Han Li silently activated the Art of Eternal Youth to stabilize his mind, then dared to raise his head again, skipping over that woman to continue examining the last one who had entered.
The final woman appeared to be twenty-six or twenty-seven. Though her features were refined and pleasant, a face like a mask of frost made one instinctively keep their distance. The moment she entered, she fixed Han Li with a cold stare, her gaze sharp and penetrating—clearly a master of exceptional martial skill.
When Yan Shi saw these women enter, she immediately rose from her seat and gave them a slight bow.
"Second Sister, Third Sister, how good to see you! Fifth Sister, you've come as well."
"Fourth Sister, there's no need to be so formal—we're all family!" Before the leading woman could speak, the bewitchingly alluring Third Madam covered her delicate mouth and laughed. The seductive quality of that laugh once again set Han Li's heart fluttering, and he clicked his tongue inwardly in wonder.
"I wouldn't dare presume. Please, Elder Sisters, take your seats." Yan Shi smiled faintly and yielded her chair, allowing the leading woman to sit down. She herself then took a seat below the stunning Third Madam.
The cold and beautiful Fifth Madam, addressed as "Fifth Sister," sat silently across from Yan Shi without a word.
Mo Caihuan, who had followed the women inside, obediently closed the door and slipped behind her mother. Her bright eyes darted around in all directions, her thoughts impossible to read.
"This young man is the one who brought the letter?" the woman in her thirties asked, regarding Han Li with detached curiosity.
"Yes. According to the letter, he is the Master's personal disciple," Yan Shi answered with dignified composure. Then she turned to Han Li with a serious expression. "This is your Second Master's wife. Go and pay your respects."
"Greetings, Second Master's wife!" Han Li stepped forward and bowed with quick efficiency.
"Rise. Since you are the Master's beloved disciple, there is no need for excessive formality." A trace of a smile crossed the woman's face as she spoke.
"This is your Third Master's wife, and your Fifth Master's wife," Yan Shi continued, indicating the extraordinarily beautiful Third Madam and the coldly elegant Fifth Madam for Han Li's benefit.
"Third Master's wife, Fifth Master's wife, greetings!" Han Li looked at the Third Madam, who appeared barely older than himself, hesitated briefly, then bowed.
The suspicion on Han Li's face had not gone unnoticed by Yan Shi. She smiled gently and explained in a warm tone: "Your Third Master's wife has mastered the art of preserving her appearance. Though she looks barely in her twenties, she is actually about the same age as your Second Master's wife."
Han Li nodded inwardly, feeling his suspicions confirmed. This stunning woman must have cultivated some special technique. Otherwise, her beauty alone could not have left him so disoriented that he lost all self-control.
"Second Sister, this is the Master's personal letter. Please read it." Yan Shi handed the letter Han Li had delivered to Second Madam Li. After she had finished, it was passed to the others in turn.
When the last reader—the cold and beautiful Fifth Madam—finished the letter, a heavy silence settled over the room.
Even the Third Madam Liu, who had seemed the most frivolous, grew solemn. Gone was her earlier boldness and seductive manner; in its place was an air of remarkable dignity.
Watching the expressions of Doctor Mo's wives, Han Li felt a growing unease. He could not imagine what momentous news the letter contained to weigh so heavily on them all.
Yet outwardly he maintained his composure, standing quietly to one side. This only reinforced the women's impression that he was steady and reliable, possessing the bearing of a true leader.
"Han Li! Your Master's letter has greatly shocked me and the other wives. We must discuss it thoroughly. You have traveled a long way and must be weary. Rest well tonight at the Mo Residence. Tomorrow, we will summon you for further questions." Yan Shi had commanded the Jingzhao Society for many years, and every gesture carried an unquestionable authority. In the end, it was she who spoke first.
"Your obedient servant responds!" Han Li replied with perfect deference, the very picture of a junior awaiting the elders' instructions.
None of the other women moved to countermand Yan Shi's decision. It seemed they too wished for Han Li, the outsider, to withdraw temporarily so the sisters could discuss certain confidential matters in private.
"Huan'er, take Brother Han to the rear quarters and find him a clean guest room where he may rest properly," Yan Shi instructed Mo Caihuan.
"Hehe! I understand, Brother Han! Follow me." Mo Caihuan blinked several times and wrinkled her nose—initially reluctant, but after a moment's thought, she agreed with a bright smile.
"Do not cause trouble for your senior brother, or I will have you punished according to family rules!" Yan Shi knew her precious daughter's mind all too well and issued the verbal warning in advance.
"Fine, I know!" the girl pouted, speaking with manifest reluctance.
Han Li broke into an invisible sweat. Had Yan Shi not intervened, would this spoiled young lady have set a trap for him out of sheer mischief?
He shot Mo Caihuan an odd look, and for the first time felt the girl might not be quite as charming as she appeared.
And so, Mo Caihuan trudged out the door in low spirits while Han Li followed with an impassive expression.
After Han Li had been gone for some time, Yan Shi's solemn voice suddenly broke the quiet of the room.
"Fifth Sister, trouble you to check the surroundings. Make sure that boy has truly left. We must not let him slip back unnoticed."
The coldly beautiful Madam Wang rose without a word, walked out, and vanished into the darkness.
"Fourth Sister, aren't you overestimating him? Could he really be that capable?" The Third Madam's beautiful eyes glinted, and she seemed somewhat dismissive.
"Third Sister, you have misjudged him. This disciple our Master has taken is far from ordinary."
"Consider this: the Mo Residence is already heavily guarded. This building is my office for managing the Society's affairs—the area is thick with hidden sentries and patrols, twenty or thirty positions at least. Yet he managed to infiltrate this place without either Caihuan or me sensing a thing. Do you think an ordinary martial artist could accomplish that?" Yan Shi said softly.