After settling the Jian family matters, the Master remained despondent day after day, his thoughts constantly drifting to Jian Shu’s handsome and dashing figure. He deeply regretted having so easily believed the slanderous words of the Fifth Mistress and Cuihua. Had it not been for wrongly blaming the Ninth Mistress, the responsibility of bringing glory to the lineage would surely have fallen upon this talented child who had died young. Now, the die was cast; regret served no purpose. Furthermore, seeing Měi Měi and Jian Xin living carefree lives softened the Master’s resolve to leave no loose ends, preventing him from making a final decision.

Thus, half a month passed during which the Main Household sealed off all news concerning the Jian family. Měi Měi and Jian Xin settled comfortably into a life of having everything provided for them. One day, Měi Měi, while tucked in bed with Jian Xin, was abruptly awakened by a gust of cold air. Fearing Jian Xin might catch a chill, Měi Měi rose to fetch a blanket from the cupboard. In the periphery of her vision, she glimpsed a figure passing the doorway and assumed it was the maid, prompting her to follow out and quietly ask her to be mindful not to wake Jian Xin. To her surprise, stepping outside the room, she found Father Jian standing at the threshold, his face stark white, entirely drained of color, his eyes reflecting a profound sorrow.

“Father, why have you come so suddenly?” Měi Měi hurried forward to inquire. She found it strange that Father Jian would visit the Main Household without sending any prior notice.

“The Jian family is no more. This heaviness in my chest will not dissipate, and I cannot rest in peace. I had no choice but to come and deliver this devastating news to you,” Father Jian managed, his voice strained.

Měi Měi startled, unsure what catastrophe had befallen her home, and pressed him repeatedly: “Father, what exactly happened? What is wrong with the family? What is wrong with you?”

“Alas, your own father learned of Jian Shu’s affair. To conceal the scandal, he ordered the complete annihilation of the entire Jian household. Throughout my life, I have desired nothing, and the greatest good I performed was adopting the orphaned and helpless Jian Shu. Yet, in the end, this single event cost me my own life and implicated my entire extended family. From this day forward, you and Xin’er must be extraordinarily careful and protect yourselves.” As he finished speaking, a fierce wind whipped up outside. Měi Měi blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes. When she opened them again, Father Jian had vanished. She was still lying on the bed—it had all been a dream.

Shaken from the deep slumber, Měi Měi’s heart hammered against her ribs. Calculating the days, she realized fifteen had passed since she and Jian Xin returned to her maternal home, and in that time, not a single scrap of news regarding the Jian family had arrived. Consequently, Měi Měi hastily dressed and made her way toward the Master’s study. The Master was reading inside. Seeing Měi Měi enter with visible unrest, he frowned slightly and asked, “Měi’er, what is it?”

Měi Měi spoke with mounting anxiety: “It has been half a month since Jian Xin and I came here. We should return home now.”

A jolt struck the Master’s heart; he knew the confrontation he dreaded had finally arrived. With a placid expression, he told Měi Měi, “There is no need to return to the Jian family anymore. You and Jian Xin will live here from now on.”

“Why?” Hearing her parents say this, Měi Měi suddenly felt that Father Jian’s appearance had not been a dream at all, but truly his wronged spirit attempting to convey the truth to her. Her agitation grew, tears involuntarily welling in her eyes. She choked out, “Are they… are they all gone?”

“Don’t dwell on such thoughts. You and Xin’er will live happily here from now on. No one will ever know about the past. Xin’er carries the Jian surname; his father was the sole heir of the Jian lineage,” the Master stated slowly, his voice devoid of any discernible emotion.

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