The book boy saw the frenzied flock of sheep and was so frightened that he quickly fled into the courtyard.
An Jiu, upon seeing the fluffy sheep, immediately perked up. Taking advantage of Mei Jiu's momentary panic to seize control of the body, she called out to the old man, "What needs to be done?"
The old man shouted, "Stop the sheep! Don’t let them run into the courtyard!"
"Got it." An Jiu pulled a bamboo pole from the fence and stood at the entrance, lashing out fiercely.
The people in the courtyard were preparing to rush out and help, but just as they reached the entrance, they saw the leading sheep being struck down by An Jiu. The rest of the flock, startled, immediately scattered to either side.
The old man panted heavily, taking a while to catch his breath. When he saw several sheep at the entrance struggling to their feet and limping away with the flock, his old heart ached with each throb. He glared at An Jiu, "You little brat, using so much force!"
An Jiu said nothing and simply returned the bamboo pole to the fence.
People from the courtyard gradually emerged and bowed to the old man, "Sir."
The book boy peeked out from behind the door and quickly withdrew, only stepping out after straightening his appearance, "Mr. Qingming."
"Has Zhao Shanchang’s leg injury healed?" Lu Qingming asked.
The book boy replied respectfully, "It has, thanks to your Medicine."
"That man’s eyesight is barely better than a blind man’s, yet he insists on walking alone. Hmph! Next time he falls to his death, don’t come looking for me. My Medicine is hard-earned." Lu Qingming muttered, distressed over the wasted Medicine.
The book boy forced a smile and changed the subject, "Yes, yes, I’ll make sure to advise the Shanchang later. By the way, sir, this is Fourteen Lady. The Shanchang asked me to bring her to you."
Mei Jiu, having just heard Lu Qingming scold An Jiu, felt uneasy but was unable to move. She could only urge, "Quickly apologize to the sir."
"Apologize for what? Stay put!" An Jiu was exasperated by Mei Jiu’s timid nature.
Mei Jiu was gentle and cautious, always afraid of offending others. She would endure rather than resist, only showing her protective side when her loved ones were in danger. Yet, perhaps due to her innate nature, her protection merely involved shielding them with her own body.
Forget it! She had only acted to protect this body anyway. She withdrew her control, leaving Mei Jiu to face Lu Qingming.
Mei Jiu realized she could move again. After adjusting slightly, she immediately curtsied and said, "I injured your sheep in my haste earlier. Please forgive me."
An Jiu was displeased. "He was the one who asked for help."
Lu Qingming walked over with his hands behind his back. "Fourteen Lady? No need to curtsy. Stand up."
"Yes," Mei Jiu replied.
Lu Qingming stroked his beard thoughtfully. There was no trace of the earlier fierceness with which she had struck the sheep. He asked kindly, "Do you like herding sheep?"
Everyone was stunned. How could someone who had just beaten sheep so mercilessly possibly enjoy herding them? Was this meant as punishment?
An Jiu was slightly surprised but quickly said, "Yes, I do."
Mei Jiu’s mind was in turmoil. As a sheltered young woman, she had never considered herding sheep. Yet, hearing An Jiu’s words, she felt an inexplicable fondness for the idea and answered, "I do."
The children from prominent families didn’t mock her response. Instead, they were curious about what Lu Qingming would say next.
"Then you’ll help me herd the sheep from now on," Lu Qingming chuckled."Yes," Mei Jiu replied aloud, but inwardly asked An Jiu, "Do you really like herding sheep? Do you even know how to herd sheep?"
"Who’s born knowing how to do anything?" An Jiu was in a good mood and refrained from her usual sharp retorts. "I once had a wish—if I lived to thirty-five, I’d buy a farm, raise two hundred sheep, two sheepdogs, and plant a hectare of grapes."
When she died, she had only seen a small patch of sky, but in that sky was a white cloud shaped like a sheep. Her life had been flawless, and in the end, she had glimpsed something hidden deep in her heart. At that moment, she felt the ending was perfect.
"Fine, you can take over when we herd sheep," Mei Jiu offered, willingly sharing control of her body with her.
