Hidden Shadow – CH 002

Chapter Two: Mei Mansion

Angel tried to control her body but found she could not and could not help but curse, “Idiot!” Ah Jiu paused, both frightened and strangely clinging to a sliver of hope. “Who…are you?”

“You can hear me?” Angel asked in surprise, but instantly remembered the situation. “Listen to me; go back to the window and look outside.”

She could see what Mei Jiu saw, but could not control her eyes.

“I…” Mei Jiu gritted her teeth, wavering.

“If you do not listen to me, do not even mention Ah Shun; you will not even be able to protect yourself!” Angel said coldly, but she lazily thought that even if she listened, she might not get out alive… She simply could not understand and could not stand people who were so stupid that ten oxen could not pull them back. It was just dying, but she wanted to die with some semblance of dignity.

Ah Jiu wanted to go out and save people, but Angel’s voice seemed to come from the heart, and she was involuntarily bewitched.

Angel could sense the inner struggle within her, so she scoffed indifferently, “If you want to be a fool who harms yourself and others, then get out!”

This girl was weak-willed, and Angel was certain she would obey. But things took an unexpected turn—Mei Jiu moved her feet and slowly walked away!

Angel wanted to glare, but now she could only try to regain control of the body.

However, human control over the limbs was an innate instinct; there were no tricks to it. It existed naturally, but once lost, it was difficult to regain. Even though she once had a hundred times greater control than the average person, she was now helpless.

As she struggled against Mei Jiu’s will, she suddenly felt a splitting headache, a flash of white light in her mind, and then abruptly plunged into darkness.

She could hear a man’s voice not far away, but could not make out what he was saying. Finally, she heard Ah Shun’s heart-wrenching wails, “Sister!”

…..

Dawn was approaching; a pale crescent moon adorned the night sky. Frost covered the green tiles of the rooftops, reflecting the dim moonlight, making them glisten like brocade woven with silver threads.

Warm orange lights were already on, intertwining with the frosty moonlight, highlighting the layers of buildings.

A mansion in the north of the city was brightly lit.

The courtyard was filled with jagged rocks and winding corridors. Passing through a moon gate, one entered a spacious courtyard. The characters “Yuwei Residence” on the plaque above the main hall were elegant and prominent.

As Mei Jiu awoke, Angel also saw a middle-aged woman with tears streaming down her face.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, her porcelain-like skin was bloodless, and she wore a dark blue long jacket, which made her face appear even paler.

“Mother!” Mei Jiu, seeing the woman, struggled to get up.

The woman quickly pressed her down, choking back tears. “My child, do not be afraid; Mother is here.”

At the same time, Angel, watching from the void, felt her soul slowly being permeated by a strange memory, scene after scene, all about this woman.

The woman was named Mei Yanran, from the Mei family. Unlike other families, the Mei family never allowed their daughters to marry out; they only took in sons-in-law. Therefore, Mei Jiu took her mother’s surname. Aside from that, all the other memories were of the mother and daughter relying on each other for survival when they were wandering the streets.

Angel was filled with vigilance; was she about to be devoured?

But she possessed only a keen sense of awareness, powerless to stop it.

“Jiu’er, let’s go home.” Mei Yanran’s smile held a hint of sorrow, her exquisitely beautiful face like a pear blossom in the rain, fluttering as if about to fall.

Mei Jiu, oblivious to Mei Yanran’s strange behavior, was instead delighted by her words. “I can see Father?”

Mentioning him, Mei Yanran’s delicate expression softened with a hint of strength. “He’s gone. He passed away several years ago.”

Angel could not fathom the reason for this strange attitude, nor did she bother to speculate. She simply gazed listlessly through Mei Jiu’s eyes at the beautiful face so close to her.

Frankly, she had never seen such a beautiful woman in her entire life.

“Fourteenth Young Lady is awake?” a clear, melodious voice rang out. Mei Jiu looked up and saw a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old part the curtains and enter. A gentle smile graced her round face, and two deep dimples adorned her lips, making her appear very approachable.

“Yanran, Fourteenth Young Lady,” the girl greeted with a joyful bow.

“Get up.” Mei Yanran took out a handkerchief and gently dabbed her eyes before saying to Mei Jiu, “This is Wen-Cui, the maid the old lady of Bixiang Residence assigned to you.”

Before Mei Jiu could speak, Mei Yanran glanced at Wen-Cui indifferently. “Jiu’er does not understand the situation at home, so I will have to trouble Miss Wen-Cui to take good care of her from now on.”

