So this secluded courtyard hidden deep within the garden was actually a forbidden area of the Han Family?
The Qin'er and Shan'er mentioned by Hua'er were the two maidservants who had tried to stop them from coming earlier—likely Old Madam Han's trusted personal attendants. If even Old Madam Han's confidantes were not permitted to enter that courtyard... Ren Yaoqi was truly curious about what secrets lay hidden within.
The young maid Hua'er led Ren Yaoqi to a privy on the eastern side of the garden. Though not as spacious or refined as those within the main courtyards, it was still tidy and clean, with sandalwood incense burning inside.
After Ren Yaoqi had changed her clothes and stepped out, Hua'er was about to lead her back the way they came when Ren Yaoqi said, "We just came from that direction, and I've only seen half the garden. Why don't we take a detour from the north instead? That way, we can enjoy the scenery along the way."
The privy was to the east, while the mysterious courtyard lay to the northwest. By skirting along the northern garden wall, they would pass by that very courtyard.
Ren Yaoqi had expected to need more persuasion to convince Hua'er, but to her surprise, the maid readily agreed and immediately changed direction, leading Ren Yaoqi toward the northern part of the garden.
Though the young maid had been taught since entering the Han residence not to trespass into the family's forbidden areas, she didn't think the paths leading to those areas were off-limits. After all, maids and older servants often passed by there, and kitchen staff went daily to deliver meals to the mute granny who guarded the courtyard.
The gardens of wealthy families all looked quite similar. Though northern and southern gardens had their differences, Ren Yaoqi, having seen both, found nothing particularly novel about them. So while she pretended to admire the flowers and trees along the way, she was actually observing her surroundings closely.
As they neared the entrance to the courtyard, Ren Yaoqi suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure darting past ahead.
Startled, she glanced at the maid Hua'er, who seemed completely unaware, having noticed nothing.
Though the figure had vanished almost instantly, Ren Yaoqi recognized it as a woman, and the clothing she wore closely resembled what her seventh sister, Ren Yaoting, had on that day.
Could that have been Ren Yaoting?
Wasn't Ren Yaoting supposed to be admiring flowers with Han You? Why would she appear here alone? The spot where the figure disappeared was right at the entrance to the mysterious courtyard. And wasn't the courtyard supposed to be guarded? How had Ren Yaoting gotten inside? What was she doing there?
The gate of the mysterious courtyard finally came fully into view. To be honest, it was just an ordinary pair of red wooden doors—nothing particularly remarkable about them.
The doors were slightly ajar, and Ren Yaoqi could see that they weren't fully closed. However, whatever lay inside was blocked by the thick red wood, making it impossible to peek through from outside.
Ren Yaoqi paused her steps in front of the courtyard gate.
Just then, footsteps approached from the northwest corner. Ren Yaoqi heard someone saying, "...The seventh young miss of the Ren family was playing a game with our young miss, telling her to come find her. But we two servants haven't seen the seventh young miss anywhere."
Another voice chimed in anxiously, "Young master, Old Madam instructed us to keep a close eye on the young ladies and not let them wander off. But now the seventh young miss of the Ren family..."At that moment, they happened to turn around the corner and came face to face with Ren Yaoqi and her two maidservants.
The one speaking was the maid named Shan'er, who immediately stopped talking. Accompanying the two maidservants was none other than Han Yunqian, who had been absent until now.
Han Yunqian was also taken aback upon unexpectedly encountering Ren Yaoqi. Shan'er was the first to react, eyeing Ren Yaoqi suspiciously as she asked, "Is that Fifth Miss Ren? What brings you here?"
Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to greet Han Yunqian, smiling as she addressed him as "Young Master Han."
After paying her respects, the maid Hua'er hurried over to Shan'er and whispered a few words, seemingly explaining the reason for Ren Yaoqi's presence here.
The head maid by Old Madam Han's side was indeed sharp. Upon hearing this, her gaze swept over Ren Yaoqi a few more times almost imperceptibly before she curtsied and apologized with a smile, "This servant has been neglectful of our guest. Please forgive me, Fifth Miss."
Han Yunqian nodded slightly at Ren Yaoqi, his deep gaze revealing nothing.
Just then, someone else approached, appearing in everyone's line of sight shortly after. It turned out to be Han You.
"Brother, have you found Sister Ting? Grandfather has returned. If..." Han You spoke urgently as soon as she saw Han Yunqian, not even noticing Ren Yaoqi's presence.
Only when she suddenly realized did she stop herself, offering Ren Yaoqi an embarrassed nod and smile, though the anxiety in her eyes was palpable. She was not one skilled at concealing her emotions.
"Has my seventh sister gone missing?" Ren Yaoqi seemed to only now grasp the situation, asking in astonishment.
Han You quickly explained, "Earlier, Sister Ting was playing with me and ran behind the rockery to hide, asking me to find her. But I searched the entire rockery area and couldn't find her. I called for her, but she didn't respond. So I asked Shan'er and the others to help look, and just then, my brother returned, so we all came together to search." Han You then kindly reassured Ren Yaoqi, "Sister Ting is just playing with me, hiding somewhere. Don't worry."
Ren Yaoqi shook her head apologetically, "It's my seventh sister being mischievous, causing you trouble."
"Fifth Miss Ren, did you happen to see Seventh Miss on your way here?" Shan'er asked Ren Yaoqi, though her gaze lingered on the little maid named Hua'er beside Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and shook her head, "We didn't encounter anyone else."
Hua'er, sensing Shan'er's gaze, quickly nodded in agreement.
Han Yunqian seemed lost in thought before turning his gaze to a red wooden door a few steps away, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Though the maids Qin'er and Shan'er tried to maintain their composure, their slightly pale faces betrayed their true emotions. Were they afraid?
"Go call Mute Granny out and ask if she has seen Seventh Miss," Han Yunqian said, his expression having returned to its usual calm composure.
Shan'er bowed her head and replied, "Yes," then hurried to the red wooden door. Pushing the slightly ajar door open, she slipped inside before turning back to close the courtyard gate.
Observing the varied expressions of those present, Ren Yaoqi remained where she stood without moving.
"Would Fifth Miss like to rest in the pavilion first?" Han Yunqian asked Ren Yaoqi gently, his tone concerned but not insistent.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head, "I'd like to find my seventh sister first."Han Yunqian paused for a moment, then nodded without saying anything further.
"Brother..." Han You called out softly to Han Yunqian, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Still only managed to write 2,000 words today.
Feeling a bit tired today, will try to make up for it with an extra chapter tomorrow morning.
Also, thank you to everyone who sent blessings for Meinan’s grandfather～^^
(To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian () to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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