Moonlit Reunion

Duke Yu, Wu Chundao, enlisted in the army at a young age and fought alongside the Grand Ancestor. Brave, skilled in battle, and exceptionally intelligent for his years, he quickly earned the Grand Ancestor's admiration and favor. Decades ago, when he first followed the Grand Ancestor, he was merely a teenager—handsome and striking amidst a sea of rough, battle-hardened soldiers. Back then, countless uncles and elders sought to make him their son-in-law.

Yet even after the Grand Ancestor pacified the realm, Wu Chundao remained unmarried at just nineteen. The Grand Ancestor teased him, saying he loved spears more than women, spending his days polishing his beloved red-tasseled spear and mingling with common soldiers, showing none of the usual youthful longing for maidens.

A single man’s life was often rough, especially during campaigns, where days passed with little care. But even after the world settled and rewards were distributed—grand titles and mansions granted—this young general still showed no interest in women. Only when the Grand Ancestor, now the Emperor, sent him to quell rebellions did excitement flicker across his face.

His comrades, who had fought alongside him and watched him grow into manhood, assumed his marriage would take years of persuasion. Yet that very year, after being dispatched to suppress unrest in Kunzhou, he returned with a woman. After reporting to the Emperor, he married her without delay.

For her, he abandoned his former indifference, requesting a beautiful mansion with a garden from the Emperor, as if transplanting a rare and delicate flower. He carefully ushered his new bride into this refined life.

Rumors spread that his wife came from the prestigious Kunzhou Pei Family, though none knew how he had brought her back so directly. Wu Chundao never explained, and no one dared ask. Whispers suggested Madam Wu had been married before—a widow.

Yet those who met her praised her grace, gentleness, and serene dignity. Aside from being two years older than Wu Chundao, her beauty and bearing matched his perfectly. For years to come, whenever their names were mentioned, people would sincerely call them a loving couple.

Alas, mortal love is fleeting. When their second daughter turned seven, Madam Wu fell ill. She lingered, never recovering, and passed away.

Even years later, after countless incense offerings before the Buddha, the memory of the woman who had captured his youthful heart and walked beside him for over a decade still filled Wu Chundao’s eyes with grief and longing.

"My wife was a gentle woman—frail in body, yet unwavering in spirit," Wu Chundao murmured, his voice soft as he tenderly stroked his daughter’s head. "Though she couldn’t see those things, her mother could. So when Zhen’er began showing the same ability, she remained calmer than I. For years afterward, she protected and guided Zhen’er. It’s almost amusing—I was a general, a brave man sworn to defend the nation, yet whenever Zhen’er encountered those horrors, she sought her mother’s comfort first, not mine." Here, he chuckled quietly, though whether from bitterness or nostalgia, none could say."My wife was a brave woman. While she was alive, she protected Zhen'er very well. Those things... to be honest, even I was terrified at first, but she wasn't. She always bravely shielded Zhen'er in front of her. Before she died, she told me to take good care of our two daughters, especially Zhen'er... but I failed her expectations."

Wu Chundao rubbed his face. Mei Zhuyu sat upright across from him, listening quietly. When Wu's voice grew heavy and suddenly stopped, he didn't interrupt, simply waiting for him to collect himself.

After a long while, Wu Chundao continued: "At that time, my wife had just passed away. I was in such a daze during those days that I neglected Zhen'er. She... she encountered those things—maybe out of fright, or perhaps forced by those creatures—somehow fell from a high building. By the time I arrived, she was barely breathing."

"She was so small back then, just like now, a tiny bundle that could curl up completely in my arms." Wu Chundao's hands began to tremble—those calloused hands that had once wielded spears and slain countless enemies—now shaking as they gently caressed his youngest daughter's soft cheeks.

"I thought Zhen'er wouldn't survive. But that day, I saw with my own eyes as that cat took the dying Zhen'er away. When she reappeared, she had recovered, but had also become one of those non-human entities. She could transform into a cat. I've seen her feline form—she was still young then and sometimes couldn't fully control it. I don't know exactly what happened during her disappearance. All I know is she's my daughter, she returned safely, and that's enough."

"I also met that cat demon who took Zhen'er away. One night, he suddenly appeared in my room. He told me he saved Zhen'er to repay a great debt to my late wife. He said he was about to leave, and as the price for Zhen'er's resurrection, she might need to bear certain responsibilities."

It was at this moment that Mei Zhuyu suddenly asked a question: "That... cat demon, was he by any chance the previous Cat Official of the Demon Market?"

Wu Chundao looked up at his seemingly ordinary son-in-law, noticing his calm expression yet seeing emotions in his eyes that he couldn't decipher. Unable to understand, Wu simply nodded: "Yes, he told me he could no longer stay in Chang'an. I never saw him again after that."

Mei Zhuyu closed his eyes briefly before looking back at the little girl in Wu Chundao's arms. She happened to turn over in her sleep, causing her thin summer jacket to ride up and reveal a pale belly, like a little frog. Mei Zhuyu's gaze gradually softened as he lowered his head and murmured: "I see."

"So, is Your Lordship the only one who knows about Madam's true identity?"

Wu Chundao nodded. "Yes, my elder daughter doesn't know. These matters—the fewer people who know, the better for Zhen'er. But how did you find out? Did Zhen'er tell you?"

