The next day, the Dao Discussion was held. It took place in the main hall of the Zhou family estate. Green gauze draped the walls, and spirit fruits and clear tea were neatly arranged on the tables.
Xu Changming sat upright in the main seat, with several Zhou family elders beside him. Xie Zhaolin was seated to the right.
"Mingyue Daoyou," Xu Changming raised his cup in greeting, "I've heard you know quite a bit about tea. What do you make of this Snow-Capped Jade?"
Xie Zhaolin took a light sip, replying calmly, "The tea is good, but unfortunately…"
"But unfortunately what?" asked the Li family head sitting opposite, unable to hold back his curiosity.
"The water isn't right." Xie Zhaolin set down the cup and tapped the rim lightly with her fingertip. "Snow-Capped Jade should be brewed with Tianshan snow water, but this uses water from the North Cliff Cold Pool. It's clear and crisp, sure, but it lacks a certain softness."
The Li family head slammed his hand on the table. "Brilliant! Old Master Lu used to say the exact same thing!"
The hall fell silent.
Xu Changming's gaze flicked between the Li family head and Xie Zhaolin, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "You're familiar with Old Master Lu?"
"More than familiar!" the Li family head laughed. "Back then, I traveled through the Tianshan with Brother Lu. He even brought snow water back to brew tea, saying only Tianshan snow water could match Snow-Capped Jade…"
The topic had now shifted to the Lu family.
The Li family head rambled on about the Lu family's history. Xie Zhaolin interjected occasionally, adding details at just the right moments.
Xu Changming listened, and finally, the last traces of doubt in his eyes vanished.
"You were that close to the Lu family?" he asked.
Xie Zhaolin smiled faintly. "I stayed with them for a while ten years ago. Old Master Lu was kind enough to teach me some chess."
"I see." Xu Changming nodded, seeming to finally let go of his suspicions.
After the Dao Discussion ended, Xie Zhaolin walked alone back to Tinghe Pavilion. Turning a corridor, Zhou Zhilán suddenly appeared from behind a rockery, whispering, "It's done."
"Xu Changming sent people to check on Third Miss Lu earlier," she said with a hint of a smile, "but I got the word out first. She supposedly found rare spirit herbs in the southern mountains, so it'll be at least three months before she returns. Now, his attention should shift elsewhere."
The two shared a knowing smile and turned away together.
…
Inside Tinghe Pavilion.
Xie Zhaolin lightly tapped her teacup. Half a month had passed since the Dao Discussion.
Just as Zhou Zhilán predicted, Xu Changming had been tied up by the Li family head, who constantly dragged him into tea tastings and Dao discussions, trying every trick to uncover the sect's recruitment standards.
"Senior," Zhou Zhilán said, pushing the door open. In her hands was a green jade box. She wore a high-collared ruqun today, with a pale silk scarf tied around her neck.
"Seventh Uncle asked me to deliver these spirit herbs," she said calmly, placing the box on the table. "They're supposed to help with meridian injuries."
Xie Zhaolin opened the box. Inside, three Snow Spirit Mushrooms were neatly arranged, along with two bottles of jade marrow liquid and a small bundle of powder wrapped in red silk—exactly the Ice Soul Powder she had casually mentioned the other day.
Zhou Zhilán also pulled out a list from her sleeve. Xie Zhaolin glanced at it; it listed various spirit herbs, a few of which she needed. She tapped the table lightly. "Has your father gone out?"
Zhou Zhilán smiled faintly. "He's long been unhappy with how the Zhou family allocates resources."
Though the Zhou family was a cultivation clan, resources were limited. Each branch competed both openly and secretly, each wanting a bigger share.
Though Zhou Zhilán's father managed the spirit herb workshop, the amount he could distribute each month was suppressed by the main branch, especially by Second Young Master Zhou, who, relying on the family head's favor, often cornered the other branches.
"Zhou Er came to my courtyard the other day," Zhou Zhilán said suddenly, "claiming I stole his Tranquil Spirit Incense."
"You stole it?" Xie Zhaolin raised an eyebrow.
"Of course not," she chuckled lightly. "Father just 'temporarily managed' that batch." She took a small sip of tea before continuing.
"Some accounts just have to be kept straight."
Xie Zhaolin understood. As manager of the spirit herb workshop, she likely noted many of the main branch's missteps in secret. Now that Zhou Er couldn't get his herbs, the first suspect would naturally be Zhou Zhilán, with whom he had long-standing friction.
Zhou Zhilán traced her fingers along her scarf, lips curling slightly. "By now, he probably has almost none of the Tranquil Spirit Incense left. Guess… how long before he comes to raise arms for justice?"
Xie Zhaolin's gaze landed on the scarf. On the seemingly plain silk, faint, almost imperceptible patterns shimmered.
"Qiānsīlǚ?"
"Second Brother hates me most," she laughed softly. "He thinks Father withheld his herbs, and today… he'll 'just happen' to catch this scent."
Xie Zhaolin nodded. The incense itself was harmless when used alone.
But when combined with Tranquil Spirit Incense…
She looked at Zhou Zhilán. "Does your father know?"
"He doesn't need to." Zhou Zhilán brushed her scarf. "All he needs to know is that after today…" Her eyes flashed coldly. "Zhou Er will never touch the herb workshop again."
Before her words fell, urgent footsteps rang outside. The courtyard door was kicked open!
Zhou Er stormed in, face dark and bloodshot, eyes locking onto Zhou Zhilán. "Zhou Zhilán! Did you mess with the workshop's accounts?!"
Zhou Zhilán frowned slightly. "Second Brother, what are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb!" Zhou Er grabbed her wrist with enough force to almost crush the bones. "People at the workshop said your father took three bottles of Tranquil Spirit Incense!"
Zhou Zhilán winced but stayed calm. "If you don't believe it, check the warehouse records."
"Check?" Zhou Er sneered. A faint, hidden scent slipped silently into his nose.
His pupils contracted sharply. Suddenly, he lunged, grabbing her neck. "Bitch! You tampered with the accounts! You stole the herbs!"
Zhou Zhilán went pale, hands futilely gripping his wrists, but her eyes stayed fixed on the courtyard door.
"Stop!"
Xie Zhaolin finally moved, pushing Zhou Er's hands away. But he had lost all reason and swung a palm at her.
"Get out!"
Bang!
Xie Zhaolin was sent flying several steps back, slamming hard into a corridor pillar. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, spreading a vivid red across her white robe.
"Zhou Yucheng! Are you insane?!"
Lord Zhou Qi's angry voice rang from outside.
When the others rushed in, they saw Zhou Yucheng's face twisted with rage, hands gripping Zhou Zhilán's neck, while Xie Zhaolin lay 'seriously injured' on the ground, tea cups shattered around her.
"You bastard!" Zhou Moxuan swung his sleeve, throwing Zhou Yucheng to the ground. "You dare attack someone in front of our guest elders?!"
Zhou Yucheng lay panting, gasping, "Her father stole my Tranquil Spirit Incense! She—"
His voice cut off abruptly.
Zhou Zhilán's scarf slipped silently from her neck, revealing purple and blue hand-shaped bruises!
The finger marks dug deep, clearly applied with life-threatening force!