Chapter 12: Frost Maple Stains the Courtyard, Delicacies Bring Warmth

Being able to befriend the granddaughter of Duke Xue was no surprise that Lu Yun received praise.

In fact, it wasn’t just the old matriarch of the Lu family; even the distinguished guest beside her, Wu Shanlong, seemed to lower his gaze somewhat when looking at Xue Shiwei.

In the Plum Snow Garden, the servants quickly added more seats.

This newly added seat even squeezed the position of the legitimate eldest son, Lu Zhi, down a notch.

Upon hearing the old matriarch’s words, Xue Shiwei also spoke in explanation.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Madam Lu. I had intended only a brief stay of two days, not wishing to trouble you or burden the Marquis’s residence too much...”

Xue Shiwei’s tone carried a touch of apology.

Regardless of whether she was at fault, who would dare blame her?

Once the two were seated, the gathering truly began.

Originally, today’s conversation should have centered around Wu Shanlong and the younger generation of the Lu family.

But with Xue Shiwei’s presence, everyone’s talk, whether deliberately or not, often circled back to her.

Soon, the kitchen of the Marquis’s residence began bringing out one exquisite dish after another.

Among them, the most precious was a certain pastry.

Each of the young generation of the Lu family received only a small portion.

When it came to Lu Xiao, they outright ignored him, giving him no portion at all.

It was clear this pastry was truly rare.

Each person received just a little; Lu Xiao got none.

Unsurprisingly, this was likely instructed by the Lu family elders.

Otherwise, the staff would not dare to so blatantly discriminate in the presence of outsiders.

The young generation of the Lu family couldn’t help but extend their hands to sample the pastry.

With guests present, their movements were refined and restrained.

Privately, they would have devoured the pastry in just a few bites.

After tasting a couple of bites, Lu Yun noticed that Xue Shiwei showed no intention of trying the pastry and couldn’t help but speak.

“Sister Shiwei, this is a pastry from Lanqing Mountain, and it tastes wonderful. There are only twenty portions made each month, and it’s not something you can simply buy with money.”

Lanqing Mountain lies in the southeast of the Summer Kingdom, where a unique spring gushes from a single fountainhead.

Each month, twenty pots of clear spring water flow out.

The spring water carries a faint sweetness, a flavor entirely distinct from other springs.

Lanqing Mountain uses this water to make the Yulan pastry.

The pastry is soft and sticky in texture, with a subtle sweetness.

Moreover, many legends surround it.

Claims of longevity, nourishing the body abound.

The related rumors are numerous and extravagant; whether they are true is doubtful.

But one thing is certain: Yulan pastry is indeed precious.

Serving it to guests is a sign of great respect.

Ordinarily, young people like Lu Yun and the others at the Marquis’s residence have no chance to taste it.

Yet Xue Shiwei showed little interest in the Yulan pastry.

Upon hearing Lu Yun’s words, she neither refuted nor reached for the pastry.

Instead, she picked up a flaky biscuit nearby and took a light bite.

Once again, polite formalities filled the Plum Snow Garden.

Occasionally, the conversation turned to matters of martial cultivation.

During the exchange, the old matriarch took the opportunity to ask Lu Zhi to demonstrate his martial prowess.

They invited Wu Shanlong, a martial arts expert, to offer some guidance.

The central spot in the Plum Snow Garden was set aside for exhibitions.

Choosing this location for the gathering had clearly been planned with this in mind.

When Xue Shiwei glanced at Lu Yun, she found that Lu Yun had already finished the Yulan pastry.

Watching how Lu Yun took just a small bite each time, the portion disappeared after a few mouthfuls.

Seeing this, Xue Shiwei pushed her own portion of Yulan pastry toward Lu Yun.

“Lanqing Mountain sent many to my home before the New Year. I’ve grown a bit tired of it. Sister Yun, you should have more.”

Lu Yun glanced around cautiously at the offered pastry.

Seeing no one paying attention, she began eating Xue Shiwei’s portion.

The Yulan pastry, so hard-won by the Lu family, had already become tiresome to Xue Shiwei...

In the center of the Plum Snow Garden, Lu Zhi displayed his martial skills.

The Lu family had established their legacy through the military.

Their martial arts focused on strength and dominance.

Their techniques were based on spear fighting learned in the army.

As the legitimate eldest son, Lu Zhi trained at the capital’s prestigious martial academy.

Yet he had never forsaken the Lu family’s traditional techniques.

His bare-handed strikes revealed a surging vigor.

Though the wintersweet branches in the garden were far off, they trembled wildly from his force.

“He’s not bad. Already achieved a minor success in the Fourth Realm of Huahai; the old matriarch must value him greatly, right?”

Xue Shiwei whispered to Lu Yun, who nodded and popped more Yulan pastry into her mouth.

Meanwhile, Xue Shiwei couldn’t help but glance toward Lu Xiao, curious about his reaction to Lu Zhi’s demonstration.

But Lu Xiao remained calm, showing no particular response.

Looking at Lu Xiao, Xue Shiwei noticed the Yulan pastry was absent from his place.

She tapped Lu Yun on the shoulder.

“Sister Yun, your fourth brother... Lu Xiao, why didn’t he get any Yulan pastry? Is it because I came and took his share?”

Recalling that Lu Yun disliked Lu Xiao being called her fourth brother, she corrected herself mid-sentence.

If it really was because of her, she felt a bit guilty...

“Sister Shiwei, why bother about him? Such a delicacy as Yulan pastry simply isn’t meant for him. Whether we came or not, he wouldn’t have gotten any.”

Hearing this, Xue Shiwei frowned slightly and looked at Lu Xiao, shaking her head helplessly.

This was the Lu family’s internal affair; she had no right to interfere.

At this moment, Lu Zhi finished his demonstration.

Xue Shiwei hadn’t paid much attention—after seeing the first two moves, she had already made up her mind.

Wu Shanlong, seated in a high seat, exaggerated his reaction.

His eyes brightened upon witnessing Lu Zhi’s performance.

“The second young master’s strength has likely entered the Huahai Realm, hasn’t it? To reach the Fourth Realm at such a young age, his martial talent is truly exceptional.”

Wu Shanlong’s praise was not mere flattery.

Lu Zhi was twenty years old this year.

To reach the Huahai Realm at that age was certainly respectable.

However, there were gradations within the Huahai Realm.

Each major realm was divided into four stages: Entry, Minor Success, Thorough Understanding, and Perfection.

Lu Zhi’s current ability corresponded to Minor Success at the Huahai Realm.

Viewed thus, it was less impressive.

If he had achieved Perfection at twenty, he could be called a prodigy.

Otherwise, among the young martial artists of the Summer Kingdom, he was not outstanding.

Within the Lu family’s Marquis residence, Wu Shanlong naturally needed to show some respect.

Thus, simply stating “Huahai Realm” sounded more flattering.