บท 7: Book Pavilion
A wide smile appeared on Song Jia's face as she discovered this new ability.
She lifted the curtain of the carriage slightly and checked the situation.
The driver of the carriage was one of her grandfather's guards. To the people, there was another person sitting next to him. They didn't know that it was only a puppet dressed in white, the face was covered by a veil.
Song Jia lifted the curtain near the driver a little and dragged the puppet inside, taking off its veil. The driver seemed to not find this strange as he continued to look ahead.
The puppet was then placed inside her interspatial ring. She didn't have time to change the puppets' outfits so she thought of doing this. Thanks to her grandfather and uncle, they were able to come up with this plan.
She then wore the veil and replaced the puppet's position next to the driver.
The man beside her slightly glanced at her, not saying anything.
The funeral proceeded without others knowing what happened. Once the burial was done, the people dispersed. Only the family was left behind.
Song Jia stood behind Song Huo obediently, keeping silent. Still Song Yimu noticed her presence.
"Uncle, who is that person behind you?" Song Yimu narrowed her eyes.
Song Huo remained apathetic and kept his calm. "He's my junior."
"Oh? How come I've never seen you bring a Junior before? And now that we're having a funeral too." Song Yimu felt strange as she looked at the person covered with a veil.
She couldn't help but be reminded of Song Jia every time she looked at someone wearing a veil. Her dead sister used to wear a veil all the time. Nobody except her blood relations knows what she really looked like behind it. Not even the Second Wife.
Song Jia would only show her face to her father, uncle and grandfather. But to other people, she was very careful to hide her face. The last time anyone else saw her face was when she was 8 years old. She was already pretty then that anyone who saw her would comment on how pretty she was.
One time, she accidentally saw a young maidservant who was reading a novel with so much interest that her cheeks were blushing red and her smile was very wide. The maidservant begged her not to punish her for reading a book instead of working. Song Jia asked for the book from the maidservant in exchange.
From then on, she began to understand human relationships. She wished to have a happy ending with a man who would choose her for her and not for her face alone. She began to hide her face with the veil one day. She was only a child, thinking that these kinds of stories are real.
She thought that wearing a veil would allow her to get to know people through conversations rather than them only talking to her because of her face. This act became a habit and as she grew older and more beautiful, everyone else forgot how she looked. Which is why when Song Yimu spread word that Song Jia was actually ugly, she was able to get the 5th prince easily.
"Ah.. He only just arrived this morning. Father, Sister-in-law, Yimu'er, this is my Junior, Shi Jin."
"Greetings General Song, Madam Huang, Young Miss." Song Jia bowed respectfully. She made her voice sound low, without a hint of femininity.
"Why do you wear a veil?" Song Yimu approached them. "Do you have such a high standing that you don't even bother to give face to the General?"
"Ah.. Apologies to the General. I didn't mean to give disrespect. My skin is rather sensitive to the sun so I was left without a choice but to cover my face. Else, it would be such an ugly sight." Song Jia made up an excuse.
Song Yimu still had doubts but she wasn't able to push the issue further when General Song Qing interrupted them.
"There's no need to apologize. I've already seen you earlier in my residence." He waved his hand, dismissing the topic. "Let's head back."
"Shi Jin, follow me closely." Song Huo instructed in a firm voice.
"Yes, Senior Brother." Song Jia nodded.
Song Yimu glanced at the veiled young man once more before getting in the carriage to head back to their residence.
Later that evening, Song Huo brought Song Jia to the residence's book pavilion. They went all the way to the back.
There was a painting of the ancient sacred beasts hanging on the wall. Song Huo focused his spirit energy on his palm and touched the center of the painting. A second later, a hidden opening on the floor appeared.
'Wha--? What is this place? I didn't know there was a hidden door here in the book pavilion.'
"Let's go in." Song Huo gestured for her to head down as he shot fire downwards, lighting the lamps on the wall inside.
Song Jia was worried for a moment but still followed him in. Once they were both inside, the door above closed by itself. She continued to follow him in the passageway until she saw another door.
Entering inside, she saw the back of General Song Qing who was looking at a portrait of another General.
"Grandfather.." She called out to him, getting his attention.
"Did you know that you were named after one of our greatest ancestors, General Song Jia?" He spoke, his hands clasped behind him. He looked intimidating even from behind.
Song Jia's heart skipped a beat. She approached her grandfather and also looked at the portrait in front of them. It was of a dashing young man in a General's armor. He was atop a horse, his hand on the reins and the other brandishing his sword as he deflected the arrows coming his way.
