Close at hand
"Who knows what he's using it for, probably not for anything good."
Yuanli looked from afar and saw a white strip in the middle of one of the cells. As she got closer, she saw that it was indeed Si Tiao's corpse, which had returned to its original form and was so shriveled that it looked like it had been stepped on.
She casually pulled out a hairpin and touched Si Tiao. Seeing that the hairpin did not change at all, Yuanli dared to take out her purse, emptied the contents into the Lingbao Silver Bell, and then put Si Tiao's body into the empty purse.
Just as she was about to put it close to her body, Yuanli realized that it was a corpse after all, and was dead, so she put the lotus bag that contained Si Tiao's body into the spiritual treasure silver bell.
Yuanli speculated, "It's like Si Tiao has been drained of everything inside her, leaving only an empty shell. Perhaps this is how they used Si Tiao and the others in the first place. It's so secretive, it must be something more than simple. Let's take a closer look."
Several people split up and searched the cave separately, but apart from these, there was nothing else important.
It is not advisable to stay here for long, so we quickly leave along the esophagus. Outside the passage, there is still a dark and dense ghost forest, which looks not much different from the one on Yuemang Mountain.
"Are we going the wrong way?"
Su Yang used the power of the mountain god to sense the entire mountain range. "I didn't take the wrong path. I have indeed reached the foot of the mountain. If I walk another hundred meters or so, I will be able to see the scenery outside the mountain."
Si Xi was a little excited and delighted. He had looked forward to leaving Yue Mang Mountain countless times, and now his wish had truly come true. Si Xi was unexpectedly nervous.
The light became brighter and brighter until we stood outside the Ghost Withered Forest. The sunlight sprinkled on our bodies, making us feel warm, but it was a little too dazzling, making it impossible to open our eyes.
Si Xi had never seen the sun since he was born, and had only seen descriptions of it in books. It turned out that the sun was really so beautiful.
Bathed in the sunlight, the corners of her mouth curled up. "It's wonderful! I feel like a prisoner who's been imprisoned for too long and is suddenly released. Ah~ freedom!"
Tianshu said goodbye, "Ali, you should hurry back to Jiwang Valley. Leave the matters of Yuemang Mountain to us. I will report to the heavens immediately and deal with the miasma immediately."
He Qi asked, "What about the monster on Yue Mang Mountain?"
"It will be handed over to the Demon Realm to handle according to its laws."
"Okay. Sister, let me take you back to Jiwang Valley. I'm worried about you going back alone."
"No, just take us to a nearby town, and we'll have a meal together before going back."
While Yuanli and Heqi were chatting, Su Yang telepathically said to Cha Suxun, "After you tell me, there's a way to confirm whether this white-haired boy has it. Can we confirm it now?"
Cha Suxun nodded slightly, and asked Yuanli for the small bronze mirror with the picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water. He tapped it twice, and the painting in the wooden house appeared in the bronze mirror again.
Holding the bronze mirror in front of Su Yang, the two compared the portraits of Youyou and Xiaobai, and it seemed... they did have some similarities.
"Look, this nose, this mouth, how similar they are."
Su Yang's voice when communicating with the spirit world was filled with joy and slight sobs, which was enough to show his excitement.
The more excited and happy he was, the more Cha Suxun wanted to tell him everything he was thinking, so that he wouldn't find out that he had recognized the wrong person and his happiness would be in vain.
But if you think about it, it's always good to have some hope while you are alive, so why bother to see through it and talk about it?
After parting ways with them, Heqi took the four of them and teleported to Shanwei Town, the nearest town in the direction of Huijiwang Valley. Although this town was remote, it was as lively as other towns.
As soon as Si Xi stepped into the town, she was attracted by the scene in front of her. Everything she saw was new and lively, but she lacked the courage she had in the mountains in the face of these new things, and instead felt at a loss.
She followed behind Yuanli, holding the corner of her sleeve, which made her feel safe.
The first shop that Yuanli took Sixi to was the largest ready-made clothing shop in Shanwei Town. Although it was not as good as the ones she had seen in Kyoto and the Imperial Palace, it was still beautiful.
"See if there's any dress you like, and I'll buy it for you. This town is different from Kyoto. Pick something to wear first. When we have time, I'll take you to Kyoto to buy the most fashionable hairpin dress. It's many times prettier than this. The dresses from Heqi's hometown are also beautiful. Let's try them all."
Si Xi was not without similar exquisite dresses. Her father had bought her quite a few in the past. However, the mountains were dangerous and such dresses were not convenient to wear, so she almost never wore them. She just tried them on and put them back in the box.
She walked around and finally picked out a relatively simple pink and white dress with lotus flowers embroidered on the cuffs and hem. Because the embroidery thread was light in color, it didn't look fancy.
"It looks good. Wear this one and go. Pick out a few more to change into. Don't be polite to your godmother."
Si Xi didn't choose anymore, but just went to the side and asked quietly, "Boss, how much silver does this dress cost?"
