Chapter Seventy-Six: Trading Wine

Although Xu Ruojin had taken a wine jar from the courtyard, she had no intention of sending the wine inside to the magistrate’s residence.

A couple of days prior, after Xu Zimo had sampled the wine in the courtyard, Xu Ruojin gifted him three jars. Her warning that he was not to drink them without permission was meant as a precaution against unforeseen events.

She had not expected trouble to come so soon—the previous night, it did.

Since all the jars had been touched, she could not tell if they had been tampered with, nor did she dare to gamble with such a risk.

Thus, last night, she instructed Hong Xing to fetch three jars from Xu Zimo at dawn and place them directly on his carriage.

As for who was behind the mischief, Xu Ruojin would wait until the day's affairs had passed smoothly before investigating. Besides, she already had her suspicions.

Upon entering the main hall, she found Xu Yaohui with Lady Yang and Xu Zilin; seeing Xu Ruojin arrive, father and son both spared her more than a few glances.

Dressed in a brocade jacket with floral embroidery and draped in a mouse-fur cloak adorned with silver pendants, her graceful figure and shrewd, charming face were nothing short of captivating.

Xu Yaohui nodded in satisfaction, while Xu Zilin mused curiously about his father’s former lovers, wondering just how striking they must have been to bear such a delightful child...

If he didn’t know she was his sister, he would never believe they shared blood—there was not a trace of resemblance in her features.

“Father, mother, I wish you peace. My elder brother has arrived as well. It is your daughter who is late,” Xu Ruojin greeted respectfully.

Lady Yang’s expression soured, but after racking her brains, she could find no words to scold her, for the outfit she wore had been chosen by none other than Lady Yang herself. To accuse her of dressing like a temptress would be to insult herself.

“Those days spent learning with the teaching mother were not wasted; you certainly look stronger than that pitiful sight you used to present!” Lady Yang managed to find something to say, eyeing her for a while before warning, “When you go to the magistrate’s residence today, don’t think your good looks entitle you to show off. That is not your stage.”

“Your daughter will remain by her mother’s side, and follow mother’s instructions in all things,” Xu Ruojin replied, turning the words back to Lady Yang, who was momentarily silenced.

Looking between Xu Zilin and Xu Ruojin, Lady Yang could only change the subject in annoyance, “Where is that boy Zimo? Go urge him again!”

The maids scurried off to find him, while Xu Yaohui sipped his tea calmly. “No need to hurry; if we arrive late, there will be fewer pleasantries. Today will surely be crowded, and early arrival is simply tiring.”

“That’s not quite right, Old Master. The magistrate’s wife specifically requested Second Girl’s wine. If we’re late, she might think we’re being dismissive. She’s not like His Excellency; her ears are easily swayed, and she believes whatever people tell her.”

---

Lady Yang wished she could sprout wings and fly there at once. “Besides, there will surely be many guests today. If we arrive late, there’ll be nowhere to park the carriage, and we’ll have to wait ages before entering. That simply won’t do.”

“Fine, fine, whatever you say,” Xu Yaohui replied, seeming impatient with her nagging. “I’ll visit the washroom once more, then wait at the carriage outside.”

“Father, I’ll accompany you,” Xu Zilin seized the chance to escape, leaving Lady Yang exasperated but powerless as she watched them go.

Xu Ruojin stood quietly aside, giving Lady Yang no outlet for her irritation, which only made her more displeased. “Why are you standing there? Stand beside me—it's as if there's a shadow following me; are you trying to scare me?”

“When you get to the magistrate’s residence, you’ll be standing all day. Do you think you’ll have time to bask in your own delight as you do now? Go sit and wait; don’t embarrass me later by being weak and listless!”

Driven to the side, Xu Ruojin was more than happy to sit. Lady Yang’s words were unpleasant, but undeniably true.

Besides, she would encounter many people today, and even more hostility she would need to be ready to withstand—conserving her energy was wise.

Xu Zimo was not deliberately late; he was already waiting at the main gate, seated in the carriage.

When Chen Cai came to inform Lady Yang, she could only leave, taking Xu Ruojin and the maids with her, unable to vent her frustration.

Madam Huang did not accompany them. As Xu Ruojin left the courtyard, she caught a glimpse of Madam Huang’s embarrassment.

Wit had outwitted itself; Madam Huang, confident in her schemes, had underestimated Lady Yang’s narrow-mindedness. Should she secretly rejoice, or secretly rejoice?

At the gate, two carriages awaited: one for Xu Yaohui and Lady Yang, and another for Xu Ruojin and Xu Zimo.

Once seated and underway, Xu Ruojin meant to anticipate the coming events, but Xu Zimo refused to let her, launching into complaints about the wine jars:

“Second Sister, honestly! You wouldn’t let me drink, and now you’ve taken the jars back. If I’d known, I’d have tasted them first. For days, I’ve been thinking about that wine, and now not a drop remains. That’s just unfair!”

Xu Zimo’s chubby face clouded over, making him look even less intimidating and all the more amusing.

“Oh, come now—wasn’t it just an emergency? My courtyard is open to you anytime; if you want to drink, just fetch it yourself. Besides, if mother learns I’ve stocked your place with too much wine, she’ll have my hide!”

Xu Ruojin soothed him with a mix of cajoling and reason. Xu Zimo thought it over and conceded, though his morning’s frustration at Hong Xing snatching the wine hadn’t entirely faded. “But Second Sister shouldn’t have tricked me. I’ve always been loyal to you!”

“I admit my mistake, all right? I didn’t think it through and made you upset. I apologize. I only took three jars from you—how about I give you one jar for each, and pick even better ingredients, so you can drink yourself and gift your friends as well? Is that fair?”

---

Xu Ruojin, unwilling to jeopardize their only sibling bond, was quick to promise sincerely and admit fault.

Xu Zimo cheered up considerably. “Could you add a few more jars?”

“How many do you want?”

“Well, I have a lot of friends…”

“As many as you want, I’ll brew as many!”

“Deal! But you mustn’t tell mother.”

“Absolutely.”

The siblings linked their little fingers again, their smiling eyes sweeping away all the morning’s grievances.

Xu Ruojin breathed a long sigh of relief, but abandoned any hope of careful contemplation, listening instead to Xu Zimo chatter about the shops and wine taverns he passed along the way.

Though the Xu family had set out early, the magistrate’s residence was already bustling.

The magistrate had sent invitations only to the major households, yet many others had come bearing gifts unbidden.

They delivered their gifts and departed, so that the carriages formed a tangled mass, waiting for the magistrate’s servants to guide them.

Sitting idle was irksome; Xu Ruojin surreptitiously lifted the carriage curtain to observe the hubbub outside, and Xu Zimo joined her, acting as her guide:

“The magistrate’s residence faces the county office. It’s a prime spot—a winehouse here is especially famous. I heard their brewmaster came from the capital, and they only sell five jars a day, not a cup more. I’ve never tasted it, but big brother has mentioned it.”

Xu Zimo eyed the place, licking his lips, then glanced around and suddenly called out, “Second Sister, look! Who is that man?”

Xu Ruojin glanced carelessly and was instantly stunned. Li Zhonglin?

Why was he loitering at the magistrate’s gate as well?