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Due to her previous life as a reporter, she had traveled all over the country. After arriving here, she had not stepped outside for five whole years. Apart from the Xuan Shi Mansion, she knew nothing about the outside world, so it was no wonder that Ouyang Zixin had forgotten about her mother.
Madam Ouyang understood her daughter's nature; she loved to read, but that did not mean she was truly calm and composed. If she were not curious about the outside world, that would be strange.
"Xin'er, you've been confined in the mansion since you were little, and you rarely see anyone from outside. Aren't you feeling stifled?"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zixin tilted her head and thought for a moment. Wasn't this how the world worked? In high-status families, women generally did not go out.
"Mother, to be honest, I don't mind not going out; it's just..."
"It's just that in all these years, we haven't had a single guest visit, right?" Madam Ouyang lifted the curtain and looked at Ouyang Hao riding a tall horse beside the carriage, her eyes filled with happiness.
"When I married your father, he had not yet gained the Sovereign's favor. Back then, he was still a naive young man, but he treated me very well. For a while, we didn't live well until your father was appointed as Guardian Mystic. Only then did we establish our household and settle in Exiled Nation." As she reminisced about the past, Madam Ouyang's tone was calm but warm.
"Your father is an orphan; he has no relatives left at home, so there are hardly any visitors. At first, some adults brought their wives to visit us, but since I didn't enjoy socializing, I couldn't become close with those ladies. Over time, fewer and fewer people came to visit. Later on, after we had you, I had even less desire to socialize with them."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Zixin began to understand that those visits from ladies were what one might call social diplomacy among women—a complex web of interactions between the main hall and the inner courtyard. Given her mother's personality, it was indeed not something she excelled at.
This was actually the first time Ouyang Zixin had heard about these matters. As children, one should not question their parents; since her parents never mentioned it, she had never asked.
"I always thought you were still young and didn't tell you many things. But now that Xin'er is about to participate in the Mystical Energy Test, there are some things I think I should share with you."
For five years, Ouyang Zixin had lived in the warmth of her parents' love; everything felt so normal. However, at this moment, she realized how little she knew about her parents.
"My maternal family surname is Bai; we are not from Exiled Nation." Madam Ouyang's maiden name was Bai Su. Mentioning her name from before marriage felt distant now; apart from herself, few people likely remembered it.
Bai?
Although Ouyang Zixin rarely went out and did not know many people, she still had some impression of the surnames of several prominent families in Exiled Nation. It seemed there were no notable Bai families in Exiled Nation; as for whether there were any prominent Bai families in other countries on Yuhai Continent, she did not know.
However, it makes sense when you think about it. Father is an orphan who started from scratch. If Mother’s family were a prestigious one, how could they agree to marry their daughter to an unknown young man?
Two people in love do not care about social status; they are devoted to each other. Even if life is a bit tough, in the end, sweetness comes after bitterness. Ouyang Zixin thought while nodding, realizing that ordinary happiness is indeed possible.
She raised her hand and tapped Ouyang Zixin on the forehead. Madam Ouyang glared with her phoenix eyes, "Did you hear what I said clearly? Why are you shaking your head?"
"Huh? I heard it clearly, Mother. Your surname is Bai, and your given name is Su," Ouyang Zixin rubbed her forehead where she was tapped and said with a wronged expression.
"And then?" Madam Ouyang sighed quietly, wondering why it was so difficult to discuss serious matters with this child.
"And then? What else is there?" Did Mother say something while I was lost in my imagination about Father and Mother's ordinary yet beautiful love story? I didn't hear anything!
Madam Ouyang looked up at the sky... or rather, at the top of the carriage, wondering who this daughter resembled.
"Mother, can you say it again? I wasn't intentionally distracted just now." Seeing her mother's expression, Ouyang Zixin knew she must have missed something important and quickly moved closer to Madam Ouyang, trying to act cute.
Looking at her daughter's sparkling eyes and obvious attempt to please her, Madam Ouyang couldn't help but laugh in annoyance.
"Say it again, but you must listen carefully, understood?"
It turned out that very few people in the Exiled Nation knew that Madam Ouyang's surname was Bai. First, because after marriage women take their husband's surname, naturally no one would mention their maiden name; second, although it wasn't specifically hidden, Madam Ouyang had no relatives or friends in the Exiled Nation, so no one ever asked about her family. Since no one asked, they were happy not to bring it up. As for the third reason, there was none.
"So what Mother means is that if anyone asks in the future, it's best to avoid the topic and not tell anyone your maternal family surname is Bai. If no one asks, just keep this matter in your heart. In short, you must not tell outsiders that your surname is Bai," Ouyang Zixin finally grasped the main point after listening for a while.
But why? Is there something wrong with the surname Bai?
"Xin'er, Mother conceals her surname not for herself and certainly not for any family. Mother... Mother does it for..."
"Madam, Xin'er, we have arrived at Solitary Mountain. You both should come down and take a look." Ouyang Hao dismounted and strode toward the carriage; his voice reached them before he did.
Is this it? That was fast...
Madam Ouyang, with the support of Ouyang Hao, stepped down from the carriage using a small stool, while Ouyang Zixin was directly carried down by Ouyang Hao due to her small stature.
Solitary Mountain, the tallest mountain near the Capital of the Departed Nation, is often shrouded in mist at its peak, making it hard to discern what kind of vegetation covers its gray slopes.
Today's test is being held at the entrance of Solitary Mountain. By the time Ouyang Zixin and her group arrived, many people had already gathered at the foot of the mountain. Carriages from various families were lined up in an orderly fashion; some were exchanging pleasantries while others were giving their children last-minute instructions.
Ouyang Zixin stared at Solitary Mountain for a while, feeling as if she couldn't see it clearly, yet there was a strange sensation within her, an indescribable feeling...
"Hey, isn't that the carriage from Master Ouyang Xuan's family?"
"Do you think Madam Ouyang will come today?"
"In my opinion, she definitely won't come. That lady has never been fond of socializing. When have you ever seen her at a lively gathering?"
"That may not be the case. Can she really miss today? The young lady from Xuan Shi Mansion is participating in the test this year..."
The heads of various families were busy teaching their children, while the accompanying ladies gathered together to chat.
Although the discussions were quiet, they were loud enough for Ouyang Zixin to hear. She turned back and playfully smiled at her mother—Mother, you really do attract attention!
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