Cold Encounter with a Madman - Chapter 13

That same evening, Yan Wuniang was expelled from the Yan residence. As for where she went, Yan Zhi’an could not be bothered to ask. The next day, she took her daughter to pay respects to their ancestors.

While offering the sacrifices, she repeated the truth in her heart over and over:

“Xun Qi is not a daughter of the Yan clan.”

After repeating it eighteen times, she finally lifted her head, her eyes clear, and rose gracefully to her feet.

Three days after the ancestral rites was New Year’s Eve. On this day, the younger members of the Yan clan who had been traveling abroad would return. In years past, the atmosphere had been exceptionally lively, but today, it was quite cold and desolate.

The number of times Yan Zhi’an had spent the Lunar New Year at the Yan residence could be counted on one hand. Since she had returned this year, her uncles, cousins, and nephews were all terrified of her, not even daring to speak above a whisper.

As Yan Zhi’an sat in the room with a polite, measured smile, the others did not even dare to lift their heads.

Seventeenth led Twentieth over, tentatively creeping up beside Xun Qi. “Xun Qi, I will sit with you. Let the three of us squeeze in.”

Xun Qi glanced at the cowardly Seventeenth and gave a cold laugh. “Why did you run away so fast that day?”

“What else was I supposed to do?” Seventeenth whispered in protest, glancing nervously at the Ninth Sister in front of them. “When your mother is angry, she is like an unstoppable force of nature. She does not even show mercy to our grandfather.”

“You really are a coward,” Xun Qi complained.

Seventeenth grunted twice and said, “Do you know that you have become famous in Jinling City? Everyone says that like mother, like daughter. That poem of yours is truly impressive.”

Xun Qi laughed unreservedly, her eyes curving into crescents. She reached out to pat Twentieth’s head, but Twentieth slapped her hand away. “How rude! I am your aunt.”

Xun Qi was born with a rebellious spirit. The more she was told not to touch, the more she did, even pinching Twentieth’s cheeks.

Twentieth, helpless and furious, shook her head. The insults on the tip of her tongue were stifled when Seventeenth covered her mouth, warning, “Ninth Sister is right in front of us.”

Twentieth turned around and poked Xun Qi’s head. “I am telling you, do not touch me next time.”

Xun Qi prepared to reach out again, but Twentieth hugged her head and buried it in Seventeenth’s embrace. Xun Qi laughed out loud. “You are a coward, too.”

“This is called knowing when to yield,” Twentieth protested softly.

Hearing the laughter from the back, Yan Zhi’an turned her head. Seeing Xun Qi laughing so hard she was swaying, she gave a light cough, and Xun Qi immediately straightened her posture, sitting properly behind her food tray.

A triumphant smile appeared on Yan Zhi’an’s face.

After the New Year’s Eve feast, the servants brought in a massive blood red jade coral, placing it in the room. Yan Zhi’an spoke languidly, “A foreign merchant came to the capital, and when I saw this, I thought it was interesting. I figured you would like it, so I bought it to present to you.”

Blood red jade is rare, and a coral piece of this size was priceless and unobtainable.

Old Master Yan had managed the Yan family for many years and had seen countless treasures, but such a massive piece of blood jade, red as fresh blood, was truly magnificent.

Unable to contain himself, he stood up and walked over, reaching out to touch the corner of the coral, his eyes filled with awe.

Xun Qi also saw the blood red coral, its body translucent and lustrous. The Madman had said that natural treasures are the most precious and that one must have the fate to encounter them; only when the fate is right can you obtain such items.

It was not just the Old Master who was stunned; everyone stepped forward to admire it, though no one dared to reach out and touch it.

The Old Master’s expression was filled with uncontrollable joy. “Return to your own quarters; I will not keep you all here.”

Disappointment flickered in the eyes of the guests as they retreated one by one.

Yan Zhi’an also carried Xun Qi away, and the two returned to the Water Pavilion.

“Did you keep vigil on New Year’s Eve with the Madman?”

“No. The Madman said staying up late makes you stop growing, so she never let me keep vigil.” Xun Qi shook her head, once again reaching out to take her mother’s hand.

