The Mei Clan's enduring glory has always stemmed from their unity. The family neither tolerates betrayal nor allows internal strife over mere interests.
"Indeed, one must never show mercy to traitors!" Mei Tingzhu said coldly.
Mei Yanran's flight from Mei Manor with her daughter marked her as a family traitor. Initially, the elders had resolved to eliminate the mother and daughter, but unforeseen circumstances arose when Mei Shisi displayed extraordinary archery talent in a critical moment.
At the time, the clan was in dire need of talent and sought to cultivate Mei Shisi.
The family's stance had always been to remove the mother and keep the daughter. Sensing danger, Mei Yanran struck a deal with Elder Zhi first, voluntarily joining the Crane Control Army to spare her life.
Had Mei Shisi died long ago, would they now be forced to sever Elder Zhi's hands with their own?
"What should we do?" After enduring several setbacks, Mei Tingyuan had matured considerably, yet faced with such a difficult decision, she remained at a loss.
For all the younger generation of the Mei Clan, Elder Zhi was a towering figure—someone to revere and rely upon. Even in his current state of dementia, his mere existence provided spiritual solace. They had never dared to dream of surpassing such a mountain, let alone destroying it.
This was less a retaliation against Elder Zhi and more a strike against the entire Mei Clan.
"Let's go," Mei Zhengjing strode away.
"Uncle Six," Mei Tingyuan hurried after him, "You wouldn’t actually harm the elder, would you?"
No one answered her question.
Only after leaving Hua Manor and boarding the carriage did Mei Tingzhu murmur, "Who could have guessed he would seek vengeance for Mei Shisi? Now that he knows what we seek, he’ll likely seize the Secret Records first to blackmail us."
Initially, Mei Zhengjing had assumed Chu Dingjiang, as a high-ranking officer of the Crane Control Army, would be ruthlessly pragmatic. Though aware that An Jiu had fallen into a coma due to Elder Zhi’s actions during the coup, he dismissed it, believing Chu’s regard for An Jiu was merely preferential. The benefits the entire Mei Clan could offer Chu far outweighed one An Jiu.
"I misjudged their relationship," Mei Zhengjing closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
He had always criticized his elder brother for being overly cautious and conservative. Only now did he understand the crushing weight his brother had borne—not reluctance to act, but the knowledge that a single misstep could plunge them into even graver peril.
Coming to Chu Dingjiang had been a gamble. Mei Zhengjing had anticipated various demands and prepared for rejection, but never imagined Chu would turn his hatred toward the Mei Clan over one person.
As a Crane Control Army family, Mei Zhengjing understood that killers grew numb to emotions after taking countless lives—death was trivial, and love or hatred meant little.
Hearing the self-reproach in his tone, Mei Tingzhu reassured him, "We’re no fortune-tellers. The unexpected is inevitable."
Mei Tingyuan added, "If he values Mei Shisi so much, shouldn’t he focus on saving her rather than revenge?"
Her words struck like a wake-up call.
Mei Zhengjing opened his eyes, exchanging a glance with Mei Tingzhu. In each other’s gaze, they detected a shared sense of relief.Indeed, had they not come knocking, Chu Dingjiang would not have sought revenge. Since that was the case, they still had some time to search for the Secret Records . If they truly couldn’t find it, they would have no choice but to sacrifice Elder Zhi’s hands.
“If only Old Madam were still alive,” Mei Tingyuan sighed to herself.
The Mei family had learned about the Crane Control Secret Records from Old Madam. She had once mentioned the hiding place, but during the Baohua Gate Incident, they had secretly sent someone to search for it. The hidden chamber was still there, but the legendary Secret Records were nowhere to be found.
After all, Old Madam had left the Crane Control Army many years ago—perhaps the Secret Records had long since been moved.
The Baohua Gate Incident had merely stained the imperial palace with blood. Yet, with the heavens above shifting, the entire Song Dynasty now stood in a state of rebuilding from ruin.
The clouds in the sky thickened, and by evening, rain began to fall. As night descended, the rain mixed with pellets of ice.
Winter had arrived in the Song Dynasty, and many wondered whether the coming spring would bring a new era.
Shangjing, Liao Kingdom.
For over ten days, the imperial palace had been gripped by tension—until last night, when a lone rider galloped urgently into the city, easing the strain slightly.
In a side hall, Yelü Huangwu sat on a couch, her cold gaze fixed on the red-clad girl kneeling below. “Wei Yuzhi, that useless fool,” she sneered.
Mei Ru Yan nearly spoke up in his defense, but the words caught in her throat. In the end, she only lowered herself further.
“Mei Ru Yan.” Huang Wu frowned at her movement. “A lowly ant, daring to covet the heavens—how laughable.”
Hearing this, Mei Ru Yan slowly raised her head and met the gaze of the woman clad in purple brocade. “Your Highness, burdened with countless affairs, still finds time to concern herself with a mere commoner. I am deeply honored.”
Huang Wu propped her chin on one hand and smiled disdainfully. “The only reason you have the privilege to speak to me today is Wei Yuzhi. The only reason I spare your life is Wei Yuzhi. Your petty cleverness has nothing to do with it. So, your priority should be clinging tightly to his coattails.”
As Huang Wu rose, Mei Ru Yan’s heart clenched with urgency.
Watching the purple figure descend the steps and pass through the beaded curtain, about to disappear into the rear hall, Mei Ru Yan bit her lip. “I want to see him.”
Huang Wu paused mid-step, glancing back with a faint curl of her lips.
It was a subtle expression, but the mockery in it was unmistakable.
With Huang Wu’s departure, the maids and eunuchs followed, leaving only a few guards standing like pillars on either side—as if the hall now held only Mei Ru Yan.
“Lady Mei.” A eunuch entered.
Mei Ru Yan stood.
The eunuch gave her a fleeting glance before lowering his eyes. “The Emperor summons you.”
Mei Ru Yan’s eyes brightened instantly, as if vitality had surged from dying embers.
Following the eunuch to the Liao Emperor’s bedchamber, her tightly clenched hands were slick with sweat.
The eunuch stopped at the door. “My lady, enter.”
Mei Ru Yan raised her hand, a sudden hesitation gripping her heart. After a brief pause, she mustered the courage to push open the door.
A wave of medicinal fragrance greeted her. Smoke curled from a bronze incense burner, filling the air with a soothing aroma.
Passing through layers of draping curtains, Mei Ru Yan finally saw the bed—and only then realized tears had long since streaked her face.Yelü Quancang stood not far behind her, clad in a black wide-sleeved robe, holding a cup of tea as he quietly observed the long-unseen girl.
Mei Ru Yan's crying had subsided into slight tremors, taking her a while to gradually calm down. Softly, she called out, "Sir."
Yelü Quancang gently placed the lid on the cup, producing a crisp yet faint sound.
Mei Ru Yan abruptly turned her head, and that dignified, handsome face unexpectedly filled her vision. (To be continued...)
PS: Forgot to mention—I’ll try to update earlier from now on. Health hasn’t been great, so I need to adjust my schedule.
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