Zi-ning stepped into the main hall of the Old Madam's quarters, calmly ignoring the bewildered stares coming from everyone present. Besides Old Madam Sun, her father Minister Han was also present, still dressed in his official court robes and gauze hat. Evidently he had not had time to change out before the shocking news of her return reached his ears.
She walked forward, kneeling down and pressing her forehead to the ground respectfully.
"I have returned, Father, Grandmother. I'm sorry for having worried you with my long absence," she said.
"You... How..." Minister Han gripped tightly onto the armrests of his chair, narrowing his eyes as if trying to figure out whether or not the girl kneeling before him was truly his daughter. When he was satisfied that it was indeed Zi-ning, he bellowed, "Where have you been all this while! Don't you know that we've been searching all over for you? If you were going to go gallivanting then you might as well have not come home!"
Zi-ning kept her head bowed, hiding the scorn in her eyes. His daughter had fallen from a cliff and gone missing for an entire week, yet he didn't even bother to show the slightest bit of concern towards her. In fact, her father sounded angry that she had returned.
She knew why he was reacting this way. In his mind, a daughter that was unaccounted for for so many days was already a damaged product that was of no use to him. If he could not use her marriage as a stepping stone for his own political career, then she was worthless—better off dead. At least if she died, he could play the role of a grieving father and perhaps gain some sympathy from his peers and superiors.
"Let the child explain, for goodness sake," Old Madam Sun intervened, shooting her son a look of disapproval that warmed Zi-ning's heart. At least someone in this family still cared for her. "Zi-ning, what happened to you? Your maidservants came back and reported that you had fallen off the edge of a cliff during a bandit attack. How did you manage to escape?"
"Escape?" the minister scoffed. "Clearly those maids were lying about the cliff fall to cover for their young mistress! How could she have escaped from bandits unscathed?"
Someone cleared her throat—and it was only then that the minister and old madam noticed that there was another who had entered the room together with Zi-ning. A middle-aged woman dressed in sombre grey robes was standing beside the kneeling girl, and had been watching this exchange carefully the entire time. There was a slight furrow between her brows as she regarded the minister.
"Who are you!" the minister demanded.
The lady curtseyed politely, then replied, "Greetings, Minister Han, Old Madam," she said, unperturbed by the man's rude tone. "I have been sent by my mistress to escort Miss Zi-ning back to her home. My mistress sends her regards."
"And who might that mistress of yours be?" the minister scoffed, regarding the lady with disdain. He picked up his teacup and proceeded to drink his tea, not even bothering to give the woman a glance.
"Lady Li Wanle."
The minister blinked. Then he sprayed out his entire mouthful of tea. "W-w-what? L-l-lady Li?" he stammered.
Zi-ning smiled. It was just as well that Lady Zhulian, Lady Li's closest lady-in-waiting, had seen her father's horrid attitude towards her. She would no doubt report everything back to the lady.
Even Old Madam Sun looked taken aback by the response, but she still maintained her composure. "Forgive us for the poor welcome. Please, have a seat," she said, gesturing towards an empty chair. She turned her gaze towards Zi-ning. "You too. Get up, child."
Zi-ning nodded, picking herself back up to her feet. She helped Lady Zhulian to the side, then sat down beside the woman.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand what's happened," the old madam continued. "Zi-ning, how did you come to make Lady Li's acquaintance? And why have you troubled Lady..."
"Zhulian," Lady Li's confidante replied.
"—Lady Zhulian, to send you back?"
"Yes! How dare you cause so much trouble for Lady Li!" Minister Han scolded, before flashing an ingratiating smile at Lady Zhulian. "Please accept our sincere apologies for the bother that this child has caused."
"It is not any trouble at all," Zhulian replied, directing her response to the old lady and ignoring the minister completely. "Miss Zi-ning is my mistress's only disciple. It is only right that we ensure that she reaches home safely."
The shock and disbelief that appeared on her father's face was almost comical. Zi-ning lowered her gaze, trying to stifle a laugh.
A while back, she had been equally surprised when she discovered that the person Zhenghuan had rushed to the city gates to intercept was none other than her teacher, the former crown princess Lady Li, who was on her way back to the capital for the commemoration of her husband's death anniversary. The moment she boarded the carriage and realised who it was, she immediately understood why Zhenghuan said that this could be a solution to her problem. If Lady Li was willing to be her alibi and account for her disappearance, then no one would dare question that and sully her reputation. Even though she had left the capital for several years now and was no longer the crown princess, Li Wanle and the Li family still had significant influence in these circles.
