The top floor of Yuexuan was a grand hall, elegantly and comfortably furnished, with four doors leading to unknown destinations.
Upon opening one of the doors, a noblewoman, appearing to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and clad in a silver palace-style long dress, came into view for the three of them.
After a moment of surprise, Tang San's eyes flickered slightly, and he felt a sense of astonishment.
This lady possessed no trace of soul power; meaning, she was not a soul master!
Then, an even more astonishing scene unfolded before Tang San.
The noblewoman, who had been composed and graceful just moments before, saw Tang Hao, who had removed his cloak and revealed his weathered face. Her eyes reddened instantly, tears streaming down her face, presenting him and Tang Sui with a scene of siblings reunited after a long separation.
After releasing her emotions, Tang Yuehua, under the bewildered gaze of Tang San and the calm observation of Tang Sui, accepted the silk handkerchief silently offered by Tang Hao. She gently wiped the tears from her face, asked them to be seated, and then turned to brew them a fresh pot of fragrant tea.
The elegant and pleasant aroma of the tea wafted into Tang Sui's nose. She displayed a look of contented satisfaction akin to a cat with catnip, composed herself, and as the elegant noblewoman Tang Yuehua, she kindly looked at the siblings and said gently,
"Good children, what are your names?"
"My name is Tang San, and this is my sister, Tang Sui."
Having deduced the relationship between the two from their few exchanged words, Tang San had already lowered some of his guard.
"Hello, Auntie. You can just call me Sui Sui." Tang Sui called out obediently, and Tang Yuehua's gaze toward them softened further.
"Xiao San, you resemble your father, but also your mother. Sui Sui's eyes are very much like your mother's, though her hair color inherited your father's."
It was obvious at a glance that they were related.
Tang Sui's eyes curved into crescents as she listened to Tang Yuehua and Tang Hao converse, each speaking a sentence at a time.
Of course, when Tang Yuehua suggested Tang Hao return to Haotian Sect to see their eldest uncle and his wife, Tang Hao lowered his eyes and said softly that it was not yet time.
He briefly explained the situations of Tang Sui and Tang San to Tang Yuehua, stated his purpose, then stood up, put his hood back on, and vanished before them in an instant under Tang Yuehua's stare.
Tang Yuehua's gaze dimmed, an uncontrollable warmth surging within her, and two lines of tears flowed silently.
After nearly twenty years without seeing her second brother, their reunion was so brief…
As Tang Yuehua felt a pang of sadness, a small hand offered her a new silk handkerchief embroidered with orchids.
Looking up, she saw Tang Sui.
"Auntie, you don't need to be sad. Since Father said he would return, he definitely will. We will all have a reunion one day."
Tang Sui smiled at Tang Yuehua, her expression not reflecting her father's melancholy.
Tang Yuehua looked into Tang Sui's blue eyes, so similar to Ah Yin's, and her heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.
She took the handkerchief Tang Sui offered, dabbed at the corners of her eyes, exhaled a breath, and asked, "You are both nineteen now, aren't you?"
Tang Sui had always been rather vague about her age, and Tang San also hesitated for a moment when asked, before replying, "In another month or two."
Tang Yuehua nodded, then smiled with relief, "Your father left the Slaughter City at the age of twenty-eight. You are almost ten years younger than him. It seems you have fully inherited the excellence of both your parents."
In reality, Tang Sui, who could leave the Slaughter City at any time, merely smiled and said nothing.
Tang San, feeling his progress was still slow and that his sister had once again surpassed him, remained silent.
"Then, since your father has said so, for the next year, you will both be learning various noble etiquettes and music from me. I will arrange your rooms. Do you have any other questions?"
Tang Yuehua asked, smiling at the siblings.
Tang San, who had not expected the subsequent assessment to be this, was suddenly bewildered.
He thought his father had brought him here to cultivate. Why was he to learn etiquette and music?
Having been of humble origins in both his past and present lives, Tang San's face showed a hint of difficulty.
Tang Yuehua watched the siblings with a playful smile and added,
"If you do not meet my requirements after one year and do not satisfy me, I will not let you leave to find your father."
She glanced at Tang San, implying something, "Do not think these things are useless. Sometimes, having great strength is not enough. You need to know how to navigate various factions and powers without relying on your strength. You still have much to learn."
Tang Sui, who had been listening quietly to the arrangements, suddenly asked, "Then, Auntie, if I finish my studies early, or if I finish but my brother hasn't, can I arrange the remaining time myself?"
Tang San:?
He turned to look at his sister, who had just spoken so confidently, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Sui Sui, what are you saying?
Tang Yuehua was slightly surprised but nodded, "Of course, as long as you both perfectly pass my assessment."
Tang Sui flashed a smile, then turned her head to meet her brother's shocked and bewildered gaze, a hint of mischief in her smile, "Brother, shall we have a competition to see who graduates first?"
Tang San: "..."
I don't want to compete with you, who was a majestic little princess in the Slaughter City for three years.
But...
Thinking of his lag in soul power, a flame of refusal to admit defeat ignited in Tang San's heart, and he accepted Tang Sui's invitation to compete, "Alright."
He refused to believe that with his understanding of the Tang Sect's internal cultivation methods, he couldn't surpass his sister in learning knowledge!
After all, when he was learning general knowledge of the continent and various spirit abilities under his teacher, he was the most outstanding one!