Chapter 399: Returning to Basics, A Troubled Elder
About half an hour later.
“—I wish you two elders a happy and prosperous New Year, may all your wishes come true.”
Lin Tianlu smiled warmly and cupped his hands towards the two women before him: “I won’t disturb you any longer, farewell for now.”
Third Elder was speechless for a moment, then nodded and mumbled: “You’re very thoughtful, Tianlu. You should go back now.”
And Fourth Elder simply nodded silently, watching as Lin Tianlu turned and left.
“…”
Only then did the two elders’ expressions change, exchanging glances, surprise and bewilderment in their eyes.
A full half hour.
Although they hadn’t done anything too outrageous, they had tried their best to charm and seduce him, their words and actions filled with flirtatious hints, but Lin Tianlu had remained unmoved, like a meditating sage, his gaze steady, not even taking the slightest advantage.
In the end, they had even lost control of the conversation, their roles reversed, and they had awkwardly bid him farewell.
This was truly… unbelievable.
They knew that this scholar possessed extraordinary cultivation and abilities, they couldn’t use those crude and vulgar seduction techniques on him, it would only be counterproductive and even displease him.
So, from the moment they met, they had used subtle gestures and suggestive words. Although Lin Tianlu seemed like a virtuous gentleman, he had several wives, which proved that he wasn’t some detached and desireless saint, he also had his desires. If they served him attentively, they should be able to win his favor.
But the reality was completely different from what they had imagined.
“This boy is truly strange.” Third Elder crossed her arms, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, her lips pouting: “Could it be that he finds us too old and isn’t the slightest bit interested?”
“That’s not it.”
But Fourth Elder, lowering her eyes slightly, mused: “When we first took his arm, Tianlu did hesitate and seemed a bit nervous and embarrassed, so he doesn’t truly think we’re old and unattractive. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted that way.”
“Hearing this… I don’t know whether to be happy or disappointed.”
Third Elder touched her forehead and sighed with a wry smile: “So it was because our seduction was too obvious, making him wary, so he pretended to be a saint, unmoved and unfazed?”
Fourth Elder’s eyes flickered, and she said with a complex expression: “He could see that we had no malicious intentions, so he didn’t expose us directly, saving us some face. He truly has the demeanor of a sage, his every word and action proper and respectful, even indulging and accommodating us, two elders.”
“…”
Third Elder was silent, her face even more embarrassed.
Although she wasn’t as ashamed as a young girl, recalling their earlier interaction, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of frustration and discomfort.
“Hehe~ You two girls, have you also tasted defeat?”
A calm and hoarse chuckle suddenly echoed, and they turned their heads to see a familiar, thin figure, leaning on a cane, emerging from the shadows of the courtyard.
Third Elder’s expression changed slightly: “Li Yi, why are you here?”
“Hearing that Tianlu was coming to visit, I guessed that you two would have some… ideas.”
Second Elder grinned: “Although that boy seems quite… virile, he still has his principles. Your clumsy attempts at seduction wouldn’t work on him.”
“We were a bit too…”
“Don’t be so hasty.” Second Elder smiled meaningfully: “I know you’re feeling uneasy after what happened, wanting to get closer to our Lunar Valley’s benefactor and not wanting to fall behind the other elders.
But there’s plenty of time to get to know Tianlu, why rush? If you truly want to build a good relationship, with your… assets, whether it takes a year, ten years, or even a hundred years, it will naturally happen. And now that the Lunar Valley’s restrictions are gone, as long as you improve your cultivation, with your ‘Qingyao’ constitutions, you can maintain your youth forever, there’s no need to worry.”
Fourth Elder’s expression calmed down, and she said softly: “We were indeed too impatient.”
Third Elder looked at her in surprise: “Song Xi, why are you suddenly so…”
“This Song Xi girl is sometimes more perceptive than you, Song Xuan.” Second Elder waved her sleeve: “Why are you still standing there? Come inside.”
Song Xuan frowned and clicked her tongue, lifting her skirt and following her.
