Chapter 109: Backing

Yan Hongwen’s sudden mention of Xu Ruojin and her wine caused the lively atmosphere at the table to fizzle out.

The situation turned awkward, but Yan Hongwen did not seem to mind; he simply smiled at Magistrate Yuan. "What? Is there something amiss?"

"No, no, not at all."

Xu Yaohui, unable to watch the Magistrate be silenced by such questioning, took the initiative to step in: "It’s just that we didn't expect news of Ruojin’s brewing to have reached your ears, Young Master Yan. We haven't prepared anything in advance."

"That is no matter. Simply send someone back to your manor to fetch some."

Yan Hongwen appeared indifferent, yet everyone could see his true intent. He was determined to elevate Xu Ruojin and the Xu family, leaving no room for the Magistrate to object.

Xu Yaohui looked toward Magistrate Yuan, as he was the host of the gathering. The Magistrate felt utterly helpless and immediately ordered his attendants to go to the Xu residence and ask Lady Yang for the wine.

Zhang Zhongliang’s expression was quite strained. As the person sent by his family to assist Yan Hongwen in handling this marriage arrangement, he had no choice but to try and smooth things over. Raising his glass, he invited Yan Hongwen to drink, saying, "The wine is already being retrieved. Why not let us continue drinking in the meantime? Without comparison, how can we know what is truly good?"

"Yes, yes, let us continue."

Magistrate Yuan raised his cup, and Yan Hongwen smilingly agreed. The group resumed their banter, and the topic was set aside as if it had never been raised. As for whether the wine would actually arrive, no one cared. Yan Hongwen simply wanted to make it clear that he was fully aware of the local affairs and, more importantly, that he was here to support the Xu family. That was enough.

When Lady Yang was suddenly confronted by the Magistrate’s men demanding wine, she was caught off guard.

"What? What wine? Nothing was said beforehand; how could I possibly be prepared for this?"

Flustered and at a loss, Lady Yang listened as the Magistrate’s attendant smiled and said, "It must be the wine brewed personally by the Second Miss. Lady Yang, you had best pass the word quickly and have her bring it out. Do not keep the two young masters and the officials waiting."

"That girl..."

Lady Yang suddenly thought of Xu Ruojin and hurriedly ordered a maid to summon her. "Go quickly! Tell the Second Miss to bring two jars—bring all the wine she has brewed!"

Upon hearing the maid’s message, Xu Ruojin pondered for a moment before instructing Chuncao to fetch the smallest jar of wine.

The maid was slightly taken aback. "The Mistress said you were to bring all of it."

"There is not that much of such carefully crafted wine. Rarity adds to its value. If the Mistress asks, tell her exactly that."

Her instructions left the maid hesitant, but seeing that the Second Miss had no intention of changing her mind, she carefully took the jar.

"Wait a moment longer."

Xu Ruojin walked to the desk, spread out a sheet of paper, moistened the brush, and began to write. She penned the recipe and the method for serving it, folded the paper neatly, and tucked it under the seal of the wine jar. "There. Tell the one fetching the wine to follow these instructions to filter and pour it for the officials. Time is short, so I shall not prepare it here; the tavern staff will understand these methods."

Yangtao memorized the instructions carefully and ran off with the small jar to deliver the message.

The Magistrate’s attendant, upon hearing the maid’s explanation, found the logic sound. Placing the recipe Xu Ruojin had written into his tunic, he took the wine and departed quickly.

Back at the tavern, the conversation was flowing freely, and much wine had already been consumed. Xu Ruojin’s wine had seemingly been forgotten.

When the attendant returned with the jar, he did not immediately place it on the table. He leaned toward Magistrate Yuan and whispered, "The wine has arrived. Shall I serve it?"

Magistrate Yuan hesitated, subconsciously glancing at Yan Hongwen, who was busy discussing local customs with Zhang Zhongliang and had not noticed the exchange.

Xu Yaohui, sensing the Magistrate’s desire to let the matter drop, gave a light cough and said, "We have had enough to drink today. Perhaps we should refrain from serving such potent spirits, lest it cause the young masters any discomfort..."