"Young lady, just choose carefully. Your godmother informed us while you were changing your dress. You can't ask the price of the dress. The shops in our town are not expensive. If you want a good dress in the capital, you can go to my shop. Don't worry, your godmother can afford it. You are beautiful, and you can wear any dress you choose to look great."
The shopkeeper smiled and, while complimenting her, did not forget to pick out the most expensive items in the store for her.
In response to the shopkeeper's enthusiasm and the indescribable dresses he brought, Si Xi smiled awkwardly and said, "I'll choose for myself, shopkeeper. Thank you very much."
"That's fine, you can choose it yourself. There are several sets here that are suitable for you. If you need anything, just call me."
As he spoke, the shopkeeper pointed to the most expensive dresses and then went to the side to serve the payers.
After asking the shopkeeper Si Xi what he had asked him, Yuan Li walked over to her and said, "If you can't find anything you like in this store, let's try another one."
"Don't bother me, godmother. The dresses in this shop are already very beautiful."
"Why are you being so polite to me now that you've come down the mountain? I've saved a lot of money, and this little bit is nothing to me. You don't have to save it for me. Besides, aren't you supposed to work like a slave for me in return? If you dress nicely, I won't get gossiped about when I take you out, right?"
"I saw that the clothes my godmother wore when she went up the mountain weren't as luxurious as those in this store. You don't waste money on clothes, and neither do I. As for clothes, just enough to change and wash is enough."
Yuanli said seriously, "Si Xi, godmother is telling you that as long as your conditions and abilities allow, you must do your best to make your life comfortable and beautiful. This is the first principle I teach you: value yourself."
"But I'm spending all your money. My own conditions and abilities don't allow me to buy these."
"No, the financial power of my parents' family is inherited from my mother. I have no choice. As for me, I am your godmother and your support. You can enjoy everything I bring you, and I have given you permission to do so. Besides, it's not for nothing. According to filial piety, you will have to support me in the future. This is a process of family reproduction and inheritance from ancient times to the present."
Yuanli patted her shoulder and said, keeping her eye level, "Bingbing, don't overthink it. I promised your mother that I would treat you as my own daughter. I won't ask you to treat me like your biological mother. I didn't give birth to you, so why should I ask you to treat me like your biological mother? Your mother has already paid the price for my kindness to you, so just enjoy it and don't feel burdened."
After hearing Yuanli's words, Si Xi hugged Yuanli, tears welling in his eyes, trying hard not to let them fall. "Godmother, the way you talk sounds like my mother. I haven't listened to my mother's teachings for a long time. I miss her so much."
"We will find her."
"Well, we will find her."
Yuanli patted her back to comfort her and joked, "Well, but even after saying all this, if you dare to be an ungrateful person or an unfilial son, I will still beat you to death."
"Yan Ye, you can choose too, don't be polite. You and Si Xi are engaged, so I am also your godmother, so you don't have to be polite to me."
"Thank you for your kindness, godmother."
Yan Ye did not go to pick out clothes, but his eyes fell secretly on Si Xi. After getting her nod, Yan Ye happily went to pick out clothes.
Yuanli watched this scene and jokingly whispered to Sixi, "It's hard for me to judge your father's taste in women, but his taste in men is quite good."
"Godmother, you are teasing me again."
After buying the clothes and coming out of the clothing store, Yuanli took her to the best restaurant in town, ordered all the local specialties, and filled the table.
After a good meal and a good night's sleep, before parting, Yuanli told Si Xi, "I have three requests that must be fulfilled. First, you must obey your uncle and not disobey him or cause trouble for him. Second, before you see me next time, you must not rashly leave your uncle's side and go alone to look for your mother's body. Third, you must discuss things with your uncle and protect your own safety. You must keep your mouth shut about everything related to your uncle and Yuemang Mountain and you must not tell anyone."
"Godmother, how come you hit the nail on the head with every point you make? Are you trying to interrogate me by catching the worm in my stomach?"
"Oh! Oh, and one more thing to add, you're not allowed to gamble with your life! Just like your mother, she's always gambling with her life, even if it means she'll die! That's not allowed."
"Godmother~"
"There's no room for negotiation. Even if your mother were here, you must agree to this request." Yuanli deliberately revealed a fierce look that was slightly displeased and threatening, and said, "If you can't do this, I'll have Heqi beat you to death."
Thinking back to Li Heqi's methods, the feeling of suffocation was still vivid in his mind. It was much more painful than dying at the hands of his godmother. Si Xi nodded in agreement repeatedly.
After sending Yuanli away, Heqi took Yanye and Sixi directly back to his study. Changing back into the Demon Lord's clothes, Heqi's majesty grew even more, but also, a sense of distance.
He sat on the high throne and said calmly, "I will have someone arrange accommodation for you. Do not leave this palace unless necessary. As for your identities, you do not need to explain them to anyone. If you need anything, just tell my servants. If you can't solve it, come back to me."
Si Xi looked at He Qi in front of him and felt that they were very close, yet it seemed as if there was a cliff thousands of feet between them.
"What should I call you now?"
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