A short while later... within a prosperous settlement of the Lianxiao Clan where the servants resided. These people had served the clan for generations, and their home was known as the Hazu Tai settlement. The hallmark of this place was their pristine white robes and ornaments crafted from red and white stones, worn with great pride. This was also the very first settlement through which the Yushan River (the river that flowed inland from the sea) passed. The white-flowering trees here were ethereal and magical; their blossoms glowed at night like Moonlight Grass, twinkling like a thousand fireflies.

  Inside a modest, ordinary house in Hazu Tai, Gu Zong sat before his Grandfather. Jun Wan and Zhuang Hue sat on either side of the elder. Grandfather’s eyes were gentle but filled with a grave emotion. He took a long breath and pulled a purple scroll from his robes, placing it on the table directly in front of Gu Zong. Gu Zong looked at it with a silent gaze but said nothing. Grandfather spoke, his deep voice reflecting a hidden layer of affection:

  "Gu Zong. How long will you hold onto this stubbornness? You are young; you are wise. Such behavior does not suit you."

  Gu Zong remained silent. His eyes remained fixed on the scroll as if silence had become his only language. Jun Wan finally broke the stillness; she stood up, walked over to Gu Zong, and spoke with a natural tenderness:

  "Brother... this is extremely important for you. If you do not go to Fukan Xueyuan, Father's dream will remain unfulfilled. And Brother, please do not think for a moment that we will be angry with you because we were not permitted to go. No, Brother, never think that. We are happy that you have received this golden opportunity to become the disciple of the Prince."

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  Agreeing with her, Zhuang Hue stood up and came to Gu Zong, placing a hand on his shoulder. There was an innocent spark of pride in his eyes.

  "Senior Brother. Senior Sister is right. How long must we live within the Lianxiao Clan without truly being a part of it? Father was right nothing will change unless we try. And now, we have a chance to fulfill Father’s dream: that one day, we too may be recognized as part of the Lianxiao Clan. You must accept this proposal, Brother."

  Grandfather’s eyes shimmered with pride as he listened to these mature words. He sat straight and calm, a faint smile testifying to his silent honor. He gently pushed the scroll a little closer to Gu Zong once more.

  However, Gu Zong’s face remained like stone. His gaze stayed lowered, staring intently at the scroll without blinking.

  A while later... Gu Zong sat quietly by a small, beautiful lotus pond. His eyes were fixed on a lotus blooming beside him. Suddenly, his disciple Hui Chi came running toward him, dressed in the same Hazu Tai settlement attire as Gu Zong. Gasping for breath, Hui Chi said:

  "Master! You are sitting here? Everyone over there is ready to leave. The main gates have been opened! The classes at Fukan Xueyuan have commenced, and you should be going now!"

  Hearing her, Gu Zong stood up but simply started walking forward in silence. Seeing this, Hui Chi’s eyes widened; she looked at him from head to toe in confusion. As Gu Zong walked a short distance away, she stood there with a serious expression, watching his retreating figure. After a moment, she ran to catch up and walked alongside him. She spoke again, but this time with a softer, calmer tone:

  "Master? Do you still not want to go there?"

  This time, Gu Zong’s pace slowed. He clasped his hands behind his back and spoke after taking a long, heavy breath. His voice sounded as if it were buried under a great weight. He said:

  "It’s not that, Hui Chi! I do want to go. After all, it is my Father’s dream. How could I ever refuse it?"

  Hearing this, Hui Chi fell into deep thought. Lost in her reflections, she asked:

  "Then?... Then Master, why are you so reluctant to go?"