaned back in the rosewood armchair behind him, his tone softening considerably, once again assuming the demeanor of a reasonable elder: "As long as you understand the situation."
Han Yunqian bowed: "Your grandson will take his leave now."
"Hmm. Call your father in; I have something to discuss with him," Han Dongshan said lightly.
Han Yunqian acknowledged and withdrew.The spring afternoon sun had shed some of its winter lethargy, diligently coating everything with an even layer of golden glaze. Han Yunqian stepped slowly from beneath the corridor into the courtyard, bathed in full sunlight that made him appear warm and gentle.
In the eyes of the passing maids and servants, the young master remained as ever—refined, steady, serene, and noble.
Yet Han Yunqian’s mind echoed only with his grandfather’s earlier words: “What if I seek a marriage proposal for you with the fifth young lady of the Ren Family?”
He felt no joy, delight, or happiness—only an inexplicable dampness soaking through the back of his robe. (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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