Chapter Eight
Mei Jiu’s attire was quite different from yesterday’s. Not only was it devoid of any extravagant embellishments, but it also featured a tightly cinched belt that accentuated her curves!
What was going on? Even someone as unfamiliar with the customs of noble households as Mei Jiu could sense something amiss. "Wen Cui, why am I dressed like this?"
"It’s the rule," Wen Cui replied bluntly.
Mei Jiu, having been gently rebuffed, didn’t dare to ask further.
The journey was silent until they reached the entrance of Jade Serenity Residence. Only after helping Mei Jiu into the carriage did Wen Cui speak again, "If you’re tired, Mistress, you may rest for a while. I’ll wake you when we arrive."
"Alright." Relieved, Mei Jiu leaned against the carriage wall and closed her eyes.
The carriage began moving slowly only after Mei Ru Yan had also boarded.
The ride was smooth, the gentle rocking lulling Mei Jiu into drowsiness.
Mei Ru Yan whispered to Wen Cui, "Is my sister feeling unwell?"
Wen Cui shook her head and replied softly, "She just didn’t rest well last night."
Mei Jiu was timid by nature, often appearing meek and reticent in front of others. Yesterday’s sudden sharpness had left Mei Ru Yan puzzled. Now, seeing her revert to her usual self, Mei Ru Yan inexplicably felt more at ease.
Perhaps this version of Mei Jiu would be easier to handle.
The carriage moved at a steady pace. After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, it came to a halt.
Wen Cui gently nudged Mei Jiu. "Mistress, we’ve arrived."
"Hmm?" Mei Jiu opened her eyes.
Wen Cui retrieved a small vial from her sleeve, uncorked it, and waved it under Mei Jiu’s nose. The pungent scent made her sneeze, but the rush of coolness from her nostrils to her brain instantly sharpened her senses.
The Mei estate was vast, but its architecture was unremarkable—even the residences of the family head and elders were simple, built of plain blue bricks and dark tiles.
As soon as they alighted, they spotted a young man in splendid robes standing tall beneath the eaves of the main hall. He appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, his fair complexion framed by the fiery red maple leaves overhead, his bright eyes sparkling with charm and elegance.
An Jiu, waking just in time to see this, clicked her tongue in admiration. "What a dashing figure!"
Mei Jiu frowned slightly and muttered inwardly, "Can’t you say something nice for once?"
An Jiu yawned. "Wasn’t what I said yesterday nice enough? That old lady was so moved she fainted."
"You made her faint from anger," Mei Jiu corrected.
An Jiu retorted, "I already said that yesterday—no need to emphasize it. I’m not forgetful! Can’t you tell that was a joke?"
Making light of family matters displeased Mei Jiu. "What’s funny about that?"
"Then you really have no sense of humor," An Jiu concluded. Then, through Mei Jiu’s eyes, she noticed the young man in splendid robes approaching and automatically switched to spectator mode.
The young man, exuding vigor, stopped a step away from Mei Jiu. His tall stature exuded an overwhelming presence, making Mei Jiu’s breath hitch—only to quicken abruptly when he flashed her a radiant smile.
The erratic pounding of her heart nearly drove An Jiu mad. She’d once jumped off a thirty-story building with a one-centimeter-thick rope tied around her waist, yet even that hadn’t been as thrilling as this!
"Fourteen Lady, Mei Jiu," the young man said with a smile, then turned to Mei Ru Yan. "Fifteen Lady, Mei Ru Yan. Am I correct?"
"And you are?" Mei Ru Yan countered without answering.
The young man replied, "I’m your cousin, by kinship. My surname is Mo, given name Ran, courtesy name Si Gui."
Wen Bi and Wen Cui curtsied slightly. "Greetings, Young Master.""Our family's daughters aren't married outside, so how could there be a cousin?" Mei Jiu said.
Mo Sigui stared at Mei Jiu, his peach blossom eyes brimming with amusement. "There are exceptions to everything."
