In the northern sky of December, dawn was breaking very late.
It was just past 7:15, and the horizon had only shifted from a faint gray to a milky white.
Inside the old Su family manor, many servants bustled about, heads lowered as they hurried along the paths.
“Greetings, Miss.”
“Miss Si.”
I couldn’t quite tell if these people were maids or some other type of servant, but they all carried the Su family’s mark.
Once a servant, forever a servant.
Even in this new century world, ancient customs still lingered.
I stood at the busy crossroads, surrounded by the steady stream of people, my gaze veiled by a calm window of detachment, and I didn’t take another step forward.
“Miss, are you having trouble finding where to go?”
A young woman in somewhat elegant attire parted the nearby crowd and respectfully asked beside me.
I recognized her.
At the banquet hall earlier, I’d seen her directing the servants; she must be the steward of the Su family’s servants.
“Yes.” I nodded. “I’m looking for Su Liumeng, but I don’t know where she is.”
This place had no signal for modern devices, or else I would have called her already.
Is the Su family trying to build a territory only they can govern?
“Miss, there will be heavy snow in a week or two. Why are you dressed so lightly to go out?”
The girl looked about fifteen or sixteen, yet she managed the other servants.
She stamped her foot anxiously and quickly ordered someone to bring a fleece-lined shawl.
The “heavy snow” she referred to was one of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms.
The system of solar terms was designed with great care.
Heavy Snow (Daxue) follows Minor Snow (Xiaoxue), then comes the Winter Solstice, Lesser Cold, and Greater Cold.
Concise yet meaningful terms that perfectly display the changing temperatures, a crystallization of ancient laborers’ wisdom.
“I’m… not cold.”
The December wind was sharp like a blade, rushing through the wide sleeves of my dress and chilling my arms fiercely.
My figure, still far from bulky, stood upright in the wind, giving off an aura neither fragile like a willow nor overly delicate, but a kind of graceful beauty.
The yin energy cultivation method I practiced gave me about ten degrees of temperature immunity.
“How can you not be cold?”
The young steward seemed nearly distraught, perhaps worried about being punished for not taking proper care of a guest. As soon as she had the shawl, she eagerly draped it over me.
Seeing her kind heart, I couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her hair. “If you insist, then I’ll wear it. I don’t want to cause you trouble.”
I figured she was the chief maid in charge of this courtyard.
The moment I headed to Su Liumeng’s residence, she hurried to meet me.
“Miss, you have such a kind heart.” She laughed brightly and foolishly. “My name is Spring Qiao. I’m the personal maid of the eldest young lady. From now on, I will personally take care of you.”
In the Su family, status was apparent from how people addressed each other.
The lower-ranked servants had no authority and referred to themselves plainly, but the higher-ranked servants acted like lifelong family-born retainers, speaking exactly as in ancient times.
I was unmarried, so naturally still a maiden in the boudoir—what the ancients called a “yellow flower maiden.”
Hence, it made sense for her to call me “Miss.”
How she would address me after I married was not my concern. The old folks would figure that out.
In my heart, I leaned toward “Madam” or something similar, though there might be other nuances.
“The eldest young lady has gone to the residence of the Grand Elder.”
Spring Qiao led the way, praising her mistress. “Before leaving, the eldest young lady specifically told me her itinerary. She worried you might be anxious if you couldn’t find her and repeatedly reminded me not to forget.”
Su Liumeng—hearing her familiar name, my fist clenched inside my sleeve.
My earlier words had probably driven her out of the room.
Had she forgotten to care for me when she left?
I couldn’t describe the complicated emotions swirling in me; my long eyelashes trembled, and an emotion I myself couldn’t comprehend colored my cheeks.
How could the word “love” ever be explained in just a few words?
My lively personality, so different from my quiet exterior, sometimes made me act cunningly—as if if I didn’t cause a little trouble, I wouldn’t be accepted or understood.
I knew this was my usual lack of security showing.
Because I was so afraid of losing her, once I had her, I desperately wanted to see the truth clearly.
And in testing boundaries repeatedly, I risked losing her patience.
“Miss, the eldest young lady really cares about you.”
Spring Qiao’s words seemed excessive.
I didn’t respond, only hearing her chatter to herself.
Is it the maid’s job to keep the atmosphere lively?
She meant no harm.
I blinked my big beautiful eyes, then heard Spring Qiao whisper in my ear, “The eldest young lady stood alone in the courtyard this morning wearing only a single thin garment before 7 a.m. She even called me to bring her something appropriate to wear.”
