The next morning, Fan Li awoke just before dawn. He had spent the entire night in the Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, reviewing memorials and attending to matters of state.
With his cultivation, he no longer required food or sleep.
But perhaps it was a habit ingrained from his previous life, he still enjoyed the simple pleasures of a good meal and a restful night.
It reminded him of Qing Qiu.
A Great Vehicle Realm expert, one of the most powerful cultivators in the world, and yet, she was so fond of sweets.
The Great Jin’s imperial palace was still mostly empty, lacking servants, eunuchs, or guards.
But the imperial kitchen had been one of the first structures to be built, solely to satisfy Qing Qiu’s appetite.
Of course, the imperial chefs weren’t Wang Ban’s mechanical creations.
Among the first Han Dynasty remnants to pledge their allegiance to Great Jin were members of the prestigious Lu Clan. And some of them were skilled in the culinary arts.
Although there were countless paths to cultivation, the existence of a Culinary Dao still surprised Fan Li.
After a simple wash, Fan Li summoned the servants and instructed them to prepare breakfast.
Within moments, the table was laden with an assortment of dishes, hot and cold, thirty-six in total.
He had once complained about the Fan Clan’s extravagant breakfast, suggesting that a few simple dishes would suffice.
His suggestion, however, was met with opposition from his siblings.
Fan Zhengming, his elder brother, had said, “You are the most powerful man in Great Chu. You control the Emperor. Surely you deserve to enjoy the same luxuries as the Son of Heaven. Why should you live a life of austerity?”
And Fan Chun, his younger brother, had added, “Brother, everyone knows that the Fan Clan controls Great Chu. If we were to suddenly adopt a simple lifestyle, wouldn’t that make us appear hypocritical? Let us enjoy our wealth. Our ancestors worked hard to achieve this.”
Fan Yuehua, his younger sister, offered the most interesting argument.
“Brother, you are a role model for scholars throughout the land. If you live a life of poverty, why should they bother studying diligently?
Books should lead to wealth and beautiful women.
Don’t disappoint them, brother.”
Remembering those conversations, Fan Li couldn't help but smile.
He picked up a piece of fish, bringing it to his lips. A fragrant aroma filled his senses. He recognized it – white jade shark, an incredibly rare delicacy from the Eastern Sea.
The fish could be eaten raw. Its flesh was sweet and delicate, and it possessed medicinal properties, calming the mind and warding off evil.
“Is the fish delicious?”
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He had just swallowed the fish when he heard Han Yue’s familiar voice.
Dawn had arrived. She had kept her word.
Bathed in the morning sunlight, the Sword Sage stood before him. She wore a simple white robe, her Chasing Moon Sword hanging at her waist, her aura radiant.
Fan Li was momentarily stunned.
The last few times he had seen her, she had worn beautiful dresses, trying to appear more feminine.
But now… this was the true Sword Sage!
“It’s delicious,” he replied, regaining his composure. “Would you like to try some?”
She accepted readily.
She walked towards him, her steps confident and graceful. And then, she sat down beside him, their bodies touching.
Fan Li was startled. He didn’t even have time to react before she reached out and took his chopsticks.
She picked up a piece of fish, bringing it to her lips.
He wanted to tell her that he had just used those chopsticks, that they were covered in his saliva.
But seeing her savoring the delicacy, he couldn’t bring himself to speak.
She swallowed slowly, reluctantly setting the chopsticks aside.
“Do you know, Fan Li…
I spent my youth in secluded cultivation, high up in the mountains, practicing the Sword Dao. I ate wild fruits and drank spring water. Even after I achieved mastery, I never experienced the luxuries of the world.”
She was a Sage Ruler. Surely the Pure Land provided for her every need?
As if sensing his thoughts, she smiled.
“My reputation as the Sword Sage, my early years of hardship and dedication… they became a legend, a model for all female sword cultivators in the Pure Land.
Because of me, they believed that a simple life, a life of austerity, was the path to enlightenment.
And so, I had to maintain that facade. I couldn’t disappoint them.”
Fan Li couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Cultivation was a complex process that required talent, personality, wealth, and luck.
To ignore the importance of wealth, to praise only one’s character and perseverance…
It was a foolish and arrogant mindset.
He couldn’t hide his disdain.
She noticed his expression.
My early years of hardship… they were a necessity, not a choice. I was poor. I had no other options.
And yet, they saw my journey as a model, a path to be emulated.
She gently stroked the sword at her waist.
Normally, Fan Li would be worried.
But in this moment, he could sense her emotions.
She was filled with regret and self-loathing.
“How can you blame yourself? Yao Guang is a master manipulator. You are not responsible for her actions.”
He attempted to comfort her, but instantly regretted his words.
To speak ill of the Pure Land’s leader, right in front of one of her Sage Rulers…
It was a foolish move.
But to his surprise, she didn’t seem angry.
She simply waited for him to finish, then picked up his chopsticks once more, selecting a delicate pastry.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Dragon Beard Candy. It used to be an imperial delicacy. But I thought its ingredients were too simple – just wheat and malt sugar. So I obtained the recipe from the Imperial Kitchen. It’s now one of the Fan Clan’s most popular sweets.”
Han Yue nodded approvingly.
The common people of Great Chu, they must be grateful to you for allowing them to taste this once-forbidden delicacy.”
Fan Li smiled awkwardly.
This was the first time he had been praised for his “treacherous” actions.
“I apologize,” she said, seemingly regretful. “I was enjoying the food, and I forgot about you.”
Before he could tell her it was fine, she picked up another piece of Dragon Beard Candy and brought it to his lips.
She had been using the same chopsticks the entire time.
He didn’t have time to react. He instinctively opened his mouth, accepting the treat.
The chopsticks brushed against his lips, leaving a warm, moist sensation.
It suddenly occurred to him that Han Yue feeding him candy… it was like a wife serving her husband.
Of course, only a loving couple would share such intimacy.
Fan Li’s face flushed red. He couldn't continue.
Han Yue, however, remained calm.
Hearing his words, she set the chopsticks aside.
“When I was imprisoned by my elder sister, I often thought about Peng City. And I wished you were here, to accompany me on an outing.”
Her honesty startled him.
Was she confessing her feelings?
Or was this simply a prelude to the marriage alliance, a way for her to manipulate him?
He hadn't expected her to be so enthusiastic about the marriage.
She stood up, then noticed that he was still sitting there, seemingly frozen.
“Didn't you promise to accompany me today? Has something come up?”
Fan Li had finally recovered from his shock. He shook his head frantically.