After the two sat down in the pavilion, Ren Yaoqi smiled and asked: “It’s been a long while since I’ve seen Miss Han. How have you been lately?”

Han You smiled with pursed lips: “I’ve been well.” Though she said this, Han You’s smile faintly contained a trace of melancholy that the former Han You had never possessed.

Ren Yaoqi recalled that Master Han would soon be welcoming a new wife into the household. This lady was from the Jiang family of Shunzhou and, though only a concubine-born daughter, was quite capable.

Master Han was only in his early thirties and was the Han family’s only son. After Han You’s birth mother died, it was perfectly normal for him to remarry. However, from Han You’s perspective, having a stepmother enter the household wasn’t so simple.

Just as Ren Yaoqi was thinking this, Han You had already hesitantly begun to speak: “Sister Yaoqi, do you know Sixth Miss Jiang and Eighth Miss Jiang from the Jiang family of Shunzhou?”

“I did indeed meet Eighth Miss Jiang at the last thousand gold banquet, but Sixth Miss Jiang happened to fall seriously ill and didn’t attend the feast, so I didn’t meet her,” Ren Yaoqi smiled.

“I see…” Han You paused before saying, “Sister Yaoqi, could you help me with something?”

Ren Yaoqi was somewhat curious: “Tell me what it is.” But she didn’t agree immediately.

Han You said somewhat embarrassedly, “I heard that the Jiang family misses will be coming to Yanzhou soon. When the time comes, could you please help introduce me to them?”

Ren Yaoqi raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised.

Seeing that Ren Yaoqi didn’t speak, Han You hurriedly continued: “If there’s an opportunity, introduce them to me. I… I want to get to know them.”

Seeing Han You like this, Ren Yaoqi guessed that the marriage between the Han and Jiang families had probably already been settled. After learning of it, Han You wanted to first become acquainted with the Jiang family daughters. Whether she wanted to use this to learn about her stepmother’s temperament or simply wanted to establish good relations with the Jiang family members, Ren Yaoqi didn’t know. The Jiang lady who would marry into the Han family should be a generation older than Jiang Yuanniang and Jiang Qianiang, being their aunt, though not much older.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and smiled: “If there’s such an opportunity at that time, I can introduce you, but I’ve only met Eighth Miss Jiang once and am not familiar with her.”

Han You said joyfully, “Thank you, Sister Yaoqi! It doesn’t matter. I just feel that without someone to introduce me, approaching them to make conversation would seem somewhat abrupt and deliberate.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded and smiled as she asked: “When will the Jiang family miss come to Yanzhou? Will both Sixth Miss Jiang and Eighth Miss Jiang come?”

Han You replied: “It seems like early next month. Both Sixth Miss Jiang and Eighth Miss Jiang will come.”

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but recall Xiao Jinglin mentioning that Yun Wenfang would be returning. Yun Wenfang was engaged to Jiang Yuanniang. Could the Jiang family be coming for wedding matters this time?

By this time, the sky had darkened. Though lanterns were lighting the pavilion, it wasn’t as bright as inside the house. Having finished what she wanted to say, Han You said, “Sister Yaoqi, it’s getting late. Shall we go back? Sister Yaohua might be worried.”

Although Ren Yaoqi would rather stay here and enjoy the breeze, thinking of Han You’s delicate constitution, she stood up and smiled: “Then let’s go back.”

The two came out of the pavilion and walked back along the lake. The large red lanterns along the shore were reflected in the lake water – one became two, two became four, red and festive, even the light and liveliness doubled.

As the two walked back while chatting casually, they had only gone a short distance when they saw someone walking toward them from ahead.

Because the person was backlit, his features couldn’t be seen clearly, but they could tell it was a man dressed in white clothing.

At this moment, Han You, who was walking beside Ren Yaoqi, suddenly exclaimed “Eh?” and then called out: “Brother?”

The man walked into the lit area, and Ren Yaoqi finally saw his features clearly – dark hair and refined eyebrows, a high nose, and thin lips. It was Han Yunqian, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time.

Since Han Madam’s death, not only had Han You avoided seeing guests, but Han Yunqian had also rarely gone out while mourning for his mother. Ren Yaoqi hadn’t expected to encounter both Han family siblings today.

Han Yunqian’s gaze lingered on Ren Yaoqi, his dark eyes even more somber and profound than before.

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head to avoid his gaze and curtsied: “Young Master Han.”

Han Yunqian nodded, withdrew his gaze, and said to Han You: “Grandmother is looking for you. It’s time to go back.”

Han You was very relaxed when facing Han Yunqian. She stuck out her tongue: “Oh my, I forgot the time while talking with Sister Yaoqi. When we get back, Brother, you must speak for me before Grandmother.”

All three walked back together. Han You was on Ren Yaoqi’s left, and Han Yunqian walked on Ren Yaoqi’s right.

Walking in the middle, Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat uncomfortable, but suddenly heard Han Yunqian say in a low voice: “The Ren family’s properties in the capital and Jiangnan can’t hold on much longer?”

Ren Yaoqi understood clearly and couldn’t help but pause in her steps, then continued walking forward: “Thank you for your concern.”

Han You only heard this sentence from Ren Yaoqi. She hadn’t heard Han Yunqian’s previous words clearly and couldn’t help but look at them in surprise.

“A You, you walk ahead,” Han Yunqian said flatly.

Han You looked at her brother, then at Ren Yaoqi, then obediently distanced herself from them somewhat. However, she didn’t walk too far – from a distance, others would think they were walking together.

Ren Yaoqi frowned and was about to leave first when Han Yunqian anticipated her movement and spoke: “I never harbored ill will toward you before, and I still don’t now. I just want to remind you that the downfall of the Ren family in the capital is only the beginning. Next, the Ren family will likely face great turmoil. You… take care of yourself.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was no longer in a hurry to leave. She glanced at Han Yunqian and frowned: “Young Master Han, first, I thank you for your repeated goodwill. But I’m truly puzzled – what do you want to do?”

If Han Yunqian wanted revenge, he should keep his distance from her, someone who already knew the Han family’s secrets, and properly pursue his revenge. If he wanted to resolve the enmity between the two families, he should persuade his grandfather or take action to stop his grandfather’s behavior. But looking at Han Yunqian’s actions, it didn’t seem like either.

Hearing this, Han Yunqian lowered his eyelids. The lantern reflections from the lake shone on him, making his entire person appear illusory and obscure.

He was silent for a long time, but in the end only said one sentence: “I’m sorry.”

Ren Yaoqi was somewhat baffled by Han Yunqian’s apology. Why was Han Yunqian apologizing? For the Han family’s revenge, or because he couldn’t stop his grandfather’s revenge?