Chapter Twenty-Four: Mo Jiu, Little Jiu
Mo Yi possessed the greatest martial arts prowess, but even Mo Shi, who ranked last, was a match for few in the entire world.
Mo Jiu was the only woman among them. With her by Luo Ningsang’s side, their master could finally rest easy. Mo Youli had no idea that he had just created a romantic rival for himself; he would certainly regret today’s decision. But that was a matter for another day—for now, Mo Jiu was indeed the most suitable candidate.
"I obey your command, Master. I shall depart for Yanchi immediately."
Mo Jiu had already heard from the big-mouthed Mo Wu that Princess Luo Ningsang of Yanchi might one day become their master’s Empress. If she could get to Yanchi now and build a good relationship with the future Empress, she would love to see if Mo San and Mo Wu dared to look down on her ever again.
Mo Jiu set off for the Kingdom of Yanchi at once. As fate would have it, the Princess was just dismissing all her maids and matrons to replace them with new staff. Hearing this news, Mo Jiu felt as if heaven itself was helping her.
At dawn, with the first light of day barely breaking, a long queue snaked along the base of the palace walls—all women hoping to be selected as the Princess’s personal maids.
Mo Jiu, dressed in coarse linen clothes, blended into the crowd. Her eyes were cast downward, appearing frail and timid, though her knuckles were white as she gripped her bundle, betraying her tense nerves. Being naturally taller than the average woman and physically robust from years of martial arts training, she stood out quite noticeably among the delicate girls.
She possessed peerless lightness skills and lethal combat ability; she was here to protect the Princess. She had to become the person closest to her—clinging to the future Empress’s favor was her absolute mission.
However, the selection process was rigorous, testing etiquette, needlework, and palace protocols. Having trained in martial arts since childhood, Mo Jiu knew nothing of such delicate tasks and felt panicked. If she failed the mission entrusted to her by her master, she would meet a miserable end.
During the first round, which tested posture, the matrons scrutinized them with sharp eyes. Mo Jiu kept her gaze fixed on the person in front of her, mimicking their graceful gait and gentle nods. She held her spine ramrod straight and, through sheer force of will, managed not to show any flaws, luckily passing the test.
When it came to needlework, Mo Jiu was at a loss with the embroidery hoop and silk thread. Her technique was clumsy, and her stitches were crooked. Seeing the matron’s face darken, she steeled herself, channeling her internal energy to her fingertips. By subtly controlling the speed and movement of the needle, she managed to produce patterns that, while simple, were neat. The onlookers assumed it was a stroke of genius and an exceptional performance, and she narrowly managed to qualify.
For the final test on palace regulations, Mo Jiu had spent the previous night studying by candlelight and managed to transcribe most of the obscure rules during the exam. After much effort, she saw her name on the list of successful candidates and let out a long sigh of relief. She had been selected as a menial maid responsible for sweeping outside the Princess’s quarters.
Mo Jiu took the alias "Xiao Jiu," posing as an orphan. Once she secured the post, she rose before dawn, sweeping the courtyards with meticulous care. While others slacked off or gossiped, she silently observed the layout of the palace and the shifts of the guards to better protect the Princess in the future.
On the first day, Xiao Jiu craned her neck in anticipation. She was curious to see what kind of woman could capture the heart of her master, a man among men. It wasn’t until well into the morning that the head maid carried breakfast into the Princess’s chambers.
Assuming the Princess had finally woken, Xiao Jiu brushed the dust off her clothes and stood in the courtyard, waiting for her to emerge.
When Luo Ningsang finally stepped out