Breakfast

The young misses lay at Xuan Yi's feet, asleep and unaware of their surroundings. The darkness formed a claw as it slowly gathered the young misses sleeping forms and hovered before Xuan Yi. She then quickly made her way back to their inn with them floating behind her. Humans cannot see the darkness that is enveloping itself around the unconscious young misses so all they would see is three young misses floating behind a lady in white, truly an astonishing sight to behold.

Sliding into the room through the window, Xuan Yi arrived just in time to see Yun He in the midst of undressing his top. Raising an eyebrow at the scene, she did not turn away from it. Rather, she stared and it was Lord Ye who let out a small grunt of disapproval before moving his body to block Xuan Yi's view.

Xuan Yi shrugged. It was not like Yun He and her were strangers. She went on vacation with him along with her master before so seeing him without his top is normal for her. It's not like he was not wearing any pants so Xuan Yi could not understand Lord Ye's actions. She turned towards the three floating ladies and commanded the darkness to let them down onto the floor and return to her heart. The darkness obeyed and slowly slithered like a snake back onto her arm, disappearing under her sleeves.

As they entered her body and worm their way into her heart, Xuan Yi held her breath until she felt that they have settled into her heart before letting air out of her lungs. She could never get used to the sensation of the darkness in her, no matter how much she tried. It's too foreign and heavy that sometimes she would lay in her bed, unconscious because the darkness was rampaging within her and her body, although no longer human, could not take it and refused to function.

Xuan Yi laid the young misses on the bed, side by side so that they will sleep comfortably. The owner had given her a big room with the money she has given him and the bed is big enough to accommodate the three young misses' petite figures. Although the hut was somewhat dirty, the people keeping the young misses managed to keep them clean so Xuan Yi did not have to change their clothes and simply covered them with a blanket before turning over to see Yun He and Lord Ye done with whatever they were doing.

Walking towards them, Xuan Yi caught sight of what Yun He was wearing and smiled in approval. "As expected of Lord Ye, this is perfect." Xuan Yi nodded at Lord Ye before clapping a hand onto Yun He's shoulders. "You know what to do tomorrow don't you, Water God?"

Yun He cast a disdainful eye at the gleeful Xuan Yi and the silent approval leaking from his nephew's emotionless face. He wanted to cry for someone to help him but he knows nobody will. Because this plan that his nephew and Xuan Yi came up with is flawless. As long as he acts his part, they can pack and go home in less than three days which is much lesser than what they initially expected. Yun He slumped onto the floor, leaning against the wall and resigned himself to his humiliating fate.

The trio set out to work the next day. Xuan Yi gave those sleeping young misses to Yun He who hid them inside the water under his protection barrier. They would be able to breathe in that barrier so there would be no problems hiding them underwater for long periods of time. Xuan Yi then made her way back to their rented room to find Lord Ye waiting for her with some dishes on the dining table while reading a thick book in his hands.

Tilting her head to one side, she slowly made her way over to the overflowing table. Fish, vegetables, meat, rice and soup laid on the wooden table, looking extremely delicious. Xuan Yi has always been someone who knows how to enjoy eating good food swallowed subconsciously at the magnificent layout before her.

Lord Ye saw her reaction and cough lightly to get her attention. Xuan Yi snapped her head at the sound and flushed in embarrassment. "Someone came in with these and said it was for breakfast," Lord Ye said.

Xuan Yi broke into a small smile and quickly sat down on the opposite seat. Picking up her chopsticks and took a piece of meat and slowly placed it into her mouth. Her actions were slow and elegant, well-trained by any era's palace education fit for royalty. Lord Ye who was not too sure how he should feel about being rejected was drawn to Xuan Yi's fluid movements. His eyes strayed from his books as he stared at her while she eats.

Xuan Yi noticed his obvious staring and halted her meal. She raised her head just in time to see Lord Ye staring at the piece of fish caught daintily between her chopsticks and realization dawned upon her.

Is he curious? Xuan Yi pursed her lips as she wonders.

