Chapter Twenty
Still able to mock others—it seemed she had truly let go.
Mei Jiu was beginning to understand An Jiu. Anyone who had endured such experiences would find it impossible to move on, which was why her words were so biting. Yet, she also admired An Jiu. If she had gone through the same, she doubted she could have survived at all.
The door creaked open.
Mei Jiu struggled to prop herself up and lifted the curtain to peek outside. Mei Yanran entered, carrying a food box.
"Mother!"
Mei Yanran set the box on the table and came over to help her sit up.
Mei Jiu reached out and hugged her tightly, her voice thick with emotion. "Mother, I missed you."
After witnessing An Jiu's suffering firsthand, Mei Jiu felt deeply that her reunion with her mother was an immense blessing from the heavens, making her cherish it all the more.
Mei Yanran froze for a moment before a gentle smile spread across her face. "Silly child, why so clingy all of a sudden?"
An Jiu felt the warmth and faint fragrance emanating from Mei Yanran, experiencing the overwhelming happiness swelling in Mei Jiu's heart—her soul trembled.
"Are you feeling better today, Jiu'er?" Mei Yanran asked.
"Much better." Mei Jiu dragged her heavy body out of bed with effort.
Mei Yanran led her to the dressing table and sat her down, picking up a comb to style her hair.
"Mother, how could I let you do this for me?" Mei Jiu held her hand.
Mei Yanran shook her head. "What’s wrong with combing my daughter’s hair? Didn’t I braid it for you when you were little? There’s something I need to tell you."
Mei Jiu obediently sat still.
"Jiu'er, starting today, you’ll attend the Clan School. You must study zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting diligently, as well as poetry and prose. As for riding, archery, and martial arts, practice them moderately for health, but don’t delve too deeply."
Mei Jiu watched Mei Yanran’s reflection in the mirror, unable to see her expression clearly. "Why?"
"Don’t ask." Mei Yanran gathered her hair into a simple, neat bun and tied it with a blue ribbon. "The more you know, the deeper you’ll sink. I won’t harm you, but I can only explain when the time is right."
Mei Jiu agreed without hesitation. "Alright, I’ll listen to you, Mother."
Mei Yanran bent down to examine the bun in the mirror. "Stay close to Elder Qi. If you can win his favor, it may provide you a way out in the future."
Just as Mei Jiu was about to ask why, Mei Yanran hushed her—
A moment later, footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Sister?" Mei Ru Yan knocked.
Mei Yanran paused briefly before moving to sit at the table. "Come in."
Hearing this, Mei Ru Yan pushed the door open properly and bowed to Mei Yanran. "Greetings, Mother."
The word "Mother" rolled smoothly off her tongue, yet Mei Yanran’s expression remained unchanged as she studied Mei Ru Yan carefully. "No need for formalities."
The Old Madam was well aware that Mei Ru Yan was not of Mei Shi blood, yet she had not exposed her. Instead, she had granted her the Mei name, ensuring her survival. This made Mei Yanran wary—whatever the Old Madam’s intentions, they couldn’t be good.
"The Old Madam is not someone to be trifled with. Aside from paying respects, neither of you should treat her as a grandmother to be close to." Mei Yanran’s brows furrowed as she spoke bluntly. "Ru Yan, I know you’re a clever girl. I’ll give you a choice now. If you wish to cling to the Old Madam as your protector, I won’t stop you or expose you. But from this moment on, you must stay away from Jiu'er. If, however, you’re willing to rely on me as Jiu'er does, I’ll ensure your safety and prosperity."Mei Ru Yan looked at Mei Yanran's expressionless face and felt an inexplicable fear in her heart.
