Fifth Miss Yan was driven out of the Yan family that very night. Where she went, Yan Zhi’an couldn’t be bothered to ask. The next day, she took her “daughter” to offer sacrifices to the ancestors.
While making the ancestral offerings, she kept telling the truth in her heart…
【Xunqi is not a daughter of the Yan family!】
After reciting it eighteen times, she finally raised her head, her gaze clear, and rose gracefully.
Three days after the ancestral rites came New Year’s Eve. On this day, the younger generation of the Yan family who had been away all returned. In past years, it had been lively; this year, it was extremely quiet.
The number of times Yan Zhi’an had spent the New Year with the Yan family could be counted on one hand. This year she had come back, and her uncles, cousins, and nephews were all terrified of her—they didn’t even dare speak loudly.
Yan Zhi’an sat herself in the room with a proper smile on her face, and everyone else was afraid to lift their heads.
Seventeenth Miss led Twentieth Miss over, dawdling her way to Xunqi’s side. “Xunqi, I’ll sit with you. The three of us can squeeze in together.”
Xunqi glanced at the spineless Seventeenth Miss and gave a cold smile. “Why did you run so fast that day?”
“What was I supposed to do—stay?” Seventeenth Miss protested quietly, peeking at the Ninth Sister up ahead. “When your mother is angry, even gods and ghosts stay clear. She doesn’t even give Grandfather face.”
“You’re such a coward.” Xunqi grumbled.
Seventeenth Miss huffed twice. “Do you know? You’ve become famous in Jinling. They all say ‘like mother, like daughter.’ That poem of yours is incredible.”
Xunqi smiled without a shred of dignity, her brows curving. She reached out to pat Twentieth Miss’s head. Unexpectedly, Twentieth Miss slapped her hand away. “No respect for your elders! I’m your aunt.”
Xunqi was born with a rebellious bone. Told not to touch, she touched anyway—she even pinched Twentieth Miss’s cheek.
Twentieth Miss raged helplessly, shaking her head. The curses reached her throat, but Seventeenth Miss clamped a hand over her mouth. Seventeenth warned, “Ninth Sister is right up front.”
Twentieth Miss turned and poked Xunqi’s head. “I’m telling you, no touching next time.”
Xunqi went to reach out again. Twentieth Miss clutched her head and dove into Seventeenth Miss’s arms. Xunqi laughed out loud. “You’re a coward too.”
“It’s called knowing which way the wind blows.” Twentieth Miss protested in a small voice.
Yan Zhi’an, seated at the front, heard the laughter from the back row and turned to look. Xunqi was doubled over laughing. She gave a light cough, and Xunqi quickly straightened up, sitting primly behind her dining table.
A victorious smile appeared on Yan Zhi’an’s face.
After the New Year’s Eve feast, servants carried in a Blood Jade Coral and set it in the room. Yan Zhi’an drawled, “A foreign merchant came to the capital. I saw this and found it amusing, thought you might like it, and bought it for you.”
Blood jade was rare, and a coral this large was priceless—there was no market for it.
Old Master Yan had headed the family for many years and had seen every kind of treasure. But a blood jade this large, red as fresh blood, was truly magnificent.
Unable to help himself, he stood and walked over, reaching out to stroke a corner of the coral, amazement blooming in his eyes.
Xunqi also saw the Blood Coral, lustrous and smooth all over. The Madwoman had said that naturally formed objects were the most precious, requiring a stroke of fate—only when fate arrived could one obtain them.
It wasn’t just Old Master who was amazed; the others also stepped forward to inspect it, though none dared touch it.
With irrepressible joy on his face, Old Master said, “Each of you, return to your rooms. I won’t keep you.”
Disappointment flickered in everyone’s eyes as they took their leave.
Yan Zhi’an also left with Xunqi, and the two returned to the Waterside Pavilion.
“Did you and the Madwoman stay up for New Year’s?”
“No. The Madwoman said staying up late stunts your growth, so she wouldn’t let me.” Xunqi shook her head and went to take her mother’s hand as before.
