Cloud Brake Residence was also built on a small island in the lake. As sunlight pierced through the morning mist, one could see fiery red maples and golden apricot trees across the water, resembling a cluster of flames in the blue lake, casting long reflections that were strikingly beautiful.
The boat docked at the pier, where Wen Cui led the two through the apricot grove until they reached a lush bamboo forest. It turned out the island's perimeter was planted with maple and apricot trees, encircling this central bamboo grove.
"Hey!" A fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl with twin buns appeared on the stone path, her almond-shaped eyes glaring angrily at Wen Cui. "Sister Wen Cui, don't you know our Old Madam can't stand seeing people from Fragrance Avoidance Residence?"
Wen Cui remained unperturbed, smiling sweetly. "Miss Manxiang, I'm no longer from Fragrance Avoidance Residence. Our Lady Yan has brought Fourteen Lady and Shishi Niang back to the estate, and I'm here to guide them."
As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face. Though Manxiang's attitude remained poor, she didn't make things too difficult. "Sister Wen Cui knows Old Madam's temper. Wait here, and the two ladies can follow me."
With that, she turned to leave, completely disregarding the two young mistresses.
"Wait." A Shun suddenly called out to her.
Manxiang stopped and turned back. "What is it, my lady?"
A Shun lifted her skirt slightly and ascended the stone steps until she stood before Manxiang. Without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a sharp slap across the girl's face. "A mere maidservant dares to show such disrespect! Does Cloud Brake Residence have no rules at all?"
From the moment she took the name Mei Ru Yan, A Shun knew she had to cling tightly to Old Madam of Fragrance Avoidance Residence. The main branch was weak, and though she was nominally aligned with them, the second branch's descendants were numerous and thriving. She couldn't expect favor from Old Madam of Fragrance Avoidance Residence. Rather than struggling in the cracks, she might as well choose a side decisively.
She also knew the matriarch managing the household was Old Madam of Cloud Brake Residence's daughter-in-law. Offending Cloud Brake Residence might make her future difficult, but unlike Mei Jiu—who was of true Mei Shi bloodline—she was merely an imposter. Without taking risks, how could she ever rise?
An Jiu watched the scene quietly, a faint smile playing at her lips. The dappled sunlight caught the slight upward tilt of her phoenix eyes, which seemed to hold a flickering flame. She thought this girl suited the name "Ru Yan" (Like Flame) perfectly.
"You!" Manxiang clutched her cheek, tears streaming down as she shot Mei Ru Yan a venomous glare before running off, abandoning them.
Wen Cui sighed. "Fourteen Lady, Shishi Niang, let's go back."
"Why should we? We're not the ones in the wrong," Mei Ru Yan retorted.
Wen Cui leaned in and whispered, "Old Madam of Cloud Brake Residence is fiercely protective of her own and won't listen to reason. Her wrath is something ordinary people can't withstand."
Mei Ru Yan arched her phoenix eyes. "Will she kill me?"
With that, she chased after Manxiang's retreating figure.
Wen Cui, secretly pleased, worried Mei Ru Yan might suffer alone and urged An Jiu, "Fourteen Lady, let's go see. Just in case... we can lend support."
"Then let's go see," An Jiu agreed.
Why miss such excitement? She and Mei Ru Yan were together—she only needed to follow along without doing anything, and she'd still share in the credit. Let others take the lead, and she could still win their grandmother's favor.
As they reached the courtyard gate, they heard commotion erupting inside.An Jiu stood at the doorway and looked around. In the courtyard, a dozen sturdy maids had surrounded Mei Ru Yan. On the veranda facing the entrance, a sitting couch had been placed, flanked by silent maidservants. A woman in her fifties was arranging flowers in a vase, dressed in a raven-blue beizi embroidered with golden patterns. Her silver hair was like frost, and her face bore wrinkles and faint brown age spots. Yet, her fair complexion made her appear exceptionally clean and dignified.
At the foot of the steps, Man Xiang covered her face, glaring furiously at Mei Ru Yan.
"Greetings, Grandaunt," Mei Ru Yan said calmly, performing a respectful bow.
"Oh dear! What's going on here?" Wen Cui hurried forward, smiling as she gave Second Madam a deep curtsy. "Wen Cui pays her respects to the Old Madam. May I ask what fault Shishi Niang has committed to warrant such a grand display from the Old Madam?"