"One of his men, who also knew how to paint, made this in honor of him." He told her when he saw she was interested. "He was a valiant hero to our kingdom, especially to the military. Your mother once said that she would like for you to have the same character as him."
"I will strive to always be good, grandfather." She offered a smile to him.
"Jia'er, you already are good. I'm just thankful that you are alive." His smile was sad as he recalled that his granddaughter's life was still in danger which is why there's a need for this secrecy. "Come, let me show you something."
Song Jia held her grandfather's arm as she followed him with her uncle. Only then she noticed that the room they came from was similar to what a study room would look like and was only where they kept treasures such as books, paintings and other antiques.
They passed by a room that has a connecting door to the study room. It looked like a living room but everything in it looked like antiques to her if compared to when she was living as Cynthia Dorsey. She saw a few low-back armchairs, a low table, a luohan bed, kang table, a pair of hongmu foot stools, a lampstand, and some more furniture.
She was led to a room where there is a huge furnace in the middle. On the side were some tables with instruments such as mortar and pestle among others. She also noticed the baskets and jars around the room and a shelf with stacks of bottles. This is like an ancient version of a laboratory, an alchemy room in this world.
"We have this here?" This was her first time seeing this. She wasn't told about the clan having this place under the book pavilion either.
General Song Qing nodded.
"Our ancestors built this place." Song Huo spoke, respect was evident in his voice.
"The one on the painting?" She curiously asked.
"Yes. He made these rooms back then. Generations later, they built a book pavilion above it." Song Huo explained.
They then brought her to another room. It clearly was a weapons chamber as there were a lot of weapons inside such as swords, sabres, spears, daggers, bows and arrows and armors.
"This.. seem to be a weapons chamber?" She felt silly asking but it was just too amazing.
Song Huo chuckled. "Indeed. General Song Jia made most of these while others were either bought or were gifted to him and to our other ancestors."
"The room next to this is the treasure room. There's not a lot inside. During the ancestor's time, the room used to be brimming with treasures. He made plenty of inventions back then which he used for various purposes unknown to others. But after he died, some of the clansmen stole the treasures and sold them outside." General Song Qing had a sombre look as he explained.
"Ah? Why did they do that?" She couldn't help but ask. As clansmen, shouldn't they protect the treasures of their clan?
"General Song Jia didn't have a wife or child before he died. Some clansmen coveted his belongings, especially the ones that could enhance their skills. They were caught in the end but whatever was taken out was already gone. You might hear of some treasure out there that could enhance the skills, chances are, it was made by General Song Jia." Song Qing heaved a sigh. Those were some dark days of their clan. Song Qing was only 15 years old at that time so he was already able to recall and understand the events.
Now almost a hundred years later, he's finally shown his granddaughter who was named after that great ancestor his treasures.
"Umm.. grandfather, uncle… Why did you take me here? This looks like some hidden secret of our clan." Song Jia wondered why they would show her this.
"Because from now on, you will be gaining your strength here. From the ambush, you suffered plenty of injuries. Also, before that, you were unable to cultivate which is highly suspicious given that you were able to cultivate as soon as you turned 4 years old. I would know since I was the one who tutored you." Song Huo revealed.
"Yes. It's not safe for you to show your face right now. There wasn't enough evidence to point to the mastermind. Also, the clues only pointed to one. Based on my understanding of that person's ability, the plan wouldn't have been made if it weren't for someone backing up. We will try our best to find out why you were unable to cultivate and find a solution for that." Her grandfather looked haggard as he spoke. The past events have really taken a toll on him.
"There is a passageway that leads to the dungeon and a passageway for the bedrooms and another that would lead to an exit outside, to the back of a mountain. There, you can spend time cultivating peacefully once you are able to cultivate. We have a hall here as well for practicing martial arts and spirit skills. I will come down often to teach you. We would feel assured if you're stronger before you can finally show your face."
"If it was up to me, I'd have you stay here while I bring those responsible for you and your father's injuries to receive punishment." A fierce look appeared on Song Qing.
Until now, Song Xia is still unconscious.
"Alright uncle, grandfather.. I will work hard to get stronger." She promised.
Her grandfather heaved a sigh. "I only want you to be safe, child."
Song Jia thought of telling them that she's already able to cultivate now. But she didn't know how to explain how it happened. So she only obediently answered them while she thought of a plan.
"Also, your maidservant, Lu Ping has taken an oath. She would be the only one other than us to come here. She would assist you in your daily needs." General Song Qing informed her before the three of them left the book pavilion.
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