Hidden Shadow – CH 028

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Konghe Army

When Mei Zhengjing said that the Mei family made a living by killing, Mei Jiu did not quite believe it. After all, it was too far removed from her original life. But now, she was starting to believe it.

Elder Zhi realized that his emotional outburst had frightened Mei Jiu, so he released her hand. “You are not the Fourteenth Young Lady.”

The girl before him was not the Fourteenth Young Lady that he’d seen that day. Elder Zhi did not doubt his own perception, but her appearance was exactly the same…

“Who are you?” Elder Zhi sat down, his gaze sharp as he stared at Mei Jiu.

Mei Jiu lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and mustered her courage to say, “I am Fourteenth Young Lady Mei.”

“Extend your hand,” Elder Zhi said.

Mei Jiu obediently extended her hand.

Elder Zhi glanced at it a few times, then reached out and tested her fingers. His tone softened slightly. “Your strength is depleted. It must have been from when you injured Eldest Mei at noon. Do not push yourself too hard in the future.”

Mei Jiu was stunned. Elder Zhi knew that “she” had injured someone at noon, yet he showed no reprimand, but instead cared about her health?

“Go back and rest today. Come find me again in three days.” Elder Zhi sipped his tea, ignoring her.

Mei Jiu bowed slightly, then fled as if escaping.

Elder Zhi watched her slightly flustered retreating figure, his brow furrowing again. He slammed his teacup down. “Someone.”

A masked black-clad woman silently descended from the roof beam.

He said, “Follow Fourteenth Young Lady closely.”

The black-clad woman acknowledged and left, as if she had never been there.

…After leaving Yongzhi Residence, Mei Jiu had Yao-Ye lead her straight to Mei Yanran’s residence.

Mei Yanran’s residence was located in an area filled with houses, but most of the owners had passed away, making it extremely desolate.

The large courtyard was quiet and deserted, but the flowerbeds were neatly maintained and not overgrown.

In front of the main hall stood a jujube tree, its branches laden with fruit, half-hidden by the open window. Beside the window was an embroidery frame, and Mei Yanran was bent over it, working on her embroidery.

Hearing footsteps, she glanced outside and, seeing Mei Jiu, put down her needlework to greet her. “Mother was just about to go to Yuwei Residence when you arrived.”

“Mother,” Mei Jiu’s eyes reddened, and she threw herself into her arms.

“Did Elder Zhi frighten you?” Mei Yanran gently patted her back.

“How did Mother know?” Mei Jiu asked in a muffled voice.

Mei Yanran said, “Several elders have peculiar temperaments. Elder Zhi is usually quite amiable, but he becomes overly serious when it comes to serious matters.”

Were the elders really that strange? Mei Jiu felt that everyone in the family was strange, from the Old Madam down to the maids and servants—who among them was the same as the people outside?

Mei Jiu released her mother, took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, and said solemnly, “Mother, I have something to ask you.”

Mei Yanran rarely saw her daughter so serious, so she glanced at Yao-Ye and said, “Go.”

“Yes.” Yao-Ye bowed and withdrew.

Mei Yanran glanced at the jujube tree and led Mei Jiu to the study furthest from here.

As soon as they entered the room, Mei Jiu asked, “Mother, does our family really make a living by killing?”

Mei Yanran paused and turned around to look at her, her eyes filled with surprise and hatred. “Who told you this?”

Mei Jiu felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar and stammered, “Uncle.”

Mei Yanran slowly sat down, remained silent for a moment, and then said, “Sit down. This is a long story.”

Mei Jiu sat down blankly.

Seeing her daughter like this, Mei Yanran turned her head away in heartache. “It’s my fault; I deliberately raised you to be such a timid and cowardly woman.”

She sighed. “You are beautiful and somewhat talented, yet you do not know martial arts. You are gentle and know nothing about the Mei family’s affairs, which fits the Mei family’s criteria for a daughter to marry out. Even if you come back, you can marry into a wealthy family and live a peaceful life like other women.”

“They captured you to threaten me into returning to serve the family. You are the one I worry about most in my life. You will be ready for marriage in two years. As long as you remain as gentle as you are now, I can marry you off safely. Even if I never see the light of day again, I will feel my life has been worthwhile.” Mei Yanran gripped the armrest tightly, and cracks instantly appeared on the sturdy nanmu wood. “Who would have thought you would kill two martial arts masters with a bow and arrow, making them consider training you?”

This was not Mei Jiu’s doing, but hearing her mother’s words still filled her with remorse.

Mei Yanran rose, as if reminiscing about the past, and slowly walked to the window, gazing at the jujube tree in the distance. Suddenly, she raised her hand, a cold glint flashing at her fingertips. The tree’s canopy rustled slightly without wind, then fell silent again.

Mei Jiu, her mind in turmoil, did not notice Mei Yanran’s actions.

“Since you already know, I might as well explain it to you clearly.” Mei Yanran returned to her seat. The armrest she had just grasped crumbled to pieces on the floor with a light touch of her sleeve. Seeing Mei Jiu’s surprise, she said, “It’s been neglected for years.”

Nanmu Wood! It could be used to make coffins and be buried underground for hundreds of years without rotting! But Mei Jiu had always believed her mother’s words without question, never even considering doubting them.

An Jiu was very interested in Mei Yanran’s skill; she had never encountered such a technique before.

“In the seventh year of Emperor Gong of the Later Zhou Dynasty’s Xiande era, on the fourth day of the first month, the Huangqiao Incident occurred. The Emperor abdicated, and Emperor Taizu donned the yellow robe. On the fifth day, the dynasty name was changed to ‘Song,’ and the era name to ‘Jianlong.’ From the coup to the establishment of the Great Song Dynasty, only four days passed, without any resistance—a bloodless dynastic change.” Mei Yanran suddenly spoke of politics.

This was a very famous coup in history, even known to An Jiu, who knew very little about Chinese history.

“Actually, many people died in that coup.” Mei Yanran dropped a shocking revelation.

Mei Jiu was captivated by what she was saying, momentarily forgetting her fear.

“The founding Emperor secretly established a shadowy force, which eliminated all leaders of opposing forces within four days,” Mei Yanran continued. “The Golden Chest Alliance, the mysterious death of the founding Emperor, and the subsequent rise to power by the Taizong Emperor were all because the Taizong Emperor controlled this shadowy force. Therefore, the very sword that had once helped the founding Emperor clear obstacles and smoothly gain the throne turned against him. This is why every Emperor after him has placed great importance on this shadowy force.”

Such secrets were such that even unofficial histories dared not record. When Mei Jiu read history books, she also felt that the Golden Chest Alliance seemed unusual, but he never imagined it was so complex.

Mei Yanran said, “This shadowy army was called the Konghe Army…”

The Konghe Army played a crucial role in the coup, and the Emperor’s control over it was naturally extremely tight. It could be said that once involved, unless the entire family was wiped out, leaving not a single bloodline, there was no way to escape.

“So…” Mei Jiu found it hard to believe, but it was very likely true, “the descendants of the Mei family did not die young but instead joined the Konghe Army?”