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The night was deep, staining the horizon like ink. A lone lamp swayed gently in the courtyard, casting soft, solitary pools of light and shadow.
With slender hands as white as jade, Xue Chuxin held the teapot and slowly poured out the clear tea. Wisps of steam rose from the celadon cup, curling and entwining.
The woman opposite her delicately picked up a Lotus Pastry. Her pearly teeth parted, and flecks of powdered sugar clung to her crimson lips as she tasted it, like a red plum blossom standing proud amid the snow.
"Fifth Younger Sister, try this Pre-Qingming Longjing. What do you think?"
Xue Chuxin gently pushed the cup across the tea table, the silver bracelet at her wrist chiming crisply.
Yang Jingxue lifted the white porcelain cup in her fair hand and took a small sip. Grace shone in her shifting gaze. "Fourth Sister, your skill at serving tea really reminds me of little sister Ling Yun's technique with the Nine-Twist Returning Phoenix Cup."
Xue Chuxin brushed a jade-colored sleeve over the tea stains on the table. She shook her head with a light laugh, ripples stirring in her eyes. "You flatter me, Fifth Younger Sister. How could I compare with the exquisite tea-making art junior sister Ling Yun learned from the Winding Stream Banquet?"
The silver tassels among her cascading green hair swayed with her movements, sparkling like scattered starlight beneath the lamp and lending her an added softness.
Yang Jingxue tapped her delicate fingers against the table, producing clear, ringing sounds. "We haven't seen each other in three years, and you've broken through to become a Ninth Ring Titled Douluo, Fourth Sister."
"I heard all about it. You've certainly been stealing the limelight lately-not only did you save A