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墨書 Inktalez
After sending Ouyang Hao away, Ouyang Zixin returned to the long couch, but she no longer had the heart to read her books.
Having arrived at the Yuhai Continent and been born in the National Guardian Mystic Master Manor, five years had passed in the blink of an eye. She had accepted this identity, yet subconsciously, she still felt a bit lost—how should she face such a new beginning?
"Sigh, the Mystical Energy Test." Rubbing her slightly tense brows, Ouyang Zixin sighed.
In theory, from the time they could remember, children from various families would begin basic physical training, as a good physique is fundamental. However, Ouyang Zixin had not undergone any physical training at all. Even though Ouyang Xuan often nagged about it, he could not compete with his wife's unwavering favoritism towards their daughter. She always insisted that for a girl, starting physical training too early would be detrimental to her growth.
Thanks to such an excessively biased mother, Ouyang Zixin could openly stay in the Study and live a life completely different from other children.
Unfortunately, such days were bound to end. The annual Mystical Energy Test was approaching, an important event that every child in the Yuhai Continent must participate in. No matter how much Madam Ouyang favored her, there was no escaping it.
"Liu Ying."
"Here." A woman in a green dress outside the door immediately responded upon hearing the voice from the study.
"Where is my mother?"
"Miss, I believe Madam is in the back garden at this moment," the woman respectfully replied.
"Alright, come in and help me change my clothes. I want to see Mother." Since she couldn't avoid it, she might as well understand it better.
"Yes."
With maid Liu Ying accompanying her, Ouyang Zixin walked through the pavilion and along the snow-white soft stone path toward the back garden.
Perhaps having spent too long in a concrete jungle in her previous life, Ouyang Zixin particularly loved the quaint scenery of traditional gardens. She preferred not to walk on the main paths of the manor but enjoyed wandering through the woods instead. This small path was specially paved for her by Ouyang Hao.
"Mother." The soft stone path led directly to the back garden, and soon Ouyang Zixin saw Madam Ouyang busy among the flowerbeds.
“Xin'er, what brings you here at this time?” Madam Ouyang slowly turned around upon hearing the call, smiling as she looked over.
With skin that was fair with a hint of pink, willow-shaped eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and a delicate cherry blossom mouth beneath a high nose, her long black hair was casually tied back with a silk handkerchief. She held a small shovel in her hand that she hadn't had time to put down, with tiny beads of sweat on her forehead and some dirt on her jade-like hands, yet none of it diminished her beauty.
“I came to see Mother and see if there’s anything I can help with.”
“Where do you think you can help? You have hands meant for holding books; you’re destined to be a great scholar, not to be messing around with these things.” Madam Ouyang knew her daughter’s temperament well; she had always loved cleanliness. How could she possibly come to help tend the garden? If she got dirt on herself, it would surely make her uncomfortable.
“Mother, that’s not right. I’m just being filial.” Ouyang Zixin secretly stuck out her tongue but wasn’t fooled by her mother’s subtle sarcasm; she understood perfectly.
Seeing a servant bringing a basin of water to help Madam Ouyang wash her hands, Ouyang Zixin quickly stepped forward, pulling out a handkerchief from her wide sleeves and obediently helping Madam Ouyang wipe the water droplets from her hands.
“Eh? What’s going on? Why is our Xin'er so well-behaved today?” Madam Ouyang pretended to be surprised and teased, smiling as she looked Ouyang Zixin up and down, making her feel somewhat shy.
“Madam, the young lady has always been very sensible.” A round-faced woman beside Madam Ouyang chuckled lightly. Just as Ouyang Zixin was about to accept this praise, the woman continued, “When there’s something going on, she’s even more sensible.”
“Lin Ma, you’re teaming up with Mother to bully me.” Ouyang Zixin stomped her foot and acted spoiled.
If Ouyang Zixin was a slightly mischievous yet very sensible child in front of Ouyang Hao, then in front of Madam Ouyang, she truly behaved like a five-year-old girl.
Unfortunately, there was someone who seemed even younger than her—perhaps even… smaller.
“Lin Ma, I heard you were bullying my Xin'er?” With a flick of her phoenix eyes, Madam Ouyang glanced at the woman beside her.
The implication couldn’t be clearer; look at that—she started complaining right in front of me.
Though used to her mother’s habit of saying things behind one’s back rather than directly confronting them, Ouyang Zixin couldn’t help but roll her eyes silently in her heart and thought of a nickname for her mother—Childish Ghost.
“Oh dear, Madam, you can’t listen to what others say. I care for the young lady too much to ever bully her,” Lin Ma quickly explained with an expression of “fear,” not waiting for Madam Ouyang to respond before turning towards Ouyang Zixin and bending down. “Young lady, I’m being wronged…”
"Stop!" It is not easy to be a normal five-year-old, Ouyang Zixin continued to silently complain. "Mother, Lin Ma, you must be tired, right? How about we go to Flower Hall for some tea?" Faced with these two addicted performers, Ouyang Zixin immediately raised the white flag in surrender.
"Take your time, ladies. I'll go prepare and await your esteemed presence..." Grabbing Liu Ying from behind, Ouyang Zixin quickly turned and ran out of the back garden towards Flower Hall, leaving only the lingering sounds in the air and Madam Ouyang's cheerful laughter.
"I suppose my husband went to see Xin'er again today." Watching Ouyang Zixin gradually fade into the distance, the smile on Madam Ouyang's face slowly disappeared.
"Madam, the Mystical Energy Test is approaching; I'm afraid..." Lin Ma stood with her head bowed behind Madam Ouyang.
"Xin'er is a sensible child. Today she came to this back garden to find me instead of directly accepting her father's arrangements. Could it be that she has guessed something?" Xin'er has loved reading since she was little, and out of a protective heart, I have always favored her, hoping she could live happily, at least... one happy day at a time.
"Well... although the young lady has been clever since childhood, she is only five years old. I believe there is no need for you to worry so much, Madam."
"Is that so?" Am I really overthinking it? Madam Ouyang questioned herself inwardly.
"Madam, we have watched the young lady grow up; too much concern can lead to confusion. You must not overthink it, or it may cause her to become suspicious." In truth, Lin Ma was also uncertain but spoke comforting words directly.
"Yes, too much concern can lead to confusion... Alright, Lin Ma, come with me to change clothes; we shouldn't keep Xin'er waiting."
"Yes." Lin Ma stepped forward to support the thoughtful Madam Ouyang, leading her toward the inner courtyard.
By the time Madam Ouyang changed into clean clothes and arrived at Flower Hall, Ouyang Zixin had already prepared the tea set.
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