“Exactly so.” Great Aunt Xiao nodded in confirmation.

Old Madam Ren was somewhat surprised: “When they just moved here last year, our Old Master even sent the steward to deliver some congratulatory gifts, and the Han family sent return gifts as well. It’s just that the women in their household rarely go out, so although our two families have some ceremonial exchanges, I have never actually met anyone from the Han family. Does the Han family have connections with Prince Yan Bei’s palace?”

Great Aunt Xiao thought for a moment and shook her head: “I haven’t heard of any such thing. I’ve been to the Han family twice and met Old Madam Han and Madam Han. Old Madam Han is a kind person, and Madam Han is also very capable.”

“I heard that the current head of the Han family, this Old Master Han, married into the family?”

Old Madam Ren was quite curious about the Han family. By rights, a son-in-law who marries into his wife’s family has always been looked down upon and holds no status within his wife’s clan. Yet this Old Master Han of the Han family took over the family after the previous head died, and though not the clan leader, he was better than one.

There were many rumors about the Han family in Bahe Crane Town. Some said that the Han family was originally just a local wealthy household in Jizhou with only some modest assets. It was the current Old Master Han who had keen insight, convincing his father-in-law to sell several properties to start a business, which resulted in tremendous profits.

Unfortunately, the Han family had always kept a low profile—the men went out for business while the women stayed secluded at home, having almost no interaction with the townspeople.

Great Aunt Xiao was about to respond when the curtain of the eastern side room lifted, and Ren Yaohua walked out.

“Grandmother, I’ve finished packing everything… Oh? You have a guest?” Ren Yaohua had been favored by Old Madam Ren since childhood and spoke more casually than her other granddaughters. She was halfway through her sentence when she noticed Great Aunt Xiao.

Old Madam Ren glared at her and said to Great Aunt Xiao, “This girl has been spoiled by me and has no manners. Please don’t take offense, Great Aunt.”

Great Aunt Xiao quickly replied: “The young ladies of the Ren family are all known to be either gentle and amiable or lively and adorable—everyone knows this.”

Ren Yaohua came forward with a smile to pay her respects to Great Aunt Xiao, then said to Old Madam Ren: “Grandmother, I need to return to Ziwei Courtyard once more, so I won’t disturb your hosting.”

Old Madam Ren nodded: “Have your noon meal there. I’m going to eat vegetarian food with Great Aunt Xiao today.”

Ren Yaohua agreed and turned to leave.

Great Aunt Xiao smiled as she watched Ren Yaohua depart: “That’s the Third Miss of your household, isn’t it? Not having seen her for some time, she’s grown even more radiant.”

Old Madam Ren laughed heartily: “Her personality is too spirited—she’s a little monkey.”

“I see her as someone who knows her boundaries.” As Great Aunt Xiao spoke, she suddenly extended her right hand to make calculations, frowned slightly, then retracted her hand and calmly lifted her teacup for a small sip.

Her actions were observed by Old Madam Ren.

Knowing that Great Aunt Xiao was skilled in feng shui and fortune-telling, and quite accurate at it, Old Madam Ren hurriedly asked: “Great Aunt, just now you were…?”

Seeing Old Madam Ren’s inquiry, Great Aunt Xiao hesitated for a moment, then said: “I remember that your Third Miss was born in the Gengwu year?”

“Great Aunt has a good memory. Yaohua was indeed born in the eighth month of the Gengwu year—she’s twelve this year.” Old Madam Ren nodded.

Great Aunt Xiao thought carefully and said thoughtfully: “Then this year happens to be her zodiac year?”

Old Madam Ren’s brow furrowed: “Is there something improper about that? I remember you once said that Yaohua’s destiny was extremely compatible with mine.”

