CH 97

Chapter 97: The Han Family’s Secret (1)

Not long afterwards, Han You received someone who said that Madam Han was better today and could see her guests.

So the Old Madam said to the Eldest Madam of the Ren Family, “In that case, I will accompany you to see her. Like me, she doesn’t like to go out much, and she doesn’t know many people, so she’s very happy that you can come and see her.”

Wang nodded with a smile, “Then I’ll be grateful to you.”

It was reasonable to say that the Old Madam of the Han Family was an elder, and she should not be the one to accompany guests to her daughter-in-law’s courtyard. She took the initiative to make Wang feel that the Han Family’s Old Madam was a good person to get along with and had no airs.

This, coupled with the fact that Old Madam Han was very talkative and very affable with her words, made Wang feel very good about her. At first, she thought that the Han Family’s rules were very strict with their female family members. The Old Madam of the Han Family was only from a gentry family, so she must be an old woman with little knowledge. She didn’t think that the real Old Madam Han would be very surprising.

Ren Yaoqi remembered what she heard previously. The Old Madam of the Han Family was the only daughter in her family and lost her mother when she was young, so she was a capable girl who took care of all the affairs in the family. It’s just that after marrying Han Dongshan, she concentrated on staying in the inner house to care for her husband and teach her children, and refused to go out easily.

Seeing the appearance of Old Madam Han today, Ren Yaoqi believed that this statement was true. This Old Madam Han is indeed a formidable person. It’s just why she began to restrain her words and deeds after marrying Han Dongshan, and even severely disciplined her daughter-in-law and granddaughter?

This Han Family was really mysterious.

Ren Yaoqi and several sisters from the Ren Family followed Eldest Madam Ren and Old Madam Han to Madam Han’s courtyard.

The inner courtyard of the Han Family was just as conscientious as the outer courtyard, except for some trees and flowers, and there were no superficial opulence could be seen.

When they arrived in front of Madam Han’s courtyard, there were no flowers, plants, or trees around. They even saw beside the wall in front of the courtyard gate there were several small tree stumps that had been cut down until no one couldn’t tell what kind of trees they were.

Seeing everyone’s eyes stopping at the small stumps, Old Madam Han said, “There were a few peach trees planted there. But because the doctor said that kind of tree might cause asthma, Qian’er took responsible to cut them up. Not just these few trees. The flowers and plants that were originally planted in the yard were also ordered to be pulled out by that child”

Sure enough, as soon as they walked into Madam Han’s yard, all that could be seen was a bare, square courtyard wall, and nothing else. It was somewhat similar to Old Madam Ren’s yard. Old Madam Ren didn’t like flowers and plants, because those would attract insects and ants in summer.

When everyone followed Old Madam Han into the house, Madam Han had already gotten up. However, she was still concerned that she was sick and could not meet people. So the curtain in front of the bed was lowered and Han You was waiting at her bedside.

The younger members of the Ren Family went forward to greet her, and Madam Han said with an apology, “I am sorry for my rudeness, I hope you all will not take offense.”

Eldest Madam Ren laughed and said, “We won’t take offense of that you are a patient. Why are you being so scruples about being rude? It is only proper that you get well.”

Madam Han sighed softly through the curtain, turned her head to see her daughter’s worried eyes but smiled and said following Eldest Madam Ren’s words, “I am grateful for your kind words.”

The furniture in Madam Han’s room was all mahogany, and the style was very simple. Upon closer inspection, there are a lot of thoughts behind it. The pieces of furniture are black, look a bit old but polished well. There is not a lot of stuff except for a foot-high coral tree on the antique shelf, which by discerning eyes can be seen as an extraordinary piece.

The girls of the Ren Family had taught by their elders when at home, so now they all sat in the outer room in a disciplined manner, very obedient.

The Eldest Madam exchange a few words with Madam Han. When she saw that the time was already late, she said, “I see you are tired, so you should rest first, so we will not disturb you.”

Madam Han also knew that she was ill and couldn’t entertain their guests. She hastily apologized and did not stay long, only telling her daughter to go and treat them well.

Old Madam Han also got up and said with a smile, “Let’s go to the Flower Hall and have tea. It’s rare to have visitors in our house, so you must have your meal before you leave today.”

The juniors of the Ren Family saluted and left with the Eldest Madam of the Ren Family.

Eldest Madam Ren smiled and said, “There is no need for a meal. We didn’t walk too far to come here. The Ren Family is just a few steps away from the Han residence, so we can come whenever we want. Don’t be so polite to us. Besides, We have to go back and tell our Old Madam about Madam Han’s illness, she is so worried that it is always on her mind. But we wouldn’t mind having a cup of tea from the house.”

Old Madam Han laughed and did not force her to stay, but said, “Look at this clever mouth of Eldest Madam. If I were to force you to stay, it would seem that I am unreasonable. Then let’s go to the flower room and have some tea.”

Ren Yaoting finally caught a chance this time to pull Han You aside to have whispered conversation. The two of them could be described as intimate and fell in behind a little to exchange pleasantries.

Soon Old Madam Han noticed and turned her head to laugh: “You’er? What are you talking about? Why have you fallen behind the guests?”

Han You was not afraid of her grandmother, instead rather intimate, “Sister Ting is very concerned about Mother’s condition, so she asked some questions.”

Old Madam Han glanced at Ren Yaoting, who lowered her head somewhat shyly and said in a small voice, “Auntie is very nice, I hope she gets well soon.”

Old Madam Han’s weathered eyes had a sense of understanding as she smiled gently and said, “You are the Seventh Miss of the Ren Family, aren’t you? No wonder You’er always mentions you to us, you really are a good child.”

Ren Yaoting’s eyes lit up with joy, but her face became even more shy.

Han You took the opportunity to say, “Grandmother, when I went to the Ren Family the Ren sisters took me around the Ren Family’s garden. Now that they are guests at our house, this granddaughter should show them our garden as well.”

Old Madam Han shook her head and lost her smile, “The Ren Family’s mansion is well known throughout the whole of Yanbei, how can it be compared with our garden?”

She was exaggerating when she said that the Ren Family’s house was known in all of Yanbei, but it was one of the most famous in Baihe Town.

When the Ren Family heard this, they felt their faces were shining.

Ren Yaoting smiled and said, “The Ren Family’s mansion is exquisite, but the Han Family’s mansion is grand. We do want to have a look at it.”

Ren Yaoting noticed a flicker of hesitation in Old Madam Han’s eyes, but she quickly smiled broadly and said, “Since you want to see it, then go and have a look. It’s just that our family’s garden is indeed boring.”

Han You was delighted at her words and took Ren Yaoting’s hand and smiled at her.

The few young girls in the Ren Family all have a few curiosities about the Han Family too, so they all readily agreed.

Eldest Madam Ren gave her daughters and nieces a few words of advice and then followed Old Madam Han to the flower room for tea.

However, before she left, Old Madam Han deliberately turned to her granddaughter and said, “You’er, take good care of the guests, don’t let them get lost in the large garden. When you are tired of wandering, come and have tea in the Flower Hall.”