“My time is precious. I won’t waste it on fools,” An Jiu responded harshly as usual.
Noticing the weakness in her voice, Mei Jiu asked anxiously, “What’s wrong with you?”
An Jiu didn’t want to respond, but Mei Jiu persisted, “Are you all right?”
“Damn it! How can you expect anything good when associating with pigs? What do you think? Instead of asking useless questions, why don’t you work on improving your intelligence? Shut up, or I’ll kill your entire family if you ask again!” An Jiu retorted coldly.
So fierce, Mei Jiu thought. Her eyes welled up with tears as she mumbled to herself, trying to find comfort, “You’re in a bad mood. I won’t take it to heart.”
An Jiu replied seriously, “You absolutely should take it to heart. I never speak nonsense.”
Mei Jiu pressed her lips tightly together and curled up on her side.
This fetal position, while not ideal for staying alert, was comfortable. An Jiu lacked the energy to discuss sleeping postures with Mei Jiu, especially since Mei Jiu’s mood could affect her as well.
The snowy night fell silent.
Early the next morning, Yao Ye pulled Mei Jiu from her warm bed and seated her in front of the dressing table to do her hair.
“My lady, you still need to practice. You can’t be lazy,” Yao Ye said as she brushed Mei Jiu’s hair.
Mei Jiu, dozing with her eyes closed, murmured, “I went to sleep too late last night.”
An Jiu’s effort to control her body for archery required ample sleep to recover. Mei Jiu had trouble falling asleep the night before, and today she felt drowsy due to An Jiu’s influence.
Mei Yanran entered the room without making a sound.
Her footsteps were imperceptible. She walked right up behind Mei Jiu without being noticed.
When Yao Ye saw her, Mei Yanran gestured for her to remain quiet. She took the brush and began to style Mei Jiu’s hair.
Mei Jiu, still groggy, sensed a familiar fragrance. Opening her eyes, she saw Mei Yanran in the mirror and instantly became more alert. “Mother, how did you enter so silently?”
Mei Yanran set down the brush and examined the hairstyle. “You were just too sleepy.”
“Was I?” Mei Jiu wanted to argue but then noticed her mother’s appearance. Concerned, she said, “Mother, you’ve lost weight.”
Mei Yanran had not only lost weight but also aged considerably. Her temples were flecked with gray, and the lines around her eyes had deepened. Despite her youth, she showed signs of premature aging, which was unusual for someone with such strong martial arts skills.
“Don’t be silly. It’s natural for your mother to age,” Mei Yanran said in good spirits, taking Mei Jiu’s hand. “The Hua family’s eldest son is a bit old, and his stepmother might be difficult to deal with. Marrying him may be somewhat unfair to you, but it’s better than living on the edge of a knife.”
Mei Jiu’s cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away. “Why are you talking about this, Mother? Elder Zhi said that as long as I show talent in archery, he’ll ensure I don’t join the Crane Control Army.”
Mei Yanran sighed.
“Mother, did you go to see Elder Zhi?” Mei Jiu suddenly realized the timing of Elder Zhi’s summons was too coincidental.
“Yes,” Mei Yanran didn’t deny it. “I needed to do something for him in exchange for his help.”
Mei Jiu felt as if her mind had exploded, her body frozen in place.
Yao Ye spoke up angrily, “Elder Zhi deceived the young lady! He threatened her, saying if she couldn’t hit the bullseye with an arrow, he’d send her to the Crane Control Army next year!”
Mei Yanran wasn’t surprised. She smiled faintly, “I guessed this outcome when he detained me in Yong Zhi Hall. How could someone bearing the name ‘Zhi’ (wisdom) lose out in such matters? Even if you can’t marry into the Hua family, Elder Zhi will protect you. He’s clever and unscrupulous, but he always keeps his word. My child, you’ve passed his test well.”
Mei Yanran stood and walked to the window, hiding her sudden tears.
“Mother,” Mei Jiu went to her, grasping her hand. “Are you hiding something from me?”
“Don’t overthink it. I just feel inadequate,” Mei Yanran wiped away her tears and turned back with her usual flawless gentleness. “I was wrong, my child. You should have been peerless, but I failed you. In the future, when you’re with Elder Zhi, learn to be strong and acquire many skills. You should strive with your strength. Didn’t I evade capture for over a decade?”
If not for Mei Jiu, Mei Yanran might have hidden for much longer.
Mei Jiu understood this and firmly promised, “I’ll work twice as hard in the future.”
Mei Yanran smiled tenderly, stroking her head. “I know you will.”
“I have matters to attend to. Have breakfast on your own.”
Mei Jiu’s heart inexplicably raced, but she said, “All right, go ahead with your business, Mother.”
She had just promised her mother to be strong; she couldn’t show weakness so soon!
Mei Yanran paused, embraced her lightly, then turned to leave.
“Let me see you out,” Yao Ye said, following behind Mei Yanran.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” An Jiu said softly.
Mei Jiu felt the same way. Her heart was inexplicably anxious. “Is Mother going to do something for Elder Zhi? What exactly did she agree to?”
“Let’s follow and see,” An Jiu’s tone was not a suggestion, but a command.
After a brief moment of consideration, Mei Jiu hurried out.
A dark figure landed in front of her in the corridor. Mu Qianshan, with his lifeless demeanor, said, “Young lady, you don’t need to go to the clan school today. After breakfast, I’ll accompany you to Elder Zhi.”
“Get out of my way!” Mei Jiu glared at him. “I order you to move!”
Something had given Mei Jiu courage; this was the most assertive she had ever been. Mu Qianshan hesitated for a moment before stepping aside.
…
Yao Ye accompanied Mei Yanran quite far.
In a secluded spot, Mei Yanran stopped and turned. “Yao Ye, An Jiu’er is my only concern. Help me take good care of her. Tell Dan Yue to keep a close eye on Mei Ruyan. If she shows any ill intentions, kill her immediately.”
“I understand,” Yao Ye replied solemnly.
Though Mei Jiu would be valued by Elder Zhi in the future, minimizing others’ opportunities to harm her, Mei Yanran still felt compelled to add a warning, “Be wary of the old madam.”
“Yes, I swear I won’t fail your trust,” Yao Ye responded.
As Mei Yanran was about to leave, Yao Ye asked, “Lady Yan, why not tell the young mistress?”
“A short pain is better than a long one. An Jiu’er takes after me; she’s naturally timid. Even though I don’t fear killing or death, I’m afraid to see my daughter’s reluctance and tears at parting,” Mei Yanran’s eyes showed sorrow. “In the end, it was my cleverness that failed me.”
Yao Ye said, “You didn’t do wrong. Raising her that way was meant to save her. The young mistress will surely understand your good intentions.”
“But I forgot that I can’t protect her forever. She must ultimately walk her path in life. Only then will her time in this world be meaningful,” Mei Yanran said with a bitter smile. “Despite priding myself on my intelligence, I’ve only just realized this.”
She took out a ghost mask from her sleeve, her slender fingers caressing it for a moment before placing it on her face. She left only a fleeting shadow before Yao Ye as she vanished.
“Mother!” Mei Jiu ran over, seeing only Yao Ye. Anxiously, she asked, “I just heard my mother speaking. Where is she?”
On an ancient pine tree atop a cliff, a woman wearing a ghost mask stood, her gaze fixed on Mei Jiu below.