When Mei Zhengjing told Mei Jiu that the Mei family made a living by killing, she didn’t quite believe it at first. After all, it seemed too far removed from her original life. But now, she was starting to believe it.
Elder Zhi realized he had frightened Mei Jiu by losing control of his emotions, so he released her hand. “You’re not the Fourteenth Miss.”
The girl before him wasn’t the Fourteenth Miss he had met that day. Elder Zhi did not doubt his perception, yet her appearance was identical to that day…
“Who are you?” Elder Zhi sat down, fixing Mei Jiu with a piercing gaze.
Mei Jiu lowered her head, avoiding his eyes. Summoning her courage, she said, “I am Mei Fourteenth Miss.”
“Show me your hand,” Elder Zhi commanded.
Mei Jiu obediently extended her hand.
After examining it for a moment and testing her fingers, Elder Zhi’s tone softened slightly. “Your energy is severely depleted. This must be from injuring Mei Da at noon. In the future, don’t force yourself beyond your limits.”
Mei Jiu was stunned. Elder Zhi knew “she” had injured someone at noon, yet he didn’t reprimand her at all. Instead, he was concerned about her well-being.
“Go back and rest for now. Come see me again in three days.” Elder Zhi resumed sipping his tea, dismissing her.
Mei Jiu bowed respectfully, then hastily left.
Elder Zhi watched her somewhat flustered departure, his brow furrowing again. He set down his teacup forcefully. “Come.”
A black-clad woman with a ghost mask silently descended from the rafters.
He ordered, “Shadow the Fourteenth Miss. Don’t let her out of your sight.”
The masked woman acknowledged the order and vanished as if she had never been there.
…
Upon leaving Yongzhi Residence, Mei Jiu had Yaoya take her directly to Mei Yanran’s dwelling.
Mei Yanran’s residence was located in an area crowded with houses. However, most of the owners of these houses had long since passed away, giving the place an extremely desolate feel.
The vast courtyard was eerily quiet, devoid of people, yet the flower beds were neatly tended and not overgrown.
In front of the main hall stood a jujube tree, its branches heavy with fruit. Through the half-concealed, wide-open window, an embroidery frame could be seen. Mei Yanran was bent over it, working on her needlework.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up. Seeing it was Mei Jiu, she set aside her needlework and went out to greet her. “I was just about to go to Yuwei Residence when you arrived.”
“Mother.” Mei Jiu’s eyes reddened as she threw herself into Mei Yanran’s embrace.
“Did Elder Zhi frighten you?” Mei Yanran gently stroked her back.
“How did you know?” Mei Jiu asked, her voice muffled.
Mei Yanran explained, “The elders have peculiar temperaments. Elder Zhi is usually quite amiable, but he becomes overly serious when it comes to official matters.”
Is it just the elders who are strange? Mei Jiu felt that everyone in the family was odd, from the Old Madam down to the servants and pages. How were any of them similar to people outside?
Mei Jiu released her mother and took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears. With a solemn expression, she said, “Mother, I have something I want to ask you.”
Rarely seeing her daughter so serious, Mei Yanran glanced at Yaoya. “Leave us.”
“Yes.” Yaoya bowed and withdrew.
Mei Yanran looked up at the jujube tree, then led Mei Jiu to the study, the farthest room from where they had been.
As soon as they entered, Mei Jiu asked, “Mother, is it true that our family makes a living by killing?”
Mei Yanran’s steps faltered. She turned to look at her daughter, her eyes filled with surprise and hatred. “Who told you this?”
Mei Jiu felt as if she had plunged into an icy pool. She stammered, “Uncle.”
Mei Yanran slowly sat down. After a moment of silence, she finally spoke. “Sit down. This is a long story.”
Mei Jiu sat down woodenly.
Seeing her daughter like this, Mei Yanran turned away in pain. “It’s my fault. I deliberately raised you to be a timid and weak girl.”
She sighed. “You have a beautiful appearance, some scholarly knowledge but no martial arts skills, a gentle nature, and no knowledge of the Mei family’s affairs. You fit the standard for a Mei daughter to be married off. Even if you returned, you could still be married into a wealthy family in the future and live a peaceful life like other women.”
“They captured you intending to use you to force me to return and continue serving the family. You’ve been my greatest concern throughout my life. In two years, you’ll be of marriageable age. As long as you remain gentle and weak like you are now, you can be safely married off. Even if I never see the light of day again, I’ll feel my life has been worthwhile.” Mei Yanran gripped the armrest tightly. Surprisingly, cracks like ice patterns instantly appeared on the solid nanmu wood. “Who would have thought you’d kill two martial arts masters with a bow and arrow, making them consider grooming you?”
Although Mei Jiu wasn’t responsible for this, her mother’s words still filled her with guilt.
Mei Yanran stood up and walked to the window as if reminiscing. She gazed at the distant jujube tree. Suddenly, she raised her hand, a cold glint flashing from her fingertips. The tree’s crown moved without wind, rustling for a moment before falling silent again.
Lost in her chaotic thoughts, Mei Jiu failed to notice Mei Yanran’s actions.
“Since you already know, I might as well explain everything clearly.” Mei Yanran returned to her seat. The armrest she had just gripped crumbled to the ground with a light touch of her sleeve. Seeing Mei Jiu’s surprise, she said, “It’s old and in disrepair.”
Nanmu wood! It wouldn’t rot even if buried underground for hundreds of years as a coffin! But Mei Jiu had always deeply trusted her mother’s words and never thought to doubt them.
An Jiu found Mei Yanran’s technique very interesting, as she had never encountered such skills before.
“In the seventh year of Xiande under Emperor Gong of the Later Zhou Dynasty, on the fourth day of the first lunar month, the Yellow Bridge Incident occurred. The emperor abdicated, and Taizu donned the yellow robe. On the fifth day of the first lunar month, the country’s name was changed to ‘Song,’ and the era name was changed to ‘Jianlong.’ From the military coup to the establishment of the Great Song Dynasty, it took only four days, without encountering any resistance—a bloodless dynastic change.” Mei Yanran suddenly began discussing political affairs.
This was a very famous coup in history, known even to someone like An Jiu, who had little knowledge of Chinese history.
“Many people died during that coup,” Mei Yanran revealed, dropping a shocking piece of information.
Mei Jiu was so captivated by her mother’s story that she momentarily forgot her fear.
“Taizu privately established a shadow force that eliminated the leaders of all opposition within those four days,” Mei Yanran continued. “The Golden Casket Oath, Taizu’s mysterious death, and Taizong’s ascension to the throne occurred because Taizong gained control of this shadow force. So this sword, which had once helped Taizu clear obstacles and smoothly gain the empire, turned back and killed him. Therefore, every subsequent emperor has placed great importance on this shadow force.”
Such secrets were too sensitive even for unofficial histories to record. When reading history books, Mei Jiu had felt that the Golden Casket Oath seemed unusual, but she never imagined the truth behind it.
Mei Yanran said, “This shadow army is called the Crane Control Army…”
The Crane Control Army played a crucial role in the coup, so the emperor’s control over it was naturally very tight. Once involved, unless the entire family was wiped out without a trace of bloodline remaining, there was no way to withdraw.
“So you mean…” Mei Jiu found it hard to believe the thought forming in her mind, but it was highly likely to be true, “The Mei family’s children don’t die young, but instead join the Crane Control Army?”