As per annual custom, Mei Zhengyan led the Mei clan descendants in paying respects to their ancestors before the banquet.
After the ceremony, everyone moved to the side hall to be seated.
“Has the news been spread?” Mei Zhengyan inquired.
Mei Zhengying replied, “It has been circulated. Now we wait to see if she takes the bait.”
To uncover the identity of the First Branch Old Madam’s master, they spread rumors about the Mei clan’s intention to leave the Crane-Controlling Army and go into seclusion.
Elder Qi tapped his white bone staff on the ground, creating an unsettling thump. “Even now, I still think this is too risky.”
After a moment of silence, Mei Zhengyan said, “We’re at a critical juncture. Whether she’s collaborating with the enemy or an informant for the Emperor, she’s pushing the Mei clan toward the edge. We have no choice but to take this gamble.”
“If that’s the case, we should handle it discreetly…” Elder Qi, like Mei Zhengyan, belonged to the conservative faction.
Assassination was one of the Mei clan’s specialties. With just a word from the family head, there were numerous ways to make the First Branch Old Madam disappear.
“We’re talking about going into seclusion, not rebellion. Even if the Emperor learns of this, he’ll merely think we’ve grown disillusioned due to the Lou clan incident. He’ll suspect this even if we don’t say anything, and it will make him doubt the other families as well,” Mei Zhengying said, lightly tracing the embroidery on his wide sleeve. “It’s a perfect opportunity to drag them down with us.”
“Are you suggesting rebellion?” one of the elders asked in a hushed voice.
Mei Zhengying’s gaze was cold. “It’s self-preservation.”
Only an incompetent ruler would force his subjects to resort to such measures to protect themselves.
“I may not have Elder Zhi’s foresight, but I know the Mei family motto of ‘loyalty and righteousness,'” Elder Qi said, slowly rising to leave. “Now, with the Liao nation eyeing us covetously, ready to invade at any moment, if all the generals in the court were to act like us, we might as well hand over the Song Dynasty, sparing the common people from the ravages of war.”
Was it better to mind minor details or uphold greater righteousness? Mei Zhengying had considered this, but the thought of serving such a ruler was too bitter a pill to swallow.
“Do as you please. I’m done with this!” Mei Zhengying stormed off, truly washing his hands of the matter.
The elders looked to Mei Zhengyan.
“Proceed as planned,” Mei Zhengyan said.
The elders remained silent, tacitly agreeing to the decision.
As dusk fell and the night banquet was about to begin, they left the ancestral hall for the banquet hall.
Shortly after leaving, a young apprentice rushed over, “Elder, there’s a fire at the medicine pavilion!”
Elder Qi furrowed his brow, his first thought being that Mo Sigui had caused trouble again. “What happened?”
“The medicinal furnace exploded,” the apprentice said urgently. “Brother Mo is leading people to put out the fire.”
“I’ll go check,” Elder Qi said, running off immediately. This was serious—the medicine pavilion housed many precious herbs collected over years of painstaking effort. Using even a bit normally felt like cutting flesh. If it all burned down, how could he go on living?
Mei Zhengyan instructed servants to send twenty men to help, then proceeded to the banquet hall with the other elders.
People gradually arrived. On the women’s side, the two Old Madams presided. Mei Jiu, Mei Ruyan, and Mei Ruhan sat below the Old Madam, with Mei Ruhan’s concubine mother standing behind the Old Madam, attending to her.
These were all that remained of the First Branch’s women.
Compared to the somber atmosphere on this side, the Second Branch was much livelier. Girls of all ages crowded around the Second Old Madam, vying for her attention. The Second Old Madam glanced at the Old Madam, her face beaming with pride.
The Old Madam snorted softly and lowered her gaze, quietly sipping her tea.