Waking the next day, Weining felt completely refreshed.
Having traveled constantly day after day, she planned to spend a few quiet days in the Peach Grove.
After tidying up, she stepped out of the cottage.
The weather was splendid, early morning with clear skies, crisp air, and the sounds of birds and blooming flowers.
It was wonderful. Of all things, Weining loved strolling through the Peach Grove at this hour, breathing in the sweet, fresh fragrance, and losing herself in this earthly paradise—it always lifted her spirits.
After walking for a while through the expansive Peach Grove, she returned to the front of her cottage, feeling the energy flowing smoothly through her veins and her mood exceptionally light.
The sun had quietly peeked out, its early rays gentle and warm as they fell upon her, feeling utterly comfortable and cozy.
She summoned Danxin and began to practice her swordplay in the clearing.
She blended sword techniques with the dances she had learned from Ruoshui, her movements graceful, her steps light, rising and falling in rhythm...
With her heart guiding her movements, Danxin completely lacked the faint murderous aura usually present when sparring against opponents; it seemed instead to transform into a silk ribbon in her hand, swirling and flying gracefully.
Carried away by the joy of dancing, Weining kept shifting her steps. It had been so long since she had felt this carefree, and she could not help laughing out loud, her laughter echoing far across the secluded Peach Grove...
After dancing for who knows how long, she finally stopped, a dense layer of perspiration beading on her forehead. She swept her sleeve across her brow to wipe away the sweat, feeling thoroughly invigorated and immensely pleased.
The Mortal Realm was truly free; in the Heavenly Court, she would never dare to abandon herself to such unbridled, exhilarating joy.
Ruoshui's dance was extraordinarily beautiful, yet it carried a heavy, lingering sorrow—that was because Ruoshui was bound and shackled, yearning for life, yearning for freedom.
Thinking of this, Weining shook her head. The Heavenly Court was actually so oppressive that even a free dance had become an extravagant dream! She truly could not understand why things had to be this way.
Still, she could occasionally slip back to the Heavenly Court in secret; she could avoid the trouble of visiting Yaochi Pool to pay her respects, and she could also check in on Aning and the others.
Putting Danxin away, Weining secretly praised herself for such a well-thought-out plan, striking the ideal balance.
Thinking of the Great Golden Crow, she naturally remembered the gift he had sent yesterday.
She went inside, retrieved the jade bell, and gave it a gentle shake. Its crisp chime echoed pleasantly by her ear, exceedingly charming.
Looking around the cottage, she finally decided to hang it above the window so that whenever the wind blew, it would ring out clearly.
"That will do," Weining said with a smile and a nod, walking over to the window and carefully hanging it over the frame. Once hung, the jade bell swayed with the gentle breeze, chiming softly from time to time with a clear, delightful sound.
She happily tapped the bell with her finger, listening to its crisp chime. "It's decided, your name will be 'Listening to the Wind'!"
Folding up the jade box and putting it back in the wooden chest, she noticed the purple-gold gourd she had used yesterday to hold wine sitting on the table. She picked it up, tapped it playfully, and said, "Now that the other one has a name, I can't leave you out. Let's call you 'Little Purple-Gold'." Then she tucked it into the Qiankun Pouch at her waist for easy access.
Straightening her dress, her gaze brushed over the flower nectar in the chest, and Weining's eyes lit up. It would be just the thing to moisten her throat.
She casually took out a jar of flower nectar, removed the stopper, and tasted it carefully, drop by drop. Sure enough, it was sweet and delicious, a cool current flowing from her mouth straight down into her stomach—simply wonderful.
The Mortal Realm also possessed countless flowers and plants; another day, she could try gathering blossoms herself and brewing flower essences or the like. She had heard one could even brew wine from them!
That way, she could pass the time, consume them herself, or even give some to the Great Golden Crow and the others to try something fresh. Though it certainly wouldn't compare to heavenly treasures, it would at least be a token of her sincerity.
With nothing pressing to do today, Weining put away the items she had acquired yesterday one by one and tidied up the cottage as well.
She had never been particularly fussy about her living quarters; previously, this thatched hut had been bare, furnished with only a bed, a wooden table, and two low stools.
