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墨書 Inktalez
Kong Xuan reached out and called after Tang Zisu's retreating figure, "Wait a moment."
Tang Zisu suddenly turned around, a glimmer of surprise and anticipation flashing in her eyes.
Kong Xuan lowered his hand and clenched his fist. He said, "Auntie, make sure your child wears more clothes. It's cold on the snowy mountain; we don't want them to catch a chill."
Tang Zisu's eyes dimmed instantly, like a candle flame extinguished. She turned to her child and said, "Don't you thank your brother? He wants you to wear more clothes."
Little Mian Tan replied, "Why call him brother? Isn't he my father? Mother, look how much he resembles me."
This child would surely grow up to be someone significant; if even the father resembled the son, what couldn't be achieved?
Tang Zisu looked up at the sky, trying to hold back her tears. She sniffed and said loudly, "He is not your father. Right now, he is called 'Auntie's friend,' so you must call him brother."
Kong Xuan suddenly interjected, "Auntie, do I really look that much like the child's father? Where has he gone?"
Without a second thought, Tang Zisu replied, "His father has already been swallowed by Mother Tiger. The child sees everyone as his father. My apologies; today is your wedding day. I wish you joy in your new life and hope everything goes smoothly."
Kong Xuan seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in Tang Zisu's words, smiling brightly as he said, "Auntie, since we've met here on the snowy mountain, why not stay for a few days? Enjoy the beautiful scenery here; we usually have few visitors and could use some liveliness."
Tang Zisu gazed deeply at him and then nodded, "Alright then—since you insist on my company, I won't be polite. I have two friends with me; is it alright for them to stay as well?"
Before Kong Xuan could respond, Liya immediately interrupted, "No way! Our Snowy Mountain has never allowed outsiders; I disagree."
Kong Xuan looked puzzled. "Liya, why are you lying? These guests are not outsiders. They’ve come with a child; it’s not easy for them."
Liya turned to Kong Xuan with remarkable patience. She grasped his hand gently and said softly, "Brother Xuan, you don’t know them. What if they turn out to be bad people?"
Kong Xuan smiled back at her, saying, "Are we still afraid of bad people? Liya, your temperament is so unruly because you haven't interacted with others enough. Let them stay!" The gentle words from Kong Xuan were something Tang Zisu had never seen before; his eyes, clear as spring water, were soft and inviting. With such a gaze, regardless of whether it was a man or a woman, anyone would likely wish to become a little fish in his eyes, wrapped up, lifted, drowned, and melted.
Tang Zisu's heart felt like minced meat being chopped under a knife—it's not just cut but sliced slowly, evenly, each cut reaching the bone.
In front of everyone, Liya could no longer refuse; she forced herself to nod.
Kong Xuan beamed brightly and made a victory gesture towards Tang Zisu, appearing somewhat naive for a few days.
Tang Zisu slightly bowed in thanks and then composedly took her seat, even calling out to those watching the show, "What are you all standing there for? Sit down and eat! Did you give your gifts? If you did, you better eat your fill."
Little Mian Tan felt a bit shy; how could her mother be so mercenary? It was somewhat embarrassing.
Although this wedding had the drama of a mistress bringing her child to crash the event, it still proceeded. Kong Xuan and Liya exchanged vows and officially became husband and wife, registered in the celestial records, while Tang Zisu could only be considered a mistress.
The banquet continued. A fist-sized Night Pearl was covered with a layer of red gauze, adding an alluring charm to the wedding hall. The immortals let go of their restraint and engaged in boisterous games of dice and punches, completely lacking the legendary majesty and ethereal demeanor. Amidst the clamor, Tang Zisu maintained her smile for a long time until it felt forced and stiff.
Her ears completely blocked out the outside noise; her eyes followed Kong Xuan's red robe as he toasted one by one. Each cup was filled to the brim, nearly overflowing. He drank each cup with a smile, maintaining good humor with everyone.
Perhaps the immortals had not seen him display such a cheerful demeanor in thousands of years.
Kong Xuan approached Tang Zisu, causing her face to drain of color and turn pale.
Under the table, a small hand grasped Tang Zisu's; although it was tiny and soft, it held some strength. Little Mian Tan gently called out, "Mother."
Tang Zisu shook her head to indicate she was fine. Horse Abdomen also looked pale; Tang Zisu glanced at Kong Xuan, who kept his gaze fixed on him. The hand under the table tightened its grip but was held down by Lang Ye, who whispered, "Let her handle it herself."
Amidst the continuous laughter and teasing from everyone, Kong Xuan stood before Tang Zisu.
His eyes remained bright as ever, as if what he had consumed was water rather than wine.
They had also drunk a few times before, and each time, Tang Zisu would get drunk and obediently let him manipulate him, coaxing out those shameless words and putting on those embarrassing poses that he would want to erase upon waking. But tonight, his tricks were aimed at someone else.
The two stood facing each other, and Tang Zisu couldn't help but recall the past, the fleeting years of smoke and moonlight that had slipped away in the shadows.
His heart ached like a bucket filled with water, too heavy to bear.
He raised his glass, his smile still intact, like wax dripping from a red candle. To the observer, it seemed beautiful; to the one enduring it, it was scalding and painful.