But just as she was about to speak, Second Elder suddenly asked: “Are you upset that Tianlu saw through your little scheme and your seduction failed?”
“Not really… upset.”
“Just like Sister Xuan, I’m just a bit… unwilling to accept it.” Song Xi, walking beside them, said indifferently: “After all, we are elders, to lower ourselves to such… ambiguous behavior, only to be rejected, and even ‘taken care of’ by that Tianlu junior, it’s a bit frustrating.”
“Heh~”
Second Elder couldn’t help but chuckle: “Besides me and the Valley Master, you two are the oldest elders here, having lived for hundreds of years, why are you still acting like little girls? If the disciples you teach heard this, they would surely laugh at you.”
Song Xuan crossed her arms, a slightly awkward and embarrassed look on her mature face, not knowing what to say.
“But after chatting with Lin Tianlu for an hour, what are your thoughts now?”
“He’s much more knowledgeable than we expected.” Song Xi pondered and said: “No matter what questions Sister Xuan and I asked, he could easily answer them, even sharing his insights, which were quite profound and insightful, truly commendable.”
Although Song Xuan’s expression was complex, she also nodded: “This Lin Tianlu is truly talented, there’s no doubt about that. Leaving aside his indifference to our… advances, he’s a true gentleman.”
“Although he’s kind and righteous, he’s not naive or reckless, he has his own principles.” Song Xi’s eyes flickered, a faint smile appearing on her lips: “Perhaps he’s not a perfect saint, but with his sense of justice and compassion, he’s the most suitable ‘saint’ for our Lunar Valley.”
“Indeed.”
Second Elder led the way and chuckled softly: “So, you were both mistaken from the very beginning. Tianlu is not someone you need to win over, but a ‘family member’ we need to be close to. Family ties are the strongest bonds in the world, not something that can be forged through such superficial flirting.”
Song Xuan’s mouth opened slightly, and she murmured: “Li Yi, you mean, in the future, we should…”
“I’m not telling you what to do, it’s your own decision.”
Second Elder glanced at them with a smile: “Why do you think Tianlu came to visit you elders today, instead of spending time with his wives?
He wants to treat you as family, as people he can rely on in the future. As for whether you accept his goodwill, it’s your own choice.”
Song Xuan and Song Xi lowered their eyes, pondering, both sighing inwardly.
After a while, Song Xuan finally said softly: “Thank you for your guidance, Li Yi, we were too impatient and almost wasted Lin Tianlu’s kindness.”
“Heh, it wasn’t completely wasted. After all, you’re not very familiar with each other yet, just think of it as a playful misunderstanding.” Second Elder’s face showed a kind smile as she pushed open the door and entered the room: “So, go visit Jingyun tonight.”
Song Xuan was stunned: “Li Yi, you mean…?”
“Don’t worry, Jingyun won’t say anything. Just a family dinner, a celebration, it will be more lively and enjoyable.”
Second Elder chuckled: “You two are usually busy teaching the disciples, you deserve some rest. Take this opportunity to relax and… get to know Tianlu better.”
“This—”
The two sisters exchanged glances, slightly surprised.
But after a moment of thought, they smiled calmly:
“Since it’s your suggestion, Li Yi, we will naturally accept and try Jingyun’s cooking. I wonder if her skills have improved?”
“I also want to observe this Lin Tianlu and see what kind of person he truly is.”
Second Elder tapped her cane and chuckled: “As for tonight’s New Year’s Eve banquet, let’s not talk about it now, you two should finish the task assigned by the Valley Master first.”
…
Within the bamboo forest.
“Hu—”
Lin Tianlu stretched his limbs, twisting his neck and sighing with a wry smile.
It seemed that his “luck with women” had been exceptionally good lately.
Not to mention the “fragrant bath” with the maids at Mother Tan’s villa, the “service” from those two elders just now had also been quite overwhelming. If he hadn’t been careful, he would have been truly embarrassed.
However—
“Those two elders didn’t have any malicious intentions, it was just… their enthusiasm was hard to refuse.”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his temples and chuckled inwardly.