Though his words were thoughtful and spoken in a low voice as if addressing the Magistrate privately, Yan Hongwen’s ears were sharp. He immediately waved his hand. "Bring it up. Let us drink our fill today."

Magistrate Yuan shot Xu Yaohui a reproachful look and could only nod to his attendant.

The attendant brought the jar forward and placed the recipe Xu Ruojin had written on the table. "Miss Xu says that time was short and she could not prepare the wine at home. If the gentlemen still wish to partake, the tavern staff should follow these steps to mix it."

Yan Hongwen smiled and gestured. "Then call the staff! Today I shall see what this wine, which has garnered such a reputation all the way to the capital, actually tastes like!"

With several officials present, the tavern owner personally stepped in to prepare the wine. Looking at the handwriting, he was curious. "This method is quite novel; it is my first time seeing it."

"Oh?" Yan Hongwen smiled broadly. "Then you are fortunate today to learn a new craft. Does that mean the meal is on the house?"

The owner was momentarily stunned, followed by a burst of laughter from Magistrate Yuan. "Young Master Yan is truly a man of wit."

Yan Hongwen shrugged casually and told the owner to proceed. The owner, sensing Yan Hongwen’s clear favoritism toward the Xu family, swallowed the sarcastic remarks he had intended to make about the Second Miss’s arrogance.

After scraping the wax seal off the jar and opening the lid, a fragrance of wine mixed with rich medicinal herbs wafted out. The owner recoiled from the sudden intensity, then proceeded to follow the instructions, mixing the rice wine with mint leaves, bamboo leaves, and other ingredients to create several different carafes.

Each carafe was poured into a single cup—three cups in total. Upon catching the rich aroma, Yan Hongwen became deeply intrigued.

Regardless of whether others were willing to taste it, Yan Hongwen took the first cup, sipped it, and his eyes widened. "What a potent wine! Sharp, and delightfully so!"

"Oh?" Magistrate Yuan quickly urged the others to take their own portions.

The table was filled with men; if they could not manage three cups of wine, would they not be looked down upon?

They drained their cups one by one. Three cups, three distinct flavors, left everyone marveling in succession.

"Excellent wine! It truly lives up to its reputation!"

Yan Hongwen laughed heartily and looked at Zhang Zhongliang. "Your Zhang family has found a treasure. Should the dowry not be increased? Hmm?"

Zhang Zhongliang, who had yet to swallow his drink, choked at the remark. Yan Hongwen did not press for an answer, laughing all the more merrily.

Xu Yaohui, having already tasted his daughter's wine, was not overly surprised. "I have tasted this at home. If one can drink a full jar of ordinary wine, one can only drink a cup of my daughter’s brew. Three cups is just right; any more would be improper."

Yuan Yang, who had been silent until now, felt the atmosphere was favorable and smiled. "Miss Xu’s wine is indeed potent. A while back at the manor, it intoxicated all the young masters. Even Young Master Liang Xiao, who never gets drunk, was staggering. It was truly astonishing."

The atmosphere was harmonious, but the moment Liang Xiao’s name was mentioned, the mood turned frigid.

Though Yan Hongwen still wore a smile, his expression was icy. "A son of a disgraced official—how can he stand in such elegant company? How can he partake of such fine wine? Absurd!"

A chill ran down Yuan Yang’s spine.

Yan Hongwen stood up. "I am drunk; I shall go and rest for a while." He looked at Zhang Zhongliang, his demeanor shifting entirely. "Shall we meet with your brother this evening?"

"How about tomorrow?" Zhang Zhongliang had hoped to lay some groundwork for the Zhang family first.

Yan Hongwen refused, returning to his beaming, smiling persona. "No, this evening. Tomorrow is the Small New Year; I must go to the Xu residence to continue tasting Miss Xu’s wine."

Xu Yaohui froze and looked at him in alarm.

Yan Hongwen’s tone was like a command. "Ask Clerk Xu to go back and tell Miss Ruojin to prepare all varieties of wine in advance. I want to taste every single one, and I must not be made drunk. That is all. We are finished here..."

Watching Yan Hongwen stride away, Xu Yaohui felt his scalp prickle.

Not to be made drunk? This was Magistrate Yan’s warning.

Ruojin was likely in for a difficult challenge.