Now, with so many items suddenly added, it actually looked a bit more lived-in!
Recalling her casual chat with the Great Golden Crow last night, when he had mentioned having wine but no music, she had been too busy laughing and talking at the time to remember that she, too, knew how to play musical instruments.
When she left Beyond the Heavens, the Empress had also gifted her several volumes of musical scores, instructing her that although "Feiqing" itself was a supreme primordial treasure, she must still diligently study the scores and draw upon the strengths of all schools.
For only by truly understanding the profound meaning within the music and casting spells with instruments in different scenarios could she achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Moreover, music could also cleanse the heart, calm the spirit, and aid in the cultivation and advancement of one's temperament.
Since she had some idle time, Weining took the musical scores out into the Peach Grove to study them.
The scorebook contained five pieces in total. She pored over them within the Peach Grove, completely absorbed, occasionally trying to play a tune on her flute.
Studying music required both a focused mind and innate comprehension, so Weining was not in a rush.
Over the course of ten days or so, apart from one piece titled "Black Silk" whose inner essence she could never quite grasp, she had mastered and become proficient in the remaining four.
Each piece in the score was accompanied by a brief commentary and an explanation of its profound meaning. Those four pieces each possessed their own unique merits, yet their core themes were all detachment, ease, stillness, and non-contention. They could help a practitioner dispel melancholy, stabilize their state of mind, and thereby aid in their cultivation.
Whenever Weining played them, she felt as though she were personally on the scene, wandering freely within the melody—truly extraordinary.
Every time, she gained new insights, and wielding "Feiqing" became even more effortless.
Only with "Black Silk," whose lingering, deeply emotional entanglement Weining simply could not fathom, did her playing always feel awkward and stagnant.
Today, she studied "Black Silk" carefully a few more times, but still made not the slightest bit of progress.
Persistent though she was, Weining had no choice but to put it aside for the moment. She wasn't too bothered; musical scores were meant to be comprehended slowly, and there was truly no need to rush.
She put away Feiqing, stood up, and stretched lazily. Having been obsessed with studying the scores over the past few days, she had practically felt like she was in seclusion. Growing restless from too much stillness, she wondered whether she should go out for a walk.
At that moment, the faint sound of footsteps drifted from afar.
Two people were coming closer and closer, heading straight here—it seemed they were not merely passing by.
Weining paid them no mind; this was her Peach Grove, and ordinary mortals, birds, and beasts could never enter it.
Conversely, whoever could get in was certainly no ordinary being.
"Peach blossoms line the Mount Qingcheng grove, peach fairies dwell in the peach grove—what a true earthly paradise!" a voice laughed.
Hearing the voice, Weining frowned slightly. Why was she here?
Before she could dwell on it, the visitor had already entered the Peach Grove.
Not wanting to appear discourteous, Weining smiled and said, "For this rustic wilderness to be honored by the gracious presence of Fairy Yaoji truly makes it worthy of being called an earthly paradise!"
The newcomer was none other than Yaoji, dressed in a white robe and green skirt, elegant and beautiful, her face wreathed in a radiant smile.
She was holding a little girl by the hand—finely sculpted like jade, smiling cutely, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Weining.
Weining smiled as she glanced at the little girl; she was quite endearing.
Weining gazed at Yaoji. "Your Fairy Majesty graces us with your presence, and I failed to welcome you from afar. Please, take a seat."
Their relationship was rather awkward, and she guessed the other's motive.
Yaoji stood on no ceremony, pulling the little girl down to sit. Seeing them seated, Weining sat down as well.
Seeing her sit down, Yaoji teased playfully, "Is this how an immortal treats her guests?"
Weining could not help shaking her head with a smile. In her heart, the two of them were neither enemies nor friends, so there was truly no need to treat her like a close friend.
Yet today she had come uninvited, and was teasing her so familiarly without a trace of reserve.
"It is my discourtesy. I hope the Fairy will not fault someone from the wilderness." Helpless, Weining apologized while standing up to return to the house, faint peals of laughter trailing behind her.
