Chapter Seventy-six: I Spoke Loudly Just Now

The rainy season in Jiangnan comes earlier than in the capital. By the end of May, drizzles had already set in. Yet the misty rains of Jiangnan only added to its poetic charm, imbuing the land with a unique beauty.

With nothing else to do, Li Yunjie sat cross-legged in meditation inside his room. Ever since he reached the seventh rank, he had grown more diligent in his cultivation. Not for any other reason but to break through to the fourth rank as soon as possible and dispel that damned chastity curse. Though progress was slow, Li Yunjie could sense that the martial energy within him flowed more smoothly than before.

After completing seven cycles of inner breathing, Li Yunjie let out a long breath and opened his eyes. He promptly drew his sword and began practicing his techniques. Over this period, he had grown thoroughly familiar with the moves in the sword manual, now able to perform them with fluid grace. The set left behind by Old Li, despite its strange stances, was undeniably exquisite. Each practice left Li Yunjie feeling invigorated, his energy surging.

"Young Master, I've bought the eggs you asked for," Eleven announced, pushing the door open just as Li Yunjie finished collecting his energy.

In this world, eggs were not called "eggs," but "chicken seeds." That morning, Li Yunjie had sent Eleven out to buy some, claiming they would be of great use. Eggs were a rare commodity here; it had taken Eleven all day to barely gather a basketful.

"Put them on the table," Li Yunjie said indifferently.

"Young Master," Eleven asked, puzzled as he looked at the basket, "Why do you need so many chicken seeds?"

Rolling up his sleeves, Li Yunjie chuckled, "You'll see in a moment. Go fetch a large bowl from the kitchen, and ask the innkeeper for some flour."

Though still baffled, Eleven did as he was told. Soon enough, everything was ready.

Li Yunjie began his mysterious preparations, sleeves rolled high. Eleven watched, curiosity mounting with every strange gesture.

Li Yunjie, however, remained silent and focused, as though conducting some secret ritual.

"What on earth are you up to?" Su Qingmeng happened to pass by, glimpsed the chaos inside, and couldn't help but mock.

"Cooking," Li Yunjie replied, pausing his actions.

"You, a young master accustomed to luxury, know how to cook?" Su Qingmeng scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

"You’d better not beg me for a taste later!" Li Yunjie said with confidence.

"If you begged me, I still wouldn’t eat it!" Su Qingmeng snorted, turning away.

Li Yunjie sighed softly. "Women, you’re far too naive."

Handing the bowl and chopsticks to Eleven, he said, "Here, stir it in one direction like this."

Eleven obeyed, and the clinking of chopsticks against porcelain filled the air.

"Young Master, how long do I have to stir?" Eleven asked, a question straight from his soul.

Li Yunjie paused, momentarily at a loss.

Damn, I forgot.

He replied vaguely, "Just keep stirring. I’ll tell you when to stop."

Eleven continued with renewed effort. After about a quarter of an hour, the egg mixture in the bowl lightened in color and thickened into a batter.

"Stop!" Li Yunjie gestured.

He took up the flour and added it to the egg batter in three parts, having Eleven mix it thoroughly each time. Only when flour and eggs were perfectly combined did a satisfied smile appear on his face.

He picked up the large bowl and, with an air of secrecy, headed for the kitchen. Two quarters of an hour later, he returned in high spirits.

"What kind of strange thing is the Young Master making?" Eleven’s curiosity only grew as he eyed the food box in Li Yunjie’s hand.

With a smile, Li Yunjie wafted the aroma toward Eleven's nose.

"Smells good, doesn’t it?"

"It does!" Eleven exclaimed, astonished. "I’ve never smelled anything so rich and fragrant!"

Li Yunjie grinned. "Want to try?"

Eleven nodded eagerly.

Just then, Su Xiyan darted over, nodding her little head even faster.

"Wait!" Li Yunjie caught Su Xiyan’s hand before she could snatch a piece. "Where’s your sister?"

Su Xiyan pointed to the next room.

The three of them entered Su Qingmeng’s quarters. The rich aroma forced Su Qingmeng to steal a glance at the food box.

"Young Master, what is this?" Eleven could wait no longer.

Li Yunjie lifted his chin with pride. "This is a cake! A pastry made from chicken seeds."

Chicken seeds?

Su Qingmeng frowned. Weren’t eggs supposed to be boiled? Could they really be made into pastries? This question was clearly beyond her comprehension.

Slowly, Li Yunjie unveiled the cake’s true form. A golden, fluffy, round pastry appeared, its scent filling the room.

A flicker of wonder passed through both Eleven’s and Su Xiyan’s eyes. They leaned in for a closer sniff. Su Qingmeng, though, fought to hide her anticipation, turning her head aside.

Li Yunjie cut two slices and handed them over. The two sampled them in unison, savoring each bite.

"Well?" Li Yunjie asked, full of expectation.

"It’s delicious!" Eleven, lacking the words for embellishment, could only repeat the obvious.

As for Su Xiyan, her reaction was rather odd. Her eyes grew moist and fixed on Li Yunjie, while her little mouth worked furiously, devouring the cake.

Could it really be that good? Su Qingmeng wondered privately. Pride before hunger, as the saying goes—though her mouth watered again and again, she refused to glance at the cake.

Li Yunjie exchanged a look with Su Xiyan, who caught on instantly. She broke off half her cake and held it out to Su Qingmeng.

Though she was reluctant, the aroma was irresistible. With no choice, she opened her mouth, eyes brimming with tears.

After just a few chews, Su Qingmeng’s expression softened, a rare smile gracing her features. Indeed, when one tastes something truly delicious, it’s hard not to feel joyous.

Forgive me for my harsh words earlier.

"It melts in your mouth, sweet but not cloying—truly exquisite."

Having tasted the cake, Su Qingmeng found Li Yunjie much more agreeable. "To think a young master of your standing could possess such skill!"

"Of course!" Li Yunjie couldn’t hide his pride.

"But," Su Qingmeng said, swallowing the last bite, "why did you suddenly decide to make this treat?"

Li Yunjie smiled. "Do you know what day it is today?"

They all looked puzzled. "What day?"

"May twentieth—your birthday," he said.

The sisters froze.

Their father, Su Ming, was busy with court affairs and rarely had time for them. With their mother gone early, birthdays had almost never been celebrated. Li Yunjie’s gesture stirred deep feelings within them.

"How did you know?" Su Qingmeng’s eyes flickered with complex emotion.

"I found out by chance, and remembered," Li Yunjie answered calmly. "And what a coincidence—though you sisters are two years apart, you share the same birthday. That’s fate."

With that, he produced the jewelry he’d bought earlier, placing it on the table.

"Here are your birthday gifts."

At the sight of the sapphire hairpin, Su Qingmeng’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Su Xiyan, meanwhile, was already crying openly, cake still in her mouth.

"Don’t get sentimental," Li Yunjie said, noticing the emotions on Su Qingmeng’s face. "I just bought them on a whim."

With those words, he strode off in style.

Eleven scampered after him, quietly giving a thumbs-up.

"You really are a master, Young Master..."