Chapter Forty-Six
Yao Ye was slightly startled but quickly averted Mei Jiu’s gaze, adjusting her expression. “Young Mistress, why did you come out without a coat?”
“Yao Ye, what business has my mother gone to attend? When will she return? Why didn’t she tell me?” Mei Jiu fired off a string of anxious questions.
“The affairs of our household naturally involve nothing but fighting and killing. But don’t worry, Young Mistress—Yan Niangzi’s martial arts are formidable. She didn’t tell you only to spare you worry.” Yao Ye spoke nothing but the truth.
Yet Mei Jiu’s unease remained unsettled. She pressed, “When will she return?”
Yao Ye looked up.
The withered pine on the cliff was now empty.
Mei Jiu followed her gaze toward the cliff but heard her say, “Young Mistress, it’s best not to hope for Yan Niangzi’s return.”
“Why?” Mei Jiu’s heart leapt into her throat. She already knew she was about to hear bad news, yet she clung to a sliver of hope.
“Yan Niangzi has joined the Crane Control Army.” There was no hiding this, so Yao Ye simply stated it outright. “The Crane Control Army has already demanded Yan Niangzi from the family head twice. That’s why she didn’t need to train in the Crane Control Institute—she was directly enlisted into the main force. In the Crane Control Army, the living enter but never leave.”
Those who came out were nothing more than unrecognizable handfuls of ashes.
Old Madam Mei was an exception—how many in this world could match her ferocity? Yet even after scheming with all her might, surviving against all odds, and returning alive to Plum Blossom Village, she could only live forever in darkness.
Yao Ye continued, “Yan Niangzi is the last remaining daughter of the Yan generation in the Mei Clan. Originally, she didn’t have to join the Crane Control Army…”
Mei Jiu swayed on her feet, and Yao Ye quickly steadied her, urging, “Young Mistress, Yan Niangzi did this for you. You must strive hard—you can’t drown in grief!”
“I must strive… I must…” Mei Jiu slumped weakly into her arms, repeating the words like a broken chant.
This time, Mei Jiu didn’t weep or wail, but her eyes were hollow and vacant, as if her soul had fled.
“Young ladies.”
A strange man’s voice.
Yao Ye turned and fixed a cold stare on the newcomer. “Who are you?”
“This humble one is Hua Rongjian, styled Zimiao, of the Hua Clan.” Dressed in an indigo brocade robe with a black cloak draped over his shoulders, his handsome face was as flawless as jade under the snowy light. “I’ve lost my way. Might I trouble the two young ladies to point me back to the Plum Garden?”
Yao Ye didn’t lower her guard. Her martial arts were not weak, yet she hadn’t heard a single footstep. “To my knowledge, all three gates leading to the Plum Garden from here are guarded by sentries. How did you manage to lose your way here, sir?”
Hua Rongjian’s gaze remained fixed on Mei Jiu, but unfortunately, half her face was buried in Yao Ye’s arms, leaving him unable to see her fully.
Yao Ye shifted slightly, blocking Mei Jiu entirely. “This servant has matters to attend to and must beg your pardon for not escorting you back, Sir Hua. Follow this path ahead for about twenty zhang, and you’ll find a gate with an attendant. Just announce your identity, and someone will see you back.”
Seeing Yao Ye’s wary glare, Hua Rongjian adjusted his cloak and chuckled. “Young lady, could it be that you’ve taken a fancy to me? If not, staring so boldly is quite improper.”
Yao Ye was incensed—this man looked refined but was utterly shameless beneath the surface. Still, she had indeed been rude by staring at a stranger so openly.
An Jiu had recognized Hua Rongjian’s voice long ago. In no mood for nonsense, she urged Yao Ye, “Watch for dog droppings on the road and steer clear. Let’s go.”Yao Ye was momentarily stunned, nearly bursting into laughter. "Yes."
