"Since Fourth Sister puts it that way, this Han fellow does seem to have some real ability!" Second Madam Li gently furrowed her brows as she spoke in a measured tone.
"To say nothing of the rest, his mental fortitude is far superior to that fraud from last time. I recall that young master surnamed Wu — after catching one glimpse of me, he fell under the spell of my Heavenly Fox Technique and didn't recover his senses for an entire day. But this Han fellow only appeared dazed for a moment before snapping right out of it. That shows exceptional mental strength — he's no ordinary person!" Third Madam hesitated for a moment, sighed, and then spoke her true thoughts.
The moment these words left her lips, a silence fell over the three of them. Each seemed lost in thought, as if there were things none of them dared to voice.
After a while, Madam Yan gave a bitter smile and was the first to speak. "If this person is truly so formidable, I wonder whether his presence is a blessing or a curse for our Mo residence."
"Bring out the hidden letter, and we'll all see for ourselves, won't we?" The voice of the cold, beautiful Fifth Madam cut in from outside the door before Madam Yan had even finished speaking, and she slowly walked in.
"I've already checked — there isn't a single outsider within two hundred meters, and I've doubled the guard posts," Fifth Madam said, her expression as emotionless as ever.
Madam Yan lowered her head in thought for a moment, then finally spoke.
"You all surely remember what our husband said before he left. After his departure, if the letter he has someone deliver is an open letter with no hidden message, it means he is safe and sound, and we can rest easy. If the letter he sends is marked as containing a hidden message, then nine times out of ten there is bad news to come, and we should brace ourselves. As for this letter..."
"We've all seen it — the letter is indeed marked as containing a hidden message. Whether it's good news or a death sentence, it's something we'll have to face sooner or later. Let's reveal the true letter and read it." Third Madam's voice had lost its usual charm and was now filled with sorrow.
"Very well! Since everyone has braced themselves, let's reveal the hidden message!" Madam Yan declared decisively.
She wasted no more time, reaching for a teacup on the nearby table and drawing it before her. Then she lifted the teapot and poured in half a cup of cold water. Next, she gently twisted the dragon-shaped ring on her finger several times until it split in two, revealing a hidden layer of white powder tucked inside.
Madam Yan carefully tipped the powder into the teacup, then turned her gaze to the others.
Under Madam Yan's watchful eye, Second Madam Li rose first.
She gracefully approached the table, raised her hand slightly, and revealed that her snow-white fingers bore an identical ring.
From her own ring, Madam Li extracted a generous amount of powder and tipped it into the cup. However, her powder was red in color, looking quite different from Madam Yan's.
Next came Third Madam and Fifth Madam in turn, each performing the same action. They too wore identical dragon-shaped rings, and the powders hidden within were yellow and black respectively.
Once everyone had completed her part, Madam Yan picked up the teacup and gently swirled it. The multicolored liquid within gradually clarified, turning perfectly transparent in the gentle motion.
"There — the revelation water is now prepared. Second Sister, you're the most deft and skillful of us all! The task of applying it to the letter should be yours," Madam Yan said modestly to Second Madam Li.
Hearing this, Second Madam Li smiled faintly, declined to refuse, and took the solution and the letter, bowing her head to begin her work.