Cloud Terrace.
Ouyang Jin smiled sweetly at Ouyang Hui and said, "Sister Hui, are you perhaps cleaning up the messes of your sister who only knows how to cause trouble again, and apologizing to her?"
Normally, Ouyang Hui might not have noticed any hidden meaning, but Mo Xi's words had already taken root in her mind. Now, they sounded sarcastic and grating. She was too lazy to play along with Ouyang Jin anymore and said, "You don't need to laugh at me. Your Tang brother is currently spending time with someone else."
Sure enough, Ouyang Jin's face darkened instantly, but in a short moment, she smiled again, even more sweetly than before, and said smugly, "Sister Hui, do you know that you're actually not very likable? Yes, everyone in the Thunderbolt Hall praises you, saying you're gentle and considerate, and don't put on airs like a young lady, but in the Thunderbolt Hall, one word from me is worth ten words from you. Do you know why?" She paused there, deliberately not saying more.
Ouyang Hui had been scheming for so long, but she had just been rebuffed by Tang Huan and Mo Xi. She said in an annoyed tone, "You're just a bit unruly, and everyone indulges you. Plus, with your father protecting you, you're even more unruly. I can't act as recklessly as you, so I can only appear generous and sensible in every way."
"So you do understand after all. But what good is it if everyone praises you? Everyone in the Thunderbolt Hall follows Father's lead, yet you're the only one he doesn't like. You always use me as a pawn, thinking you can use me as a weapon while you watch the show from behind. Little do you know that if I cause trouble, a slight hint that it was your good sister's idea will convince Father, and he'll only feel more sorry for this fool who's being used. Everyone in the Thunderbolt Hall knows I'm spoiled, naturally reckless, and easily swayed. Besides, Father is a man, and a powerful one at that. If you're too obedient in front of him, he won't praise your thoughtfulness; he'll just forget you." "Daughter. But I'm different. He cleans up my messes all day long, and every three to five days he'll have a headache over me. Naturally, he always keeps me in his heart." After a pause, Ouyang Jin continued, "Sister Hui, you look so fierce. I'm saying all this just to make you understand that you shouldn't try to be clever and interfere in my and Brother Tang's affairs. I naturally have ways to make him agree to marry me. Think about your situation in the Thunderbolt Hall. Don't think you're the only smart one!" With that, Ouyang Jin threw the dagger in front of her and added, "I was just young and impulsive, and that's why I accidentally hurt someone. You're different. You're scheming to use me to get rid of Miss Mu. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You also want to marry Brother Tang. But you still have to ask Father's permission!"
After Ouyang Jin left, Ouyang Hui slumped to the ground, suppressing her sobs, and murmured, "Why? This isn't fair. You've been causing trouble all this time since we were little. In the Thunderbolt Hall, only you, Ouyang Jin, can act with impunity, while I, Ouyang Hui, have to be careful. Father, on the other hand, spoils you more and more, never remembering that I even exist as his daughter. Why is that? From childhood to adulthood, he's given you the best of everything. I wanted to marry into the Tang Clan just to get the Langya Staff and save my life, but Father wouldn't allow it, just because you like him. Ha. How ridiculous! I can't even like someone, otherwise I'd just wait to die. Why? How unfair is Heaven to me! You wait, since I can't have him, you won't get what you want either!" As she finished speaking, her sobs subsided, replaced by a chilling coldness.
The next day, Tang Huan and Mo Xi returned to the "broken scroll".
As soon as they landed, they saw a capable-looking old man waiting for them by the water.
Tang Huan stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying respectfully, "This junior greets you."
The old man laughed and said, "Sect Leader, there's no need for such formalities. That old fellow Yin Qiushi has mentioned you two to me. I've been secretly observing your behavior these past few days, and both you and this young lady are truly exceptional individuals. However, please forgive my rudeness."
Mo Xi said, "Senior is only showing kindness and encouragement; there is no impoliteness in that. Besides, guarding the collection is Senior's duty."
The old man smiled again and said, "As Elder Yin said, the young lady is indeed very pleasing. These words are truly comforting."
Mo Xi thought to himself: "Getting involved in the Tang Clan's top secrets? Don't you know your place? Besides, aren't you one of those legendary semi-reclusive masters?"
Tang Huan said, "I have come here to ask you something."
"Of course, of course. I knew you two went to the underground palace yesterday and guessed you would come today, so I came to welcome you."
The three of them chatted as they walked toward the "Tibetan Leaf Pavilion".
Surrounded by water on all sides, there's no fear of eavesdropping. Besides, Tang Huan's ban hasn't been lifted yet.
After they were seated, the old man said, "My surname is Tang, and my given name is Lei. You two have come here presumably to inquire about the origins of the underground palace." Seeing the two nod, he continued, "Even I am not entirely clear about the origins of the underground palace. Years ago, Miss Tang Xin discovered it. Because she was close to me, she told me about it. I discussed it with several other reclusive elders and decided to follow the ancestral teachings: Tang Clan members should not rely on their ancestors' protection to squander their wealth. Therefore, although the underground palace is incredibly rich, we decided to leave it sealed at the bottom of the river for the time being. However, as the sect leader, every action I take concerns the future of the Tang Clan, and every decision I make is of utmost importance. Therefore, we believe that the sect leader has the right to know what is hidden in the underground palace." He paused, then smiled and added, "To be honest, sect leader, those old fellows also intend to use this opportunity to test you."
