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墨書 Inktalez
The Flower Hall of Xuan Shi Mansion is not large, but it is elegantly arranged.
A curtain made of transparent glass beads sways gently, refracting the sunlight from outside, bright yet not blinding. Fresh bamboo branches are placed in the corners of the four walls, with delicate bamboo leaves cared for by the servants, always adorned with droplets of water. Unlike the vibrant colors of the back garden, this place is clearly arranged according to Ouyang Zixin's preferences.
It is not that Ouyang Zixin dislikes flowers; on the contrary, under Madam Ouyang's influence, she is quite familiar with various types of flowers. The reason for decorating the Flower Hall with lush greenery is simply to avoid the influence of floral scents while enjoying tea, preventing any mingling of aromas.
The subtle fragrance of bamboo complements the fresh aroma of flower tea, creating a unique flavor.
Watching Ouyang Zixin, who is calmly and skillfully brewing flower tea, Madam Ouyang cannot hide her smile and cannot help but feel that her daughter is so outstanding. Despite being only five years old, she exudes the grace of a noble lady.
Well, without speaking...
"Mother, I know I'm quite excellent, but your gaze... really feels too Red Fruit," Ouyang Zixin said without turning her head upon hearing the sound.
"Tsk tsk, I didn't know that our Xin'er has eyes at the back of her head," Madam Ouyang chuckled lightly as she walked into the Flower Hall and sat down at the tea table. Lin Ma stood by her side.
"Whether I have eyes at the back of my head or not, aren't you the one who knows best?" Ouyang Zixin replied while continuing her work without a moment's pause as she finished brewing a pot of lightly fragrant flower tea.
"What you say is true; although you were born after ten months of pregnancy, ever since you became aware, you haven't wanted to sleep with me and usually don't let me hold you much..." Madam Ouyang feels both gratified and regretful about her precocious daughter.
"Mother, you've been busy in the back garden for quite a while; aren't you tired?" Can we stop this act? After watching this performance for so many years, don't you feel tired?
"I..." Madam Ouyang's emotions were just about to be expressed when they were interrupted. The hand she had raised to press away the nonexistent tears at the corners of her eyes could only be lowered.
"Mother, please have some tea." Ouyang Zixin presented a cup of tea with both hands, smiling sweetly.
"Xin'er, you are becoming less adorable." Madam Ouyang murmured as she accepted the tea.
On ordinary days, Ouyang Zixin wouldn't mind playing along with her mother in this old routine, but today was different; there were serious matters to discuss. If she got caught up in this act, who knows where it would lead? It would be difficult to set things right if they went off course.
Holding a cup of tea for herself, Ouyang Zixin sat down next to Madam Ouyang, sipping slowly while contemplating how to broach the subject.
Seeing that Ouyang Zixin wasn't in a hurry to speak, Madam Ouyang quietly enjoyed her tea, waiting for her daughter to eventually say something.
"Mother, I have something I want to ask you." After finishing her cup of tea, Ouyang Zixin finally spoke. "I believe you know that Father has been frequently mentioning the Mystical Energy Test to me lately."
And then?
Madam Ouyang didn't respond but signaled with her eyes for her daughter to continue.
"You know that I have always preferred studying over martial arts. If it weren't for your and Father's indulgence, I would have slacked off on physical training. Although I have only liked reading these past years, I understand that I can no longer continue like this. The Mystical Energy Test is something I cannot avoid."
At this point, Ouyang Zixin paused. Seeing Madam Ouyang nod, she continued, "In the Exiled Nation and throughout the entire Yuhai Continent, every child who turns five must undergo the Mystical Energy Test. The results of this test will determine each person's future. If one's meridians can be opened, then they can cultivate in their suitable field; as for how accomplished they become in the end, that depends on individual effort or talent."
The purpose of the Mystical Energy Test is simple, but its significance is immense. Undergoing the test not only serves as proof of existence in the Yuhai Continent but also concerns whether the test taker will lead a mundane life or achieve great success.
"Conversely, if... if the test taker's meridians cannot be opened..."
"If the meridians cannot be opened, one cannot cultivate Mysterious Energy. Those who cannot cultivate Mysterious Energy..." Madam Ouyang interjected after taking a deep breath before continuing, "are the lowest existence on this continent."
The lowest existence...
Ouyang Zixin did not know about other places, but she was very clear about the situation in Xuan Shi Mansion. The lowest-level servants were ordinary people who could not cultivate Mysterious Energy, and thus sold themselves into servitude just to seek a meal.
"Mother..."
Despite having thought about it for a long time, at this moment, Ouyang Zixin still hesitated, unsure if it was right or wrong to bring up this topic with her mother today...
Just because of her vague suspicion, she cruelly uncovered her mother's secret, selfishly probing for answers.
Ah, truly unfilial.
After harshly despising herself—
"Oh no! This is bad..."
Just as Madam Ouyang was about to speak, Ouyang Zixin suddenly shouted, effectively cutting off Madam Ouyang's words.
"Mother, I just remembered! This morning I asked Liu Lvy to buy me some books in the Study Room. She should be back by now. I've been waiting for that book for so long! I need to go back and check it out. Let's talk another day..."
Ouyang Zixin leaped up from the tea table and quickly dashed out of the Flower Hall, leaving no chance for Madam Ouyang to interrupt her, disappearing from sight.
"Lin Ma."
"Madam, this old servant is here."
"Am I seeing things?" she wondered uncertainly.
"Madam, you are not seeing things."
"Xin'er, when did you start running so fast?" She was truly unsure.
"Madam, the young lady just ran that fast."
In an instant, the atmosphere in Flower Hall underwent a significant change, and Madam Ouyang could only smile wryly. She knew well that she had never intended to hide the past from her daughter; it was just that now was not the right time. However, if her daughter were to ask, it would not be impossible to speak about it, even if it was difficult.
"Xin'er is a good child," Madam Ouyang said, lost in thought as she withdrew her gaze.
"The young lady understands how to care for her mother at such a young age, Madam. That is a blessing."
Leaving Madam Ouyang and Lin Ma in Flower Hall, Ouyang Zixin sprinted back to her room, never before had she utilized all her physical energy so thoroughly...
As a result, for the next few days, her entire body ached, and her little arms and legs felt particularly strained.
"Indeed, the body is the foundation of everything..." After living a comfortable life for too long, her lack of physical activity became painfully obvious. Ouyang Zixin felt tears welling up in her heart and secretly resolved to set aside some of her reading time to exercise.
As for how much time to set aside? Just look at how Miss Xuan Shi Mansion takes three laps in the back garden after dinner every day to find out.
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