The Old Madam seemed not to hear, wholly absorbed in her flower arrangement.
An Jiu leaned casually against a ginkgo tree in the courtyard, watching the scene with detached amusement.
Several maidservants glanced at her repeatedly, but since Second Madam was deliberately ignoring the people from the main household, they dared not speak up to remind her.
After nearly half an hour, Second Madam finally completed her vibrant floral masterpiece, and the maidservants nearby hurried to praise it.
"Oh? Why are there two still kneeling in this courtyard?" Second Madam said, as if noticing Mei Ru Yan and Wen Cui for the first time.
The maidservants bustled about—some serving tea, others massaging her shoulders—while one whispered, "Old Madam, there's another one standing under the ginkgo tree over there."
When the Old Madam turned in surprise, she saw a young girl in pale green robes shrinking beside the tree trunk, looking timid and fearful.
Having seen enough of the spectacle, An Jiu lowered her head and shuffled to the center of the courtyard. "Greetings, Grandaunt."
The Old Madam picked up her teacup, coaxing An Jiu. "Tell me, what wrong have those two committed?"
An Jiu glanced at Wen Cui and Mei Ru Yan before answering earnestly, "I only saw one person at fault."
The hearts of both women lurched. An Jiu hadn't been punished alongside them, and now she was staring at them intently—was she about to betray them?
An Jiu's pointed gaze made everyone assume the person she referred to was either Wen Cui or Mei Ru Yan, since only Mei Ru Yan had actually struck someone.
The Old Madam smiled gently. "Oh? Who was at fault?"
An Jiu raised a finger and pointed at Man Xiang. "Her."
"Oh? If it was Man Xiang who erred, why did they come forward to confess?" Second Madam asked, feigning confusion.
An Jiu looked at Second Madam with solemn sincerity. "Because these maids look fierce. They were afraid of being beaten."
Seeing her attempt to sow discord fail, Second Madam lost patience and abandoned her act. She hurled her teacup into the courtyard with a crash. "No one dares raise a hand in my presence! You two have no respect for your elders, daring to bully an old woman like me! Do you think you'll leave here unscathed? Beat them!"
"Wait! We only struck a servant—how have we ever bullied you, Grandaunt?" Mei Ru Yan argued.
Realizing she wouldn't escape punishment either, An Jiu added flatly, "Yes, how could a lowly maidservant be considered our elder?"
The insinuation nearly made Second Madam choke with rage. But if she lost her temper, wouldn't that mean admitting she was a lowly maidservant?
Stifling her fury, Second Madam pressed a hand to her chest, struggling to contain the anger swelling inside her."We sisters are both filial. If Grandaunt is truly angry, as long as it helps her vent, what does it matter if she beats us to death over a mere maidservant?" Mei Ru Yan was certain Second Madam wouldn't dare.
The maid massaging Second Madam's shoulders whispered, "Madam, if they were seriously injured, wouldn't that give Fragrance Avoidance Residence leverage? Having them apologize to Manxiang and humiliating them would be much better."
Second Madam thought it made sense. Forcing them to bow to a maidservant would be quite satisfying. "Fine, I won't stoop to your childish level. Apologize to Manxiang and leave."
Mei Ru Yan said, "Grandaunt might as well beat me to death. I'd rather die than bow to a servant!"
An Jiu added, her voice deliberately neither too loud nor too soft, "Don't be silly. Grandaunt doesn't have Mei Shi bones or Mei Shi skin. Breaking or beating her wouldn't hurt at all."
Second Madam abruptly stood up, trembling with rage. She opened her mouth to say something but suddenly rolled her eyes and collapsed backward.
The courtyard immediately descended into chaos. "The Madam has fainted from anger! Fetch the physician quickly!"
An Jiu craned her neck to look when someone grabbed her hand. Instinctively, she pulled the person in for a knee strike.
"Ah Jiu!" Mei Ru Yan cried out.
Mei Jiu's soul had far better synchronization with the body than An Jiu's. Startled, she instantly regained control, freezing the movement mid-lunge.
"Second Madam's health is poor and can't withstand agitation. Go, quickly!" Wen Cui swiftly steadied her and urged the two to leave amidst the confusion.
By that afternoon, nearly a thousand people in Plum Blossom Village had heard that the newly returned Fourteen Lady and Shishi Niang had angered Second Madam into unconsciousness.
Making a name for themselves immediately after arrival—some were delighted, others dismayed!
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