Chapter 398: Warm Tea and Gentle Words, A Hidden Scheme p1
“No need to trouble Fifth Elder, I’m just paying a visit, there’s no need for such formality.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand with a wry smile.
But her words had surprised him.
—Was this Eighth Elder truly so terrifying?
He recalled encountering the Valley Master and Eighth Elder outside before and had even exchanged a few words with her. Although her tone had been a bit cold, it hadn’t seemed— “How should I explain this…”
Ye Yujun rubbed her temples, a troubled look on her face: “Although Eighth Elder values relationships, it’s very difficult to get close to her.”
Lin Tianlu asked, puzzled: “But you just said she was cold and heartless…”
“Cough! I exaggerated a bit, but Eighth Elder is truly different from ordinary people, you can’t treat her normally.”
Ye Yujun pondered for a moment and then said: “Let me tell you a story from the past.”
Lin Tianlu raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued, and he quickly cupped his hands: “Please do, Elder.”
“Eighth Elder is of the same generation as Jingyun, she entered the valley about ten years after me. Back then, I saw her from afar, just a little girl about seven or eight years old, and she always had a cold expression on her face, so I, as her senior sister, wanted to tease her a bit.
But the moment our eyes met, I almost collapsed to the ground, my back trembling, as if a ferocious dragon was staring at me, about to devour me whole, body and soul.
Even now, recalling it still makes me shudder.”
A dragon?
Lin Tianlu looked surprised.
A mere child possessing such a terrifying aura?
And she had already cultivated in the valley for ten years, how could she, as an experienced cultivator, be frightened by a child?
Ye Yujun seemed to understand his confusion and chuckled: “I used to think, just like you, Tianlu, that the image of a dragon was just some kind of intimidating aura.
But after spending many years with her as fellow disciples, I realized that the dragon wasn’t an illusion, but a real dragon.”
“A real… dragon?”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened in astonishment.
Could Eighth Elder be related to a dragon?
But Ye Yujun didn’t elaborate, lowering her eyes slightly and continuing: “During her first few years in Lunar Valley, Eighth Elder was incredibly cold and distant, she had no friends and spent all her time cultivating, as if endlessly.
And even with her rapidly increasing cultivation, she wasn’t satisfied and even started practicing external martial arts, mastering all kinds of weapons and unorthodox techniques.”
“Not to mention disciples of the same generation, even those from my generation couldn’t last more than a few moves against her.”
“Every time I saw her, she was alone in the training grounds, practicing with weapons, as if she never spoke, ate, or rested. Years passed, and some of our fellow disciples, unable to stand by and watch, tried to talk to her, but they were all ‘sparred with’ and thrown out. In the end, everyone gave up and didn’t dare to disturb her.”
Lin Tianlu looked at her with a strange expression: “So, Eighth Elder’s relationship with the other elders… isn’t very good?”
“That’s not it.”
But Ye Yujun quickly shook her head, her hair swaying slightly: “Perhaps it’s because she’s grown up, but Eighth Elder has become much more mature and composed. She’s no longer as cold and aloof as she was in her childhood and even talks to us occasionally. She sometimes even helps us… She just has a cold personality.
You’ve tasted my moon tea, do you remember who cultivated it?”
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he asked in surprise: “The Purple Fragrance Courtyard… Eighth Elder?”
“Yes.” Ye Yujun sighed softly: “After decades in Lunar Valley, she gradually let go of some of her coldness and started cultivating these fragrant tea leaves, sharing them with us every year.”
“Eighth Elder, she… is actually quite kind?”
“But that’s only after hundreds of years of knowing her.” Ye Yujun’s expression turned serious: “She’s incredibly strict and harsh with new disciples, many of them have been scolded to tears. Let alone you, who she’s not acquainted with.
I know you’re eloquent, Tianlu, but don’t say anything inappropriate that might cause a misunderstanding. It would be a shame to cause conflict.”
A true ice queen…
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he nodded: “Thank you for the warning, Fifth Elder, I’ll be careful.”
Seeing that he had taken her words to heart, Ye Yujun finally relaxed and smiled: “If you have any problems, Tianlu, just tell me.”
As the atmosphere eased, she crossed her legs gracefully, resting her chin on her hand, and said with interest: “However, it’s still early, Tianlu, why don’t you tell me about the changes in the outside world?
I haven’t left the valley for a long time, I’m quite curious.”
Lin Tianlu grinned: “Certainly.”
Saying this, he opened the cloth bag beside him and took out several beautifully bound books.
“I happen to have a few books about the customs and scenery of different places. We can chat while you read them.”
“Mmm~”
Ye Yujun’s eyes sparkled, her lips curving into a sweet and happy smile.
Listening attentively to Lin Tianlu’s descriptions of the beautiful scenery, local customs, and interesting stories, her heart filled with joy and wonder, as if she were traveling with him, strolling through bustling streets and alleys, crossing mountains and rivers, visiting different provinces and counties, experiencing their unique customs and cultures.
Whenever he mentioned local delicacies, customs, or even clothing, accessories, or children’s toys, her eyes would light up with interest, occasionally chuckling softly, her mind wandering, completely immersed in his stories.
