Chapter One Hundred Thirteen: The Encounter

The moment Yan Hongwen first laid eyes on Xu Ruojin’s small courtyard, his expression darkened.

Seeing this, Xu Ruojin was filled with emotion. This was the courtyard that Madam Yang had expanded and carefully arranged for her. If the young nobleman had seen the previous shabby hut covered with thatch, she wondered what his reaction would have been.

“The room inside is quite cramped. Young Master Yan, perhaps you’d prefer to sit by the tea table beneath the tree? I’ve instructed the maids to set up a screen around it.”

Xu Ruojin didn’t want him entering the house. After all, he was a stranger. Having been rescued by Liang Xiao, she had already become the subject of many rumors; if any more gossip spread, she might as well hang herself.

Yan Hongwen was surprised when he heard this.

Wasn’t he supposed to be the one to speak first? Yet here she was, showing disdain for him before he even said a word...

“Very well, let’s stay in the courtyard then. I’m sensitive to the cold.”

Taking note of his request, Xu Ruojin had the maids bring another charcoal stove outside.

Though called a tea table, it was bare—nothing laid upon it.

Every time Xu Zimo visited, he brought his own tea set and took it back afterward. Xu Ruojin made sure of this, lest Madam Yang accuse him of coveting her third brother’s belongings.

Yan Hongwen found her behavior peculiar but chose not to inquire further.

Without a word, Xu Ruojin ordered the maids to bring over a wine jar along with a collection of ingredients and tools. She immediately began blending the liquor.

The small fire beneath the stove blazed warmly, and the pot of wine soon steamed hot.

She lowered the jar into a basin filled with warm water, poured out a bowl, added a few slices of green bamboo leaves, and sprinkled in a piece of red bark.

After stirring for a while, Xu Ruojin poured two cups of wine, offering one to Yan Hongwen and the other to Zhu Fang.

Zhu Fang was taken aback—he hadn’t expected Xu Ruojin to serve him wine.

Yan Hongwen smiled, “Since Miss Ruojin has invited you, you should try some as well.”

“Thank you, Young Master, and thank you, Miss Xu.”

Zhu Fang stepped forward, lifted the cup, inhaled the rich aroma, and upon tasting it, felt a comforting warmth spread instantly through his body, widening his eyes in surprise.

Yan Hongwen had tasted it before and thus showed no initial astonishment. “Well? Miss Ruojin’s wine is so enchanting that one sip leaves you longing for more, isn’t it?”

“Old servant here has lived for fifty-three years and never tasted such wine. It’s truly excellent!”

Xu Ruojin offered a faint smile of gratitude in response to Zhu Fang’s praise.

Seeing Yan Hongwen’s curiosity, Xu Ruojin quickly dispelled his urge to probe. “Young Master Yan, it’s better if you don’t ask how this wine is made.”

“Oh?” Catching her hesitation, Yan Hongwen smiled at her. “Why is that?”

Xu Ruojin spoke earnestly, “If you ask, and I respond vaguely, you might think I’m insincere. But if I explain in detail, you probably won’t dare to drink the wine afterward because the method is... unusual.”

“Ha ha ha, interesting, very interesting. You truly are an intriguing person.”

Raising his cup, Yan Hongwen took a sip. “No need to ask. I only know this wine is delicious; why dig deeper?”

Xu Ruojin smiled softly and prepared a second type of wine for him.

“Be careful not to get me drunk,” Yan Hongwen teased slightly. Though he had initially left this as a point of leverage to trouble the Xu family, seeing Xu Ruojin in person softened him somewhat.

Xu Ruojin pursed her lips lightly. “No worries. If you feel dizzy, you can stop and try again another time.”

“I said I want to taste all the varieties you can concoct. You wouldn’t want to admit your inability, would you?”

“Of course not. I’ve figured out thirteen different blending methods now. If you’re willing to taste them all, I’m happy to serve. But since you said you can’t get drunk, we can split the tasting into four or five sessions. Besides, you never specified a deadline, yet you want to finish them all today, don’t you?”

Xu Ruojin continued working as she spoke.

Yan Hongwen reined in his smile. “You’re quite the persistent one.”

Without further words, Xu Ruojin focused entirely on her wine-making.

This time, she didn’t add any supplementary ingredients; she simply heated it and poured two more cups.

“Is this how you’re going to brush me off?” Yan Hongwen frowned. “Earlier you added ingredients, but this cup has nothing. Is this really one of your thirteen methods?”

Xu Ruojin looked up at him. Though her sparkling eyes concealed their sharpness, Yan Hongwen saw it clearly.

“The earlier additions were to ease you into the stronger wines ahead. Drinking the pure, potent brew directly would intensify the heat and might cause dizziness and sweating, especially for someone with a weaker constitution.”

Though she tried to restrain herself, Xu Ruojin’s irritation at being disparaged over her cherished medicinal wine—and at having her character questioned—surfaced.

“Master Yan, though you come from a wealthy and prestigious family in the capital, you likely know nothing of rustic folk remedies in the provinces. Since that is so, it’s better not to cast doubt lightly.”

“I admit I was ignorant; I apologize.”

Yan Hongwen sipped the second cup; the fierce warmth nearly choked him.

Once swallowed, a fiery force rushed from his stomach to his head, leaving him dizzy.

Zhu Fang, older in years, felt less affected but grasped the meaning behind Xu Ruojin’s words.

Yan Hongwen waved his hand, pausing his drinking.

Xu Ruojin had Chun Cao bring over a cup of sobering soup brewed from sour jujube, kudzu flower, and root.

After a moment, Yan Hongwen felt his mind clear.

“Your methods are varied. It seems you truly applied your heart to perfecting them.”

“You are a distinguished guest of the capital, Young Master Yan. I must do my utmost to serve you well.”

“But I sense you do not wish to serve willingly, as if you’re doing so out of necessity. Why is that?”

Yan Hongwen fixed his gaze on her. “I came for your marriage arrangements. Shouldn’t you be grateful to me?”

“Because I have no desire to marry,” Xu Ruojin answered without hesitation. “Not even as a concubine, much less a legitimate wife.”

Yan Hongwen was taken aback. In his experience, he had never met a young lady so blunt and forthright.

“Why don’t you want to marry? Is the Zhang family not a good match?”

“Master Yan,” Xu Ruojin looked at him solemnly, “some things, perhaps you understand better than I do. Why ask such questions? Parental commands and matchmakers’ words—I have no say. But though I lack the right to decide, there’s no need for me to feign obedience or flatter you. You like wine, so I blend it for you and am glad to have someone appreciate it. But if you insist on probing matters I’d rather not mention, beware—the next brew I make might be bitter.”

Rising to her feet, Xu Ruojin said, “Young Master Yan, please wait a moment. I’ll fetch some other items.”

She bowed respectfully, then returned indoors with Chun Cao.

Yan Hongwen and Zhu Fang exchanged glances, both seeing the complexity reflected in each other’s eyes.

“Before coming, my mother had a private talk with me, asking me to keep an eye on her. At the time, I was puzzled why she emphasized this particular girl. Now I understand.”

Yan Hongwen’s gaze deepened. “Don’t you think she’s actually quite like me?”