Over this period together, Xunqi had gradually revealed her dependence on Yan Zhi’an—like a kitten abandoned for years that, upon meeting a new owner, becomes especially clingy.
Back in the pavilion, the charcoal fire was burning. The two shed their heavy outer garments—the temperature difference between inside and out was stark.
Yan Zhi’an had someone fetch a small box containing a piece of red jade, the same color as the jade coral.
“This is for you.” She handed it to Xunqi.
Xunqi frowned. “You gave Great-Grandfather such a big one, and me just a tiny piece?” Aren’t you clearly bullying me?
Yan Zhi’an was surprised. “So young, and already comparing.”
“Think about it yourself. Giving him such a big one and me this little bit—is that fair?” Xunqi was dissatisfied. “I’m your own flesh and blood! Can you be so partial? I don’t want it.”
Yan Zhi’an: “…”
She explained, “My things will all be yours someday. What are you worried about?”
“I don’t believe you. Won’t you marry?” Xunqi blinked, her eyes bright in the lamplight, making her skin look snow-white. “You’re just fobbing me off.”
In all her life, Yan Zhi’an had never met such an unreasonable person. She explained again, “Blood coral is only for admiring—you can’t wear it. Why would you want one that big? Kong Rong gave away the pears at age three. Why are you competing with your elders?”
Xunqi stepped back and stared straight at her mother’s fair, delicate face. “I don’t want to yield. Why should I wrong myself to please others? They won’t remember my kindness—they’ll just think I’m a fool.”
Yan Zhi’an looked at her thoughtfully. Xunqi lowered her gaze slightly, her posture straight. “Was I wrong?”
As Xunqi argued her case, the woman before her sighed without a word, standing like a lone, upright pine, with the stern integrity of a straight branch. She said, “I hope you can leave a little more room for me in your heart.”
“Fine—I was wrong.” Yan Zhi’an began to relent, setting the box back on the table. “I was wrong. But then, shouldn’t you give me something for the New Year?” She had prepared a New Year’s gift in advance; what about Xunqi?
Xunqi turned and ran off to her own room. Yan Zhi’an’s expressionless face finally curled into a cold smile.
A moment later, Xunqi came running back, holding out a wooden figure. “For you.”
Yan Zhi’an vaguely recalled the row of little figures in the Bamboo Hut. The mockery at her lips withdrew. In the dim candlelight, she accepted the wooden figure.
The carving was remarkably lifelike—especially the features, which strongly resembled her. Yan Zhi’an gazed at it. “You talked to me of uniqueness. Giving me this proves what? That you won’t carve for anyone else in the future?”
“If Mother is unwilling, then in this life I will carve only for you.” Xunqi swore solemnly.
The coldness in Yan Zhi’an’s eyes scattered in a daze. The next moment, she raised her head and met Xunqi’s gaze. “Do you know how long a lifetime is?”
“I don’t. Life is unpredictable—my lifetime might be eighteen years, or thirty.” Xunqi answered quickly. “Whether my life is long or short, I don’t know myself.”
Yan Zhi’an looked at her, her lashes trembling. “In the future, if you meet someone dear to your heart, won’t you carve again?”
Xunqi smiled coolly. “No. If I’ve promised you, I won’t. That is my vow, and it is also the place you hold in my heart. I’m poor now—everything I have was given by you. Only this is truly mine. In the future, if I gain any skill, I will give you my most precious thing.”
“Stop.” Yan Zhi’an was unnerved. “You don’t speak to a mother like that—it sounds like a confession to a sweetheart. Stop. Are you full? I’m hungry. Keep me company for a bite.”
Using food to stop that mouth—truly terrifying.
Xunqi laughed, showing her small white teeth like sticky rice. Yan Zhi’an frowned. “Don’t show your teeth.”
“Got it. I want to eat some smoked meat.” Xunqi sidled up and boldly hugged her mother. The gesture made Yan Zhi’an’s heart leap, and she nearly shoved her away. Fortunately, she planted her feet and restrained herself in time.
Yan Zhi’an’s panic lasted only a breath before she adapted, letting Xunqi nuzzle against her arm. She glanced down at the wooden figure. Receiving a promise of “a lifetime” felt better than any gold.
