The banquet hall of the Tang Estate was a masterpiece of refined opulence. Warm glow-stones embedded in the ceiling cast a soft, amber light over a long table carved from ancient spirit-oak. The air was a heavy, intoxicating blend of aged wine and the steam of spiritual delicacies, designed not just for taste, but to fortify the meridians of high-level cultivators.

As they took their seats, the hierarchy was clear to the public eye, yet skewed to the initiated. Mei Yilan sat at the head, with Meng Yan in the seat of honor to her right. Shen Yu sat opposite Meng Yan, and Lixue sat beside him, her presence poised and watchful.

"I took the liberty of requesting dishes that balance the ’Yin’ and ’Yang’ energies," Yilan said with a graceful smile, gesturing to the spread. "After the stress of managing the city’s trade, one must nourish the spirit."

The servants began the first course: Braised Snow-Cloud Poultry steeped in a broth of thousand-year ginseng and Goji berries. The meat was so tender it practically dissolved on the tongue, releasing a burst of pure Qi. This was followed by Jade-Core Bamboo Shoots sautéed with the essence of a Rank 2 Wild Black Boar, a dish that provided a crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich poultry.

"The quality of the spiritual ingredients is impressive, Matriarch Tang," Meng Yan remarked, her voice a smooth velvet. She picked up a piece of the poultry with ivory chopsticks, her movements fluid and regal.

As she raised the morsel to her lips, her hazel eyes flickered toward Shen Yu. A look of pure, hungry reverence that said she would much rather be tasting him than the food. Across the table, Shen Yu caught the glance, his golden eyes darkening with a predatory promise. He didn’t look away; instead, he watched the way her throat worked as she swallowed, his gaze a physical weight that made Meng Yan’s breath hitch almost imperceptibly.

Lixue, sitting beside him, didn’t miss the exchange. She reached beneath the table, her small hand resting firmly on Shen Yu’s thigh, her nails digging slightly into the fabric of his robes. It wasn’t an act of jealousy, but one of participation. She looked at Meng Yan, offering a slow, knowing blink. I see you, Sister, the look suggested. And I know exactly what you’re waiting for.

"Lixue has been working tirelessly on the Crimson Iron expansion," Yilan said, blissfully unaware of the carnal lightning arcing across her table. "I’m sure she and the Jin Clan will find much common ground."

"I look forward to it," Lixue replied, her voice the picture of youthful innocence. She turned her sharp blue eyes toward Meng Yan. "I’ve heard the Jin Clan’s logistics are unrivaled. I hope to learn a great deal from the Matriarch... in all matters." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The double meaning hung in the air like a bared blade. Meng Yan felt a thrill of excitement. This girl, this ’First Wife,’ had a spine of cold steel and a mind as sharp as a razor. She was exactly the kind of woman who could stand beside a man like Shen Yu.

"I am happy to share my experience," Meng Yan replied, her smile widening. "There is much to be gained when like-minded women... cooperate."

The main course arrived: Stellar-Aura Carp, a rare fish that lived in high-altitude mountain lakes of the Mist Forest, cooked in a reduction of fermented spirit-plums. The scales of the fish shimmered like liquid silver, and the aroma was sharp and sweet.

As they ate, the conversation drifted toward the mundane, market fluctuations, the recent stirrings of the minor clans, and the weather patterns affecting the herb harvests. Yilan led the talk with her characteristic poise, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.

To her, this was a triumphant moment: the Tang and Jin clans, once distant, now sitting as allies. She saw her nephew, Shen Yu, looking more powerful and composed than ever, and her daughter, Lixue, proving her worth as a future leader.

The final course was cleared, leaving only the faint, lingering scent of spirit-plum wine and the heavy silence of anticipation.

Meng Yan was the first to break the lull. She set her jade cup down with a deliberate click, her posture shifting as she seamlessly transitioned back into the role of the Iron Matriarch. The soft, hungry glances she had been casting at Shen Yu were instantly replaced by a sharp, clinical focus.

"Matriarch Tang," Meng Yan began, her voice carrying the professional weight of a woman who commanded thousands. "The pleasantries have been more than gracious, but time in the Crimson Iron City moves faster than a river in spring. My scouts have already reported that several minor sects are beginning to eye the vacant storefronts we’ve secured. If we don’t finalize our logistics tonight, we risk losing the momentum we’ve spent weeks building."

Mei Yilan looked at Meng Yan, her eyes reflecting a deep respect for the younger woman’s drive. She offered a slow, approving nod.

"You are right, Matriarch Meng. Business of this magnitude shouldn’t be discussed over half-empty plates," Yilan replied. She rose from her seat, her silk robes whispering against the floor. "Let us move to the study. It is warded against prying ears, and we shall have the peace required to map out this conquest."

Shen Yu and Lixue followed in silence as Yilan led the way. The servants bowed low, retreating into the shadows as the four of them moved toward the western wing.

The study was a sanctuary of knowledge, the walls lined with cedar bookshelves that reached the ceiling. At its center sat a massive, circular obsidian table, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen. They took their seats, a circle of power that felt increasingly like a council of war.

Without a word, Meng Yan reached into her spatial ring. In a flash of silver light, a thick, meticulously bound bundle of papers appeared on the obsidian surface. The documents were dense, filled with strategic maps, economic forecasts, and the confidential blueprints of the Crimson Iron City’s trade districts.

Meng Yan placed her hand firmly on the stack, her hazel eyes scanning the room, landing finally on Shen Yu with an intensity that promised a very long night.

"Let’s start."