CH 100

Chapter 100: Han Dongshan Arrived

Han Yunqian stared at Han You. Although he did not speak, his calm and gentle eyes made Han You gradually calm down.

Ren Yaoqi pretended not to notice Han You’s strange expression. She only stared at the plain red gate.

“I heard that this used to be a study room, is it right?” Ren Yaoqi asked casually.

“The original owner of the mansion built a small study here. When we moved in we found that the bookshelves inside had grown insects from the damp. So we abandoned the place for fear that the books would get moldy.” Han Yunqian nodded and calmly explained.

At that moment, the red gate opened with a creak and Fan’er came out from inside, followed by a short, stooped figure.

Ren Yaoqi looked at her inquisitively and found out that she was a servant of some kind. That servant looks very old, probably in her sixties. When she saw her masters standing outside, she came over and saluted, a little slow in her movements.

“Young master, the mute woman said she was… cleaning the hall earlier, so she didn’t see anyone. This servant also looked around and didn’t find Seventh Miss Ren.” Fan’er came up and reported to Han Yunqian.

The mute woman should not be deaf. After hearing Fan’er’s words she hurriedly used her hands to gesture a few words.

Although the mute woman was standing with her back to Ren Yaoqi, Ren Yaoqi nevertheless noticed a few of her movements. In her last life, when she lived in the capital, there was a cook in the Pei Family who was both deaf and mute, although she was a very good cook. Ren Yaoqi had come into contact with her, so she could guess some of the hand gestures.

Is the mute woman just mentioned that she was burning incense before?

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but feel a twitch in her heart.

She originally thought that there was someone related to the secrets of the Han Family hiding in this courtyard, but because they were afraid that the secrets would be leaked out, they only hired a mute woman who couldn’t speak to serve, and they only delivered meals there every day.

But the mute woman didn’t seem to mention anyone, but rather the burning of incense.

What kind of place needs incense burning? A Buddhist temple? A shrine?

Ren Yaoqi felt that the truth seemed to be getting closer and closer, but she couldn’t make head or tail of it for a while.

If the person she had just seen was Ren Yaoting, then Ren Yaoting was still in this courtyard and had avoided Fan’er and the mute woman.

Han Yunqian’s attitude towards the mute woman was gentle, and he even gestured with her with a few words. It seemed to be words of comfort to her.

At that moment, an unfamiliar servant hurriedly ran out: “Young Master, Miss, Old Master is coming this way.”

Han You subconsciously shifted her gaze at the courtyard, her face tensed up again.

Han Yunqian looked down and said to her, “Let’s go and greet Grandfather.” Then he said to the mute woman again, “There’s nothing more to do here, you can go in first.”

Fan’er said, “Young master, this servant should continue to search for Seventh Miss Ren. This garden is not big, but it is also not small. It would be bad if Miss Ren got lost.”

Han Yunqian nodded lightly and didn’t say anything.

The mute woman bowed and retreated, but Fan’er hurriedly chased after her and whispered something in her ear. When she entered the courtyard, Fan’er did not follow her in.

The red wooden gate closed once again, and Ren Yaoqi heard the sound of the door key falling.

“Sister Yaoqi. You can come with us.” Han You hurriedly said to Ren Yaoqi, she seemed to be afraid of something and didn’t want Ren Yaoqi to stay here.

Ren Yaoqi nodded and followed behind Han Yunqian with Han You.

Han You was still murmuring, “Where on earth did Sister Ting go? How come I can’t find her?”

Ren Yaoqi glanced back and found that Fan’er who had said she was going to find Ren Yaoting had not gone far, only wandering around that door.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but worry a little about how Ren Yaoting was going to get out. If she came out through the front door, even if the sound of pulling the gate would not alert the old mute woman, she would still be caught by Fan’er who was blocking the door. Besides, if the mute woman entered the yard, she might would search all over the yard.

They had not gone far when they heard some footsteps coming this way in a hurry.

In a short while, Han Dongshan appeared at the corner.

Ren Yaoqi looked up and was slightly shocked. At this moment, Han Dongshan’s footsteps were in a hurry. There was a grim look between his brows, a far cry from the cheerful and kindly elder Ren Yaoqi had seen in the Ren Family’s garden last time. One could not believe that the same person could have two faces like this.

