Mei Jiu’s attire differed greatly from yesterday. Not only was it plain, but a belt was added, accentuating her curves.
Sensing something unusual, Mei Jiu asked, “Wen Cui, why am I dressed like this?”
“It’s the custom,” Wen Cui replied curtly.
Mei Jiu rebuffed, dared not ask further.
They traveled in silence until reaching Yuwei Residence’s gate. After helping Mei Jiu into the carriage, Wen Cui said, “Miss, if you’re tired, rest a bit. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
“Alright,” Mei Jiu replied gratefully, closing her eyes against the carriage wall.
The carriage departed after Mei Ruyan joined them.
The smooth ride soon lulled Mei Jiu into a doze.
Mei Ruyan whispered to Wen Cui, “Is my sister unwell?”
Wen Cui shook her head, replying softly, “Just didn’t sleep well last night.”
Mei Jiu was typically timid, always appearing meek in public. Her sharp words yesterday had puzzled Mei Ruyan. Seeing her back to her usual self now somehow comforted Mei Ruyan.
Perhaps this Mei Jiu would be easier to manipulate.
After about an hour, the carriage stopped.
Wen Cui gently nudged Mei Jiu, “Miss, we’ve arrived.”
“Hmm?” Mei Jiu opened her eyes.
Wen Cui produced a small bottle from her sleeve. She uncorked it and waved it under Mei Jiu’s nose. The sharp scent made Mei Jiu sneeze, but the cool sensation cleared her mind instantly.
The Mei estate was vast but lacked ornate buildings. Even the family head and clan elders’ quarters were simple, with gray tiles and blue bricks.
As they alighted, they saw a young man in fine clothes standing under the eaves of the main hall. He appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, tall and handsome. The low-hanging red maple leaves framed his fair face, his bright eyes sparkling.
An Jiu, awakening to this sight, clicked her tongue approvingly, “What a handsome devil!”
Mei Jiu frowned slightly, thinking, “Can’t you say something nice for once?”
An Jiu yawned, “Wasn’t what I said yesterday nice? That old lady was so moved she fainted.”
“She fainted from anger,” Mei Jiu reminded her.
An Jiu retorted, “I said that yesterday. No need to repeat it, I’m not forgetful! Can’t you tell it’s a joke?”
Mei Jiu, displeased with jokes about her family, said, “That’s not funny!”
“Then you have no sense of humor,” An Jiu concluded. Noticing the young man approaching through Mei Jiu’s eyes, she switched to spectator mode.
The young man stopped before Mei Jiu, his tall frame imposing. Mei Jiu’s breath caught, then quickened as he flashed a brilliant smile.
The forced, irregular heartbeat nearly drove An Jiu mad. She felt more thrilled than bungee jumping from the 30th floor with a 1cm rope!
“Fourteenth Miss Ruxue,” the young man smiled, then looked at Mei Ruyan, “Fifteenth Miss Ruyan, I guessed correctly, right?”
“And you are?” Mei Ruyan countered.
The young man replied, “I’m your cousin. My surname is Mo, given name Ran, courtesy name Sigui.”
Wen Bi and Wen Cui curtseyed, “Greetings, young master.”
“I thought our family’s daughters don’t marry out. How do we have a male cousin?” Mei Jiu asked.
Mo Sigui fixed his gaze on Mei Jiu, his peach blossom eyes smiling, “There are always exceptions.”
“He’s flirting,” An Jiu observed through Mei Jiu’s eyes. “Blatant flirtation. This young man is too flamboyant and frivolous!”
Her crude words made Mei Jiu blush. She lowered her eyes, avoiding Mo Sigui’s gaze, agreeing inwardly with An Jiu’s assessment. A man who flirts so openly upon first meeting is indeed quite frivolous.
For the first time, they agreed. Mei Jiu was pleased, but then An Jiu sighed, “I like it.”
She meant she’d like to torment such a person!
An Jiu was trying to play the role of a kind grandmother wolf, so she held back the last few words, fearing Mei Jiu would find this preference too violent.
While she sighed about liking it, her emotions remained unchanged. Mei Jiu, however, was so startled she involuntarily exclaimed, “Ah?”
Mo Sigui looked surprised, “Cousin?”
“Ah, I… I…” Mei Jiu tried to say something, but her mind was in chaos. Embarrassed, she mumbled, “It’s nothing.”
Mo Sigui understood. Most young women were shy when first meeting him. Oh my! It’s the trouble of being too handsome. Such natural beauty is truly troublesome. Mo Sigui flicked open a folding fan to hide his uncontrolled smile.
Mei Ruyan observed their interaction, slightly raising the corners of her mouth in understanding.
Mo Sigui composed himself, put away his fan, and adopted a serious expression. He coughed lightly, “The clan elders haven’t arrived yet. Cousins, please wait in the side hall for a moment.”
It was strange for an outsider to act as host. Mei Ruyan glanced at Wen Bi.
Wen Bi, eyes lowered, spoke as if Mo Sigui wasn’t present, “The young master’s mother passed away early. He’s grown up in the Mei household, just like our own young masters.”
Mei Jiu secretly glanced at Mo Sigui’s expression, thinking it must be unpleasant to be introduced like this.
An Jiu scoffed, “Mind your own business first.”
Mei Jiu thought she was jealous and quickly explained, “I-I have no interest in him.”
“What’s it to me?” An Jiu paused, suddenly remembering she could feel Mei Jiu’s physical sensations. “No, it does matter! You’re not allowed to have relations with him, or I’ll chop up you lovebirds.”
From these vicious words, Mei Jiu became more convinced of An Jiu’s jealousy, so she reassured her, “I won’t, I won’t.”
An Jiu grunted in satisfaction.
After sitting in the side hall for a while, a servant came to announce, “The young master and five clan elders will arrive shortly.”
Mo Sigui stood up, “Cousins, let’s go out to welcome them.”
They followed him out of the side hall, standing to one side of the main hall steps to greet the family’s leaders.
Soon, Mei Jiu saw a large group escorting five white-haired elders and a middle-aged man. All six wore plain clothes, with the middle-aged man carrying a feather fan and wearing a scholar’s headband. His face was thin but serene, with a hermit-like air.
The elders, though over sixty, walked with vigor, still robust.
The middle-aged man approached, his gaze sweeping over Mei Jiu and the others without pausing, and entered the hall directly.
Mo Sigui sighed softly. The last elder raised his cane and tapped Mo Sigui’s head, “Why are you sighing at such a young age!”
Mo Sigui, unrepentant, grinned, “Why do you use a cane when you’re not lame?”
The elder glared at him, “You little rascal! You’ll see tomorrow!”
“Bring it on!” Mo Sigui replied, unafraid.
After everyone entered, Mo Sigui noticed Mei Jiu’s pale face. “Don’t be scared, they’re just a bunch of odd old men.”
Mei Jiu didn’t hear what Mo Sigui said. Her mind was filled with An Jiu’s voice, “Are you tired? Sleepy? Think about your soft, comfortable bed. Wouldn’t it be nice to lie down? Feel like you can’t hold on? Why don’t you sleep, and I’ll take over for a while? This is all so intimidating…”