Seeing Han Dongshan’s expression, Han Xianren sighed inwardly and lowered his head, not daring to say anything that might provoke Han Dongshan’s anger further.

Han Dongshan turned to look at Han Xianren and, seeing him in this state, became even more displeased: “Where is Qian’er? Wasn’t he supposed to come to Yunyang City? It’s been several days now, and there’s still no sign of him?”

Fearing his son would bear the brunt of the anger, Han Xianren quickly said: “His mother’s illness has worsened—”

Han Dongshan impatiently interrupted: “Those who accomplish great things cannot be so soft-hearted like women! Qian’er isn’t a physician—what can he do staying in the inner quarters? Go bring him to me!”

Han Xianren smiled bitterly in his heart but respectfully bowed his head and acknowledged the order, then withdrew from the study.

Beckoning his servant, Han Xianren’s eyes showed worry and urgency: “What exactly is Qian’er doing in Baihe Town? Go back once more—this time you must bring him here.”

The servant quietly acknowledged and hurried away.

At this moment, Han Yunqian wasn’t idle either. The reason he hadn’t gone to Yunyang City was because he was searching for someone, though unfortunately he’d been searching for several days without any news.

Speaking of coincidences, Han Yunqian had personally escorted a physician who had come to treat his mother to the door that day, and at the entrance he saw two people who appeared to be grandmother and grandchild, looking quite familiar.

Han Yunqian had always had an excellent memory and immediately recalled seeing these two at the Ren family during the Dragon Boat Festival. This would normally be nothing significant—he observed them for a few moments and was about to look away when the elderly woman, upon meeting his gaze, showed a look of terror on her face, then grabbed the child beside her and ran, even colliding with a horse cart coming from behind in her panic.

Han Yunqian was surprised and walked down to see what was happening. The knocked-down old woman quickly scrambled to her feet, limping while pulling the frightened, crying child into an alley. Due to her injuries, she moved slowly and was eventually caught up to by Han Yunqian.

“You—” Han Yunqian frowned as he looked at the disheveled grandmother and grandchild, about to speak, when the old woman stammered out a single word that left Han Yunqian stunned on the spot.

What Han Yunqian heard was the word “Zhai.”

At that moment, Han family servants came running over. Han Yunqian came to his senses and hesitated, but the old woman had already run away again.

Looking at the approaching servants, Han Yunqian thought for a moment and still called over his trusted personal servant, instructing him to secretly bring that grandmother and grandchild back without alerting others, and also to station people near the Ren family. Unfortunately, the pair had escaped, and they never returned to the Ren mansion.

Thinking of how the old woman had looked at him in terror and uttered that word “Zhai,” Han Yunqian became even more convinced that she knew something.

Han Yunqian recalled that he had seen the old woman at the Ren family, so did the Ren family already know the Han family’s secrets? After brief consideration, he dismissed this speculation. Because it seemed the old woman had been at the Ren family for more than just a day or two, and from the Ren family’s behavior today, they didn’t appear to be in the know.

However, the image of a young girl suddenly surfaced in Han Yunqian’s mind. He remembered that from the first time she met him, she had shown inexplicable hostility toward him, which had greatly puzzled him at the time.

Now thinking about it, could it be because she knew something?

For some reason, he didn’t immediately report this matter to his grandfather, especially since the old master had gone to Yunyang City that day.

However, to uncover the truth, Han Yunqian could only secretly search for that grandmother and grandchild. Unfortunately, after two days of searching yielded nothing, the third day when one of his subordinates returned to report they had found traces of the pair. Just as he was about to personally go see them, the grandmother and grandchild disappeared again. And this was after they had been placed under his people’s strict surveillance.

Upon learning this news, Han Yunqian couldn’t find words to describe his complex feelings at that moment.

The person Han Xianren had sent back happened to find Han Yunqian at this time.

After listening, Han Yunqian nodded lightly: “I was just about to go to Yunyang City.”

Ren Yaoqi was unaware of all this. She was accompanying Rong Shi and Li Qian in playing mahjong, with Yihong also pulled in to make up the fourth player.

Just then, a servant woman came in to report that there were visitors.

This surprised everyone present because the Xian Prince’s residence in Baoping Alley rarely had visitors throughout the year.

“Who is it? Do they have a calling card?” Rong Shi calmly took a tile from Li Qian, knocked down the tiles in her hand, and asked.

The people of Yanbei disdained associating with those from the Xian Prince’s mansion, and likewise, the Xian Prince’s mansion wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about neighborhood relations.

“No, but Xiao Chunzi said that person came to our back courtyard yesterday.” The servant woman was still dressed as an elderly maid, and upon hearing this, she glanced toward Ren Yaoqi almost imperceptibly, then respectfully replied.

Ren Yaoqi was startled, then immediately thought of Zhu Ruomei. Could Granny Luo already have news so quickly? But if Zhu Ruomei wanted to find her, why didn’t she come through the back door instead of the front? And make a proper formal visit? Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows in surprise.

Rong Shi looked at Ren Yaoqi, seemingly asking for her opinion.

Ren Yaoqi quickly said, “They might be looking for me. I previously asked a friend to help me with something.”

