Disguise Mask Crafting

If Simon Yu just thought playing with disguises was fun, two or three new masks would have been plenty. But to ask for more than a dozen at once—what, is he planning a full-scale cosplay extravaganza?

While Su Li was pondering the uses for all these masks, White Pete was teaching Simon Yu how to put them on, and then started showing him ways to change his voice.

Simon Yu, born into a family of physicians, had a thorough understanding of the vocal organs and quickly mastered the trick.

"Thank you, Mr. White. Now I'll take Lily to see a doctor." Simon Yu put the mask case into his medicine chest and led White Lily next door for her check-up.

White Lily turned back and waved at White Pete, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something.

After they left, White Pete gazed after his daughter's retreating figure, his face glowing with pride and relief. He turned to Su Li and said, "If it weren't for Princess Consort rescuing Lily, and then inviting Simon Yu from the Lin family to treat her, I don't know what we'd have done! Simon Yu says that in just a few months, Lily will be completely healed, with no lasting effects. Isn't that amazing? Sigh... When Lily first came home, she was terrified of everyone, didn't trust a soul. Even I, her own father, couldn't get close—she'd flinch and refuse to let me near. But little by little, she realized no one here would hurt her, and she slowly opened up. Then Simon Yu restored part of her hearing and told her I was her father..."

White Pete's eyes grew moist; he wiped at them and said, "Back then, Lily would open her mouth wide, her face turning red from the effort—I knew she wanted to call me 'Dad,' but her throat hadn't healed yet, so she couldn't get the word out. But I'm not worried. Lily has already accepted me as her father. She knows I'll protect and care for her. One day, I'll hear her call me 'Dad' with my own ears."

Su Li patted White Pete's shoulder and said, "Mr. White, isn't life getting better now? Stop worrying so much—just focus on how to be good to Lily. That's what matters."

White Pete scratched his head, embarrassed by Su Li's words. "Princess Consort, you're absolutely right. From now on, I'll double my efforts to make up for all Lily has suffered over the years. Oh, listen to me rambling on about pointless things—I've nearly forgotten I need to make a mask for you!"

White Pete paused and asked, "Princess Consort, you don't want others to know about the mask, do you? Shall we go to the inner room?"

"Yes, let's go to the inner room," Su Li replied.

So the two of them made their way into the inner chamber. White Pete started at the very beginning—selecting and mixing the raw ingredients for the mask—while explaining each step to Su Li as he worked. Su Li watched, absolutely engrossed, her mind racing to compare everything with what she'd read in books. It dawned on her: disguise really was a skill that needed a hands-on teacher; reading alone just wouldn’t cut it. So many things in the books were vague or glossed over—if she’d tried to learn on her own, she’d have spent ages blundering about, hitting dead ends. But with White Pete guiding her, demonstrating and explaining as he went, all the confusing bits suddenly made sense. Su Li felt a rush of inspiration—her fingers itched to try making a disguise mask herself, and she couldn't help but feel empowered by how quickly she was learning.

White Pete grinned, teasing, "If you want to make a mask, Princess Consort, grab some materials and set up over there. You do yours, I'll do mine. If I spot you making a mistake, I’ll point it out right away—so you’ll learn even faster!" He chuckled, adding with a dramatic sigh, "Back when I learned the Art of Disguise from my master, I spent years as a lowly apprentice—fetching tea, carrying water, doing laundry, cooking meals. My master would only toss me a few pointers now and then! If I’d had someone teaching me as patiently as I’m teaching you now, I’d have been a master long ago!" The banter made Su Li laugh, her confidence growing as she prepared to try her own hand at disguise.