Chapter Two
Angel tried to control her body but found she couldn’t. Unable to hold back her frustration, she cursed, “Idiot!”
Mei Jiu paused mid-step, both frightened and inexplicably hopeful. “Who… are you?”
“You can hear me?” Angel was surprised, but then immediately recalled the current situation. “Listen to me. Go back to the window and look outside.”
She could see everything Mei Jiu saw, but she couldn’t control her eyes to look.
“I…” Mei Jiu clenched her teeth, wavering.
“If you don’t listen to me, forget about A Shun—you won’t even be able to save yourself!” Angel said coldly. But lazily, she thought, Even if she listens, there’s no guarantee she’ll survive… She simply couldn’t understand or stand someone being so stubbornly foolish. Death was inevitable, but at least one should die without regrets.
Mei Jiu wanted to go out and save the others, but Angel’s voice seemed to come from within her own heart, and she couldn’t help but feel bewitched.
Angel could sense her inner struggle and added indifferently, “Go ahead and be a fool who harms both yourself and others!”
This girl was weak-willed, and Angel was certain she would obey. But to her surprise, things took an unexpected turn—Mei Jiu began moving, slowly stepping forward!
Angel wished she could glare. For now, she could only try to regain control of the body.
However, controlling one’s limbs was an innate instinct, something taken for granted until it was lost. Even though Angel had once possessed control far beyond that of an ordinary person, she was now powerless.
As she struggled against Mei Jiu’s consciousness, a splitting headache suddenly struck her. A flash of white light filled her mind, plunging her abruptly into darkness.
She could hear a man’s voice speaking nearby, but the words were indistinct. Finally, A Shun’s heart-wrenching wail echoed in her ears: “Sister!”
……
Dawn approached, the night sky adorned with a slender crescent moon. Frost blanketed the blue-tiled rooftops, glimmering under the faint moonlight like silver threads woven into brocade.
Warm orange lanterns flickered to life, intertwining with the frost and moonlight, accentuating the layers of buildings.
A manor in the northern part of the city was brightly lit.
The courtyard was rugged with stacked rocks, and winding corridors led through a moon gate into a spacious yard. The plaque above the main hall bore the elegant and striking characters: “Jade Serenity Residence.”
As Mei Jiu awoke, Angel also saw a middle-aged woman with tear-streaked cheeks.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, her porcelain-like skin devoid of color. Dressed in a dark blue changbei, her pallor seemed even more pronounced.
“Mother!” Mei Jiu struggled to sit up upon seeing the woman.
The woman quickly pressed her back down, choking back sobs. “Don’t be afraid, my child. Mother is here.”
Meanwhile, Angel, observing from the void, felt her soul slowly infiltrated by unfamiliar memories—scenes of this woman unfolding one after another.
The woman was Mei Yanran, born into the Mei family. Unlike other families, the Mei clan did not marry off their daughters but only took in sons-in-law. Thus, Mei Jiu bore her mother’s surname. Beyond that, the memories were filled with images of the mother and daughter relying on each other while drifting through hardship.
Angel was on high alert. Was she being consumed?
But despite her sharp vigilance, she was powerless to stop it."Jiu'er, we're going home." Mei Yanran's smile carried a trace of sorrow, her stunningly beautiful face like pear blossoms in a rainy night, trembling as if about to scatter.
Mei Jiu didn't notice Mei Yanran's unusual demeanor, instead becoming happy at her words, "Will I get to see Father?"
At the mention of this person, Mei Yanran's fragile expression showed a hint of strength, "He's gone. He's been gone for several years now."
Angel couldn't fathom the reason behind this strange attitude, nor did she care to speculate. She merely idly admired the beautiful face so close at hand through Mei Jiu's eyes.
To be honest, she'd never seen such a beautiful woman in her entire life.
"Has Fourteen Lady awakened?"
With this clear voice, Mei Jiu looked up to see a fifteen or sixteen-year-old maid pushing aside the curtains to enter. The girl's round face bore a gentle smile, with deep dimples at the corners of her lips that made her look very amiable.
"Madam Yan, Fourteen Lady." The maid bowed with evident joy.
"Rise." Mei Yanran took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at the corners of her eyes before saying to Mei Jiu, "This is Wen Cui, a maid assigned to you by the old madam of Fragrance Avoidance Residence."
Before Mei Jiu could speak, Mei Yanran gave Wen Cui a faint glance, "Jiu'er isn't familiar with the household situation. I'll have to trouble you to look after her from now on."
