"Does Your Excellency have any thoughts on this?"
Ruan Qian couldn't help but ask.
The county magistrate and the village chief exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.
Ruan Meng spoke up, "Sir and Uncle Feng, do you feel... we're missing a sip of wine?"
Deng Yanjing and the village chief burst into laughter. Magistrate Deng said, "Little sister's cooking is truly excellent; it's whetted my appetite. It's a pity that such delicious snacks would taste even better with wine!"
Ruan Meng smiled faintly, "Isn't that simple?"
Magistrate Deng quickly declined, "No need, no need! Next time I come, I'll prepare it in advance so everyone can drink to their heart's content! My sister is a hero, how can I let you spend money?"
The village chief also said, "Little sister, don't worry about it! I'll have the eldest or second eldest son go to town and buy some to drink together!"
Ruan Meng smiled and explained, "My family actually has some. I asked Xiao Kai to buy it for me last time. It's Shanlan wine, right?"
Ruan Meng looked at Xiao Kai, and after seeing Xiao Kai nod, she said, "I was originally planning to make some seasonings, but since everyone is so happy, we'll go buy some after we finish drinking!"
When the topic turned to Shanlan wine, Magistrate Deng became interested and mentioned, "Shanlan wine is brewed from mountain rice by the Li ethnic group. I was fortunate enough to taste it once. It is sweet, mellow, and rich but not strong. The flavor is different from what we drink inland. It is worth trying!"
The magistrate of Nandao County did not receive a high salary.
Magistrate Deng appeared carefree, but he was extremely frugal with himself.
In addition to sending money to his wife and children, he often helped out government officials who were in financial difficulty, so as to prevent them from taking risks and accepting bribes.
Magistrate Deng would rather spend the money he would have spent on a nice set of clothes, a good pair of shoes, or a pot of fine wine on visiting elderly people living alone.
With just a few words, Ruan Meng and her brother both realized that Magistrate Deng was stingy with them.
Although he grew up on the southern island, the village chief had never tasted Shanlan wine.
They couldn't even afford millet, let alone brewed wine, which was an even greater luxury.
Ruan Meng stood up, but Magistrate Deng and the village chief both raised their hands to stop her, telling her not to waste the opportunity.
"What constitutes waste?"
"The master came all this way specifically for our matter, and it took him a whole day..."
"We are so grateful to Uncle Feng and Brother Feng Si!"
Seeing this, Sun Chengen turned to A Yuan and instructed, "Remember! When you return with the supplies, bring ten jars of Shanlan wine!"
A Yuan quickly agreed.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, the wine was for the Ruan family, but wasn't it obvious?
Ruan Mengchao nodded to Sun Chengen and said to the county magistrate and the village chief:
"Are you relieved now? Even if you finish drinking it all, Young Master Sun will bring more!"
Only then did Magistrate Deng and the village chief stop refusing.
The second son had finished drying all the remaining dried squid and was tearing it apart by hand.
Ruan Meng took out some oil paper, wrapped six small portions, and set them aside.
When the mountain orchid wine was taken out, the third brother had almost finished grilling the small miscellaneous fish and arranged them on a plate.
The eldest sister-in-law brought out the cooked mackerel dumplings; there were seven or eight plates of them.
Ruan Meng asked Caiju to wake Sun Mu'en. Upon hearing this, Sun Cheng'en got up.
When the brother and sister came out together, Ruan Meng asked with concern, worried that Sun Mu'en didn't like eating with many people.
Based on our previous interactions, Sun Mu'en, perhaps due to being bedridden for so long, is curious about everything and quite affectionate, which contrasts sharply with her twin brother.
It is said that the two originally looked very alike, but perhaps due to health reasons, Sun Mu'en was too weak and thin. If it were not mentioned, no one would have thought that the two were twins.
Hearing that there were fresh dumplings, and having slept for too long, Sun Mu'en was quite excited.
After greeting the county magistrate and the village chief, he asked for permission from Ruan Meng and his brother, and then sat down in a corner.
Ruan Meng reminded him to have A Yuan move a small table separately for his young master...
As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Chengen lifted his robe and sat down next to Sun Mu'en.
A hint of surprise flashed in Sun Mu'en's eyes as he looked at Ruan Meng with a faint smile.
Seeing this, A Yuan prepared to move the table so that he and Cai Ju could sit down, but Ruan Meng stopped him:
"What? You guys have so many rules?"
A-Yuan glanced at his young master, not daring to utter a sound.
Sun Chengen instructed Caiju, "You sit beside me and serve Miss."
Seeing this, A-Yuan dared not say a word and forced himself to sit down.
Xiao Kai and Lao Er helped pour the wine, and Da La La sat down next to Ruan Meng, when he suddenly noticed two strong gazes.
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