[Mo Dao Zu Shi Fanfiction] I Raise A Ying in Yiling

Chapter 222 Preference

Inside the elegant room, the three were engrossed in discussing the details of their itinerary for the next few days. Meanwhile, Lan Qiren swiftly escorted Wei Ying and the others to a secluded and exquisite private residence.

Standing in front of the wooden door, Lan Qiren raised his hand to gesture for Wei Ying and the other two to come inside and rest: "This is the accommodation arranged for the three of you. Please come in and rest for a while. Later, a disciple will bring you food. After you finish eating, please rest early. You will be busy tomorrow, so you need to be well-rested!"

After saying that, he turned to leave with Lan Huan and Lan Zhan.

"Hey!" Upon seeing this, Wei Ying immediately reached out and said anxiously, "Master Lan... cough Uncle Lan, Father Lan... didn't Father say we were going to the dining hall together? Why did he have his disciples bring us to our lodgings?"

Lan Qiren stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening suddenly. He glared at Wei, who was now feigning innocence despite having received a benefit, with a hint of gritted teeth. "My elder brother said that the three of you are not used to the Lan family's unique medicinal cuisine, so he instructed the dining hall to prepare separate meals for you. While this is understandable, it is against family rules. If you were to eat in the dining hall, it would be unfair to the other Lan family disciples. Therefore, you will be served in the private quarters, just like distinguished guests from other families!"

"Wow! Father is so thoughtful!" Wei Ying exclaimed with sparkling eyes, and Qi Ye and Qing Yan nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Wei Ying and the other two were somewhat sensible and grateful, Lan Qiren's tense face softened considerably, diluting his rigid and austere aura.

Wei Ying keenly sensed Lan Qiren's momentary softening. His beautiful peach blossom eyes darted around mischievously as he casually probed, "Hey, Uncle Lan... um, is this special kitchen just for the three of us, or..."

Lan Qiren choked abruptly, a hint of guilt flashing across his usually upright and innocent eyes. He cleared his throat and answered confidently and matter-of-factly, "The heads of aristocratic families are not as pampered as you children, and they are used to the food of my Lan family. Why should we go to the trouble of preparing separate meals?"

Wei Ying stared blankly (￣△￣；): "..."

Qi Ye and Qing Yan choked suddenly, almost coughing out loud. They quickly covered their mouths and turned their heads to hide the cough that had just escaped their lips.

"Hey... haha..." Wei Ying instantly realized he had brought up the wrong topic, and immediately scratched his head and gave a dry laugh, trying to change the subject.

Lan Qiren shook his long beard and urged Wei Ying, who was still chuckling, with slightly faster speech: "Alright, you brat! It's getting late, and there's not much time left before curfew. Stop pulling other people around and hurry inside! A-Huan and A-Zhan are waiting to have their meal and go to bed before 9 PM!"

Lan Qiren was indeed a little anxious, and he couldn't bear to see his little Daoist partner go hungry, nor could he bear to waste too much time and cause him to miss his bedtime and violate the clan rules. Wei Ying obediently put down his hand, cupped his hands and bowed to Lan Qiren and the other two to say goodbye.

Qi Ye and Qing Yan, taking a step back, also sincerely bowed and said goodnight to them.

Lan Qiren nodded slightly in return, and Lan Huan and Lan Zhan returned the greeting simultaneously before turning around and leaving gracefully under the watchful eyes of Wei Ying and the other two, their steps dangling in the soft, frosty moonlight.

Once the three figures, dressed in flowing white robes and with their headscarves fluttering in the wind, were completely out of his sight, Wei Ying reluctantly pushed open the door, his ears drooping, and beckoned Qi Ye and Qing Yan into the house.

As expected of well-trained Lan disciples, just as Wei Ying and his companions were curiously wandering around the abode, examining the decorations of their respective rooms, a series of orderly knocks sounded outside the tightly closed doors, followed by a polite inquiry: "Young masters, the meal has been delivered. May we open the door?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Ying darted to the door and said, "No need for formalities! Please come in, I'm so sorry to have troubled you!"

He reached out and opened the door, meeting the gaze of a Lan Clan disciple who stood respectfully outside, carrying a three-tiered mahogany food box.

Upon seeing Wei Ying, the disciple bowed respectfully and declined, saying, "No need, this is my duty. Young Master Wei, there's no need for such formality. Please accept the food box. After you've finished your meal, you can call me at the door to retrieve it. I'll be waiting outside the house not far away!"

Wei Ying quickly reached out and took the food box from the disciple, shaking his head in refusal: "Oh, no need to trouble you like that. We'll clean up the dishes and food box ourselves after we finish eating, you don't need to wait outside!"

"No!" The disciple exclaimed, his eyes wide. "There are rules in Cloud Recesses: no nighttime wanderings, no staying out all night! It's already late, Young Master Wei must not leave the house for the dining hall. Besides, it is my duty to return the food box to the dining hall, and I cannot be negligent. In addition, I can also take the opportunity to fetch the hot water and other toiletries that the three Young Masters Wei need for washing up!"

Seeing his disciple so excited, Wei Ying felt embarrassed to tease him any further. He simply gave him a smile brighter than the morning sun and muttered, "Alright then, I'll do as you say! I'll take it in here, thanks!"

Then, carrying the rather heavy food box in one hand, he pulled the door shut with the other. Facing the expectant gazes of Qi Ye and Qing Yan, he placed the food box on the paulownia-colored wooden table in the center of the room. While opening the lid, he took out the steaming, fragrant food inside one by one, and invited Qi Ye and Qing Yan to sit down and prepare to eat.