Han Shengyu leaned sideways against the window frame on the fifth floor, watching the bustling traffic and throngs of noisy people on Imperial Street below.
Han Huiyu and Han Qingning leaned close together, watching the lively street scene while conversing in hushed tones, careful not to disturb Han Shengyu.
Once the initial wave of excitement passed, a faint sense of unease washed over their hearts.
Han Huiyu was a person who stuck to proper decorum above all else. Looking at Han Shengyu’s back, she could not refrain from asking, “Shengyu, are we truly not going to First Uncle’s residence to pay our respects? That really goes against proper etiquette.”
“We are not going.”
Hearing Han Shengyu’s decisive and uncompromising reply, Han Huiyu knew there was no room for negotiation, and her heart grew even more anxious.
Han Qingning gently tugged on her sleeve. “Eldest Sister, Third Sister has plans in her mind; we should just listen to her, as the elders at home instructed us to do.”
“I am truly afraid she might overturn the very heavens.”
Han Qingning pursed her lips into a smile. “She won’t.”
Though Shengyu had a sharp temper, she rarely actually lost her temper.
“Come, let’s go shopping, sisters.” With a grand wave of her arm, Han Shengyu strode outward.
Han Qingning was not surprised in the least, immediately keeping pace with her and reaching out to pull Han Huiyu along.
Not wanting to spoil the mood, Han Huiyu merely squeezed her coin purse before following behind them.
Han Shengyu went down to the first floor to ask the innkeeper about good local eateries and places of interest, placing a small silver ingot on the table.
Without missing a beat, the innkeeper gathered the silver into his sleeve, saying with a beaming smile, “Once you step out the door, turn right and walk all the way to the end. Turn left, and you’ll find Temple Front Street. After you girls eat your fill, you can visit the Grand Buddha Temple for a stroll—it’s exceedingly efficacious.”
Han Shengyu offered her thanks, taking Han Huiyu and Han Qingning out the door. She left several guards behind to wait for Han Jing and Fu Zhouhang, dispatched another group to gather information, and had the remaining few escort the three of them out shopping.
Jincheng’s morning was vibrant and brimming with life. Upon reaching Temple Front Street, butcher shops and food stalls could be seen everywhere, with food vendors hawking their wares at the top of their lungs, flower farmers carrying shoulder poles of blooms, and wine shop flags fluttering in the wind.
The mouth-watering aromas made one’s stomach rumble with hunger: fried pork intestines, savory powder soup, steaming hot freshly baked buns filled with crab meat, five-flavor meat porridge, seven-treasure vegetarian porridge, sliced fish porridge, fried dough twists, bean porridge, mutton soup… The three sisters ate until their bellies were round.
Consequently, to help digest their meal, they headed toward the Grand Buddha Temple mentioned by the innkeeper.
The area before the Grand Buddha Temple was even more bustling; Han Huiyu and Han Qingning could barely drag their feet away, dazzled by everything in sight. Han Shengyu’s brows and eyes curved into a smile—she knew full well that no woman truly disliked shopping.
Passing by the front of the Buddhist temple, none of the three even remembered to enter and pay homage to the Buddha. Buying, browsing, and eating all along the way, they reached the end, took a turn, and found themselves on Baocheng Street.
Most of the shops on this street dealt in fabrics, apparel, jewelry, rouge, and face powder. Now, they were even more unable to move another step forward.
Returning to Zhuangyuan Inn laden with bags and bundles, Han Huiyu and Han Qingning were so exhausted they didn’t even want to speak. Han Shengyu remained in radiant spirits, directing the guards to sort and arrange the items before having the maidservants unpack and put everything in its proper place.
As evening approached, Fu Zhouhang returned, his expression somewhat grave.
“Third Miss, Brother Han has gone missing,” Fu Zhouhang said in a lowered voice. “I located the men Brother Han brought along; they said that after Brother Han went out yesterday morning, he never returned. They have been searching for him quietly as well, but haven’t found a trace.”
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze into silence, with looks of panic appearing on the faces of both Han Huiyu and Han Qingning.
Han Shengyu had not expected that the very first piece of news upon arriving in Jincheng would be Han Jing’s disappearance.
“What about First Uncle’s residence?”
“Carriages and palanquins come and go at the gates of the Han Manor, household servants move about as usual, and nothing untoward can be seen at the gatekeeper’s lodge.”
Han Huiyu could not help standing up. “Could Han Jing’s disappearance be related to the matter of the residence?”
Han Qingning also gripped Han Shengyu’s sleeve in fear. “Shengyu, what do we do now? Could Han Jing be in danger?”
Han Shengyu fell silent for a short while, her mind working rapidly before she finally spoke after a long moment: “Whether Han Jing is truly missing is hard to conclude right now.”
She had confidence in Han Jing’s martial arts skills; taking him down would be no easy feat. However, if even his subordinates did not know his whereabouts, the incident must have occurred abruptly.
She walked over to the table, poured a cup of tea that had already grown lukewarm, and took a slow sip. She then looked at her two elder cousins, her tone decisive and firm: “Tomorrow morning, we will send a calling card and pay our respects to First Aunt.”
Han Huiyu was startled. “But Han Jing…”
“I believe he will return safely; he must have encountered something urgent and had no time to notify those around him.” She looked toward Fu Zhouhang. “Dispatch a few extra men tonight to keep watch around the Han Manor in secret and see if there are any anomalies.”
No anomalies seen by daylight didn’t mean there would be none at night.
“Yes, Third Miss.” Fu Zhouhang acknowledged the command and departed.
That night, the guest rooms on the top floor of Zhuangyuan Inn remained brightly lit. The three sisters harbored their own anxieties, tossing and turning for a long time before falling asleep.
Early the next morning, Han Shengyu had her maidservants dress her hair meticulously and put on a dress that, while not overly lavish, was made of fine material and exquisitely tailored, bestowing an air of quiet composure upon her.
Han Huiyu and Han Qingning also pulled themselves together, fully dressed and adorned.
The calling card was sent to the Han Manor early in the morning.
As noon approached, the Han Manor finally sent a steward mama over. Her attitude could hardly be called warm, merely stating that the Madam invited the three young ladies to the manor for a conversation.
The Han Manor was located in Qingyan Quarter in the eastern part of the city. Though not a top-tier enclave for the powerful and aristocratic, it was nonetheless a grand residence with high gates and deep courtyards, boasting two stone lions crouching at the entrance—exuding the grand air of an official household.
Upon entering the manor, they passed through halls and crossed courtyards all the way; the leading matron remained taciturn and silent. Han Shengyu observed in secret: the mansion was well-repaired, yet the servants carried a trace of caution and oppression on their faces to varying degrees.
Proceeding all the way to the hall of the main courtyard, a woman wearing a dark purple jacket patterned with intertwined branches sat upright in the principal seat. Her face was well-preserved, yet a persistent shadow of weariness and gloom hung between her brows, her sharp gaze sweeping over the three sisters as they walked in.
This was none other than their First Aunt, Madam Wu.
Madam Wu’s gaze swept across the three sisters in a circle before settling on the face of Han Shengyu, who stood at the very front. She pulled her lips into a smile that lacked warmth: “You must have had a tiring journey coming all this way. Why didn’t you send someone ahead of time to let us know, so we could send people to pick you up?”
The three stepped forward to greet her according to proper etiquette.
After taking their seats, Madam Wu took a slow sip of tea and added, “Your father is truly careless—how could he feel at ease letting you young girls take to the road by yourselves? If anything were to happen, how could anyone bear the responsibility?”
These words sounded like concern, yet they inevitably carried a touch of instigation.
Han Huiyu and Han Qingning looked at Han Shengyu with a hint of nervousness; facing such a domineering elder as First Aunt, the two of them felt genuine fear in their hearts.
Han Shengyu gave them a look to offer mild reassurance before turning to look at Madam Wu, speaking unhurriedly: “Thank you for First Aunt’s concern. Father often says that although the daughters of the Han family need not accomplish great feats like men, they should still possess insight and courage. Coming to Jincheng this time, we were escorted by capable household guards along the way, so the journey was quite safe. Besides, keeping First Aunt and Sister Jintang in our hearts, we could hardly care for so many empty formalities.”
She directly turned the topic toward Han Jintang.
The hand with which Madam Wu held her teacup paused almost imperceptibly, and the smile on her face dimmed a bit. “You are thoughtful. Jintang… she has been feeling unwell recently and is quietly recuperating, so it is inconvenient for her to receive guests.”
“Sister Jintang is ill?” Han Shengyu displayed a just-right amount of worry. “What kind of illness is it? Have you called a physician to examine her? Though we sisters do not understand medical theory, we still wish to do our part—perhaps we can keep Sister company and chat with her to relieve her boredom.”
Madam Wu set down her teacup, her tone taking on a hint of distance: “It is merely an occasional chill, requiring quiet rest. You have had a grueling journey, so settle down in the manor first and get a good rest. As for other matters, we can discuss them in the days ahead.”
Settle down in the Han Manor?
Madam Wu indeed had no intention of returning the residence.
That won’t be up to her!