“Elder Master…”
Mo Hua felt somewhat embarrassed to accept it.
“No worries,” Elder Master Xun’s expression was reassuring, even accompanied by a gentle smile, as he looked at Mo Hua and hinted, “Speaking of which, Taixu Gate truly owes them a huge favor.”
A huge favor…
Mo Hua nodded.
So that was the reason… There was such a connection involved.
It is said that the two great families of Shangguan Wenren, along with Taia Chongxu and Taixu Gate, had some old ties. It was quite normal for them to have some exchanges of favors.
It was just unknown what kind of matter could make Taixu Gate owe a favor…
Mo Hua was very curious in his heart.
But such exchanges of favors at the level of sects and great families were not something he could investigate.
Mo Hua respectfully accepted the calligraphy and said with a smile:
“Thank you, Elder Master!”
Elder Master Xun stroked his beard, nodding with satisfaction.
Afterward, Mo Hua took a ride, left Taixu Gate, and went to the Gu Family.
The Gu Family house was adorned with lights and colors, festive but not ostentatious, lively and celebratory.
Gu Changhuai was still busy with the affairs of the Taoist Court and seemed only able to return in the evening.
With the year-end approaching, Wenren Wan was also occupied with many matters, and Mo Hua did not get to see her.
Instead, it was Yu Er who, upon seeing Mo Hua, cheered joyfully and threw himself into Mo Hua’s embrace.
Wenren Wei then said:
“Miss Wan is held up by some matters and will only be free during the evening banquet. Young Master Mo, why not take Master Yu Er around for a stroll? Qingzhou City is quite lively during the festive season.”
Yu Er looked at Mo Hua cheerfully.
Mo Hua also smiled and nodded.
With New Year’s just a few days away, Qingzhou City was indeed bustling with festive spirit.
Always occupied with formation painting, Mo Hua, who hadn’t had a break for a long time, also felt playful.
He took Yu Er and strolled through the bustling Qingzhou City for the entire day.
Along the way, there were streams of carriages and horses, people flowed like water, market towns were compact and closely stacked, and red lanterns hung from the street heads to the corners.
Occasionally, there were eye-catching fireworks, a myriad of toys, and snacks with various flavors.
As Mo Hua browsed, seeing the lively scenes all around, his mood momentarily dipped.
Amid the noisy crowd, he was reminded of his days in Tongxian City.
He thought of his parents, his little friends, the irrepressible Uncle Zhang.
And of his caring master, the mysterious Grandpa Gui, his silly Junior Brother, and his beautiful Junior Sister…
Cultivation is long and arduous, as life’s fortunes rise and fall.
He didn’t know when he could see everyone again.
Mo Hua couldn’t help but sigh, and amidst a forlorn expression, suddenly found a string of candied hawthorns in front of him.
Turning his head, Mo Hua saw Yu Er, one small hand clutching a long string of candied hawthorns, nibbling on them, and with his other small hand, he presented another string of crystal-clear, sweet-and-sour candied hawthorns in front of Mo Hua, offering it like treasuring it, and said in a milky voice:
“Brother Mo, candied hawthorns!”
Yu Er had taken two strings, ate one himself, and shared one with Mo Hua.
Mo Hua laughed, patted Yu Er’s little head, and then took the candied hawthorns, took a bite, indeed both sour and sweet, very delicious.
After eating the candied hawthorns, Mo Hua’s mood inexplicably improved a lot.
“Let’s go, I’ll take you out to play.”
Mo Hua then held Yu Er’s small hand, strolling along the streets for the entire day.
Not until night fell, the lamps lit up, and the family banquet was about to start did Mo Hua lead Yu Er back to the Gu Family.
The journey was crowded, delaying us slightly.
Upon arrival at the Gu Family, Mo Hua suddenly realized something was amiss in the atmosphere.
What was filled with laughter and joy during the day had become much more solemn by night. The cultivators coming and going were also much more restrained, daring not to speak loudly.
Mo Hua found it strange, and upon spotting Gu An passing by, his eyes lit up and he hurriedly waved, “Little Brother An.”
Gu An was startled, but upon seeing Mo Hua, he came over and greeted him.
Mo Hua asked in a low voice, “Has something happened?”
“Not exactly,” Gu An glanced around and also lowered his voice, “A visitor from the Shangguan Family has arrived.”
“The Shangguan Family?” Mo Hua was stunned, looked down at the confused Yu Er, and asked Gu An puzzledly, “So what if the Shangguan Family has arrived? Aren’t the relations between the Gu Family and the Shangguan Family quite good…”