The extraction of the Gu proceeded smoothly, but Mo Sigui had exhausted too much True Energy and fainted, sleeping for five full days and six nights.
This was the most restful sleep he’d had since Lou Mingyue joined Wei Yue.
An Jiu stayed on the island to help care for the two of them.
In the early morning, the island was shrouded in mist, the damp air refreshing and invigorating.
An Jiu sat by Mei Yanran’s bedside, holding a bowl of Medicine as she tended to her.
During the days Mei Yanran was unconscious, An Jiu had been the one to feed her the Medicine. This morning, she did the same as usual—except Mei Yanran was awake.
“I’ll do it myself.” Mei Yanran looked at the spoon held to her lips, unable to accept it with ease.
An Jiu said nothing, simply handing her the bowl.
Mei Yanran propped herself up against the headboard, taking the Medicine and stirring it slowly with lowered eyes.
After a moment, she paused. “From now on, treat me as a stranger.”
The room fell silent.
Mei Yanran looked up and saw An Jiu’s delicate brows slightly furrowed, her gaze clear but devoid of warmth. The familiar face carried an unfamiliar feeling, making Mei Yanran deeply uncomfortable. “You are not my daughter. There’s no need for you to fulfill filial duties in her place. I had a mother-daughter bond with her—she was born to me, but I failed to take care of her. That is my fault.”
During this time, Mei Yanran had reflected a great deal. The same body, the same circumstances—yet with a different soul, it had managed to survive tenaciously, while Mei Jiu had not.
“Jiu’er’s nature wasn’t inherently weak. In the years after we fled Plum Blossom Village, we lived in constant hiding, enduring great hardship. I still remember one time when we went an entire day without food, trekking through miles of dense forest. I was badly injured and lost my way, but she not only kept walking on her own but also comforted me, saying, ‘Mother, we’ll find our way out soon.’”
In truth, even Mei Yanran hadn’t known when they would escape the forest.
“At that time, I swore I would take good care of her.” Mei Yanran’s eyes reddened slightly as she stirred the Medicine. “But my overprotectiveness cost her life.”
Mei Yanran had been certain that a girl as beautiful and delicate as Mei Jiu would have been married off if she returned to the clan. But An Jiu’s arrival had been beyond her calculations. Mei Shi had recognized her talent in Archery, and walking this path was no different from placing Mei Jiu on a pyre—her death had been inevitable.
Yet Mei Yanran did not resent An Jiu. Had Mei Shi discovered her death, the fragile Mei Jiu would have been of no further use, and the clan would have silenced her. Even then, Mei Jiu had already been a dead woman—it was An Jiu’s exceptional Archery that had won them a chance at survival.
Mei Yanran understood all of this clearly. Her deep guilt toward Mei Jiu made it even harder for her to face An Jiu.
“Jiu’er changed a lot because of you.” Mei Yanran’s lashes trembled faintly, glistening with unshed tears. “I won’t interfere in her life anymore. Only if she’s truly cornered might I use what’s left of my life to buy her a sliver of hope. That would at least honor the bond we once shared.”
“You owe me nothing. It was my failure in raising my daughter that led to your arrival.” Mei Yanran tipped back the bowl of bitter Medicine, hiding her tears behind the motion.
All her love had been poured into her daughter. Though her methods had been wrong, the pain of admitting it and letting go was something only a mother who cherished her child could truly understand.
An Jiu stood and left without a word.No matter how good a mother is, she can never truly be your own.
Outside, the clouds parted to reveal the sun. An Jiu closed her eyes, replaying in her mind the memory of that gaunt woman—her mother—holding a passport, excitedly saying, "An, we can return home now."
She hadn’t painted much of a picture of what life would be like after their return, but An Jiu could see a beautiful, illusory future in her exhilarated expression.
Back then, An Jiu had curled up on the bed, her emotions tangled—fear, pity, even disdain for her mother’s incompetence and foolishness.
It wasn’t until her mother’s eyes lost their light, until grief and panic overwhelmed her, that An Jiu realized the woman who had loved her in the most foolish way was gone.
As a mother, Mei might have been foolish, but there was no denying that nowhere else in this world could she find another love like that.
So regret became eternal regret, something she could never reclaim.
An Jiu exhaled slowly and left Plum Blossom Village alone, heading for the Hua residence.
The Hua estate was still adorned with red lanterns and silk ribbons, the festive air lingering.
After asking around, An Jiu learned that Hua Rongjian had gotten married three days prior.
She didn’t know when the wedding had been arranged, but even if it was two months ago, it seemed far too rushed.
Prime Minister Hua was trying to reassure the emperor—though it wouldn’t dispel the emperor’s suspicions, it could at least buy some time.
Had the Hua Clan’s situation become so dire that they had to sacrifice the marriage of a legitimate son as a temporary reprieve?
An Jiu sighed inwardly. No wonder Chu Dingjiang had left his powerful family without hesitation. As someone born into such a clan, he must have foreseen the price he would pay by staying with the Huas, which was why he chose to start from scratch.