Great Aunt Xiao shook her head: “Originally, that was correct. Old Master Ren was born in the Bingxu year, you in the Gengyin year. Bing and Geng originally clash, but Third Miss belongs to the Tiger, and because Yin-Wu-Xu form a fire bureau, this perfectly matches the bagua fortune of this Ren family residence—this is most auspicious. However, this year Third Miss is in her zodiac year, offending Tai Sui, so this good omen will turn into a bad one.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ren became greatly alarmed: “Then how can we break this configuration? Please give me some guidance, Great Aunt—I will surely reward you handsomely.”

Great Aunt Xiao quickly replied: “Old Madam, you’re being too serious. I’ve received much care from your household regularly, so this is all as it should be—I don’t deserve your thanks. Breaking this configuration isn’t difficult either. Have Third Miss temporarily not move to Ronghua Garden this year, and find another unmarried girl born at the exact hour of zi.”

“Born at the hour of zi?” Old Madam Ren frowned in thought.

“Old Madam, Eighth Miss was born exactly at the hour of zi.” Nanny Gui stepped forward to remind her.

“The Eighth Miss, who was born twin with Sixth Young Master?” Great Aunt Xiao asked.

“Great Aunt has such a good memory—exactly her.” Old Madam Ren nodded.

Great Aunt Xiao calculated with her fingers and smiled slightly: “Then there’s no mistake. Eighth Miss also has an excellent destiny. She belongs to the wood element in the five elements, and this Ronghua Garden is precisely located in the Li position. Li belongs to fire, and wood can strengthen fire… perfectly suitable.”

Old Madam Ren breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good, then. But if Yaohua has passed her zodiac year—”

Great Aunt Xiao quickly said, “Once Third Miss passes her zodiac year, naturally everything will be without trouble.”

Old Madam Ren thought for a moment, then turned to instruct Nanny Gui: “Go to Ziwei Courtyard and tell Yaohua to temporarily not move in for now—wait until after this year. Also, go to Fangfei Courtyard and tell Concubine Fang to help Yaoying pack up, as she’ll be living in the inner warm pavilion from now on.”

Nanny Gui bowed her head in acknowledgment and turned to leave.

When Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua received the news, they were in the main room of Ziwei Courtyard, keeping Li Shi company in conversation. Ren Yaohua’s face suddenly darkened, and seeing this, everyone in the room dared not make a sound, the atmosphere becoming stifling.

After Nanny Gui conveyed Old Madam Ren’s meaning, she quietly withdrew.

Ren Yaohua suddenly rose from her chair.

Li Shi quickly advised: “Yaohua, your grandmother said to have you move over next year—you shouldn’t defy her. She has always been a firm believer in matters of feng shui and destiny.”

However, Ren Yaohua looked toward Ren Yaoqi and said with a cold face: “Come with me.” She then headed outside.

Li Shi anxiously called after her: “Yaohua! What does this matter have to do with your sister? Don’t take your anger out on her.”

Ren Yaoqi smiled and squeezed Li Shi’s hand: “Mother, don’t worry. Third Sister has other matters to discuss with me—she’s not looking to vent her anger.”

Li Shi was somewhat skeptical, so Ren Yaoqi said to Nanny Zhou nearby: “Nanny Zhou, please come along too. That way Mother can be at ease, right?”

Nanny Zhou nodded to Li Shi, and only then did Li Shi release Ren Yaoqi’s hand, still somewhat worried: “If your sister bullies you, you… You just run.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh, “pfft,” stood up and blinked playfully: “Don’t worry, Mother. I run fast—Third Sister can’t catch me.”

Ren Yaoqi and Nanny Zhou followed Ren Yaohua to the eastern side room.

“Is this that wench’s original purpose? To have Ren Yaoying move into Ronghua Garden?” Ren Yaohua glared at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi walked to the other side of the kang table and sat down: “By setting up this scheme, she can both make you enemies with Fifth Aunt and her daughter, and elevate Eighth Sister’s status.”

“By doing this, Fifth Miss not only cleared Third Miss but also made Concubine Fang reap what she sowed by opposing Fifth Madam.” Nanny Zhou’s face showed joy.

Fifth Madam had always been one to repay every slight—if she hated someone, she would fight to the death.

