Jia Tengying stared down blankly, glancing at the half-empty bamboo basket, then raised his head to look at Zhao Rong, who was eating with relish.
He was stunned for three breaths, lips tightly pursed, eyes fixated on this new roommate who had intercepted his food.
Zhao Rong, who had been acting as if nothing was wrong, paused his chewing slightly, and glanced sideways at Jia Tengying.
In his eyes as big as copper bells, a bit of clear brilliance sparkled, and his face gradually turned a bit red, though it was hidden under his dark skin, making it hard to notice.
The whole person had the appearance of a wronged little wife unable to voice her hardships.
Zhao Rong slightly curled his lips, barely perceptibly. What was Jia Tengying thinking—how could Zhao Rong not see it? He had seen him lingering nearby just earlier.
Nonetheless, this fellow let his senior Yu into East Fence Small House without giving any prior notice.
Zhao Rong felt somewhat displeased.
He bit off another piece with relish, then feigned realization of Jia Tengying’s dazed gaze.
Zhao Rong turned his head, smiling broadly at Jia Tengying, and repeated, "Thanks, Brother Teng Ying."
At the stone table, Fan Yushu, who was engrossed in writing furiously, and Yu Huaijin, who was tuning her instrument, were drawn by this second round of thanks and looked up.
Seeing this, Jia Tengying quickly lowered his head, responding in a muffled voice, "No, no need for thanks."
Zhao Rong blinked. "Brother Teng Ying’s cucumbers, cool and crispy, are quite delicious. It’s a real treat to live in East Fence Small House."
"East Fence Small House?" Yu Huaijin asked, slightly curious.
Zhao Rong gestured towards a corner of the courtyard and said nonchalantly, "Bamboo serves as the fence, leaving a cluster of autumn chrysanthemums, hence the name East Fence Small House."
Yu Huaijin followed his pointing direction, nodded slightly, and said, "Good."
Hearing Zhao Rong’s teasing, Jia Tengying lowered his head even more. Seeing that Zhao Rong was talking with Yu Huaijin and no one was paying him any heed, Jia Tengying instead grabbed the bamboo basket with both hands, looking somewhat at a loss.
"Zhao, Brother Zhao, if you like it, that’s good. Brother Fan, senior... continue. I’ll be leaving first."
After saying this somewhat hastily, Jia Tengying looked like he couldn’t sit still any longer, as if his bottom was on fire, and made to run away.
Zhao Rong couldn’t help but laugh. Why did he act like a wronged little girl?
"Wait." He rose slightly and immediately grabbed Jia Tengying, who was trying to escape.
Zhao Rong pulled him back by the arm and rebuked with a laugh, "What’s the hurry, kiddo? I’ve eaten, but the guests haven’t yet. Surely you’re not unwelcoming towards Brother Yushu and Senior Yu, are you?"
At these words, Jia Tengying looked up in surprise and quickly shook his head.
Zhao Rong reached out, grabbing the other two cucumbers from the basket.
He tossed one to Fan Yushu and handed the other to Yu Huaijin.
"Try them, they’re grown in our East Fence Small House, unique to the entire Academy. This kind of delicacy from the lower mountains is something you Mountain Immortals probably haven’t tasted before. Ah, it’s really your lucky day today."
Fan Yushu, nibbling on his pen, freed one hand to catch it, and managed to mutter a thank you, though his words were unclear.
At that moment, hearing Zhao Rong’s teasing words, Fan took the brush from his mouth and scoffed, "Cucumbers, huh? Ziyu talks as if we’ve never eaten them before. We Mountain Immortals still rely on supplies from below. Moreover, except for some cultivators in East City, Du You City’s populace mainly consists of ordinary people. These fruits and veggies are common this season. Ah, aside from those who are essentially on cloud nine from birth, who hasn’t seen these?"
Fan Yushu shook his head.
Yu Huaijin, holding her instrument by the stone table, didn’t immediately accept the strange object that Zhao Rong handed her, instead turning slightly to look at Fan Yushu.
Zhao Rong, still holding out his hand, raised it slightly, "Give it a try, Senior Yu. It’s not poisoned and it beautifies too. Besides, this is grown by Brother Teng Ying, you might not trust me, but don’t you trust Brother Teng Ying who greatly admires you?"
The word "admires" in the last sentence was heavily emphasized by Zhao Rong.
After speaking, he smirked and glanced sideways at Jia Tengying.
When Jia Tengying realized that Zhao Rong was actually trying to pass something to Yu Huaijin, his head instantly lifted, all the resentments and frustrations of the previous moment vanished, and his gaze became filled with gratitude towards Zhao Rong. However, hearing Zhao Rong’s somewhat profound tone, Jia Tengying’s face turned a bit red again, hesitating as if he wanted to explain.
Yu Huaijin still had a stern face, seemingly oblivious to the emphasis in Zhao Rong’s words. She glanced down at the cucumber in front of her, then immediately turned around and bowed to Jia Tengying.
"Thank you, Brother Teng Ying."
Yu Huaijin’s actions were perfectly proper.
Jia Tengying quickly returned the bow, adhering to the rule of etiquette that one must always respond to civility.
Zhao Rong watched Yu Huaijin speechlessly. "Yu Huaijin, must even accepting something be so troublesome? As fellow students of Shuaixing Hall, is such pomp and ceremony necessary?"
Yu Huaijin stood up, after a moment of silence, she nodded seriously.
Zhao Rong was left speechless, watching her and thought to himself, "Boring."
If she were to marry, would even holding hands require mutual bows? Then, to progress to more intimate matters wouldn’t it be even more cumbersome—would they need to kneel too?
Such heavy adherence to formality is just like the emperors and empresses of the dynasties below, who must be exemplars of the nation, adhering strictly to ritual in every move, not exceeding the slightest.
Are you planning to live as an empress constantly under the public eye?