Mei Zhuyu shook his head: "No, I discovered it by coincidence." He paused before adding: "I've been able to see non-human entities since childhood. I once practiced at a Taoist temple—you could say I'm something of a Taoist priest. Dealing with those evil demons and monsters is somewhat within my expertise."Wu Chundao's eyes lit up as he regarded Mei Zhuyu with a fresh gaze. After a moment, he broke into a smile, patting Mei Zhuyu's arm with a pleased and joyful expression. "Good! Very good!"

Master Jingyan was indeed right! Wu Chundao thought to himself. No wonder Master Jingyan had made such a remark—there was actually this connection. It seemed this son-in-law truly could help his daughter overcome her calamity! In that instant, Wu Chundao felt a deep sense of relief, and his gaze toward Mei Zhuyu grew noticeably warmer.

By the next morning, when it was time to send them off, Wu Chundao personally placed his daughter into Mei Zhuyu's hands, his face still brimming with satisfaction.

"I entrust Zhen'er to you now. Please take good care of her," Wu Chundao said solemnly, looking at his still petite daughter.

Mei Zhuyu held the little girl in his arms, his expression and tone as earnest and serious as they had been during the wedding banquet. "I will. No matter what happens, I will protect her."

On the way back, the little girl was much quieter—though this wasn’t because she had finally become obedient. Rather, she spent the entire journey drowsy and half-asleep, eventually transforming back into a kitten. Midway, Mei Zhuyu suddenly felt his arms lighten as a small ball of fur tumbled onto the horse’s back. He swiftly scooped her up before she could roll off.

Stroking the kitten’s head, Mei Zhuyu realized she was likely about to revert to her human form. The thought eased his mind.

The ruthless Daoist Mei was unafraid of unruly children, but he was utterly helpless when it came to his wife in such a state—unwilling to scold or discipline her.

Once home, he placed the kitten amidst the piled quilts on the bed and sat at the bedside, lost in thought. He glanced at his fair, slender left hand, where the palm lines were slightly interrupted by a faint pink scar—a lingering wound. Clenching his fist, he suppressed all emotion in his eyes.

That night dragged on until midnight. Mei Zhuyu sat by the bed, head propped on his hand as he dozed off, the book in his grip slipping to the floor. Suddenly, he jolted awake. His eyes immediately landed on the scattered scroll on the ground, so he bent to pick it up and set it aside. When he turned back, he was met with a pair of smiling eyes.

His wife had fully recovered. She lay on the bed watching him, one hand supporting her head, her bare body draped with a thin quilt—a vision of languid, alluring beauty.

Mei Zhuyu paused, then showed a flicker of joy. "You... are you alright now?"

Wu Zhen suddenly yanked her husband down onto the bed. With a deft twist, she pinned him beneath her, pressing him firmly into the mattress.

"How can you sleep sitting by the bed? You really are something," Wu Zhen teased, scratching his chin where a faint stubble pricked her fingers.

Though Mei Zhuyu’s expression was weary, his eyes brightened at the sight of Wu Zhen’s recovery, which in turn made her own gaze sparkle.

A moment later, Mei Zhuyu shifted slightly to the side, somewhat awkwardly grasping her hand beneath the quilt. Eyes fixed firmly ahead, he advised, "You’ve only just recovered, and your previous injuries aren’t fully healed yet. Perhaps it’s best not to..."

Wu Zhen boldly noted her husband’s ‘words versus actions,’ one hand braced on his chest as she grinned at him with suggestive amusement. The softness of her pressed against him, right beneath his gaze...Eyes darting uncertainly, Mei Zhuyu attempted to rise, only to be pressed back down with a thud.

"I don't care, I want it now." The utterly shameless elder sister Wu Zhen had already reached out to undo her husband's collar.

Mei Zhuyu: It seems the grown-up little girl is still as willful as ever.

And so, this night remained one where the lady complained her husband's hands were too rough.

Waking as usual to the endless tolling of bells and drums in the morning, Wu Zhen rubbed her waist and suddenly realized her husband hadn't risen yet. For once, he was still drowsy, a hint of waking confusion on his face.

Wu Zhen studied him for a moment, then cupped his chin and turned his face toward hers. Abruptly, she asked, "Husband, what do you think about me bearing you a daughter?"

Mei Zhuyu was startled awake. After a pause, he asked, "Do you remember what happened yesterday?"

Wu Zhen froze, her expression flawless. "Yesterday? What happened? All I remember is you forcing that awful talisman water down my throat, then feeling dizzy after—I don’t recall anything else."

Mei Zhuyu scrutinized her face but found no cracks in her act. Assuming she truly didn’t remember the events after shrinking into a child, he carefully replied, "Pregnancy is taxing. Let nature take its course."

Wu Zhen suddenly burst into laughter, leaning in to plant a loud kiss on his cheek. Teasing, she said, "Did I scare you when I turned into a little girl~?"

Mei Zhuyu: …So she remembers after all.

Wu Zhen continued laughing. "Sorry, I was a handful as a child. You’ve suffered, husband. Forgive me, won’t you? After all, I was so adorable."

Mei Zhuyu caught her hand—busy kneading his chest under the covers—and sighed in resignation. "Alright."