“What should we do?” Lingxi asked softly. “Why did the Hua family suddenly seek to marry a Mei daughter?”
The composition of the Crane Control Army was a military secret. Even the Mei family members couldn’t fully count all the involved families. This information was compiled into a “Secret Register” personally managed by the Emperor. Marriages of these families required the Emperor’s approval.
The Hua family likely didn’t know the Mei family’s background. If they did and still proposed marriage, it would be sheer ambition. If the Emperor learned of this, it would only harm the Hua family.
“Do you think the Emperor trusts the Hua family now?” The Old Madam caressed the fox fur covering her hand warmer, her expression calm as still water. “The Hua family’s current situation is similar to ours. They’re merely trying to use the Mei family as a stepping stone for their retreat.”
“So the Hua family knows about the Mei family’s background? Should we report this to those above?” Lingxi couldn’t grasp all the intricacies but understood this was a significant matter.
“Let’s observe a while longer,” the Old Madam replied.
…
The sky was gloomy, seeming to brew another heavy snowfall. Darkness fell early.
An Jiu, having expended considerable mental energy controlling the body’s swift movements earlier, had been in deep sleep since the Old Madam’s departure.
Yao Ye returned to Yuweichu and woke her, “My lady, it’s time for your shadow studies today.”
It was Mei Jiu who awoke, responding groggily and sitting dazed on the couch.
Yao Ye wiped her face with a damp cloth. “My lady, did the Old Madam give you any trouble?”
“Hm?” Mei Jiu pondered for a long while before answering, “I was asleep.”
Yao Ye discreetly checked Mei Jiu’s pulse. “That’s good. My lady, you’ve missed many sessions. I wonder if you can handle it now.”
“I won’t disappoint Mother’s efforts,” Mei Jiu said, her expression darkening.
Mei Jiu was like a snail; her mother’s departure left her feeling exposed. She couldn’t suppress her panic and fear. For ordinary girls, their greatest wish was to marry into a good family. She didn’t have that opportunity, leaving her future uncertain.
After preparing and having a light supper, a figure in black came to escort Mei Jiu.
On the snowy night, Mei Jiu followed silently. Though there were two people, only Mei Jiu’s footsteps in the snow could be heard.
“She’ll be fine,” the black-clad woman said.
Mei Jiu was startled.
The woman glanced at her, saying nothing more.
Last time, An Jiu attended the shadow studies in Mei Jiu’s place. Not knowing what had transpired, Mei Jiu felt uneasy. Once in the carriage, seeking reassurance, she called out, “An Jiu?”
“Get lost,” An Jiu replied.
Relieved to get a response, Mei Jiu felt less alone. Then she noticed five others in the carriage: those from the second branch and Mei Rujian.
Mei Tingyan glared at her fiercely. “Wipe that victimized look off your face! It’s disgusting!”
After the incident with the dagger in the graveyard and seeing An Jiu deal with Mei Rujian, Mei Tingyan was convinced that Mei Jiu’s pitiful act masked formidable skills.
“Don’t speak,” Mei Tingzhu said sternly.
“Mind your own business!” Mei Tingyan retorted coldly.
Mei Jiu was surprised. Hadn’t Mei Tingyan always listened to Mei Tingzhu? How had things changed so quickly?
“Is that how you speak to your elder sister?” Mei Tingjun reprimanded.
Mei Tingyan sneered, “Oh, now you want to lecture me? Where were you two when I was in danger?”
Mei Jiu lowered her gaze to her feet, trying to be invisible.
Mei Tingchun, attempting to ease the tension, asked Mei Rujian, “Big brother, why are you here this time?”
Everyone wondered what Mei Rujian could do with his foot injury still healing.
“I don’t know either. I was about to retire when someone from the shadow school came to fetch me, saying it was the Old Madam’s order,” Mei Rujian explained. He had never met the Old Madam but knew she had established the Mei family’s shadow school and was uncompromising.
Mei Tingchun said, “We’ve been training our sensitivity in darkness for days. It seems we’ll have a different lesson today.”
Agility training in darkness required strong mobility, which Mei Rujian clearly couldn’t participate in.
Mei Tingchun leaned towards Mei Jiu, “Fourteenth sister, how did you obtain the dagger last time? Can you tell us?”
Mei Jiu had no idea how she had gotten the dagger!
As she hesitated, unable to formulate an answer, Mei Tingyan interjected, “How can you expect an honest answer from someone so pretentious?”
No one responded. Mei Tingchun waited a moment, and seeing Mei Jiu wouldn’t answer, leaned back against the carriage wall.
The carriage traveled for about an hour before stopping.
As they disembarked, they found themselves at the foot of a mountain. Through the vast whiteness of snow, they could see a dark building about a hundred zhang away.
The structure looked unremarkable but sprawled over a large area, an odd sight in such a desolate place.
The group walked through the snow, with only Mei Rujian being carried by a black-clad figure.
Standing before the main gate, they caught their breath as they read the two characters on the plaque.
It was a mortuary!
“This is a secret mortuary built by the imperial court, exclusively for the Crane Control Army families,” the lead black-clad figure explained, gently knocking on the door.
The door opened silently. The black-clad figures entered first, followed by the others.
Seeing everyone had gone in and faced with darkness and emptiness behind her, Mei Jiu hurriedly ran into the courtyard.