Chapter 397: Strange Elder, Past Promises p2
Ye Yujun walked towards him quickly and gracefully, her skirt swaying, revealing glimpses of her fair and delicate legs.
She smiled gently and said playfully: “Seventh Sister’s courtyard is quite eerie and unsettling, and you still look so carefree after returning, Master Lin. An ordinary person would have been scared witless.”
“Although Seventh Elder’s tone was cold, she wasn’t unkind.” Lin Tianlu smiled: “After a brief chat, she sent me back, nothing unusual happened.”
“You… are all so troublesome…”
Ye Yujun blinked her beautiful eyes, then asked in surprise: “Did you… drink the Soul-Lost Spring?”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow, curious: “Is there something wrong with it?”
“You—”
Ye Yujun suddenly smiled strangely: “It seems Seventh Sister hasn’t explained it to you properly yet?”
Lin Tianlu hesitated: “I truly don’t know what it is. Seventh Elder said it was… proof of the Sunset Soul Courtyard?”
“It is indeed ‘proof’.” Ye Yujun chuckled: “After drinking the Soul-Lost Spring, you can freely enter and exit the Sunset Soul Courtyard. The barrier won’t affect you. If you need anything in the future, just go to the west side of the valley.”
“That’s what it means?” Lin Tianlu was surprised.
“This Soul-Lost Spring is quite… unusual, only us elders have ever tasted it.”
Ye Yujun touched her chest and sighed with emotion: “Thinking back, that Soul-Lost Spring truly… left a lasting impression.”
Indeed, a lasting impression.
Lin Tianlu’s eye twitched, and he chuckled awkwardly.
That… concoction was even more terrifying than his fox wife’s cooking.
“However, Seventh Sister must be quite pleased that you were able to drink it.”
Ye Yujun smiled brightly and gestured invitingly: “Why don’t you come to my pavilion and sit for a while, Master Lin?”
Lin Tianlu collected his thoughts, nodded seriously: “It would be my honor.”
…
Inside the elegant bamboo pavilion, pink and rosy tassels hung from the eaves, swaying gently in the breeze.
A warm mist lingered, a rosy glow permeating the air, creating a dreamlike and enchanting atmosphere.
Lin Tianlu looked around, his heart filled with admiration.
A few months ago, he and Yun Yue had come to Jade Luo Courtyard. It had been a dark night, the dim moonlight casting long shadows, the gauze curtains creating a beautiful and ethereal scene. But compared to now, it had lacked a certain charm and mystique.
And now, illuminated by the morning sun, the mist, flowers, grass, and green trees complemented each other perfectly. Although there was no immortal energy, it was still a breathtakingly beautiful and enchanting sight, making one linger and enjoy the moment.
“This place is truly beautiful, Fifth Elder.”
“When I have free time, I just tend to the garden.”
Fifth Elder, sitting opposite him, smiled gently, waving her sleeve and pouring them tea: “You just drank Seventh Sister’s Soul-Lost Spring, have some tea to soothe your throat, it will make you feel better.”
“Thank you, Fifth Elder.”
Lin Tianlu took the teacup and chuckled: “If all the elders in the valley were as kind and gentle as you, my New Year visits would be much easier.”
Fifth Elder, who had just picked up her teacup, chuckled softly: “Who said the other elders have bad tempers?”
“Uh—”
Lin Tianlu paused slightly: “Although I haven’t met the other elders yet, Seventh Elder seemed rather cold and aloof, we only exchanged a few words before she sent me away. Naturally, she can’t compare to you, Fifth Elder…”
“Seventh Sister, how could she… Ah!”
Ye Yujun suddenly realized and chuckled: “Did you see her face clearly when you met, Master Lin?”
Lin Tianlu hesitated: “The Sunset Soul Courtyard was dimly lit, and the curtains in the main hall were drawn, I could only vaguely see Seventh Elder’s figure, I didn’t even get close.”
As for her voice…
Although soft and ethereal, it didn’t seem disguised.
“You’ve misunderstood Seventh Sister, Tianlu.” Ye Yujun covered her mouth with her sleeve, a playful glint in her eyes: “Actually, Seventh Sister is even more gentle than me, a true lady from a good family.”
“Ah?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
“The Sunset Soul Courtyard is usually quite gloomy, but those curtains aren’t always drawn.”
Ye Yujun explained, as if teasing him: “I mentioned you to Seventh Sister before, saying that you have a keen eye, able to see through people’s hearts. Just a few glances and a few words, and you can discern their hidden thoughts and feelings.”
“So, Seventh Elder, she…”
“Deliberately drew the curtains.”
Fifth Elder’s eyes curved into crescents, and she couldn’t help but chuckle: “She must have been worried that you would see through her, and she would be embarrassed, so she just kept the conversation brief and sent you away quickly.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly: “So that’s what happened.”
No wonder Seventh Elder had seemed to be deliberately avoiding him during their conversation.
Specifically inviting him to her residence, only to send him away after a few words, it had indeed been contradictory.
“There’s no need to worry, Seventh Sister has a gentle personality, but she’s just not very good with words, compared to me.” Fifth Elder’s smile softened, and she said casually: “You’ve met now, and she even offered you a bowl of Soul-Lost Spring, which means she thinks highly of you. If there’s a chance in the future, you can interact more.
