Cold Encounter with a Madman - Chapter 6

The Yan clan had been established in Jinling for a long time. Their estate occupied half a street, with countless front courtyards, back residences, side gates, and rear entrances. The Yan family gardens were world-renowned, the fruit of generations of painstaking effort and passed down through the ages.

Yan Zhi’an had yet to be married, but within the manor, she still maintained her own private garden, complete with a water pavilion in the front and a lush garden in the rear.

In the depths of winter, ethereal mist drifted across the lake, shrouding the surface as if it were a celestial realm.

Yan Zhi’an’s Yunbo Pavilion was the most spacious courtyard in the entire estate. Because of the vast expanse of the lake it overlooked, the entire complex appeared extraordinarily grand. When she had discovered her first mine all those years ago, the Old Master had personally decreed that the Yunbo Pavilion, with its elegant water pavilion, be gifted to her.

Later, when she departed for the capital, the courtyard had been left vacant. Her younger sisters, seeing that she rarely returned, had often attempted to move in. After all, such a magnificent water pavilion was an ideal spot for admiring the snow in winter or fishing in the summer. Yet, the Old Master had adamantly refused. Even if Yan Zhi’an did not return, as long as she did not speak, no one was permitted to touch her residence. The Yan family was certainly not so destitute that they could not preserve a single place for her.

The trunks had been moved in a few days prior. Upon walking into the water pavilion, everything was found to be perfectly arranged. Several pots of peonies were placed about the room, blooming with vibrant colors that were truly delightful to behold.

“Huh, why are there peonies in the middle of winter?” Xun Qi walked over, circling the flowers twice with a look of pure wonder.

Yan Zhi’an glanced at them. “If you like them, have them moved to your room.”

“Does Mother not want them?” Xun Qi’s attention remained fixed on the flowers as she spoke offhandedly.

She had meant nothing by it, but Yan Zhi’an felt a jolt in her chest. Each time the word “Mother” was spoken, it terrified her.

“If you like them, take them,” Yan Zhi’an said, dismissively. Exhausted by the bumpy journey, she turned and headed toward the inner chamber.

She stepped inside, followed by a maid who helped her change out of her heavy outer garments into soft, comfortable loungewear, then provided a hand warmer to stave off the chill.

Once the maids had withdrawn, Xun Qi walked around the screen. She scanned the room and her eyes lit up when she spotted a luminous night pearl in the corner. She reached out to touch it. She was filled with curiosity, not noticing that someone nearby had let out a laugh, as if mocking her.

Yan Zhi’an followed the sound and looked over. “Stop.”

The departing maids froze. Yan Zhi’an gestured with her hand. “Who laughed just now?”

“Head of the Household.”

The last maid in line plopped to her knees. “Head of the Household, I did not mean it.”

Yan Zhi’an set down her hand warmer and lazily straightened her posture. Her gaze suddenly deepened, her clear, icy eyes reflecting the maid’s trembling form. She said, “Wushuang, take her away. Punish her mouth.”

Her cold tone carried the bite of winter. The maid was so frightened that she kowtowed in plea, but Wushuang ignored her and dragged her away. Soon, the sound of slaps echoed from outside.

Xun Qi, still in the corner, did not understand what had happened. She only saw her mother’s profile, composed, cold, and breathtakingly aloof. From her angle, Yan Zhi’an’s face was like a painting, icy and unapproachable.

Yan Zhi’an had changed into a jade-colored, cinched-waist robe with wide sleeves. Her back was straight, and her expression had completely shifted; she was a different person from the one who had been chatting with Xun Qi earlier. When facing the Old Master and the Eldest Master, she had worn a faint, polite smile, but now, she looked truly intimidating.

Listening to the slaps outside, Xun Qi replaced the night pearl exactly where it had been and walked over quietly. “I, was I not supposed to touch it?”

“If you want to touch it, touch it. If you do not find it too dazzling, you can even hug it to sleep at night,” Yan Zhi’an smiled again, her posture softening as she leaned back against a pillow to rest her eyes. “You will sleep in the room next door. Remember, you are the Young Mistress of the Yan family. In the future, the Yan family will be yours.”

The words seemed casual, but in reality, they provided Xun Qi with immense security. The Yan family is yours!

Xun Qi could not help but look toward the pearl in the corner again. She walked over and reached out to touch it once more, deciding that after this time, she would leave it alone. She knew the maid had laughed at her for being unsophisticated, but she was indeed unfamiliar with such things, and she did not feel ashamed.

She pulled her hand back, a look of contentment on her fair face. Having all of this felt like a dream. She wore new clothes every day, something she never dared to imagine before. With such luxury and comfort, she no longer resented Yan Zhi’an. She realized that in this household, Yan Zhi’an herself had a difficult path. As a woman shouldering the duties of the Head of the Household, many looked down on her.

“What is going on here?” A soft female voice drifted in. Yan Zhi’an opened her eyes and beckoned Xun Qi over. “Your Great Grandmother is here. She is the principal wife of the Eldest Master.”

As the words were spoken, footsteps approached. The voice of the Eldest Madam of the Yan family followed: “It has been several years since you last returned, Ninth Daughter. Why the sudden visit? With the end of the year approaching, have you come back for the New Year?”

Qin Ningjun’s gaze fell on Xun Qi. The young girl had a palm-sized face with delicate features, though her brows were clouded with a frail, sickly air. From a distance, she looked like a pristine porcelain doll.

“Oh, which family’s daughter have you brought back?” Qin Ningjun laughed. “She is truly beautiful. Your mother will surely like her.” Chen Qingrong loved beauty and was the most unconventional member of the Yan family.

Yan Zhi’an spoke calmly: “Xun Qi, pay your respects to your Great Grandmother.”

