Chapter 204
On the way back, Fan Xiaoxiao's brows remained furrowed.
She hadn't expected that Renle would actually block off all access points to and from Tianshan. Now, everything in and out of Tianshan would probably have to pass through her sight.
But why is she so fixated on Bai Chaoyan and Xiahou?
While in Yongzhou City, the princess seemed to have feelings for the general.
Although Renle was naturally fond of sensual pleasures and indulgence, Fan Xiaoxiao still found it hard to believe that this member of the royal family could go to such lengths for Xiahou.
What if it wasn't solely for Xiahou? Then what was her motive? Or rather, what was worth all this trouble...?
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Fan Xiaoxiao's mind, and she actually came up with something.
Treasure map!
She suddenly smacked her head. Oh right, how could she have forgotten? Although the main plot of this book is only clear about the relationship between the male and female protagonists, the most important thing running through it is that treasure map!
Bai Xiang died, and Ren Le came to Youzhou shortly afterward.
Although she is a favored princess, changes in her fiefdom are no small matter. Moreover, her words today are considered golden, so her presence here must be at the emperor's behest!
What does the emperor want? Or rather, what does he know about this place? It's none other than Bai Chaoyan, who carries the treasure map, and the Heavenly Venerable who possesses the treasure map.
Furthermore, the last treasure map is in Gu Zhongtai's hands, plus the pair of walnuts in her possession whose purpose is unknown...
If the imperial court were unaware of these events, that would be fine. But if they were fully aware, then Renle's presence here today would have a completely different significance.
Fan Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes: "Looks like we need to speed things up..."
"What?"
Sitting next to Fan Xiaoxiao, Madam Fan did not hear clearly what Fan Xiaoxiao had just murmured.
Fan Xiaoxiao shook her head and didn't say anything.
After returning home, Fan Xiaoxiao got off the carriage and went straight to the greenhouse.
There was some malt she had soaked a couple of days ago... With the heavy snow these past two days, she thought the wheat hadn't sprouted, but now it seems she can use it to make what she wants.
I just don't know if these ancient things can actually make the taste she wants.
Without hesitation, Fan Xiaoxiao locked herself in the greenhouse after returning home. She didn't emerge until sunset, carrying a wet winnowing basket. When asked what it was, she wouldn't say.
After a quick dinner, everyone took turns going to the bathroom outside the kitchen to wash up.
This is a rule set by Fan Xiaoxiao: if you've worked all day, you must wash up before going to bed.
Their rooms had wooden floors covered with tung oil, which looked very clean. If you stepped on them while they were dirty, you would leave a footprint with each step.
That is why they have always followed this principle.
However, while everyone else had taken a shower, Fan Xiaoxiao remained motionless.
"Sister, why aren't you washing up yet? We've already added water to the stove twice. Whatever it is, we can do it tomorrow."
Fan Xiaoxiao shook her head, her hands constantly turning over the contents of the winnowing basket. Her fair face was flushed red from the heat of the fire, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
"Sister, don't worry about me. I'll go to sleep once this stuff is almost dry."
What are you doing?
Fan leaned over, puzzled, and discovered that what was in Fan Xiaoxiao's winnowing basket was some wheat that had already sprouted.
"Oh dear, they've already sprouted, why are you still baking them? If they're cooked, then we can't plant them!"
Although that's what Fan said, he didn't rush to take the winnowing basket from Fan Xiaoxiao's hand.
"This is the business we're going to do. Didn't I promise to brew wine for the Celestial Venerable? This is the raw material for making that wine."
"Sprouted wheat? How can that be used to make wine?"
Most of the wines produced during the Zhou Dynasty were made from rice, resulting in a sour and astringent taste. When Fan Xiaoxiao first used glutinous rice to make wine, she already found it incredible, but she never imagined that wheat could also be used as a raw material for winemaking.
"Sister, where did you learn this?"
Madam Fan asked Fan Xiaoxiao a question with some curiosity. Although she had been away from her parents' home for a long time, they still occasionally corresponded. Her father had never mentioned that her younger sister knew these skills before, and they didn't grow wheat in their area. Where did her younger sister learn these things?
Fan Xiaoxiao had already thought of a way to deal with this matter. Without pausing her hands or raising her head, she answered Fan's question very smoothly.
“Sister, after you left, a storyteller came to our village. At that time, I often had to go out to cut pig feed, and I cut a lot more than usual every day. I would sneak away from Father and Stepmother to listen to the storyteller. Most of what I heard was from him…”
"However, I'm just trying this method. I wanted to do it back home, but as you know, my stepmother is..."
Fan Xiaoxiao stopped halfway through her sentence, her voice muffled as if she had really recalled something unpleasant. Seeing her like this, Fan Shi paused slightly, knowing that this had reminded the girl of those unhappy things from the past.
She sighed, walked over and half-hug Fan Xiaoxiao, gently patting her back: "It's all in the past now. You can do whatever you want, little sister. No one will restrict you anymore. We just wanted to try the storyteller's method, so let's give it a try!"
"Alright, so you're drying this malt, right? I'll do it. Sister, you should go take a shower and rest."
"No, sister. I don't have much here, and it'll be done quickly."
"Alright then, I'll stay here with you."
Madam Fan sat down next to Fan Xiaoxiao and wiped her sweat from time to time.
"Sister, what are you planning to name this wine?"
"Oh, I'm planning to call this... light beer."
That's right, what Fan Xiaoxiao made this time was beer using wheat.
The rich aroma and silky smooth texture of that wine were unmatched by any other wine from the Zhou Dynasty.
"So, sister, didn't you say you were going to partner with the people from Ginkgo Village? Are you planning to sell this wine to the people from Tianshan Town?"
Fan Xiaoxiao shook her head. Although there were many people in Tianshan Town, alcohol was not a cheap commodity. If she really wanted to sell it at a good price, she certainly couldn't just sell it to them.
Moreover, there were quite a few people brewing wine during the Zhou Dynasty. Although most of the wines brewed by ordinary people were sour and astringent, there were also some good ones.
For example, it's like a pipe dream.
Since she chose pale ale, she's taking a unique approach, which is why she chose this beer as a selling point.
But if we take this path, we are destined not to sell only to the people of Tianshan Town.
Fan Xiaoxiao stopped what she was doing and gave Fan Shi a smile.
"What I want to sell are members of the imperial family."
(End of this chapter)
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