Hidden Shadow – CH 045

Chapter Forty-Five: A Sudden Farewell

“My time is precious; I will not waste it on idiots,” An Jiu still spoke hurtfully.

Mei Jiu noticed her weak voice and asked anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

An Jiu did not want to answer, but Mei Jiu pressed, “Are you alright?”

“Damn it! What good will it do to associate with pigs? Tell me if you are alright!” An Jiu said coldly. “Instead of asking, you should improve your intelligence level! Shut up, or I will kill your whole family!”

So fierce. Mei Jiu pouted, her eyes brimming with tears, and muttered to herself as if trying to comfort herself, “I will not take it to heart if you are in a bad mood.”

An Jiu said seriously, “You absolutely must take it to heart. I never talk nonsense.”

Mei Jiu pursed her lips and curled up on her side.

This fetal-like position was not conducive to vigilance, but it was very comfortable. An Jiu did not have the energy to discuss sleeping positions with Mei Jiu now; after all, Mei Jiu’s mood could also affect her.

The snowy night was silent.

The next morning, Yao-Ye pulled Mei Jiu from her warm bed and led her to the dressing mirror to comb her hair.

“My Young Lady still needs to practice her martial arts; she cannot be lazy,” Yao-Ye said as she combed her hair.

Mei Jiu, still half-asleep, mumbled, “I went to bed too late last night.”

An Jiu had been struggling to control her body’s arrow-like movements and needed plenty of sleep to recover. Mei Jiu had not fallen asleep for a long time last night, and today, influenced by An Jiu, she felt very tired.

Mei Yanran opened the door and entered without making a sound.

Her footsteps were so light they were almost imperceptible; Mei Jiu did not even notice her until she was right behind her.

When Yao-Ye noticed her, Mei Yanran raised her hand to stop her from speaking, took the comb, and began to style Mei Jiu’s hair into a bun.

Mei Jiu, still half-asleep, sensed a familiar scent. Opening her eyes, she saw Mei Yanran in the dressing mirror and instantly woke up. “Mother, why were you not making a sound?”

Mei Yanran put down her comb and examined her hair. “You were just too sleepy.”

“Is that so?” Mei Jiu wanted to argue, but seeing Mei Yanran’s face, she felt a pang of heartache. “Mother, you’ve lost weight.”

Mei Yanran had not just lost weight; she had aged considerably. Her temples were streaked with gray, and the lines around her eyes had deepened. She was still young, yet she already showed signs of premature aging. Logically, someone with her high level of martial arts skill should be the least prone to aging.

“Do not talk nonsense. Mother is getting old; naturally, she will grow old.” Mei Yanran was in a good mood, holding her hand and saying, “The eldest son of the Hua family is a bit old, and stepmothers are difficult. It’s a bit of a hardship for you to marry him. But it’s better than a life of constant danger.”

Mei Jiu’s cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away. “Why are you saying this, Mother? Elder Zhi said that as long as I have talent in archery, he will guarantee I will not join the Konghe Army.”

Mei Yanran sighed.

“Mother, you did not go to see Elder Zhi, did you?” Mei Jiu suddenly realized that the timing of Elder Zhi’s visit was too coincidental.

“Yes.” Mei Yanran did not deny it. “I need to do something for him. Only then will he help me.”

Mei Jiu’s mind went blank, and she froze.

Yao-Ye said angrily. “Elder Zhi lied to you, Madam. He threatened you that if you could not hit the bullseye with your bow and arrow, he would send you to the Konghe Army next year!”

Mei Yanran was not surprised; her smile was faint. “I guessed this would happen when he detained me in Yongzhi Hall. Elder Zhi deserves the title ‘Zhi¹‘; how could he suffer a loss in such a matter? Even if you cannot marry into the Hua family, Elder Zhi will protect you. He’s wise and ruthless, but he always keeps his word. My daughter/young lady passed his test; she did very well.”

Mei Yanran rose and walked to the window, concealing her sudden tears.

“Mother,” Mei Jiu went over and took her hand. “Are you hiding something from me?”

“Do not overthink it. Mother just feels incompetent.” Mei Yanran wiped away her tears, turning back with her impeccable gentleness. “Mother was wrong. My child should have been unparalleled. I’ve wronged you. In the future, you must learn to be strong under Elder Zhi’s guidance, learn many skills, and fight for yourself. Did I not escape the net of heaven and earth for over ten years?”

If it were not for Mei Jiu, Mei Yanran might have been able to hide for even longer.

Mei Jiu also realized this and firmly promised, “I will definitely work harder in the future.”

Mei Yanran smiled gently and patted her head. “My child, you can definitely do it.”

“Mother has something to do. Have your breakfast by yourself.”

Mei Jiu’s heart skipped a beat for no reason, but she said, “Alright, Mother, go ahead and do your work.”

She had just promised her mother to be strong; she could not show weakness so soon!

Mei Yanran paused, gently hugged her, and turned to leave.

“This servant will see you off,” Yao-Ye said, following Mei Yanran out the door.

“I have a bad feeling,” An Jiu murmured.

Mei Jiu felt the same way; a strange unease settled in her heart. “Is Mother going to do something for Elder Zhi? What did she promise?”

“Go out and see.” An Jiu’s tone was not a suggestion but an order.

Mei Jiu thought for a moment, then hurried out the door.

A dark figure landed in front of her in the corridor. Mu Qianshan said lifelessly, “My Young Lady, you do not need to go to the clan school today. After breakfast, I will accompany you to Elder Zhi’s place.”

“Get out of my way!” Mei Jiu glared at him. “I order you to get out of my way!”

Something gave Mei Jiu courage; this was the most assertive she had ever been in her life. Mu Qianshan hesitated for a moment, then made way for her.

…Yao-Ye followed her for a long distance.

Reaching a secluded spot, Mei Yanran paused, turned her head, and said, “Yao-Ye, Jiu’er is my only concern. Take good care of her for me. Tell Dan-Yue to keep a close eye on Mei Ruyan. If she shows any disloyalty, kill her immediately.”

“Understood,” Yao-Ye replied solemnly.

Mei Jiu’er’s future favor with Elder Zhi would make it extremely difficult for others to harm her, but Mei Yanran still added with concern, “Beware of the First Old Madam.”

“Yes, My Lady, I swear to live up to your trust,” Yao-Ye said.

Mei Yanran lifted her foot to leave, but Yao-Ye said, “Lady Yan, why not tell the young lady?”

“A short pain is worse than a long one. Jiu’er is like me, born timid. Even if I am not afraid of killing, not afraid of death, I am still terrified to see my daughter’s reluctance and tears at parting.” Mei Yanran’s eyes were filled with sorrow. “In the end, I was just being too clever for my own good.”

Yao-Ye said, “You did not do anything wrong. Your intention in raising her that way was to save her. The young lady will surely understand your good intentions.”

“But I forgot; I cannot protect her forever. In the end, she has to walk her own path in life. Only then will her life not have been in vain,” Mei Yanran smiled bitterly. “I was so arrogant and clever, only realizing this now.”

She took out a ghost-face mask from her sleeve, her slender fingers caressing it for a long time before finally placing it on her face, leaving a fleeting image before Yao-Ye, and then disappearing.

“Mother!” Mei Jiu ran over and saw only Yao-Ye. She asked anxiously, “I just heard my mother speaking. Where is she?”

On an ancient pine tree on the cliff, a woman with a ghost-face mask stood, her eyes fixed on Mei Jiu below.