Xun Qi immediately bowed. “Greetings, Great Grandmother.”

“Which family is she from?” Qin Ningjun asked, a smile plastered on her face.

Xun Qi frowned, unsure of how to reply. Yan Zhi’an answered for her: “My daughter, the Young Mistress of the Yan family.”

“Ninth Daughter, stop joking. You are not even married yet.” Qin Ningjun did not believe her. She was about to praise Xun Qi when Yan Zhi’an added: “I have already reported this to Grandfather and Mother.”

Such a grown daughter!

Qin Ningjun’s playful mood vanished. “Where is her father?”

“He died. That year, he encountered mountain bandits, was pierced by a thousand arrows, and fell off a cliff. His remains were never recovered,” Yan Zhi’an replied with perfect composure. “Does Eldest Aunt have business here?”

Qin Ningjun had come to discuss a marriage proposal. Yan Zhi’an was already twenty-seven; her younger sisters were all married with children, yet she remained alone. Since she was back, Qin Ningjun intended to play matchmaker. The Fourth Madam, Chen Qingrong, was unreliable, but since Qin Ningjun managed the household affairs, she naturally felt responsible for the younger generation’s marriages. She had come full of joy, only to have the sky collapse upon seeing such a large daughter. Her pure and unblemished niece had transformed into a widow with a fatherless child.

For a moment, Qin Ningjun felt dizzy. She leaned on her maid to sit down with difficulty and glanced at the innocent-looking Xun Qi. She sighed, “Why have you not mentioned this all these years?”

“I have been searching for her all this time. She was lost with her father, and I only recently found her,” Yan Zhi’an felt her skin had grown thick; she had been pushed by Sima Shenrong step by step until she reached this point of utter shamelessness.

She rubbed her forehead, pretending not to hear Qin Ningjun’s sigh. Qin Ningjun turned with a tremble: “I am going back first.”

I need to compose myself! The world is ending!

Qin Ningjun left. Xun Qi craned her neck to watch her go, then looked at her mother: “Is my father really dead?”

Yan Zhi’an nodded. That part was true; the Ming Emperor had been dead for thirteen years.

Xun Qi nodded. Dead is dead. She now had a mother with immense power; she did not need a father. She asked again: “I felt she had business here, so why did she stop talking?”

“Hm?” Yan Zhi’an suddenly realized a reversal. With Xun Qi here, it seemed no one would urge her to marry; even her Eldest Aunt had left without a word.

Yan Zhi’an gazed at the young girl’s face, gently stroking her cheek. “You do not need to face the wall in repentance. Go back and rest; there is a family banquet tonight.”

Xun Qi was confused. Why had things changed again? Her mother was truly strange. Before leaving, Xun Qi glanced back at her mother. Why did her mother change so suddenly?

The madwoman used to say that the more beautiful a woman was, the better she was at lying, and that her lies were so convincing that the world was willing to believe them. Xun Qi felt that this statement was likely true. She knew her mother was lying, but she was willing to believe it.

The Yan family’s sixth branch had twenty children, the youngest being the twentieth daughter. Today, at the family banquet, all the daughters married in Jinling had returned. Since the Old Master returned to Jinling three years ago, Yan Zhi’an had inherited the position of Head of the Household, yet everyone followed her only in name, not in heart. Now, the sudden appearance of a Young Mistress with a mysterious father gave everyone a chance to laugh at her expense.

Xun Qi followed her mother, arriving a bit late. Taking a quick look at the tens of people gathered, she whispered: “Mother, your family is truly capable of bearing children.”

“I agree,” Yan Zhi’an sighed. “You only need to have one in the future.”

Xun Qi frowned. “I do not want to give birth.”

Yan Zhi’an: “…”

“Why?”

“Giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell.”

Yan Zhi’an was impressed. Her logic was sound. Very well, that was not something she needed to concern herself with.

Yan Zhi’an’s seat was placed below the Old Master’s. The Old Matriarch had been delighted to see her granddaughter, but upon seeing the tail following her, her smile froze. “Ninth Daughter.”

“Greetings, Grandmother.” Yan Zhi’an stepped forward to bow.

Xun Qi watched her, then mimicked her, following behind and calling out, “Greetings, Great Grandmother.”

The Old Matriarch’s face darkened as she nodded. “Sit. Sit down.”

She glanced at Xun Qi, who did not look very energetic. Was she in poor health? She asked her granddaughter: “She seems to be feeling unwell?”

“Yes, she has some injuries, and with the winter weather, she is recovering slowly,” Yan Zhi’an admitted openly. “Taking advantage of this return to Jinling, I intend to let her recover for a while before returning to the capital after the New Year.”

Inside the room, the dozens of people present harbored their own thoughts. They exchanged glances until someone spoke up: “The child is so young; is it not too hasty to appoint her as the Young Mistress?”

Yan Zhi’an picked up her wine and took a sip. “My Third Brother ran off to such places at twelve years old. Compared to you, Xun’er may not know much, but she is still young.”

Third Brother Yan was speechless, picking up his wine cup and drinking in sullen silence.

Yan Zhi’an looked up and saw the dissatisfied Fifth Daughter. “Fifth Sister, have the troubles in your household been resolved? I recall you were married within Jinling, so why have you returned?”

Fifth Daughter Yan froze, quickly masking her expression and pretending to be invisible.

Yan Zhi’s gaze swept across the crowd; those she looked at lowered their heads. With just two sharp remarks, she had cowed them all. Only then did she speak: “My child, Xun Qi, has been found. From now on, she is the Young Mistress of the Yan family. If no one has any objections, we will open the ancestral hall tomorrow to offer sacrifices to our ancestors.”

“Ninth Daughter, let us slow down on this matter.”