Yao Ye flinched momentarily before averting his gaze from Mei Jiu. Composing himself, he asked, “My lady, why have you come out without a coat?”
Mei Jiu, visibly anxious, fired off a series of questions: “Yao Ye, where has my mother gone? When will she return? Why didn’t she tell me?”
“The affairs of our household typically involve combat,” Yao Ye replied truthfully. “But don’t worry, my lady. Lady Yan is a formidable warrior. She didn’t tell you to spare you from worrying.”
Mei Jiu’s unease persisted. “When will she return?” she pressed.
Yao Ye looked up. The withered pine on the cliff was now empty.
As Mei Jiu followed Yao Ye’s gaze toward the cliff, she heard him say, “My lady, it’s best not to expect Lady Yan’s return.”
“Why?” Mei Jiu’s heart leaped to her throat. She sensed bad news looming but clung to a sliver of hope.
“Lady Yan has joined the Crane Control Army,” Yao Ye said frankly, knowing this couldn’t be concealed. “They’ve requested her twice from the family head. She’s been directly enlisted without going through the Crane Control Academy. In the Crane Control Army, the living enter but never leave.”
Those who left were reduced to unrecognizable ashes.
Old Lady Mei was an exception, but how many could match her fierce determination? Even she, after all her scheming and narrow escape from death, was condemned to live in darkness upon returning to Meihua Li.
Yao Ye continued, “Lady Yan was the last of the Yan generation among Mei daughters. She could have avoided joining the Crane Control Army…”
As Mei Jiu swayed unsteadily, Yao Ye quickly supported her. “My lady, Lady Yan did this for you. You must stay strong and not succumb to grief!”
“I must stay strong… I will stay strong…” Mei Jiu repeated, collapsing into Yao Ye’s arms.
This time, Mei Jiu didn’t burst into tears, but her gaze was vacant and lost as if her soul had departed.
“Young ladies,” a strange male voice called out.
Yao Ye turned, eyeing the newcomer coldly. “Who goes there?”
“I am Hua Rongjian, courtesy name Zi Miao, of the Hua family,” the man introduced himself. He wore an indigo brocade robe beneath a black cloak, his handsome features illuminated by the snow’s reflection. “I’ve lost my way. Might you ladies direct me back to Mei Garden?”
Yao Ye remained wary, her martial skills not to be underestimated. She hadn’t heard his approach at all. “To my knowledge, the three gates leading to Mei Garden are all guarded. How did you lose your way here, young master?”
Hua Rongjian’s gaze remained fixed on Mei Jiu, though half her face was hidden in Yao Ye’s embrace, obscuring his view.
Yao Ye shifted slightly, shielding Mei Jiu completely. “I have matters to attend to and cannot escort you back, Young Master Hua. Follow this path forward for about twenty zhang, and you’ll find a gate with an old woman guarding it. State your identity, and someone will guide you back.”
Noticing Yao Ye’s cautious stare, Hua Rongjian adjusted his cloak and smiled. “Young lady, have you taken a fancy to me? If not, such direct staring is quite impolite.”
Yao Ye felt annoyed. Despite his handsome appearance, he was frivolous at heart. Still, she acknowledged that staring so directly at a strange man was indeed improper.
An Jiu, having recognized Hua Rongjian’s voice earlier, was in no mood for pleasantries. She urged Yao Ye, “Watch out for dog droppings on the path. Let’s go.”
Yao Ye was momentarily stunned, nearly laughing out loud. “Yes, my lady.”
Due to Mei Jiu’s earlier suppressed tears, An Jiu’s voice carried a nasal quality unlike her usual tone, which Hua Rongjian failed to recognize.
“My, what sharp words from the young lady,” Hua Rongjian remarked, seemingly intrigued rather than offended. “I admire ladies with spirit.”
“Carry me on your back,” An Jiu whispered to Yao Ye.
Yao Ye turned around, hoisted An Jiu onto her back, and quickly disappeared into the woods, avoiding Hua Rongjian.
As Hua Rongjian moved to pursue them, footsteps sounded behind him. A young man came running, his face contorted with worry as he pleaded, “My lord, let’s return. The Mei family are imperial merchants. What if we offend their womenfolk?”
“We’ve already offended them,” Hua Rongjian said gleefully. “I’ve heard that Mei women are all heavenly beauties, which is why they’re ill-fated. How perfect!”
The young servant anxiously scanned their surroundings, sighing in relief when he saw no one. “What’s good about a short life?”
Hua Rongjian replied, “I’ll marry one first. After she passes, I’ll take another Mei bride as a replacement. I’ll change wives every five years, always beautiful and short-lived. That way, I’ll never grow bored!”
The servant sighed helplessly, “My lord, let’s hurry back. Please don’t entertain such thoughts. Our household already has two young masters married to Mei women. It wouldn’t be right for all three to do so.”
Hua Rongjian looked at him as if he were an idiot. “That’s precisely why I rushed here to cause a stir! If the Mei family confronts me, I’ll marry on my eldest brother’s behalf. He doesn’t want to remarry anyway. Isn’t that perfect?”
The servant was speechless, unable to follow his master’s logic.
“Please, my lord, let’s go!” the servant begged, nearly falling to his knees.
“Fine, fine,” Hua Rongjian conceded, looking back repeatedly as he reluctantly left with his servant.
Yao Ye carried An Jiu back to Yuweichu.
An Jiu sat by the fire, her expression impassive as she warmed herself.
