How to please others (Part 2)
Yan Dan had experienced a period of hardship and wandering in the mortal world, but she had never learned how to cook or make soup. Perhaps it was because the people in the opera troupe had a preconceived notion that she came from a wealthy family, so they never let her do things like tending the fire or cooking, for fear that she might accidentally burn down the kitchen.
So, Yan Dan could only listlessly start a fire and simmer the soup. She had specifically consulted Bai Ling, asking her in detail how to make the pheasant and ginseng soup. Yesterday, she noticed that the mountain lord was eating very blandly, looking like he had no appetite, and thought that some meat should be added.
Yan Dan washed the ginseng, pheasant, and wood ear mushrooms together and waited by the stove. It was her first time cooking, and she was very careful, afraid that the heat would be too high and the soup would fall apart, or that it wouldn't be flavorful enough if it wasn't cooked long enough. When it was almost done, she added salt little by little, without any idea of how much salt to add. If she added too much salt, all her previous efforts would be ruined.
Yan Dan took a sip of soup and suddenly realized something: God must be fair. She knew nothing about music, but she was quick at cooking, so the difference was negligible. In fact, she felt she had gained something, because playing the piano was fine in peaceful times, but in terms of practicality, it was far inferior to being able to cook.
She considered herself a very genuine demon.
Yan Dan cheerfully carried the soup to find Yu Mo. He happened to be sitting on a bench outside the study, taking a nap with his eyes slightly closed. When he saw Yan Dan coming over, his expression became somewhat complicated.
Yan Dan immediately remembered the foolish things she had done before, hesitated for a moment, but when she saw the earthenware pot of soup in her hand, she immediately became determined: "Mountain Lord..."
Yu Mo sat up and casually straightened his outer robe: "What's wrong?"
"Mountain Lord, I've made you some soup. Would you like a sip?"
Yu Mo looked at her, then at the earthenware pot in her hand: "Is this your first time cooking?"
Yan Dan revealed a clear smile: "That's right, this is the first time I've ever made soup, just so that the Mountain Lord can try it."
Yu Mo coughed lightly: "Is that so..." After a moment, he sat up and said softly: "Then I'll try it."
Yan Dan immediately poured a bowl of soup and handed it to him. He took a spoonful, hesitated for a long time before bringing it to his lips, and after a while, nodded slightly and said, "It's alright."
Yan Dan couldn't help but think to herself, judging from his expression, did he think that her first time cooking would definitely result in a terrible soup, hence the dramatic scene? She pouted unhappily and muttered, "Even if it's my first time, I can still cook a delicious dish. Who says it has to be bad?"
Yu Mo reached out and pinched the tip of her nose: "What are you muttering about?"
His gesture was casual, yet it conveyed a sense of warmth. Yan Dan, the kind of person who would take advantage of a little kindness, smiled and said, "No, no, I didn't say anything. Mountain Master, is this soup really only 'okay' and not 'very good'?"
Yu Mo put down the nearly empty soup bowl and tapped the rim of the bowl with a spoon: "Come and see for yourself."
Yan Dan leaned closer and was tapped on the forehead by Yu Mo: "There's still sand inside. Wash the wood ear mushrooms more thoroughly next time."
Yan Dan was dumbfounded. She was doing stupid things almost non-stop in front of Yu Mo, which was completely out of character for her.
The next day, before dawn, Bailing barged into the door without even knocking. Yan Dan was still groggy. She rubbed her eyes and saw Bailing sitting down at the table with a fierce look on her face. She couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
Bailing slammed the pile of things in her hands onto the table, sulked for a while, and then said in a low voice, "Well, the mountain lord said that he has already built a courtyard for you not far from the lake on the south side. You can pack up and move there later."
This news struck Yan Dan like a bolt from the blue, instantly banishing her sleepiness: "Why?"
Although she knew it was only a matter of time—Yu Mo hadn't even touched her, so naturally he wouldn't keep her around—she was still, after all, the mountain lord's concubine. She hadn't even gained favor yet, and to lose it so quickly was a huge blow to her pride.
Bai Ling said irritably, "How would I know the reason? Here, this is from the mountain lord."
Yan Dan climbed out of bed and saw that the brocade box Bai Ling handed her looked very familiar. She opened the box and saw that the room was filled with a faint fragrance, which was indeed the Yanbi Pill. Yan Dan was stunned for a moment, and then saw Bai Ling fiercely grab the wooden tray containing several pieces of clothing. With a crisp crack, she tore the wooden tray into two pieces of scrap wood with her bare hands.
