"Wine?" Li Zhibai was startled, "Jade Dew?"
"Jade Dew?" Xu Changâan was also taken aback.
Jade Dew Wine is a small drink meant for couples to enjoy together, naturally not something to serve to a teacher.
"Itâs Ti Yue Wine, itâs slightly stronger, but like Jade Dew, itâs crafted by Miss Liu of the Beisang Cityâs wine shop." Xu Changâan explained, having seen Li Zhibai pass the Jade Dew given by Zhu Pingniang to Qinling, he assumed Li Zhibai didnât like Jade Dew, hence he swapped it for Ti Yue.
"Strong wine..." Li Zhibai furrowed her brows.
This isnât right.
The wine isnât important.
Miss Liu?
Hmm?
Li Zhibai instinctively glanced at Yun Qian,
"Liu Qingluo?" Li Zhibai said subconsciously.
"Teacher actually recognizes..." Xu Changâan raised his head in surprise but quickly said, "Well, with Senior Zhu around."
With this connection, Li Zhibai being aware of Liu Qingluo is not surprising.
Xu Changâan glanced at Yun Qian, hearing her mention that Miss Liu had also joined the Immortal Sect.
"I do know of such a person." Li Zhibai thought, given her rare Immortal Grade talent, of course, she knows about it, but thatâs not the main point... Yet, under these circumstances, bringing up an unfamiliar woman is inappropriate.
Moreover, in the network sheâs joined, although she didnât deliberately look, she caught glimpses.
Another girl who likes Xu Changâan.
Still an Immortal Talent?
Seemingly a rival to Yun Qian.
Hence, this Miss Liuâs wine... best not to drink it so as not to bring her up.
Li Zhibai gently coughed, "Letâs skip the wine for today."
"Teacher, Iâve prepared some sink tea to counterbalance the richness, if youâd like, would you care for some?" Xu Changâan said.
This time Li Zhibai did not refuse.
So Xu Changâan went to fetch the tea.
After Xu Changâan departed, outside the window, the small rain tapped the rhythm of heartbeat along the path in the courtyard, Li Zhibai watched Yun Qian sip soup from a pink pouch, softly saying, "Ms. Yun, that Miss Liu..."
She meant no harm, perhaps it was a womanâs innate curiosity, wanting to know if Yun Qian is aware of Liu Qingluoâs affection for Xu Changâan.
"Miss Liu?" Yun Qian calmly said, "I really like her."
"..."
Li Zhibai was utterly stunned.
???
Such a sentence held much information.
Would any girl dislike a devoted man?
What did Yun Qian mean by liking Liu Qingluo? Allowing Xu Changâan to take a concubine?
Li Zhibai was puzzled, but Yun Qian was earnest in her eating, not knowing how to further question, she could only suppress her thoughts, contemplating.
Forget it.
As a teacher, she should trust her student.
Itâs not her matter; she came for a meal, a rare treat that Yun Qian usually enjoys, naturally needing to cherish this opportunity.
Upon Xu Changâan returning with a pot of tea, Li Zhibai pretended as if nothing had occurred, adjusting her long hair, and picked up a piece of braised meat to eat.
Upon tasting, a smooth richness emerged, Li Zhibai closed her eyes to savor.
The anticipated fishy taste wasnât present, instead, a sweet syrupy aroma filled.
Xu Changâan found the teacher somewhat peculiar but couldnât glean anything from her expression, thus shook his head.
"The taste is nice."
Li Zhibai opened her eyes, thinking that the soft texture melted instantly, but also had some elasticity, the texture alone surpassed that of vegetables; more so, there was a warm feeling.
This taste she was encountering for the first time, Li Zhibai slowly breaking down the ingredients with Spiritual Power, felt the warmth intensify.
The specially spiced braised meat not only had its flavor deeply soaked but also complemented the side dishes perfectly.
"Steward..." Li Zhibai swallowed her food, seeing Yun Qianâs elegant eating manners, thought no matter what, having such a handsome, caring, and skilled young man beside her as a steward, who wouldnât like it?
No wonder, such a personality like Yun Qianâs became Xu Changâanâs wife, to climb to the steward position, one must have skills.
"Ms. Yun has a cold body, so Iâve added some warming ingredients; itâs fine if Teacher is accustomed to it." Xu Changâan respectfully served Li Zhibai a cup of tea with both hands, "Please enjoy."
