Luck or not, Ame did not show up for training the next day as a fierce blizzard began a few hours before midnight. Many trees in the surrounding area froze from the intense cold and cracked under the weight of the snow. Now, the grounds and roads were filled with fallen trees, and a few buildings suffered damage as well. However, this was only a minor inconvenience for her household apparently. They were already quickly repairing and cleaning up the more important areas of the mansion, and the combat training wasn’t delayed for long.
Upon their return the next day, Instructor Goro pairs Ame with Hong again. Without a second to spare, Hong immediately begins to attack. He was still sore about what happened last time. In response, Ame simply steps her front foot to the back to make his fist narrowly miss connecting with a painful crunch on her nose. She wasn’t so foolish as to not practice her visualization training and basic footwork during her free time yesterday.
Regardless, Hong didn’t pause from bewilderment or shock but instead immediately follows up with a low kick from the ground. Ame attempts to dart away but fails in doing so as she painfully slams onto the ground. She never expected for him to perform sweep so suddenly and didn’t react in time, but as she fell and gasped from the impact, she still noticed the incoming ax kick from above. In her shock, she hastily rolled away to the side as the ax kick comes down her way. At the same time, she attempted a sweep of her own and failed. However, this was truthfully a feint so that she could enter a half-kneeling stance from Jiujitsu.
The hours of rounds after rounds go by slowly and in a fit of pity, Instructor Goro finally stepped in and halted the match. "That's enough for today,” Instructor Goro calmly said before turning away and returning to his quarters.
Ame prepares to do the same as she wipes the sweat from her face and limped back to the bundled-up figure of Sada. For a woman wearing three fur coats and a blanket, Sada still managed to retain an air of beauty. Nevertheless, this was just one of the mysteries Ame had given up on solving.
Still a bit out of breath, Ame tiredly seats herself on a bench. She knows that Sada was worried about her, but she was still happy about these two matches. After all, because of the pushing herself before, she managed to fully consolidate her basic foundations yesterday and even made a breakthrough. Now, both her regeneration ability and semi-passive cultivation were successfully established without much problem
As long as she continues to train, she will benefit, but she will have to postpone most of her intense physical training plans until later. Her initial plan was to go all out into her secret training, but since the day of the first match with Hong, she had repeatedly felt unseen eyes observing her. She initially thought it might be her imagination until Morph and Kiro commented on that as well.
Morph and Kiro happily meow at Ame from their warm seat in Sada’s lap, not even trying to move and greet her. Ame smiles darkly at them but does not make a move to discipline the kittens.
Soft crunching footsteps in the snow alert Ame of a presence. Curious at the source, Ame turns around to face the person approaching her. The figure of Hong slowly walking towards her comes in her view, and HuiFeng can be seen standing by the corner of the dojo and not so subtly peeking/staring from her side.
Hong comes to a halt a short distance away from Ame. Ame carefully studies Hong for signs of movement, but nothing indicates such actions. He fidgets for a moment or two, causing a slight awkward atmosphere for both of them.
After a while, Hong’s brows furrowed and stared sternly into Ame’s eyes. “You, how have you adjusted to the life of the Min Household?”
Ame brought her hands into a martial art salute before Hong. “Thank you, Elder Brother Hong, for your concern. I am adjusting just fine and will soon be back in good condition.”
Seeing her action, Hong quickly returned the salute, but upon hearing her statement, his brows subtly twitched as he read the hidden meaning in her words. Ame could see how his face seemed to be slightly angrier despite his normally stern expression. However, only silence remained for a brief moment as they stared at one another.
Then, Hong bowed to Ame. “........I apologize for my actions.”
Ame slowly nods her head in bemusement and says, “Very well, you are forgiven.” It wasn’t the most perfect bow. He also seemed stubborn about it, but she could tell that at least some sincerity exists in his apology.
Hong sighs with relief, but while they weren’t paying too much attention, the figure of HuiFeng was already beside Hong. At the same time, she seemed ill mood as well and suddenly stared pointedly at her brother. Hong consequently flinched and slipped, falling painfully into the snow as he slides for a second or two.
Ame stares in shock at her elder siblings before she quickly regained her calm. ‘I wonder what these two are trying to do…’
HuiFeng sighs loudly before bowing to Ame. “I apologize for my younger brother’s indecorum actions,” HuiFeng sincerely said.
Not knowing what to make of the situation, Ame mutely nods in acceptance. It is not like she minds or even could mind. After all, she has no standing in this household and can only respond carefully to whatever actions the other family members are about to do.
HuiFeng studies the apprehensive figure of Ame before sighing to herself. She then gently smiles at Ame and says, “Ame, I-. we wish to welcome you back. I know it has been many years since your disappearance, and we certainly don’t know each other much very well yet. However, as a token of goodwill, our- we will like to invite you for a meal.”