Yan Dan was startled and asked, "Bailing, did the Mountain Lord scold you? You look terrible..."
She should have kept quiet until she asked. The moment she did, Bailing grabbed a robe from the broken tray and launched into a tirade: "Look at this robe! It's covered in blood! The Mountain Lord vomited so much blood last night! That little snake who loves to fawn over you must have made soup for him. Does she even know what it means to be too weak to handle tonics? I've never dared to pick any of the more potent, warming herbs I've chosen, and she still dared to make ginseng and chicken soup!"
Yan Dan immediately felt guilty. Although she didn't know which snake demon was so unlucky as to be hated by Bai Ling, she was the one who cooked the chicken soup yesterday...
"They just love to fawn over others, without even knowing when to stop! Now look what's happened, the mountain lord's injuries are even worse, I'm going to tear that little snake to pieces this time! This is outrageous!" Bai Ling roared in anger, "The mountain lord still says he's fine, doesn't he even consider why I've worked so hard to brew this medicine?! Everyone's so difficult to please, I'm going to die of anger sooner or later!"
Yan Dan seized the opportunity, pressed Bai Ling down on the stool, and gently patted her back: "Don't be angry, really don't be angry. Come on, close your eyes and take a couple of breaths..."
Bai Ling, who was being held down, calmed down a little: "I'm not angry at you, I know it has nothing to do with you."
Yan Dan was very embarrassed. She also wanted to know that this matter had nothing to do with her, but unfortunately, she was the culprit. However, in front of the furious Bai Ling, she couldn't bring herself to say it. Although her cultivation was higher than Bai Ling's, she was a half-baked demon and was far from being able to protect herself, so she could only keep her guilt to herself.
"Um... how is Lord Yu Mo doing now?"
Bai Ling huffed and puffed, "He's not dead yet."
Yan Dan finally understood just how angry she was. Normally, she would never have said such a thing, even if she were beaten to death.
Suddenly, Bai Ling grabbed Yan Dan's sleeve and asked very seriously, "Yan Dan, do you think I'm better, or that little snake? Why is the mountain lord protecting her so much?"
“This shouldn’t really be considered protection. Perhaps the mountain lord just thinks the other party was unintentional, so he doesn’t want to pursue it. Actually, I think,” Yan Dan thought for a moment and said very sincerely, “Mountain Lord Yu Mo is a really good person. He has a very calm personality and doesn’t hold grudges against others.”
She did a whole bunch of stupid things, but Yu Mo never said anything in the end; he really has a good temper.
Bai Ling breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and said, "I understand." She picked up a pile of clothes and walked to the door, then suddenly said, "I didn't realize you knew the Mountain Lord so well. Many people think that Mountain Lord Yu Mo is very cold to people."
Yan Dan subconsciously protested, "I didn't—" but in the end she didn't finish her sentence. She probably knew a little about him. Recently, she had been thinking about how to please him, and she even remembered trivial things like what kind of tea he liked to drink and how hot the tea should be.
She looked at the Yanbi Pill in her hand, feeling a mix of emotions.
Yan Dan walked straight through the corridor and when she reached Yu Mo's room, the door was open, so she didn't remember to knock and just rushed in.
Yu Mo was leaning against the bedside, his expression normal, but when he saw her, a hint of surprise flashed in his deep, dark eyes.
Yan Dan's mind was in turmoil. Seeing him lean over the edge of the bed without thinking, she grabbed his hand and said urgently, "I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn't have let you drink that soup. I didn't know you would vomit blood... No, no, I'm not making excuses... I really know I was wrong."
Yu Mo propped himself up and said in a low voice, "You heard it from Bai Ling, right? She was just anxious and confused. I'm fine."
In a moment of impulse, Yan Dan went over and hugged him without hesitation: "I'm sorry..." She didn't know why, but she felt a sense of familiarity with him that made her want to get close to him. Maybe it was because she had been lonely for too long.
She heard Yu Mo sigh softly, raise his hand to pat her back, and say with a hint of helplessness, "It's really nothing."
"But Bailing showed me your outer robe, and it was covered in blood..."
Yu Mo coughed lightly twice, his voice low and gentle: "You'll be fine once the blood clots are coughed up. By the way, have you checked out your new place? Is anything missing?"
Yan Dan was stunned for a moment before remembering that this was something. She tried to hold back but couldn't help but say, "Uh, you don't want me anymore? But you've never even touched me. Is this all... over?" She couldn't believe such a thing could happen. She got what she wanted, but the other person got nothing.
Yu Mo chuckled, slowly sat up, and said in a low voice, "Since you say so, then come to the bed."
