“Ha!” Hua Rongjian laughed lightly.
An Jiu wasn’t wrong; she could choose to tell or not. But this made Hua Rongjian feel that she didn’t take him seriously. Being looked down upon by a friend was a significant blow to this noble young master, especially since Hua Rongjian had few true friends, and An Jiu was special – someone he liked.
“Take your things and leave! Consider that we never knew each other!” Hua Rongjian stood up, looking down at her, and shouted, “Someone come!”
Servants hurriedly entered.
“See the guest out!”
Hua Rongjian left without another glance.
An Jiu stared at his retreating figure, finding it hard to imagine that this was the same youth whose smile once rivaled the sun’s brilliance when they first met.
Without much thought, An Jiu could guess that Hua Rongjian’s knowledge of this matter must be related to Wei Yuzi, with Mei Ruyan being the information link.
Chu Dingjiang had always been cautious and steady. This matter had spanned nearly twenty years, possibly leaving no traces, yet Wei Yuzi somehow managed to uncover it.
“Miss,” the maid gently reminded.
An Jiu left the gift and followed the maid out.
The servants hadn’t heard their conversation and didn’t know Hua Rongjian hadn’t accepted the gift, so they didn’t remind her to take it back.
Just as they left the room, they saw a woman in red robes approaching, surrounded by maids.
An Jiu stopped and waited.
Mei Ruyan, wearing a joyful smile, hurried over. “Sister, I heard from my husband’s maid that you came.”
“Overnight, you’ve become the Second Madam Hua,” An Jiu said flatly.
“All of you, withdraw,” Mei Ruyan ordered.
“Yes,” the maids bowed and retreated.
“Sister, let’s sit in the pavilion,” Mei Ruyan suggested.
An Jiu nodded and followed her to a garden pavilion.
The pavilion was built by the water, surrounded by light gauze curtains. The cool breeze was refreshing. Inside, tables were set with snacks, tea, and a zither stand holding a burnt-tail zither with “Mo” carved on its tail. It seemed Mei Ruyan had been here before coming to find her.
“Please sit, sister,” Mei Ruyan sat by the zither.
“I thought your love for Mr. Mo would keep you faithful for a few years,” An Jiu said.
Mei Ruyan’s slender fingers lightly stroked the zither strings, her smile radiant. “Sister forgets, I was raised in a brothel. Being fickle is only natural for me.”
“You’re lying,” An Jiu noticed her cherishing gaze towards the zither.
From the beginning, although An Jiu didn’t particularly like Mei Ruyan, she could tell that beneath her worldly and smooth exterior hid a passionate woman. An Jiu couldn’t gauge the depth of emotions but knew such a person wouldn’t easily let go of hatred.
Could it be that Mei Ruyan knew Wei Yuzi was one of the masterminds behind Mr. Mo’s death, so she deliberately got close to him, and now wants to use the Hua family’s power to take revenge on Wei Yuzi?
“Sister misunderstands,” Mei Ruyan’s sharp, vermilion-painted nails suddenly plucked the zither strings, producing a jarring sound. “My love with Mr. Mo ended at its most beautiful moment. Any woman would find it hard to forget for life. But how many women could resist the nobility of being the Second Madam Hua? Moreover, Young Master Hua is young and handsome, few men in the world can compare.”
“How did Wei Yuzi learn of Hua Rongjian’s background?” An Jiu asked.
Mei Ruyan seemed surprised, and then her phoenix eyes filled with amusement. “Sister has become so clever, truly admirable. Who could hide anything Mr. Wei wants to know? As we’re like sisters, I’ll tell you. The Hua family is one of the Song Dynasty’s preeminent clans, with power rivaling the throne. Naturally, Mr. Wei pays extra attention. He half-investigated, half-guessed, and unexpectedly found a lead. Originally, Chu Dingjiang had kept this matter very secret. Although Mr. Wei guessed the real Hua Rongjian was in the Konghe Army, he didn’t know who. Unfortunately, Chu Dingjiang has been too busy working for the Hua family lately, making it impossible for Mr. Wei to ignore.”
Mei Ruyan’s features weren’t exceptionally beautiful, but she had an indescribable charm – reserved yet passionate, dignified yet slightly bewitching, soft yet unyielding – a very unique aura.
She too was a secret guard betrothed by the emperor, but fared a hundred times better than Mei Jiu.
Mei Jiu was still confined to that courtyard, unable to freely go out or receive guests, while Mei Ruyan had much more freedom. Moreover, she held the Hua family’s secrets, making both Hua Rongjian and Minister Hua wary of her.
This wasn’t Mei Jiu’s fault; Hua Rongtan was simply too domineering. Even Mei Ruyan might not gain any advantage with him, let alone Mei Jiu.
But this was fine too, at least there was no need to worry about Mei Jiu and Mei Ruyan interacting too much.
“Congratulations,” An Jiu said, then stood up and left the pavilion.
Mei Ruyan lowered her head, her smile slowly turning to loneliness. She caressed the zither strings as if caressing a lover, softly instructing her maid, “Dujuan, see the guest out for me.”
“Yes,” Dujuan hurried after An Jiu.
After leaving the Hua mansion, An Jiu waited at the entrance for a while, then went to a restaurant for lunch.
She stayed out until the lanterns were lit at dusk.
Taking advantage of the night, An Jiu secretly snuck back into the Hua mansion, making her way to Mei Jiu’s quarters.
She sat quietly in the hall, along with a table full of untouched dishes.
After about a quarter of an hour, a maid came and said, “Madam, the young master is resting in the study tonight.”
This was just a polite way of saying it. Hua Rongtan slept in his study every night, never setting foot in this courtyard after dark.
Hearing this, Mei Jiu picked up her bowl and began eating silently.
“Madam, shall we reheat the food?” the maid asked.
Mei Jiu shook her head.
The maid dared not persuade further.
An Jiu crouched on the roof beam, watching her eat a tasteless meal, then go out alone for a walk to aid digestion.
An Jiu quietly followed her. She knew Hua Rongtan was in the back garden, and judging by Mei Jiu’s route, they might encounter each other.
A maid walked ahead holding a lantern as Mei Jiu meandered to the garden.
The couple unexpectedly met.
When they were still about fifty feet apart, Mei Jiu saw Hua Rongtan in the pavilion and wanted to turn back.
But An Jiu saw a flash of disappointment on Hua Rongtan’s face when he saw Mei Jiu turn away.
Mei Jiu took a few steps, then turned back towards Hua Rongtan.
An Jiu thought she saw Hua Rongtan’s eyes brighten a bit.
“Husband,” Mei Jiu bowed in greeting.
“Rise,” Hua Rongtan now appeared calm and cold, showing no emotion.
“Have you eaten, husband?” Mei Jiu, having been married to Hua Rongtan for some time, knew a bit about his temperament.
“Yes,” Hua Rongtan paused, then said, “Sit.”
Mei Jiu was stunned momentarily, then her face lit up with undisguised joy.
She sat opposite Hua Rongtan, noticing the book in his hands. She carefully ventured, “Is husband reading ‘The Nine Strategies’?”
Hua Rongtan asked in surprise, “You know ‘The Nine Strategies’?”
This book was somewhat obscure, its author was not very famous. Even most scholars might not know of it.