Ame nods in understanding as clarity enters her mind. ‘Judging from her words, they are just a proxy. It seems the first wife wishes to meet me.’ She thought while feeling her body stiffen a bit in worry. Her memories mostly matched HuiFeng’s words, but this just made her warier of them. After all, their mother definitely desires something from her if she is trying to meet her in such a rushed yet roundabout manner.
Ame, not wishing to enter conflict for the time being, nodded in acceptance of HuiFeng’s words. A sweet smile appeared on HuiFeng’s visage, lovely enough to threaten even Sada’s charm within few years.
Hong, finally tired of staying on the ground, had risen and dusted himself off. He then warily approached HuiFeng and sighed faintly in response to weak kick on the side of his leg. “I think tonight would be a good time to go.” He says as he quickly turns and begins walking.
Ame nods in acceptance, understanding that he wished to lead her to their quarters for their little discussion. HuiFeng narrows her eyes at her brother but chose to ignore his attitude and walks beside him. After walking forward, a bit, for some reason, Hong stopped briefly and looked back to stare at Ame before turning back.
However, before completely turning, Ame is frozen at the sight. She managed to see a small and childish yet also charming smirk appear on his face before swiftly disappearing. It was likely a smile of self-satisfaction rather than a smile towards her. Even so, Ame, still stunned, makes a note to herself to avoid that smile, because even she lost her breath for a brief moment.
‘Seriously? How can the good looks genes in this family be so powerful? She could only think of this line while feeling shocked. Although everyone is still young, her siblings will no doubt become very popular in the future.
HuiFeng turned to face Ame and gives a smiling expression. “Younger sister, I hope that you will accept our offer. I ensure you that we will not disappoint you.”
Ame mutely nods, causing HuiFeng to smilingly rejoice. Her elder sister seemed to be secretly impatient. Although they are trying to seem relaxed and friendly, their approach felt a bit too forced and rushed. Her elder sibling either aren’t very good at deception or think she is too gullible.
Ame sighs and turns towards Sada, who doesn’t seem surprised. Sada beams joyfully at Ame. “My Lady, please be at ease. I am certain that the Heavens will favor you and shall wait upon your return,” She cheerfully said.
Ame didn’t respond and winced as she arose from the bench. She silently set forth for her quarters to clean up and make herself presentable while listening to Sada gaily chatting about the event.
Before leaving for dinner visit, Ame had made certain that Morph remained behind with Sada. Per what she had been told, her siblings possessed Spirit Beings. However, they were currently not at the manor and were either resting or training. Even so, she doesn’t know too about their Spirit Guardians, and they could arrive at any time.
It had been with great relief when she found out that Morph and Kiro could already sense for other spirit guardians and was told that there were none currently in the household. Although she heard about Min Hee’s snake spirit (named Lau) and wondered about her mothers’ spirit guardians too, it is not like she can know everything so soon. It is mainly due to Morph and Kiro’s appearances and their abilities as Luck Spirits that she can even find out this much without being discovered.
Sighing with some trepidation, Ame set off to the court of Ehuang, the first wife. She passed by several wings before reaching an exquisitely decorated house wing. Along the way, she also noticed an increasing number of servants and guards as compared to activity of her own residence. While Ame removed her shoes and coat, a maid placed slippers before to enter the quarter.
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Ame quickly slipped into the new slippers as she shivered in the cold. Two male house servants then slid the door open, and she finally able to study the room which was primarily decorated in a tasteful mix of Korean and Japanese decorations.
Her attention is quickly enamored by the traditional yet aesthetic scene. A beautiful dark-haired woman sits in a burgundy hanbok and lilac kimono overcoat, gracefully pouring tea with a homely and peaceful ambience. At her side was a younger-looking woman wearing both a traditional indigo Indian dress without a sari and an embroidered, mint-colored shawl draped around her head and over her shoulders.
Ame immediately halted her steps and squinted her eyes a bit in shock. ‘Nuo? Wh-To think both the First Wife and Third Wife would be present….’ Her thoughts moved quickly.
Although it was a bit surprisingly, she also could say it was completely unexpected. She already knew that the dinner was just a front. Instead of worrying about it, Ame searches for HuiFeng and Hong, but it would appear they have yet to arrive. The twins are not present either as she searches for their nursemaids.
Upon finding she is being stared at, Ame bows and politely says, “Greetings Honored Mothers, how good it is to see you again so soon.”
Ehuang paused for a moment at Ame’s words, but as befitting of a noble lady, she smiles gently and elegantly beckons her to join her at her side. Ame slowly moves, trying not to mind her injuries or limp noticeably. She seats herself to the right of Ehuang. Upon sitting down, the scent of lilac (from Ehuang) wafts into her nose. Ame focuses her gaze at the Turkish rug beneath them to keep herself from wrinkling her nose at the flowery scent.