Mo Xi thought to himself: So, you can see it but can't touch it. But why was this underground palace built? And where did the Tang Clan get such a huge amount of initial funding?
Tang Huan asked, "I wonder if Senior Tang Yi's tombstone on the back mountain was erected by Senior Tang Yi himself?"
"It is indeed I. Miss Tang Xin once entrusted me with the care of her only daughter. To be honest, I have failed in my duty. Tang Yi passed away not long after returning to the Tang Clan. I erected this monument for her, firstly as a diversion, and secondly as a way to pay my respects."
Having exhausted all their questions, the two bid farewell to Tang Lei and boarded a boat to leave.
Tang Huan remained extremely silent throughout the journey. Suddenly, he took Mo Xi's right hand, carefully massaged her wrist, and said, "Unbeknownst to us, so much time has passed, and your hand has fully healed."
The author has something to say: Our Momo wouldn't stoop to the level of these two flowers, but she's not exactly kind-hearted either.
The cat is hesitating about a plot point. It's unsure whether to include it in the next chapter or schedule it for later. Okay, if it appears in the next chapter, it'll be a surprise. If not, the cat feels the timing isn't right. Hehe.
The next episode is going to be bloody and chaotic! Yay!
Hey everyone, this is the final chapter of the Tang Sect Underground Palace arc. Please give me your feedback. I need to adjust my writing style and pacing based on your opinions. Although I consider myself a highly individualistic author, I've drawn a lot of inspiration from your feedback throughout this writing journey. Feel free to suggest what you'd like to see; I can't guarantee I'll fulfill your suggestions, but there might be some pleasant surprises.
Binding with silk ribbons to express affection
( ) After they got ashore, Tang Huan still held her hand and said softly, "I'll take you somewhere."
The two walked through the fine snow, following the fragrance of plum blossoms, towards the depths of the plum grove.
Tang Huan suddenly stopped, looked intently at Mo Xi, and asked softly, "Do you believe me?"
Seeing the seriousness of his question, Mo Xi looked back at him without speaking. For her, trust usually meant death. The question was indeed abrupt, so she didn't know how to answer and simply remained silent.
Tang Huan gently stroked her hair with his right hand, brushing away the snowflakes, and said softly, "I'm sorry to have troubled you. How about this, you hold my pulse point, and I just ask you to close your eyes and follow me, just for a little while." As he spoke, he was about to release his left hand that was holding hers.
Mo Xi slowly tightened her fingers, preventing him from pulling his hand away, and whispered, "This is fine." Then she closed her eyes on her own.
Seeing her reaction, Tang Huan was overwhelmed with emotion. He gently pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on her head. Instantly, a thousand words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single one.
Mo Xi said softly, "Didn't you have something to show me? Let's go." She thought to herself: Actually, even with my eyes closed, I'm not afraid with my current skill. But just now, for a moment when I closed my eyes, I think I truly believed you.
Tang Huan didn't move, but pleaded softly, "Don't move. Just for a little while." After a pause, he sighed and said, "I know you're leaving."
Mo Xi gave a soft "hmm," but it was unclear whether she was responding to the first or second sentence.
After a while, Tang Huan finally let go of her and continued walking forward.
Mo Xi closed her eyes and let him lead her.
Suddenly I heard the sound of the door opening, and then the surroundings instantly warmed up.
When Mo Xi opened her eyes, she found herself in a giant greenhouse made of glass.
The surrounding area was a vast sea of peonies, blooming in a riot of colors, yet each flower was of only one kind: peony. Looking as far as the eye could see, there were at least as many varieties as those embroidered on the screen in Mo Xi's room.
Do you like it?
"It's beautiful."
"Could you close your eyes one more time?"
Mo Xi closed her eyes as instructed, feeling something gently wrap around her waist. Throughout the process, Tang Huan's breathing and hands were somewhat unsteady. A premonition rose in her heart, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
A moment later, Mo Xi felt a pendant-like object gently fall onto her skirt, and the thing tied around her waist was slightly tightened.
She slowly opened her eyes, revealing a hand-woven, multicolored ribbon tied around her slender waist. Gold, silver, purple, red, orange, and yellow intertwined in a dazzling display, tightening at the knot to form a concentric circle. Adorned with a round, beautiful jade, its emerald green and translucent like a frozen spring, it was surrounded by a circle of openwork orchids, with the character "欢" (joy) carved in the center. Beside it was written a line of words: "Through life and death, we find joy together."
Mo Xi knew that such colorful ribbons were called "luoying" (罗缨). In this region, regardless of wealth or social status, every woman wore a luoying ribbon around her waist upon marriage to signify that she had found her husband. The Book of Songs says, "The mother ties the ribbon, the ceremony is ninetyfold," describing the scene of a mother reluctantly tying the luoying ribbon around her daughter's waist on her wedding day—this "tying the ribbon" (结缡) was also an ancient term for marriage. However, traditionally, it was women who tied luoying ribbons to the jade pendants of their beloveds to express their feelings. Unexpectedly, he…