Chapter 219: Sharing One Blanket
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, the women paused for a moment, their faces tinged with reluctance.
"Where are you going?" Nalan Yanran was the first to ask.
"I need to venture out to improve my strength and handle a few important matters," Xiao Yan replied with a smile, flicking his finger. His Dou Qi transformed into fine, sharp threads that effortlessly sliced the lamb into thin, delicate pieces, which he then deposited onto silver trays.
"You're not going out to find another woman, are you? And then 'coincidentally' improve your cultivation along the way?" Nalan Yanran questioned bluntly, her young age showing in her straightforwardness. She cast Xiao Yan a suspicious glance.
"Ahem… How could I be that kind of person?" Xiao Yan's face stiffened briefly before he quickly regained his composure, putting on a serious expression.
"You'd better not be." Nalan Yanran huffed, seemingly appeased, though she cast him another doubtful look.
Meanwhile, the other women, who were far more experienced, exchanged knowing glances. None of them believed a word Xiao Yan said, though they didn't bother to call him out. Instead, they simultaneously rolled their eyes at him.
"Heh, let's focus on the hotpot, shall we?" Xiao Yan laughed awkwardly, waving his hand. The trays of lamb slices hovered in the air before falling gently into the bubbling hotpot.
The women, long accustomed to his antics, let out soft sighs but quickly turned their attention back to the intriguing copper pot before them.
The broth, now a vibrant red from Xiao Yan's precise seasoning, steamed enticingly. The lamb slices, thin and semi translucent, were gently simmered for mere moments before their rich aroma wafted upward with the steam.
Even Yun Yun, who had long surpassed the need for mundane sustenance, couldn't help but swallow lightly.
As for Soul Xin, her mouth was already watering, and a visible trail of drool was making its way to the floor.
"Come, dig in." Xiao Yan waved his hand again, causing the steaming lamb slices to leap gracefully from the pot and land into neatly prepared dipping bowls filled with fragrant oil.
Like a greedy little piglet, Soul Xin began devouring her portion with gusto, her cheeks puffed up like two dumplings.
"Xin Xin, slow down!" Ya Fei gently patted her head, but the little one paid no mind, focusing solely on her meal.
Seeing this, the other women couldn't help but laugh softly, covering their mouths. They then turned their curiosity to their own bowls, picking up the tender lamb slices with their chopsticks and taking careful bites.
The moment the meat touched their tongues, their eyes lit up in surprise.
At first, the dipping sauce's fragrant, spicy tang spread across their taste buds, causing their mouths to water involuntarily. Then, as they bit into the tender lamb, its rich juices mingled with the sauce, creating a harmony of flavors that was utterly unforgettable.
"Delicious!" Xiao Yi Xian and Nalan Yanran exclaimed almost simultaneously, their eyes sparkling.
The other women soon nodded in agreement, their gazes filled with amazement.
Xiao Yan chuckled. "Hotpot isn't just about the taste it's about the atmosphere."
"The atmosphere?" The women looked puzzled.
"Yes. Outside, it's freezing cold. But here, it's warm, cozy, and filled with the aroma of delicious food. That contrast creates a unique, memorable experience." Xiao Yan smiled gently.
While the biting cold outside could not harm a cultivator like him, today he had deliberately set aside his Dou Qi defenses, choosing instead to don a fur lined coat and embrace the winter chill.
Only by feeling the stark contrast between the icy world and the hotpot's warmth could one truly appreciate its charm.
As he sipped on a glass of sweet, spicy imperial wine, the heat spread through his chest, dispelling the lingering cold and igniting a comforting warmth in his belly.
Seeing Xiao Yan so at ease and immersed in the moment, even Yun Yun felt a twinge of admiration. She followed his example and sipped from her own glass, savoring the unique experience.
Xiao Yan sat at the head of the table, dressed in a luxurious fur coat, his black hair tied back with a jade crown, though a few loose strands framed his face, adding a touch of ruggedness to his otherwise refined appearance.
The women couldn't help but glance at him, their gazes softening. However, they also noticed a faint melancholy in his demeanor tonight.
Outside, snow blanketed the earth, creating a silver white world under the black, star studded sky. A bright moon hung like a luminous pearl, its gentle light casting a silvery sheen over the empire's capital.
The snowy expanse and the dark sky met at the distant horizon, creating a stark yet harmonious contrast. The flickering lights from countless homes added a touch of humanity to the serene landscape.
"Green ant new wine…" Xiao Yan murmured suddenly, breaking the silence.
His gaze seemed distant, as if recalling a long lost memory. For the first time in sixteen years, he felt a pang of homesickness for his previous life.
Every long, lonely journey had moments where the past resurfaced, pulling one into the depths of nostalgia.
"… red clay stove."
The women perked up at his words, their interest piqued.
"Snow falls as the night deepens…" Xiao Yan continued, downing another glass of wine before raising his cup toward the women with a soft smile. "Would you join me for a drink?"
For a moment, the women forgot their food, captivated by the poetic imagery Xiao Yan conjured.
"Hey, what's with those blank looks? You're not going to toast with me?" Xiao Yan teased, raising his glass higher.
Snapping out of their reverie, the women hurriedly clinked glasses with him, drinking deeply. As the warm wine slid down their throats, they couldn't help but feel the essence of Xiao Yan's poem come alive.
"Who would've thought our lord is also gifted in poetry?" Ya Fei giggled, her cheeks flushed from the wine. Her seductive charm became even more intoxicating under the dim light.
"Your lord is a man of many talents alchemy, martial arts, and yes, even poetry!" Xiao Yan declared smugly, his earlier melancholy replaced by his trademark cheekiness.
"Braggart." Nalan Yanran rolled her eyes, though the sparkle in her gaze betrayed her admiration.
The other women also smiled knowingly. Despite his boastful words, they couldn't deny Xiao Yan's accomplishments were indeed extraordinary.
"Well, ladies," Xiao Yan said, his grin turning mischievous, "we've had our food and drink. On such a cold winter night, wouldn't it be nice to… cuddle together for warmth?"
(End of Chapter)
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