However, as she settled in her seat, a discomforting silence then ensues. She waited patiently for the hosts to strike up a conversation or for HuiFeng and Hong to arrive. After all, it is not like they knew each other intimately, and it was best to avoid causing troubles. Ame just wanted to first see what was the purpose of the recent invitation. The silence is disturbed by the skirt rustle of a house maid who enters carrying a tray. The house maid kneels silently onto the floor and carefully bares sweet buns along with an additional tea cup and china plate. The housemaid smoothly pours tea for Ame and exchanges the previous teapot with the warm china pot. After doing so, she places sweet buns on Ame’s plate before soundlessly darting away.
As soon as the maid is gone, Ame was a bit disappointed while looking at the dish. She was hoping for a real dinner meal, but upon hearing her stomach rumble loudly, she decides to take a sweet bun for now and have Sada prepare a light meal afterwards. Ehuang impishly smiles at her actions as she hides her grin gracefully behind her kimono overcoat sleeve. Nuo doesn’t even bother to hide her grin as she mischievously smiles back at Ame.
Ame decides to ignore the pair as she enjoys the delicious taste of the sweet red bean bun. She keeps her expression stiffened and her mouth tightly shut the entire time to keep herself from letting out a moan of pleasure. Without a doubt, food was life.
Ehuang opens her pink lips as a melodious voice emerges, “How are you, little one? Is everything to your satisfaction?”
Ame finishes swallowing and carefully replies, “I am quite content, Eh-Mother.”
Ehuang smiles faintly as Nuo glares unhappily at Ehuang before darting around her. With twinkling eyes, Nuo joyfully pulls the startled Ame into her embrace. Ame stiffens for a moment but relaxes a bit upon realizing there is no maliciousness to her actions.
Ame numbly allows Nuo, the second wife, to do as she wishes. That is until the jasmine perfume begins to clog her throat causing her to choke. Seeing the bad expression and still figure of Ame, Ehuang at last intervened.
“Nuo, let the child eat. She is still hungry,” Ehuang pleasantly said.
“Ah.” Nuo looks down at Ame and suddenly realizes the stiffness and bad expression the child has. Becoming aware of her actions, she sighs but nods before releasing the grasped child from her arms. “Sorry, little Ame.” Her expression was both apologetic and awkward.
However, Ame didn’t mind much. She was just glad that she could finally have some room to now breathe. Before returning to her seat, Nuo gently places a small peck upon Ame’s forehead.
Ame merely gazes at Ehuang in wordlessly thanks. Ehuang, smiling with poise, graciously places a few more sweet buns on Ame’s plate. As everything began to quiet down once more, the only sound that can be heard is the soft chewing of Ame as both Ehuang and Nuo continue to study her.
After some time, Ehuang hesitantly opens her mouth to speak, “I do not wish nor like speaking ill of others. However, my sister, Ayako, your mother, little Ame, is not always a very kind woman.”
Upon noticing no visible reaction on Ame’s face, Ehuang hastily continued, “Please do not confuse my words, little Ame. Your mother, though a former courtesan, is incredibly brilliant and cunning; her brilliance has many times aided our husband in his endeavors. Although not all her methods are agreeable, they are certainly helpful. She can be considered as a proper wife of the Min Household as she has assisted the family and support her clan in various ways. She has-”
Ehuang suddenly stops her words as she notices the expressionless face on Ame. Staring into her eyes, it felt as though the child’s gaze was piercing her and becoming more pointed. Even Nuo stiffened somewhat in response.
“.... Cough, cough, I shouldn’t drivel on. I will just say this: Little Ame, in the future, tread carefully around your mother, Ayako. The phrase ‘a poisonous snake lying in wait’ is very applicable description to our sister, Ayako. She hides her poisonous fan-."
“I see.” Ehuang couldn’t finish her warning, disrupted from the soft yet clear muttering from Ame. Both Nuo and her looked at the child, but subconsciously, they could only feel discomforted by the stoic expression on Ame.
“......Am I to understand that you wish for me to stay away from my biological mother? Or is there another meaning to calling me here to meet the both of you?” Although the question was asked in a serene voice, the meaning behind her words were clear.
After all, it is not normal to ask for a child to stay away from their mother. Furthermore, voicing the second question implied that she was called here and didn’t come here out of a close relationship. In other words, they hardly know each other, but they are already trying to force her to do something without considering her circumstances or her desires.
If it was a normal child, they would probably get angry or defend their mother due to their words. At the very least, they would refute them. Ame’s two questions reminded both mothers, and it also indicated that Ame was not as foolish as her age would belies. This caused both parents to feel a mix of relief and panic in response, creating another brief silence while waiting to see the child’s reaction.