Over the past few days, Xun Qi had slowly begun to reveal her dependence on Yan Zhi’an, much like a kitten abandoned for years that encounters a new owner and becomes unusually clingy.

Back in the pavilion, the room was filled with the warmth of charcoal fire. They took off their heavy coats, as the temperature difference between inside and outside was significant.

Yan Zhi’an asked someone to fetch a small box containing a piece of red jade, matching the color of the jade coral.

“This is for you,” she said, handing it to Xun Qi.

Xun Qi frowned. “You gave Great grandfather such a huge one, and you only give me this little piece? Are you not just clearly bullying me?”

Yan Zhi’an was surprised. “You are already comparing things at such a young age.”

“Think about it yourself. You gave him such a big one and me such a small one, is that reasonable?” Xun Qi was dissatisfied. “I am your own flesh and blood. Why are you so biased? I do not want it.”

Yan Zhi’an: “…”

She explained, “My belongings will all be yours in the future. What are you worried about?”

“I do not believe you. Won’t you get married one day?” Xun Qi blinked, her eyes bright under the lamplight, making her skin look snowy white. She said, “You are just trying to fool me.”

Yan Zhi’an, having lived this long, encountered an unreasonable person like this for the first time. She explained again, “The blood red coral is only for display; you cannot carry it on your person. Why do you need something so large? Even Kong Rong knew to defer the pears at age three. Why are you competing with your elders?”

Xun Qi stepped back, staring straight at her mother’s fair, delicate face. “I do not want to be humble. Why should I wrong myself just to please others? Others will not necessarily remember my goodness; they might even think I am stupid.”

Yan Zhi’an looked at her thoughtfully. Xun Qi lowered her gaze, standing straight, and said, “What I said, is it not right?”

As Xun Qi argued her case, the woman before her sighed silently. With a sense of solitary pine like integrity, she said, “I hope you can keep a little more space in your heart for me.”

“Yes, I was wrong.” Yan Zhi’an changed her tune and placed the box back on the table. “I was wrong. But should you not be giving me something?”

Xun Qi turned around and ran to her own room. Yan Zhi’an, who had been expressionless and indifferent, finally revealed a cold smile.

A moment later, Xun Qi returned in large strides and handed her a wooden doll. “For you.”

Yan Zhi’an vaguely remembered the rows of little dolls in the bamboo hut, and the mockery at the corner of her lips vanished. In the dim candlelight, she reached out and took the wooden doll.

The doll was carved with vivid, lifelike detail, especially the facial features, which were remarkably similar to her own. Yan Zhi’an stared at the doll intently. “You talked to me about unique. You giving me this proves what? Does it mean you will not help others carve them in the future?”

“If Mother is unwilling, I will only help you carve them for the rest of my life.” Xun Qi vowed solemnly.

The coldness in Yan Zhi’an’s eyes melted away. The next second, she looked up and met Xun Qi’s gaze. “Do you know how long a lifetime is?”

“I do not know. Life is impermanent. My life might last until eighteen, or perhaps thirty.” Xun Qi responded quickly. “Whether my life is long or short, I do not know myself.”

Yan Zhi’an looked at her, her lashes fluttering. “In the future, if you meet a sweetheart, will you not carve for them anymore?”

Xun Qi gave a chilly laugh. “No. I promised you, so I will not. This is my commitment, and it reflects your position in my heart. I am poor now; everything I have comes from you. This is the only thing that is truly mine. In the future, if I have talent, I will naturally gift my most precious things to you.”

“Stop right there.” Yan Zhi’an was frightened. “What you are saying does not sound like it is for a mother; it sounds like it is for a sweetheart. Stop it. Have you eaten your fill? I am hungry; keep me company for a bite.”

Xun Qi laughed, revealing her small, milky white teeth. Yan Zhi’an frowned. “Do not show your teeth.”

“I will remember. I want to eat smoked meat.” Xun Qi leaned over and boldly hugged her mother. This move made Yan Zhi’an’s heart jump; she nearly pushed the girl away, but she stood her ground and restrained herself just in time.

Yan Zhi’an felt a moment of panic but quickly adapted, allowing Xun Qi to nuzzle against her arm. She looked down at the wooden doll, and getting that promise of a lifetime was more comforting than receiving a thousand pieces of gold.

