Chapter 4 How Rumors Spread
Morax left, and Qiao Xi remained sitting there, gazing absently at his receding figure. Five months had passed in the blink of an eye, and she had almost forgotten what he looked like.
The relentless wind outside also stirred up a continuous snowfall. Qiao Xi huddled in her bright red winter coat, her skin appearing even whiter. She yawned, forgetting all about Morax's instructions to wash her face.
She rested her head on her arm, closed her eyes, and continued to sleep.
Taking a nap in a warm bamboo house on a snowy day, listening to the quiet sound of snowflakes, is truly comforting.
Qiao Xi's eyelashes trembled contentedly for a moment.
She had adapted to life here, but whenever she saw Morax again, her memories would be pulled back to that night when she first arrived.
At that time, she was embarrassed, scared, and lost, and then she met Morax on a night when the sea wind was howling and the air was filled with the salty smell.
During this time, Liu Yun told Qiao Xi many stories about Morax, and Qiao Xi learned that Morax was fighting bosses everywhere for the sake of the people of Liyue.
She had only met Morax once and didn't know much about the man. She could only summarize Liu Yun's story based on her years of experience practicing Chinese reading comprehension.
Finally, Morax was identified as an immovable, steadfast, decisive, and taciturn person.
This matches the image of the cold-faced master in the novels Qiao Xi read in her early years.
Qiao Xi shivered. Thankfully, it wasn't Morax who taught her; she was somewhat relieved.
Generally speaking, analyzing a character's personality is only the first question in reading comprehension, but there are at least three questions in reading comprehension, and Qiao Xi even added two more questions in her mind.
For example, questions like "Briefly analyze the imagery of rocks in this text," "Please summarize the main idea of this text," and "What writing techniques are used in the last paragraph of this text? Analyze and explain the thoughts and feelings the author wants to express."
"I'm going crazy from school," Qiao Xi thought to herself, but she still highlighted two key points: First, Morax is very powerful and serious, so it's best not to joke around in front of him; second, she should maintain the image of a good student.
Of course, if this answer were given in an exam, she would lose five out of six points.
However, what she didn't know was that these two points had already been completely shattered before she even managed to meet Morax, and she wouldn't get a single point out of six.
First and foremost, don't joke about Morax in front of her. Although Qiao Xi didn't do it herself, someone else did it for her.
For example, Jinlan said in front of Morax that Qiaoxi was a bride that the Emperor had stolen.
Jinlan is the captain of one of the squads of the Thousand Rock Army, and a seasoned fan of melodramatic stories.
Therefore, when Qiao Xi, who had been poisoned by melodramatic plots in her early years, showed him her rich imagination, Jin Lan decided to be with Qiao Xi, who was the best in the world.
From Qiao Xi, Jin Lan listened to everything from "Hate and Love" to "Car Accident and Amnesia," from "Stand-up Doll Literature" to "Cornea Transplant," completely immersed in a melodramatic world. Qiao Xi even felt that if she listened to any more of his stories, they would be labeled as "grotesque."
He is also a big fan of the story of the Emperor and Qiao Xi's forced marriage.
As for how the story of the wedding robbery came about and how Jinlan came to remember it, it was because many people saw Morax carrying Qiao Xi, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, down from the sky that day.
The emperor's imposing aura descending from the heavens contrasted sharply with the young girl's, and rumors of a forced marriage quickly spread among the common people, eventually reaching Jinlan's ears.
Jinlan was dozing off while standing guard at the foot of the mountain that day, but she was instantly wide awake after hearing this story.
What? The Emperor? A forced marriage?
It sounds ridiculous, but it smells so good.
Jinlan even conjured up a few stories in her mind about her escaping and him chasing, a canary and a coercor.
Of course, he didn't dare tell any of these stories to anyone.
Today, Jinlan, that unlucky fellow, bumped into Morax, who had just returned, while patrolling down the mountain. He was so excited that he blurted out, "Your Majesty, how are you? Is your bride Qiao Xi also well?"
From the Emperor's puzzled look, Jinlan felt that she was doomed.
He quickly apologized to Morax.
Morax didn't take it to heart. He told Jinlan, "The situation is basically stable now, but we still need to be vigilant. The stability of the people is the most important thing. Don't be distracted, and..."