She pushed Xunqi away, ordered the maidservant to prepare a late-night snack, and told Xunqi to sit. “After you eat, you may play until midnight, then go to sleep.”
As her words landed, Seventeenth Miss’s voice came from outside. “Xunqi! Xunqi! Are you going to watch the fireworks?”
“Fireworks?” Xunqi raised her dark eyes. Seventeenth Miss ran inside. Xunqi asked, “You mean the fireworks?”
Seventeenth Miss was bursting with excitement. “The family bought a ton this year—we could set them off all night.”
“Oh, I don’t want to go.” Xunqi was uninterested. There was nothing to see—compared to the fireworks the Madwoman made, these were far inferior.
Seventeenth Miss was puzzled and turned to look at Ninth Sister.
Yan Zhi’an said helplessly, “I didn’t forbid her from going.”
Then Xunqi said, “I still want to eat something.”
Seventeenth Miss’s eyes flickered with confusion. “What’s so special about food? You can eat anytime. If you miss tonight, you won’t see them again.”
“It’s fine. On the fifteenth, I’ll set some off for you. Go watch.” Xunqi waved a small hand at her. “Hurry along.”
Seventeenth Miss loved to play. Seeing that Xunqi wouldn’t go, she lifted her skirt and left on her own.
Hearing Xunqi’s words, Yan Zhi’an couldn’t help growing curious. “You can make fireworks?”
“Yes. The Madwoman taught me. But she said I mustn’t tell anyone casually, or it would bring a beheading disaster.” Xunqi propped her chin on her hand, facing her mother. “Why is that?”
Yan Zhi’an didn’t understand what those words meant. How could it invite a beheading disaster?
“I don’t know. If she told you not to say, then don’t…” Yan Zhi’an paused, as if she had figured something out. “Did you two blow up a mountain?”
Fireworks were linked to a particular thing.
That was military gunpowder.
“We blew one up once. Someone came, and the Madwoman set it off, and then that person ran away.” Xunqi subconsciously touched her ear.
Yan Zhi’an shot her a sidelong glance. They would discuss this later—there was plenty of time.
The maidservant brought the smoked meat along with a bowl of chicken-shred noodles. Xunqi took the noodles and took a bite, then froze. “The noodles taste different.”
“The noodles are made with chicken—meat simmered for ten shichen.” Yan Zhi’an said flatly. “The Yan family is skilled at nothing, but they put real effort into food. This bowl of noodles takes real work.”
Xunqi said “Oh” and lowered her head to continue eating. Yan Zhi’an, meanwhile, kept looking at the wooden figure in her hand, lost in thought.
In previous years, Yan Zhi’an liked to spend New Year’s Eve alone. Now she had a little tail.
After the noodles, the two sat around the charcoal fire, and Xunqi spoke with great interest about the Madwoman.
The Madwoman had no name; she simply called herself “Madwoman.” Xunqi had asked many times, but the Madwoman never said her name.
Yan Zhi’an pondered deeply. The Madwoman was skilled in poetry and painting, not to mention developing gunpowder, yet she secluded herself deep in the mountains. Why? With all her abilities, even without holding office, she could have settled anywhere and lived a free and easy life.
Was the Madwoman hiding from something?
Could it be that the Madwoman knew Xunqi’s identity?
Yan Zhi’an stared at the charcoal fire, her eyes deep. She asked Xunqi, “Where did she find you?”
“She didn’t say.” Xunqi shook her head. “She said the more I knew, the sooner I’d die, so she told me nothing.”
Yan Zhi’an asked no more. But she was curious about the gunpowder, so she said, “Tomorrow, make me some gunpowder.”
“What for?” Xunqi was wary.
Yan Zhi’an said, “I saw a mountain and suspect it holds ore. You’ll come with me. We’ll blast a corner first to take a look.”
Hearing this, Xunqi’s heart stirred with inexplicable excitement. “Are you going to teach me?”
Yan Zhi’an, warming herself by the charcoal brazier, shifted her eyes and raised a hand to knock her forehead. “Can you stop coveting my things?”
