Chapter 101: Close Friend

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After Xu Ruojin and Lady Yang each threw down harsh words, the Xu residence fell into a deep silence. Xu Yaohui didn’t return home all day but left word sternly warning Lady Yang not to pay attention to any rumors outside, even under threat of death.

This time, Lady Yang was genuinely afraid.

Because the sharp words were aimed squarely at her.

Moreover, in recent days, Lady Yang had repeatedly sent invitations to the wives of other households, inviting them to visit and have tea at their residence.

Not a single one accepted—either there was no response at all, or they made excuses to avoid coming.

While other homes bustled with activity, filled with guests and lively preparations before the New Year, the Xu residence remained cold and desolate, chilling Lady Yang to the bone.

The colder it became, the more fearful Lady Yang grew.

Her fear robbed her of sleep night after night, and her constant complaints exhausted the maids attending her.

Several times she lost her temper with Lady Liu, only to be swiftly put in her place by a few sharp words from her.

Lady Yang increasingly felt her position in the household was insecure.

Recalling the master’s warnings, she could only pray day and night, begging for this matter to be resolved soon, lest she lose her mind entirely.

When Xu Zilin learned that Li Qiuping had instructed a maid to slip laxatives into Xu Ruojin’s wine, he beat Li Qiuping severely and then left the Xu household, not returning for many days.

Li Qiuping’s heart was already full of regret, but what good was that?

She only hoped to bear a son, believing that would turn the tide of events.

Otherwise, with both her mother-in-law and husband intent on divorcing her, all her hatred was focused on Xu Ruojin.

If not for vengeance against this young lady, why would she have risked everything to commit such an act?

One day, when she could turn things around in the Xu household, she vowed she would never let Xu Ruojin off.

Xu Ruojin, on the other hand, had been living quite freely these days.

Every morning after breakfast, she would immerse herself in medical texts.

Though her stay at the magistrate’s office had caused a series of troubles, her attention was fixated on fermenting wine.

Wine starter.

These two words had long teased her curiosity; she had wanted to try making it but had botched it terribly last time.

Now, with time to spare, she could give it a proper attempt.

The day after quarreling with Lady Yang, Xu Ruojin sent Hong Xing to the main kitchen to fetch a sack of wheat.

She picked out a dozen or so scattered medicinal herbs.

Grinding the wheat into flour, mixing it with water, and pulverizing the herbs into powder, she placed them separately into square molds.

The molds had been ordered by Xu Ruojin from Xiao Ke, who, despite being clumsy in other matters, was quite skilled at this kind of rough work.

All told, there were over a dozen small molds.

Several maids helped pound and press them, then all were placed into a single jar by the charcoal brazier used for winter heating.

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Fortunately, it was winter, so the charcoal fire burned continuously every day.

Otherwise, Xu Ruojin would have worried about the temperature not being sufficient…

For ten consecutive days, she opened the jar each day to inspect the contents.

If one looked promising, she wrote down the recipe and marked it well.

If something seemed off, she didn’t discard it immediately but placed it in another jar to continue observing.

After three to five days of fermenting, Xu Ruojin took out all the herb starters.

She then mixed them individually with mashed leftover rice, placing the mixtures on a large pot to steam.

The resulting musty smell was quite unpleasant.

Xiao Ke complained endlessly about it, but Xu Ruojin carefully removed the batches one by one, sealed them, and placed them into jars filled with wine.

She sealed the entire jar with wax, waiting a few days before opening it again.

Though the method was crude and somewhat impulsive, Xu Ruojin felt confident; since the last attempt had succeeded, this time she had experience and expected no problems.

Opening one jar, Xu Ruojin inhaled deeply—the strong aroma mingled with medicinal scents.

She wanted to taste it herself but feared it would still cause intoxication.

Looking at the four people behind her, Yang Tao was just recovering and wasn’t a good candidate for testing.

Chun Cao had a low tolerance for alcohol, quickly becoming drunk.

Hong Xing could drink a little, but Xu Ruojin still didn’t trust her handiwork enough, and Hong Xing was busy gathering news outside.

Drinking too much was inappropriate.

Xu Ruojin could only look to Xiao Ke.

Xiao Ke felt a pang of anxiety but saw the second young lady’s smiling face and said, “Second Miss, you want this servant to try the wine, right?”

“You’re willing? Perfect, then it’s you!”

Xu Ruojin relented and immediately selected Xiao Ke.

Xiao Ke wanted to cry, “This servant didn’t mean that…”

“Then you don’t want to?” Xu Ruojin’s face turned cold, her brows knitting sharply.

Xiao Ke feared angering her.

These days, she had sensed the second young lady’s subtle but firm authority.

Though she never scolded or hit the servants, her quiet intimidation was enough to make one tremble.

“Well, then just let this servant try one kind, alright?”

“If the second miss uses you, it’s a favor. You dare bargain here like this?”

Hong Xing laughed and teased her.

Xiao Ke pouted, “Then why don’t you try it?”

“I’ll wait until after tonight’s chores. Otherwise, who will do the work in the yard?”

“Then I’ll try it.”

Xiao Ke looked resigned and took the first cup poured by Chun Cao.

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Holding it to her lips, she bit her teeth and drank it all in one gulp!

After swallowing, before she could comment, Mother Huang appeared at the courtyard gate.

“Ah, Mother Huang…”

Xiao Ke spoke, but some wine spilled from her mouth.

Xu Ruojin looked that way and saw Mother Huang leading a young lady inside.

“Second Miss, quickly see who has come!”

Mother Huang’s face was so moved she almost cried.

These days, the household had been so quiet without a single visitor, but who would have thought Miss Jiang would come calling, stirring Lady Yang’s excitement.

Upon learning that Jiang Mingshuang had come specifically to see Xu Ruojin, Lady Yang instructed Mother Huang to escort her over.

She even specially ordered the household to prepare food, urging her to stay for a meal before leaving.

Xu Ruojin was equally surprised to see Jiang Mingshuang.

She was not entirely unaware of the household’s recent troubles.

Why would she come at such a critical time?

“What? Surprised to see me? What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Mingshuang smiled and stepped forward, glancing at the array of wine jars spread out on the floor with a look of mixed amusement and disbelief.

Xu Ruojin didn’t explain but took a handkerchief to dry her hands, then linked arms with Jiang Mingshuang and sat inside.

“Since there’s nothing else to do, I’m just experimenting with wine.”

“I really don’t know how steady your mind is. Everyone guesses you’re either bedridden at home or crying your eyes out, but you’re having quite the good time.”

Jiang Mingshuang covered her mouth, laughing continuously.

“That must be very disappointing for them.”

Xu Ruojin sized her up and asked, “You’re quite bold to come at a time like this.”

Everyone in the Xu family was hiding, afraid of being tainted by bad rumors, yet she came deliberately…

“Birds of a feather flock together. They call me a weirdo, so coming to see you fits perfectly.”

Jiang Mingshuang turned and saw Xiao Ke’s flushed face, startled, “Oh dear, what’s wrong with this girl? Why is her face so red?”

Xu Ruojin recalled Xiao Ke had just tasted the first cup of wine and quickly asked, “How is it?”

Xiao Ke endured for a moment, then finally raised her head, fanning her mouth:

“Spicy!”

“It’s killing this servant!”

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