Editor: Misty Cloud Translations
The Azure Emperor’s expression shifted slightly, as if the face from his mories had rged with the one before him, becoming identical. She still stood slightly bent at the waist, her face radiant with a smile, calling out to him in a clear, crisp voice.
"Today is your birthday. What gift would you like your master to give you?" The Azure Emperor snapped back to attention, rising from the stone and asking slowly, hands clasped behind his back.
At these words, Yue’er’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "I’ll love whatever gift my master gives ," she chirped. Even the most unassuming gift from her master was a treasure.
Hearing this, the Azure Emperor glanced at her. With a flick of his wrist, a box appeared in his hand. "See if you like it."
Yue’er quickly took it and opened the box. Inside lay a jade-green hairpin shaped like two clouds. It didn’t look like jade, but felt warm and smooth to the touch. Her face lit up with wonder as she played with it, reluctant to put it down. " "Thank you, Master! I love this hairpin! But it doesn’t look like jade, yet it’s translucent with a warm glow. What exactly is it made of?"
"It’s crafted from the heartwood of ten-thousand-year-old spirit wood," the Azure Emperor replied calmly, glancing at the hairpin in her hand, his eyes flickering slightly.
"It’s so beautiful, Master. Would you help put it in?" She bead at him, offering the hairpin.
The Azure Emperor glanced at her, took the pin from her hand, and gently placed it in her hair. Instantly, a touch of erald green appeared amidst her silky black locks—translucent and warm, utterly stunning.
"Hehe, Master, does it look nice?" she asked, her face alight with a smile as she turned to look at him.
The Azure Emperor’s lips curved slightly as he gave a small nod. "It looks beautiful."
"Thank you, Master. I knew it would look good. Everything you give is wonderful. I’m going to show my brother." She walked away, her face beaming with joy, the lion following close behind.
Watching that her descend the mountain, a soft, indulgent expression flickered in the Azure Emperor’s eyes, accompanied by an almost imperceptible smile. He turned to gaze at the boundless sky, lost in thought...
Muchen had just changed into fresh robes and was about to seek out his master and sister when his younger sister ca running toward him, her face beaming.
"Brother, look! Isn’t the gift Master gave beautiful?" Yue’er approached with a delighted smile, twirling before him. With each turn, her skirt flared out in a series of graceful, flower-like swirls.
Fifteen-year-old Muchen towered a head above Yue’er, his deanor reserved and composed. Noticing the erald green accent in her hair, he inquired, "Is that hairpin on your head the birthday gift from our master?"
"Yes, yes! What do you think? Isn’t it gorgeous? Master said it’s carved from the heartwood of ten-thousand-year-old spirit wood!" she gushed, clearly delighted with the hairpin adorning her head.
Muchen nodded. "It’s beautiful." Simple yet extraordinary, the erald green sheen was pleasing to the eye.
"Don’t lose the birthday gift your Master gave you," Muchen cautioned, concerned. A gift from the Master held profound significance.
"Mm-hmm, I know. I won’t lose it, don’t worry!" She nodded cheerfully with a smile.
Just as Muchen was about to speak, their Master’s voice drifted over.
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