Hidden Shadow – CH 352

Chapter Three-Hundred-Fifty-Two: I Want to See Him

The Mei family’s enduring glory stemmed from its unity. The family could not tolerate traitors, nor would it turn siblings against each other for personal gain.

“We must not be lenient with traitors!” Mei Tingzhu said coldly.

Mei Yanran, who fled Mei Mansion with her daughter, was a traitor to the family. The elders initially planned to eliminate the mother and daughter, but the Fourteenth Young Lady’s displayed archery talent during a crisis changed the plan.

At the time, the family was short of talent and intended to cultivate the Fourteenth Young Lady.

The family’s stance had always been to spare the daughter and eliminate the mother. Mei Yanran, being wary, made a deal with Elder Zhi, voluntarily joining the Konghe Army to save her life.

If Fourteenth Young Lady were already dead, why would they need to personally sever Elder Zhi’s hands for her sake?

“What should we do?” Mei Tingyuan, having experienced several setbacks, had become much more mature and composed, yet faced with such a difficult choice, she still had no idea.

To all the younger generations of the Mei family, Elder Zhi was a mountain-like figure, someone to worship and rely on. Even now, though he was mentally impaired, his very existence was a source of mental support! They had never even entertained the thought of surpassing the mountain, let alone destroying it.

This was less a revenge against Elder Zhi and more a revenge against the entire Mei family.

“Let’s go.” Mei Zhengjing strode away.

“Sixth Uncle,” Mei Tingyuan hurried after him, “you are not really going to attack the Elder, are you?”

No one answered her question.

Only after leaving the Hua Mansion and boarding the carriage did Mei Tingzhu whisper, “Who knew this man would seek revenge for Fourteenth Young Lady? Now that he knows what we want, he will probably seize the Secret Manual to blackmail us.” Initially, Mei Zhengjing thought Chu Dingjiang, a high-ranking member of the Konghe Army, would be extremely ruthless. Although he knew An Jiu had fallen into a coma during the coup due to Elder Zhi, he had not taken it seriously, assuming Chu Dingjiang merely valued An Jiu; the entire Mei family could offer Chu Dingjiang far more than just An Jiu.

“I misjudged their relationship.” Mei Zhengjing closed his eyes and slowly exhaled.

Previously, Mei Zhengjing had always criticized his elder brother for being too cautious and conservative. Only now did he understand the weight of the burden on his brother’s shoulders—not that he was unwilling to move, but that a single misstep could lead to an even more difficult and passive situation.

He approached Chu Dingjiang with a gamble in mind. He had anticipated Chu Dingjiang’s various demands and was prepared to be turned away, but he never expected Chu Dingjiang to harbor hatred for the Mei family because of someone else.

The Mei family was a Konghe Army family, and Mei Zhengjing understood that assassins who killed many people became emotionally numb, and life and death became trivial matters. Love and hate were even less important.

Mei Tingzhu heard the self-reproach in his voice and advised, “We cannot predict the future; unexpected things are perfectly normal.”

Mei Tingyuan said, “Since he values ​​Fourteenth Young Lady so much, he should be busy saving her rather than seeking revenge, right?”

These words were like a wake-up call.

Mei Zhengjing opened his eyes and exchanged a glance with Mei Tingzhu. Both of them sensed a sense of relief in each other’s eyes.

Indeed, if they had not come to him…Chu Dingjiang had no intention of seeking revenge. Since that was the case, they had some time to search for the Secret Manual. If they could not find it, they would have to sacrifice Elder Zhi’s hands.

“If only the Grand Madam were still alive,” Mei Tingyuan sighed to herself.

Mei learned about the Secret Manual of Konghe from the Grand Madam. The Grand Madam had mentioned the location of the Secret Manual, but during the Baohua Gate Incident, they had secretly sent people to search for it. The secret chamber where the book was hidden was there, but the legendary Secret Manual was not.

After all, the Grand Madam had been gone from the Konghe Army for some years; perhaps the Secret Manual had already been moved.

The Baohua Gate Incident was merely a bloodbath in the Forbidden City. However, the world above had changed; the entire Song Dynasty was in a state of disarray, awaiting reconstruction.

The clouds in the sky grew thicker, and rain began to fall at dusk. As night fell, the rain carried many icy pellets.

Winter had arrived in the Song Dynasty, and countless people longed for a different atmosphere after spring.

In the Liao capital, Shangjing.

The palace had been under a state of high tension for over ten days, only slightly easing last night when a rider rushed into the city.

In a side hall, Yelu Huangwu sat on a couch, staring at the kneeling girl in red, and coldly sneered, “That good-for-nothing Wei Yuzhi.”

Mei Ruyan felt indignant for Wei Yuzhi, and words of rebuttal almost escaped her lips, but she swallowed them back, ultimately only lowering her body even further.

“Mei Ruyan.” Yelu Huangwu frowned upon seeing her movement. “A lowly ant, daring to covet the heavens—how laughable.”

Mei Ruyan slowly raised her head, looking directly at the woman in brocade purple robes seated on the throne. “Your Highness, with your busy schedule, still finds time to care for a commoner like me. I am deeply honored.”

Yelu Huangwu rested her chin on her hand, smiling contemptuously. “You have the right to speak to me today because of Wei Yuzhi. I spare your life also because of Wei Yuzhi. It has nothing to do with whether you try to be clever or not. Therefore, clinging to his coattails is the most urgent matter.”

Mei Ruyan felt a surge of anxiety as she watched her rise.

Seeing the purple figure descend the steps, pass through the beaded curtain, and about to enter the inner hall, Mei Ruyan bit her lip. “I want to see him.”

Yelu Huangwu paused, turning to look at her, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

It was a subtle expression, but brimming with mockery.

As Yelu Huangwu departed, the maids and eunuchs followed, leaving only a few guards standing like pillars on either side, as if Mei Ruyan were the only one left in the hall.

“Lady Mei.” A eunuch entered the hall.

Mei Ruyan rose.

The eunuch glanced at her almost imperceptibly, then quickly lowered his eyes. “His Majesty summons you.”

Mei Ruyan’s eyes immediately lit up, as if a vibrant life had sprung from ashes.

Following the eunuch to the Liao Emperor’s bedchamber, Mei Ruyan’s tightly clenched hands were already covered in sweat.

The eunuch stopped at the door. “Lady, please go in.”

Mei Ruyan raised her hand, a feeling of trepidation rising within her. After a moment’s hesitation, she mustered her courage and pushed open the door.

A fragrant medicinal aroma wafted towards her. Smoke curled from the bronze incense burner, emitting a pleasant fragrance.

Mei Ruyan walked past the draped curtains, and upon seeing the bed, tears streamed down her face without her realizing it.

Yelu Quancang, dressed in a long, wide-sleeved black robe, stood not far behind her, holding a cup of tea, quietly watching the girl he had not seen in so long.

Mei Ruyan began to sob slightly, taking a while to gradually calm herself before softly calling out, “Sir.”

Yelu Quancang gently placed the lid of the cup on the saucer, making a crisp, subtle sound.

Mei Ruyan turned around abruptly, and that dignified and handsome face unexpectedly came into view.