An Jiu, slightly fatigued after two hours of intense concentration, replied, “The difference between a fool and a genius is obvious. You think everyone else is as blind as you!”
“Can’t you speak without mocking others?” Mei Jiu complained.
An Jiu ignored her, focusing on regaining her energy.
Mei Jiu, also tired from the ordeal, closed her eyes and gradually drifted off to sleep.
In the depths of the night, their two souls’ dreams intertwined.
Mei Jiu sensed extreme cold from the fragmented images, devoid of sunlight, floral scents, or hope—only constantly dying people and bodies covered in wounds.
An Jiu, in turn, saw a mundane yet peaceful and tranquil life.
The next day, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Wenui called for Mei Jiu to wake up.
An Jiu didn’t rush to take control of the body. She knew last night’s victory was just a small step and not complete dominance. To avoid arousing Mei Jiu’s suspicion, she had to hide her ambitions until she found a way to drive Mei Jiu out or control this body at will.
A maid came to help Mei Jiu with her hair while Wenui explained the protocol for today’s ceremony of becoming a disciple.
It was quite simple: kowtow and offer tea. As for opening the ancestral hall and worshiping the ancestors, that was mostly others’ responsibility. Mei Jiu only needed to kowtow, burn incense, and follow her master throughout the ceremony.
In most wealthy families, only the primary wives could participate in ancestor worship, and daughters couldn’t enter the ancestral hall to burn incense. However, the Mei family treated everyone equally, distinguishing only between legitimate and illegitimate children, not between males and females.
“Sister,” Mei Ruhan greeted them as soon as they left the room, her bright smile infectious.
Seeing Mei Ruhan reach out to link arms, Mei Jiu suddenly remembered An Jiu’s warning and quickly avoided the gesture.
Mei Ruhan’s hand fell empty. She laughed awkwardly, “Let’s walk together.”
Mei Ruhan had been in an excellent mood these past two days. She had gone from being a courtesan to becoming a legitimate daughter of a wealthy family, all thanks to Mei Jiu. She felt immensely grateful and wanted to develop a good relationship with Mei Jiu. However, since their return, Mei Jiu had been avoiding her at every turn. She wondered what was going on.
She decided to find an opportunity to have a good talk with Mei Jiu.
Tingsong Courtyard was only a short distance from the ancestral hall. As they walked, the atmosphere was somewhat tense. Mei Ruhan tried to start a conversation, “Sister, didn’t an elder confirm yesterday that he would take our cousin as a disciple? Why did they suddenly say he wasn’t chosen?”
This wasn’t the best topic to bring up.
Mei Jiu stiffened, stammering, “Is… is that so? I don’t know.”
Mei Ruhan sensed the awkwardness but pretended not to notice Mei Jiu’s nervousness. She quickly changed the subject, “By the way, sister, how long did you stay in the cold pond?”
“About an hour, I think,” Mei Jiu answered, feeling a bit guilty. At the time, it seemed all her senses had been occupied by An Jiu, and apart from the initial shock of entering the water, she had hardly felt any pain.
Mei Ruhan looked at her in astonishment, “Sister, you’re amazing! I nearly fainted after less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick.”
Mei Ruhan had experienced cold and endured freezing temperatures when she worked as a kitchen maid, but the cold pond water was entirely different from winter ice water. That kind of bone-chilling cold seeping into one’s marrow didn’t numb a person; the pain remained sharp and clear throughout.
Mei Ruhan exclaimed excitedly, “It was very uncomfortable while in the water, but today I feel completely refreshed. That spring water is truly beneficial. Sister must have gained a lot from staying in for an hour. I congratulate you!”
“I hadn’t noticed until you mentioned it, but I do feel refreshed and energized today,” Mei Jiu replied.
Seeing that Mei Jiu was finally willing to converse normally with her, Mei Ruhan was about to seize the opportunity to chat more when Wenui interjected, “Young ladies, we’re approaching the ancestral hall. Please maintain silence.”
Mei Ruhan could only reluctantly comply.
As the group descended the stairs, they saw a man in plain clothes lying on a horizontal branch of an ancient ginkgo tree, his ink-black hair and plain garments cascading down like flowing clouds.
Hearing their footsteps, the man turned over. His dark hair half-covered his clear eyes. As he smiled, his bright eyes sparkled, revealing neat, white teeth.