"I’m here to see Hua Erlang," An Jiu said to the gatekeeper after knocking on the Hua residence’s door, presenting some gifts. "I am Mei Shisi."
She was dressed in men’s clothing and wore a Human Skin Mask but made no effort to conceal her figure.
"Please wait a moment," the gatekeeper said before going to relay the message.
After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the gate reopened, and a maidservant came to escort her inside.
An Jiu followed her to Hua Rongjian’s quarters and waited in the main hall, where a servant served hot tea and pastries.
She sat for a long time before finally taking a sip of the now-cold tea. She usually avoided eating or drinking outside, but she trusted Hua Rongjian enough.
It took a full half-hour before Hua Rongjian finally entered at a leisurely pace.
He was dressed in a deep blue robe, his expression calm, devoid of his usual playboy demeanor. After dismissing all the servants, only the two of them remained in the room.
"I heard you got married. I came to congratulate you," An Jiu said, nudging the gift box on the table.
This was her first time giving a wedding gift. It wasn’t expensive—just an interesting ornamental stone—but it had taken considerable effort to carry here.
"A Jiu," Hua Rongjian said, his face devoid of joy as he stared at her. "Do you know Chu Dingjiang?"
An Jiu’s heart skipped a beat. Unsure how to answer, she remained silent.
"Is it that hard to answer?" Hua Rongjian scoffed, self-mockingly. "After all my sincerity toward you, you hid this from me so deeply. You knew the real Hua Rongjian was right beside you, yet you helped him deceive me! I’ve never wronged you!"
For a brief moment, An Jiu’s thoughts were in turmoil, but she quickly regained her composure. "I have the right not to say anything."
"Ha!" Hua Rongjian let out a light laugh.An Jiu wasn’t wrong—she had the choice to speak or remain silent. But to Hua Rongjian, it felt as though she didn’t even regard him as worthy of consideration. The sting of being slighted by a friend was no small blow to this noble young master, especially since Hua Rongjian had very few friends he truly connected with. And An Jiu was special—she was someone he loved.
“Take your things and leave! Consider it as if I never knew you!” Hua Rongjian stood up, glaring down at her before shouting, “Attendants!”
A maidservant hurriedly opened the door and entered.
“Escort the guest out!”
Without another glance at her, Hua Rongjian flicked his sleeves and strode away.
An Jiu stared blankly at his retreating figure, finding it hard to believe this was the same radiant young man whose smile had once rivaled the sun when they first met.
She didn’t need to think deeply to guess that Hua Rongjian’s knowledge of this matter must be inextricably linked to Wei Yuzhi, with Mei Ru Yan serving as the messenger in between.
Chu Dingjiang had always acted with caution and prudence. The incident had happened nearly twenty years ago, and there might not have been even the slightest trace left. Yet Wei Yuzhi had somehow managed to unearth it.
“Miss,” the maidservant gently reminded her.
An Jiu left the gifts behind and followed the maidservant out.
The servants hadn’t overheard their conversation, so unaware that Hua Rongjian had refused the gifts, they didn’t remind her to take them.
Just as she stepped out of the room, she caught sight of a woman in red robes approaching, surrounded by a group of maidservants.
An Jiu paused and waited.
Mei Ru Yan quickened her steps, her face alight with joy. “Sister, I heard from my husband’s maidservant that you were here.”
“Transformed into the Second Madam of the Hua Clan,” An Jiu remarked coolly.
“All of you, withdraw,” Mei Ru Yan ordered.
“Yes.”
The maidservants bowed and retreated with lowered heads.
“Sister, come sit with me in the pavilion,” Mei Ru Yan suggested.
An Jiu nodded and followed her to the garden pavilion.
The pavilion overlooked the water, its sides draped with sheer curtains. A cool breeze drifted through as they entered, where a low table held an assortment of pastries, tea, and a zither stand bearing a Burnt Tail Zither. The tail of the zither was carved with the character “Mo.” From the setup, it seemed Mei Ru Yan had been here before coming to meet her.
“Please sit, sister.” Mei Ru Yan settled beside the zither.
“I thought your love for Mister Mo would have kept you in mourning for a few years,” An Jiu said.
Mei Ru Yan’s delicate fingers lightly brushed the strings, her smile as radiant as flowers. “Sister, you forget—I was raised in a brothel. Fickleness is nothing unusual for me.”
“You’re lying.” An Jiu saw the tenderness in her touch and the deep affection in her gaze as she looked at the zither.
From the beginning, though An Jiu hadn’t particularly liked Mei Ru Yan, she could still discern that beneath her worldly and polished exterior lay a woman of fierce spirit. An Jiu couldn’t measure the depth of emotions, but she knew such a person shouldn’t easily let go of hatred.
Could it be that Mei Ru Yan knew Wei Yuzhi was one of the masterminds behind Mister Mo’s death and had deliberately gotten close to him? And now, was she planning to rely on the Hua Clan’s power to exact revenge?
