Chapter 16: Danxin Pavilion
The talisman for entering Ruoyu Peak was different from what Third Sister Yi had imagined; it was just a small, six-petal dried flower. The lavender flower was twisted between Su Yang's pale fingers, and even when entering the formation, there was not the slightest fluctuation or light.
Su Yang arranged everything perfectly. He first gave Yi Sanmei a separate three-story courtyard and told her to choose a room to live in. As soon as Yi Sanmei chose her room, a row of mechanical figures arrived, bringing a table of food and tea.
Although it was just some simple white rice porridge and a few side dishes, it made Yi Sanmei, who had never had a proper meal at the table, feel awkward.
Seeing Su Yang nod, Yi Sanmei immediately rushed to the table, picked up the white rice porridge and poured it into her stomach. Even though she was scalded and gasping for air and sticking out her tongue, she refused to stop. She picked up the plate of side dishes and poured them on the porridge. In the blink of an eye, she had finished all the food on the table.
After she finished her meal, Su Yang poured her tea himself, and then he began to teach her dining etiquette and how to use chopsticks. When Yi Sanmei's back ached from sitting and her hands were numb from holding the chopsticks, Su Yang ordered that the newly sewn disciple uniform for Yi Sanmei be brought into the room.
"I've taken a quick look and you'll still be growing, so there's no need to worry about fitting you properly. A larger size is better. The sleeves are embroidered with Qinglin flowers, a pain-relieving herb grown outside Danxin Pavilion. Others will know your identity when they see them. Take three sets of clothes first."
After Yi Sanmei accepted the clothes, he ordered the mechanical puppet to boil water for Yi Sanmei to wash, and he went to the next door to avoid suspicion. Yi Sanmei felt that Su Yang was the most cumbersome person she had ever seen, but she did not dislike him. She obediently took the clothes and went to take a shower.
Steam rose from the wooden barrel, creating the illusion of a hazy cloud. Yi Sanmei, stripping off her clothes, stood beside the barrel, unsure of what to do. First, she peered into the water, her bloodstained head and blackened face reflected in her. She recoiled in fear. After fifteen days in that dark cabin, she certainly wasn't going to be clean.
Fortunately, Senior Brother Su still had the heart to touch my head.
Yi Sanmei muttered, mustering her courage and poking the water with her hand. The water was slightly warmer, but not scalding. Not knowing to ask the mechanical puppet to add some cold water, she pinched her nose and gritted her teeth as she jumped into the tub, splashing a large amount of water. She rubbed herself in the water, which immediately turned gray.
The puppet busily brought her a tray of bath beans and a towel, then picked up a rag to clean the water stains on the floor. Yi Sanmei pondered, rolled the bath beans over her skin, and immediately began to play with the bubbles with great pleasure.
The water went in and out three times before Yi Sanmei was finally clean. After the mechanical puppet had cleaned everything, Su Yang brought a large pile of paper, pens, and books into the room and announced, "From now on, I will teach you how to read and write, as well as some etiquette. You're still at the age of learning, so I won't take care of anything else, but you must study."
Yi Sanmei couldn't believe her ears. She was so happy that she almost jumped up and spun around. She agreed without hesitation.
Su Yang was somewhat surprised by Yi Sanmei's reaction. Previously, the children who had come to Danxin Pavilion were often filled with deep hatred for learning to read and write. To ensure Yi Sanmei hadn't misunderstood, Su Yang tried again, "I only teach you common characters. I won't teach you any cultivation techniques, alchemy, or formations. If you're thinking of learning those murderous and treasure-stealing methods from me, give up the idea." His expression hardened as he spoke, and a hint of hatred flashed in his eyes.
Why would that be so difficult? Yi Sanmei hadn't come here to learn those things in the first place. Only after learning the written language could one possibly learn other things. Learning on one's own was always better than having someone teach one something one only half-understood and unsure if it contained hidden dangers.
Moreover, for Yi Sanmei, although she didn't understand why Su Yang attached so much importance to etiquette, she could feel Su Yang's care from it. Su Yang treated her as a person rather than a piece of material that could be disposed of after being used up.
Third Sister Yi felt a little attached and answered respectfully, "Since I was little, everyone has always been above me. No one has ever asked to teach me characters. I know it's not something everyone can learn. How can I not be happy that Senior Brother Su is willing to teach me? I will definitely study hard."
Su Yang's brows relaxed upon hearing this. He gestured for Third Sister Yi to sit at the desk, still muttering to himself, "Words shouldn't be so precious, something only a select few can learn. I didn't pay much attention to these things before, until I came here and realized that under the same world, there are people living such different lives..." Shaking his head, Su Yang began to concentrate on teaching Third Sister Yi how to use a pen.
The candlelight had burned out, and by the time he came to his senses, it was already dark. Su Yang said to Yi Sanmei, "Tomorrow at 3:00 AM, I'll have the puppet wake you up. You'll have to undergo the initiation ceremony. Now, go to sleep."
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