Chapter 409: The True Face of the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion
Chapter 409: The True Face of the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion
Shang Wuyou approached her from behind and asked solemnly, "Mother, was it true that Master Uncle colluded with the King of Loulan back then?"
Lady Xiao turned around and handed him the fruit in her hand, sighing sadly, "Of course. Unfortunately, she and Hu Moupi harmed others and eventually themselves, and in the end, she died at the hands of the King of Loulan."
Shang Wuyou looked at the fruit in his hand, "Is that so?"
Lady Xiao asked softly, "What did Celestial Dragon tell you?"
Shang Wuyou furrowed his brows, "He said that Father is the traitor, betraying his master and ancestors."
Lady Xiao's eyes flashed with severity, "Absurd! Your master ancestor was harmed by your Master Uncle. Your master uncles and aunts witnessed it themselves, and the elders saw it too. There's no need for us to lie to you about this."
Shang Wuyou fell silent.
Lady Xiao's face was filled with sorrow as she asked, "You don't believe what I'm saying?"
Shang Wuyou shook his head, "No."
Lady Xiao pulled his hand and sat down on the stool, "Tell me, what else did Celestial Dragon say?"
Shang Wuyou lowered his head and sighed, "It's all about the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion, and I don't want to bring it up again."
Lady Xiao quickly said, "Alright, let's not talk about it. Just remember, the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion has never wronged anyone, nor has it ever done anything to harm the heavens or reason. We have always acted with integrity and righteousness, and we are not afraid of being slandered. But now that you're grown up, you need to understand right from wrong and not be easily swayed by others' words."
"I understand, Mother," Shang Wuyou replied.
Lady Xiao paused and asked, "Did you escape on your own, or—"
Shang Wuyou remained silent.
Lady Xiao patted his hand, "Never mind, I won't ask. Changle is still in Celestial Dragon's hands, and you must be feeling more upset than anyone. I'll have Hongxiao take you to your courtyard to rest. I've had your and Changle's things brought from Ling Shan, and it's all arranged just like your courtyard there. Go and see if you still like it."
"Hmm," Shang Wuyou replied, his mood not particularly high.
Lady Xiao's gaze shifted to Tan'er, who was playing with the lantern tassels in the corridor, and asked, "Who is that girl?"
Shang Wuyou said, "She's a maid I bought on the way, named Tan'er."
Lady Xiao sized up Tan'er from head to toe, "She's quite young."
Shang Wuyou added, "She saved my son's life."
Lady Xiao smiled, "In that case, let her stay by your side to serve you, Hongxiao."
Hongxiao, who had just sent away the embroidery lady, stepped into the room, "Young Master, your courtyard is at the Listening to the Waves Pavilion. I'll take you there."
The two left the room and headed towards the Listening to the Waves Pavilion.
Tan'er followed behind Shang Wuyou, hopping and jumping.
"Young Master, does Ni Family have braised pork?" Tan'er asked.
Hongxiao turned to look at Tan'er and then glanced at Shang Wuyou.
Shang Wuyou, seemingly accustomed to this maid's carefree manner, naturally replied, "Yes, I'll have the kitchen prepare some for you later."
Tan'er's eyes lit up with excitement, and she clenched her fists under her chin, "Young Master, coming home with Ni Family is so right! Braised pork! Braised pork!"
Hongxiao's gaze returned to Shang Wuyou's face.
Seeing that Shang Wuyou didn't show the slightest impatience, she said no more.
The arrangement of the Listening to the Waves Pavilion was exactly the same as his courtyard in Ling Shan, with every detail meticulously replicated.
In the past, Shang Wuyou would have surely appreciated and been touched by this.
But at this moment, his mind was in turmoil, and he quietly entered his own room.
Hongxiao said, "Young Master, I'll have the kitchen prepare something for you to eat."
Shang Wuyou sat in front of the bed, his spirits low, and said, "No need."
Tan'er clenched her fist and placed her arms behind her back, reminding him seriously, "Braised pork!"