Everyone was watching them, including Liya. Tang Zisu raised his glass as well; it was just a drink. He endured and drank to plan his next move.
Tang Zisu downed whatever blessing was offered without saying a word. Suddenly, the child beside him asked, "Do you love your bride?"
Kong Xuan, who had intended to leave, turned around at the child's words and squatted down, reaching out to pat the child's belt on his white robe. "Of course I like her; if I didn't, why would I marry her?"
The child moved his lips but said nothing, merely nodding to indicate he understood.
Kong Xuan suddenly found it amusing. He pinched the child's cheek. "Little friend, you're still so young; don't keep a straight face all day. Smile like this." Kong Xuan tugged at the corners of the child's mouth to create a smile.
The child had always disliked being touched by others, but with Kong Xuan, he felt a sense of familiarity and even a strong desire to be held by him.
Thinking this way, he blurted out, "Can you hug me?"
Kong Xuan was taken aback but then smiled and opened his arms. "Sure, I'm honored."
The child hesitated but slowly leaned into Kong Xuan's embrace and wrapped his arms around his neck.
In that moment, tears streamed down Tang Zisu's face. In that moment, everyone stopped their chatter. In that moment, Liya bit her lip.
The child's gentle breaths brushed against Kong Xuan's neck; his small body still carried the scent of milk. Kong Xuan found it hard to let go.
Liya walked over quickly, tugging on Kong Xuan's hand, and said, "Brother Xuan, everyone is waiting for you to toast!"
Kong Xuan reluctantly let go of the child. Just as he was about to stand up, he asked, "What is your name?"
The child shook his head and replied, "I don't have a name. My mother said I need to find my father so he can name me."
Kong Xuan said, "Your eyes are bright and clear, with golden edges shining as if they hold a hint of brilliance. The character 'Yu' would be perfect for you. But I'm just saying this; I'm not your father and have no right to name you."
Suddenly, tears welled up in the child's eyes, resembling dewdrops on the tips of lush grass.
The child quickly wiped them away with the back of his hand and leaned down to kiss Kong Xuan on the cheek.
Tang Zisu was stunned. This child had never cried before; today was the first time she had seen him cry. He was also not one to initiate affection; neither she nor Horse Abdomen had ever received such treatment from him. Indeed, he was her biological child.
Kong Xuan left but turned back to wink at the child. The two pairs of green eyes sparkled against the bright red background.
All the guests who needed to toast had finished. Kong Xuan's steps were somewhat unsteady as Liya supported him into the bridal chamber.
After a while, most of the guests were quite drunk and began to talk nonsense in turns. Gradually, everyone dispersed, and servants came to invite Tang Zisu and the others to settle in the back hall.
It was already nighttime on Snow Peak, where it felt particularly close to the stars; reaching out almost seemed like one could pluck them. The leading maid was not very friendly and coldly warned them, "It gets very cold here at night. Please make sure to stay indoors, and do not approach the cliffs and ice peaks surrounding us."
According to their arrangements, Tang Zisu would share a room with the child, while Horse Abdomen would share with Lang Ye. After the maid left, they all gathered in Tang Zisu's room. The child tugged at Tang Zisu's hand and asked, "Mother, my father said I should be called Yu. I recognize that character; does that mean I will be called Kong Yu from now on?"
Tang Zisu stroked his face and replied, "You talked so much today; how can he be considered your father if he doesn't even recognize us?"
The child looked up seriously and said, "He must have his reasons."
Tang Zisu took off his boots and turned around to conjure a ball of Crimson Lotus Fire wrapped in a barrier, hovering above the bed: "This house is made of ice crystals; this is the only way to keep warm. Don't kick off your blanket while you sleep tonight."
The child nodded, still excited about having a name, repeatedly saying "Kong Yu."
Tang Zisu sighed and said, "I don't even know what it means for me to stay here. It seems he has forgotten everything after being saved by Liya."
Lang Ye lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Tang Zisu, Kong Xuan's final tear was bound to lead to his soul scattering. Liya must have put in considerable effort to bring him back. I suspect she replaced his heart with Nuwa's Five-Colored Stone, which is why he has forgotten us."
Tang Zisu said helplessly, "What can we do about this? How can a stone heart be warmed?"
Suddenly, Horse Abdomen, who had been silent, spoke up: "It can be done. As a beast, I often hear Lady Nuwa say that the heart connects the bloodline, and it needs warmth from blood. Any kind of heart is made of flesh."
Tang Zisu then realized, "Are you saying I need to warm the stone heart?"
Both Horse Abdomen and Lang Ye nodded, while the child on the bed said, "And I will help you warm my father's heart too, Kong Yu."
As night deepened, everyone rested, but Tang Zisu couldn't sleep while watching over Kong Yu. Kong Xuan was just a few rooms away, entangled with another woman. She tried not to think about it but couldn't help herself; it felt like being slowly tortured.
Tang Zisu wrapped herself in her clothes and went outside.
The night was enchanting, filled with stars, and the biting cold wind pierced through to her bones—very cold and very painful.
Tang Zisu tightened her clothes and thought of going back but saw a tall figure standing at the edge of the cliff on the mountain peak. The figure wore a red robe, and long hair danced in the wind as if ready to ride the breeze away.
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