Li Qingxian thought for a moment and said, "That old affair is a tangled mess. From what I’ve heard, the Rong Mansion didn’t participate in the rebellion, and the Emperor wasn’t concerned. It was the Rong Mansion’s enemies who found some minor flaws. Back then, it was a time of widespread panic—any inkling of trouble was treated as rebellion, which is why Duke Rong drank poison to preserve his clan. So many years have passed, and most of those old enemies are gone. There’s no reason to make things difficult for an illegitimate son, unless there’s some hidden secret. This is a truly difficult situation."
"The Night Guard is certainly well-informed. That’s my concern as well, which is why I’m prepared to handle this by the book."
"It was bad enough that they destroyed his clan, but to not even spare an illegitimate son... First the Western Depot, and now the Demon Sect. The other party can’t be up to any good. If you just handle this impartially, there’s nothing they can do to you," Li Qingxian said.
"That Eunuch Mao said Wang Buku stole someone’s Treasure. What’s your impression of him?"
Li Qingxian thought for a moment. "I don’t want to mislead you. Let me just tell you how I met Wang Buku..."
And so, Li Qingxian recounted his encounter with Wang Buku after the incident at Deceit Village, as well as the matter of the birthday gift.
"He seems thoughtful. A hundred times better than Ye Han." Songg Yunjing nodded lightly.
The two of them took a sip of tea.
Jiangg Youfei asked, "Lord Songg, that poem... was it really Qingxian who revised it?"
Songg Yunjing smiled. "Thousands were present. The entire assembly saw it. It couldn’t have been faked."
Li Qingxian looked displeased. "Sister Youfei, what’s that supposed to mean? You think I, Li Qingxian, am incapable of improving a poem that well?"
Jiangg Youfei nodded slightly, a placid look on her face.
"You..." Li Qingxian glared at Jiangg Youfei.
Songg Yunjing chuckled. "It’s only natural for Fairy Qingcheng to think so. However, poetry and prose are vastly different. My own prose is considered decent—barely praised as first-rate—but when it comes to poetry, I’m merely third-rate. Very few can master all things. Look at the Scholars throughout history: those who produced an abundance of high-quality poetry were often average in their prose and classical essays. And those who excelled at essays and prose were, for the most part, poor poets in both quality and quantity. With very few exceptions, this is the norm. Though Qingxian is not versed in prose, he has a nimble mind. It’s quite normal for him to have a stroke of genius every now and then."
"Uncle Songg, your insight is profound and hits the nail on the head. My primary talents may be average, but my niche talents are second to none," Li Qingxian said.
"I’m convinced," Jiangg Youfei said flatly.
Songg Yunjing roared with laughter.
"The fish stew is ready! Dinner is served! Come now, stop chatting, eating is more important. Youfei dear, you must try your auntie’s fish stew. I only make this when you and Qingxian are here. No one else gets to have it, no matter how much they want it." Madam Songg took Jiangg Youfei’s hand warmly.
The four walked toward the dining hall. Songg Yunjing lifted his chin slightly and said, "Your auntie’s fish stew is truly a masterpiece. I don’t normally get to have any myself. Even when Chunfeng wants some, he has to beg and plead for it."
Madam Songg smiled. "From now on, as long as Youfei comes to visit, I’ll be sure to make it."
"What about me?" Li Qingxian asked with a laugh.
"That depends on whether you bring Youfei along," Madam Songg replied with a sweet smile.
"Sigh..." Li Qingxian shook his head with a sigh.
The four entered the dining hall, and dishes were brought out in a steady stream. In the center of the table sat a large porcelain tureen of fish stew. Flakes of fish floated in the broth like white flower petals, sprinkled with specks of green onion and colorful vegetable shreds. It was a beautiful sight.
Madam Songg ladled out three bowls of the stew, then looked at Jiangg Youfei with a beaming smile.
Jiangg Youfei picked up her spoon, blew lightly on its contents, and brought the stew to her lips. She chewed gently and swallowed. Her eyes lit up.
Under Madam Songg’s expectant gaze, Jiangg Youfei said softly, "It’s delicious."
Madam Songg’s smile bloomed. "Then have some more!"
