An Jiu set down her teacup. "You claim I took your jade pendant—when and where?"
"At the mass graves," Hua Rongjian replied.
He admitted it so easily?
"I..." An Jiu paused, inwardly sneering. Trying to trick me? Not so easy. "Why would I go to the mass graves in the middle of the night? You must have mistaken me for someone else."
Hua Rongjian smiled. "Since I recognized your identity, I’m certain it was you that night and no one else."
"Your attempt at deception is rather amateurish," An Jiu remarked flatly.
Hua Rongjian raised an eyebrow and took a step forward, only for Yao Ye to swiftly block his path.
"The Mei Clan’s maids are truly unlike others," Hua Rongjian said, retreating a few steps before cupping his hands in a salute. "My apologies for the disturbance. Until we meet again."
Yao Ye’s face paled slightly—she had just exerted all her Internal Energy in that moment of urgency.
"Wait," An Jiu called.
Hua Rongjian’s lips curled as he turned back. "Does Mei Niangzi have something else to say?"
"If the Hua Clan is so determined to investigate the Crane Controlling Families, how do you think the emperor would feel if he found out?" An Jiu countered.
As soon as she spoke, she realized she might have fallen into a trap. If Hua Rongjian had been absolutely certain the Mei Clan was part of the Crane Controlling Families, he wouldn’t have bothered with this pointless test today.
Even so, An Jiu didn’t particularly care. She knew nothing of court politics and had no interest in them. Her mindset was much like Mo Sigui’s—she acted purely on whim and preference.
"Mei Niangzi is refreshingly straightforward—I like that," Hua Rongjian said with a chuckle. "Would you care to hear a story?"
"Go on," An Jiu replied.
"Bring another pot of tea," Hua Rongjian said casually, settling back into his seat.
Yao Ye was trembling with fear. These two were discussing matters of life and death as if it were mere banter. She wanted to stop them, yet hesitated, curious about what Hua Rongjian intended to reveal.
Accepting the tea Yao Ye served, Hua Rongjian began, "Emperor Taizong awoke from a drunken stupor at Chen Bridge, draped in a yellow robe. The army returned to the capital, Emperor Gong of Zhou abdicated, and the new dynasty was proclaimed 'Song,' with the era name 'Jianlong.' All of this happened in just four days."
This was the "Chen Bridge Incident."
An Jiu had heard a rough account from Mei Yanran before and knew this coup wasn’t as simple as it appeared—behind the scenes, the Crane Control Army had eliminated many dissenters.
"No coup is ever bloodless," Hua Rongjian said, his tone still flippant, though his words were far from what any frivolous noble would dare utter. "Without the Crane Control Army’s efforts, how could a dynastic change have been so effortless?"
"Since ancient times, the hounds are butchered once the hares are caught," Hua Rongjian continued. "Now, the Crane Control Army has grown too powerful. The families that dominate its ranks will inevitably face suppression—perhaps even annihilation."
Had his audience been a true daughter of the Mei Clan, or someone who valued their life, his words might have had an effect. But Hua Rongjian didn’t know that the person before him cared neither for the Mei Clan nor her own survival.
"And then?" An Jiu listened as if it were just a tale.
Hua Rongjian was inwardly startled by her composure. Such calm for one so young—is she simply oblivious, or is she truly unshakable? Recalling the fleeting glimpse of her gaze in the mass graves and the reason he had risked coming today, he steadied himself.
"Do you know the Precepts of the Crane Control Army?" Hua Rongjian asked.
An Jiu replied, "No."Hua Rongjian took a sip of tea to moisten his throat before speaking, "Loyalty, integrity, and righteousness."
Though the four words sounded light, they left An Jiu momentarily stunned. It was only in that instant she realized the fundamental difference between her past life and the present. Though both involved killing, before she had been a fugitive, whereas now she served the nation. At the very least, she no longer had to live a life hunted by the entire world.
"Why tell me this?" An Jiu scoffed. "To make me comply?"
"Not at all. I mention it only to say that the current Emperor is not worthy of such service." Hua Rongjian's words fell like a hammer.
Yao Ye gasped and immediately interjected, "Young Master Hua, mind your words! Don't frighten our lady! The Hua Clan has deep roots and can afford to say anything and discuss anyone, but our humble household cannot compare. Please take your leave!"
Had it not been for these treasonous words that could implicate nine generations, Yao Ye would never have spoken so rudely to the Hua Clan's direct descendant.
In the Song Dynasty, there was some freedom of speech, but across all dynasties, words threatening imperial authority were strictly forbidden—clearly outlined in the Song legal code.
"I'd heard Hua Erlang was an uneducated wastrel. What a misunderstanding." An Jiu leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "Turns out he's a madman."
Yao Ye sighed inwardly. Hua Rongjian's words and actions were recklessly audacious to the point of lawlessness, appearing truly insane. Yet there was no real danger—even if he said such things before the Mei Clan's patriarch, it wouldn't matter. The Mei Clan was already under the Emperor's suspicion. Without solid evidence, exposing the Hua Clan would gain them nothing.
"Considering all this... think carefully. Don't join the Crane Control Army. Marry me instead?" After circling the point, Hua Rongjian finally reached his main purpose. "Follow me, and I'll ensure a lifetime of wealth and honor."
Yao Ye couldn't believe it—all that treasonous talk just for this proposal! No ordinary wastrel would dare such a thing!
So it was him after all. An Jiu had initially thought her trial might have changed even this man she'd only met twice!
"Young Master Hua! Marriage follows parental orders and matchmaker's words!" Yao Ye said coldly. "Will you leave on your own, or shall I call someone to escort you out?"
Yao Ye had been jerked between shock and worry by his words, her patience worn thin. And she was never one to tolerate much to begin with.
Hua Rongjian shot her an annoyed glance before addressing An Jiu seriously, "If you agree, my lady, I could even tolerate such an ugly, ill-tempered dowry slave."
With An Jiu's sharp eyesight, she could clearly see Hua Rongjian's handsome features even through the crystal beads.
Remembering Mei Yanran's wish, An Jiu replied, "Fine then. I'll wait for your marriage proposal."
Yao Ye gaped—things were spiraling downhill fast!
"In that case, might this humble one see the lady's face?" Hua Rongjian explained, "Rumors say every Mei Clan lady possesses devastating beauty, but one should confirm before proposing."
Yao Ye was nearing despair. Nothing she said today had swayed her mistress, but duty compelled her to protest, "My lady! You mustn't!""Why didn't you make your demands before saying all this?" An Jiu said disinterestedly. "It's too late to be picky after we've already negotiated the terms, you fool! Let me tell you, since you've wasted my time, you'll have to find a way to marry me."
"Fool?!" Hua Rongjian's veins bulged on his forehead as he lifted his leg to charge inside.
Yao Ye's mind was in complete chaos, but his reflexes were quick—he grabbed hold of Hua Rongjian in an instant.
Yet Hua Rongjian's strength was unexpectedly immense, actually dragging Yao Ye along into the inner chamber! The crystal beads of the curtain clattered noisily as they were struck. (To be continued...)
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