“But how did Fifth Miss know that Great Aunt Xiao would agree to help? And when you had me send someone, you also said not to reveal our identity. You must know that Great Aunt Xiao has always had an excellent reputation and would never say anything carelessly.” Nanny Zhou asked in confusion.

In fact, in the previous life, it was also because Great Aunt Xiao came to the Ren family that Ren Yaoying was able to move into Ronghua Garden. However, in the previous life, Great Aunt Xiao appeared after Ren Yaohua had been exposed by Fifth Madam and moved out of Ronghua Garden. At that time, the Fifth Madam was already locked in conflict with Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaoqi guessed that Concubine Fang might have already reached some kind of understanding with Great Aunt Xiao. So she had Nanny Zhou send someone to have Great Aunt Xiao enter the mansion early in Concubine Fang’s name, ensuring that Concubine Fang couldn’t stay out of it.

Whether due to a cautious nature or some other consideration, Concubine Fang surprisingly had not personally contacted Great Aunt Xiao through her close maids and servants, which gave Ren Yaoqi the perfect opportunity.

After receiving the message, Great Aunt Xiao immediately appeared and fabricated an explanation according to her instructions.

But she couldn’t say this aloud, so Ren Yaoqi only claimed she had accidentally overheard a conversation between Concubine Fang and her maid, from which she had guessed something.

Ren Yaohua’s expression was still poor: “What about Ren Yaoying? She gets off this easily?”

If Ren Yaoying were raised at their grandmother’s side, it would significantly enhance her status when arranging marriages later—this was also part of Concubine Fang’s clever calculation.

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “Standing high certainly allows one to see far, but it inevitably also makes one a target for others.”

Ren Yaohua thought for a moment and couldn’t help but sneer: “With Ren Yaoying’s personality, the higher she’s lifted, the harder she’ll fall. Concubine Fang has been clever all her life, yet she gave birth to such a creature. What a waste of all her scheming.”

Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi’s eyes flashed, and she suddenly smiled: “Just wait—perhaps you’ll see some interesting things.”

Ren Yaohua frowned: “What do you mean?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled without answering, only turning to instruct Nanny Zhou: “The things that were moved over this morning—have someone bring them back later.”

Nanny Zhou bowed her head in acknowledgment, then thought for a moment with some concern: “But now that Fifth Miss is away from Old Madam’s side, won’t they become distant in the future?”

Ren Yaohua glanced at Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi understood the meaning of that glance and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Presumably, Ren Yaohua still thought she couldn’t bear to see her doing well, dealing with Concubine Fang while also not wanting her to gain any advantage.

Thinking of the previous life’s events, Ren Yaoqi suddenly couldn’t help but ask: “Do you believe that just by winning Grandmother’s favor, she’ll consider everything for you?”

Ren Yaohua sneered: “What are you trying to say?”

Ren Yaoqi sighed softly in her heart, stood up, and walked outside. As she lifted the curtain, she said without looking back: “I just think it’s better to rely on yourself than others. Placing hope in other people might end up leaving you with nothing but despair.”

Ren Yaohua was stunned, looking at the cotton curtain that had already been lowered, pressing her lips together in silence.

Concubine Fang, who had originally been “bedridden with illness,” was so shocked upon hearing Nanny Gui’s message that she immediately sat up in bed: “What? You said Great Aunt Xiao came? Old Madam wants Yaoying to move to Ronghua Garden today?”

Nanny Gui smiled: “Exactly so. This servant congratulates both you, Concubine, and Eighth Miss.”

However, Concubine Fang showed no joy on her face, saying in a daze, “How could she come today? I clearly—”

Nanny Gui was somewhat puzzled: “Isn’t this a good thing? Concubine set up this entire scheme precisely to let Eighth Miss get ahead, didn’t you?”

Concubine Fang smiled bitterly: “Yes, but the timing is wrong…”

When Fifth Madam received the news, she was so angry she trembled: “Fang Yaru! Well done! Very well done indeed!”