Weining could not help a silent, wry smile. She really was teasing her.
Entering the house, Weining raised her hand and conjured a tray with a tea set. After a moment's thought, she took out a jar of flower nectar and placed it on the tray before turning back outside.
She served tea to Yaoji and placed the jar of flower nectar before the little girl, smiling and gesturing for her to drink.
The little girl looked at Weining, then at Yaoji, picked up the jade bottle with a giggle, looked at it with curiosity, and even shook it. Hearing the clinking sound inside, she happily removed the stopper, took a sniff, tilted her head back to take a sip, and then, setting the bottle down, licked her lips. "So sweet! Thank you, Sister."
The little girl was adorable, and her voice was soft and sweet. Weining watched her actions with a smile, and upon suddenly hearing those words, simply smiled back at her.
Yaoji, however, let out a soft, amused laugh. "Sister? Then wouldn't that make me your elder?"
Weining truly did not know what to say. How could an immortal who had experienced the vicissitudes of the world, and who was now a wife and mother, be so mischievous?
Truly, one could not judge a book by its cover, and rumors could be fatal; Yaoji's lofty, majestic image in Weining's heart was already teetering on the edge.
Weining tilted her head and smiled at her. "What does it matter? When the Fairy is undergoing trials in the Mortal Realm, how did she become so bound by convention?"
Yaoji shook her head. "Very well, I won't tease you anymore. This is my daughter, Yang Chan, pet name San'er."
Seeing the happy, fulfilled smile on Yaoji's face, Weining spoke the truth: "She's very cute!"
Yaoji arched her slender brows, her eyes flashing with spirit. "Of course."
Her confident and uninhibited manner coaxed a wry smile from Weining, who could not help but chuckle as well.
Little Yang Chan remained silent, hugging the jade bottle, taking small sips from time to time, and watching them talk with a grin.
"Alright, let's dispense with all this 'Fairy this' and 'Fairy that'; let's address each other by name," Yaoji said, her smile undiminished.
A mischievous streak rising within her, Weining teased, "Aren't you my elder?"
Yaoji chuckled in amusement, shot her a sidelong glance, and stroked her daughter's dark hair. "What does it matter? When did the Fairy become so bound by convention?"
She had thrown Weining's exact words right back at her, refusing to lose even a fraction of an inch.
She truly was a beauty; her mock anger only added to her grace.
Weining smiled and conceded, "Very well, Yaoji, what brings you here today?"
Hearing her get straight to the point, Yaoji tilted her head and said to her daughter, "San'er, be a good girl. The peach grove is so pretty; go play in the trees, but be careful."
Yang Chan nodded obediently, set down the jade bottle, and said to Weining, "Sister, I'm going to play."
Weining smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, just don't go out of the Peach Grove."
She nodded obediently. "Mm, I know."
Climbing down from the stone stool, she looked at Weining and then at Yaoji. "Then I'm going!" With a laugh, she scampered off into the grove behind the house, her crisp childish voice echoing all around, adding a touch of vitality to the surroundings.
Only after little Yang Chan had run far away did Yaoji withdraw her gaze, turning back to meet Weining's eyes.
Without beating around the bush, she said with a serious expression, "Our entire family has received a great kindness from Aning, and we have come specifically to express our gratitude."
With that, she flicked her slender hand, a white flash crossed the air, and a small cyan jar appeared in her palm.
She placed the jar on the stone table and pushed it toward Weining.
Weining raised an eyebrow. "What is the meaning of this? I haven't earned any rewards, so how can I accept gifts?"
She could only consider herself to have merely witnessed Yaoji's affairs—how could she dare claim any merit?
Yaoji smiled and shook her head. "Very well, you have earned no merit. But neither is this a 'reward'—it is merely a token of appreciation."
She emphasized the word "appreciation," and Weining smiled. She was playing with words!
Seeing her smile in silence, Yaoji added with a grin, "You must accept it!" Her tone was firm.
Weining lowered her gaze to sip her tea, not taking up the thread.
"It's nothing precious; it's a Hundred Flower Brew that I brewed myself," Yaoji said helplessly. "Consider it a small welcoming gift from the two of us upon our first visit."
