The guest room Wei Yukai stood in was splendid in color and lavish in design. Deep green tapestry hung from the high ceilings framed with dark gold trimmings. A gigantic circular symbol was embroidered on the carpet, a proud display of the clan’s lineage. Two paintings hung prominently on the wall; on the left was the mighty clan leader and on the right, the dignified Lady Nie. Yukai stood in the middle of the room, admiring the likeliness of the paintings to their real-life counterparts. For all the times Yukai had visited the Nie Sect, this was one the most opulent rooms in his memories and conversely one that he never stepped into in childhood. Ironically, it seemed that nowadays Yukai spent more and more time in this room while visiting the other parts of the estate less and less.
A servant girl entered the guest room carrying a tray. On the tray was a porcelain teapot and a couple of ornate cups. The girl had her head lowered and curtsied to Yukai before settling the tray onto the table. The servant seemed young and the way she trembled slightly gave away her nervousness. Witnessing this scene, Yukai approached the girl with leisurely strides.
“Xiao meimei (小妹妹), I don’t remember seeing you before,” Yukai began, an easy-going grin on his face and his arms folded behind his back. “What’s your name?”
The girl peeked up at him with wide eyes as if stunned, before giving a small bow. “Wei-gongzi, this lowly servant’s name is xiao-yan; please forgive me if I’ve carried my duties unsatisfactorily; I only began working here less than three months ago...”
Three months... Yukai gave a chuckle under his breath. “Jeez, what kind of reputation have the other servants given me? If you’ve only been here for three months, you’re doing a fine job. No need to be so nervous, I don’t bite, I promise.”
The girl chanced a glance up, only to see a mischievous glint in Yukai’s eyes. “By the way, this is tea you’ve brought, isn’t it?” He began. “Very good, very good. Truly befitting for a visiting guest. But... what do you say we fetch some wine, too? I’m in an exceptionally good mood since I’m finally home and I’m thinking of celebrating with your master.” The girl’s eyes widened and Yukai instantly saw through her worries. “If you’re scared of the guards outside, don’t worry. I’ll let you in on a little secret... they know the drill. From what I was told, Jiu-ge will be here soon. We want to give him a warm greeting, don’t we? Do you think you can get back here by the time he arrives?”
The girl’s mouth fell open before she gave a wide-eyed nod.
“That’s a good girl. Now off you go.”
That was one of the youngest and most timid servants Yukai ever encountered at the Nie residence. Yukai thought of his childhood friend and began to snigger. Just imagining that girl serving the next Nie clan leader... if not his fear-inducing reputation (which, Yukai discovered time and time again made even the toughest tavern-owner's knees tremble and buckle), then it was definitely his perpetually long face that frightened all the kids away!
Speaking of Jiuli, the man would be here any moment now. Yukai thought about what sort of warm welcome he would bestow his dear brother this time before his eyes landed on the couch before him. Yukai’s mischievous smile stretched across his face. Perfect.
A few moments later, Yukai heard familiar steps approaching. The Wei cultivator greeted his old friend with an open, seductive pose on the couch. “Jiu-ge, I’m finally back to see you,” he drawled in a playful tone. “It’s been too long, did you miss me?”