“Are you defending her?” I asked calmly, looking at Spring Qiao.
Spring Qiao abruptly fell silent.
I half-closed my eyelids, not wanting others to read my emotions. “It’s normal… I was thoughtless to let your young mistress suffer.”
“You should defend her.”
Back then, Su Liumeng had just woken and gone to wash up, taking only one outfit with her. Wearing loose pajamas, she was sent out just like that—that was my fault.
No matter how angry I was, I shouldn’t have acted like that.
Afterwards, I reconsidered my feelings, realizing my anger at her mistakes was tinged with double standards.
“Miss…” Spring Qiao’s tone became cautious. “It’s not that I talk too much or like to gossip in front of you. The Su family has this romance that everyone envies. Everyone eagerly hopes you two last forever.”
“I can see the eldest young lady really likes you. Last night, she told us all about what you like and dislike, afraid we’d make mistakes and displease you.”
Su Liumeng’s personality—she wouldn’t confide even when wronged.
Like when her cold poison flared up, she hid in deep mountains, licking her wounds alone.
Married to me—was Su Liumeng wronged?
On the cold road to find her, I pondered this seriously.
Or asked differently: since we met, have I wronged her?
Zhizhi was never hers but mine alone.
Yet she considered my face, effectively sacrificing her own dignity to openly claim the child as her own bloodline.
An utterly ridiculous thing, yet she told it sincerely and devoutly.
In a world ruled by strength, as the Su family’s most outstanding youth, she did something I never thought possible.
I could say, “Isn’t this what you wanted? I never forced you.”
Give and take.
Could a simple silence erase all causes and effects?
Weren’t these things tacitly accepted?
What did others call Su Liumeng when I wasn’t around?
A pitiful scapegoat?
Or a fool defending a pregnant woman against elders?
Some say two outstanding people together is mutual choice.
But am I really outstanding?
Even with unmatched talent, how could I stand by her side when I started eighteen years behind? No matter how hard I trained, I could barely fight alongside her.
Maybe recent events and this morning’s small quarrel with Su Liumeng made me think deeply.
If Su Liumeng didn’t like me, I truly might not deserve this little phoenix of the Su family.
At first, trying to get close to Su Liumeng, I thought she was cute and the type I liked.
Secondly, I couldn’t deny using her.
Su Liumeng probably saw this long ago.
I was always skilled at using people’s hearts.
I never denied it.
A scene from an hour ago flashed in my mind—Su Liumeng’s panic in her eyes when I touched her forehead.
Because she always knew I was using her more than loving her.
Is that why she had no security?
Otherwise, how to explain her moment of helplessness at that touch?
So—what is the truth?
Is there something I must never know?
The cold wind hit again, and I blinked hard; a sad tear fell, shattering on my arm.
So even the strongest Su Liumeng—the girl who could knock walls despite cold poison—is a person who needs security.
Maybe she wasn’t as strong as I imagined, nor powerless.
But she loved me as best she could.
I laughed bitterly to myself. I hadn’t even told her about Zhizhi and always ranked her behind the child in my heart.
Our attempts at conversation were shallow, ending with her retreating into her own world.
Yet she seemed never to blame me, tolerating me almost without limits.
Sometimes, though she hadn’t made big mistakes, she knelt and begged forgiveness fearing my anger.
Thinking of this, my heart ached sharply. I reached to wipe my tears but couldn’t stop the blurring vision.
Being inarticulate isn’t an excuse for my constant silence.
For someone I care about, I knew I couldn’t act like this.
When thinking of ways I might have wronged her, I struggled to recall any moment where I truly understood her sacrifices—there were so many, I almost couldn’t bear it.
As if—since she pursued me, these were all her due.
Had Su Liumeng wronged me in any way?
I thought long and hard.
Not a single time.
Then why was I so angry this morning? Had I been spoiled?
Thinking deeper, everyone else treated me like a little goddess, massaging my shoulders, cooking all my meals.
What had I done for Su Liumeng?
A pot of mediocre fish soup, and an almost poisonous egg tart I forced her to eat.
And then—nothing.
Absurd, wasn’t it?
“Miss, why are you crying? I don’t blame you. The eldest young lady doesn’t think you’ve done wrong. How could we servants judge?” Spring Qiao flustered as she wiped my tears. “It’s my fault for speaking too much. Please punish me.”
I stepped back, avoiding her outstretched arm.