Yan Dan opened her mouth, speechless, but couldn't utter a single word.
Yu Mo chuckled, "You're all talk and no action." He paused, then added, "Neither Zi Lin nor I like to force people to do things. If you don't want to stay here, you can leave anytime."
Yan Dan thought for a moment, then asked, "What if I want to stay here?"
“If you want to stay here,” Yu Mo looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, “then make Yelan Mountain your home.”
The new place is not far from the lake, facing south. It's not a large house, but it has its own entrance and courtyard. However, should I consider this place my home?
Yan Dan pondered deeply, what exactly is a home? In the Nine Heavens, she relied on her master; for a thousand years in the River of Oblivion, she was utterly alone, drifting like a lonely soul. Even in the mortal realm, after meeting so many ordinary people, she still hadn't found that sense of belonging.
Yelan Mountain is not truly spring-like all year round. In the depths of winter, the weather turns cold, the once vibrant flowers wither, and the lush greenery is not as tender as it was in early spring. However, it is still warmer and more beautiful than the Jiangnan region.
Yan Dan lived her life peacefully. The little wolf demon Dan Shu would come to play with her from time to time, and the demons around her were also very friendly. However, once when she and Dan Shu went to the foot of a shady mountain to collect medicinal herbs, they encountered a bat spirit. Yan Dan had a strange feeling. When the bat spirit smiled and revealed its white teeth, it looked like it would eat people. But that was probably just her imagination.
Ever since she felt guilty towards Yu Mo and rushed over to confess, whenever they met, he would at most nod briefly and walk past, his attitude always lukewarm. Yan Dan figured Yu Mo was probably still groggy from just waking up that day, so his attitude towards her could almost be described as gentle. Fortunately, Ying Yuan's experience had taught her a real lesson in self-awareness, otherwise, she might have been deluded again.
During the coldest days of winter, the fox clan elders sent a letter, righteously expressing their clan's noble qualities of unwavering loyalty and resilience in the face of poverty, and also giving a scathing rebuke to the two mountain lords. Enraged, Zi Lin slammed his hand on the low table, causing the blue-and-white porcelain cup on it to leap and crash to the ground with a clatter. Shards of porcelain flew up and grazed Yu Mo's face as he looked down at the letter.
Yu Mo felt a coolness on his cheek, raised his hand to touch it, and saw faint traces of blood on his fingers. He smiled nonchalantly, "Zi Lin, if you're angry about the fox clan's behavior, you don't need to get so worked up." Zi Lin remained silent with a stern face, and after a long while, said, "The fox clan really has a fine character." After saying that, she stood up, flicked her sleeves, and left.
Yan Dan couldn't help but lean over to take a look. Tsk tsk, it would be a real pity if Yu Mo's handsome face were disfigured. Before she could figure out what was wrong, Yu Mo glanced at her and asked, "What are you looking at?" Yan Dan was immediately embarrassed and quickly smiled sweetly at him, taking out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve. "Mountain Lord, your face has been cut open."
Yu Mo looked at her without moving. Yan Dan held a silk handkerchief and gently wiped his cheek: "It's best to clean the wound thoroughly so it will heal faster."
“This can hardly be considered an injury.” Yu Mo’s eyes were dark and deep. He suddenly said, “Tomorrow will be colder than today. You’re dressed too lightly.”
Yan Dan couldn't help but think that he was probably not quite sober right now, otherwise how could he say such things? She had lived in Yelan Mountain for quite some time, but there were still some things she didn't quite understand: "Mountain Lord, actually your cultivation and demonic arts are higher than those of the Purple Lin Mountain Lord, well, they should be much higher, right?"
Yu Mo casually rested his elbow on the table: "So?"
"The Lord of Purple Lin Mountain is so irritable, and his cultivation is not as good as yours. How can the two of you be on equal footing?" Yan Dan remembered a saying in the mortal world: "Two tigers cannot share one mountain," especially since one of the tigers was old, weak, sick, or disabled.
"Hmm, what are you trying to say?"
Yan Danwei shrugged and said nonchalantly, "I'm just wondering, generally speaking, shouldn't there only be one mountain lord in Yelan Mountain Realm? Besides, even I can vaguely see the true form of the Purple Lin Mountain Lord."
Yu Mo turned to look ahead, his expression complex: "Is that so?"
Yan Dan, not understanding, casually replied, "Of course, you don't mean..." Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a cold wind blowing in front of her. Looking up, she saw Zi Lin standing there, his face as black as the bottom of a pot, almost squeezing out the words through clenched teeth: "You lotus spirit, you've got quite the nerve."
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