The Lunar Valley cultivation method was truly profound and wondrous, the Moon Shadow Breath incredibly effective in nourishing a woman’s body. Although those two elders looked a bit old, their actions in the bedroom had been incredibly seductive and alluring.
Such mature beauty could easily captivate and intoxicate any ordinary man.
“But the other elders already knew I was coming to visit… What about Eighth Elder?”
Lin Tianlu looked at the last remaining gift in his hand with a wry smile.
Now, he hoped that she truly was as cold and indifferent as Fifth Elder had said, that they could exchange greetings politely and be done with it. He didn’t want any more awkward situations, it was bad for his heart.
…
Meanwhile, in the backyard.
Cheng Yishi and Hua Shuya were decorating the railings of the corridor with red ornaments, holding cloth bags in their arms.
“It’s starting to look quite festive now~”
Hua Shuya gathered her hair, took a few steps back, and looked around with a joyful smile.
Combined with the couplets, paper cuttings, and red lanterns that Master had put up earlier in the courtyard, the place looked incredibly festive and vibrant.
Cheng Yishi gently touched the tassel hanging from the concentric knot ornament and chuckled: “It will look even more beautiful at night, with the lanterns lit.”
“…I didn’t expect to spend the Spring Festival in the valley.”
Hua Shuya looked up at the rosy clouds in the sky, her gaze distant, and murmured: “This past year has been filled with so many unexpected events… It feels like I’ve known you all for years.”
“Everyone in the family feels the same.”
Cheng Yishi looked at her with interest: “But thinking about it, only you’ve learned something new, haven’t you, Shuya?”
“Eh?” Hua Shuya was slightly stunned, blinking her eyes: “Learned something new…?”
“Dancing~”
Cheng Yishi smiled and twirled gracefully, her silver hair fluttering like a fan, a playful glint in her crimson eyes.
“Besides improving your martial arts, haven’t you also been learning to dance, Shuya?”
Hua Shuya blushed slightly and stammered: “How did you suddenly know, Sister Yishi? I don’t think I’ve…”
“You mentioned it a few nights ago, while you were trembling in our arms in bed~” Cheng Yishi touched her lips and chuckled, her eyes like crescent moons: “Wanting to learn to dance for your husband is quite romantic.”
“D-Don’t… don’t say that!”
Hua Shuya’s face turned bright red, and she waved her hands in embarrassment: “Sister Yishi, how can you say such embarrassing things in broad daylight? Besides, I was just… talking nonsense, it wasn’t serious!”
“I wasn’t trying to tease you.”
Cheng Yishi chuckled and said reassuringly: “With your talent, Shuya, learning to dance would be quite suitable. I can even practice with you.”
Hua Shuya looked slightly stunned: “Do you also… know how to dance, Sister?”
“I learned some dances from the maids a few years ago, I still remember some of them.” Cheng Yishi’s eyes twinkled as she moved her feet gracefully, her arms extending, like a white bird taking flight, her slender waist and hips swaying gently, a confident and elegant smile on her face, her white gauze skirt fluttering like clouds.
“This—”
Hua Shuya’s eyes widened slightly, momentarily mesmerized.
Cheng Yishi danced gracefully in the courtyard, her skirt swirling, her toes pointed, her neck arched, her elegant and captivating movements on full display, her white gauze dress accentuating her beautiful figure, every inch of her skin smooth and delicate like jade.
With a wave of her sleeve, the graceful dance ended.
Cheng Yishi exhaled softly and looked back at Hua Shuya with a relaxed smile: “How is it?”
“Truly… beautiful and captivating.”
Hua Shuya snapped out of her daze, clapping her hands in amazement: “I didn’t know you were so skilled at dancing, Sister Yishi!”
“I’m just a beginner.” Cheng Yishi chuckled: “You’ll be a better dancer than me after practicing for a while, Shuya. If your husband sees it, he’ll surely be captivated.”
“I don’t expect to be… hmm?”
Hua Shuya was about to chuckle and scratch her cheek when her expression suddenly turned serious: “Who’s there?!”
“Ah… There’s no need to be alarmed, little girl.”
