That evening after returning from Central Sky-Plaza, the [Lv.3 Flying Courtyard Carriage] parked quietly atop Cloud-top Terrace above Myriad Pill Mountain. The fifty valleys of newly bloomed five-hundred-year spirit herbs glowed like a sea of multi-colored lanterns beneath the starry night sky.
Inside the warm, lantern-lit living room of the Gu Family courtyard, the dinner dishes had already been cleared away. A fresh pot of Rank 5 Sweet Osmanthus & Honey-Milk Tea steamed gently on the low walnut table.
Sitting in a neat row along the plush velvet sofa—freshly bathed, smelling of warm lemon soap. Wearing their cleanest, most formal blue-and-gold Gu Family Academy vests—were eleven-year-aged Ye Xiao , holding Rank 4 Peak, ten-year-aged Gu Nian. Holding Rank 4 Early, eight-year-aged Su Nuannuan , holding Rank 4 Early, alongside seven-year-old Jiang Tuntun , at Rank 4 Mid.
Each of the first three children held their folder of [100-Point Little Red Flower Report Cards] on their knees. Seven-year-old Jiang Tuntun—wearing a brand-new, spotlessly ironed snow-white strawberry-print bib and her golden [Gu Family Chief Kitchen Taste-Tester] wooden badge—held a warm porcelain plate covered with a insulated silver dome. Inside which sat the biggest, fluffiest, juiciest [Rank 5 Golden-Marrow Braised Pork Bun] from tonight’s dinner steamer!