“This servant does not deserve such praise.” Wen-Cui quickly bowed.

“You rest well; Mother is going back to sleep for a while.” Mei Yanran gently patted Mei Jiu’s hand and whispered, “Do not be afraid.”

Mei Jiu felt uneasy, but seeing her mother Mei Yanran’s pale face and swollen eyes, she swallowed her words.

Angel clearly sensed the unusual mood in Mei Yanran’s expression and knew that the so-called “going back” might not be a pleasant thing.

“Fourteenth Young Lady, are you hungry? This servant will have someone warm some porridge and bring it to you?” Wen-Cui asked.

“Yes,” Mei Jiu replied.

Wen-Cui called out, “Prepare the meal.”

She placed her hand on Mei Jiu’s wrist and checked it for a moment. “Fourteenth Young Lady is much better now, but she has not eaten in a while, so she can only eat light, soft foods. Shall I help you up?”

Mei Jiu was stunned that a maid could take her pulse. It took her a while to react, and she said awkwardly, “Yes… Thank you.”

Mei Jiu had suddenly become a lady of high society, a far cry from her former commoner status, and she could not adjust. She did not even know where to put her hands.

A moment later, six maids brought in washing utensils and helped Mei Jiu tidy up. Wen-Cui helped her to the outer room. “It’s just past noon, not yet time for lunch. Please make do with this for now. Please forgive any inconvenience.”

Mei Jiu nodded awkwardly.

Angel, seeing her so cautious, could not help but scoff. Mei Jiu froze, stopping abruptly in her tracks.

“Fourteenth Young Lady?” Wen-Cui asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

Mei Jiu lowered her eyes, suppressing her doubts, and softly replied, “Nothing.” Having heard Wen-Cui’s earlier words, Mei Jiu assumed the meal would consist only of porridge. She was astonished to see the table laden with fragrant and delicious light dishes.

Wen-Cui stood beside Mei Jiu, seemingly oblivious to her surprise, and smilingly served her food. “Young Lady, I do not know your tastes. Please tell me if you prefer anything.”

“I am not picky,” Mei Jiu said softly. She had never dreamed of eating such good food in her life; what was there to be picky about?

The deliciousness of the food spread across her taste buds, and both Angel and Mei Jiu were simultaneously stunned.

The two souls’ craving for food made Mei Jiu forget her inhibitions, and she began to eat heartily.

“Young Lady has a weak stomach; it’s better to chew carefully,” Wen-Cui reminded her. “Do not eat too much.”

Angel subconsciously glanced back at the noisy person.

Wen-Cui stiffened, a chill running through her body, but a strange joy quickly appeared on her face, and her attitude became even gentler.

After finishing her meal, Angel suddenly remembered that she had unintentionally taken control of Mei Jiu’s body for a fleeting moment! So… she had a chance to possess this body?

Mei Jiu was trying hard to adapt to her new identity, completely unaware of the ill intentions lurking beneath the surface.

Wen-Cui had a kind face, and her deliberate gentleness made Mei Jiu quickly accept her, even boldly striking up a conversation. “Wen-Cui, where is this?”

“This is Mei Mansion,” Wen-Cui explained with a smile. “Our place is called Meihua Lane, totaling over two hundred mu¹, plus a large lake of about a hundred mu. All of this belongs to Mei Mansion. There are a total of nine hundred and seventy-three people in Meihua Lane, but our household only has less than four hundred. There are sixty-four mistresses, and now that Yan-niang has brought you and Fifteenth Young Lady home, three more have joined us.”

She spoke unhurriedly, continuing, “Leaving aside the affairs of the front courtyard, in this back courtyard, the Old Madams of Shayun Residence and Bixiang Residence are the most respected. The head mistress, the Third Madam, is the legitimate daughter-in-law of the old lady of Shayun Residence. For now, this is enough for you, Young Lady.”

Mei Jiu had never imagined a household could have so many people. Her mind was a jumbled mess, and she nodded dizzily.

Seeing that Mei Jiu looked tired, Wen-Cui considerately said, “Please rest a little longer, Young Lady. You will be more energetic to greet the Old Madam tomorrow morning.” Wen-Cui helped her lie down on the bed and tucked her in. “I will stand guard outside the door. Just call if you need anything.”

“Mm,” Mei Jiu was tired but not very sleepy.

The maids all left with Wen-Cui, and the room returned to silence.

Mei Jiu climbed out of bed and peeked into the outer room. Seeing that no one was there, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and tentatively asked, “Are you there?”