The Beautiful Matron

1,130 words

Chapter 111: The Beautiful Matron

Han Li quietly circulated the Eternal Spring Art to steady his nerves before he dared to lift his head and continue his observation of the next young matron.

The last woman to enter the room appeared to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. While her features were delicate and lovely, the frosty expression on her face made others keep their distance. The moment she entered, her cold gaze fixed directly on Han Li, her eyes flashing with a chilling light. She was clearly a master of profound inner energy.

Upon seeing them enter, Madam Yan rose from her seat and offered them a light bow.

“Second Sister, Third Sister, greetings! Fifth Sister, you’ve come as well.”

“Fourth Sister, you’re being too formal. We’re all family, no need for such courtesy!” Before the leading matron could speak, the enchantingly seductive young matron laughed lightly while covering her cherry lips. The alluring quality in that laugh caused Han Li’s heart to stir and his mind to waver once again, secretly clicking his tongue in amazement.

“This younger sister wouldn’t dare. Please, sisters, take the seats of honor.” Madam Yan smiled faintly, vacating her own chair for the leading matron to sit, while she herself took a seat below the seductive young matron.

The cold, beautiful matron addressed as “Fifth Sister” sat down opposite Madam Yan without a word.

Mo Cailuan, who had followed the matrons into the room, cleverly closed the door and retreated behind her mother, though her bright, lively eyes darted around restlessly as if she were thinking of something.

“Is this young man the one who delivered the letter?” The matron in her thirties looked at Han Li and asked blandly.

“Yes. According to the letter, he is my husband’s personal disciple.” Madam Yan replied generously. Then, turning to Han Li with a composed expression, she said, “This is your Second Master’s Wife. Come, pay your respects.”

“Greetings, Second Master’s Mother!” Han Li stepped forward smartly and bowed to the woman.

“Rise. Since you are my husband’s beloved disciple, there’s no need for such formality.” A trace of a smile appeared on the woman’s face as she spoke amiably.

“This is your Third Master’s Wife, and your Fifth Master’s Wife.” Madam Yan then pointed to the enchanting young matron and the cold, beautiful matron in turn as she introduced them.

“Greetings, Third Master’s Mother, Fifth Master’s Mother!” Han Li looked at the young matron, who seemed barely older than himself, hesitated slightly, and then bowed once more.

Han Li’s momentary doubt was caught by Madam Yan. She smiled gently and said in a warm tone, “Your Third Master’s Mother has mastered the art of preserving her appearance. Though she looks only in her twenties, she is actually about the same age as your Second Master’s Mother.”

Han Li nodded inwardly, feeling that his guess had been close to the mark. This seductive, beautiful young matron must have cultivated some special secret technique. Otherwise, her mere appearance would never have caused him to lose his composure so completely.

“Second Sister, this is my husband’s personal letter. Please take a look.” Madam Yan handed the letter Han Li had delivered to the Second Madam, Li. After Li finished reading it, the letter was passed on to the other two.

When the last of them—the cold, beautiful young matron—had also finished perusing the letter, the room fell into silence.

Even the most frivolous-seeming of them, the seductive young matron Liu, had her expression turn serious, completely shedding her earlier boldness and allure. She too appeared extraordinarily dignified.

Seeing the expressions of Doctor Mo’s wives, Han Li felt a pang of unease in his heart. He could not guess what earth-shattering news the letter had conveyed to them, leaving their faces so heavy.

Outwardly, however, Han Li’s expression remained unchanged as he stood respectfully to the side. This only made the matrons feel that he was steady, reliable, and possessed of considerable composure.

“Han Li! Your master’s letter has come as a great shock to me and your other masters’ wives. We need to discuss it thoroughly. You have traveled a long way and must be tired. Rest well tonight at the Mo Estate! Tomorrow, we will call for you again to ask further questions.” Madam Yan, after all, had held the reins of the Jingjiao Society for many years, and every movement she made carried an unspoken authority. She was the first to give Han Li his instructions.

“Disciple understands!” Han Li obediently acknowledged, showing every sign of a junior following his elder’s orders.

The other matrons did not stop Madam Yan, apparently also wanting Han Li, an outsider, to withdraw first so that the sisters could discuss private matters.

“Huan’er! Take your Senior Brother Han to the rear estate and find a clean room. Let him rest well.” Madam Yan said to Mo Cailuan.

“Heh! I understand. Senior Brother Han, follow me!” Mo Cailuan blinked a few times and wrinkled her nose slightly, initially reluctant. But then, after a moment’s thought, she agreed with a bright smile.

“Don’t cause any trouble for your senior brother! Otherwise, you will face the family law!” Madam Yan knew her precious daughter’s mind all too well and issued a verbal warning in advance.

“Aww, fine!” the young girl pouted, saying reluctantly.

Han Li was inwardly sweating. If Madam Yan hadn’t said anything, would this pampered young lady have set a trap for him for no reason?

Han Li cast a strange glance at Mo Cailuan. For the first time, the girl no longer seemed quite so clever and adorable to him.

And so, Mo Cailuan listlessly walked out the door, with Han Li following calmly behind.

