On the stage erected at the center of the Golden Kylin Gathering's main venue.
Shangguan Bingxin, the host of this grand gathering, finally made her appearance.
She wore a light blue robe, her ink-black hair loosely pinned with a jade hairpin. Her eyes resembled cold stars reflected in still water, and a refined, scholarly air rested between her brows.
Before she spoke, she had already commanded everyone's attention. Her gaze swept over the garden's talented young men, at once distant and discerning.
Like a banished immortal stepping out of a painting into the mortal world, she stirred longing in countless gifted scholars present.
A moment later, Shangguan Bingxin spoke, her words gentle yet poised.
"Thank you all for graciously attending this Golden Kylin Gathering.
Today's gathering brings old friends together and welcomes new ones. I hope you will share elegant conversation, wield your brushes, and forge friendships through literature.
Only then will we do justice to this spring splendor and the wealth of learning within you."
In the pavilion on the western side, Gu Chenfeng gazed at the woman on the raised stage, without even a trace of admiration appearing in his eyes.
She certainly lived up to her reputation as a renowned talented lady of the Imperial Capital.
Though delicate and scholarly in appearance, she remained neither servile nor overbearing before so many scholars and dignitaries, holding the entire gathering in her grasp.
Of course, what drew more of Gu Chenfeng's attention was the Qilin Jade Pendant at her waist.
Despite the distance between them, Gu Chenfeng could still sense it.
Unusual fluctuations came from within the Phantom Martial Divine Ruins.
With the transformed spiritual power he had gained after his breakthrough.
Gu Chenfeng faintly sensed the Phantom Martial Divine Ruins' craving for this object.
It seems this jade pendant must have some extraordinary use for the Phantom Martial Divine Ruins.
I'll have to find a way to get my hands on it.
After Shangguan Bingxin's opening speech won enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
The Golden Kylin Gathering officially began.
As was customary, the Golden Kylin Gathering consisted of two parts.
The first half featured artistic performances, with a variety of entertainments carefully arranged by the hosts.
Dancing, opera, poetry recitations...
Only in the second half would the assembled scholars exchange their insights and explore the literary arts together.
At that moment, on the stage.
A troupe of graceful dancers in dazzling attire sang softly and danced elegantly, drawing countless eyes.
They gradually brought the gathering to life.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Bingxin, who had already left the stage, headed straight toward the pavilion at the highest point in front of the venue.
That was where the Third Prince, Princess Yaoyin, and Imperial Uncle Xiao were seated.
Whether for the sake of her personal friendship with Princess Yaoyin or the formalities of social courtesy.
As the host, Shangguan Bingxin had to pay them a separate visit.
Afterward, she visited the other pavilions in turn to welcome her distinguished guests.
The pavilion occupied by Gu Chenfeng and Ouyang Cai happened to be Shangguan Bingxin's final stop.
"Young Master Gu, Young Master Ouyang, thank you both for honoring us with your presence."
Although Shangguan Bingxin wore a smile, a chill reserve lay deep within her, keeping others a thousand miles away.
Gu Chenfeng had already experienced that firsthand back at the Rare Beast Garden.
Gu Chenfeng and Ouyang Cai rose to return her greeting.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shangguan Bingxin prepared to turn and leave.
Although they had interacted somewhat at the Rare Beast Garden.
They clearly were not close enough to converse at length on such a public occasion.
Gu Chenfeng inwardly frowned.
He still wanted to learn more about that jade pendant.
Yet he could not think of an excuse to keep her there.
Instinctively, he swept his powerful spiritual sense over her.
Suddenly, he sensed something.
Hm?
An idea stirred in his mind, and he reached into the pouch at his waist to take out a golden-yellow pill.
Sniff, sniff!
At the same time, something seemed to stir beneath Shangguan Bingxin's long sleeve.
The next instant.
Whoosh...!
A tiny silvery-white figure shot from her sleeve like lightning.
"Crescent!"
Shangguan Bingxin cried out in surprise as she saw the silvery-white figure leap into Gu Chenfeng's arms.
"Yip, yip..."
An eager little whimper rang out.
Gu Chenfeng reached out and gently rubbed the Silvermoon Demon Wolf cub's head.