"This humble maid wouldn't dare presume." Wen Cui hurriedly bowed again.
"Rest well. Mother will go sleep for a while." Mei Yanran gently patted Mei Jiu's hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid."
Though anxious in her heart, when Mei Jiu saw Madam Yan's pale face and swollen eyes, she swallowed her words.
Angel clearly sensed Mei Yanran's unusual emotions, realizing that this so-called "homecoming" might not be anything pleasant.
"Fourteen Lady must be hungry. This maid had some porridge kept warm—shall I bring it for you?" Wen Cui asked.
"Mmm." Mei Jiu responded.
Wen Cui called out, "Serve the meal."
She placed her fingers on Mei Jiu's wrist to check her pulse for a moment, "Fourteen Lady is already much better, but having not eaten for so long, you should only have some light, soft foods. Shall this maid help you up?"
That a maid could check pulses left Mei Jiu stunned for quite a while before she awkwardly replied, "I... I'd appreciate that."
Having suddenly risen from commoner to young lady of a noble house, Mei Jiu couldn't adjust immediately, not even knowing where to properly place her hands.
Soon, six maids entered carrying washing utensils and helped Mei Jiu freshen up simply. Wen Cui supported her as they moved to the outer chamber, "It's just past noon now, not yet mealtime. Please make do with this for now, and forgive any shortcomings."
Mei Jiu nodded nervously.
Seeing her so timid, Angel couldn't help but snort. Startled, Mei Jiu abruptly stopped walking.
"Fourteen Lady?" Wen Cui asked with concern, "Is something wrong?"
Lowering her eyes and smoothing over her confusion, Mei Jiu said softly, "It's nothing."
Given Wen Cui's earlier words, Mei Jiu had expected only porridge for this meal. The sight of a whole table full of light yet exquisitely prepared dishes with appealing colors and aromas left her astonished.
Standing at Mei Jiu's side, Wen Cui pretended not to notice her mistress's surprise, cheerfully serving her dishes, "Young mistress, this maid doesn't know your preferences. Please let me know if any dish particularly suits your taste."
"I'm not picky." Mei Jiu replied in a small voice. In all her years, she'd never dreamed she might eat such fine food—what was there to be picky about?
As the delicious flavors spread across her taste buds, both Angel and Mei Jiu froze simultaneously.The two souls' craving for food made Mei Jiu abandon all restraint as she ate hungrily.
"Madam has a delicate stomach. Chew slowly and don't eat too much," Wen Cui reminded gently.
Angel instinctively turned to glance at the noisy woman.
Wen Cui stiffened, a chill running down her spine, but soon an eerie delight surfaced on her face, and her demeanor grew even more gentle.
Only after satisfying her hunger did Angel suddenly recall that she had briefly taken control of Mei Jiu's body just moments ago. If that was the case... did she have a chance to claim this body for herself?
Mei Jiu struggled to adapt to her new identity, completely unaware of the ill intentions lurking in the shadows.
With Wen Cui’s kind appearance and deliberate gentleness, Mei Jiu quickly warmed up to her, even daring to strike up a conversation. "Wen Cui, where is this place?"
"This is Mei Manor," Wen Cui explained with a smile. "Our land is called Plum Blossom Village, covering over two hundred acres, including a large lake of about a hundred acres—all belonging to Mei Manor. Plum Blossom Village has nine hundred and seventy-three people in total, but our household has fewer than four hundred, with sixty-four masters. Now that Yan Niang has brought you and Shishi Niang home, we’ve added three more."
She spoke at a measured pace and continued, "Setting aside matters of the front courtyard, the rear courtyard is presided over by the old madam of Cloud Brake Residence and the old madam of Fragrance Avoidance Residence. The chief stewardess, Third Madam, is the lawful daughter-in-law of the old madam from Cloud Brake Residence. For now, this much is enough for you to know."
Mei Jiu had never imagined a household could be so large. Her mind was tangled in confusion, and she nodded dizzily.
Noticing her weariness, Wen Cui said considerately, "Rest a little longer, Madam. You’ll need your energy tomorrow morning to pay respects to the old madam." She helped Mei Jiu lie down and tucked in the blanket. "This servant will be right outside. Call if you need anything."
"Mmm." Mei Jiu was exhausted but not particularly sleepy.
The maids followed Wen Cui out, leaving the room in silence.
Mei Jiu climbed out of bed and peeked into the outer chamber. Seeing no one, she sighed in relief.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she tentatively asked, "Are you there?"
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