After Zhulian was done explaining, the earlier displeasure from Minister Han was swept away entirely. He threw his head back and laughed. "So that's what happened? Zi-ning, why didn't you say so earlier? If you had said something, then there wouldn't have been any misunderstanding," he said. "You must have been so terrified from the ordeal. Thank the heavens that Lady Li rescued you before anything untowards could happen. Steward Kang, call in the physician to take a look at Miss Zi-ning! Even if you are well, we should get some herbal tonics for you." Suddenly, the doting father was back.
"It is divine providence indeed, for you to have been fortunate enough to become Lady Li's disciple while at Taishan," the old madam said to Zi-ning, pride exuding from the crow's feet at the corners of her beaming eyes. "It is no wonder you seem completely transformed after returning from Taishan."
"Indeed, Grandmother. I am extremely grateful for all that Lady Li has taught me, and for saving my life this time," Zi-ning replied.
"Han Zi-ning! You're really alive?" a shrill voice interrupted the conversation. Several people rushed in through the doorway—Lady Min, Lady Wan, Meiyan, Meisi and their respective maidservants—crowding up the hall all of a sudden. The exclamation had come from Meisi, who was pointing a finger at her as if she were a ghost.
"My lord, what's going on? Zi-ning, where have you been all this while? It's been so long, we all thought you were dead," Lady Min said, walking up to the front. Zi-ning could tell that her step-mother was struggling to keep her disappointment from showing, but there was a stiffness to her expression that betrayed her true thoughts.
"You might as well be dead," Meisi remarked sourly, flopping down into an empty chair across from Zi-ning and Lady Zhulian. "If I were you and I had to spend so many days in the wilderness with bandits, I wouldn't dare show my face ever again!"
"You mean what you did at Ryoko wasn't bad enough?" Zi-ning murmured, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Meisi leapt up, furious at the direct jibe. "Why you cheap, dirty whore, how dare—"
Minister Han blanched. "Han Meisi! Shut your mouth right now! How could you say such things about your older sister?" he yelled. He cast a worried look towards Lady Zhulian, whose expression had become grim ever since Meisi started speaking. "I am so sorry," he apologised. "This child needs better discipline."
"Father, I'm speaking the truth! She—"
The minister picked up the folding fan that he had left on the table and threw it at the girl, striking her on the shoulder. "Keep. Quiet. Now," he hissed, utterly embarrassed by the display. He frantically gestured towards Lady Wan, who obediently clapped a hand over Meisi's mouth to muffle the rest of her protests.
Lady Zhulian stood up. "Since I have delivered Miss Zi-ning home safely, I think it is time for me to take my leave," she declared.
"Of course, of course," Minister Han said. "We have held you back for long enough. Please convey my gratitude to Lady Li for everything she has done. I shall thank her personally if I should meet her in the palace."
"That will not be necessary. However, I believe my mistress will be wanting to invite Zi-ning over for a catch-up soon. We shall send the invitation to the manor after we have settled in."
"Certainly! It would be Zi-ning's honour to be able to keep Lady Li company." The minister got up and ushered Lady Zhulian to the doors, waiting until she was gone before he turned and came back in.
Once the doors were closed, Minister Han's expression turned stormy. He glared at Meisi, then slammed his palm against the table.
Bang!
"Embarrassing!" he shouted. "I should have had you sent to a nunnery instead of keeping you at home and letting you embarrass me like this!"
Meisi pulled a face, tears threatening to spill out of her eyes. "Father, why are you scolding me?" She pointed across the hall at Zi-ning. "She's the one who got taken by bandits!"
"Meisi," Old Madam Sun intervened with a stern tone, "there will be no such talk in this household again, am I clear? It's a blessing that Zi-ning has returned unharmed. If you have nothing good to say then don't say anything."
"You're all biased," Meisi grumbled, folding her arms and sinking back against her chair.
Lady Min plastered a smile onto her powdered face. "Of course we are all relieved to see Zi-ning safe and sound. But what exactly happened? And who was that lady that just left?" she asked.
Zi-ning sat back and watched as the colour slowly drained from the different faces in the room as the old madam explained the entire situation. She could see the bitterness and envy in both Meiyan and Meisi's eyes when they learned that she had become Lady Li's apprentice—a rare opportunity that no other girl in the capital had ever been given. She met Meiyan's resentful gaze with a slight tilt of her lips. She could imagine how gut-wrenching it was for Meiyan to sit pretty and watch as she not only escaped from their trap unharmed, but returned with an elevated status.
Watching their plans fall apart was immensely satisfying.
Do not unto others what you do not wish done unto you. But that's too late for you, Han Meiyan.