Rong Shi nodded, thought for a moment, then said gently: “Please invite them in. Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since our mansion has had guests.” As she spoke, she stood up and had Chuchu clear away the mahjong table.

Although Ren Yaoqi found this somewhat strange, she didn’t stop Rong Shi. She was quite eager to find Granny Luo and her granddaughter as soon as possible.

Since the person had come through the proper front entrance, it was natural to receive them properly and have them meet the master of the house.

Before long, Li Qian and Rong Shi had taken their seats in the places of honor, and footsteps could be heard from outside.

Then the curtain was lifted, and Ren Yaoqi turned to look—it was indeed Zhu Ruomei.

She smiled, about to stand up and greet him, when she saw another young man following closely behind Zhu Ruomei.

This young man had extraordinarily handsome features, and his every gesture was elegant and noble. He wore only what appeared to be an ordinary blue robe without any decoration, and no gold or jade ornaments, clearly the most common attire, yet it made him appear dazzlingly magnificent.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but freeze: “Xiao… Second Young Master?”

Everyone else in the room was also stunned.

Xiao Jingxi nodded toward Ren Yaoqi, then stepped forward with proper deportment to pay his respects to the Xian Prince and his wife.

Rong Shi quickly composed the surprise in her eyes, and her smile toward Xiao Jingxi was both appropriate and warm: “So it’s Second Young Master Xiao. We have been remiss.”

Li Qian observed Xiao Jingxi for a few moments, then glanced at Ren Yaoqi, who stood silently to one side. When Xiao Jingxi paid his respects, he merely nodded lightly without further acknowledgment.

Ren Yaoqi watched Xiao Jingxi’s back and unconsciously frowned, then cast a questioning look at Zhu Ruomei.

Zhu Ruomei, receiving Ren Yaoqi’s gaze, shook his head slightly, as if to reassure her that nothing was wrong and she needn’t worry.

Over there, Xiao Jingxi began exchanging pleasantries with Rong Shi and Li Qian. Ren Yaoqi secretly observed Xiao Jingxi, trying to discern from his expression the purpose of his visit today.

Xiao Jingxi seemed to notice Ren Yaoqi’s gaze. During a break in his conversation with Rong Shi, he glanced in her direction with a slight smile before turning his attention away again.

“Qi’er, go prepare some tea and refreshments,” Rong Shi said gently to Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi obediently agreed and withdrew.

Naturally, Ren Yaoqi didn’t need to personally busy herself with preparing refreshments. Chuchu followed Ren Yaoqi out, and Ren Yaoqi knew this was just Rong Shi’s pretext to send her away. Although somewhat curious about Xiao Jingxi’s purpose for coming, Ren Yaoqi still withdrew.

After the tea was prepared, Chuchu carried it in while Ren Yaoqi, after thinking it over, didn’t follow back inside. Just then, Zhu Ruomei came out from inside.

Ren Yaoqi felt relieved to see him, and Zhu Ruomei had come out to speak with Ren Yaoqi. The two nodded at each other and walked very tactfully toward the nearby covered walkway.

“Fifth Young Miss, Granny Luo and her granddaughter have been found.” This was the first thing Zhu Ruomei said to Ren Yaoqi.

This news made Ren Yaoqi quite happy: “Where were they found? How are they?”

“When we found them, they were being secretly watched by someone. It seemed they had been hiding themselves before but had just been discovered. Granny Luo was slightly injured. I arranged for them to be settled and called a physician to treat her. There shouldn’t be any major problems. Please rest assured, Fifth Young Miss.”

“Who was looking for them?” Ren Yaoqi asked in a calm tone.

“After I had people take them away, I went back to look and happened to see Young Master Han,” Zhu Ruomei said gravely.

“Han Yunqian? So it was the Han family.” Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but frown.

“Fifth Young Miss, since this old woman came from your mansion, you should be careful in your future actions. After all, both sides have now encountered each other face to face,” Zhu Ruomei said with concern after thinking it over.

Ren Yaoqi had long been prepared for this point. She wasn’t afraid of the Han family and Ren family having an open confrontation.

Now that the Ren family was again considering marriage ties with the Han family, it would be good for this enemy family to be exposed openly.

However, before that, she needed to first understand the grievances between Han Dongshan and the Ren family.

“Where are they? I want to see them.”

Zhu Ruomei said, “I’ve arranged for them to stay where my mother and sister live. Young Miss can see them anytime.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded, glanced toward the main hall, and asked: “Why did Young Master Xiao come here today?”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ruomei couldn’t help but scratch his head: “What this servant does can’t be hidden from the young master, and you also said there was no need to conceal it. So when this servant was leaving today, I encountered the young master. He knew I was coming to find you, so he said he was going the same way, and then we came together.” Zhu Ruomei’s face also showed some confusion.

This answer naturally couldn’t help Ren Yaoqi solve her puzzle, so after thinking it over, she ultimately did not conclude. But she would find out eventually, Ren Yaoqi thought as she looked at the curtain of the main hall.

Ren Yaoqi wanted to go out quickly to see Granny Luo, but now there was a guest in the mansion—and an important one at that—so she could only wait for Xiao Jingxi to finish talking and leave.