"Seduction," An Jiu observed through Mei Jiu's eyes, gazing intently at Mo Sigui. "Barefaced seduction. This youth is far too flirtatious and wanton!"
Her choice of words was crude, making Mei Jiu's cheeks flush. She lowered her eyes, not daring to meet Mo Sigui's gaze, silently agreeing with An Jiu's assessment—a man who flirts so brazenly upon first meeting was indeed frivolous.
For the first time, the two of them were in agreement, and Mei Jiu was pleased. But then An Jiu sighed, "I like it."
She liked tormenting such people!
An Jiu was trying hard to play the role of a kindly wolf grandmother, biting back the rest of her words for fear Mei Jiu would find her preference too violent.
Though she sighed about liking it, her emotions remained utterly unmoved. Mei Jiu, however, was so startled she couldn't help but exclaim, "Huh?"
Mo Sigui looked surprised. "Cousin?"
"Ah, I... I..." Mei Jiu wanted to say something, but her mind was in chaos. Flustered, she stammered, "It's nothing, nothing."
Mo Sigui understood—young women often acted shy when they first saw him. Ah, the woes of being too handsome! Such natural beauty was truly troublesome. He flicked open a folding fan from his sleeve with a snap, hiding his unrestrained grin.
Mei Ru Yan watched their exchange, a faint smile playing on her lips as she silently grasped the situation.
Mo Sigui composed himself, closed the fan, and adopted a serious expression. Clearing his throat, he said, "The elders haven't arrived yet. Why don't you two cousins wait in the side hall for a while?"
It was odd for an outsider to take charge like this. Mei Ru Yan glanced at Wen Bi.
Wen Bi kept her eyes downcast, acting as if Mo Sigui weren't there. "The young master's mother passed away long ago. He grew up in the Mei household, no different from our own young masters."
Mei Jiu stole a glance at Mo Sigui's expression, noting his unchanged demeanor. She thought to herself, being introduced like that must be quite uncomfortable.
An Jiu scoffed. "Worrying over nothing."
Thinking she was jealous, Mei Jiu hurriedly explained, "I—I have no feelings for him."
"What does that have to do with me?" An Jiu paused, suddenly remembering she could sense Mei Jiu's physical sensations. "Wait, no—it does! You're not allowed to get involved with him, or I'll chop up the pair of you, you shameless dogs."
From the venom in her words, Mei Jiu became even more convinced she was jealous and reassured her, "I won't, I won't."
An Jiu gave a satisfied hum.
After sitting in the side hall for a while, a servant entered to announce, "The master and the five elders will arrive shortly."
Mo Sigui stood. "Cousins, let's go out to greet them together."
The two agreed and followed him out, standing at the side of the main hall's steps to welcome the family's leaders.
Soon, Mei Jiu saw a large group escorting five white-haired elders and a middle-aged man. All six wore plain robes, the middle-aged man holding a feather fan and wearing a scholar's scarf, his face lean and serene, exuding the air of a recluse.
The elders all appeared to be over sixty, yet they walked with vigor, still robust.
The middle-aged man passed by Mei Jiu and the others, his gaze sweeping over them without stopping as he entered the house.
Mo Sigui sighed softly. The last elder raised his cane and rapped him on the head. "What's a youngster like you sighing for?"Mo Sigui not only refused to listen but grinned cheekily, "You're not lame either, so why use a cane!"
The old man glared at him angrily, "You little brat! We'll see tomorrow!"
"Bring it on!" Mo Sigui wasn't intimidated in the slightest.
After everyone had entered the house, Mo Sigui noticed Mei Jiu's pale face. "Don't be afraid, they're just a few eccentric old men."
Whatever Mo Sigui said, Mei Jiu didn't hear a word. Her mind was completely filled with An Jiu's voice: "Aren't you tired? Don't you want to sleep? Think of your soft bed—how comfortable it would be to lie down. Can't you hold on any longer? Why don't you rest first, and I'll take over for a while? Such a big scene is terrifying, isn't it..."
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