Is this Han Dongshan’s true nature? Is that why Han Yunqian and Han You, who are his grandchildren, are so squeamish about him?

Ren Yaoqi subconsciously turned her head away, pretending to look around and survey the scenery.

It was not until Han Yunqian and Han You called out to their grandfather that Ren Yaoqi turn her head belatedly.

When she shifted her eyes at Han Dongshan once more, his face was still a little tense, but the sudden grim look from before had subsided.

“Old Master Han,” Ren Yaoqi bowed her head and curtsied.

Han Dongshan changed his face quickly, and when he spoke, he was already warm and loving: “Oh, you’re the Ren Family’s daughter?”

Ren Yaoqi replied in a low voice, “Yes.”

Han Dongshan’s gaze lingered on Ren Yaoqi for a moment, then looked at Han Yunqian and Han You, a sharp glint in his eyes. Han Yunqian stood with his head bowed in deference, but Han You could not help but shiver.

“Accompany Fifth Miss Ren to sit in the pavilion first.” Although Han Yunqian did not look at Han You, it was as if he knew how scared she was of her grandfather and gently relieved her.

Han You raised his eyes and glanced at Han Dongshan. Probably because he was worried about Ren Yaoqi’s presence, Han Dongshan nodded to let Han You back down.

Han You breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time looked at his brother worriedly, a little hesitant.

Han Yunqian smiled gently at her, “Go on, entertain the guests well.”

Only then did Han You bow her head and pull Ren Yaoqi away.

As soon as Ren Yaoqi and Han You left, Han Dongshan’s face immediately turned cold again, and without saying a word, he left Han Yunqian behind and continued on his way.

Han Yunqian followed with his head bowed.

Han Dongshan came straight to the door of that courtyard. Fan’er, who was standing by, saw that it was Han Dongshan who had arrived, ran over to salute.

“Did you find anyone?” Han Dongshan asked in a light voice.

Fan’er shook her head and said, somewhat nervously, “Probably she didn’t go in but went elsewhere. The mute woman has locked the door.”

Han Dongshan raised his hand and knocked on the red wooden gate, which was opened again not long after. The mute woman stretched her head to take a look, saw Han Yunqian, and hurriedly welcomed them inside.

As soon as the door closed, Han Dongshan glanced coldly at Han Yunqian and asked, “Who gave you permission to bring them in?”

Han Yunqian bowed his head and said, “The guests were coming from the main gate, so we can’t deny them from entering the garden.” Han Yunqian glanced at the mute woman, “The mute woman has been guarding this place. She hasn’t seen anyone come in. The room is locked from the outside, so even if accidentally someone snuck in, they wouldn’t be able to enter.”

The mute woman looked up as if she wanted to gesture at something, but when she met Han Yunqian’s calm and gentle gaze, she lowered her hand again.

Han Dongshan’s face finally looked better, but he said coldly, “So she didn’t want her life anymore!”

His voice was so cold and sinister that people could not help but feel scared.

“Go and open the door. Qian’er come in with me!” Han Dongshan gestured to the mute woman.

The door he said was not the courtyard gate. Rather, it was the hall in the back of this courtyard.

The mute woman took out a brass key from her waist and went ahead of the two pair of Han Elder and Grandson to the backyard.

When the three disappeared into the front yard, a cautious head suddenly peeked out from behind a pillar base under the eaves of the north room in the front garden.

Because the pillar base was visible as soon as one entered the door and its size is not too big, it was ignored by everyone. So when the mute woman was looking for someone in the courtyard, she habitually overlook this place.

And who else could she be if not Ren Yaoting? Luckily, she was slender enough to hide, otherwise, she would have been caught.

Ren Yaoting also seemed to know that she had gotten into trouble. Her face was pale with anxiety. She glanced in the direction of the courtyard gate. She had heard the sound of the gate earlier, and knew that even if she ran over to the backyard now while people were there inside, she might alert them. She also didn’t know if there was anyone else guarding the door, because she had just heard a woman talking.