Shang Wuyou sighed, "Bring me a bowl of braised pork."
After a pause, as if remembering Tan'er's appetite, he added, "Two bowls."
Tan'er frowned seriously, making dissatisfied sounds.
Shang Wuyou sighed, "Five bowls."
Hongxiao, "......Yes."
After Hongxiao left, Tan'er sat down opposite Shang Wuyou, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands as she looked at him, "Young Master, Ni has returned home, why aren't you happy?"
"Are you happy?"
"Yes!"
Tan'er nodded without hesitation, her expression extremely serious.
"Because of the red braised pork?"
"Yes, yes!"
Tan'er nodded emphatically again.
Shang Wuyou sighed and muttered to himself, "Really, why am I telling you all this?"
Tan'er said, "Ni is talking about Ni, and I'm listening to Ni."
Shang Wuyou looked deeply into Tan'er's eyes, "Is your father really a disciple of the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion?"
Tan'er, "Yes."
Shang Wuyou, "I know you were sent by her to keep an eye on me."
Tan'er, "Yes."
Shang Wuyou, "......Which of your words is true?"
Tan'er hugged her arms and looked up, "Anyway, you can't tell the difference, so it's pointless to talk!"
Shang Wuyou understood that Tan'er was implying he couldn't distinguish right from wrong and good from bad.
He didn't want to argue with a young girl.
Tan'er glanced at him and asked mysteriously, "Don't you also feel that something is off?"
"What's off?"
Shang Wuyou asked, puzzled.
Tan'er looked towards the door, "Ni and Changle were captured by assassins, but there's not a hint of tension in the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion. Everyone is smiling brighter than flowers!"
Shang Wuyou explained, "That's because my eldest sister is getting married."
Tan'er raised her eyebrows, "Oh."
Shang Wuyou's heart became even more chaotic.
Although he said this, Tan'er had hit the nail on the head.
As soon as he entered the mansion, he felt something strange, but he couldn't immediately pinpoint the issue.
Tan'er's words were like a silver needle, piercing through a layer of window paper that was already as thin as a cicada's wing.
No, Tan'er was sent by that woman to monitor him, so naturally, she would try to drive a wedge between him and the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion.
He almost fell for her scheme.
Shang Wuyou took a deep breath and asked, "Tan'er, is your mother good to you?"
Tan'er proudly said, "Yes, my mother is the most loving person in the world!"
Shang Wuyou continued, "What about your father?"
Tan'er shook her head, "My father is in the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion!"
Shang Wuyou: ...He couldn't get this girl to talk.
Tan'er stuck her tongue out at him and made a face, "Slightly."
The red braised pork was freshly made, and by the time Hongxiao brought it, Tan'er was already sleeping sprawled on the small bed.
"Young Master."
Hongxiao asked Shang Wuyou for instructions.
Shang Wuyou said, "Leave it for now, she can eat it when she wakes up."
"Yes."
Hongxiao gently placed the food box on the table.
Shang Wuyou looked at Hongxiao, "Where are my eldest and second sisters? I want to see them."
Hongxiao replied with a troubled expression, "The eldest Miss is in the study, learning etiquette with the palace's teaching grandmother. Even the Lady cannot disturb her. The second Miss has gone out."
A sudden sense of loss filled Shang Wuyou's heart.
With him and Changle gone, everyone in the family was busy with their own affairs, as if their disappearance hadn't caused much impact.
"My father..."
Hongxiao said, "The Pavilion Master is currently in charge of the Imperial Astronomical Observatory and holds an important position. He is often busy with official duties and rarely returns to the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion. But since the Young Master has returned home today, the Pavilion Master will definitely come back."
"I understand, you may withdraw."
"Yes."
Shang Wuyou gazed at the vibrant courtyard.
The servants were sweeping, trimming flowers, and the atmosphere was lively.
However, he felt a deep sense of loneliness.
Writing until 1:30 AM, I probably got a bit confused. I just opened the backend and saw the title, "The True Mask of the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion", and it's already midnight. Mask...mask...
(End of Chapter)
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