叭哒漫画

“I had helped an old man before and he gifted it to me.” replied Wei Ruo.

“An old man? Could it be the maker of this thyme wine that you had assisted?” conjectured Lu Yuhong.

There were many stories about the origins of Thyme in the city. One of them suggested that it was crafted by an old hermit living in the mountains, with each jar a treasured brew, aged for many years.

However, as the old man used to stash only two jars away daily, only two jars are sold daily now.

“I am not sure about that; the city had not started selling Thyme when I got this wine,” answered Wei Ruo.

It was rumored that Wei Ruo had spread these stories to add an air of mystery to Thyme, which not only piqued the curiosity of those who hadn’t tasted this wine before but also made people willing to pay a high price for it.

So, in her reply to Lu Yuhong, Wei Ruo intentionally directed her answer in this manner, which both substantiated the rumor to some extent and maintained the mysterious aura of Thyme.

“Do you know where the old man is?” pursued Lu Yuhong.

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen that old man since, and I don’t know where he lives,” answered Wei Ruo.

Disappointment lingered in Lu Yuhong at the response.

However, his disappointment quickly morphed into a determination to seize the opportunity to get a few jars for his father in the Capital City.

If the old man was indeed advanced in age, his father would lose the chance to taste this wine if the old man stopped selling it one day.

So, Lu Yuhong continued to ask Wei Ruo, “This wine is very expensive now; are you sure you want to gift me eight jars?”

Lu Yuhong was somewhat incredulous and sought confirmation from Wei Ruo again.

“Of course. As I have already promised, I wouldn’t joke with Master Lu about it,” replied Wei Ruo.

Lu Yuhong was pleasantly surprised, but somewhat puzzled, “Why would Miss Wei present me with such a generous gift?”

Although Lu Yuhong was somewhat inebriated, he wasn’t foolish enough to believe that someone would simply be kind to him for no reason; people who are overly eager to please usually expected some reciprocity.

“There’s nothing else I seek. Just to ask Master Lu to relay a message to Master Xiu on my behalf as previously requested. If Master Lu is willing, perhaps persuade Master Xiu on my behalf,” Wei Ruo replied.

Lu Yuhong was skeptical: “Really nothing else in return?”

“Really nothing else, Master Lu, do not worry. I’m not a huge wine connoisseur, so this wine would be wasted on me anyway,” said Wei Ruo.

Lu Yuhong couldn’t see Wei Ruo’s expression, but the authenticity in her voice suggested sincerity.

Moreover, if she really wanted something in return, she would have mentioned it now. If she brought it up later, he wouldn’t be likely to accept.

However, this made Wei Ruo appear even stranger in Lu Yuhong’s eyes. She didn’t want a good son-in-law like Xiu Fengyuan but was willing to freely give away precious Thyme with no strings attached.

“If you genuinely want to send me this, I won’t insist on refusing. But you’d better not regret it later and ask me for the wine back, because by then, I won’t have any to return,” said Lu Yuhong to Wei Ruo.

“Master Lu, rest assured, there’s no take-backs with a gift. But I do have one condition; I hope you won’t tell anyone about this,” Wei Ruo replied with a laugh.

Lu Yuhong could understand her last two conditions. A young lady from a respectable family giving him a gift could attract gossip if word got out, so it wasn’t something he could mention casually.

“Alright, I won’t impose on Miss Wei then. Consider me owing you a favor; if you need anything within my capabilities in the future, feel free to approach me.”

While they were conversing, the contest at Four Treasures House had already begun.

The contest, based on pair matching, created quite a lively atmosphere, now and again setting off bursts of cheers.

Upon hearing the voices of Xiu Fengyuan and Wei Yichen, Lu Yuhong’s attention was drawn over.

The contest was drawing to a close with very few still participating—it had narrowed down to a duet between Xiu Fengyuan and Wei Yichen.

This indicated that whether in Anzhou Academy or in Taizhou prefecture, the learning of Xiu and Wei was top-notch.

The contest between the two went on for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Lu Yuhong had finished his second pot of Thyme and eaten most of the fresh food and cured meat, yet the two hadn’t determined a winner.

Meanwhile, the applause from the crowd came in waves.

Although she couldn’t see the lively scene outside, Wei Ruo could infer the grandeur of this contest from people’s reactions.

Wei Yichen’s learning was undisputed. In the original story, he had emerged successful by the time the original owner of Wei Ruo’s body died, and was the only remaining hope for the Wei Family after Wei Mingting’s death.

So even after arriving in Taizhou prefecture, Wei Ruo knew that Wei Yichen had the capability to stand out amongst his peers.

After a good while, the contest ended with Wei Yichen emerging as the winner.

Xiu Fengyuan generously extended congratulations to Wei Yichen: “I am no match for Brother Wei; your learning is truly remarkable. I have no doubt that you will shine in this year’s imperial examination.”

“Brother Xiu flatters me; frankly, it was a product of your humility—I wouldn’t have this opportunity otherwise,” Wei Yichen countered.

The shopkeeper of Four Treasures House presented a painting and a box full of paper to Wei Yichen.

“Master Wei, this is your prize—a calligraphy artwork by a Tibetan layman and Four Treasure House’s exclusive paper. We will send a box of paper to your house each month for the next year; you only need to leave your address for us later.”

“Thank you,” said Wei Yichen. He then turned and handed the painting to Xiu Fengyuan, “Brother Xiu, I present this painting to you.”

“Gentlemen do not encroach on what others hold dear. Brother Wei, you’ve always admired the Tibetan layman. I couldn’t possibly accept this painting,” Xiu Fengyuan declined.

“I already have one of his artworks. I insist on gifting this one to you, Brother Xiu. Please, don’t stand on ceremony,” persisted Wei Yichen.

Seeing this, Xiu Fengyuan had no choice but to accept.

“Very well, I won’t be ceremonious with Brother Wei then,” he graciously accepted Wei Yichen’s gift.

The contest was over, and the crowd’s enthusiasm shifted towards the items within the store.

Since everyone was already there, they didn’t forget to purchase some items at Four Treasures House. Except for paper, sold in limited quantities, there was no shortage of other items, though Four Treasure House’s brushes, inks, and ink-stones were not very different from others’.

Wei Yichen and Xiu Fengyuan didn’t shop like the others but sought out Lu Yuhong, who was enjoying his leisure time at Xu’s Cured Meat Shop.

By this time, Wei Ruo had already left the shop from the back door, leaving only the shopkeeper Chen Aqing and Lu Yuhong inside.

Noticing the wine jug and small dishes of cured meat in front of Lu Yuhong, Xiu Fengyuan chuckled, “Brother Lu, this is really atmospheric of you.”

Pouring wine and feasting in a small cured meat shop, though slightly unconventional, had its own poetic charm.

Lu Yuhong laughed, “You wouldn’t know, although this may not match the elegance of a tavern, the taste of this wine and food is divine—an experience which you can’t ask for everywhere..”