The gu worm extraction proceeded smoothly, but Mo Sigui fainted due to excessive qi consumption. He slept for five days and six nights.

This sleep was incredibly refreshing. It was the first time he had slept so deeply since Lou Mingyue entered her dangerous month.

An Jiu stayed on the island to help care for both patients.

The morning mist enveloped the island, its damp air refreshing.

An Jiu sat by Mei Yanran’s bed, holding a bowl of medicinal soup. She had been feeding Mei Yanran during her unconscious days, and this morning was no different, except Mei Yanran was now awake.

“I can do it myself,” Mei Yanran said, uncomfortable with the spoon approaching her lips.

An Jiu silently handed her the bowl.

Mei Yanran propped herself up against the headboard, slowly stirring the soup.

After a moment, she paused. “From now on, treat me as a stranger.”

The room fell silent.

Mei Yanran looked up, noticing An Jiu’s slightly furrowed brow and clear but cold gaze. The familiar face with an unfamiliar feeling made Mei Yanran uneasy. “You’re not my daughter. There’s no need to fulfill filial duties for her. I had a mother-daughter bond with her. She was born to me, but I failed to care for her properly. I’ve let her down.”

Mei Yanran had been reflecting a lot lately. The same body, the same circumstances, yet a different soul could survive tenaciously where Mei Jiu couldn’t.

“Jiu’er wasn’t born weak. In the years after we fled Meihua Village, we lived in hiding, enduring great hardship. I remember once when we hadn’t eaten all day and had to trek through miles of forest. I was severely injured and lost our way. Not only did she keep walking, but she also comforted me, saying, ‘Mother, we’ll be out soon.'”

In truth, even Mei Yanran didn’t know when they’d exit the forest.

“At that time, I vowed to take good care of her,” Mei Yanran’s eyes reddened as she stirred the soup. “My overprotection cost her life.”

Mei Yanran was certain that a girl as beautiful and delicate as Mei Jiu would have been married off if she returned to the clan. But An Jiu’s arrival was unexpected, and the Mei clan valued her archery talent. This path was like putting Mei Jiu on fire; her demise was inevitable.

Yet Mei Yanran didn’t hate An Jiu. Once the Mei clan discovered her death, the fragile Mei Jiu would have lost her value, and they would have silenced her. By then, Mei Jiu was already dead. It was An Jiu’s exceptional archery that won them a chance at life.

Mei Yanran understood all this. Her deep guilt towards Mei Jiu made it even harder to face An Jiu.

“Jiu’er changed a lot because of you,” Mei Yanran’s eyelashes trembled, hinting at tears. “I won’t interfere with her life anymore. Perhaps in her darkest hour, I can use what’s left of my life to give her a chance at survival. That would fulfill our mother-daughter bond.”

“You don’t owe me anything. It’s my fault for not raising my daughter well. That’s why you came,” Mei Yanran downed the bitter medicine in one gulp, hiding her tears.

She had poured all her emotions into her daughter, albeit misguided. Admitting her mistake and letting go was a pain only a mother who loved her daughter dearly could understand.

An Jiu stood up and silently left.

No matter how good a mother is, she’s not one’s own.

Outside, the sun broke through the clouds. An Jiu closed her eyes, repeatedly recalling the memory of that emaciated woman holding a passport, excitedly saying, “An, we can go back to our country.”

She hadn’t elaborated much on their life after returning, but An Jiu could see a beautiful yet vague future in her excited expression.

Back then, An Jiu had curled up in bed, her feelings complex – fear, pity, even disdain for her mother’s incompetence and foolishness.

It wasn’t until her mother’s eyes lost their light, when grief and panic overwhelmed her, that An Jiu realized the mother who loved her most foolishly was gone forever.

As a mother, Mei might have been foolish, but undeniably, there would never be another love like hers in this world.

So regret became an eternal regret, never to be recovered.

An Jiu exhaled slowly and left Meihua Village alone, heading for the Hua mansion.

Red lanterns and silk ribbons hung on the Hua mansion, the festive atmosphere lingering.

After inquiring around, An Jiu learned that Hua Rongjian had married three days ago.

An Jiu didn’t know when the marriage was arranged, but even if it was two months ago, it seemed too rushed.

Minister Hua was trying to curry favor with the emperor. Although it couldn’t completely dispel the emperor’s suspicions, it could at least buy some time.

Was the Hua family’s situation so dire that they needed to sacrifice an heir’s marriage as a temporary measure?