Then he casually fed the little one the golden-yellow pill.
"Awoo, awoo...!"
The little one swallowed the pill in one gulp and howled excitedly, licking Gu Chenfeng's fingers over and over, still hungry for more.
So delicious! I want more!
Gu Chenfeng sensed the little one's thoughts.
He secretly communicated through his spiritual power. Little one, what do you usually eat?
Hearing Gu Chenfeng's voice, the wolf cub huffed indignantly. That woman fed me so much meat. It tasted awful! I'm so hungry.
Nice person, please give me a little more!
As the little one spoke, the cub rubbed against Gu Chenfeng ingratiatingly, doing everything possible to look adorable.
Gu Chenfeng fed the little one another yellow pill.
So tasty! You're such a nice person!
After eating it, the little one grew even more energetic, snuggling closer to Gu Chenfeng and behaving with perfect obedience.
Shangguan Bingxin looked utterly astonished at the sight.
"What... what did you feed Crescent?"
Ever since Gu Chenfeng had entrusted this Silvermoon Demon Wolf cub to her care.
She had adored the cute little one to her very bones.
She had also tended to the cub with meticulous care.
A warm nest made from fine silk and goose down, delicacies cooked from expensive meats, trimmed claws, fragrant baths...
Yet despite Shangguan Bingxin's painstaking care, the little one had refused to appreciate any of it.
Within days, the cub had lost all appetite, become irritable, and grown excessively sleepy...
Just now, the little one had been sleeping soundly inside her sleeve.
After greeting Gu Chenfeng, Shangguan Bingxin had hurried away.
Part of the reason was that she feared the embarrassment of him asking about the wolf cub's condition.
As though he had seen through Shangguan Bingxin's thoughts.
Gu Chenfeng smiled faintly.
"Crescent-that's a lovely name. What I fed the cub was a milk pill."
"A milk pill?"
"Miss Shangguan, you may not know much about Crescent's habits.
Although Silvermoon Demon Wolves are Origin Beasts, their cubs still get most of their daily nourishment from their mothers' milk.
Even if you occasionally feed them meat, it should be finely minced raw meat, not cooked food.
These milk pills are made by mixing milk from wolf-type Origin Beasts with some Spiritual Materials. They suit Crescent's tastes very well."
At his words, two blushes immediately bloomed on Shangguan Bingxin's cool, beautiful face.
So her previous method of feeding the cub had been completely wrong.
And hearing Gu Chenfeng discuss feeding with mothers' milk.
Shangguan Bingxin, who was still unmarried, instinctively felt a little shy.
But Shangguan Bingxin was no ordinary woman, and she quickly composed herself.
Seeing that Gu Chenfeng seemed to know a great deal about raising demon beasts.
After a brief hesitation, she returned to sit in the pavilion and asked him for advice.
She described the various symptoms Crescent had shown over the past few days.
Gu Chenfeng answered each one in turn.
For instance, Silvermoon Demon Wolves naturally had an exceptionally strong resistance to cold. A nest made of goose down would leave the cub overheated and unable to sleep peacefully.
Furthermore, wolf cubs had a keen sense of smell, so she should not use incense or scented sachets to make the cub fragrant.
Otherwise, the little one would find the smell pungent and unpleasant, becoming agitated and irritable.
Every point Gu Chenfeng raised struck the heart of the matter, pinpointing Shangguan Bingxin's mistakes.
As she listened, Shangguan Bingxin flushed to the tips of her ears, deeply embarrassed.
So everything she had done for Crescent, though seemingly considerate, had actually done more harm than good.
At the same time, she felt genuine admiration for Gu Chenfeng.
Although he had long been known as a wastrel.
This skill at caring for Origin Beasts alone.
Was enough to show that he possessed an exceptional talent.
How could she have known that everything Gu Chenfeng pointed out came from asking Crescent directly and immediately passing on what he learned?
His discourse on beast handling won over this gifted lady of the Imperial Capital, leaving her utterly convinced, her cheeks flushed.
At last, Gu Chenfeng let his gaze drift naturally toward her waist and asked with seeming casualness.
"Oh... Miss Shangguan, that jade pendant is exquisite. May I ask where you bought it?"
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