Chapter Four: I'm the Most Handsome in Our Village.

The so-called Imperial Manor was, in fact, merely a sizable village, enfolded cosily between two rather unremarkable hills. These hills, far from being imposing or ethereal, lacked any semblance of an otherworldly charm. They were, to put it bluntly, rather plain and uninviting. However, the slopes were dotted with a fair number of fruit trees, and spring-fed rivulets and watercourses meandered through. At the foot of the hills, extensive tracts of farmland sprawled. But with winter's snow blanketing the scene, it was all transformed into a crystalline wonderland of ice and snow, details obscured. The village was expansive, yet its population was sparse. The dwellings were scattered hither and thither, with neighbours residing at a considerable distance from one another. Le Piaopiao's new abode was situated at the very extremity of the village, just around a diminutive mountain hollow. As she made her way through the village, scarcely a soul was to be seen. It was a desolate place, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was always this sparsely populated or if the snow was to blame. Her home was a courtyard encircled by a bamboo fence. It was roomy and boasted a small well. The house itself was constructed of adobe and stones. There were three main chambers facing the courtyard in a row, with a small wing room on either side for stowing odds and ends. The outhouse was tucked away behind the main building. The house was of a generous size. Although its appearance was rather homely, it was sturdily built and retained heat well. Considering the thatched hovels of the other villagers she had glimpsed along the way, her dwelling was veritably a mansion. Evidently, her three masters held a certain standing within the village. Yet, was this truly the Imperial Manor? There were no grand blue-brick edifices with elaborate tiled roofs. Not a single figure of authority was in sight. It bore little resemblance to a manor at all. It was more akin to a place where things were left to their own devices, like a flock of sheep left to graze without much supervision. The central chamber among the three main rooms served as a multi-purpose space, doubling as a living room, kitchen, dining area, and study. Upon entering, one was greeted by a cooking stove and a water tank. Inside, a large, dark table dominated the space. Presumably, it was here that meals were taken, studies pursued, and conversations held. After stepping into the house, the third master carried Le Piaopiao straight to the chamber on the right. Through some discreet inquiries, she learned that the room on the left was where the three masters resided. Similar to her room, half of it was occupied by a capacious earthen kang, much like those found in the rural northern regions of China. There were kang cabinets and tables atop the kang, and aside from toiletries and a few simple pieces of furniture on the floor, the room was sparsely furnished. The cooking stove was ingeniously built on one side of the right room. When a fire was lit for cooking, the heat would also warm the kang. Before long, the room shed its icy chill and became pleasantly warm. "You, with your Wood Element spell, should be the one to kindle the fire," said the first master, who was seated at the head of the kang and whose laboured breathing from fanning the fire was audible. "Cease your tiresome prattling. Were it not for me, would there be such an abundance of firewood, and would it burn so merrily?" retorted the second master in a coquettish tone. "Or are you a master of the culinary arts, capable of concocting a palatable porridge? The slop you produce is scarcely fit for swine. How could we possibly feed Piaopiao with such fare?" "We don't even have a pig in our household. There isn't a single one to be found in the entire manor," countered the first master, a touch of exasperation in his voice. "Besides, were it not for me, a cultivator of the Water Element, you'd be trudging off to fetch water. Thanks to my Water Conjuring Technique, the water tank is perpetually full." Good heavens! Was this truly the Imperial Manor? Le Piaopiao mused once more. It scarcely qualified as a proper village, did it? Which self-respecting village didn't raise a few livestock or poultry? "Enough of your self-aggrandisement!" bellowed the third master from an adjacent room. "Were it not for me, a preeminent master of the Earth Element, you wouldn't have a roof over your heads. Hurry up and prepare a meal and heat the kang. Piaopiao is famished and chilled to the bone. What if she were to take ill?" Immediately, silence reigned outside, a clear indication of the trio's deep affection for their shared female apprentice, especially considering her former state as an imbecile. Owing to the heavy snowfall, dusk had already begun to descend. It had been midday when they were at the execution ground, and now, as the day waned, it was nearly twilight. Yet, the snow's reflection lent a certain luminosity to the scene, preventing it from descending into complete darkness. In short order, the first master and the second master deftly heated the kang and prepared a large earthenware basin of cornmeal porridge, which they then carried in. The first master also held a small, chipped wooden plate, upon which two slices of pickled ginger rested, serving as a meagre accompaniment to the