He paused for a moment, then added, "And don't get caught up in rumors either."
"I understand, Your Majesty. A few days ago, when Immortal Lord Liuyun and your bride returned from the foot of the mountain, they said that the local residents were in good condition..."
Jin Lan suddenly paused, his forehead gradually covered in cold sweat. He slowly lowered his head and whispered a correction: "He...he Qiao Xi."
Morax sighed, "We'll correct it gradually."
Jinlan: "Yes, Your Majesty."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and watched Morax leave. Suddenly, he realized that the Emperor hadn't denied the story of the forced marriage.
Why was he both scared and excited? He wondered, biting his finger.
*
For an ordinary person, it would take three hours to walk from the foot of the mountain to the immortal's cave, but for Morax, it was just a blink of an eye.
But now, almost half a year has passed since he left. Seasons have changed, grass and trees have withered, and he hasn't seen the mountains in the morning and evening. So he chose to walk up from the foot of the mountain.
Since he would often encounter residents who were logging or gathering things, Morax thought that his current appearance would disturb them, so he concealed his fairy appearance and changed into everyday clothes.
The dark brown robe embroidered with gold patterns was made by Mi Nu in the past, and he hadn't worn it many times in the past ten years.
When Morax reached the middle of the mountain, the wind picked up and then it started to snow. He took shelter under a tree with a woodcutter.
The woodcutter looked at the man beside him and thought he had an extraordinary bearing, so he started talking to him out of boredom.
Although Morax did not bring up any topics, he responded to each one.
It wasn't until the woodcutter mentioned, "It is said that the Emperor's bride still lives on the mountain," that things changed.
Moraxville paused, and snow fell softly, like a child who had lost its home.
Without realizing it, Morax thought of Qiao Xi and the rumors that Qian Yanjun had told not long ago.
Speaking of which, how long has it been since he met that child?
He knew her name was Qiao Xi, the "Xi" being a modal particle without any real meaning.
That night, she wore heavy makeup and a sparkly wedding dress, looking as beautiful as a little peacock.
During this time, he was always busy with the war, and when Qiao Xi's image reappeared in his mind, more than five months had passed.
Recalling the scene that day, it was indeed he who brought Qiao Xi out of the bridal chamber and carried her all the way. It was his negligence, and he couldn't blame anyone else.
Morax then calmly said to the person next to him, "This is just a rumor."
The woodcutter wanted to ask why, but when he looked up and met Morax's eyes, he was suddenly stunned.
Although he didn't know the man in front of him, he felt that what he said made a lot of sense and was something he should firmly believe.
When the snow stopped, the woodcutter told Morax, "When I get back, I will definitely tell the villagers that this is false, just a rumor."
Morax nodded: "Yes."
*
Secondly, regarding the second point, one must establish a good student image in front of Morax.
The True Lord of Yixiao Daotian also kindly helped her break it.
Qiao Xi underestimated the devastating impact of parents' breakdowns after helping with homework.
Yi Xiao's resentment was greater than that of a ghost.
At the Immortal's Cave, the snow was already quite deep.
Morax asked about Yi Xiao Qiao Xi's recent situation.
But it would have been better not to ask. Once they did, Yi Xiao's appearance changed, even becoming distorted.
The usually gentle, kind, cheerful and generous immortal seemed to be going through great pain as he reported every little detail about Qiao Xi to Morax.
They complained about how she couldn't read, how she didn't memorize her lessons, how she would doze off, how she couldn't understand calculations, how she would misremember formulas, and how she would daydream.
It was less of a report and more of a complaint!
"She actually told me that fire and lightning elements are a combustion reaction!" Finally, Yi Xiao waved his hand and slumped down. "Your Majesty, this thing is currently living in the Bamboo Garden. At this hour, it's probably studying and falling asleep."
Yi Xiao was right. When Morax arrived, Qiao Xi was fast asleep, as if nothing could wake her up, even if the sky were to fall or the earth were to crack. There was also a book under her hand, which contained information about Morax.
*
Qiao Xi had no idea that her image as a good student had already collapsed before it even began to take shape.
