The Mei clan’s enduring glory stems from their unity. The family cannot tolerate betrayal, nor will they harm each other for personal gain.

“We indeed can’t show mercy to traitors!” Mei Tingzhu said coldly.

Mei Yanran’s escape from Mei Manor with her daughter marked her as a family traitor. Initially, the elders decided to eliminate both mother and daughter. However, their plans changed when Mei Fourteen displayed her exceptional archery skills during a crisis.

At that time, the family needed talented individuals and intended to nurture Mei Fourteen. The clan’s stance had always been to keep the daughter and discard the mother. Sensing this, Mei Yanran preemptively struck a deal with Elder Zhi, voluntarily joining the Crane Control Army to save her life.

Had Mei Fourteen died earlier, why would they now need to sever Elder Zhi’s hands for her sake?

“What should we do?” Mei Tingwan, having matured significantly after several setbacks, still found herself at a loss when faced with such a difficult decision.

For all the younger generation of the Mei clan, Elder Zhi was a mountain-like figure – one to be revered and relied upon. Even in his current state of dementia, his mere existence provided spiritual support. They had never even entertained the thought of surpassing this mountain, let alone destroying it.

This act was less about revenge against Elder Zhi and more about retribution against the entire Mei clan.

“Let’s go,” Mei Zhengjing said, striding away.

“Sixth Uncle,” Mei Tingwan hurried after him, “You’re not going to harm the Elder, are you?”

No one answered her question.

It wasn’t until they left Hua Manor and boarded the carriage that Mei Tingzhu spoke softly, “Who would have thought this person would seek revenge for Mei Fourteen? Now that he knows what we’re after, he might try to obtain the ‘Secret Manual’ first to blackmail us.”

Initially, Mei Zhengjing believed that as a high-ranking member of the Crane Control Army, Chu Dingjiang would be quite cold-hearted. Although aware that An Jiu had fallen into a coma during the coup due to Elder Zhi, he didn’t take it seriously. He assumed Chu Dingjiang merely valued An Jiu more than most, but that the benefits the entire Mei clan could bring to Chu Dingjiang far outweighed those of a single An Jiu.

“I misjudged their relationship,” Mei Zhengjing closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.

In the past, Mei Zhengjing had always criticized his elder brother for being too cautious and conservative. Only now did he understand the weight of the burden his brother had carried. It wasn’t that he was unwilling to act, but that a single misstep could lead them into an even more difficult and passive situation.

He had sought out Chu Dingjiang to take a gamble. He had anticipated various demands Chu Dingjiang might make and was even prepared for rejection. What he hadn’t expected was that Chu Dingjiang would harbor such hatred for the Mei clan because of someone else.

As a member of the Crane Control Army family, Mei Zhengjing understood that assassins who had killed many became numb to emotions, treating life and death as trivial matters. Love and hate were even less significant.

Hearing the self-reproach in his voice, Mei Tingzhu consoled him, “We’re not fortune-tellers. It’s perfectly normal for unexpected things to happen.”

Mei Tingwan said, “If he values Mei Fourteen so much, shouldn’t he be busy saving her rather than seeking revenge?”

Her words were a wake-up call.

Mei Zhengjing opened his eyes and exchanged glances with Mei Tingzhu. Both detected a sense of relief in each other’s gaze.

Indeed, if they hadn’t come to him, Chu Dingjiang wouldn’t shown any intention of seeking revenge. This meant they had some time to find the ‘Secret Manual’. If they couldn’t find it, they would have no choice but to sacrifice Elder Zhi’s hands.

“If only the Old Madam were still alive,” Mei Tingwan sighed to herself.

The Mei clan had learned about the ‘Crane Control Secret Manual’ from the Old Madam. She had mentioned where it was hidden, but during the Baohua Gate Incident, they had secretly searched for it. The secret chamber for storing books was there, but the legendary ‘Secret Manual’ was nowhere to be found.

After all, the Old Madam had left the Crane Control Army years ago. Perhaps the ‘Secret Manual’ had been moved long ago.

The Baohua Gate Incident had only resulted in bloodshed within the forbidden palace. However, with a new ruler in power, the entire Song Dynasty was in a state of reconstruction.

Clouds gathered in the sky, and it started raining in the evening. As night fell, ice pellets mixed with the rain.

Winter had arrived in the Song Dynasty, and many people looked forward to a new beginning in spring.

In the Liao Kingdom’s capital…

The imperial palace had been in a state of high tension for over ten days. It wasn’t until a rider urgently entered the city last night that the tension slightly eased.

In the side hall, Yelü Huangwu sat on a couch, coldly staring at the red-robed young woman kneeling before her. She snorted, “Wei Yuzhi is such a waste.”

Mei Ruyan felt indignant on Wei Yuzhi’s behalf. Words of defense nearly escaped her lips, but she swallowed them back at the last moment, only lowering her body further.

“Mei Ruyan,” Yelü Huangwu frowned at her movement, “A lowly insect daring to aspire to the heavens. How ridiculous.”

Hearing this, Mei Ruyan slowly raised her head, looking directly at the purple-robed woman on the seat. “Your Highness is busy with state affairs, yet still finds time to care about a commoner like me. I feel deeply honored.”

Yelü Huangwu rested her chin on her hand, smirking disdainfully, “You have the right to speak to me today because of Wei Yuzhi. I don’t kill you also because of Wei Yuzhi. It has nothing to do with whether you play clever or not. So, clinging tightly to his leg should be your top priority.”

Mei Ruyan grew anxious as she saw her stand up.

As the purple figure descended the steps and was about to enter the back hall through the beaded curtain, Mei Ruyan bit her lip and said, “I want to see him.”

Yelü Huangwu paused, turning her head slightly to glance at her, the corner of her mouth twitching.

It was a subtle expression, but full of mockery.

As Yelü Huangwu left, the attendants and eunuchs followed, leaving only a few guards standing like pillars on both sides, as if Mei Ruyan were alone in the hall.

“Miss Mei,” a eunuch entered the hall.

Mei Ruyan stood up.

The eunuch glanced at her almost imperceptibly before quickly lowering his gaze. “The Emperor summons you.”

Mei Ruyan’s eyes immediately lit up, as if a spark of life had ignited in a field of ashes.

Following the eunuch to the Liao Emperor’s bedchamber, Mei Ruyan’s tightly clenched hands were covered in sweat.

The eunuch stopped at the door. “Miss, please enter.”

Mei Ruyan raised her hand, feeling a sense of trepidation. After a moment’s hesitation, she mustered the courage to push open the hall doors.

A strong scent of medicine wafted out, mingling with the pleasant fragrance of the smoke curling up from the bronze incense burner.

Mei Ruyan walked past the hanging curtains. By the time she saw the bed, her face was already streaked with tears.

Yelü Quancang, dressed in a black, wide-sleeved robe, stood not far behind her, holding a cup of tea and quietly watching the long-absent girl.

Mei Ruyan cried until she began to tremble slightly. It took her a while to calm her emotions before she softly called out, “Sir.”

Yelü Quancang gently placed the cup lid on the teacup, producing a crisp, subtle sound.

Mei Ruyan suddenly turned her head, and that majestic and handsome face unexpectedly entered her field of vision.