porridge. Le Piaopiao was ravenous, her stomach growling audibly. Casting aside the refined table manners she had cultivated in modern times, she eagerly stretched out her grubby hands, seized the porridge basin, snatched the pickled vegetables, and devoured the food with gusto, even going so far as to lick the basin twice, until it was as clean as if it had been scoured. With her body warmed and her stomach filled, she was instantly revitalised. "Why don't the masters partake?" she inquired "kindly". "What you consumed is our ration for three days," replied the first master, swallowing hard, his voice tinged with resignation. Le Piaopiao was immediately wracked with guilt. Simultaneously, her concerns about the family's circumstances deepened. How could they be so destitute! With such a meagre diet, how had the third master managed to attain such a hulking stature? He stood nearly six feet three inches tall, his shoulders as broad as a barn door. "Then... might we trouble the second master to prepare a bit more?" she ventured cautiously. "Out of the question," the second master shook his head resolutely. "We are all cultivators at the Great Perfection stage of the Qi Refining Realm and have yet to reach the state of fasting. Thus, our food supply is strictly rationed. If we overindulge today, our New Year celebrations will be in jeopardy." "Second master, you are truly... a paragon of virtue and domestic acumen..." Le Piaopiao stammered, at a loss for words. "This girl has developed a discerning eye now that her intellect has awakened," beamed the second master with satisfaction. "But remember to address me as mistress." "Very well, mistress." Gurgle... Just as the four of them were engaged in an awkward standoff, the third master's stomach rumbled ominously, the sound of his stomach walls grinding together. "Forget it. Let's go and slake our thirst," he gestured grandly with his left hand. "I can handle this. There's an ample supply of water," said the first master, strutting out triumphantly. "Let's boil some hot water to drink and to wash away the grime of our travels," called out Le Piaopiao, sitting up. The masters had risked life and limb to rescue her, and she had even commandeered their rations. She felt a genuine pang of remorse and could only offer this token of concern. Unexpectedly, this simple yet sincere utterance brought great delight to the three masters. "Piaopiao is so filial," declared the third master. "There's no harm in boiling more hot water. Firewood is plentiful, and water is readily available," chimed in the second master. "Shall I assist you in scrubbing your back?" leered the first master, a lascivious smile playing on his lips. He was promptly hauled away by the second master and the third master in tandem. After a brief interval, the third master returned bearing a large basin of steaming hot water for Le Piaopiao and then, with a deft application of an Earth Element spell, sealed the door before retreating to his own quarters. It was evident from this that the first master had a rather roguish streak when it came to his apprentice, and the third master had long been vigilant. Le Piaopiao gritted her teeth and reluctantly vacated the warm kang. First, she rummaged through the kang cabinet and retrieved a set of drab gray coarse cotton-padded clothes and trousers, placing them on the kang to warm. Then, she utilised the hot water to cleanse her face, wash her hair, wipe her body, and soak her feet. After changing into fresh attire, she unearthed a bronze mirror and examined her new form, albeit through a somewhat hazy reflection... She was of a respectable height. By visual estimation, she stood around five feet five inches. She was exceedingly slender, yet the curves that ought to be present were still faintly discernible. Her facial features were passable, possessing a certain prettiness, though she would scarcely stand out in a crowd. Likely due to years of malnutrition, her hair was dry and straw-like, her skin pallid and lacking in elasticity, with a dull, lacklustre sheen. All in all, she was in desperate need of some tender loving care. Fortunately, at just sixteen years of age, she still had youth on her side and should be able to enhance her appearance with time. But given these living conditions... It was a cause for genuine concern. It seemed that if she aspired to a better life, she would have to roll up her sleeves and actively seek solutions. And before that, she must first fathom the nature of this world, the identities of her masters, and the true essence of this so-called Imperial Manor. With these thoughts in mind, she clambered back onto the kang and cocooned herself in the quilt. No sooner had she settled comfortably than the earthen wall seemed to dissolve, and the three masters, freshly scrubbed and attired, made a startling appearance. In an instant, Le Piaopiao was rendered speechless, her breath catching in her throat. She felt as though she had been transported to a veritable paradise of handsome men, surrounded by such male pulchritude that she could expire contentedly. The first master was attired in a flowing white robe, his figure as graceful as a willow in the breeze, exuding the air of a learned and refined scholar. Between his finely chiselled brows and limpid eyes, there was an unmistakable aura of an otherworldly being, a certain bearing of one accustomed to a position of