Seeing that she still said nothing, Yaoji chided with a mock glare, "When I was brewing this Hundred Flower Brew, San'er was busy helping out back and forth, completely fascinated by it. It was she who wanted to bring this to you."
Since it had come to this, it seemed acceptance was mandatory. Weining sighed inwardly. "Very well, then I will accept San'er's kind gesture."
Yaoji placed the jar firmly on the table. "Don't be so polite. This Hundred Flower Brew takes a lot of effort to make, but it is also exceptionally delicious. Just be careful not to drink too much—the after-effects are quite strong."
Weining's brow twitched. "Wine?"
Seeing Yaoji nod, Weining could not help a bitter smile.
Seeing her expression, Yaoji held back her laughter and said, "Don't worry. This Hundred Flower Brew is made by collecting various fresh blossoms and dew from the flower hearts; it is mellow, sweet, and fragrant. It is completely different from the heavenly court's most famous Jade Nectar and has almost no taste of alcohol."
Hearing this, the bitter look on Weining's face eased slightly, though she remained half-sceptical.
Yaoji, watching her closely, caught her expression and burst into amused laughter, covering her mouth as she smiled. "What, have you tasted Jade Nectar before?"
Recalling past events, Weining smiled bitterly and nodded. "I had the fortune to taste it once, and the impression was profound. Ever since, I've sworn off alcohol!" She truly declined to be polite and wished she could stay away by a wide margin.
Hearing this, Yaoji burst into a string of bright laughs.
Only when Weining stared at her resentfully did she gradually stop. "Ahem, that Jade Nectar is far too potent; it's only natural that you couldn't take it, no worries. The Hundred Flower Brew is completely different from that, so you can rest assured and enjoy it. I guarantee it will completely change your impression of wine."
Weining stroked the wine jar, hoping so.
Then she asked curiously, "Yaoji, why gift wine of all things?"
Yaoji paused for a moment, then said solemnly, "Wine has an extraordinary significance; it is the finest of gifts."
Weining did not understand her meaning. "Oh? Pray tell."
Yaoji smiled. "Wine—when you are joyful, you can drink deeply to celebrate; when you are troubled, you can use it to dispel worries and ease sorrow; when you are fearful, it can bolster your courage and lend you strength; when you are heartbroken, it can help you forget your grief. Sharing cups and rejoicing with two or three close friends is one of life's greatest pleasures! In the mortal world, all of life's major events are inseparable from wine. When marrying, a couple must drink wine to seal their vows; when blessed with a child, parents must drink wine to celebrate the continuation of their bloodline; when an elder passes away, children and family must drink wine to pray for the deceased's journey to the afterlife. Wine is the finest gift; it is the most indispensable thing in the human world!"
Weining listened with a great sense of enlightenment. She had never imagined that wine possessed so many wonderful uses and was of such importance.
In that case, she really ought to try other wines. If she found one that was delicious and didn't cause drunkenness, she could drink and make merry in a small pavilion with Aning.
Looking at Yaoji, seeing her expression so solemn, Weining could not help smiling. "Judging by this, Yaoji must be a lover of wine?"
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Indeed. My favorite is Jade Nectar. Come to think of it, I haven't tasted it in a decade or so!" Her words carried a trace of melancholy.
Detecting her nostalgia, Weining asked curiously, "Since you like potent liquors like Jade Nectar, why did you brew this Hundred Flower Brew instead?"
Her smile deepened, her eyes and brow seeming to bloom with nectar. "He doesn't like strong liquor. Besides, I am already a wife and a mother; it isn't suitable for me to drink heavily."
She smiled happily, without a shred of reluctance in her words. Weining smiled without a word, her curiosity growing even stronger: Could so-called romantic love possess such magic?
Seeing her smile silently, Yaoji's pretty face flushed slightly as she added, "Besides, how could I possibly brew immortal imperial wine down in the mortal realm?"
That explanation was clearly far-fetched; if she had truly wanted to drink, she would have found a way.
To give up even her favorite wine for the sake of her husband and children—that was truly no small sacrifice!