A figure emerged from outside the courtyard, looking slightly flustered.
Cheng Yishi looked at her, slightly surprised.
Judging by her appearance and attire, she didn’t seem to be a disciple of the valley.
“Fifth Elder?” Hua Shuya’s face showed a look of surprise.
Cheng Yishi’s thoughts stirred as she observed curiously.
So this was Ye Yujun?
“It’s me.”
Ye Yujun sighed softly and quickly smiled gently: “Seeing no one at the front gate, I came to the backyard. You’re preparing for tonight’s banquet, as expected.”
Hua Shuya quickly bowed: “I didn’t know you were coming, Fifth Elder, I’ll go and tell Martial Aunt—”
“Cough!”
But before she could finish speaking, Ye Yujun coughed lightly with an embarrassed look on her face, waving her hand: “There’s no need, I’ll just go and see Jingyun. Since I’m imposing on you tonight, I might as well help out.”
Saying this, she quickly walked towards the kitchen.
“Ah…”
Hua Shuya was clearly confused.
Why was Fifth Elder acting so… eager? Although she hadn’t interacted with her much, she had heard from Sister Yun and Master that she was quite an elegant and composed woman.
“Wait.”
But Cheng Yishi suddenly frowned: “Did she just say… that she’s coming tonight?”
They exchanged glances, a look of astonishment appearing on their faces.
……
Rustle, rustle.
Wu Jingyun was skillfully chopping vegetables when her eyes flickered slightly, and she looked sideways.
“J-Jingyun…”
Ye Yujun stood beside her, a shy and awkward expression on her face: “I heard from First Elder that we’re coming tonight—”
“To help out, Ruoyu and I might not be able to finish everything on time.”
But before she could finish speaking, Wu Jingyun calmly handed her an apron: “Since we’re having dinner together tonight, you might as well help with the cooking.”
Ye Yujun took the apron, her eyes blinking slightly, and murmured: “Jingyun, you’re not… angry that we’re imposing on you, are you?”
“We’re all family in Lunar Valley, what’s wrong with that? Tianlu also wants the atmosphere in the valley to be more lively and warm, I naturally have no objections.”
Wu Jingyun’s gaze was calm and indifferent, her voice soft and gentle:
“Besides, you’ll become closer to Tianlu sooner or later, there’s no difference.”
Ye Yujun was silent for a moment, a sense of admiration rising in her heart.
Jingyun had truly… changed.
“Why are you just standing there?”
“Ah? …Oh! Right away!”
Ye Yujun’s face flushed slightly as she hurriedly put on the apron, preparing to help with the cooking.
But as soon as she picked up a knife, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly, feeling as nervous as if she were facing a strict mother-in-law.
Jingyun was her younger martial sister.
“So this is how those newly married women feel when facing their in-laws?”
With this strange thought in mind, Ye Yujun quickly focused and started helping with the cooking.
……
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock suddenly came from the gate of the Purple Fragrance Courtyard.
Lin Tianlu waited for a moment outside, and the gate silently opened, seemingly pulled by an invisible force.
“Hmm?”
Looking up, he saw a familiar figure sitting in the pavilion by the pond, it was Eighth Elder, whom he had met before.
Purple flowers bloomed luxuriantly around the pavilion, as if they were in a sea of flowers.
Lin Tianlu cleared his throat and bowed respectfully: “Eighth Elder, it’s been more than half a month since we last met, I’ve come to pay you a visit.”
“Just leave the gift there.”
Eighth Elder didn’t turn around, still sitting quietly in the pavilion.
But her attire was still quite seductive and revealing, even with her hair partially obscuring her, her beautiful and naked back was still on full display, the perfect curve extending from her neck to her waist and hips, incredibly alluring.
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu exclaimed softly but still cupped his hands respectfully: “What is it, Eighth Elder? I’m all ears.”
“Good.”
Eighth Elder seemed to put down her teacup, her voice indifferent, and then said something unexpected: “Spar with me.”
“…?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned.
Were all the elders in this Lunar Valley… eccentric?
Why did they all want to spar with him as soon as he visited them?