…
The warm afternoon sun shone down.
Ye Yujun was about to pour another cup of tea for Lin Tianlu when she realized that the teapot was empty. Glancing at the sky outside, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Having been an elder in the valley for so many years, when had she ever been so engrossed in something that she hadn’t even noticed the teapot was empty?
Calming her emotions, her eyes flickered, and she suddenly smiled:
“Would you like to stay for lunch, Tianlu?”
“It’s already this late?”
Lin Tianlu put down his book, a surprised look on his face.
“Indeed.” Ye Yujun chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand, her face filled with a warm and gentle smile, her eyes sparkling.
This man, he was also quite engrossed in their conversation.
“How about trying my cooking? Although it can’t compare to Jingyun’s, my home-cooked dishes are still… edible.”
“This…”
As Lin Tianlu hesitated, the beautiful and dignified woman stood up gracefully, waved her sleeve, walked over, and gently pinched his shoulder with a smile: “Alright, you can visit the other elders later this afternoon, there’s no rush. I’ll go and prepare lunch now, Tianlu, just wait here for a bit~”
“Then… I’ll have to trouble you, Fifth Elder.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly and cupped his hands.
“It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks, no trouble at all.”
Ye Yujun smiled brightly, a faint and elegant fragrance lingering in the air as she left the pavilion.
…
Not long after, the aroma of food wafted over.
Lin Tianlu quickly put down his book and stood up, preparing to help bring the dishes.
But just as he stood up, he saw a graceful figure emerging from the corner of the corridor, her dark blue skirt swaying gently like blooming flowers in spring.
The simple and elegant dress clung tightly to her voluptuous figure, a sash around her waist, the bodice closed, yet her dignified and elegant demeanor still shone through. Her hair was styled in a bun with a braid hanging down, like a virtuous wife and good mother from a painting, a warm and comforting sight.
“Why are you just standing there, Tianlu? Come and sit down.”
Ye Yujun said softly, waving her sleeve gently as three small dishes and bowls of rice were placed on the stone table in the pavilion.
But as she approached him, the blush on her face deepened, her eyes slightly hazy as if she were drunk, and as she played with the braid hanging over her chest, she smiled gently: “This dress you made fits perfectly, Tianlu, I love it~”
Lin Tianlu hadn’t expected Fifth Elder to change into it already, and he cupped his hands, saying with a chuckle: “You look beautiful in anything, Elder, with your graceful figure.”
Without revealing any skin, her elegant and dignified aura was enhanced by her beautiful figure.
“You~ such a smooth talker~”
Ye Yujun smiled, returning to the pavilion and sitting down gracefully, the hem of her skirt falling over her legs, and her eyes sparkled with a playful glint: “Try my cooking today, Master Lin~”
Lin Tianlu picked up his rice bowl and chopsticks, taking a bite of a dish.
After a moment, he looked up with a slightly subtle expression.
Ye Yujun’s heart skipped a beat, and she whispered: “Doesn’t it suit your taste?”
“I just think… that you’re being too humble, Fifth Elder. With your cooking skills, you could easily open a restaurant, and business would surely be booming.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and gave her a thumbs-up: “It’s truly delicious!”
Ye Yujun breathed a sigh of relief, giving him a playful glare: “You’re exaggerating.”
But the joy in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
…
After they finished their pleasant and harmonious lunch, Lin Tianlu helped clear the table and stood up, preparing to leave.
Ye Yujun saw him off to the gate of Jade Luo Courtyard and, after a moment of hesitation, asked with concern: “Tianlu, do you want me to accompany you on your visits?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “Don’t worry, Fifth Elder, I’ll be fine.”
“…I’m just being overly concerned.”
Ye Yujun clasped her hands before her, smiling faintly, and sighed softly: “After your visits, come back and celebrate the New Year with Jingyun and the others, it’s important to be with family during this time.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
Ye Yujun watched him leave, her gaze lingering until his figure disappeared completely. Then she lowered her eyes and chuckled softly, shaking her head, as if self-deprecatingly.
“Jingyun has truly found a good son-in-law.”
“You’re still so sentimental, Yujun.”
A soft chuckle suddenly echoed from behind her.
Ye Yujun turned around, gathering her hair, and saw a familiar figure casually sitting on the wall, her long legs crossed, her graceful figure relaxed and at ease.
“First Elder—”
Ye Yujun’s expression changed slightly, a complex look on her face: “You snuck out again?”
“Seeing you so hesitant and speechless makes me feel a bit hurt.” First Elder tilted her head slightly and chuckled: “Are you still upset about me tricking you before?”
“I know you didn’t mean any harm, First Elder, it’s just…”
“Mm, I understand.”
First Elder’s gaze softened, and she said reassuringly: “I haven’t seen you much these past few days. If you’re still angry, just scold me later.”
“…Forget it, I can’t bring myself to be angry with you, First Elder.”
Ye Yujun looked away with a helpless expression.
Just as she was about to return to Jade Luo Courtyard, First Elder suddenly asked: “Have you taken a liking to that Tianlu boy?”
“Wha… what?”