Because Mei Jiu had been holding back tears earlier, An Jiu's voice carried a thick nasal tone when she spoke, quite unlike her usual self, so Hua Rongjian didn't recognize her.
"Oh, what sharp teeth this young lady has," Hua Rongjian remarked upon hearing her words. Far from being angered, he seemed rather amused. "I most admire ladies with spirit."
"Carry me away," An Jiu whispered to Yao Ye.
Yao Ye turned her back, lifted An Jiu, and swiftly disappeared into the woods, avoiding Hua Rongjian.
Just as Hua Rongjian was about to give chase, footsteps sounded behind him. A young servant hurried over, his face twisted in distress as he pleaded, "My lord, let's go back. The Mei Clan is, after all, a royal merchant family. What if we offend their womenfolk?"
"Already done," Hua Rongjian replied cheerfully. "I heard the Mei women are all as beautiful as celestial beings, which is why they're doomed to short lives. Tsk tsk, just my type!"
The young servant nervously glanced around and only relaxed when he saw no one nearby. "What's so good about a short life?"
Hua Rongjian explained, "First, I'll marry one. After she passes, I'll take another from the Mei Clan as my replacement. That way, my wives will change every five years, all beautiful and short-lived. Life will never grow dull!"
The servant sighed helplessly. "Young master, let's hurry back. Please don't entertain such thoughts. Among the three legitimate sons of our household, it wouldn't do for two to marry Mei women."
Hua Rongjian looked at him as if he were an idiot. "That's exactly why I rushed here to cause trouble! If the Mei Clan demands compensation, I'll marry one off to my elder brother. Since he doesn't want to remarry anyway, it's a win-win, isn't it?"
The servant was speechless. This reasoning made no sense at all.
"I beg you, let's go!" The servant was on the verge of kneeling and kowtowing in desperation.
"Fine, fine." Hua Rongjian took three steps forward but kept looking back, reluctant to leave as he finally followed the servant away.
Yao Ye carried An Jiu back to Jade Serenity Residence.
An Jiu sat calmly by the fire, warming herself.
Yao Ye eyed her suspiciously. "Are you alright, my lady?"
With Mei Jiu's will weakened, An Jiu could effortlessly take control of the body. "I'm fine."
Her dark eyes reflected the orange flames. "What kind of person is Hua Rongjian?"
Setting aside her doubts for now, Yao Ye decided to distract Mei Jiu by elaborating. "Rumors say he's a wastrel, but in my eyes, he's just a madman. Let me share one incident: a year ago, when Hua Rongtian's wife passed away, Hua Rongjian celebrated with gongs and drums, congratulating his elder brother on the chance to 'get a new one.' Hua Rongtian beat him severely for it. When Hua Furen's family learned of this, they tearfully petitioned the Emperor, accusing the Hua Clan of tarnishing their daughter's reputation. They claimed she had been virtuous and dutiful, bearing children for the Hua Clan without fault, only to be so disgracefully slandered. The Prime Minister was fined a year's salary and forced to personally apologize with Hua Rongjian in tow. Utterly humiliating."
Truly a piece of trash!
An Jiu asked, "How are his scholarship and martial arts?"
"Well..." Yao Ye pondered carefully. "Everyone talks about his scandals, but I've never heard of his talents. However, today he effortlessly passed through three gates and approached me without a sound. His martial skills must be considerable."The Mei family, though a shadow unit lineage, was ostensibly just a royal merchant. The lurking shadows would not reveal themselves, yet even so, the guards in the courtyard were all skilled in Martial Arts. Sneaking into the inner quarters unnoticed was absolutely no easy feat.
Yao Ye continued, "A noble young master like him would surely have several highly skilled guards around him. I can only confirm that he knows Martial Arts and is quite proficient, but I don’t know the specifics."
"I’ll rest for a while," An Jiu said.
Seeing her pale complexion, Yao Ye didn’t press further. She also dared not mention Mei Yanran, afraid of upsetting her again. "Understood. This servant will be right outside. Call if you need anything, my lady."
