Don't take it too hard
Bai Yue's first impression of the matriarch and leader of Xiangqi village was pretty simple – the woman was old.
Or, to be more accurate, the weight of time and the hardships she went through in her life left deep marks on her face.
The old woman had come to Xiangqi village in her youth. At the time, she escaped an abusive marriage and ran away with her son and only child still alive.
"Madam Sheng," Bai Yue greeted her softly when the two men guarding the entrance of the village brought them to the old woman's place. "It is our pleasure to meet you."
Madam Sheng had seen all kinds of people throughout her life and usually had a flair for discovering whether they were trustful. Sitting directly on the floor of the mud house, Bai Yue, Liu'er, and Zheng Fei bore with her scrutiny, all three of them reminding themselves not to argue with an old woman.