Long after Han Li had left the room, the quiet chamber was suddenly broken by Madam Yan’s solemn voice.

“Fifth Sister, would you please check the surroundings to make sure that boy has truly left? We cannot have him sneaking back without our knowledge.”

The cold and beautiful Wang, upon hearing this, left the room without a word and disappeared into the darkness.

“Fourth Sister, are you overestimating the boy? Does he really have that much ability?” Third Madam Liu’s beautiful eyes flickered with light as she spoke dismissively.

“Third Sister, you have misjudged him. The disciple our husband has taken in is far from ordinary.”

“Think about it. Our Mo Estate is already heavily guarded, and this building is the heart of my operations for the society. The surrounding area is dense with hidden sentries and guards—twenty or thirty posts at least. And yet, he managed to sneak all the way here without me or Cailuan noticing a thing. Do you think an ordinary expert could accomplish that?” Madam Yan said softly.

Share to

Reading Guide Decoding

A Council of Wives and the First Social Trap

Cultural / Xianxia Notes

The Family as a Power Structure: In classical Chinese narratives, a senior male’s wives are often depicted as rivalrous factions within a family power structure. This chapter exemplifies that perfectly. Madam Yan is the administrative chief, while the others represent different forms of capital: legal authority (Second Madam Li), seductive influence (Third Madam Liu), and martial power (Fifth Madam Wang). Han Li must navigate this complex web of alliances and jealousy without a single misstep.

The "Art of Discerning People" (识人之术): This is a major theme in Chinese historical and wuxia fiction. A character’s ability to instantly read another person's character, skills, and intentions is their most valuable asset. Han Li’s calm observation and Madam Yan’s sharp assessment of Han Li’s infiltration ability are perfect examples of this principle in action. It’s often more important than raw power.

Treating a Boy as a Man: Despite Han Li’s young age, he is treated by these experienced women as a serious actor. This reflects the Xianxia convention where a cultivator’s mental age and maturity are valued far above their biological years. The matrons do not see a boy; they see a potential weapon, a spy, or a threat.

Chapter Overview

Get ready, fellow Daoists, because the tension shifts from martial might to domestic politics! This chapter is a masterclass in social navigation and psychological warfare. After his long journey, Han Li finally arrives at the Mo Estate, but instead of a warm welcome, he faces a tribunal of formidable matrons. The real battle isn't fought with fists or blades, but with calm demeanor, calculated observation, and a poker face cold enough to freeze a river. We witness the sharp intelligence of Madam Yan, the subtle power plays between co-wives, and Han Li's first real test of social survivability outside of a kill-or-be-killed scenario. This is where the mortal in Mortal's Journey proves just as dangerous as the immortal arts.

Key Plot Points

The Lineup of Matrons: Han Li is formally introduced to Doctor Mo's four wives. Each is a distinct personality and potential threat: the composed and authoritative Second Madam (Li), the enchantingly seductive and sharp-eyed Third Madam (Liu), the cold and silent martial expert Fifth Madam (Wang), and Han Li's contact, the politically savvy Fourth Madam (Yan).
Han Li's Social Analysis: Han Li uses the Eternal Spring Art to suppress his reaction to the Third Madam's innate charm, immediately deducing she has a special technique. He watches, assesses, and remains an impassive statue, successfully projecting an image of "steady and reliable" composure.
The Letter's Weight: The contents of Doctor Mo's letter are not revealed, but its effect is immediate and profound, plunging the four wives into a grave, silent conference. Whatever news it contains is a major shock, suggesting a significant shift or a dangerous situation for the family.
Exclusion and a Warning: Madam Yan cleverly dismisses Han Li to rest, buying time for the sisters to confer. She also warns her daughter, Mo Cailuan, not to harass him, confirming her awareness of her daughter's mischievous nature.
The Post-Meeting Assessment: After Han Li leaves, Madam Yan immediately questions his true ability. She sends the Fifth Madam to check if he is truly gone, revealing her deep suspicion. She argues that anyone who could infiltrate her heavily guarded headquarters unnoticed is not an ordinary expert, elevating the danger Han Li represents in her mind.

Reading Guide

This chapter is a critical transition for Han Li. He has left the clear-cut violence of the Seven Mysteries Sect for the murky, treacherous waters of family politics. Pay close attention to how Han Li chooses his words—or rather, how he chooses not to speak. His power here is the power of the void: he reveals nothing and observes everything.

Also, note the magnificent contrast between the overtly sexual Third Madam Liu and the cold Fifth Madam Wang. They are two sides of the same coin: danger disguised as seduction and danger disguised as a blade. Han Li’s reaction to the Third Madam—forcing himself calm with the Eternal Spring Art—is a small but powerful detail. It shows that even a veteran survivor is not immune to all threats; he must use his tools just to maintain his equilibrium.

Finally, Madam Yan’s final question is the key to the chapter. She isn't sure if Han Li is a simple messenger or a dangerous prodigy. The mystery of Doctor Mo’s letter and the escalating tension are the hooks that pull us into the next phase of the story, where the "Mortal" world of Jianghu gangs collides with the terrifying reality of cultivation.