"Hehe, just like his old man! A coward who is strong on the outside but weak inside!" The man stretched his wide sleeves, took the brewed tea off the small red clay furnace, and began to pour the tea.

Biluochun involves twelve steps in the tea ceremony, each with its own significance. Incense burning is called "incense for spiritual communion," and washing the utensils is called "the fairy bathing."

Biluochun can only be brewed with water around eighty degrees; too hot or too cold won’t do. Nangong Yi warmed the translucent tea cups on the table, leaving the pot open as steam swirled from the spout. This step is named " Jade Pot Embracing Mist."

He then brought over the tea, personally selecting the best leaves, choosing only the silver-tipped ones with a hidden green hue. Cai Wei observed his gentle, focused movements and couldn’t help but step forward to assist. She took the pot, leisurely poured the tea, filling it only seven-tenths full, leaving three-tenths for affection. The steam wafted around, and in her hands, this step of "the rain swells autumnal pools" was so effortlessly graceful, truly reminiscent of Li Shangyin’s exquisite scene of "on Mt. Ba, the night rain swells autumnal pools."

For the past two years, they, as husband and wife, often drank tea like this. In the notes left by Cihai Zhenren, it is said that the art of nurturing energy requires a heart that is clear and serene. Practicing tea ceremony aids in nourishing the mind. Though they hadn’t formally pursued cultivation like the former emperor and Master Li Guo, apart from the intimacy between husband and wife, they lived not unlike reclusive cultivators.

"Come, it’s ready, try and see if there’s any improvement!"

Cai Wei lifted a cup of tea, as green as spring-dyed water, and handed it to Nangong Yi.

Nangong Yi took it, sipping lightly, his face relaxing with delight.

The beauty of Biluochun, at first taste, is like the essence of dark jade, the liquid of cloud splendor; its color light, aroma subtle, flavor fresh and elegant. A second sip is like nectar, rich and with a lingering sweetness. By the third taste, it’s akin to the flavor of truth, encapsulating the myriad flavors of life within it.

"No wonder the Buddhist scriptures describe the most profound flavors as the ghee of enlightenment. Truly, madam, you have fine craftsmanship," Nangong Yi praised after savoring the tea.

Cai Wei poured another cup, took it up, and prepared to leave.

"Hey, where are you going, madam?"

Seeing Cai Wei about to leave, Nangong Yi immediately felt that even the Biluochun, as rich as dark jade and cloud splendor, had lost its flavor. Without her, everything seemed bland.

Cai Wei laughed and said, "Have you forgotten? We still have a patient here, and you only cared about drinking tea, altogether neglecting that injured person."

The injured person she spoke of was indeed the member of the Xiao Family whom Bright Pearls had rescued. After they arrived in Great Yong, they took advantage of the night to sneak into the Empress’s Palace and directly brought Xiao Family into Space for The Great Immortal Turtle to treat.

Xiao Family’s sudden disappearance had caused quite a stir inside the palace. Even now, the imperial guards still secretly search for Xiao Family’s whereabouts. Empress Dowager Wanyan suspects it to be a trick by Princess Gao Yang of Long and has kept people watching her!

Xiao Family was indeed gravely injured; a comminuted fracture of the leg, five or six ribs broken, the broken bones piercing the internal organs, and her facial wounds were truly unbearable to look at. Her once fair and delicate face was slashed more than ten times, with one of the deepest cuts exposing bone. Although the imperial physician had sutured the wounds, and they had mostly healed, the pink, scary scars crisscrossing her face were horrifying. Even someone like Cai Wei, who had seen much of the world, could not help but be shocked by such cruelty. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The Great Immortal Turtle employed its greatest skills, doing its best to heal Xiao Family. According to it, the treatment process would be long and complex, requiring about one year in Space to fully recover. Outside, it would take about three years!

Letting a stranger stay in her Space for over a year was something Cai Wei would likely have refused in the past.

But now, as she was beginning her cultivation, a cultivator often carries a compassionate heart. Thus, hearing what The Great Immortal Turtle said, she agreed without hesitation. In these few days, she even cooked meals, served water, and took care of everything meticulously!