The most significant part of the Mengxia Festival episode is that it demonstrates Hao Xin's growing affection for Si Rong. Si Rong, dressed in a gorgeous gown and portraying the Goddess of Fire, dances on the high altar, her usual naiveté betraying a youthful spirit and beauty that leaves Hao Xin practically transfixed.
Shen Qingmang's dislike for this plot wasn't because she forbade her apprentice from premature love (fifteen wasn't considered too young in ancient times), but because the author, in an effort to enhance the romance between the male and female protagonists, forced in a hero-rescue-beauty plot. During the final dance segment, Si Rong missed the beat, stepped on empty air, and nearly fell from the platform. Hao Xin leaped in to catch her, bringing her safely back to the ground.
Others may think this plot is sweet, but she was very angry when she saw it.
Why must the heroine be portrayed as reckless and stupid, and always have to rely on men to solve problems when she encounters difficulties?
"Arong, why do you want to play the God of Fire?" Shen Qingmang asked seriously.
"I was born in the summer. Daddy said the 'Rong' in my name is the same as the 'Rong' in Zhurong, the God of Fire. I have a special connection with the God of Fire. I want to wear beautiful clothes and dance on the altar. It must be very beautiful! Didn't Master also dress up as the God of Wood, Jumang? I heard Daddy say that Master was extremely beautiful back then!"
This wasn't mentioned at all in the original novel, so Shen Qingmang, completely clueless, simply skipped the topic. "To play the God of Fire, one must be born in summer, possess a fire spirit root or fire element within their body, and be under a hundred years old. You certainly meet all of these requirements."
Si Rong nodded repeatedly. "Of course, of course. I've already told you that I have a connection with the God of Fire."
"But other people may not fail to meet these conditions." Shen Qingmang said slowly.
"That's why Arong came to ask Master for help. The Peak Master has the final say, so Master let me play the role." Si Rong shook her arm again.
Her face remained stern. "Because I am the Peak Master, I cannot be partial. I will publicly recruit candidates and have them assessed together with the Peak Master of Wuyin Peak. If you perform best, you will be elected."
"Then I will go back and prepare well." Si Rong's tone was a little low. He let go of Shen Qingmang's arm, picked up the flowerpot on the table, stood up and left.
Shen Qingmang looked at her back, thoughtful.
In the original novel, Si Rong didn't even dare to ask Qiong Ju for help, and won the position through fair competition. Is she asking her this time because her master seems easier to talk to?
The Si Rong she'd gotten to know over the past few months was much more vivid than the original novel's portrayal. The original novel's heroine, Si Rong, could be summed up in three words: naive and innocent. Everyone loved and doted on her; all she had to do was act coquettishly and cutely, and she'd get everything she wanted.
The Ah Rong she knew, while still innocent and naive, was more than just a spoiled brat and cute. She was passionate about things she was interested in and worked hard on them. She wasn't so naive as to be completely ignorant of the ways of the world. She got along well with the outer disciples, not only because she taught them calligraphy but also because of her likable personality.
The youngest disciple has become much more obedient after the incident with the apology letter. It's time to start educating the second disciple, and nip any signs of love-crazy thinking in the bud.
Wuya Peak ultimately had three candidates vying for the role of the God of Fire: Si Rong and two inner disciples, one the apprentice of the eldest senior brother and the other the apprentice of the third senior sister. Shen Qingmang invited Zhong Yingshao, the most knowledgeable musician, to take the test together, but upon contacting him through voice transmission, he became wary.
"Junior Sister Qiongju, you've already picked up all the best instruments in Lülü Hall. What's your business this time?"
Shen Qingmang said in a kind tone, "Senior Sister Yingshao, please don't be so formal. Just call me Qingmang. I found a piece of phoenix paulownia wood when I was tidying my room the other day. It seems to be a good material for making a violin, but I'm not good at music, so it would be a waste to keep this paulownia wood here..."
Zhong Yingshao immediately changed his tone: "Junior Sister Qingmang, what can I do for you? I will definitely help you if I can!"
"Look, this is it. Our Wuya Peak will play the role of the God of Fire in this year's Mengxia Festival. Senior Sister is most familiar with the ritual, so Qingmang would like to ask Senior Sister to help determine the candidate and help teach the selected child how to perform."
"I thought it was something. I would have done these things even if you didn't tell me. Just relax."
"Thank you very much, Senior Sister."
"But that Phoenix Paulownia wood... I'm willing to help Junior Sister if she needs help in the future, can I..."
Shen Qingmang smiled and said, "You can come and get it on the day of the assessment, Senior Sister."
The original book did not specify how to prepare for the Mengxia Festival. Shen Qingmang felt relieved only after confirming the process and continued to teach the children. However, she found that Si Rong was a little absent-minded in class these days, and her fingers seemed to be tapping the rhythm secretly.
During the make-up class, she couldn't help but say, "Arong, let's prepare for the Mengxia Festival after class. Now it's class time, so concentrate on studying."
"Yeah!" Si Rong agreed readily, but not long after, she started to get distracted again. Shen Qingmang was almost laughing at her.
There are more than 30 people sitting in the classroom, and the teacher can see clearly who is absent-minded. What's more, there are only three people now. Does the second apprentice think she is blind?
"Arong." She frowned. "What did I say just now?"
"Ah? Ah... Master said, he said that wood energy is at its peak during early spring."
"It's the middle of spring. If you don't pay attention in class, I'll just give you a week off."
"Really? Thank you, Master!" Si Rong was delighted.
Shen Qingmang's right eyelid twitched, and he said unhappily, "That's fake. I'll give you a break if you really choose the Fire God Envoy as my master. Forget it now."
This child is not that stupid normally, but now she wants to play dumb.
Si Rong looked unhappy. "What if I don't get selected..."
Hao Xin couldn't help but say, "What's so fun about dancing that thing? Half the students in the class can learn it faster than you. If it weren't to accommodate you, would Master need to explain it in such detail?"
Si Rong wasn't so polite to him. "How can a wooden stake like you, who only knows how to practice, understand us? What's wrong with me being a slow learner? I have plenty of time to learn. The Mengxia Festival only comes once every sixty years, and there's no guarantee it will be my turn next time!"
"Big Brother has already established his foundation, and I've reached the seventh level of Qi Refining. Look at how much progress you've made so far!" Hao Xin said, his face filled with disappointment. "When it rains, you're in a bad mood and don't want to practice. When it's sunny, you're too happy to practice. You keep making excuses. I think even after a hundred years, you'll still be a Qi Refiner!"
"So... so what?" Si Rong said, hands on hips, "Even if I'm cultivating Qi, I can still live well. Practicing the Hongmeng Lingchu Sutra will make me live a long life."
"What if you're in danger? How many people can a Qi Refining Stage cultivator defeat?"
"You will definitely not be refining Qi by then. The eldest brother is more powerful, and there is also the master. What do I need to worry about?"
Shen Qingmang let the two children quarrel because she wanted to hear what they were thinking, but when she heard this, she couldn't bear to listen anymore.
But she didn't expect that there was someone who couldn't stand it more than her.
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