Hidden Shadow – CH 016

Chapter Sixteen: Prodigy

“No need to rush to deny it,” Elder Zhi said with a nonchalant smile. “Killing one or two people is nothing; our Mei Clan can bear that responsibility.”

Mei Jiu disagreed with Elder Zhi’s dismissive attitude towards human life, but he was, after all, her teacher, and she couldn’t disobey him.

“I personally saw the bow you used back then,” Elder Zhi said, his eyes gleaming. “To be able to kill a second-tier or higher martial artist with an ordinary bamboo bow—that can be described as being a ‘prodigy’! Come find me after school tomorrow; your maid knows the way.”

“Yes,” Mei Jiu replied uneasily. She remembered fainting at the time, and the moment she awoke, she felt her body being controlled by someone else—no, not someone but An Jiu.

The patriarch and the other elders left the ancestral hall one after the other. Mei Jiu and Mei Ruyan stepped aside, respectfully seeing their elders off.

After the others had gone, Mei Ruyan withdrew her gaze and looked at Mei Jiu, saying, “Sister, you were absolutely accurate that day.”

“I…” Faced with the witness, Mei Jiu couldn’t deny it. If she hadn’t shot that arrow, who else could have? She couldn’t very well tell everyone that she had a wandering soul inside her!

Mei Jiu thought of the densely packed memorial tablets in the ancestral hall and involuntarily connected them to the matter of the “curse,” her scalp tingling.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Wen-Cui brought good news: “From today onwards, the two ladies can move freely within the mansion.”

“Really?” Mei Ruyan was overjoyed, tugging at Mei Jiu’s sleeve. “Sister, let’s go for a walk. We’ve been cooped up in the house for the past two days; it’s so boring.”

Mei Jiu wasn’t very interested, but she couldn’t resist Mei Ruyan’s persistent pleading, so she had to nod.

“Wen-Bi, where are some fun places to go?” Mei Ruyan turned and asked.

“The lakeside,” Wen-Bi said.

Wen-Cui explained, “The chrysanthemums by the lake are in full bloom, and there are crabs in the lake. It’s crab season now, so we can have the servants catch some. The two ladies can warm some yellow wine and enjoy the steamed crabs in the waterside pavilion.”

“Is that alright?” Mei Ruyan had just entered the mansion and was afraid of being too flamboyant and incurring the displeasure of others.

Wen-Cui said, “You’ll understand later, young ladies. Our mansion isn’t like other wealthy families with strict rules, where everything is provided for lavishly. Whatever the young masters and ladies want, as long as it’s available, the mansion is never stingy with money. What are a few crabs?” Mei Jiu and Mei Ruyan secretly clicked their tongues in amazement.

An Jiu said coolly, “Since we’re destined to die young, let’s enjoy life to the fullest while we’re alive!” Mei Jiu’s initial enthusiasm vanished instantly, and she asked Wen-Cui, “Can the family always spoil us like this?”

“Of course,” Wen-Cui replied. “While there are few rules at home, the clan school is very strict.” After saying this, Wen-Cui first instructed a maid to prepare steamed crabs for flower viewing and then added, “Since you two ladies will be attending the clan school anyway, I’ll briefly explain it to you today, so you’ll have a better understanding.”

The two nodded, listening to Wen-Cui as they walked. “Even if you’ve taken an elder as your teacher, you’re only officially registered under that elder’s tutelage. After entering the clan school, you’ll be taught by other teachers. Once you’ve built a solid foundation… Only the elders will truly teach the skills. It usually takes at least a year.”

“The clan school doesn’t have many rules, except there’s an exam every month. If you fail, you get a chance to retake it. If you still fail, you’ll be punished.”

“Ah!” Mei Ruyan quickly asked, “What kind of exams are there, and what kind of punishments are there?”

Wen-Cui comforted her, “If you study diligently with the teacher, you won’t fail. As for the punishments… I don’t know much about them. I only heard that once, Sixth Master failed one of the Six Arts and was locked in a dark room for a month.”

Mei Jiu initially listened attentively, but after glancing at the nearby buildings, An Jiu kept ordering her to look around.

There were many buildings around, some newer, others older. The surrounding vegetation was well-maintained, but An Jiu’s eyesight was exceptional; she could see dust on the doorknobs from afar, clearly indicating it wasn’t inhabited. “Ask Wen-Cui,” she said.

Mei Jiu also found it strange, so she asked, “Wen-Cui, are these houses uninhabited?”

Mei Jiu’s sudden question startled Wen-Cui, who then mumbled, “These houses used to be inhabited.”

Mei Jiu immediately pictured the mountain of ancestral tablets in the ancestral hall, and a shiver ran through her.

Because of this question, neither Mei Jiu nor Mei Ruyan had the mind to listen to anything else Wen-Cui was saying.

A cool breeze blew across the lake.

A vast expanse of golden chrysanthemums reflected in the water, merging seamlessly with the sky. Four small islands of varying distances could be seen in the lake, evoking a sense of tranquility, like the poem “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains.”

A waterside pavilion stood on the bank, where seven or eight maids were busy steaming crabs. A faint, fishy aroma wafted in on the cool breeze, uplifting the mood.

The pavilion was a little chilly, but steam rose from a kettle on the stove, warming a white jade wine pot inside.

Wen-Cui and Wen-Bi helped the two women to sit on goose-neck chairs by the railing. Two maids carried a table and placed it before them, while the others began to set out side dishes and crab-eating utensils.

Mei Ruyan had learned many etiquettes and skills at the brothel. She was diligent and never lagged behind, but she had never imagined that one day she could use them for her own enjoyment instead of serving others.

Misty tears welled in Mei Ruyan’s eyes as she murmured, “Having my sister is the luckiest thing in my life.”

Mei Jiu was moved and gently patted her hand. If the Mei family were just an ordinary large family, she could say, “Don’t worry, you won’t suffer in the future.” But the Mei family was shrouded in mystery, with talk of an “early death curse.” She didn’t know what to say.

After a moment of silence, Mei Jiu asked, “You know our family is cursed, right?”

Mei Ruyan nodded. “I only found out last night.”

“Aren’t you afraid? You… after all, you’re registered in the family genealogy.” Mei Jiu wanted to say that although she wasn’t a true member of the Mei family, she was officially registered in the genealogy, but considering the many people around, she spoke vaguely.

“Sister,” Mei Ruyan smiled, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. For me, as long as I don’t become a lowly person, I’d accept a short life! Some people can live to be a hundred, but they can’t escape mediocrity. I’d rather live freely for thirty years.”

An Jiu looked at the girl before her, who was at most thirteen or fourteen years old, and yet she could say such things! She herself had lived for nearly thirty years and had never had such profound thoughts about life!

Mei Jiu knew that the “lowly person” she mentioned referred to a prostitute. “I’m relieved that you think this way. I was afraid of harming you.”

“I’ll only be grateful to you, Sister,” Mei Ruyan said.

When they went to see the Old Madam that day, Wen-Cui and Wen-Bi were both present. Knowing that Mei Ruyan wasn’t a true descendant of the Mei family, they were not surprised by their conversation.

“You two seem quite cheerful.” Mo Sigui’s voice suddenly came from above.

The two were startled and quickly looked up. Mo Sigui was squatting on the roof beam, looking down at them, chewing something.