An Jiu sighed inwardly. No wonder Chu Dingjiang left his powerful family without hesitation. Coming from such a background, he must have foreseen the price of staying with the Hua family and preferred to start from scratch.

“I’m here to see the Second Young Master Hua,” An Jiu bought some gifts and knocked on the Hua mansion’s door, telling the doorkeeper, “I am Mei Fourteen.”

An Jiu wore men’s clothing and a human skin mask but didn’t deliberately conceal her figure.

“Please wait,” the doorkeeper went to inquire.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the gate reopened, and a maid came to escort her.

An Jiu followed her to Hua Rongjian’s quarters and sat in the hall waiting. A servant brought hot tea and snacks.

After a long wait, An Jiu sipped the now-cold tea. She usually didn’t eat or drink casually outside, but she trusted Hua Rongjian.

Two-quarters of an hour passed before Hua Rongjian finally entered.

He wore a deep blue robe, his expression calm, showing none of his usual playboy demeanor. He dismissed all the servants, leaving only the two of them in the room.

“I heard you got married. I came to congratulate you,” An Jiu pushed the gift box on the table.

It was her first time giving a wedding gift, nothing too expensive – an interesting ornamental stone that had been quite heavy to carry.

“Ah Jiu,” Hua Rongjian showed no joy, staring at her, “Do you know Chu Dingjiang?”

An Jiu’s heart skipped a beat, unsure how to answer, so she remained silent.

“Is it that hard to answer?” Hua Rongjian sneered, self-mockingly, “I treated you sincerely, yet you hid so much from me. You knew the real Hua Rongjian was right beside you, yet you helped him deceive me! I don’t think I’ve wronged you in any way!”

An Jiu’s mind was briefly chaotic but quickly calmed. “I have the right not to tell.”

“Ha!” Hua Rongjian laughed lightly.

An Jiu wasn’t wrong; she could choose to tell or not. But this made Hua Rongjian feel that she didn’t take him seriously. Being looked down upon by a friend was a significant blow to this noble young master, especially since Hua Rongjian had few true friends, and An Jiu was special – someone he liked.

“Take your things and leave! Consider that we never knew each other!” Hua Rongjian stood up, looking down at her, and shouted, “Someone come!”

Servants hurriedly entered.

“See the guest out!”

Hua Rongjian left without another glance.

An Jiu stared at his retreating figure, finding it hard to imagine that this was the same youth whose smile once rivaled the sun’s brilliance when they first met.

Without much thought, An Jiu could guess that Hua Rongjian’s knowledge of this matter must be related to Wei Yuzi, with Mei Ruyan being the information link.

Chu Dingjiang had always been cautious and steady. This matter had spanned nearly twenty years, possibly leaving no traces, yet Wei Yuzi somehow managed to uncover it.

“Miss,” the maid gently reminded.

An Jiu left the gift and followed the maid out.

The servants hadn’t heard their conversation and didn’t know Hua Rongjian hadn’t accepted the gift, so they didn’t remind her to take it back.

Just as they left the room, they saw a woman in red robes approaching, surrounded by maids.

An Jiu stopped and waited.

Mei Ruyan, wearing a joyful smile, hurried over. “Sister, I heard from my husband’s maid that you came.”

“Overnight, you’ve become the Second Madam Hua,” An Jiu said flatly.

“All of you, withdraw,” Mei Ruyan ordered.

“Yes,” the maids bowed and retreated.

“Sister, let’s sit in the pavilion,” Mei Ruyan suggested.

An Jiu nodded and followed her to a garden pavilion.

The pavilion was built by the water, surrounded by light gauze curtains. The cool breeze was refreshing. Inside, tables were set with snacks, tea, and a zither stand holding a burnt-tail zither with “Mo” carved on its tail. It seemed Mei Ruyan had been here before coming to find her.

“Please sit, sister,” Mei Ruyan sat by the zither.

“I thought your love for Mr. Mo would keep you faithful for a few years,” An Jiu said.

Mei Ruyan’s slender fingers lightly stroked the zither strings, her smile radiant. “Sister forgets, I was raised in a brothel. Being fickle is only natural for me.”

“You’re lying,” An Jiu noticed her cherishing gaze towards the zither.

From the beginning, although An Jiu didn’t particularly like Mei Ruyan, she could tell that beneath her worldly and smooth exterior hid a passionate woman. An Jiu couldn’t gauge the depth of emotions but knew such a person wouldn’t easily let go of hatred.

Could it be that Mei Ruyan knew Wei Yuzi was one of the masterminds behind Mr. Mo’s death, so she deliberately got close to him, and now wants to use the Hua family’s power to take revenge on Wei Yuzi?