Now she regretted beyond measure that she tricked Han You into sneaking in because she was curious. Old Master Han’s words just now had made her shiver, although she couldn’t understand why Han Yunqian, such a gentle and refined gentleman, would have such a grumpy grandfather.

At this moment, although Ren Yaoting realized that she had caused trouble, she did not think that the trouble she had caused was fatal. She only thought that Han Dongshan was a grumpy person. As for his earlier words, ‘So she didn’t want her life anymore!’ she did not take seriously as she thought they were just words to vent his temper.

She was more worried about making a bad impression on the elders of the Han Family than she was about her own life.

On the other side, Ren Yaoqi followed Han You for a while. Han You, however, suddenly stopped and touched her wrist and exclaimed, “Huh? My bracelet is gone?”

She lifted her sleeve, and sure enough, her right wrist was empty.

“What can I do? This bracelet was given to me by my grandmother to ward off evil spirits.” Han You was filled with anxiety.

The maid beside her was also startled, “Miss. How could your bracelet be missing? If it fell to the ground, it should have made a sound.”

Han You had an anxious look on her face, “That bracelet was originally a bit bigger and easy to fall off. It should have been accidentally hung off by some branch or leaf when I was at the dove tree flower with Sister Ting earlier. The grass there is thicker, so even if it fell to the ground, the sound wouldn’t be heard.”

Han You ordered to the maid behind her, “You guys quickly go there and search for me, Eldest Aunt Xiao said that my luck this year was bad, so my grandmother gave me this jade bracelet that she wore before and was consecrated by an eminent monk. If I lose it, I’ll have failed my grandmother.”

A few maids behind Han You hurriedly obliged and went away. Seeing that the maid named Qin’er who serves Old Madam Han was still standing in the same place, Han You anxiously said, “Sister Qin’er, you go and help me look for it too. They’re all clumsy!”

Qin’er hesitately asked, “Miss, don’t you need someone to wait on you?” Saying this, she glanced at Ren Yaoqi.

“The pavilion is already in the front, the maids are all there, don’t I still have people waiting for me? Quickly go and help me find it. By the way, see if there are any at the Rockery, I’ve stayed there for a long time when I was looking for Sister Ting.”

Qin’er looked at the pavilion not far away. She thought that Old Master Han must have gone to that courtyard, and her Miss will not intentionally commit the Old Master’s taboo to go there again. So she nodded her head and answered, “This servant will go to look for it, don’t worry about it Miss, she won’t run to that place.”

Han You nodded, “Go quickly.”

Qin’er hurriedly went to the east road branch.

As soon as everyone left, Han You pulled Ren Yaoqi’s hand with a grave expression, “Sister Yaoqi, come with me.”

“Sister You?” Ren Yaoqi looked at Han You in surprise.

Han You didn’t care if Ren Yaoyi agreed or not, pulling her around and walking back, explaining in a low voice on one side, “I deliberately dismissed them, Sister Ting…” Her words lulled, turning her head to look at Pingguo behind Ren Yaoyi. She looked at Ren Yaoqi questioningly

Ren Yaoqi smiled, “No harm, she won’t say anything.”

Han You then sighed, “You all have people around you that you can trust. But if I do something the people around me will tell my grandparents. Even brother…” Here, she was shocked and realized that she had slipped up again, and frantically stopped talking.

Ren Yaoqi pondered her words in heart. What did Han You mean when she said that she and Han Yunqian had no confidants? Were all the people who serve them only loyal to Old Master Han and Old Madam Han?

Han You’s voice got lower and lower, “Sister Yaoqi, listen to me. Sister Ting must have just quietly run to that courtyard. But my grandfather also went there. If she wants to come out now, she definitely won’t be able to. If my grandfather finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable. We must bring her out before she is discovered.”

Han You’s small face was grim.

Ren Yaoqi also whispered to her, “Why would the consequences of being discovered be unimaginable? Isn’t it just an abandoned study?”