The four of them were in the middle of their meal when a strange cry suddenly sounded from outside.
"Why didn’t you tell me you were making fish stew! I would have come back earlier if I’d known!" Songg Baige’s voice drifted in from outside.
The four turned to see a young nobleman dressed in the blue brocade robes of a Scholar walk in.
Songg Baige glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Jiangg Youfei before shifting to Li Qingxian. His face went slack with shock.
Li Qingxian offered a slight smile.
"Was what you said before for real?" Songg Baige asked.
"When have I, Li Qingxian, ever deceived anyone?" Li Qingxian replied.
The other three had no idea what kind of riddle game the two were playing.
Songg Baige sighed, but he quickly puffed out his chest, struck an elegant pose, and turned to Jiangg Youfei with what he believed was an affable smile. "So, sister-in-law is here! How do you like it? My mom’s fish stew is pretty good, right? This is the first time Qingxian has ever brought anyone home."
Question marks practically floated in Jiangg Youfei’s eyes.
Li Qingxian gave him a thumbs-up. ’Such a perceptive father and son duo. A rare sight indeed.’
"Brother, sit." Li Qingxian stood up and ladled some stew for Songg Baige himself.
Songg Baige said quickly, "Sister-in-law’s visit is the main event. You just take care of her, don’t worry about me."
Jiangg Youfei took a deep breath.
She looked toward Li Qingxian, but his expression was perfectly composed.
The killing intent washed over him again. Li Qingxian smiled. "Brother Songg, don’t joke with Sister Youfei. Nothing’s set in stone yet."
"True, you haven’t set a date? We’ll have to consult Uncle Zhou about this."
Jiangg Youfei’s small fists were clenched, her little white teeth were grinding together, and she glared coldly at the two scoundrels.
Songg Yunjing and his wife watched the youngsters’ antics with amused smiles.
"Ahem... Let’s eat, let’s eat. Ooh, are those pig’s trotters? Qingxian, you treat me so well. Whoever gets to marry you in the future will be truly blessed." Songg Baige picked up a trotter, about to place it on his dish and eat it with his hands, when Madam Songg’s chopsticks rapped sharply on the back of his hand. SMACK!
"Wash your hands!"
"You got it!" Songg Baige waved his hands. A flash of Literary Qi glowed, and he grabbed the trotter and began to gnaw on it.
Madam Songg shook her head. "He must have been a starving ghost in his past life. He has no sense of decorum. Youfei, dear, this is our family’s Demon Lord of Mayhem. His father and I can’t control him at all. Qingxian is so much more composed."
"You’re too kind, Auntie." ’This entire family is giving me their full support,’ Li Qingxian thought.
Jiangg Youfei silently drank her stew.
After dinner, Songg Baige shot Li Qingxian a meaningful look, and the two of them stepped out into the courtyard.
"Brother, you’re really something else! I’ve never met her before, but I recognized her in a single glance—my future sister-in-law, Jiangg Youfei! You’ve really made it, kid! Tell me, how did this happen?" Songg Baige’s eyes were wide with amazement.
"It’s nothing. She’s just teaching me Daoist Skills. Our relationship isn’t as dramatic as you’re making it out to be," said Li Qingxian.
"Really?"
"Really. It’s a good thing you toned it down. A few more words, and she would’ve drawn her sword and cut someone down for sure. She just cut down a Eunuch a little while ago," Li Qingxian said.
"What happened?"
After Li Qingxian explained what happened on the road, Songg Baige cursed, "Those damn eunuchs really think they’re all that. Don’t you worry about it; my dad can handle them. Still, your ’sister-in-law’ is seriously impressive. You better lock that down. I’m so jealous..."
"What’s there to be jealous of? You want me to find you an Upper Grade ’auntie’?"
"Get lost! If they were actually ’aunties,’ I wouldn’t complain. The problem is they’re all ’grandmas’!"
As the two were talking, they heard Madam Songg’s voice rise from inside. "What, leaving so soon? Why not stay a little longer? Qingxian, hurry and walk Youfei out."
Li Qingxian walked over and saw Jiangg Youfei standing at the door, ready to leave.
Their eyes met for a moment before Jiangg Youfei turned her head away.