Yao Ye asked suspiciously, “Are you all right, my lady?”
With Mei Jiu’s will subdued, An Jiu could effortlessly control the body. “I’m fine,” she replied.
Her dark eyes reflected the orange firelight. “What kind of person is Hua Rongjian?” she inquired.
Yao Ye, setting aside her doubts and eager to distract Mei Jiu, explained, “Rumor has it he’s a wastrel. In my opinion, he’s simply mad. Let me tell you one incident: A year ago, when Hua Rongtian’s first wife passed away, he congratulated his elder brother with gongs and drums, saying he could now get a new wife. Hua Rongtian beat him severely for this. When the news reached Madam Hua’s family, they tearfully petitioned the Emperor, saying their daughter had been filial and duteous after marrying into the Hua family, even bearing them an heir. They claimed it was a great injustice to slander her name. As a result, the Grand Councilor was fined a year’s salary and had to personally apologize to Hua Rongjian in tow. It was utterly humiliating.”
“Indeed, he is scum!” An Jiu thought to herself before asking aloud, “What of his scholarship and martial arts?”
“Well…” Yao Ye pondered, “Everyone talks about his scandalous behavior, but I’ve never heard mention of his talents. However, given how he passed through three gates unnoticed and approached us silently today, his martial skills must be considerable.”
Though the Mei family was a shadow clan, they outwardly appeared as mere imperial merchants. While their hidden agents wouldn’t be visible, even their regular guards were skilled fighters. Sneaking into the inner compound undetected was no easy feat.
Yao Ye continued, “Noble young masters like him often have highly skilled guards. I can only confirm that he knows martial arts and is quite proficient, but I don’t know the extent of his abilities.”
“I’ll rest for a while,” An Jiu said.
Noticing her pale complexion, Yao Ye didn’t press further. She also refrained from mentioning Mei Yanran to avoid causing more distress. “Of course. I’ll be right outside if you need anything, my lady.”
An Jiu nodded.
After Yao Ye left, An Jiu lay down on the couch, closing her eyes to rest.
“An Jiu, I’m so worried about Mother,” Mei Jiu sobbed.
An Jiu opened her eyes slightly, showing rare gentleness. After some thought, she carefully consoled Mei Jiu, “Don’t worry. Without you as a burden, she’ll surely live longer.”
Upon hearing this, Mei Jiu cried even harder.
The sobs made An Jiu’s head throb, but she didn’t scold Mei Jiu this time. Instead, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Outside, Yao Ye spoke in a hushed tone, “The young lady is unwell today. Please inform Elder Zhi that she’ll be absent.”
Mu Qianshan’s voice was deep, “You should go yourself, miss. The front courtyard is crowded lately, and it’s inconvenient for me to move about.”
Yao Ye pondered, “Very well. Take care of the young lady.”
“Mm,” Mu Qianshan agreed, though he didn’t understand Yao Ye’s motherly concern. What was there to worry about in such a brief absence?
However, shortly after Yao Ye left, the Old Madam arrived.
The maids at the door couldn’t stop her.
The Old Madam entered the room. A maid brought an embroidered stool and placed it before the soft couch. The Old Madam sat down, her gaze complex as she looked at the sleeping girl.
Years ago, her daughter, not much older than Mei Jiu, had cuddled up to her, seeming like only yesterday. Now, her daughter’s fate was unknown. All because of Mei Yanran! Mei Yanran had fled, sacrificing everything, only to willingly join the Crane Control Army today. If so, why drag her daughter into this mess?
The Old Madam raised her hand to touch An Jiu’s cheek.
Before she could make contact, her wrist was suddenly gripped tightly. In a flash, a cold blade was at her throat, murderous intent erupting.
The Old Madam tried to defend herself but realized it was too late. Shocked and angered, she exclaimed, “You dare to kill your elder!”
The dagger stopped abruptly, a hair’s breadth from the Old Madam’s throat.
Less than two feet apart, the Old Madam could see the coldness in An Jiu’s eyes—emotionless, as if waiting for a single command to take a life in an instant.
An Jiu withdrew the dagger and lowered her eyes, calling out, “Grandmother.”
The Old Madam slowly suppressed her anger, still shaken as she said, “Child, why are you so alert?”
An Jiu remained silent. She didn’t know how to interact with people, especially elders. It seemed that only around Mei Jiu did she ever relax, perhaps because Mei Jiu resembled a harmless little lamb.
“I heard Yanran left, and I was worried about you, so I came to check,” the Old Madam said gently, her expression neutral.
After a moment’s thought, An Jiu replied, “I’m fine.”
The Old Madam smiled faintly, “Then I can rest easy.” She stood up, sighing, “It’s been many years since I left the island. The outside world hasn’t changed at all, which is quite unsettling.”
She lowered her gaze, briefly glancing over An Jiu. “Rest well.”
The Old Madam left Yuweichu with her maids, seated in a palanquin with a hand warmer. She couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Though she tried to suppress it, her laughter sounded quite jubilant.
“Lingxi,” the Old Madam said quietly, “do you think Mei Ruxue harbors hostility towards me, or is she simply naturally vigilant?”
A middle-aged woman outside replied, “Either way, her killing intent was unmistakable. She’s suited for the Crane Control Army. We should inform those above about this.”
“Hah!” The Old Madam leaned back. “Mei Yanran is still as cunning as ever. Knowing that after ten years away, her influence can’t match mine, she’s made a desperate move by aligning closely with Elder Zhi. That old fellow won’t be easy to deal with.”