"Why are you standing out here?" Now that she knew this woman was the boss of Wild Wind, Lu Huaishuang sheathed her azure sword and withdrew her hostility.
"The Lord is taking a bath. What business does a woman like me have being inside?"
"Oh." Lu Huaishuang nodded, not daring to knock on the door either, and obediently stood off to the side.
Silence fell. He Yunxiang continued her little drawings and sketches, then suddenly flung the rouge box in her hand far away with an annoyed expression. She angrily reached out and grasped at the air, condensing a sphere of water in her palm — clear and pure.
She used the water sphere to wash away the cosmetics on her face, revealing her natural complexion.
She exhaled and said, "This will have to do." She struck a pose of resigned acceptance, as though about to walk to the execution grounds.
Lu Huaishuang said, "Natural looks are better."
"You think so too, don't you?" He Yunxiang suddenly found the Lu Family's young miss much more approachable. She studied her carefully and secretly compared herself — hmm, they were each beautiful in their own way, neither clearly superior to the other. But their temperaments were completely different. She just didn't know whether the Lord inside preferred a mature and alluring type or a refined and natural one. As for figure, though…
He Yunxiang glanced at Lu Huaishuang's chest, and a swell of pride rose unbidden in her heart.
"What are you looking at?" Lu Huaishuang clearly caught her gaze, and her expression became somewhat awkward. She silently cursed inwardly — what on earth had this woman been eating to grow so generously in that regard?
The door suddenly opened, without a sound.
The two women locked eyes, and both immediately straightened their expressions.
He Yunxiang cupped her hands beneath her chest and pushed it together firmly, deepening the already impressive valley of her cleavage until it was all the more captivating. Then she swayed her hips and walked inside.
Lu Huaishuang stared in speechless exasperation. She checked herself over to make sure nothing was amiss, then followed her in.
"My Lord!" He Yunxiang approached Yang Kai and bowed respectfully, making sure to let the view of her chest spill open — whether deliberately or accidentally was anyone's guess.
Yang Kai gave a faint nod without so much as a glance at her, clearly having already known she had reverted to her true form and thus felt no surprise.
"My Lord!" Lu Huaishuang also bowed, though hers was considerably more proper and by-the-book.
"Please, sit. I have some matters I'd like to consult you both about." Yang Kai gestured for them to sit and took the seat of honor himself.
He Yunxiang covered her mouth and laughed: "Hardly worthy of the word 'consult.' Whatever the Lord wishes to ask, your servant will hold nothing back."
Lu Huaishuang looked at her and truly, for the very first time, came to understand the meaning of sycophancy.
"My Lord, shall I comb your hair for you?" He Yunxiang eyed the long hair draped over Yang Kai's shoulders and offered her services. "Your servant's skills should be passable."
"That would be fine then — I'll trouble you." Yang Kai gave her a slight smile.
"You're too kind, My Lord." He Yunxiang promptly stepped behind him. A comb materialized in her hand from thin air, and she began gently running it through his hair with the tender attentiveness of a newlywed bride.
Lu Huaishuang watched this scene unfold, and with a quick movement of her hand, a full tea set appeared on the table before her.
She retrieved spiritual spring water from her storage and began brewing tea with meticulous precision.
She couldn't bring herself to do what He Yunxiang did, so tea ceremony was the only approach available to her. Fortunately, she had been well-versed in the art since childhood — selecting the leaves, brewing the tea, her technique was refined and her movements elegant, giving the whole display its own quiet charm.
A tempting fragrance of tea soon filled the room.
He Yunxiang's hands never stopped combing as she spoke: "Is this Cloud Mountain Spirit Mist Tea?"
Lu Huaishuang replied, "The Boss has a sharp eye."
He Yunxiang laughed: "It's just that this tea is too famous — what sharp eye do I have? Today I'm merely enjoying the Lord's favor, getting to taste one of the top three teas in this Star Domain."
Yang Kai smiled faintly but said nothing, which left Lu Huaishuang feeling somewhat deflated. This tea had cost the Lu Family an enormous price to obtain — less than three taels in total, far too precious for everyday use. She had brought it out today, yet it hadn't produced the effect she'd hoped for.
But on second thought, if this Lord truly hailed from that place, then even the third-ranked tea in the Infinite Star Domain probably wouldn't so much as catch his eye.
She immediately steadied her mind and focused on brewing the tea with care.
Before long, the tea was ready. Lu Huaishuang ladled out a cup and respectfully slid it before Yang Kai: "Please have some, My Lord."
Yang Kai nodded and didn't stand on ceremony. He lifted the cup, took a small sip, let it linger on his palate for a moment, then drained the rest in one go. "Not bad!"
To have spirit tea of this quality in the Star Domain was genuinely commendable.
At the praise, Lu Huaishuang finally broke into a smile.
"You sit as well." Yang Kai turned to He Yunxiang. Her combing was done, but instead of sitting immediately, she had remained standing to the side.
"Yes." He Yunxiang took her seat with graceful poise, showing no trace of awkwardness.
After three rounds of tea, Yang Kai suddenly spoke: "There's something I'd like to ask you both."
Both women set down their teacups in unison and sat up straight.
"Does your Infinite Star Domain have any connections or trade routes to other Star Domains?"
Both women shook their heads.
Yang Kai's heart sank to the bottom. Unwilling to give up, he pressed: "Truly none at all?"
He believed neither woman would dare deceive him, yet the answer filled him with profound disappointment.