She pretended to be tired from studying too hard and fell asleep on the table for a while. Suddenly, a pile of snow fell from the eaves with a few muffled sounds, pulling Qiao Xi out of her sleep. She suddenly remembered that Morax had told her to wash her face before he left. She guessed that he wanted her to go out and relax because he saw that she was studying hard.
So he put on a cloak, took an umbrella, and walked into the snow.
*
Qiao Xi's place is full of evergreen bamboo, and most of the houses are made of bamboo, hence the name Bamboo Garden.
Bamboo Garden consists of three small bamboo houses and a courtyard wall made of bamboo. Near the gate of the courtyard is a pool with a spring that is drawn from the mountains through bamboo pipes.
This is a simple device that Qiao Xi made using the mechanical techniques taught by Liu Yun Borrowing Wind True Lord. Liu Yun then applied immortal magic to it to ensure that the water here is pure. It opens and closes somewhat like a faucet.
Qiao Xi also made a showerhead out of bamboo and lotus pods and placed it in the bamboo house on the south side to make a bathroom. Liu Yun used her magic to ensure the temperature inside.
These little things were simple to make, but their strength lay in their ingenuity. She felt that Qiao Xi had a great talent for mechanical arts.
As long as Liu Yun doesn't teach her how to calculate elemental reactions, she'll always be a good child that Liu Yun likes.
After washing her face, Qiao Xi admired the faucet she had made for a while with satisfaction. Although it seemed to be inspired by modern society, she still felt that she was great.
The snow in the bamboo garden was very thick, and the towel that Qiao Xi had hung on the bamboo pole was also covered with a layer of snow. The snow water seeped in and froze into ice, making the towel extremely hard at this moment.
Qiao Xi took the towel down and waved it in her hand. It looked like a curved sword. She thought of the moves Master Yi Xiao had taught her and casually swung it a few times.
"His body is like a feather, his sword like rain, his vastness like the universe, and the world is but a fleeting moment."
As she spoke eloquently and wielded her sword like a monkey, a voice called out to her from behind.
"What are you doing out here dressed so lightly in this freezing weather, you silly girl!"
Qiao Xi turned her head and saw it was the True Lord of Yixiao Daotian.
"Master Yixiao," Qiao Xi said with a smile as she hung up the towel, "I've already memorized the article you asked me to recite."
"Let's go back first," Yi Xiao tugged at Qiao Xi's sleeve, pulling her into the house. "What did I tell you? Don't hurt yourself before the shaping process is complete, otherwise you'll not only miss the mark, but you'll also suffer..."
"It's not worth it!" Qiao Xi said the rest of the sentence almost in unison with Yi Xiao, her eyes curving into crescents. "I'm sick of hearing that."
"Then you should take it to heart!" Yi Xiao closed the door, walked to the desk, and found it empty. "Where's your calligraphy practice?"
Qiao Xi pretended not to hear: "Huh?"
In the long battle of wits, Yi Xiao had long seen through Qiao Xi's thoughts, and he gave her no room for negotiation: "Take it out."
Qiao Xi hesitated, "Are you sure?"
Yi Xiao, exasperated, exclaimed, "Confirmed!"
Qiao Xi reluctantly took out six wads of paper from her pocket, placed them one by one on the table, and even thoughtfully aligned them.
Yi Xiao felt a tightness in his chest. He picked up a crumpled piece of paper at random, opened it, and saw crooked words on it that almost made him faint.
"Come, come, tell me what you're thinking? If your writing isn't good, it's a matter of ability; we can practice slowly. But if you cram, it's a matter of attitude!"
Although Yi Xiao felt that Qiao Xi's attitude towards learning had always been problematic.
Qiao Xi also had her own unspeakable suffering. If it were only Yi Xiao and Liu Yun, she would dare to publish it even if she wrote it in a dog's crawl or an earthworm's crawl.
“Because Morax came to see me,” Qiao Xi said.
No matter how many times, Yi Xiao would still be startled whenever he heard Qiao Xi call the Emperor by his given name.
He and the other immortals would feel uneasy if they called the Emperor by his name, but this girl called him that so openly. Perhaps the rumors of the "Emperor's forced marriage" could be spread because of this girl's constant use of "Morax".
A note from the author:
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