“Sister, you misjudge me.” Mei Ru Yan’s sharp, crimson-lacquered nails suddenly plucked the zither strings, producing a jarring sound. “My love with Mister Mo ended at its most beautiful moment. Any woman would find it unforgettable for a lifetime. But the prestige of being the Second Madam of the Hua Clan—how many women could resist such temptation? Besides, Hua Erlang is young and handsome, a rarity among men.”“How did Wei Yuzhi find out about Hua Rongjian’s origins?” An Jiu asked.
Mei Ru Yan looked slightly surprised, then her phoenix eyes curved with amusement. “Sister has become cleverer. How delightful. When Master Wei wants to know something, who can hide it from him? Since we’re sisters, I’ll be frank with you. The Hua Clan is the foremost noble family of the Great Song, wielding power that rivals the imperial court. Naturally, Master Wei pays special attention to them. He pieced this matter together through half investigation and half conjecture—never expecting to actually uncover the truth. Originally, Chu Dingjiang had handled this matter with extreme secrecy. Though Master Wei guessed the real Hua Rongjian was in the Crane Control Army, he didn’t know who. Unfortunately, Chu Dingjiang has been running errands for the Hua Clan far too frequently lately. Master Wei couldn’t possibly ignore it.”
Mei Ru Yan’s face wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but she possessed an indescribable charm—subtle yet passionate, dignified yet with a hint of allure, soft yet unyielding in strength. Hers was a truly unique temperament.
Like Mei Jiu, she had been bestowed upon a noble family as a Shadow Guard by the emperor, but she had clearly fared a hundred times better.
While Mei Jiu remained confined to her courtyard, unable to freely receive guests, Mei Ru Yan moved about with far more liberty. What’s more, she held secrets of the Hua Clan in her grasp—whether it was Hua Rongjian or Prime Minister Hua, they all had to tread carefully around her.
This wasn’t entirely Mei Jiu’s fault. Hua Rongtian was simply too domineering. Even Mei Ru Yan would likely struggle to gain an inch of advantage over him, let alone Mei Jiu.
Still, this was for the best. At least there was no need to worry about Mei Jiu interacting too much with Mei Ru Yan.
“Congratulations,” An Jiu said, then stood and left the pavilion.
Mei Ru Yan lowered her head, her smile slowly fading into loneliness. She stroked the zither strings as if caressing a lover and softly instructed her maid, “Cuckoo, see our guest out.”
“Yes.” Cuckoo hurried after An Jiu.
Once outside the Hua residence, An Jiu paused at the gate for a moment before heading to a tavern on the street for lunch.
She lingered outside until the lanterns were lit at dusk.
Under the cover of night, An Jiu quietly slipped back into the Hua residence, making her way with practiced ease to Mei Jiu’s quarters.
Mei Jiu sat alone in the hall, a table full of dishes untouched before her.
After about a quarter of an hour, a maid approached and said, “Madam, the master is resting in the study tonight.”
This was merely a polite way of putting it. Hua Rongtian slept in the study every night and had never once stepped foot into this courtyard after dark.
Hearing this, Mei Jiu silently picked up her bowl and began eating.
“Madam, shall we reheat the dishes for you?” the maid asked.
Mei Jiu shook her head.
The maid dared not press further.
An Jiu crouched on the rafters, watching as Mei Jiu mechanically finished her meal before going out alone for a walk to aid digestion.
An Jiu followed her quietly. She knew Hua Rongtian was in the rear garden. Judging by Mei Jiu’s path, the two might cross paths.
A maid walked ahead with a lantern as Mei Jiu meandered into the garden.
Husband and wife unexpectedly came face to face.
Still a dozen zhang apart, Mei Jiu spotted Hua Rongtian in the pavilion and turned to leave.
But An Jiu clearly saw the flicker of disappointment on Hua Rongtian’s face when he noticed Mei Jiu turning away.
After a few steps, Mei Jiu turned back and headed toward him.
An Jiu thought she saw Hua Rongtian’s eyes brighten slightly.
“Husband.” Mei Jiu bowed slightly in greeting.
“Rise.” Hua Rongtian’s voice was steady and cold, betraying no emotion.
“Have you eaten yet?” Mei Jiu had been married to Hua Rongtian for some time now and had learned a little about his temperament.
“Mm.” Hua Rongtian paused. “Sit.”Mei Jiu was stunned for a moment, then couldn't hide her delight.
She sat down opposite Hua Rongtian and, seeing him holding a book, cautiously started a conversation, "Husband, are you reading 'The Nine Strategies'?"
Hua Rongtian looked surprised, "You know about 'The Nine Strategies'?"
This book was rather obscure, and its author wasn't well-known. Even most scholars might not have heard of it. (To be continued...)
PS: What the hell is going on? The Qidian backend keeps loading so slowly that I missed the 12 o'clock deadline!!! Is it my computer or Qidian's system?
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