The King's Return

“Meng Xiāng. Stand straight.” Madam Meirong tapped both of Meng Mei's shoulders with her fan. Meng Mei immediately straightened her posture under Madam Meirong’s glare. She'd started sagging forward underneath the bulk of the various pins and crowns stuffed into her hair and the many layers of robes she’d been wrapped in.

An hour ago the sentries had sent word that Meng Guoyao’s entourage had been spotted and Libaogong should prepare for his arrival. That had sent everyone into a new flurry of activity and Meng Mei had been hauled off by Amah to get ready.

So here she was, standing here in the reception hall with both Meng brothers flanking her, waiting for the mysterious Meng Guoyao to arrive.

“Better.” Madam Meirong praised. “Now remember Xiāngxiāng, you have to greet Guoyao as your sect leader, not your father.”

‘What does that even mean?’ Meng Mei hid her confusion. She didn’t know there was a special way to greet Meng Guoyao!

[A-Mei! You are supposed to greet Meng Guoyao by bowing and saying ‘your sect welcomes you home’! It’s Meng Xiāng’s job as sect heir.]

‘So nice of you to show up again.’ Meng Mei thought bitterly. Ever since she’d asked the system whether or not she could contact the other transmigrator it’d basically gone silent on her. Even when she tried to speak to it last night it'd just given her the cold shoulder.

[In the past Meng Xiāng has run up to her father and given him a hug. This will be the second time Meng Xiāng is supposed to greet him as the sect heir and she failed the last time.]

‘Noted.’ Meng Mei dipped her head in an almost imperceptible nod to let the system know she was reading the notifications.

“Yes A-niang.” She intoned when she realized Madam Meirong was still scrutinizing her.

Madam Meirong gave her one more glance over before she spun on her heels to make sure everything else was in proper order.

“Psssttt. A-yuan!” Meng Yong’s failed attempt at a whisper grabbed Meng Mei's attention.

“What.” Meng Weiyuan hissed back.

“Do you think A-die will tell us about the meeting?” Meng Yong asked, his voice still far too loud.

“Unless it was all important sect matters we will probably hear about it as we eat.” Meng Weiyuan sighed. His voice was considerably quieter than his younger brother's.

“Cool. I want to hear about all of the night hunts they went on.”

Meng Mei was saved from hearing any more of Meng Yong's whisper shouting as horns blared through the halls. Madam Meirong hurriedly made her way over to stand behind Meng Mei. Everyone who'd been helping her with the final touches also rushed back to their assigned spots.

A few moments later the two people standing at the doors made a great show of pulling the open to reveal Meng Guoyao's entourage.

A group of fifteen to twenty cultivators dressed in the blazing red of Libaogong all followed behind one man. He easily towered over the people behind him. His wide shoulders were covered by the same dark curls that sat on Meng Yong's head. As he got closer Meng Mei could see the wrinkles carved into his face from years of smiling. A short beard covered the bottom half of his face, presumably it was kept short for practicality.

Before she even realized it, the man had stopped a few feet away from Meng Mei. It was only the insistent nudging from Madam Meirong that pushed her forward.

This giant man must be Meng Guoyao.

“Your sect welcomes you home.” Meng Mei greeted him as she dipped into an unsteady bow. She felt a gentle hand rest on her shoulder.

“This sect leader is glad to see his sect has been well taken care of in his absence. The sect heir may raise her head.” He did not raise his voice but it still resonated throughout the room.

Mindful of her heavy accessories, Meng Mei rose from her bow. She was greeted by the too serious face of Meng Guoyao. She was briefly worried she'd messed up in some way. Had the system told her to say the wrong thing?

“Is the sect heir not excited to see her sect leader?” He asked with a frown.

“Lao-gong!” Madam Meirong hissed.

“This sect leader is simply asking a question!”

Meng Mei shifted uneasily on her feet and glanced back at Madam Meirong. She was staring intently at Meng Guoyao, her face set in a deep frown. They stared at each other for a long time before Madam Meirong let out an aggrieved sigh.

“Fine! Have it your way!” She snapped. “Xiangxiāng. Give your sect leader what he wants!”

Meng Mei only had one guess about what that meant. Hesitantly she turned around and faced Meng Guoyao again. His face had lightened up considerably after winning the argument with Madam Meirong.

Without giving herself too much time to overthink it Meng Mei rushed forward and was swept up into Meng Guoyao’s arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck the best that she could as he lifted her up.

“That’s more like it!” Meng Guoyao laughed heartily. “Forget all of the formalities. I only want my daughter to greet me like this!”

Meng Mei felt slightly awkward after that comment. Technically she wasn't his daughter. She was just an imposter who stole his daughter’s body so she could live the life she'd always dreamed of.

“Lao-gong! How will she ever learn if you always insist on doing this?” Madam Meirong was suddenly right next to them, demanding answers.

“Our sect heir is already very capable.” Meng Guoyao insisted, “What's the harm in a father enjoying a warm embrace from his daughter after a long trip?”

“A-die is right! Xiāngxiāng won't be this small forever!” Meng Yong chirped.

“Exactly!” Meng Guoyao laughed, his large hand left the spot on Meng Mei's back to reach out and ruffle Meng Yong's hair.

“Sect leader. A feast is waiting for us in the dining room. Why don't we continue this conversation there?” Meng Weiyuan’s voice was much further away than Meng Yong's.

“That son of ours is right, Lao-gong. Why don't we move to the dining hall to properly celebrate your safe return?” Madam Meirong agreed, all annoyance gone from her voice.

“Yes! Let us celebrate!”