However, despite their worries, Ame simply takes a sip of her tea and doesn’t react, much to Ehuang’s surprise. After a moment, Ame swallows and then shows a faint yet enchanting smile to Ehuang. “Don’t worry. Of course, Mother, no doubt you are right,” Ame steadily said.
Hearing her words, a conflicted expression appeared on Ehuang’s face. She could only sigh before relaxing and bringing up a smile of her own. “As long as you understand.” She says before grabbing the teapot.
“Now, let us not dwell on the boorish topic for now. We should instead enjoy this specially brewed Jasmine tea and snacks.” She then serves tea into the empty tea cups, while Nuo carefully continues to study Ame.
A look of understanding passes through Nuo’s eyes, but she does not mention her thoughts to Ehuang. Although things didn’t go as smoothly as they had hoped, the result wasn’t exactly unexpected. Since Ame wasn’t involved in the matters of the clan, all they could do to not trouble the child is maintain their silence and not show too much interest in the child.
Ame closes her eyes and ponders Ehuang’s words carefully as she chews. Though Ayako may very well be all sorts of things, at least she was honest about her feelings. Ehuang, for being such a lovely woman, hid quite a poisonous heart herself. If she truly was sincere towards Ame, then why had she waited so long to meet her? Or better yet, why did she bring up conflict between wives and mention it to a child?
A part of Ame was saddened unexpectedly by the revelation. After all, the child in her remembered and still believed her mothers were beyond reproach, but Ame can also console herself with the fact that her impression of that man was not in the wrong.
The door suddenly slams open, interrupting the silence as HuiFeng enters and is followed closely behind by Hong. HuiFeng and Hong politely bow their heads and courteously say, "It's a pleasure to see you again, our most beautiful and gracious mothers.”
The pair then seat themselves next to Nuo as Ehuang motions for the maids to begin bringing in the real food. The maids quickly do so, bringing out that which resembles Peking duck and other meat/vegetable dishes with bowls of rice.
Seeing the hunger emanating from both Ame and Hong’s eyes, Ehuang eagerly motions to begin eating. Ame could help but to be pleasantly surprised that the hosts really did prepare proper food for her, and she was ready to dig in. Of course, though hungry, Ame didn’t forget her etiquette and made sure to control herself and only eat a moderate amount of food. With almost tears in her eyes, Ame enjoys every single morsel of food on her plate.
The sound of Ehuang, Nuo, HuiFeng and Hong’s voices fill the air as they chat about various subjects. Ame only ate quietly and secretly paid attentions to the details of each person’s discussions. Even so, everything was much more harmonious than before, and it was almost like the earlier tense atmosphere and dialogue never happened.
After some time, Ame lets out a sigh of contentment as she finishes eating. The maids then begin to clear the table and place a new round of plates of small sweets on the table to clear the pallet. Ame takes a small green sweet and chews on it.
Even these new sweets were finely made. After the meal, she glances at the dark winter sky and rises to her feet. Performing decent bow, Ame says, “Thank you for invitation, but I am afraid that I must now take my leave. My caretaker will also be worried about now."
Nuo smiles warmly at Ame, and Ehuang graciously says, "No. it was our pleasure to finally meet you, little one.”
Ehuang pauses for a second. Then, she turns to her children and says, "HuiFeng and Hong, accompany your younger sister back to her quarters?"
Before HuiFeng can gracefully rise to her feet or the reluctant Hong is forced to do so, Ame politely declines. “Thank you, mothers, for your thoughtful sincerity. However, I am tired, and I sure that HuiFeng and Hong also wish to spend their remaining time with you.”
Ehuang graciously nods and accepts Ame’s request as Hong remains sitting with ill-concealed relief. HuiFeng doesn’t react beyond a nod, On the other hand, Nuo is the only to let out a small sigh. With the aid of maids, Ame puts on her walking shoes and coat before venturing into the cold winter night. Despite sore muscles and her healing injuries, Ame quickly hurries away to her quarters to get out of the cold.
*
Ame opens her eyes in the dark as she stretches after having meditated. Morph yawns sleepily, while Kiro rubs his sleepy face, before climbing onto Ame’s shoulder. Ame silently slips out of the bed and heads to the designated meeting area, the bathroom.
She then softly closes the door behind her, before sitting down in the bathtub. The kittens wash their furry faces awake, before jumping down Ame’s shoulder and onto her knees.
Ame quietly waits until they settle down before asking, “Report?”
They both softly chime out, “Ayako is the key.”
Ame frowns as she ponders the situation. “All right, see if you can’t learn anything more,” She firmly said.
Morph tiredly nods in response with Kiro already curled up sound asleep in her lap. Morph swiftly joins his brother leaving Ame to continue her train of thoughts whilst she meditates.