The courtyard where the Family Head Yu Lu resided was naturally situated in the prime spot of the main residence, and it was also the most spacious. Its decorations were not ostentatious, but they carried a distinctive elegance that suited her cool, quiet nature perfectly.
Yan Zhen had visited more than once, though he had always remained in the courtyard and never entered the room. The maid who had escorted him here spoke up.
“Little Uncle, go on in. The Family Head is waiting for you inside.”
With those words, she withdrew gracefully.
It was already around nine at night. Lanterns glowed softly in the courtyard, casting a hazy light. Peering inside, Yan Zhen could see flickering candlelight in the room rather than the steady illumination of glowstone.
High-grade glowstone outshone even LED lights from Earth; a single one embedded in the ceiling would bathe the entire room in daylight brightness.
Candle flames were far dimmer by comparison, dim and shadowy even in a row.
…
Yan Zhen gulped nervously, steadied his nerves, slipped off his shoes at the Mystic Gate, and padded inside barefoot.
The Family Head Yu Lu’s chambers were far larger than Mentor Yu Xuan’s, encompassing not just a bedroom and sitting room but also a study, a music room, a tea room, and more.
Yan Zhen followed the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law’s aura, turning right through an intricately carved wooden door into the reception tea room.
The tea room was remarkably spacious, furnished only with a low tea table and a rack for storing tea leaves.
Two cushions sat beside the table, and the Family Head Yu Lu occupied one of them.
To Yan Zhen’s surprise, she was not dressed in the heavy robes from earlier that day. Instead, she wore a light silk nightgown in shades of blue, unadorned with excess patterns. A sash cinched at her waist accentuated the graceful curve of her slim figure.
The crossed lapels swelled prominently at her chest, the rounded contours unmistakable, with a deep valley at the center. The hem fell just past her knees, revealing plump calves and feet as white as jade, her toes curled slightly in an endearing way.
Her raven-black hair hung loose and straight like a cascade of silk, trailing down to the carpet behind her. It lent her a touch less of the poised matron’s dignity and far more of a fresh, pure beauty—like a youthful wife now, strikingly similar to Mentor Yu Xuan.
—So the Family Head Mother-in-Law usually dresses herself to appear so mature and seasoned on purpose!
Yan Zhen had a sudden realization, but he didn’t dare stare, lest he offend her.
Truth be told, in the outside world, a mother-in-law summoning her son-in-law for a late-night meeting would spark endless gossip no matter the purpose. But the Yu Family was ruled by women and had once upheld some peculiar traditions, so Yan Zhen didn’t dwell on it.
“I’ve come to pay my respects, Mother-in-Law.”
The Family Head Yu Lu turned her gaze toward her handsome son-in-law, the indifference in her eyes softening somewhat. In a warm voice, she said, “You’ve arrived. Sit.”
Yan Zhen settled properly on the cushion opposite her, only for her to say, “Not there. Sit beside me.”
She patted the cushion next to her.
Yan Zhen had sensed her intent but hadn’t been sure. At her words, he hesitated briefly before rising and taking the spot by her side.
The cushion was perfectly soft yet supportive, radiating a gentle warmth that marked it as no ordinary item.
Inhaling the faint, elegant fragrance wafting from the Yu Family Head Mother-in-Law, Yan Zhen asked solemnly, “Does Mother-in-Law have any instructions for me?”
“We’ll discuss that in a moment.”
The Family Head Yu Lu beside him was brewing tea. Her slender jade fingers moved like tender lotus roots in water as she rotated the kettle, pouring over the cups with effortless grace. The motions were a pleasure to watch.
Hot water met the leaves, and white steam rose at once, veiling her stunning features like a delicate mist. The refined aroma of tea gradually filled the air. Yan Zhen felt refreshed through and through from a single whiff.
This tea was at least a Tier 6 treasure!
—She’s serving me something this exquisite. There must be something important she wants to discuss.
Yan Zhen couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander, his eyes roaming the tea room.
The room overlooked a pond, with green willows visible through the windows—a perfect spot for tea and scenery by day. Now, under the ink-black night sky, it offered a view of the bright moon and twinkling stars overhead.
The Family Head Mother-in-Law certainly appreciated the poetic and picturesque.
His gaze returned to her. Observed up close, her beauty seemed even more radiant and alluring, her aloof demeanor all the more forbidding—a striking contrast.
…
While Yan Zhen was lost in thought, the Family Head Yu Lu gently set a cup of freshly brewed tea before him.
“Try the tea I made.”
“Oh, alright. Thank you, Mother-in-Law.”
Yan Zhen responded politely, lifting the small cup with both hands. He took a sip and drained it dry. He couldn’t discern much nuance, but as the liquid hit his stomach, a wave of warmth surged through him, stirring his blood qi and gradually heating his entire body.
“What kind of tea is this? It packs quite a punch!”
The Family Head Yu Lu explained, “It’s made from the tender leaves of the Dragon Blood Small Tree, brewed into Dragon Blood Tea. It’s excellent for strengthening the body realm. Xuan’er mentioned you’re preparing for body refining, so I set some aside especially for you.”
—Holy hell, Tier 7 Dragon Blood Tea?
Yan Zhen froze. Even Mystic Ancestor experts coveted this rarity—a single small leaf was worth ten thousand crystals!
The Family Head Mother-in-Law was far too generous to her live-in son-in-law, treating him almost like her own flesh and blood, with sky-high expectations to match.
That realization filled Yan Zhen with guilt. After all, he was deceiving her. He had no intention of truly joining the Yu Family; he only wanted to take Mentor Yu Xuan back home with him.
“Mother-in-Law, this is far too valuable.”
“The Yu Family lacks for nothing. Don’t give it another thought.” The Family Head Yu Lu cleared the empty cup and poured him another of the blood-red brew. “I prepared a whole pot. It can handle two infusions. You can’t leave until you’ve drunk it all.”
Yan Zhen blinked but didn’t protest. He drained the cup once more, feeling a scorching heat build within him. His blood qi boiled, and wisps of flame and wolf smoke rose faintly from his skin.
He was currently at the Body Refining Mid Accomplishment realm, Blood Qi Wolf Smoke stage. When he circulated his blood qi power, thick wolf smoke billowed forth, much like Akainu after devouring a magma fruit.
This tea really was potent!
“How does it feel?”
“My fists feel harder.”
“Venting it would defeat the purpose. I don’t practice body refining myself, but I know the core principle: Use blood qi to scour flesh, sinews, and bones, washing away all impurities until you forge a pristine, flawless Glazed Jade Body.”
“I understand, Mother-in-Law.”
“If it’s uncomfortable, pause before the next cup.” The Family Head Yu Lu spoke mildly. “Now, about the matter of a concubine—what are your thoughts?”
“A concubine?”
Right—earlier, the Family Head Mother-in-Law had mentioned selecting one or two young women from the Yu Family for him as a show of sincerity. She’d even nominated Cousin Sister Yu Die first, though the cousin hadn’t been keen.
“Just forget about it. I-I already have plenty of confidantes.”
“Those outside the Yu Family don’t count.” The Family Head Yu Lu spoke without mincing words. “Your future achievements will rival the Honored One’s at minimum. The Yu Family needs your bloodline.”
Yan Zhen coughed awkwardly, a bit embarrassed. “Well, uh, Xuan’er and I can just have a few more kids.”
The Family Head Yu Lu remained unmoved. “That would overburden Xuan’er and hinder her cultivation. Our Yu Family women bear only one child, unless there’s no other choice.”
“Ah…”
Yan Zhen was utterly stunned.
