Chapter 22

“Did you notice anything strange whenever you played with Taozhi?” Meng Yao asked Zhao Xiaohua.

“You mean like a strange place?” Zhao Xiaohua blinked, not understanding what her mother meant.

“Let’s say there was something you didn’t want to do, and Taozhi convinced you otherwise. Would you do it then? Or if you wanted to do something, but Taozhi said no. Did you stop?” Meng Yao asked again.

Zhao Xiaohua furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to remember. She used to think that was normal, but she started to wonder about it when her mother questioned her.

Meng Yao knew something was wrong when she saw Zhao Xiaohua’s expression. However, she did not know why Taozhi had such an ability. She wondered if she should consider it mind-control or charm. No matter what, Meng Yao still thought it was a bad thing.

“I hope you learn to be more firm, Xiaohua. You must follow your heart and do what you want. You can’t change your mind just because someone says so,” Meng Yao advised.

“I know, Mother. But I will only change my mind whenever Taozhi says something,” Zhao Xiaohua said sternly.

“Don’t you think there is something wrong with that?” Meng Yao asked Zhao Xiaohua.

“I thought nothing of it at first, but I realized it was strange when you asked me about it,” Zhao Xiaohua answered honestly.

“So, what do you think is the problem?”

Zhao Xiaohua shook her head. Suddenly, she said, “Is Taozhi a temptress, Mother? I heard from Dahe that temptresses can bewitch people.”

“T-That…”

Meng Yao never thought of that possibility. She wanted to say it was ridiculous, but after she thought about it, she had reincarnated, and that was even stranger than being a temptress.

There was a possibility of demons and spirits appearing since it was ancient times. It might be possible for Taozhi to be a temptress in disguise.

“Mother, let’s go home so you can teach me the self-defense techniques father taught you. If Taozhi is a temptress, I can protect myself with the techniques,” Zhao Xiaohua urged.

Zhao Xiaohua had a strange mind. Even if it was only a suspicion, shouldn’t she be afraid? However, Zhao Xiaohua became excited, and it confused Meng Yao.

“I always envied Toazhi’s beauty, but not anymore. Temptresses are beautiful. She wouldn’t be a good temptress if she were ugly. That makes me the prettiest girl in the entire village!” Zhao Xiaohua was ecstatic.

Meng Yao was speechless.

“You should stay away from Taozhi,” Meng Yao warned.

Meng Yao gave Song Xiu’er a bag of snacks when she returned. But Song Xiu’er was afraid and rejected them.

Meng Yao had no choice but to be stern. “I told you to eat. Why are you being disobedient? You will never recover if you don’t eat enough. I can’t serve you forever.”

Song Xiu’er started eating the snacks after that. They were fragrant, sweet, and melted in Song Xiu’er’s mouth.

Song Xiu’er’s mother would buy snacks when Song Xiu’er lived there, but Madam Née Li would only allow her son to eat them.

Once, Song Xiu’er ate a piece of candy, and her brother complained. But no matter how Song Xiu’er tried to defend herself, no one would believe her. Then Madam Née Li would use willow branches to prick Song Xiu’er’s skin.

After that, Madam Née Li bought some more snacks for Song Xiu’er’s brother to eat in front of Song Xiu’er.

The snacks Song Xiu’er had were tasteless, but the dessert Meng Yao got her was delicious. Song Xiu’er said sobbingly, “T-Thank you, Mother-in-law.”

Meng Yao did not need to ask, yet she could tell that Song Xiu’er had recalled her tragic past.

“Go and comfort your wife, Dajiang. She’s crying. Don’t you want to be a good husband?” After that, Meng Yao left the room and went to Zhao Xiaoshu’s

Zhao Xiaoshu was lying down while Zhao Dahe read a book. Meng Yao placed the snacks on the table, her expression gentle. “Here you go, Xiaoshu. I bought you some desserts.”

Zhao Xiaoshu sat up as MengYou thoughtfully placed two pillows behind him so he could lean on them comfortably. Zhao Xiaoshu ate slowly while Meng Yao occasionally wiped the crumbs off his mouth.

Zhao Dahe was shocked after witnessing all that. ‘Is that my real mother?’

“Mother!” Zhao Dahe shouted at Meng Yao.

“What?” Meng Yao didn’t even spare him a glance.

“I want some too!” Zhao Dahe said through gritted teeth.

“Then have some. I’ll leave some here, and you can get them yourself. Were you waiting for me to feed you? You’ll be old enough to get married in two years, and you can’t expect me to spoil you,” Meng Yao said sternly.

Zhao Dahe retorted, “Xiaoshu is a grown-up too! He doesn’t need you to feed him. He only wants you to give him attention as he did in the past.”

“I went to the carpenter’s shop just now.” Meng Yao entirely ignored Zhao Dahe’s complaints and spoke to Zhao Xiaoshu gently, “Your mentor’s leg and wrist are broken, and his tendons are in terrible condition.”

Zhao Xiaoshu’s body stiffened, and he stopped eating for a moment.

“The person running the shop is your mentor’s first apprentice while Ya’er is caring for her parents. There were plenty of customers in the shop when I arrived,” Meng Yao continued.

Meng Yao told Zhao Xiaoshu there were customers so he would be at ease. Now Zhao Xiaoshu knew that the mother and daughter still had a source of income.

“Ya’er told me to pass you a message. She told me you could go back there if you’re willing. That young man will teach you what you need to know,” Meng Yao said.

“I’ve learned enough,” Zhao Xiaoshu said.

“W-What?” Meng Yao asked.

“I’m not lying. I’ve learned everything about carpentry,” Zhao Xiaoshu repeated.

“You’ve completed your apprenticeship?” Meng Yao was surprised.

Zhao Xiaoshu only worked at the carpenter’s shop for about a year and had already completed his apprenticeship. Meng Yao’s father was also a carpenter. He became an apprentice when he was sixteen years old and worked for six years before he could take charge.

“I know everything my mentor knows,” Zhao Xiaoshu said.

Meng Yao’s father once told her that some people were more talented than others.

“You’re amazing, Xiaoshu,” Meng Yao praised him sincerely. “So, what are your plans? Do you want to help Ya’er?”

“I’ll let you decide, Mother,” Zhao Xiaoshu said.

Meng Yao loved obedient children.

“I will respect whatever choice you make, Xiaoshu. However, I have a suggestion,” Meng Yao said smilingly.

Zhao Xiaoshu nodded to show he was listening attentively.

“I want you to study,” Meng Yao continued.

The room fell silent, and Meng Yao could only hear herself breathing. Zhao Xiaoshu looked at Meng Yao, dumbfounded.

Meng Yao wasn’t in a hurry to hear Zhao Xiaoshu’s reply. She had to let him digest what she said.

“I won’t force you if you’re unwilling,” Meng Yao added.

Zhao Xiaoshu was still shocked and speechless.

“Did I hear that right, Mother?!” Zhao Dahe asked, “Am I dreaming? Please pinch me!”