Han You shook his head, “You don’t understand, my grandfather he… he doesn’t allow people to enter that courtyard. Only my grandfather, grandmother, father, and brother can go in. My mother and I aren’t allowed to either. If a trustworthy maid opens the door I can only wait in the first courtyard, and only the mute woman who guards the courtyard can move around. When I first moved here I went in once out of curiosity. Right after that my grandfather came in. I hid behind one of the pillar bases, but my maid, Ling’er, who I brought from Jizhou, was discovered by Grandfather. Later… later my brother came in and quietly took me out, but Ling’er was slapped and sold for breaking grandfather’s taboo.”

Han You’s eyes were a little gloomy, “Ling’er had served me since she was a child, and she’s the only one who’s only loyal towards me.”

Is the matter of that courtyard not even known to Han You, a member of the Han Family? Ren Yaoqi felt surprised.

“Just now, Sister Ting inquired about that courtyard with me, and I also told her about that. She even said she wanted me to take her in to take a look, but I said I didn’t dare, so she didn’t say anything. But now that I can’t find her all over the garden, I think she must have gone into that courtyard.”

Ren Yaoqi was puzzled, “Since she can’t get out, how can we go in to look for her? That maid called Fan’er seems to have been guarding the gate. And the gate might closed as well.”

Han You sniffed but winked, “Just come with me, I have a way to secretly bring someone out.”

Although Ren Yaoqi was a bit skeptical, her curiosity about the Han Family’s secrets made her continue to follow Han You.

Fan’er was indeed still guarding the entrance of the courtyard. Han You said to Ren Yaoyi, “Can you have your maid wait here?”

Ren Yaoyi thought about it. Nodding her head, she instructed Pingguo, “You wait here, if anyone asks you’ll say you’re here to help Miss Han find the bracelet.”

Pingguo obliged in a small voice.

Han You pulled Ren Yaoqi through into a sideroad in the garden.

Only when they come out again did Ren Yaoyi realize that Han You had brought her around evading Fan’er. Finally, they stopped in front of a courtyard wall.

Ren Yaoqi carefully surveyed the surroundings and realized that this should be the side wall of that mysterious courtyard.

Han You pulled Ren Yaoyi through a narrow tunnel again, looking down at the wall bricks as she walked. Finally, she stopped shortly after, “It’s here.”

She put down the hand holding Ren Yaoyi’s and squatted down to knock on the wall bricks on her side

Ren Yaoqi stood aside and watched curiously, and saw that Han You had found a big green brick.  Who knew how she did it, but the big green brick was pushed to move half an inch inside, revealing an iron wire. Han You grabbed the wire and pulled it out hard, then turned around and pulled out another brick. Ren Yaoqi knew that this brick could be moved, so she also squatted down to help Han You.

The two of them pulled the brick out together, and Han You went to move another one next to it. After the first brick came out, the next one was much easier. After removing four bricks in a row, Han You pointed to the bottom for Ren Yaoqi to see.

It turned out that there was a hole. The soil underneath had been hollowed out, so that it could accommodate a person, just like a dog hole.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but be surprised.

Han You explained in a low voice: “The original owner of this mansion has a young son who is very stubborn, so he built this study in the garden and detained people here to read. He didn’t know that his young son is so smart and secretly dug this hole to sneaked out from time to time. I only learned about this secret when I accidentally found a handwritten note left behind by that man. That time I also went in through here. Sister Yaoqi, you watch out for me here, I’ll go in and look at her by myself. It’s better for you not to go in with me, it’ll be inconvenient if there are too many people.”

Ren Yaoqi glanced at the ‘dog hole’ and nodded, “Be careful when you go in, don’t let anyone see you.”

Han You took off her outer smock and handed it to Ren Yaoyi to hold, so that when she came out she would put her outer smock back on and people wouldn’t realize that her inner clothes were dirty.

“There’s a fish tank blocking the way in from here, so I shouldn’t be discovered if I’m careful. My grandfather and the others shouldn’t be in the front yard right now.”

How did Han You know that Grandfather Han wasn’t in the front yard? Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but think.

It must be that Han You actually knew something but just didn’t say it out loud.

But from the fact that she was willing to risk being chastised by her grandfather to come to Ren Yaoting, and was willing to explain so much to her, a person she was unfamiliar with, Han You was still a virtuous person.