“I’m fine…”
“I just suddenly think you’re right. She’s already the heir now, surrounded by Su family peers and elders. Reputation matters.”
“Let’s go. It’s just a bit windy.”
I took out a Su embroidery handkerchief and dabbed my tears dry, growing more silent along the way.
The Grand Elder’s residence was further back near the mountains.
To get there from Su Liumeng’s quarters, we had to pass a large cluster of buildings.
Spring Qiao, just an ordinary person, couldn’t carry me on clouds, so we measured the grand scale of the Su family estate step by step.
Honestly, walking to the Grand Elder’s residence was quite foolish.
But I couldn’t suppress my desire to see Su Liumeng’s appearance.
The Grand Elder’s residence.
The Grand Elder, white beard and robes, stood with hands behind his back, gazing at the distant mountains.
His robes fluttered in the breeze, and his ageless face gave him a fairy-like aura.
“Yuxi, I only have thirty years of life left. The future belongs to you young ones.”
“Grand Elder.”
Behind him, Su Liumeng hesitated. “You will definitely breakthrough.”
“You’re learning to lie to comfort others.”
“Do you think we old folks don’t know if we can break through?”
“Looking at the river of history, who has ever truly taken that final step?”
The Grand Elder, usually robust, now looked slightly hunched and weary.
“Attempts to breakthrough have never ceased in cultivation circles.”
“Whether orthodox or demonic, no one has succeeded these years.”
He straightened his back, then turned seriously toward the girl. “Do you know why the family’s Task Hall has been collecting longevity methods all this time?”
Su Liumeng respectfully replied, “I do not know, elder.”
“You are already a core member of the Su family. It’s time you learned the truth.”
Su Liumeng’s expression grew serious.
The Grand Elder’s eyes carried a weathered sorrow. “The Su family has never stopped searching for ways to extend life.”
“Because—”
“There is a true dragon living in the back mountains.”
“Since I was a child, it has lived in seclusion there.”
“He is the Su family’s Thirteenth Ancestor!!”
“Now over 410 years old, the entire Su family has pooled their strength to extend his life by ten years—an almost god-defying feat. Who outside knows?”
“Through the ages, despite upheavals, the Su family stands unshaken. From tribal times to modern society, many Su family members have made history. He is the thirteenth guardian of the family and the unshakable anchor of our clan’s prosperity.”
“But now, his life is nearing its end.”
“Fortunately, this generation still has you.” The Grand Elder’s words held deep meaning.
Su Liumeng’s pupils suddenly contracted. “Has the Thirteenth Ancestor broken through?”
The Grand Elder smiled. “No, but he’s gone further than we have. Just one final step, and he could truly break through the realm.”
“I know why you came.”
“The Thirteenth Ancestor will pass soon—only six months left.”
“He has seen through your secret.”
“None besides him know you’ve fused eight streams of dragon blood, right?”
Su Liumeng raised her head, eyes wide with shock.
The Grand Elder lowered his hands. “Don’t worry. I’m not like that fellow. Youngsters’ opportunities are theirs alone; I don’t bother to compete. Besides, I may not even qualify.”
“You didn’t tell others because you feared covetous eyes?”
“Now with the Thirteenth Ancestor backing you, you have nothing to worry about.”
“He greatly admires you and declares you the Su family’s future Fourteenth Ancestor.”
“He told me to tell you that any ancient dragon marrow that survived to modern times has long since lost its vitality and cannot help you advance.”
“The Thirteenth Ancestor says the day he passes away will be the moment you soar to new heights.”
The Grand Elder suddenly patted Su Liumeng’s shoulder. “Yesterday was your final test. The Su family is cold and ruthless, but true rulers need some humanity.”
“You’ve grown exceptionally—decisive in battle, never hesitant, yet maintaining your principles.”
“That’s very good.”
“Only someone like you can make the Thirteenth Ancestor confident enough to entrust the Su family’s highest authority to you.”
“The Su family’s three major power centers—the Grand Elder and the Family Head—are merely figureheads. The true ruler has always been—”
“The Guardian.”
Su Liumeng’s emotions tangled. After a long moment, she slowly said, “I will not fail this mission.”
“Go.”
“Go to the back mountains. The Thirteenth Ancestor awaits you in the family’s forbidden land.”
“He wants to see you one last time.”
The Grand Elder’s residence was also the only passage to the back mountains.
Su Liumeng entered the narrow mountain path.
Unlike the prosperity she imagined, the place was bleak, filled with barren graves and ancient trees.
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