An Jiu nodded.
After Yao Ye withdrew, An Jiu lay down on the couch and closed her eyes to rest.
"An Jiu, I’m so worried about Mother," Mei Jiu sobbed.
An Jiu opened her eyes slightly, a rare hint of gentleness in her gaze. After a moment’s thought, she offered a sincere attempt at comfort, "Don’t worry. Without you holding her back, she’ll definitely live longer."
Hearing this, Mei Jiu cried even harder.
The wailing buzzed in her head, but An Jiu didn’t scold her this time. She simply closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
Outside the room, Yao Ye lowered her voice. "The lady isn’t feeling well today. Could you please inform Elder Zhi and ask for leave on her behalf?"
Mu Qianshan’s voice was deep. "You go yourself. The front courtyard is crowded and watched closely these days. It’s inconvenient for me to move around."
Yao Ye hesitated, then relented. "Fine. Just protect the lady well."
"Mm," Mu Qianshan agreed, though inwardly he didn’t understand Yao Ye’s mother-hen attitude. What was there to worry about in such a short absence?
Yet, not long after Yao Ye left, the Old Madam arrived.
The maids at the door couldn’t stop her.
The Old Madam entered the room. A maid brought over an embroidered stool and placed it by the couch. The Old Madam sat down, her gaze complex as she looked at the sleeping girl before her.
Back then, her own daughter had been only a few years older than Mei Jiu. The memory of her clinging and acting spoiled felt like yesterday, yet now she didn’t even know whether her daughter was alive or dead. And all of it was because of Mei Yanran! Mei Yanran had fought tooth and nail to escape, yet now she was willingly joining the Crane Control Army! If so, why drag her daughter into this mess?!
The Old Madam reached out to touch An Jiu’s cheek.
But before her fingers could make contact, her wrist was suddenly seized. A blur flashed before her eyes, and in the next instant, an icy blade shot toward her throat, its killing intent erupting like a storm.
The Old Madam tried to block but realized it was too late. Furious and shocked, she exclaimed, "You dare kill your own kin?!"
The dagger halted a hair’s breadth from her throat.
Less than two feet apart, the Old Madam could clearly see the chilling indifference in An Jiu’s eyes—no joy, no sorrow, as if she were merely waiting for an order to take a life in the blink of an eye.
An Jiu withdrew the dagger and lowered her gaze. "Grandmother."
The Old Madam slowly reined in her anger, her heart still pounding. "Child, why are you so alert?"
An Jiu remained silent. She didn’t know how to interact with people, let alone elders. In both this life and the last, she had only ever relaxed slightly around Mei Jiu—because Mei Jiu was like a harmless little lamb.
"I heard Yanran left. I was worried about you, so I came to see how you were," the Old Madam said gently, her expression calm.
After a moment’s thought, An Jiu replied, "I’m fine."The Old Madam smiled faintly, "Then I can rest assured." She stood up and sighed, "It's been many years since I left the island, yet the outside world remains unchanged. It's truly disheartening to see."
Her gaze drifted briefly over An Jiu before she lowered her eyes. "You should rest well."
The Old Madam left Jade Serenity Residence with several maids in tow and settled into her sedan chair, cradling a hand warmer. Unable to suppress it, she let out a soft chuckle.
Though deliberately restrained, her laughter carried unmistakable delight.
"Ling Xi, do you think Mei Ru Xue harbors hostility toward me, or is she simply wary by nature?" the Old Madam murmured.
A middle-aged woman outside replied, "Whichever it is, that terrifying killing intent of hers is unmistakable. Clearly, she belongs in the Crane Control Army. Matters like this should be reported to those above."
"Ha!" The Old Madam leaned back. "Mei Yanran is as cunning as ever. Knowing she couldn’t rival my influence after being away for ten years, she resorted to desperate measures—allying herself with Elder Zhi. That old fox is not an easy opponent."
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