My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 352 - 260 Ink Heart Vermilion Fruit, Landscape Painting Dreams

Chapter 352: Chapter 260 Ink Heart Vermilion Fruit, Landscape Painting Dreams

Han Wenfu couldn’t take his eyes off the woman who had entered since the moment she arrived.

Now, seeing Yu Huaijin approaching the Guest Pavilion as usual, his smile remained on his face, and he subtly straightened his back a bit more, casting his eyes downward to glance at the attire he had worn for the day.

Han Wenfu rolled up the sleeves at his wrists and straightened his clothes, clad in the usual scholar’s attire of a blue-clothed student. However, he adorned himself with quite a few accessories, including a belt fastened with a hook, which was made of white jade and carved into the openwork shape of a dragon’s head.

Han Wenfu’s gaze returned forward as he turned to look at the other young men in the pavilion, smiling as he said:

"I wonder if any of my brothers are thirsty? It seems we won’t be having tea, but I happen to have brought some fruit to quench everyone’s thirst."

With those words, he lightly tapped the jade dragon’s head hook at his waist with his finger.

The next second, an exquisite box appeared in his hand, uniformly dark red like jujube, with a mountain and crane carving depicting green hills and white cranes on the box’s walls.

With a smile on his lips, Han Wenfu opened the lid of the embroidered box, and instantly, a strange fragrance spread throughout the pavilion, subtly overpowering the surrounding orchid fragrance.

He reached into the box and produced a small tray with six vermilion fruits lying quietly on it; they were round, plump, and lustrous, their bright red bodies resembling smooth plums, evoking a tangy sensation at first sight. Combined with the sweet fragrance, one’s mouth naturally began to water.

The rest of the group in the pavilion watched quietly, momentarily speechless.

Gu Yiwu took a few looks, his eyes brightening, he glanced at the ever-smiling Han Wenfu and then at Yu Huaijin, who was slowly walking their way. He stretched his lips into a silent smile, choosing not to say anything.

Next to him was a man clad in brocade, a senior student from Guangye Hall named Li Wenyuan. He gazed at the vermilion fruits on the tray, which seemed to differ slightly in color, and suddenly exclaimed:

"Ink Heart Red Fruit?"

Han Wenfu packed up the embroidered box and, with his back towards the direction of the pavilion entrance, did not look at Yu Huaijin, who was approaching. He replied with a smile, "Brother Li has keen eyes, some specialty products sent from home. Let’s all have a taste."

As he spoke, Han Wenfu appeared to casually shift two fruits in the tray closer to him, identical in size and color, and pushed the remaining four as far from himself as possible. He then extended the tray forward to the other gentleman in the pavilion.

The four senior students from Mochi exchanged looks before Li Wenyuan couldn’t resist being the first to reach for the fruit. The others followed suit, and soon the four vermilion fruits that Han Wenfu had placed farthest on the tray had been taken, leaving only two isolated pairs lying in the tray.

Han Wenfu peered down at them, not immediately reaching for them.

Li Wenyuan delicately rolled a vermilion fruit between his fingers, examining the small red fruit in front of his eyes. After a moment, he nodded in approval and said to the other curious senior students:

"This is called the Ink Heart Red Fruit, a unique rarity of the Wangque Continent, but it does not suit the soil and water of our northern Wangque. Only a few Immortals in the south may cultivate it, and even then, rarely. It’s quite unusual, seldom seen in circulation on the mountain. I’ve only heard about it from a connoisseur with a taste for the delicacies of the mountain, but I didn’t expect I’d have the chance to try it today thanks to Brother Han. Now I’ll have something to brag about when I’m outside."

Han Wenfu waved his hand with a laugh, shaking his head.

"A fine treat, Brother Han is quite generous." Gu Yiwu chuckled heartily. Picking up a small fruit, he threw it into his mouth in one go, swallowing it in one gulp. He smacked his lips, his eyes shining brightly, as the robust man reached out for another while continuing to speak.

Han Wenfu’s eyes twitched slightly as he moved the tray backward, thwarting the man’s attempt.

