The tea room was filled with soft light, every furnishing a testament to the passage of time and the refined taste of its owner. Elder Chi, Shang Qing, and Ji Xun were immersed in this space. Their figures seemed perfectly at home in the warm glow, like a moving painting slowly unfolding. The air was permeated with a faint scent of tea, intertwining with the occasional birdcall from outside the window to compose a melodious, natural symphony. For a moment, time seemed to stand still; the three of them—grandfather and the younger generation—savored this rare moment of family warmth, a beauty so profound it could spark longing in any heart.
Steward Zhang caught the scene and could not help but curl his lips into a smile. He turned to instruct the staff nearby, his voice laced with a touch of urgency and delight. "Go quickly and prepare some exquisite pastries." He paused, then added, "And don't forget to head to the orchard to pick the freshest fruit—the best, the sweetest ones."
Soon, plates of meticulously arranged pastries and fruits were presented one by one. They were not only colorful but also deeply appetizing. Elder Chi spoke in a gentle tone, extending an invitation to Shang Qing, who sat across from him: "Little girl, come, have a taste. These fruits were planted and carefully tended by my late wife herself; the flavor is naturally excellent."
Chapter 423