Weilo’s mother beckoned to me kindly: “Your name is Yan’er, right? Come sit next to me!” She said with a full smile. If I hadn’t seen her previous expression, I would have thought her very warm. But her and Weilo’s previous expressions made me wary of them.
I carefully approached her, still wearing a forced smile. I sat down in a position slightly farther from her.
“You silly girl, why sit so far? Are you afraid of me? Do I have a face that looks like I’ll eat you?” She laughed lightly, seeing my cautious demeanor. Her slender hand affectionately stroked my fingers.
I could only sit closer to her, allowing her smooth hand to caress my fingers.
I did not pay attention to the reluctance on Weilo’s face, nor did I look at the smugness on Weilo’s mother’s face.
I just glanced out the window at the swaying branches and smiled lightly.
“Godmother, Yan’er is hungry!” I turned and smiled at the woman who looked not much older than myself.
“Of course! I’ll have food served immediately!” She doted on me, stroking my hand with a benevolent expression, her beautiful face showing no trace of malice.
During the meal, I quietly ate the vegetarian dishes she prepared for me. They were delicate and beautiful, but I found them increasingly unappetizing, and my previously hungry stomach lost all appetite the moment I saw the dishes.
“Godmother, I heard Cang Kingdom has a very famous national teacher!” I asked casually, innocently serving her food while wearing a curious expression.
Hearing my words, her smiling face momentarily wavered but quickly returned to normal. She answered in a calm tone: “Yes! Cang Kingdom has an extremely renowned national teacher, reportedly with extraordinary abilities.”
Her words clearly did not satisfy my curiosity. I wanted to ask more but felt that pursuing it would seem too deliberate.
Just as I was hesitating whether to continue asking, she interrupted me: “Yan’er, Mother is very lonely here. From today, come into the palace and keep me company.” Her words were like scalding oil poured on my heart.
This terrifying woman actually wanted to imprison me again in this horrible place and deprive me of my freedom.