Gu Yiwu withdrew his hand, looked at him, and grinned with a smile.

Han Wenfu shifted his gaze, the corner of his eye taking care to note the approaching footsteps from behind.

One of his seniors did not bite right away, but spoke with a tinge of concern:

"Aside from its appetizing appearance, does this item possess other miraculous properties?"

Li Wenyuan thought for a moment.

"I’ve heard that this fruit is quite popular among the hermits and literary men of southern Wangque Mountain, serving as a refined pleasure during private gatherings. Although we cultivators rarely rest and hardly dream, consuming this Ink Heart Red Fruit is said to allow the eater to enter a landscape ink-painting-like dream the next time one dreams," he explained.

He paused, then chuckled and shook his head:

"It’s said that the wonders of these ink dreams are numerous and quite magical, truly making it a refined tribute for the scholars on our mountain. Moreover, within the Ink Heart Red Fruit, there seems to be an even more special kind that comes in pairs... Ah, I’ve talked so much, yet I don’t know much in detail. It’s just that there happens to be a gourmand hermit in my family, with whom I have a good relationship. When he took me to the markets below the mountain to try new things, I curiously overheard some of this. But surely, Han Brother, you must know much more than I do, and I feel embarrassed for my lack of knowledge."

Standing with his back to the pavilion entrance, Han Wenfu heard the footsteps of the prim woman outside come to a halt, probably waiting for their conversation to finish.

He stood tall at the entrance, one hand on his back, the other holding the tray, and smiled at everyone inside the pavilion:

"Brother Li has nearly covered it all. Consuming this Ink Fruit simply allows one’s mind to enter a refined and interesting landscape dream, where one can either sit quietly and read, fish on a cold river, or listen to the flowing water from a high mountain, serving as an amusement to dispel boredom. It’s quite popular at my home, and they sent some over to me so that in the midst of my hard studies, I could get to know more young talents like you gentlemen."

Han Wenfu’s eyes momentarily sparkled. He paused his words, then smiled and said, "You brothers can go back and explore the dreams to search for something wonderful. If you find it dull, the magical effect will fade in a few days. But if you like it, I still have some left."

Li Wenyuan nodded with a smile and took a bite of the Ink Heart Red Fruit.

Gu Yiwu suddenly asked, "Where is Han Brother’s hometown?"

The others also turned their ears curiously.

Han Wenfu replied indifferently, "Qingyang, a small place down south."

As his words fell, he seemed reluctant to elaborate further, glancing around outside the pavilion before seemingly noticing someone. Han Wenfu turned his head back and saw the person outside. With a look of surprise, he smiled and said, "Brother Huaijin."

The other four seniors within the pavilion also turned their gaze outside.

Yu Huaijin stood with her hands clasped, her expression calm. She had not interrupted their enthusiastic conversation earlier and had stood quietly outside the pavilion for roughly ten breaths. Only when she heard the words "Qingyang" drift out of the pavilion did the prim woman glance at the back of Han Wenfu in front of her and pressed her lips together lightly.

Now, seeing them all turn to look, she greeted them as usual with formal bows, "Brother Han, Brother Gu, Brother Li..."

"Brother Yu, you’re too kind. Good morning."

The gentlemen inside the pavilion all stood up to return the greeting.

Gu Yiwu straightened his back and pondered for a moment before he turned back to persistently pursue Han Wenfu with his questions:

"Qingyang? Is that in the southern Wangque? I haven’t heard of it... Ah, it must be my limited knowledge. However, judging purely by Brother Han’s upbringing, he must certainly come from a reclusive Confucian family of great standing."

The corners of Han Wenfu’s mouth lifted almost imperceptibly as he glanced at Gu Yiwu, who continued to speak precisely as he wished. Then, his expression subtly changed, and he shook his head with a sigh:

"What great family? No, my ancestors did have a period of prosperity, but we, their descendants, have not lived up to their legacy. Now we are but a minor household. Heh, such situations are actually quite common in Wangque, not worth mentioning. Brother Gu, please don’t ask anymore... I have come to study in the Academy with much effort from my family. Ah, my elders’ earnest instructions still ring in my ears: to study diligently at the Academy and to foster relationships with the many talents here..."

