Chapter 82 - 82 - Ruoruo Surprisingly Knows How to Brew Wine_l
“It’S plum wine, brewed by our eldest sister herself, I’m just the one delivering
it,” Wei Jinyi explained.
Everyone looked in surprise at Wei Ruo, who calmly kept her gaze on the dishes in front of her.
The second brother had consulted her before proceeding with this.
She had originally not planned on presenting this gesture to Wei Mingting, but the jar of wine had been opened previously and if left for too long, it would lose its taste.
The jar was nearly full, having been left untouched after the second brother’s drunken episode, only a couple of cups had been consumed. And since Wei Ruo wasn’t particularly fond of alcohol, she wouldn’t drink it on a normal day, so it would be a waste to let it sit.
The second brother said that father loved wine, but wasn’t addicted to it, letting him taste it would be putting it to good use.
And since the second brother had already consulted her, she didn’t want to contradict him, so she remained silent.
“Ruo can make wine?” Wei Mingting’s gaze landed on Wei Ruo.
“Yes, it was a casual attempt,” Wei Ruo casually answered.
“Well, your father must taste it properly,” Wei Mingting declared.
Happiness elevates the spirit, the weight of the Japanese Pirates issue temporarily lifted, and Wei Mingting’s longing for wine emerged.
Upon hearing this, Mother Yun promptly poured Wei Mingting a cup, then filled a cup for everyone present except for the young Wei Yilin.
Toasting is a refined activity, so on this celebratory occasion, Mother Yun allowed their older children to drink.
Wei Mingting tasted it first, and then a look of surprise appeared on his face,
“Ruo, did you really make this wine?”
“Hmm.” Wei Ruo responded indifferently.
“The wine is truly excellent. It’s clear, sweet and light, with a strong aroma of wine and fruit,” Wei Mingting commented.
Upon hearing Wei Mingting’s praise, Mother Yun and Wei Yichen also took a sip.
Both showed expressions of surprise.
“Ruo made a good wine. It’s purer and sweeter than what’s sold at the taverns in town,” Wei Yichen said.
The purity and sweetness probably came from the distillation method Wei Ruo used, resulting in a pure and clear wine, transparent like water.
In this era, many wines, especially those brewed in small workshops, were somewhat crude, resulting in a more cloudy product.
Mother Yun also couldn’t help but praised, “Ruo is really skillful. This is the first time I’ve tasted a wine that is so warming yet mellow.”
Listening to everyone praising Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan looked down at the cup of wine in front of her, and then tentatively took a sip.
She didn’t drink much and didn’t have much opportunity to drink. So she didn’t know as much about wine as her parents and brothers. But Wei Qingwan could tell that the wine was indeed good. The clear, sweet and refreshing taste could be discerned. Suddenly, she felt a bitter taste in her heart.
She looked up at Wei Ruo with a smile on her face, and praised along with everyone else, “Sister is really amazing. It seems that nothing can stump you. Compared to you, I am really useless.
“How could Wanwan be useless? Wanwan is good at her own things,” Mother
Yun reassured quickly.
“Exactly, making wine is not a work for a dijinguish young lady, isn’t that the job for sweaty brewmasters in those small workshops outside?” Wei Yilin added hurriedly.
“Yilin, what are you talking about?” Wei Mingting looked serious.
Wei Yilin was afraid of Wei Mingting. As soon as Wei Mingting looked serious, he immediately lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.
Usually when Wei Mingting was not at home, he would sometimes make similar disparaging remarks about Wei Ruo. No one in the family got angry, so he took it for granted.
“If these were unintentional words, then let them slide. But if you deliberately disrespect your eldest sister, you can skip today’s meal and go stand in the yard!” Wei Mingting said coldly.
Hearing this, Mother Yun quickly pleaded for her youngest son, “Yilin must have misspoke unintentionally. Husband, don’t be angry.”
Wei Yilin lowered his head very low and nodded lightly.
Seeing this, Wei Mingting did not pursue the matter further.
Wei Yichen explained to Wei Yilin, “Yilin, brewing is not as crude as you think. Good brewing recipes are usually family secrets passed down from generation to generation. Plus, there’s an official winery in the palace, where the brewmasters hold official positions.”
“I see…” Wei Yilin responded softly.
Actually, he knew all that his big brother said. He just spoke like that because he didn’t want Sister Wanwan to feel inferior to Wei Qingruo.
As for the remaining Wei Jinyi, he pretended to take a sip, but in reality not a drop entered his mouth. Wei Ruo noticed this. After what happened last time, he wouldn’t dare to touch any alcohol, even this mild fruit wine.
The meal ended, and the jar of wine was finished, most of which was consumed by Wei Mingting. The rest of them just took a few sips.
As for Wei Mingting’s tolerance, this fruit wine wouldn’t make him drunk, not even seven or eight jars would.
He loved wine, but he abstained when he had official duties. Today, they were celebrating a great victory at home. It was a rare opportunity to drink in these past few years. Having a jar of good wine made him ecstatic.
When the banquet ended, Wei Mingting unexpectedly asked Wei Ruo for more wine, “Ruo, if you make more wine in the future, let your father taste it, alright?”
Wei Ruo couldn’t refuse, so she said, “Alright, I’ll remember to make some for father next time.”
She didn’t know when the next batch of wine would be ready, and the wine just brewed couldn’t be drunk immediately, it had to be left for a long time. So Wei Mingting might not get to taste her next batch of wine until who knows when. As for the few jars still stored in her warehouse, Wei Mingting only asked for the next batch, not those already brewed, so naturally she didn’t need to bring them out.
Wei Mingting said, “Good, your father will be looking forward to Ruo’s next fine wine.”
After the banquet, everyone left the dining hall one after another. As soon as Wei Ruo stepped out of the door, Wei Qingwan walked towards her.
Wei Qingwan took the initiative to talk to Wei Ruo and handed her a sachet that she had embroidered herself:
“Sister, I embroidered this sachet for you. I’m not as capable as my sister. I can only do some embroidery work. I hope sister will not dislike it.”
Wei Ruo turned her head to look at Wei Qingwan but did not take it.
Seeing that Wei Ruo didn’t react, Wei Qingwan explained, “Sister, I’ve kept in mind what you taught me on Qixi Festival. But at the moment, I can’t think of a better way to express my sincerity to sister. So I embroidered a sachet to show my intentions.”
Wei Ruo examined Wei Qingwan intently. Wei Qingwan, perhaps feeling guilty or uncomfortable, lowered her head to avoid direct eye contact with Wei Ruo. “Alright, then I’ll accept it.” Wei Ruo suddenly reached out to take the sachet. Immediately after, Wei Ruo saw Wei Yichen coming out of the dining hall and passed the sachet to him.
“Ruo, what is this?” Wei Yichen looked at Wei Ruo in confusion..