authority, a presence that could effortlessly inspire admiration and adoration in the female heart. The second master was a vision of breathtaking beauty, his androgyny lending him an otherworldly allure. His long hair cascaded past his waist, with a faint hint of a dark red hue. His eyes, of a unique and captivating colour, were framed by long, luxuriant eyelashes that accentuated their alluring depths, a gaze that could bewitch both men and women alike, a charm that knew no bounds. The third master was a towering figure of strength and virility, his muscular frame a testament to his power. He sported a light stubble on his chin, and his eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, like a smouldering fire. At this moment, his torso was bare, revealing a chiselled eight-pack abdomen, perfectly sculpted chest muscles, and powerful arms that seemed to beckon with a raw, masculine appeal. A lecher, a lunatic, and a brute, and yet they were naught but three endearing fools, blessed with such extraordinary good looks! It was a marvel that defied belief! "You..." she was uncertain if these were indeed the same three individuals. "This girl, why did you wash your hair at such an inopportune time?" asked the slender and beautiful man, vaulting onto the kang with a single bound and producing a comb. "The night is drawing near, and the cold is intensifying. Could you not have waited until the morrow? Come, mistress will tend to your tresses and fashion a suitable coiffure." Yes, it was the second master. "Did you ensure you were thoroughly dried? Lest you catch a chill. Shall I offer my assistance?" grinned the man in the white robe lasciviously. Yes, it was the first master. The burly man seized the collar of the man in the white robe. "Do you wish to be pummelled into a pulp? Dare to flirt again, and you'll rue the day!" Yes, it was the third master. With a few simple exchanges, Le Piaopiao was jolted back to reality. Appearances could be deceiving. These three outrageously handsome men were, without a doubt, her three bumbling masters. She hung her head, the contrast between their initial appearance and now was staggering. With such looks, at the execution ground, it was a stroke of luck that they were caked in mud and water, concealing their true visages. Otherwise, they would surely have drawn a rapturous crowd. "Piaopiao, why have you fallen silent?" inquired the second master softly. "Needless to say, she must be utterly smitten by my irresistible charm," said the first master, snapping open his folding fan with a flourish and beginning to fan himself languidly, despite the wintry chill. Sure enough, he was a character. It was the dead of winter, with snow falling thick and fast, yet he persisted in his affectation. Le Piaopiao was on the verge of a breakdown. By now, the third master had already hoisted the first master aloft, as if preparing to administer a sound thrashing, and the second master had flung himself between them, willing to bear the brunt for his "beloved". "What on earth is going on? You uncouth brute, you'll never comprehend that I am the epitome of male allure in our village!" shouted the first master defiantly. For a time, the three masters were in a chaotic melee, a scene of pandemonium that defied description. "I have a splitting headache. May I retire for the night?" cried out Le Piaopiao. She was compelled to raise her voice, for the din of the three brawling men threatened to drown her out. Besides, her head was truly throbbing. Perhaps her soul had traversed through eons and then slumbered in the body of a frozen infant for sixteen years, but to her, it seemed like a mere instant. In this single, eventful day, she had been inundated with a torrent of information that required time to digest. Strangely enough, although the three masters had been engaged in a furious altercation moments before, at Le Piaopiao's simple request, they immediately ceased their senseless squabbling, took turns bidding her a restful sleep, and then quietly withdrew. They resided across from her. Presumably, they were loath to disturb her and refrained from further argument. So one thing Le Piaopiao was certain of was that all three masters held her dear. This was her first stroke of good fortune since her reincarnation. Outside, the wind howled mournfully. Inside, on the heated kang, it was warm and snug. Although her stomach was filled with nothing more than a simple liquid repast, it still imparted a sense of satiety. Le Piaopiao was both weary and ill at ease, and soon drifted into a fitful slumber. However, her sleep was far from peaceful. In her dreams, her three handsome masters made repeated appearances, engaged in a variety of strange and outlandish antics. But it was the man with the purple hair, golden pupils, and a single eye who made the final appearance. Half of his face appeared to have been marred by some unknown calamity, yet the other half was a paragon of masculine perfection, a visage that even her three masters seemed to pale in comparison to. He was seated in a wheelchair, his gaze fixed upon her, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He extended his hand and uttered two words. Alas, the vision was too hazy, and the words were lost to her. Yet, she was suddenly struck by a profound realisation: The tenderest form of tenderness was a force so powerful that it could bring tears to one's eyes.