Not long after, Han You sent someone over saying that Han Taita was feeling much better today and could receive visitors.
Han Laotaitai then said to the Ren family’s elder madam: “In that case, let me accompany you to see her. Like me, this child doesn’t like going out much and knows few people, so she’ll be extremely happy that you’ve come to visit her.”
Wang Shi smiled and nodded: “That would be troubling you.”
By rights, Han Laotaitai was an elder and shouldn’t be the one accompanying guests to her daughter-in-law’s courtyard. Her proactive offer made Wang Shi feel that Han Laotaitai was easy to get along with and had no airs about her.
Moreover, Han Laotaitai was very talkative and had great affinity in her speech, giving Wang Shi a very good impression of her. Originally, she had thought that the Han family’s rules were extremely strict regarding women, and that Han Laotaitai, coming from just a rural gentry family, would surely be an ignorant old woman. She hadn’t expected the real Han Laotaitai to be so surprisingly impressive.
Ren Yaoqi recalled what she had learned before—that Han Laotaitai was the only daughter in her branch of the family and had lost her mother at a young age, so in her youth she had been a capable girl who handled all household matters, big and small. However, after marrying Han Dongshan, she devoted herself to staying in the inner quarters, supporting her husband and educating her children, refusing to go out easily.
Seeing Han Laotaitai’s appearance today, Ren Yaoqi believed this was indeed true. This Han Laotaitai was truly formidable. But why did she begin restraining her own words and actions after marrying Han Dongshan, even being extremely strict in managing her daughter-in-law and granddaughter?
This Han family was truly shrouded in mystery.
Ren Yaoqi and the other Ren family sisters followed behind the elder madam and Han Laotaitai to Han Taita’s courtyard.
The Han family’s inner courtyard, like the outer courtyard, was also square and orderly. Aside from some trees and flowers dotting the landscape, no magnificence was visible on the surface.
However, when they reached Han Taita’s courtyard, there were no flowers, grass, or trees to be seen anywhere. Even by the courtyard gate near the wall, they could see several small tree stumps that had been cut down, making it impossible to tell what kind of trees they had originally been.
Seeing everyone’s gaze fixed on those tree stumps, Han Laotaitai said, “There were originally several paper mulberry trees planted there. The physician said those trees might trigger asthma, so Qian’er had all the trees cut down. Not just those trees—this child also had people pull up all the flowers and plants that were originally planted in the courtyard.”
Indeed, upon entering Han Taita’s courtyard, they could only see bare, square courtyard walls with nothing else. It was somewhat similar to Old Madam Ren’s courtyard—Old Madam Ren also disliked flowers and plants, saying she detested how those flowers and grass attracted insects and ants in summer.
When everyone followed Han Laotaitai into the house, Han Taita had already gotten up. However, she was still mindful that she was ill and not fit to receive visitors, so she had lowered the gauze curtains in front of her canopy bed, with Han You attending her bedside.
The Ren family’s younger generation stepped forward to pay their respects. Han Taita said apologetically: “I’m being discourteous. I hope you’ll all forgive me.”
The elder madam smiled: “You’re being too formal with such words. You’re the patient—why worry about courtesy or discourtesy? Getting well is what matters most.”
Han Taita sighed softly through the curtain, but seeing her daughter’s worried expression, she smiled and went along with the elder madam’s words: “I accept your auspicious words.”
The furniture in Han Taita’s room was all made of red wood in very simple styles. Though they looked somewhat aged, they gleamed with an oily luster. The furnishings weren’t numerous either, but the coral tree over a foot tall on the curio shelf was recognizable as no ordinary piece to discerning eyes.
The Ren family girls had presumably all received instruction from their elders at home, so they all sat properly and obediently in the outer room, very well-behaved.
The elder madam exchanged a few words with Han Taita, and seeing that the gesture had been made, said: “You look tired as well. You should rest first. We won’t disturb you further.”
Han Taita also knew that her illness was unsuitable for entertaining guests properly, so she quickly apologized and didn’t try to keep them, only instructing her daughter to attend to the guests well.
Han Laotaitai also rose with a smile: “Let’s go to the flower hall for tea. Since you’ve come to our manor with such difficulty, you must stay for a meal today.”
The Ren family’s younger generation paid their respects and followed the elder madam in taking leave.
The elder madam smiled: “There’s no need for a meal. We haven’t come from far away—the Ren residence is only a few steps from the Han manor. When couldn’t we come? You really mustn’t be so formal with us. Moreover, I need to return and report Han Taita’s condition to our old madam, as she’s always concerned about it. However, we would still like to trouble you for a bowl of tea.”
Han Laotaitai laughed heartily and didn’t insist, only saying: “Look at this elder madam’s eloquent tongue. If I insisted on keeping you, I’d be the one being too formal. Then let’s go to the flower hall for some tea and refreshments.”
This time, Ren Yaoting finally caught the opportunity to pull Han You aside for a few whispered words. The two appeared intimate, falling slightly behind and whispering to each other.
Han Laotaitai quickly noticed this and turned with a smile: “You’er? What are you talking about? How did you fall behind the guests?”
Han You wasn’t afraid of her grandmother and seemed quite close to her: “Sister Ting is very concerned about Mother’s illness, so she asked some questions.”
Han Laotaitai glanced at Ren Yaoting, who lowered her head somewhat shyly and said quietly: “Aunt is a very good person. I hope she can recover soon.”
Han Laotaitai’s eyes, which had weathered many storms, showed some understanding, and she smiled warmly: “You’re the Ren family’s Seventh Miss, aren’t you? No wonder You’er always mentioning you to us. You’re indeed a good child.”
Ren Yaoting’s eyes lit up with joy, and her face became even more bashful.
Han You took the opportunity to say: “Grandmother, when I visit the Ren family, the Ren sisters all take me to tour their gardens. Now that they’re visiting our home as guests, let our granddaughter show them our garden too.”
Han Laotaitai shook her head with a smile: “The Ren residence is famous throughout all of Yanbei. What’s there to see in our garden?”
Her claim that the Ren residence was famous throughout Yanbei was somewhat exaggerated, but it was indeed one of the notable ones in White Crane Town.
Hearing this, the Ren family members felt honored. Ren Yaoting smiled: “The Ren residence is exquisite, but the Han residence is grand and imposing. We really would like to take a look.”
However, Ren Yaoqi noticed a flicker of hesitation in Han Laotaitai’s eyes, though she soon smiled genially and said, “Since you want to see it, then go ahead and look. It’s just that our garden is indeed quite dull.”
Hearing this, Han You was very happy and pulled Ren Yaoting’s hand, smiling at her.
The several young Ren family girls were indeed somewhat curious about the Han family, so they all readily agreed.
The elder madam gave her daughters and nieces a few instructions, then followed Han Laotaitai to the flower hall for tea.
However, before leaving, Han Laotaitai deliberately turned to say to her granddaughter: “You’er, attend to the guests well. The garden is large—don’t let anyone get lost. When you’re tired from walking, come to the flower hall for tea.”