Chapter 4: Showing Her The Admission Pass
Meifeng held the pass closer to the candle to inspect it. The delicate silver lining as well as the carved seal on the wooden piece didn't seem to be fake. It had a mild calming smell of rose and sandalwood.
"You opted for their entrance examination?" Meifeng asked, putting the admission pass back inside the envelope.
"Mhm." Lanying nodded.
Her mother didn't seem too happy after the initial excitement. She couldn't help but feel disappointed inwardly.
"I will tell Ah Heng to prepare a carriage for you along with daily essentials. The joining date is after a month. You can set out after a few days, so that you don't get delayed." Meifeng said.
An Hualing took the envelope from her hand. Looking at the seal on it, she was just as stunned. Lanying expected to be complimented as she put on a cheerful expression, only to be disappointed once again.
"This…Meifeng…you didn't tell her to.." Before she could finish her words, Lanying's mother interrupted her.
"Aunt, you should go rest inside, I want to have a chat with Ying'er."
An Huiling seemed to hesitate quite a bit for a while. After a few moments of silence, she nodded her head entering her bedroom and softly closed the door.
"Are you sure that you want to enrol there?"
Lanying was taken aback by her mother's question. Shouldn't she urge her to hurry in her journey, tell her to be safe and study well? Instead of that, why is she asking her this?
Sure, she has always been aware of her mother's protectiveness towards her. Even more so, after her father and elder sister disappeared. But she never stopped her from pursuing her ambitions in magic skills and weapon crafts. In fact she always advised her to not be half-minded and concentrate on honing her skills.
Seeing her daughter quietly standing in front of her with lowered gaze seemingly in deep thought, Meifeng sighed.
"Your sister was extremely gifted in the field of potions. When I was investigating the case of numerous secret assassin attacks on her with your father, we found some clues related to the secret academy's core member."
Lanying looked up with widened eyes. She thought her mother was not aware of anything. She felt ashamed for undermining her. But if that was the case, why did she never tell her anything?
"However, soon after that, the assassin attacks got even more frequent. And barely a month had passed when both your father as well as your sister disappeared without a single trace of their existence. I tried reporting the case to his majesty. But, no one was willing to look into this matter." Meifeng continued.
Till this date, she had wished for only leading a peaceful life and providing her daughter with protection. After seeing the admission pass, she realized Ying'er wasn't someone who she could restrain so easily. In that case, it's better for her to know the truth and decide for herself.
At least, she won't take any rash decisions if she knows what disastrous consequences her mere curiosity driven actions might lead to.
"So, the academy kidnapped them to prevent them from catching other's eyes?" Lanying finally asked.
The kingdom was biased towards gifted people. So she couldn't understand why her father and her sister had to suffer such cruel fate.
"Not really, there was a power struggle in inheriting the core position of the academy at around that time. I have an old friend over there, who vaguely explained the situation to me. She also had fear of getting implicated and therefore couldn't reveal everything. But she told me to stop taking further steps as it could cause me and you harm."
Meifeng looked at her once again and asked, "Do you still want to go there?"
Lanying bit on her lips feeling conflicted inside.
"You can take your time to think. You will be setting out after 6-7 days anyways. Make use of this duration to ponder upon." Meifeng said. She caressed Lanying's head with motherly affection. She was mostly strict with her. She wanted her to be able to live on her own. Even if she tries her best she can't forever protect her. And the last thing she wanted to do would be to confine her under the guise of wanting the best for her.
But at this moment of vulnerability, she had to be tender with her. One has to be aware that they always have a safe place to fall back to, in order to make bold choices.
Lanying hugged her mother tightly. She didn't want her recklessness to cause her mother any trouble. She has been as obedient as possible to lessen the burden on her mother. Investigating the disappearance of father and elder sister was the only thing she was unwilling to give up on.
Her mother and grandma Hualing are her only family left now. She doesn't want to lose them. As the thought crossed her mind, she tightened her arms around Meifeng.
An Meifeng quietly comforted her by gently patting her back.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone