Something in Mei Jiu’s blood began to stir. The sudden unfamiliar emotions made her feel uncomfortable all over. She gripped her clothes tightly, resisting the urge to destroy things.
Mei Jiu’s restraint immobilized An Jiu, suddenly reminding her of doctors’ hands. Whenever she wanted to destroy or kill, they would grip her tightly.
The scene was hazy.
Two pairs of hands firmly held her down. Someone shouted overhead, “Quickly, gag her! Don’t let her harm herself!”
Something forced her mouth open wide.
“Sedative!”
In An Jiu’s violently shaking, blurry vision, she could only see white coattails.
Then she plunged into darkness. In the darkness, a voice enticed me: Kill that person, and I’ll let you out. You can do it. You’re a perfect weapon by nature. Don’t disappoint me…
Mei Jiu’s eyes widened. She saw a dagger plunge into someone’s body. Blood splattered everywhere, turning her vision red. She was so terrified she couldn’t even scream!
“An Jiu’er! An Jiu’er!” Mei Yanran saw Mei Jiu’s unfocused eyes and terrified expression. Her heart ached. She shouldn’t have suddenly told her these things. But she had no choice. If An Jiu’er were to follow the Old Madam in the future, she would experience things a thousand times more horrifying than this.
“Mother!” Mei Jiu called out hazily.
Mei Yanran embraced her, gently rubbing her back. “You’re frightened, aren’t you?”
The warm embrace and gentle touch gradually soothed away the fear and agitation.
An Jiu calmed down.
That memory fragment was both strange and familiar. An Jiu clearly didn’t remember it, yet she was certain it was hers! These memories pointed to one thing—
She had once been a mental patient.
It was a hereditary family illness. After her parents’ death, An Jiu’s mental state became extremely unstable. From detention centers to mental hospitals, she was always the most dangerous patient, closely monitored. Despite drug control and psychological counseling, her mental condition only worsened.
Later, she found release in the killing. Like a venomous snake waiting for prey, she would pull the trigger and watch her target die from afar. It became her favorite game.
From then on, An Jiu never again showed a brutal side in daily life. She even began to enjoy gardening and caring for small animals. When happy, her smile was as pure as a child’s.
Extreme brutality and absolute innocence coexisted within her.
“An Jiu’er.” Mei Yanran’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Unable to bear seeing Mei Jiu like this, she stood up. “Rest early. I’ll help you take leave from the clan school. Don’t go tomorrow. I’ll check on Ruyan first, then come back.”
An Jiu looked up, staring at Mei Yanran’s still pale face. For a moment, she seemed to return to that stormy night, and couldn’t help wanting to hold Mei Yanran back.
Seeing her reach out dazedly, Mei Yanran took her hand. “Mother will be back soon.”
It seemed…
An Jiu suddenly felt Mei Yanran resembled her mother. Both were willing to sacrifice everything for their daughters, yet helpless to change reality even at the cost of their lives.
“An Jiu’er?”
As Mei Yanran was about to speak, An Jiu stood up and pressed her head against Mei Yanran’s chest, listening to the strong heartbeat. It felt like redemption.
An Jiu’s mother had been mentally broken before her death, behaving erratically. Combined with her terrifying appearance from medication, the young An Jiu had been too afraid to approach. Only after her death did An Jiu think to preserve her mother’s last warmth, but it was too late.
Only now did An Jiu understand that she had merely chosen not to recall those memories, but her mother’s fear, despair, and loneliness before death had been deeply imprinted on her soul.
If only she had been brave enough to offer comfort then if only she had given her mother some warmth before she died…
It turned out that An Jiu hated not only her father but also herself for fearing her mother and doing nothing for her, only resenting her weakness. Little did she know her mother had already bravely given everything.
Perhaps this was fate granting a chance for redemption?
“We’ll be all right.” An Jiu broke free from Mei Yanran’s grasp, hugged her briefly, and strode away.
Mei Yanran turned to watch her retreating figure, puzzled. Mei Jiu had never walked with such large strides, nor spoken in such a calm and decisive tone.
After some thought, Mei Yanran attributed it all to the recent upheavals. No matter how her daughter changed, she was still her daughter.
“Yaoyue?” Mei Yanran called.
“My lady.” Yaoyue’s figure appeared at the door.
Mei Yanran had regained her calm elegance. “Take good care of An Jiu’er.”
“Yes.”
The maid who prepared medicines was already waiting in the courtyard. Mei Yanran led her to Mei Ruyan’s quarters.
Outwardly, Mei Yanran and Mei Jiu were of the same type, but their inner selves were completely different. Mei Yanran was selfish; she wouldn’t be kind to anyone without reason.
If necessary in the future, she could sacrifice Mei Ruyan without hesitation…
The next day.
Neither Mei Jiu nor Mei Ruyan went to the clan school. Mei Yanran took the opportunity to call them together, explaining the household situation in detail and beginning to teach them breathing and meditation techniques.
An Jiu listened intently, forcibly controlling her body to practice. Mei Jiu instinctively followed Mei Yanran’s instructions, but her aptitude was far inferior to An Jiu’s, causing her breathing to alternate between correct and chaotic.
“Don’t rush. You’ll get used to it in a few days,” Mei Yanran reassured her.
“My lady, Young Master Mo has heard that the young misses are ill and has come to visit,” Yaoyue announced from outside.
Mei Ruyan was surprised. Mo Sigui was dependent on others’ charity. After the recent incident of being pushed into the lake, which the entire Meihua Village knew about, shouldn’t he hate them after such humiliation?
Mei Yanran said, “Very well, invite him in.”
Then she turned to Mei Ruyan, “Sigui’s medical skills are quite good. Let him examine your fingers. Though it’s not a major injury, the fingers are connected to the heart. Good medicine and a skilled doctor will reduce your suffering.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Mei Ruyan said gratefully.
Mei Jiu was pleased to see her mother caring for Mei Ruyan.
Mo Sigui entered to see the harmonious scene of the mother and daughters smiling. He bowed to Mei Yanran, “Greetings, Aunt.”
Mei Jiu and Mei Ruyan rose in turn, calling him “Cousin.”
“We’re family. No need for formalities. Please, sit,” Mei Yanran said with a smile, carefully observing Mo Sigui.
He originally had peach blossom eyes that gave him a romantic air. Today, however, he wore an elegant cyan robe. Combined with his composed demeanor, he appeared quite proper and steady.
“The last time I saw you, you were still a child,” Mei Yanran sighed.
Mo Sigui replied, “Aunt, your appearance hasn’t changed at all. When I first saw you, I thought I had returned to over a decade ago.”
Mei Ruyan was amazed. This cousin Mo was quite the actor. If he had said these words in his previous manner, it would have been flirtatious.
Mei Yanran’s smile inadvertently revealed a hint of melancholy. “You certainly know how to flatter.”