A resolute look flashed in Han Wenfu’s eyes as he lowered his head to glance at the two remaining fruits on the tray. Turning his head, he offered the tray to Yu Huaijin, who had been silently listening to the conversation without comment.

"Brother Yu, everyone has tried one, please have one as well. It’s a specialty from my hometown, and it also represents... a gesture from my elders back home."

He looked at Yu Huaijin earnestly, his expression sincere.

Yu Huaijin took a moment to look at the tray in front of him, her demeanor quieting. For a brief interlude, a hint of guilt flickered across her face, and her hand tucked in her sleeve twitched, ready to reach out.

At that moment.

Thud thud thud—

The door of the Yilan Pavilion was knocked upon for the seventh time that morning.

Everyone inside paused in surprise.

The rhythm and force of the knocking were somewhat unfamiliar.

The air within the pavilion grew still for a moment, and nobody spoke for several breaths.

Thud thud thud—

The blue-clothed girl, who had not come immediately after letting Yu Huaijin in, but rather had been squatting amid a cluster of orchids, loosening the soil with a trowel, cast aside her tool, jumped up impatiently, and said in a crisp voice, "I’m coming, I’m coming! Stop knocking. It’s so early, yet everyone’s coming like it’s market day. You’re making my head hurt with all this knocking."

Yu Huaijin was about to reach for the Ink Heart Vermilion Fruit when her movement froze; the hand did not extend out of her sleeve. She turned her head, frowning towards Jingzi.

The latter, with a strong will to survive, caught a glimpse of this scene from the corner of her eye. The blue-clothed girl covered her mouth, shook her shoulders as if coughing twice, and then pretended nothing was amiss as she trotted off to answer the door.

Seeing this, Han Wenfu couldn’t help but feel helpless at the constant mishaps. Nonetheless, he still pushed the tray forward with a sunny smile, "Brother Huaijin."

Yu Huaijin turned back and glanced at his smiling face, seemingly thinking of something. Her eyes and brows tightened slightly. She didn’t look at the tray but nodded as if responding, then turned her head away again as if she hadn’t seen it, looking towards Jingzi, who was about to open the door.

Perhaps it was a sense of guilt, or maybe... it was better not to feed his illusions.

Han Wenfu’s brow furrowed with frustration.

At the door, Jingzi approached and muttered with a frown, "Who is it this time? One, two, three, four, five, plus Sister Yu, six Academy seniors have come already, and now another one pops up, really..."

She pulled the door open with her face set in a scowl.

In that instant.

The early morning sunlight angled in, bringing with it... the shadow of someone else.

The person outside came into view.

Jingzi was taken aback.

Crunch—

The "person outside" took a bite of a cucumber and, surprised to see the blue-clothed girl, quickly revealed a bright smile with white teeth, "Hello there, little sister."

Jingzi: "..."

The next second, within the sightline of the Guest Pavilion where everyone had their view obstructed and couldn’t see the person outside, the typically brash and fiery blue-clothed girl seemed to tremble, and with an unknown force, she slammed the door closed with a creak. Twisting around, she ran into the courtyard without a word and soon disappeared from view...

It was as if a little bunny, busy digging in the soil and munching on a carrot it had uncovered, suddenly dug up a big gray wolf instead. It’s frightening when such a thing appears out of nowhere.

Yu Huaijin: "..."

Han Wenfu, Gu Yiwu, and the other four seniors: "???"

Creak.

The foot blocking the door was withdrawn, and a hand in a green sleeve gently pushed it open. Zhao Rong strolled in leisurely, lifting his chin and scanning the area where the little bunny had vanished without a trace, "Running for what?"

He held three cucumbers in his left hand and was munching on half of one in his right, cheeks slightly puffed. After muttering to himself, he shrugged his shoulders.

Then, noticing the gazes upon him, Zhao Rong turned slowly to face the speechless crowd at the Guest Pavilion. He greeted them with a radiant smile.

"Good morning, everyone."