After you get to know each other better, you’ll surely discover Seventh Sister’s kindness and gentleness… You know, those sheltered young ladies are quite sensitive, they don’t easily open up to strangers, it takes time, so please be patient and understanding.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly and cupped his hands, saying with emotion: “Thank you for your explanation, Fifth Elder, I almost misunderstood Seventh Elder’s good intentions.”
“There’s no need for that, there’s no need for me to explain.”
Ye Yujun waved her sleeve gently, and a fallen petal seemed to be drawn into her hand from outside the pavilion, quietly landing in the teapot.
“With your and Seventh Sister’s personalities, you two will get along eventually.”
“…”
After a moment of silence, Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he reached into his embrace: “I almost forgot about this.”
Ye Yujun smiled gently: “What is it?”
“Please accept this, Elder.”
Lin Tianlu took out a brocade box and pushed it towards her.
Ye Yujun blinked her beautiful eyes curiously: “This is…?”
“I promised you before, Elder, that I would bring back some local specialties as a gift.” Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “Knowing that you’re skilled in sewing and embroidery, and also have such a gentle and elegant personality, I chose this dress for you after much thought.”
“A dress?”
Ye Yujun was slightly stunned. She hesitantly opened the brocade box and saw a neatly folded, dark turquoise dress inside.
A ripple of emotion stirred within her heart, but she asked with a puzzled expression: “You know that I’m skilled in sewing, Master Lin, and can easily make beautiful clothes, so why…”
“Although it can’t compare to your craftsmanship, Elder, I did my best.” Lin Tianlu cupped his hands and chuckled awkwardly: “I asked the shopkeeper for guidance and then tried to make two dresses. Although they might look a bit… crooked—”
“—It’s fine.”
But Ye Yujun quickly shook her head, a warm and happy smile appearing on her face.
“It’s your thoughtfulness that counts, Master Lin, I’ll treasure it.”
She held the brocade box against her lap, her fingers gently caressing the fabric inside, her eyes seemingly shimmering with moisture.
He had truly seen through her thoughts.
She had made countless clothes and repaired countless fabrics for others. But as if she was born knowing how to sew, no one had ever made a dress for her personally.
She… had occasionally harbored such a wish in her heart.
—This gift was truly perfect.
“Of course, I’ve also bought many interesting books and travelogues for you, Fifth Elder.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and lifted a brocade bag: “There are thirty-four books in total, I hope you enjoy them.”
Ye Yujun’s heart fluttered with joy, a smile appearing in her eyes, and as she brushed her hair, a shy blush appeared on her cheeks.
He still remembered what she had said before leaving the valley.
“Hu~”
Ye Yujun touched her chest lightly, unable to contain her smile: “You’re so considerate, Master Lin, I don’t know how to repay you.”
Lin Tianlu cleared his throat and said seriously: “There’s no need for repayment, Fifth Elder. I just want to maintain a good relationship with you. After all, I’m Ruoyu’s husband, and we’re practically family now.”
“Family…”
Ye Yujun put one hand on her hip, resting her chin on her other hand, and teased with a smile: “If you continue saying such sweet things, Master Lin, my heart might melt~ Or could it be that you also want to… add Xin’er to your… collection, that’s why you gave her a dress as well? Hmm~ If that’s the case, perhaps we can become even closer~”
Seeing her ambiguous and playful gaze, Lin Tianlu coughed lightly and waved his hands repeatedly: “Please don’t misunderstand, Fifth Elder, Miss Bai is Ruoyu’s junior sister, that’s why…”
Ye Yujun quickly covered her mouth with her hand, as if suppressing her laughter: “Alright~ I was just joking, Master Lin, there’s no need to be so nervous.”
Lin Tianlu scratched his head, relieved.
Ye Yujun’s eyes flickered, and she smiled gently: “You’re still going to visit the other elders, Master Lin, how about I tell you about them now?”
Hearing her considerately change the subject, Lin Tianlu felt grateful and also curious: “Please do, Fifth Elder, I’ll listen carefully.”
“You’ve already met Second Elder and Sixth Elder, Master Lin.”
“Although we haven’t interacted much, I did talk to them briefly.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment: “Although they seemed a bit cold, they’re both kind and composed, it should be a pleasant visit.”
“Indeed.” Ye Yujun chuckled: “As for the others, you probably don’t know them very well, Master Lin.
Third Elder, Fourth Elder, and Eighth Elder.”
“That’s right.”
“Actually, there’s no need for you to worry about Third Elder and Fourth Elder, Master Lin.”
Ye Yujun explained with interest: “Although they’re among the oldest elders in the valley, they’re also quite adaptable.”
She blinked her eyes and said teasingly: “Just like when they learned about First Elder’s scheme, they decisively joined her side.
And now that they know about you, if they weren’t punished, they would have probably come to visit you already, Master Lin. There’s no need for you to worry about their preferences.”
Lin Tianlu was slightly surprised and could only chuckle awkwardly.
In that case, it should be easy to interact with those two elders.
“But the last one… is a bit troublesome.”
Ye Yujun’s expression turned serious, her brows slightly furrowed, and she murmured with concern: “Eighth Elder’s personality is truly cold and indifferent. And because of her cultivation technique… she’s not very approachable, even to us elders who have known her for centuries.”
She leaned forward slightly, her expression serious: “Be careful when you visit her, Tianlu, don’t say anything inappropriate.
If you’re worried, I can accompany you.”