“Sister misunderstands,” Mei Ruyan’s sharp, vermilion-painted nails suddenly plucked the zither strings, producing a jarring sound. “My love with Mr. Mo ended at its most beautiful moment. Any woman would find it hard to forget for life. But how many women could resist the nobility of being the Second Madam Hua? Moreover, Young Master Hua is young and handsome, few men in the world can compare.”

“How did Wei Yuzi learn of Hua Rongjian’s background?” An Jiu asked.

Mei Ruyan seemed surprised, and then her phoenix eyes filled with amusement. “Sister has become so clever, truly admirable. Who could hide anything Mr. Wei wants to know? As we’re like sisters, I’ll tell you. The Hua family is one of the Song Dynasty’s preeminent clans, with power rivaling the throne. Naturally, Mr. Wei pays extra attention. He half-investigated, half-guessed, and unexpectedly found a lead. Originally, Chu Dingjiang had kept this matter very secret. Although Mr. Wei guessed the real Hua Rongjian was in the Konghe Army, he didn’t know who. Unfortunately, Chu Dingjiang has been too busy working for the Hua family lately, making it impossible for Mr. Wei to ignore.”

Mei Ruyan’s features weren’t exceptionally beautiful, but she had an indescribable charm – reserved yet passionate, dignified yet slightly bewitching, soft yet unyielding – a very unique aura.

She too was a secret guard betrothed by the emperor, but fared a hundred times better than Mei Jiu.

Mei Jiu was still confined to that courtyard, unable to freely go out or receive guests, while Mei Ruyan had much more freedom. Moreover, she held the Hua family’s secrets, making both Hua Rongjian and Minister Hua wary of her.

This wasn’t Mei Jiu’s fault; Hua Rongtan was simply too domineering. Even Mei Ruyan might not gain any advantage with him, let alone Mei Jiu.

But this was fine too, at least there was no need to worry about Mei Jiu and Mei Ruyan interacting too much.

“Congratulations,” An Jiu said, then stood up and left the pavilion.

Mei Ruyan lowered her head, her smile slowly turning to loneliness. She caressed the zither strings as if caressing a lover, softly instructing her maid, “Dujuan, see the guest out for me.”

“Yes,” Dujuan hurried after An Jiu.

After leaving the Hua mansion, An Jiu waited at the entrance for a while, then went to a restaurant for lunch.

She stayed out until the lanterns were lit at dusk.

Taking advantage of the night, An Jiu secretly snuck back into the Hua mansion, making her way to Mei Jiu’s quarters.

She sat quietly in the hall, along with a table full of untouched dishes.

After about a quarter of an hour, a maid came and said, “Madam, the young master is resting in the study tonight.”

This was just a polite way of saying it. Hua Rongtan slept in his study every night, never setting foot in this courtyard after dark.

Hearing this, Mei Jiu picked up her bowl and began eating silently.

“Madam, shall we reheat the food?” the maid asked.

Mei Jiu shook her head.

The maid dared not persuade further.

An Jiu crouched on the roof beam, watching her eat a tasteless meal, then go out alone for a walk to aid digestion.

An Jiu quietly followed her. She knew Hua Rongtan was in the back garden, and judging by Mei Jiu’s route, they might encounter each other.

A maid walked ahead holding a lantern as Mei Jiu meandered to the garden.

The couple unexpectedly met.

When they were still about fifty feet apart, Mei Jiu saw Hua Rongtan in the pavilion and wanted to turn back.

But An Jiu saw a flash of disappointment on Hua Rongtan’s face when he saw Mei Jiu turn away.

Mei Jiu took a few steps, then turned back towards Hua Rongtan.

An Jiu thought she saw Hua Rongtan’s eyes brighten a bit.

“Husband,” Mei Jiu bowed in greeting.

“Rise,” Hua Rongtan now appeared calm and cold, showing no emotion.

“Have you eaten, husband?” Mei Jiu, having been married to Hua Rongtan for some time, knew a bit about his temperament.

“Yes,” Hua Rongtan paused, then said, “Sit.”

Mei Jiu was stunned momentarily, then her face lit up with undisguised joy.

She sat opposite Hua Rongtan, noticing the book in his hands. She carefully ventured, “Is husband reading ‘The Nine Strategies’?”

Hua Rongtan asked in surprise, “You know ‘The Nine Strategies’?”

This book was somewhat obscure, its author was not very famous. Even most scholars might not know of it.