Zhu geng was nervous and shuffling his legs making all the people nervous along with him. It was hui who chastises him "senior zhu, why are you so fidgety today? You are making it as if we are here to be punished rather than for a feast."
Zhu geng narrows his eyes to this wild horse, beside liu bai, Xun, xiaoqing and Yufei all the rest were wild little demons giving endless headaches to him. Baring his own claws he answers back "what's with you of my emotions? I yet to have your ears pulled for the last drama you created."
Hui was about to start battle of words when they heard that feather steps immediately zipping his mouth and standing upright like a good boy. Zhu geng snorts seeing his acting but also stands upright as master was coming.
Xiaoqing and Liu Bai lips were twitching seeing their little banter. All of them looked at their beautiful master with aura of an immortal. Her cold aura seemed to have diminished a lot and was rather emitting peacefull aura.
Her aura was soothening them, their nervousness slowly diminishing replaced by awe and admiration. Yusheng reaching her table smiles gently and ushers them to take their seats.
"It's a feast don't be stiff. We will all eat together today. Come.. have the dishes and wines fill your plates" says Yusheng.
All of them obliges and waits till Yusheng has her first bite then starts to slowly pick the dishes.
Seeing that they were still nervous, Yusheng raises her cup "a toast, for all you. I know how hard you all have worked all these years. I though may not have spend much time with you all like today but still know that I have always watched you.
For me you all are not just servants but my limbs and strength. And because of you all I was able to finish off the vermin's and scums that were threat to our future. Though there are still some remaining but from now on Nanling is our domain.
There isn't a single person remaining in Nanling that is or might be a threat to us. Hence we can be worry free and relax. I too am a human who craves for moments like this just eating, chatting about normal life, hearty meal.
So, feel free to eat and drink with gusto. Just think that it's not with the lord but a friend and comrade you are sharing meal with."
All the people look down at their plates, their eyes were red their nose was sour with full of emotions. Being acknowledged as such by their master was the greatest accomplishment for them.
They were just slaves whose life was totally changed by her. Never had they lacked in anything, they knew that how others envied them. The prestige and the privilege they received was even higher than the inner disciples of the valley.
She was not just their master but goddess who had bestowed them a second chance of life. A life where they needn't worry about to struggle, a life where they could raise their head held high, a life where they were the bullies.
Liu bai, xiaoqing and zhu geng knew that she was just trying to ease their heart. They just did what was ordered. It was all her efforts and intellect that the result was now in their favor.
People see her strength but only the few know how much she had fought and sacrificed to be where she was. The burden is far more than anyone can even imagine. In return for what she has, she had sacrificed her happy childhood and growth.
Zhu geng can still clearly imagine that small figure working day and night for cultivation, that small body sitting on big desk reading through the mountain of informations, that small body entering to seclusion with just a bag and alone.
There were many times when he along with zhu mama and elders felt their heart being sliced upon seeing her determined yet lonely back. How she matured overnight to take the burden of all their lives and the place they call home.
Secretly dabbing his eyes to stop his tears from falling he with trembling voice lifts his cup "master, it's all your grace. It's us that were lucky to have a master like you. Congratulation master, for having achieved what you wished of dreamt of."
All the people imitates zhu geng by returning the toast. Not to sadden the atmosphere and make Yusheng happy he starts to tell stories or more like snitch on the maids and guards. As from the lunch with yan's he knew Yusheng loved to hear these simple banters.
The shadow guards and the maids knew he was trying to live the mood. They felt from their very soul that master was very different today. Her entire being was in peace. They wished for her to have the same visage from now on. Thus each became spirited and greatly cooperated with zhu geng.