An Jiu usually despised Mei Jiu’s doormat nature, but right now, she found it somewhat endearing.
The girl in purple rushed forward to support Lu Qingming, chiding, "Master, how did you end up like this again?"
"The sheep suddenly went mad—nearly wore out these old bones of mine," Lu Qingming grumbled, then abruptly stopped and turned to Mei Jiu. "What verse did you write?"
The question came out of nowhere. Mei Jiu hesitated for a few breaths before recalling the poem she had written in the Teaching House that morning and recited it.
After listening, Lu Qingming turned back to give Mei Jiu another glance, grinning. "I always thought young ones ought to have some spirit. The way you swung that staff earlier, whistling through the air—quite a sight."
"Old man’s ugly, but his taste isn’t half bad," An Jiu praised.
Lu Qingming waved a hand. "It’s noon. Go rest and eat. Return in an hour for meditation."
"Yes," the group chorused.
Mei Jiu didn’t know the way, so she followed behind them.
The girl in purple spotted her and smirked mockingly, linking arms with another girl in layered pastel skirts. Loudly, she said, "I heard someone put on a pitiful act in front of Cousin Mo, throwing herself into his arms, only to turn around and accuse him of impropriety—costing him his place in the Clan School."
She turned to glare at Mei Jiu, her voice icy. "Mei Ru Xue, don’t you think that’s despicable?"
Mei Jiu faltered, lowering her head and ignoring her.
"Seventh Sister," the girl in layered skirts gently tugged the purple-clad girl’s sleeve, murmuring, "Don’t stir trouble."
Mei Seven snorted but fell silent, pressing her lips together and turning away.
"Sister."
A clear voice called from behind.
Hearing Mei Ru Yan’s voice, Mei Jiu turned in delight. At the same time, everyone walking with Mei Jiu paused, glancing curiously toward the source.
From their elevated position on the stone steps, they saw four girls below. Among them was a sharp-eyed girl who stood out as unfamiliar. After exchanging a few words with her companions, she hurried up the steps.
Noticing the attention, Mei Ru Yan smiled brightly and bowed gracefully. "Fifteen greets all elder brothers, sisters, younger brothers, and sisters."
No one strikes a smiling face. Mei Ru Yan’s lively grin, with its faint dimples, radiated energy. Her looks were pleasant without provoking envy, and her polite greeting earned nods from everyone—even Mei Seven acknowledged her.
Mei Ru Yan added, "I’m new here and unfamiliar with the customs and faces. I hope you’ll all be patient with me."She spoke like this, and an older-looking youth responded, "In our family, we don't separate males and females when ranking seniority. I'm the second eldest, named Tingjun." He then pointed to the girl in layered skirts, "This is the third, named Tingzhu."
The youth who had been picking oranges from the tree earlier cut in, "I'm the fourth, called Tingdong. That's the fifth, Tingchun, the sixth, Tingjian, and the seventh, Tingyuan..."
Mei Tingdong rattled off everyone's names like pouring beans from a sack.
The purple-robed Mei Tingyuan asked sharply, "Tell me, how did your sister make my grandmother faint? How did she frame Cousin Mo? And how did she trick Elder Zhi into taking her as a disciple?"
Mei Ru Yan had already gathered the information - the second child Mei Tingjun, the third Mei Tingzhu, and the seventh Mei Tingyuan were all legitimate children of the family head. Mei Tingyuan was the second daughter and had been doted on by Second Madam since childhood. Second Madam was extremely protective, spoiling Mei Tingyuan into developing a thoroughly unpleasant temperament.
As for Mo Sigui, he was the son of the family head's sister - Mei Tingyuan's maternal cousin. It was said the cousins were very close. Additionally, the entire clan had been eyeing the position of Elder Zhi's disciple...
Considering this, Mei Jiu had truly meddled with everything Mei Tingyuan valued most. It would be strange if she wasn't gnashing her teeth in hatred.
I'm still the substitute updater Xiao Qing. Poor Sleeves, who knows when the internet will be fixed. Everyone please vote more to show your support~
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