She pushed Xun Qi away and ordered the maid to prepare a late night snack, telling Xun Qi to sit down. “After we eat, play until the midnight hour, then go to sleep.”

As her voice fell, Seventeenth’s voice came from outside. “Xun Qi, Xun Qi, are you going to watch the fireworks?”

“Fireworks?” Xun Qi lifted her jet black eyes as Seventeenth ran in. She asked, “Are they the colorful ones?”

Seventeenth was full of excitement. “The family bought a lot this year. We can set them off all night long.”

“Oh, I do not want to go.” Xun Qi was disinterested. There was not much to see; compared to the fireworks the Madman used to make, these were far inferior.

Seventeenth was puzzled and turned to look at the Ninth Sister.

Yan Zhi’an said helplessly, “I did not forbid her from going.”

Unexpectedly, Xun Qi said, “I still want to eat something.”

Seventeenth’s eyes flashed with confusion. “Whatever delicious food there is, you can eat it later. If you miss it tonight, you will not be able to see them anymore.”

“No, I will set some off for you on the fifteenth of the month. You go watch.” Xun Qi waved her little hand at her. “Hurry up and go.”

Seventeenth, being playful, saw that she would not go and left, swinging her skirt.

Yan Zhi’an, hearing Xun Qi’s words, could not help but feel curious. “You know how to make fireworks?”

“I do, the Madman taught me. But she said I should not talk about it randomly, or it could bring a death sentence.” Xun Qi rested her chin in her hands, facing her mother. “Why do you think that is?”

Yan Zhi’an did not understand the meaning behind those words. How could it bring a death sentence?

“I do not know. If she did not want you to say it, you should not…” Yan Zhi’an paused, as if she had suddenly realized something. “Did you all blow up a mountain before?”

Fireworks and one other thing were linked. That was military grade gunpowder.

“We blew one up once because someone had come, so the Madman set it off, and then the other side ran away.” Xun Qi instinctively touched her own ear.

Yan Zhi’an glared at her, deciding to discuss this later. There would be plenty of time in the future.

The maid brought up the smoked meat, paired with a bowl of chicken shred noodle soup. Xun Qi took the bowl, took a bite, and was stunned. “The noodles seem different.”

“The noodles have chicken in them, meat that has been simmered for ten hours.” Yan Zhi’an said lightly, “There is nothing the Yan family is not refined about; they put all their effort into these kinds of things. This bowl of noodles takes a lot of work.”

Xun Qi gave an “oh” and kept her head down to continue eating the noodles. Yan Zhi’an kept her head down, staring at the wooden doll in her hand, lost in thought.

In years past on New Year’s Eve, Yan Zhi’an loved to spend it alone, but now she had a tail tagging along.

After eating the noodles, the two sat around the charcoal fire, and Xun Qi talked with great interest about the Madman.

The Madman had no name and just called herself Madman. She had asked many times, but the Madman had never revealed her true name.

Yan Zhi’an pondered deeply. The Madman was not only skilled in poetry and painting, but also in developing gunpowder, and she chose to live in the deep mountains. What was the reason? With her ability, even if she did not serve as an official, she could have lived a very carefree life choosing any place to stay.

Was the Madman hiding from something?

Could it be that the Madman knew Xun Qi’s true identity?

Yan Zhi’an stared into the charcoal fire, her eyes profound. She asked Xun Qi, “Where did she pick you up?”

“She did not say.” Xun Qi shook her head. “She said that the more I know, the faster I will die, so she told me nothing.”

Yan Zhi’an did not ask further, but she was curious about the gunpowder, so she said, “Prepare some gunpowder for me tomorrow.”

“What for?” Xun Qi was alert.

Yan Zhi’an said, “I have my eyes on a mountain and suspect it has minerals. You will go with me, and we will blow up a corner to probe it.”

Hearing this, Xun Qi’s heart stirred with unexpected excitement. “Are you going to teach me?”

Yan Zhi’an, who was roasting herself by the charcoal basin, turned her gaze and tapped her on the forehead. “Can you please stop coveting my things?”