Given the current situation, it was clear there was animosity between the stepmother and stepdaughter. The Old Madam held far more power than Mei Yanran at the moment, but Mei Ru Yan knew nothing about the Old Madam. Mei Yanran had placed her on the same level as Mei Jiu, who was extremely naive. Gritting her teeth, Mei Ru Yan decided to take a gamble. "I was born in lowliness and raised in squalor. In a place like a brothel, if you don’t know how to scheme, you’ll only end up as someone else’s cash cow. I may be cunning, but I also know how to repay kindness. Since you’re willing to acknowledge me as your daughter, I’ll treat you as my own mother."
Mei Yanran smiled faintly. "Good. I’ll remember that. You two should head to the Clan School early."
With that, she stood and left.
Mei Jiu had never seen her mother so cold and distant before. She was momentarily stunned and only snapped out of it after Mei Yanran had gone. "Sister, Mother has always been cautious by nature. Please don’t take it to heart."
Mei Ru Yan smiled. "Of course not. I’m actually glad Mother spoke to me so frankly."
"Madam, this servant has come to assist you with washing and dressing," someone called from the doorway.
Hearing an unfamiliar voice, Mei Jiu glanced at Mei Ru Yan in confusion. Seeing her equally bewildered, she said, "Come in."
Two maids in light pink dresses led a procession of attendants inside, bowing respectfully to Mei Ru Yan and Mei Jiu.
"This servant Yao Ye greets the two madams."
"This servant Dan Yue greets the two madams."
Mei Ru Yan was the first to react. "Where are Wen Bi and Wen Cui?"
Yao Ye replied, "Replying to Shishi Niang, the two elder sisters were sent back to Fragrance Avoidance Residence by Yan Niangzi. Yan Niangzi assigned us to serve the two madams."
Though delighted, Mei Ru Yan also felt a twinge of apprehension. Mei Jiu’s mother had seemed frail and reserved, yet she had dared—and had the ability—to challenge the Old Madam, acting so boldly and decisively.
An Jiu, who had been watching the scene unfold, finally spoke leisurely. "Your mother is something else. Fifty heartbeats per minute, breaths so light they’re almost inaudible—she’s definitely trained, and her Martial Arts are no joke."
When Mei Jiu had hugged Mei Yanran earlier, An Jiu had sensed it. Mei Yanran’s "calm" wasn’t just a demeanor; it was the result of a martial artist’s physical discipline evident in every detail.
"My mother knows Martial Arts, but only the basics," Mei Jiu thought to herself.
"You were ambushed on the boat, and your mother swam ashore with you. Why did she hide you? Because the pursuers were either highly skilled or too numerous. She knew she couldn’t escape with you, so she hid you somewhere safe and led them away alone! She had time to hide you while being chased and still managed to escape unscathed. Do you think some half-baked skills could pull that off? And I bet if she hadn’t learned you were captured, she wouldn’t have shown up here at all," An Jiu said through gritted teeth. "Your lack of brains is infuriating!"
Dan Yue reminded them, "Madams, Yan Niangzi has just returned to the estate and has limited personnel at her disposal. Thus, we two servants must each attend to one of you."
"Elder Sister, you choose first," Mei Ru Yan offered.
Mei Jiu was about to defer when An Jiu cut in, "Choose Yao Ye."
Remembering An Jiu’s experiences, Mei Jiu complied without hesitation. "I’ll take Yao Ye, then."
Afterward, she wondered why An Jiu had been so certain about the choice. "Why her? Did you notice she’s highly skilled in Martial Arts?"An Jiu said, "I find her pleasing to the eye."
Mei Jiu took a closer look at Yao Ye. The girl was about sixteen or seventeen, with a well-proportioned face and thick eyebrows that gave her a somewhat heroic air. Other than that, at first glance, she seemed utterly ordinary, with nothing particularly remarkable about her. Mei Jiu replied sincerely, "It's rare for you to find someone you like."
An Jiu snorted. "Creatures with rock-bottom IQs shouldn't assume all humans are as inept as you!"
"You!" Mei Jiu roughly grasped her meaning and snapped angrily, "You really make it impossible for anyone to want to be nice to you!"
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