Lord Ye is born an immortal which meant that he does not need to eat, drink or sleep to survive. Because those are human needs. Immortals mainly need to cultivate and train their bodies, learn to do their job well and just live their immortal lives out. Xuan Yi finds it to be quite boring to live as an immortal. Every day you do work and there is nothing much to enjoy, how monotone. Xuan Yi bets that the immortal of the night has never eaten anything before or even tasted a drop of alcohol. Such a waste. Seeing that he is such a pure person that wants to take responsibility for such a trivial matter, she shall introduce him to the wonderful world of good food.

"Lord Ye, do you want to try this?" Xuan Yi held up the fish with her chopsticks towards him as she asked with a harmless smile.

Lord Ye raised an eyebrow at her question, wondering why would Xuan Yi initiate a conversation suddenly before he replied with a negative.

"Why? It's delicious." Xuan Yi insisted.

"Not hungry," Xuan Yi rolled her eyes at his short answer. You are an immortal, of course you don't get hungry.

"Try it, you won't regret it." Xuan Yi placed the fish onto his plate and watched him with anticipation.

Jiang Ning, who was hiding in the shadows came out and asked incredulously, "you are asking his Highness to eat human food, my lady?"

"Tsk. Why bother hiding if you are just going to come out anyway?" Xuan Yi rolled her eyes at Jiang Ning's sudden appearance and turned her attention back to the one sitting opposite her.

"This- Lady Xuan Yi, with all due respect-" Jiang Ning gritted his teeth as he strode forward to stand before the Lady. Before he could give her his piece of mind for trying to make his master eat human food, a sudden pressure made his knees give out and he fell onto his knees before Xuan Yi. Jiang Ning could not even start to comprehend what had just happened when Xuan Yi stuffed a piece of marinated meat into his mouth.

Jiang Ning had never in his life, thought that he would eat human food. As immortals, they do not need to eat or drink to survive. This gave the people living in the heavenly realm a conception that eating or drinking is for the weak such as humans who need them to survive. Alcohol is an exception as the Imperial King is known to like his alcohol.

Jiang Ning flushed in anger and tried to spit the meat out but when he was leveled with Lady Xuan Yi's glare, he stilled his movements and obediently chewed and swallowed. Xuan Yi smiled and asked, "how is the taste?"

Jiang Ning averted his eyes as he answered a soft "it's not bad." He had no choice but to taste the meat before he swallowed and it was good. Even for him who does not eat, it still tasted good. He feels that if he admits that human food tasted good, his dignity would be thrown into the drain.

However, when faced with Lady Xuan Yi, Jiang Ning crumpled.

Lord Ye furrowed his brows as he stared at Jiang Ning before he picked up the fish with his chopsticks. Eyeing it a little with wary eyes, he eats it slowly.

The flavor explodes in his mouth. A hint of sweetness from the meat of the fish, the saltiness of the sauce with some spice that makes it a bit hot. Lord Ye widened his eyes and looked at the fish dish placed before him, his chopsticks slowly reaching for another piece. Xuan Yi could not help but laugh at the sight.

"See, I told you both that you won't regret it. Oh- wait, let me pick those portions without bones. What would I do if I get punished for letting the immortal of the night choke on fish bones?" Xuan Yi grinned as she picked up another piece of fish that does not contain bones and placed it on Lord Ye's plate.

Seeing that Lord Ye ate the fish with no hesitation, Xuan Yi asked with a smile. "Is it good?"

Lord Ye nodded and Xuan Yi grinned happily at her newfound comrades. Jiang Ning had come to sit beside her and his master, digging into the dishes silently. Although she did say that she does not want to stay too close with any members of the royal family, she would not mind if Lord Ye and Jiang Ning coming over to enjoy some rare delicacies.

So Lord Ye, Jiang Ning, and Xuan Yi sat as they polished off the entire table. This is a feeling that Lord Ye has never experienced before. Eating human food with a companion, a comfortable presence, a soothing ambiance, and no interruptions, no one to watch his every movement. It was a truly comfortable experience.

Just as they finished their heavy breakfast, Xuan Yi ears perked at the sudden screams coming from near the shore. Lord Ye and Xuan Yi exchanged glances before they exited the inn to the source of the commotion.

Xuan Yi hid a smirk under her veil, let the fun begin.