Chapter Twenty-Seven
Shepherding allowed one to cast aside all troubles, leaving only the green mountains and clear waters in sight.
After a leisurely afternoon, An Jiu herded the sheep back into the pen and relinquished control of the body to Mei Jiu.
Mei Ru Yan came looking for Mei Jiu, and the two descended the mountain together.
Earlier that day, when An Jiu had dealt with Mei Rujian, she had pushed the body’s potential to its limits, resulting in severe exhaustion. Every finger joint felt as if it might shatter, trembling uncontrollably. As Mei Jiu walked downhill, even the slightest exertion sent tremors wracking through her entire body.
Mei Ru Yan supported her. “Sister, after what you did to Mei Da today, do you think he’ll seek revenge?”
Mei Jiu bit her lower lip hard, her eyes misting over.
“Sister.” Mei Ru Yan’s gaze held a probing curiosity. At noon, the cold, murderous aura Mei Jiu had exuded when she nearly threw Mei Rujian off the cliff had stunned even her. In that moment, Mei Jiu had felt like a stranger.
She didn’t find it odd that Mei Jiu knew martial arts, but such extreme duality in personality seemed unlikely. Could it really be, as Mo Sigui had said, that Mei Jiu… was ill?
Mei Jiu was Mei Ru Yan’s only connection to the Mei Shi. Without realizing it, Mei Ru Yan had come to care about Mei Jiu deep down. Regardless of sentiment, Mei Jiu’s presence alone made her feel secure staying in this household, so she feared something might happen to Mei Jiu.
“Sister, don’t worry.” Mei Ru Yan’s reassurance carried a hint of testing. “Your martial arts are excellent—what could Mei Da possibly do even if he seeks revenge?”
Tears suddenly spilled from Mei Jiu’s eyes, blurring her vision. Her foot caught on a rock, and her body swayed before collapsing weakly to the ground.
Mei Ru Yan gasped and quickly tightened her grip. “Sister, what’s wrong?”
Mei Jiu didn’t answer, only wept.
Seeing that she still had the strength to cry, Mei Ru Yan relaxed slightly. She crouched down, turning her back to Mei Jiu. “Let me carry you down the mountain, alright?”
Mei Jiu stared at her back, An Jiu’s words echoing in her ears. Her tears fell even harder. “A Shun, am I really so useless?”
Mei Ru Yan stiffened slightly. It hadn’t been long, yet the name “A Shun” already felt like a lifetime ago. Hearing it now unexpectedly dredged up memories of that miserable past.
“Why would you say that, sister?” Mei Ru Yan collected herself and turned to look at her. “You’re incredibly beautiful, well-read, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—surely many suitors will vie for your hand in the future. This morning in class, you recited alongside everyone, while I could barely read smoothly. If you’re useless, then what does that make me?”
Mei Jiu looked up and saw Mei Ru Yan’s phoenix eyes faintly smiling as she said, “No one is born knowing how to do everything. If we don’t know, we’ll learn.”
Such words… An Jiu had once said something similar.
In terms of appearance, knowledge, or background, Mei Jiu surpassed Mei Ru Yan in every way. Yet An Jiu had never seemed to look down on Mei Ru Yan. After hearing those cruel words today, Mei Jiu had also realized the differences between herself and Mei Ru Yan. “I’m timid. Weak.”
“Even the sages say that recognizing shame is close to courage. You’re not timid at all!” Mei Ru Yan turned back around and patted her shoulder. “Come on, sister, hurry up. Don’t you still need to visit the elder?”
Only then did Mei Jiu remember—Elder Zhi had asked her to see him after class. She truly couldn’t walk anymore, so she didn’t stubbornly delay and let Mei Ru Yan carry her as instructed."Besides, the way you intimidated Mei Da today was simply awe-inspiring!" Mei Ru Yan sighed as she carefully descended the mountain. "If that's considered timid and weak, then what counts as bold and strong?"
That wasn't me...
Mei Jiu thought to herself.
And no matter what, Mei Jiu would never become someone like that. In her eyes, An Jiu was a complete madwoman—so indifferent to life, so extreme and reckless.
