So this small courtyard hidden deep in the garden was the Han family’s forbidden territory?

The Qin’er and Shan’er that Hua’er mentioned were the two maids who had previously prevented them from going there—they should be Han Laotaitai’s trusted senior maids. If even Han Laotaitai’s confidants weren’t allowed to go to that courtyard… Ren Yaoqi was truly curious about what kind of secret was hidden inside.

The little maid Hua’er led Ren Yaoqi to a privy on the east side of the garden. Though the garden’s privy couldn’t compare to the spacious and exquisite ones in the courtyards, it was still clean and tidy, and had been scented with sandalwood.

After Ren Yaoqi finished freshening up and came out, Hua’er was about to lead her back the same way, but Ren Yaoqi said: “We just came from that path. I’ve only seen half of this garden—why don’t we go around from the north side? We can also enjoy more of the garden’s scenery.”

The privy was on the east side, and that mysterious courtyard was on the northwest side. If they walked along the garden wall from the north, they would pass by that courtyard.

Originally, Ren Yaoqi thought she would need more persuasion to convince Hua’er, but unexpectedly, Hua’er agreed readily and immediately changed direction to lead Ren Yaoqi toward the north side of the garden.

Though the little maid had been taught since entering the Han manor not to trespass into certain forbidden areas of the Han family, she didn’t think the paths in front of the forbidden areas were also off-limits. After all, some maids and women passed by there regularly, and kitchen staff went there daily to deliver meals to the mute woman who watched the courtyard.

The gardens of wealthy households all looked much the same. Though northern and southern gardens had some differences, to Ren Yaoqi, who had seen both, they held no novelty. So while she pretended to examine the flowers and trees along the way, she was observing secretly.

As they approached the entrance to that courtyard, Ren Yaoqi’s sharp eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a figure darting past.

Ren Yaoqi was startled and glanced at the maid Hua’er, but Hua’er seemed completely unaware and hadn’t noticed the figure.

Though the person had moved extremely quickly and disappeared, Ren Yaoqi recognized that it was a woman, and her clothing was remarkably similar to what her seventh sister Ren Yaoting was wearing today.

Had that been Ren Yaoting?

Wasn’t Ren Yaoting supposed to be looking at flowers with Han You? How could she appear here alone? The place where that person had disappeared was right at the entrance to the mysterious courtyard. Moreover, wasn’t the courtyard supposedly guarded? How had Ren Yaoting gotten in? What was she doing there?

The main gate of the mysterious courtyard finally appeared completely before Ren Yaoqi. Honestly, it was just two very ordinary red wooden doors with nothing particularly special about them.

The door was ajar—Ren Yaoqi could see that the gap between the doors wasn’t closed. However, everything inside was blocked by the heavy red wooden doors, making it impossible to peek in from outside.

Ren Yaoqi’s steps halted in front of the courtyard gate.

Just then, footsteps came from the northwest corner heading in their direction. Ren Yaoqi heard someone saying: “Miss Ren Seven was playing with our young miss, having Miss search for her. But we two haven’t seen any sign of Miss Seven.”

Another person said urgently, “The old madam instructed us to watch the young misses carefully and not let them wander about. But now Miss Ren Seven…”

At this moment, they just turned the corner and came face to face with Ren Yaoqi and her two companions.

The one speaking was the maid called Shan’er, who immediately stopped talking. Accompanying the two maids was Han Yunqian, who hadn’t appeared until now.

Han Yunqian was also startled to suddenly encounter Ren Yaoqi. Shan’er reacted first, looking at Ren Yaoqi suspiciously and asking: “Miss Ren Five? How are you here?”

Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to greet Han Yunqian, smiling as she called him Young Master Han.

After the maid Hua’er paid her respects, she hurried forward to whisper a few words to Shan’er, apparently explaining why Ren Yaoqi was there.

The senior maid by Han Laotaitai’s side was indeed formidable. After hearing this, her gaze circled Ren Yaoqi imperceptibly several times before she smiled, curtsied, and apologized: “This servant has neglected the guest. Please forgive me, Fifth Miss.”

Han Yunqian nodded at Ren Yaoqi, his deep gaze revealing nothing.

Then someone else approached from that direction. Soon, they appeared in everyone’s view—it was Han You.

“Brother, did you find Sister Ting? Grandfather has returned, and if…” As soon as Han You saw Han Yunqian, she spoke urgently, not even noticing that Ren Yaoqi was also present.

When she suddenly realized, she quickly stopped speaking and nodded at Ren Yaoqi with an embarrassed smile, though the anxiety in her eyes was palpable. She wasn’t someone good at hiding her emotions.

“My seventh sister is missing?” Ren Yaoqi seemed to just realize this and asked in alarm.

Han You quickly said, “Earlier, Sister Ting was playing with me, running behind the artificial mountain to hide and have me search for her. But I searched everywhere around the mountain and couldn’t find her. When I called, she didn’t answer either, so I had Shan’er and the others help look. Brother happened to return, so we’re searching together.” Han You thoughtfully comforted Ren Yaoqi: “Sister Ting is just playing with me, hiding somewhere. Don’t worry.”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head somewhat apologetically: “My seventh sister is being naughty and causing you trouble.”

“Has Miss Ren Five encountered Miss Seven along the way?” Shan’er asked Ren Yaoqi, though her gaze rested on the little maid called Hua’er beside Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment, then shook her head: “We didn’t meet anyone else.”

Hua’er, feeling Shan’er’s gaze, quickly nodded in agreement.

Han Yunqian looked thoughtful, turning to fix his gaze on the red wooden door a few steps away, his eyes narrowing.

Though the two maids Qin’er and Shan’er forced themselves to remain calm, their somewhat pale faces betrayed their true emotions. Were they afraid?

“Go call the mute woman out and ask if she’s seen Miss Seven,” Han Yunqian said this with his face already restored to normal composure.

Shan’er lowered her head and responded “Yes,” then hurried to the red wooden door, pushed the ajar door open a bit, and slipped inside. After entering, she turned back to close the courtyard gate.

Ren Yaoqi observed the various expressions of everyone present and remained standing in place without moving.

“Would Fifth Miss like to rest in the pavilion first?” Han Yunqian said gently to Ren Yaoqi, his tone showing only concern without any coercion.

Ren Yaoqi shook her head: “I want to find my seventh sister first.”

Han Yunqian paused for a moment, then nodded without saying anything more.

“Brother…” Han You called Han Yunqian softly, seeming to want to say something but unable to speak.