Tang Yuehua

Biodata

Appearance

Tang Yuehua is a mature woman whose appearance and bearing strike Meng Chen as naturally noble. At their first meeting, she wears a gold-trimmed palace dress that accentuates her graceful figure 63.

• Eyes: Dark and expressive; her penetrating gaze unsettles Xiao Wu when she recognizes the girl's private worries 83.
• Voice: Warm and polished, compared to jade 64.
• Bearing: Elegant, poised, and composed in her movements and expressions 63.

Personality

Tang Yuehua is gentle and socially adept, using light teasing without making conversation uncomfortable. She understands aristocratic conventions and the value of cultivating connections, inviting Meng Chen to visit after recognizing his reputation and potential 64.

Her teaching favors refinement without suppressing individuality. Although she immediately recognizes Xiao Wu's non-noble upbringing, she accepts her at Ye Cixin's request and grows deeply affectionate toward her. She explicitly warns Xiao Wu against becoming so bound by etiquette that she loses her natural personality 64 83.

She does not automatically accept accusations, even from someone claiming to be family. Tang San's account of Meng Chen conflicts with what she knows, prompting her to ask for evidence and arrange a confrontation. However, her attachment to Tang Hao leaves her vulnerable to his manipulated testimony: she accepts his denial of Tang San and concludes that her guest has deceived her 118 121 123.

Abilities & Skills

Noble Ring

Tang Yuehua possesses an innate domain that releases an elegant, gentle wave capable of calming emotional agitation 118.

• Soothes Tang San's rage and terror while he recounts Tang Hao's capture 118.
• Calms Tang San again during his confrontation with Meng Chen 121.

Etiquette and Self-Cultivation

As Moonlight Pavilion's mistress, Tang Yuehua teaches the accomplishments and conduct expected in noble society 64 83.

• Bearing and posture: Trains Xiao Wu to sit with a straight back, properly positioned shoulders, and controlled movements 83.
• Tea ceremony and emotional discipline: Evaluates both as part of Xiao Wu's progress 83.
• Presentation: Personally selects noble-quality jewelry for Xiao Wu; Meng Chen also credits her instruction for Xiao Wu's adoption of makeup 81.
• Teaching principle: Treats etiquette as an expression of personal cultivation rather than an absolute restriction on behavior 83.

Music Instruction and Interpretation

Tang Yuehua teaches zither playing and can distinguish both technical accomplishment and emotional expression in a performance 64 83.

• Recognizes Xiao Wu's complete mastery of Autumn Moon of the Moon Palace, a piece she expected would require at least two months to grasp 83.
• Detects Xiao Wu's longing while Meng Chen is away and the happiness in her music after his return 83.
• Gives Xiao Wu an elegant guqin, which she later plays to help Meng Chen relax 84.

Relationships

• Xiao Wu — Student and an object of maternal affection. Tang Yuehua wishes she had a daughter like her, praises her exceptional progress, and encourages her to preserve her lively nature 64 83.
• Ye Cixin — Old friend and frequent visitor to Moonlight Pavilion. Tang Yuehua accepts Xiao Wu despite the pavilion's limited places and customary noble clientele as a favor to her 63 64.
• Meng Chen — A promising acquaintance whom she welcomes to the pavilion. She knows his reputation, has previously investigated him, and doubts Tang San's portrayal of him as a treacherous weakling 64 118.
• Tang Hao / Hammer Protector — Her brother, for whom she also harbors romantic feelings. She worries intensely about his disappearance and is overjoyed at their reunion, unaware that Ye Xishui is controlling his account of events 117 121 123.
• Tang San — Her nephew. She initially accepts his parentage after seeing his Clear Sky Hammer and resemblance to his parents, but later mistakenly treats him as an impostor after Hammer Protector denies knowing him 117 121 123.
• Ah Yin — A woman she remembers vividly and regards with complicated feelings because of her connection to Tang Hao. Tang San's resemblance to Ah Yin first persuades her to investigate his identity 117.
• Chief Steward Aude — Moonlight Pavilion's chief steward. He follows her orders to admit and clean up Tang San, then later removes him from the premises 117 123.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Teaching Xiao Wu

Ye Cixin brings Meng Chen and Xiao Wu to Moonlight Pavilion to arrange etiquette lessons. Tang Yuehua identifies Xiao Wu's lively, unpolished upbringing but accepts her, arranging for her to begin classes the following day. She also recognizes Meng Chen as the celebrated academy genius and encourages him to visit 63 64.

After one month, Tang Yuehua judges Xiao Wu's progress in music, bearing, tea ceremony, and emotional management comparable to three years of ordinary study. Realizing that Xiao Wu worries refinement might change her relationship with Meng Chen, she reassures her that etiquette should not erase her nature and grants her leave to spend time with him 83.

Sheltering Tang San

Tang San seeks Tang Yuehua as a route back to the Clear Sky Sect. His shouting brings her outside after the pavilion's attendants refuse him entry. Struck by his resemblance to Ah Yin, she has him cleaned up and questions him privately. His Clear Sky Hammer convinces her that he is Tang Hao's child 116 117.

Tang San blames Meng Chen for his suffering, physical transformation, and separation from Tang Hao. Tang Yuehua finds contradictions in his claims, particularly his insistence that Meng Chen could defeat him only through an ambush. She asks for evidence but allows him to stay temporarily 118.

Expulsion and Reunion

Tang Yuehua arranges for Meng Chen to answer Tang San's accusations face-to-face. When Tang San also accuses Xiao Wu of misconduct, she doubts the claims because she knows her student's character. Meng Chen then summons Tang Hao, now serving as Hammer Protector, who denies being Tang San's father 121.

Believing she has been deceived, Tang Yuehua orders Tang San to leave. Even his display of both martial souls fails to change her decision; after Hammer Protector strikes him, she orders Aude to remove him 121 123.

During their subsequent reunion, Hammer Protector claims that Spirit Hall nearly killed him and that Meng Chen's master saved his life. Tang Yuehua listens with distress and concern. Meng Chen, meanwhile, learns that Ye Xishui is controlling Hammer Protector's performance 123.

Notable Quotes

“Rites and music are expressions of our personal cultivation, not rules meant to restrict us.” 83

“If you encounter someone without refinement, then deal with them in an unrefined way.” 83

“You are a clever child. Just remain as you originally were. That is the best state for you.” 83