Cao Cao Was Right

Three days later, in Heaven Dou City.

After Tang Hao dropped Xiao Wu off at the house Li Xun's parents had bought in the city, he took Tang San and Li Xun to look for Whale Rubber.

They crossed street after street until Tang Hao stopped before an elegant, imposing five-story pavilion.

Even amid the soaring buildings of Heaven Dou City's expensive city center, the pavilion stood out. Its architecture was simple and refined, its upturned eaves graceful and restrained. There was nothing gaudy about it, only a quiet air of seclusion.

An old black plaque hung above the entrance, bearing two bold, flowing characters: Moonlight Pavilion.

There was little traffic at its doors, but everyone who came and went wore fine clothes and carried themselves like a person of standing. One glance was enough to tell that this was no ordinary place.

"Dad, what is this place?" Tang San asked, studying the quiet, mysterious pavilion.

Tang Hao looked up at the plaque, his expression calm.

"This is where we can find ten-thousand-year Whale Rubber for you and Li Xun. Come on, follow me in."

With that, he stepped through the entrance first.

Li Xun and Tang San exchanged a curious glance, then followed.

The moment they crossed the threshold, a cool, delicate fragrance greeted them. Part orchid, part sandalwood, it soothed the senses and shut out the bustle of the streets.

A finely carved boxwood screen stood ahead, its warm grain giving off a faint woody scent. On either side grew an unusual orchid over three meters tall, its elegant leaves and flowers lending the entrance a subtle perfume. Simply stepping inside seemed to quiet the mind.

Beyond the screen lay a spacious, airy hall.

Smooth blue-gray tiles covered the floor. Every table and chair was made of rare old wood, lending the room a restrained elegance. Behind a broad pearwood counter stood several young women in simple, tasteful dresses. They were pretty, gentle in bearing, and poised in every movement.

Carved wooden staircases rose on either side of the counter, their craftsmanship as meticulous as the rest of the pavilion.

Tang Hao walked forward with his hands behind his back and said to the tall attendant at their head, "Tell Yuehua an old friend has come to visit."

The attendant paused. Her brows drew together as she took in Tang Hao's weathered appearance and cold, solemn bearing. "May I ask who you are?"

Tang Hao's expression did not change. "Just tell Yuehua this: When the full moon wanes, an old friend appears. She'll understand."

The attendant caught the deeper meaning in his words and asked no more. She dipped her head. "Please wait here."

She turned and hurried up the stairs.

A short while later, soft footsteps sounded overhead.

A graceful figure descended the stairs.

The woman wore an understated silver-white gown whose fabric shimmered faintly. Its elegant cut suited her refined, noble bearing. She was beautiful, with a gentle face and composed manner, and the maturity time had given her only made her more captivating.

Two personal attendants followed her, both lovely and dignified.

Li Xun's gaze settled on the woman. So that's her.

She had to be Tang Hao's younger sister and Tang San's aunt, Tang Yuehua.

Looking at the beautiful, mature Tang Yuehua, Li Xun sighed inwardly. Cao Cao was right. How could an inexperienced young woman compare to one who'd grown more alluring with age?

Then Tang Hao spoke.

"Yuehua, it's me. Have you been well all these years?"

The simple words struck Tang Yuehua like thunder.

The beautiful woman, so poised and stately a moment ago, trembled violently.

Her composure crumbled. Unable to maintain her usual dignified bearing, she hurried down the stairs, her eyes filled with sudden emotion and the ache of years apart.

Tang Yuehua rushed up to Tang Hao, barely noticing Li Xun and Tang San beside him. She seized his shoulders, tears clouding her beautiful eyes. "Second Brother... Is it really you? You've come back?"

"It's me."

Those two words broke through every restraint she had placed on years of longing and hurt.

Tang Yuehua threw herself into Tang Hao's arms and wrapped hers tightly around his waist, as though she could hold on to the brother who had been gone for so long and never let him leave again.

The dignified mistress of Moonlight Pavilion forgot her status, her image, and everyone else in the hall. She buried her face against Tang Hao's shoulder and sobbed.

Decades of hurt, worry, and longing poured out in tears. Her grief was enough to make anyone's heart ache, and the entire hall fell quiet.

The severity in Tang Hao's eyes faded, leaving only tenderness and sorrow. He raised a hand and gently patted his sister's back. "There now, Yuehua. Don't cry. Too many people can see us here. Let's find somewhere quiet to talk."

It was a long while before Tang Yuehua drew back. She quickly wiped her cheeks, her eyes still red, and struggled to steady her voice. "All right, Second Brother. Come upstairs with me."

She took Tang Hao's hand and headed straight for the stairs. So absorbed was she in their reunion that she forgot all about the two children behind him.

Watching them go, Li Xun turned to Tang San with a helpless smile. "Your aunt's completely forgotten we exist, hasn't she?"

Tang San shook his head helplessly. "Come on, Brother Xun. We'd better keep up."

They hurried after the pair, following them to a quiet, elegant room on the top floor of Moonlight Pavilion.

The room was peaceful, its furnishings spare and tasteful, with no sound from outside reaching them. Only then, as she regained her composure, did Tang Yuehua notice the two young figures behind Tang Hao. Astonishment crossed her face.

She looked back and forth between them. "Second Brother, are these two children...?"

Tang Hao introduced them calmly. "The blue-haired boy is my son, Tang San. The one beside him is practically my godson. His name is Li Xun."

Li Xun was speechless. Well, Uncle Hao certainly knows how to take advantage. Since when did I become his godson?

But the instant Tang Yuehua heard their names, her pupils contracted. She blurted out in shock, "Tang San? Li Xun?! Aren't they the Asura God and the Sea God from the Heavenly Screen—the two who will change the course of the future?!"