Yet this same madwoman enjoyed herding sheep and had such peaceful, beautiful aspirations. Mei Jiu felt that An Jiu was actually a pitiable person. Her cruelty stemmed from her experiences; at her core, she was still innocent.
Recalling the terrifying scenes she had witnessed in her dreams, Mei Jiu shuddered and softly called out in her heart, "An Jiu."
"Don't speak! There's nothing to say between people who despise each other!" An Jiu could sense the shift in Mei Jiu's emotions and immediately cut her off sharply. She didn't need anyone's pity, least of all from a coward like Mei Jiu.
After walking for a while, Mei Jiu said, "You must be tired. I can walk on my own."
"Are you sure, sister?" Mei Ru Yan was panting slightly. Though she wasn't some delicate maiden who couldn't lift a finger, she had been pampered for several years, and after expending so much energy today, carrying Mei Jiu was truly exhausting.
"Yes, I can manage," Mei Jiu replied.
Mei Ru Yan set her down, and the two supported each other as they continued their descent.
An Jiu was displeased. She had worked hard to break Mei Jiu's spirit, only for someone to encourage her back to confidence with just a few words.
When they reached the mountainside, they encountered Yao Ye and Dan Yue, who helped their respective mistresses return to their quarters.
After a quick wash and a light supper, Mei Jiu had Yao Ye escort her to Elder Zhi's residence.
Elder Zhi lived in the Hall of Eternal Wisdom, located west of Plum Blossom Village. The hall was a two-courtyard compound. The entrance opened into a vast archery range, spacious enough even for riding and archery. Beyond the inner gate was another, smaller archery range.
Elder Zhi stood on the veranda in simple, casual attire, his wide sleeves tied back with cloth straps, holding a bow as he aimed at a target ten zhang away.
Mei Jiu didn't dare disturb him and waited quietly to the side.
Half a cup of tea passed, and he remained motionless, like a statue.
An Jiu studied Elder Zhi's fingers for a long time, marveling inwardly. Most people's hands and feet grow unsteady in old age, yet Elder Zhi held his position perfectly still for so long—truly remarkable. However, in her view, accuracy in archery wasn't about how long one could hold steady but about maintaining control the moment the arrow was released and precisely accounting for all external factors.
Elder Zhi released his fingers, and the arrow whistled through the air, striking the bullseye.
He placed the bow on a nearby high-legged table and called to Mei Jiu, "Come here."
Mei Jiu walked forward, her legs aching.
"Try this bow," Elder Zhi said, not treating Mei Jiu as a complete novice.
Mei Jiu picked up the bow as instructed and urgently called out in her heart, "An Jiu, come out now."
There was no response.
No matter how much Mei Jiu pleaded afterward, An Jiu refused to answer. She was determined to let Mei Jiu falter and crush that pitiful shred of confidence."Why aren't you moving?" Elder Zhi chuckled darkly. "This bow was specially crafted for you—quite exquisite indeed. What, still not to your liking?"
"No, it's not that." Failing to get help, Mei Jiu decided to try on her own. Mimicking Elder Zhi's earlier movements, she clumsily drew the bow.
It was a simple action, but while laymen see only the spectacle, experts discern the skill. The moment she took her stance, Elder Zhi frowned, though he didn't interrupt, thinking perhaps Mei Jiu was merely gifted but untrained.
Yet the bowstring barely budged before Mei Jiu's entire body trembled under the strain, deepening Elder Zhi's scowl.
Mei Jiu was in agony. The bow had felt light in her hands, but no matter how hard she strained, she couldn't draw it.
After watching for a long while, Elder Zhi finally lost patience. In a flash, he appeared before her, gripping both bow and arrow, his face icy as he glared at her.
The severity in his expression made Mei Jiu instinctively shrink back.
"Who are you?" Elder Zhi's hoarse voice carried a terrifying pressure. "Your gaze is timid and shifty, your manner cowering—you are not the one who stood in the ancestral hall that day! Speak! Who are you?"
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