Actually, the Family Head Yu Lu had considered other options.
First, she could see that her own younger sister harbored unusual feelings toward Yan Zhen. Little Qing might like him, but the problem was that Yan Zhen didn’t seem to fancy her spoiled and willful type. The kind of woman he preferred was probably someone like Xiang Xuan’er—mature, steady, gentle, and endearing.
Speaking of which, her little sister-in-law Bailan fit Yan Zhen’s taste perfectly. Unfortunately, Shui Bailan wasn’t truly of the Yu Family bloodline, so she couldn’t be entrusted with such an important role.
As for her elder sister, who had a favor owed to Yan Zhen, she might be more readily accepted by him. But the Family Head Yu Lu knew her sister struggled with fertility. If Yan Zhen minded that, it would put everyone in an awkward spot.
The other clan members were strangers to Yan Zhen. Suddenly assigning him a concubine from among them would surely lead to rejection.
After much deliberation, she realized the only viable choice left was herself.
As long as she handled it cleverly enough…
“Mother, hasn’t Great Aunt, Little Aunt, or Aunt come back yet?”
Her daughter’s voice pulled the Family Head Yu Lu from her thoughts. She replied calmly, “Elder Sister is still in the midst of her breakthrough. Little Qing said she couldn’t leave her side unattended, so they probably won’t return until tomorrow morning.”
“What a coincidence? Tomorrow is the Listening Rain Festival. They won’t miss it, will they?”
“Worrying won’t help. Just wait patiently.”
“I’m just afraid the clan elders might have something to say about it.”
“With the Supreme here, who would dare act out?”
That was true enough.
Though the Yu Shizun didn’t meddle in Yu Family affairs, her authority within the clan was deeply rooted. Even the four clan elders, who often second-guessed the family head, turned into obedient kids in her presence.
The group made their way to the banquet hall in the main residence. This was where the Yu Family held feasts and entertained honored guests. The Listening Tide Pavilion outside the main house was more private by comparison.
By custom, the left side of the hall was reserved for family elders, such as the four venerable clan elders. The right side seated outstanding juniors, including Cousin Sister Yudie. The center seats were traditionally occupied by the three sisters: Yu Yan, Yu Lu, and Yu Qing.
However, with the Yu Shizun present, she naturally took the central seat. The Family Head Yu Lu could only sit in attendance beside her.
Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan had originally been placed on the right side, but the Yu Shizun spoke up: “Let those two sit by This Seat.” Thus, Yan Zhen and Mentor Yu Xuan sat right next to her on her right, while the Family Head Yu Lu took the left.
Everyone in the Yu Family felt genuine envy toward the two juniors. To earn the Supreme’s favor was an incredible honor!
Once seated, young and beautiful maids entered with trays, serving dish after dish until the table was laden with variety.
There was fish and meat and vegetables in abundance—colorful, fragrant, flavorful, and artfully arranged.
The Rain clanspeople sat primly, chatting softly, until all the dishes were served. At the Family Head Yu Lu’s command, they began eating only after the grand steward announced, “Dinner is served.”
Yu Shizun at the head table elegantly picked up her chopsticks. Her clear, beautiful eyes blinked as she gazed at the spread before her, momentarily unsure where to start.
Truth be told, she had no real appetite. She had simply been swayed by Yan Zhen’s words and wanted to relive the sensation of “eating” again.
Noticing her hesitation, the Family Head Yu Lu said warmly, “If the Supreme is undecided, why not follow Son-in-Law Yan Zhen’s suggestion and start with something light? Like this Clear Boiled Cabbage.”
Yu Shizun glanced over, picked up a piece of cabbage with her chopsticks, and placed it in her bowl. She remarked mildly, “Meat broth with vegetables?”
She was about to lift a piece of the cabbage heart to her mouth when Yan Zhen, seated to her left, spoke up.
“Yu Shizun, you haven’t removed your veil yet.”
His voice sounded a bit simple and honest, different from what she usually heard. She turned to face him and saw his cheeks bulging with meat, his lips glistening with grease.
“One doesn’t speak with food in one’s mouth, nor while sleeping,” the Yu Shizun chided. “And don’t stuff your mouth so full—you might choke.”
With that, the cabbage on her chopsticks vanished into thin air. Her cheeks moved gently as she chewed.
“???”
Yan Zhen gulped down his mouthful of meat and stared at the Yu Shizun in a daze, stunned by her astonishing move.
Was that Spatial Power just now?
Using Spatial Power to eat?
Did she really not want to remove her veil that badly?
After a few chews, the Yu Shizun swallowed the Clear Boiled Cabbage. Noticing Yan Zhen’s shocked gaze, she said flatly, “Speak if you have something to say.”
Yan Zhen snapped back to his senses, thought for a moment, and asked timidly, “Why does the Yu Shizun wear a veil?”
He had expected the question to hit a nerve, but she answered in an even tone, “Some powerful evil cultivators can cast the Curse Killing Technique using just a face and a name. The veil effectively prevents such curses. That’s all.”
Face and name… an effigy?!
Yan Zhen felt a chill. On second thought, in a world of cultivation, someone refining something like that wasn’t so strange.
Damn! That’s terrifying! With my high-profile reputation, doesn’t that mean I could suffer cardiac arrest at any moment?!
Seeing his face pale, the Yu Shizun added, “No need to fear. First, such evil cultivators are rare. Second, casting the Curse Killing Technique takes a heavy toll. Third, its power isn’t that great.”
Yan Zhen slowly exhaled in relief. He was super tough now—even if his heart did seize up, it’d only hurt for a bit and wouldn’t kill him. So he said solemnly, “Yu Shizun, I wasn’t scared. Just… surprised.”
Yu Shizun paid it no mind and continued, “I generally don’t remove my veil in public. If you want to see my true face, we can discuss it in private later.”
Yan Zhen flushed with embarrassment. He sneaked a glance at Mentor Yu Xuan beside him, who wore an unfriendly expression. He hurried to explain, “I-I didn’t mean I had to see your face. I was just curious. Besides, even without seeing it, everyone knows the Yu Shizun is a top-tier beauty.”
“Then never mind.” Yu Shizun reached for more Clear Boiled Cabbage. “Let’s eat first.”
Yan Zhen murmured an “oh” and obediently tucked into his own food, keeping quiet.
But moments later, he heard the Yu Shizun ask, “What was that square, cake-like thing you ate earlier?”
Yan Zhen blinked and answered honestly, “Meat Jelly. It’s delicious with the spicy oil, but a bit greasy. Yu Shizun might not like it.”
“I’ll try it.”
Yu Shizun picked up a piece of Meat Jelly, dipped it in the spicy oil, and placed it in her bowl. With a flick of her chopsticks, she split it in half and offered one piece to Yan Zhen. “It’s too big to finish alone. Half for you, all right?”
“Oh, thank you, Yu Shizun.”
Yan Zhen held up his bowl to receive it. Then he watched her intently as she lifted the oil-drenched Meat Jelly. Before it reached her lips, it vanished, and she began chewing slowly.
It was literally the way immortals ate!
Once I advance to Mystic Venerable, I have to try eating like that!
“Does the Yu Shizun like it?”
“It’s decent, but greasy.”
“You could follow it with something to cut the richness, like this Cloud Pattern Lettuce.”
Yan Zhen grabbed a piece of lettuce with his hands and chomped away like a grazing animal, flashing a smug grin at the Yu Shizun.