"What sort of tea is this?" Li Zhibai asked.
"Mountain tea."
"From Xia Houâs?"
"Teacher has sharp eyes."
"You specially prepared it for me, thank you."
"No trouble at all, only cost a few Spirit Stones at Hundred Herbs Garden; the sisters gave me quite a discount knowing it was for hosting Teacher..."
"You are thoughtful." Li Zhibai took a small sip, feeling the richness slowly fade, after a refreshing sensation, her appetite increased again.
Yun Qian peeked at the tea cup in Li Zhibaiâs hand, "I want some too."
"Miss, Iâve prepared pear juice for you to counterbalance the richness." Xu Changâanâs eyes narrowed with a smile, "Remember you get tea drunk?"
"Just a little sip wonât matter." Yun Qianâs expression was calm, yet beneath the table, she lightly grasped Xu Changâanâs hem, giving it a gentle tug.
Is this pampering?
Could this be considered pampering?
Xu Changâanâs speed at blinking increased, he grinned, "Miss, this is from your own request."
"Mm." Yun Qian responded, knowing it was especially prepared by Xu Changâan, sheâd naturally not miss out.
"Changâan..." Beside them, Li Zhibai meant to speak yet saw Xu Changâan wave his hand, "Teacher, a little sip wouldnât hurt, summer tea does counterbalance better than pear juice."
"Alright then." Li Zhibai no longer spoke.
"Drink mine, just a sip." Xu Changâan handed his tea cup to Yun Qian.
Yun Qian took it, sipping along his lipâs outline, felt instantly the magical aspect of the tea Xu Changâan prepared, as soon as it touched her tongue, it smoothly dissipated.
Her first reaction was sweetness, then like drinking pear juice, she gulped it down with a gurgle.
Seeing Yun Qianâs impatience, Xu Changâan helplessly shook his head, then handed her the bamboo tube containing pear juice.
"I wonât drink anymore..." Yun Qian said, but a strange feeling caused her instinctively to pause her intended action.
She seemed to taste a slight bitterness in her mouth, shortly after, this bitterness fell like a mountain collapsing.
The extreme bitterness caused her mouth to salivate excessively, her stomach rolled along, the lady even couldnât help but heave.
"..."
Yun Qian is just an ordinary girl, even what Xu Changâan makes she couldnât escape.
"Mountain tea is known for its bitterness, summer tea absorbs more sunlight, the weather is hot, thus itâs even more bitter."
Xu Changâan gently patted Yun Qianâs back, "Teacher might be used to it, but you love sweet things, where would you endure it? Yet today youâve eaten quite rich foods, having a sip to cleanse the palate isnât bad."
Yun Qian sipped the pear juice, staring at Xu Changâan.
"Is it not good?" Xu Changâan asked.
Beside him, Li Zhibaiâs hand holding the tea cup trembled slightly.
He... is usually like this?
Bullying the lady and then asking again, rubbing salt into the wound?
"Itâs good, just not used to it." Yun Qian gasped slightly, her palate has been spoiled by Xu Changâan, such leaves by default caused double harm.
However, she would never dislike anything Xu Changâan makes.
A good experience nonetheless.
"Should I... have another sip?" Yun Qian raised her voice, for her, missing the chance when Li Zhibai came over, and later Xu Changâan might not prepare such bitter tea for her.
"No, or youâll get tea drunk again." Xu Changâan took the tea cup, gently wiped away the tea stains from Yun Qianâs lips, about to speak but suddenly awkwardly glanced at the top-end.
Forgot the teacher was still here.
"..."
Li Zhibai continued her meal in silence, witnessing Yun Qian being teased yet still happy made her realize she had no place in meddling with their married life, perhaps just focus on eating.
Even she, observing the daily interactions displaying subtle affection between her student and the girl who likes her student, felt dubious.
This doubt manifested in...
Thinking how wonderful it would be to have someone like Xu Changâan care for her, life would be flavorful.
Yet as Hidden Immortal and Pill Master, she was unlike the little woman like Yun Qian, without needing to rely on, never having a husband, nor ever having someone she liked.
Li Zhibai put down the chopsticks.
Best to visit less; out of sight, out of mind.