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Wei Yichen also sampled it, feeling the rich aroma of the wine and regarding it as a premium wine indeed.

Even Lu Yuhong, who had drunk a fair share of white liquors, couldn’t help but exclaim: “This white liquor is comparable to any I’ve had in Capital City. The owner of Zuixian Residence truly knows his stuff.”

Lu Yuhong was well-travelled and knowledgeable. If even he praised this white liquor, then it definitely wasn’t a mistake.

Hearing everyone’s appreciation for the wine, Xiu Fengyuan promptly ordered more from the waiter.

“Bring us a few more pots of this white liquor. We wish to indulge in it wholeheartedly.”

The waiter looked apologetic: “I’m sorry, young master Xiu, this is the last pot we have of this liquor, there’s not a drop left.”

“What’s the matter? Why is there only one pot of such an exquisite liquor?” Xiu Fengyuan asked.

Lu Yuhong also voiced his dissatisfaction: “It’s rather unfair of your Master Fan, hiding a good liquor like this. What’s the point of this miserliness? Are you afraid we can’t afford it?”

The waiter swiftly explained: “It’s not like that at all. This wine is actually consigned to our Zuixian Residence by someone else for sale. We only received one jar in total. The previous portions were sold a few days ago. The last pot was specifically kept by our son for today to be tasted by masters like Xiu and Lu, we deny its availability to anyone else.”

The waiter’s explanation managed to quench Lu Yuhong’s fiery anger.

“Your Master Fan is indeed learned,” he said.

Lu Yuhong accepted the explanation, but he was dissatisfied that only a little of this liquor was left. This one pot of wine had to be split amongst eight of them; each would barely have two cups. How could they have their fill?

Xiu Fengyuan proceeded to question the waiter: “Do you know who the wine seller is? Where could we find more of this liquor?”

The waiter hurriedly replied, “I’m not clear about that, you would have to ask our son.”

As instructed by their shopkeeper, when asked about the condiments used in their recipes, they feigned ignorance and were strictly forbidden to mention Xu Heyou to outsiders.

This was the business secret of Zuixian Residence, and if everyone knew about it, it would affect their business.

Therefore, the explanation for this white liquor was the same. The objective was to forestall anyone from bypassing Zuixian Residence and going directly to Xu Heyou for it.

“Your son has offered a tantalizing taste, but hasn’t satisfied our thirst completely. It’s really frustrating,” Lu Yuhong complained disgruntledly.

The waiter could only make amends by saying: “Master Lu, please don’t be angry. If our son finds this wine again, he will definitely remember you.”

Xiu Fengyuan stopped pressing the waiter, saying, “You can go now. Also, bring us two more pots of your finest wine.”

“Alright, Master Xiu rest assured, I will bring you the best wine we have in our shop!”

The waiter answered and then left the room.

After a while, he brought two pots of fine “Daughter’s Red” to the private room for the gentlemen.

The Daughter’s Red was a thirty-year-old brew and it was the best-selling wine at the Zuixian Residence.

However, having tasted the white liquor and then the Daughter’s Red, they found something lacking in the latter’s taste.

Lu Yuhong couldn’t help but say, “Once I find out where this liquor comes from, I must have a few jars shipped back to Capital City.”

Everyone knew that the head of the Lu family was a fan of liquor. The wish of Lu Yuhong to ship the wine back to Capital City was most likely for the old man of the Lu family. It also showed a high degree of appreciation for the white liquor.

On hearing this, the people present were all interested. They decided to help find the origin of the wine, and in doing so, they could present it to Lu Yuhong, earning his favor.

For someone like the elder of the Lu family, not only the people in the small Taizhou prefecture, but even those in Capital City wanted to create connections with him.

Getting the approval of Master Lu was equivalent to a foot in the door to the court.

Failing to trace the whereabouts of the exquisite liquor, they decided to discuss the state of the public while savoring the Daughter’s Red.

Some believed that this year’s harvest will be better than the last, while others thought it would be worse. But they all agreed that this year’s harvest would not be as good as the previous years, and hence, this winter would be tougher than usual.

Then they each put forward their own suggestions and opinions on how to avoid a famine.

Among the crowd, Wei Yichen, who was often praised as the best student, was silent.

He couldn’t help but think of his sister, Rouruo. Although Rouruo didn’t conform to the traditional ways of a well-bred lady, she was able to genuinely help the people increase their grain production.

To some extent, she understood the people’s hardships better than they, the brilliant scholars, did and knew how to genuinely seek the people’s welfare.

###

Seven days later, Wei Ruo once again entered the gates of Zuixian Residence.

As soon as he entered, the shopkeeper, Shen, came to greet him.

“Master Xu, you’re finally here!”

Shopkeeper Shen spoke excitedly, with a gleam in his eyes, and sped towards Wei Ruo.

Because he was in such a hurry, he almost ran right into Wei Ruo.

Luckily, Xiumei was quick to react, stepping in front of Wei Ruo while also helping to steady Shen.

Xiumei laughed and said, “Master Shen, slow down. It’s all well and good to welcome our young master, but safety is important too!”

Shen laughed awkwardly, “I apologize, Master Xu. I have been waiting eagerly for you for several days. I sent someone to Younan Farmstead with a message, but the people there told me you were busy and hadn’t returned to the farmstead.”

Xu Heyou’s movements were even more unpredictable than their own young master’s. Shen was anxious to meet him, but besides sending a letter to Wei Ruo’s farmstead, he had no other good ideas.

If Xu Heyou didn’t show up, all Shen could do was wait.

“I was away on a boat trip to the outskirts. I only returned yesterday,” Wei Ruo lied.

In fact, he had been commuting between Military Prefecture and Tianqin Garden, and whenever he had spare time, he would visit the prefecture’s office to advise Madam Yuan.

“Master Xu you are indeed very busy, I know. Fortunately, Master Xu came today,” said the excited Shen, telling Wei Ruo about the situation of the jar of white wine, “Master Xu, your jar of white wine has been sold by our young master. Everyone who tasted it gave rave reviews! Our young master wanted to discuss this with you!”

Wei Ruo asked, “Where is your young master now?”

Shen said, “He’s upstairs in the private room, the usual place.”

Wei Ruo said, “Take me to see him.”

Shen replied, “Alright, Master Xu this way please.”

Shen led Wei Ruo and Xiumei upstairs, to the same private room, the “Crane Pavilion,” at the end of the hallway.

Shen opened the door for Wei Ruo. Inside the room, Fan Chengxu looked up, smiling wryly at Wei Ruo’s arrival.

“Brother Heyou, you made me wait,” he said.

“What makes you say that, owner Fan? I don’t recall us having any appointment,” Wei Ruo replied with a slight smile, gracefully taking a seat on the opposite side.

The two were now quite familiar, so Wei Ruo had stopped being formal with Fan Chengxu..