First Encounter (2)

"Master, the chicken is ready."

Leian took the golden, fragrant wild chicken off the fire and shot a resentful glare at Xianyue as he passed by her. He then respectfully presented the dish to Lan Yixuan.

"Leian, have you ever heard of Beggar's Chicken? What you've done here is simply a waste of good food," Xianyue said, pointing at the roasted chicken with an unabashed tone, her eyes squinting in a line of mirth.

"What would you suggest instead?" Leian replied with a rather unfriendly tone. Having been by his master's side for many years, he prided himself on his culinary skills.

"First, you twist the chicken's neck, remove its innards, and cover the bloody feathers with yellow mud and straw. Then you roast the coated chicken in the fire until the mud hardens and the chicken is cooked. When you peel off the mud shell, the meat will be revealed. Trust me, the chicken will have a rich, glossy reddish-brown color and a delightful aroma. The meat will be tender and full of flavor, and I assure you that no blood from the feathers will seep into the meat. Isn't that right, Master Lan?" As she spoke, Xianyue animatedly gestured with her hands, even mimicking the action of swallowing, her excitement palpable. Lan Yixuan couldn't help but smile and nod at her enthusiasm, though his brow furrowed slightly.

"Beggar's Chicken?" Leian scoffed. "Our master would never stoop to eat such a lowly dish. Besides—" 

He turned and glared at Xianyue. "I guarantee that the chicken I made is far tastier than the Beggar's Chicken you described. If you don't believe me, try it."

Leian, noticing the playful glint in Xianyue's eyes, realized he had fallen for her trick. His lips pressed tightly together, his eyes narrowed at her like flames. He raised the roasted chicken, allowing its enticing aroma to waft into the night air, making it even more tempting.

"Then I shall be polite." 

Xianyue smiled with satisfaction, rubbing her hands together as her sparkling eyes fixed on the delicious roasted chicken, launching herself at it.

Leian had expected her to make a move like this and was prepared. This chicken was something he had personally cooked for his master, and he refused to let a woman who didn't even seem feminine take it away from him. What woman wouldn't want to win the favor of his master? Yet here she was, devouring their master's snacks in one go, and now she had room for this roasted chicken. Was she even a woman at all?

No sooner had he finished his thought than he found his hand empty. He looked down to see that the chicken was gone, and in its place, Xianyue was leaning against a tree, happily gnawing on the freshly roasted chicken leg, taking a big bite.

How had she snatched the chicken leg from him? And—how could a woman's mouth be so big?

"Master Lan, would you like some?" 

Xianyue held out the remaining roasted chicken toward Lan Yixuan, her mouth stuffed full.

"I'm not hungry." 

His smile was warm as the gentle breeze and bright as the moonlight, like a celestial being descended from the heavens. Anyone else would feel inadequate in the presence of someone so elegant, not daring to behave so rudely.

"Well then, I won't hold back." 

The taste was indeed good; if she didn't finish this chicken, it would truly be a waste. After more than half a month, she finally had a decent meal.

"Master Lan, I bet the rabbit tastes good too." 

Xianyue licked the fragrant chicken oil off her fingers, her eyes narrowing as she pointed at the wild rabbit Leiyun was holding, her smile a touch ingratiating.

"Leiyun, give the young lady the rabbit," Lan Yixuan said with a gentle smile. It was because of that smile that Xianyue suddenly felt like a spoiled child, realizing that in his eyes, it seemed nothing was beyond his tolerance.

It was utterly boring; he had no temper at all. If anyone else dared to take her food, she would ensure they'd end up with bruises and a battered face.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Our master has given you his seat, you've eaten everything edible—do you expect us to go hungry? A young girl appears in the middle of the night in this wilderness, sitting amongst three strangers. Has no one taught you any manners?"

This woman was simply taking advantage of the situation. Just because their master was unbothered and Leiyun was easy to talk to, didn't mean he wouldn't get angry.

"I'm truly sorry about that." 

Xianyue waved her greasy right hand. "My mother passed away early, and my father has always neglected me. I grew up in the mountains, relying on my master for company, so no one has taught me the rules you mentioned. My master often tells me that children of the rivers and lakes don't sweat the small stuff."

Leian stared at Xianyue, her face illuminated by the firelight, half blood-red and half snow-white, her expression calm as if she didn't mind at all.

"Leiyun, you're still the better one." 

In the moment that Leian was stunned, Xianyue already smiled and snatched the stick with the rabbit from Leiyun's hand, lowering her head to take a big bite.

"You, you—"

This woman must have been a pig in her past life.

Xianyue savored the rabbit meat in her hands, tilting her head and smiling at the furious Leian, who was too angry to speak. "It would be even better if we had some fine wine."

"Leian, bring the Plum Blossom Wine from the carriage."

Although Leian was reluctant, he never dared to defy his master's orders and grumbled in reply, "Yes."

"Master Lan, you truly are the best person I've ever met." 

Xianyue lifted the wine jug, the fragrance of the plum blossoms mingling with the night breeze, intoxicating and delightful. She tipped her head back, letting the sweet plum wine pour down her throat like a waterfall from the celestial river.

"Good wine."

The rich aroma lingered on her palate. After finishing the drink, Xianyue sprawled on the ground, her hair sticking to her cheeks. The contrast between the red and black of her hair became even more pronounced, and the vermilion on her brow added a touch of allure.

"May I ask the young lady's name and whom you study under?" 

From a meter away, Lan Yixuan looked at the slightly inebriated Xianyue, inquiring about her identity.

Lying on the grass, Xianyue shifted her body, finding a relatively comfortable sleeping position, turning her back to the cold moonlight and seemingly drifting off to sleep.

"She's drunk after consuming so much Plum Blossom Wine. Master, you should rest now."

Children of the rivers and lakes don't sweat the small stuff, but those women typically acted demurely in front of a gentleman. This woman, however, was so crude.

"It's windy at night. Leiyun, bring a blanket over to cover her." 

As Lan Yixuan stood up, ready to leave, Xianyue suddenly rolled over on the ground, her oily hand brushing against Lan Yixuan's clothes.

"I'm full; time to sleep." 

With her eyes still closed, Xianyue suddenly stood up, patted her round belly, and staggered toward the luxurious carriage, swaying as she went. She lifted the curtain and flopped inside.

"Master." 

"Let's stay outside for the night." 

His voice was calm, still without a hint of disturbance.

The curtain of the carriage slowly fell, but in the next moment, Xianyue opened her eyes, her gaze bright as a mountain spring untouched by anyone, showing no sign of inebriation.

After a restful sleep, when Leian and the others opened their eyes, the sky had brightened significantly. The morning light filtered through the dense branches, illuminating the small grove.

"Master, where is that unreasonable young lady?"

She hadn't even told the master her name.

"She's already left." 

"Ah." Left? When did she leave? How did he not know at all?

Leian turned in surprise to see a small note in Lan Yixuan's hand, his brow furrowing. Just as he leaned in closer, Lan Yixuan suddenly tucked the note away, relaxing his brow as he stood up. "Clean up the area."