Chapter 29 Dionysus Festival 07
Ever since Zhu Yu's batch of secret ale showed remarkable efficacy in the plague incident in the West End, the reputation of the Golden Cup Tavern has skyrocketed overnight.
Not only did it become famous in the small town of Arce, but several surrounding wine towns also heard the rumor that this "beer could cure plague" and sent people to inquire about purchasing channels.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Zhu Yu affixed an exclusive gold-plated label on a barrel of the most stable quality beer from the latest batch and sent it to the preliminary venue of the Dionysus Festival as a competition sample.
Zhu Yu is full of confidence in this event. Her secret beer has excellent flavor and can cure diseases. It is unique among all the participating beer types.
Qualifying for the Dionysian Festival competition was almost a foregone conclusion.
In addition, with the continued treatment of two batches of ale, the plague in the western district was quickly brought under control.
Among them, dozens of critically ill patients with high fever, coughing up blood, and rashes now only have mild coughs.
What is even more gratifying is that the death toll in this incident was almost zero.
Encouraged by a series of good news, Zhu Yulian felt happy about going to work.
These days, when she walked into the courtroom door, her steps were much lighter.
She walked into the office humming a tune, holding a cup of freshly brewed, steaming black tea in her hand. She sat down on the soft and comfortable chair, drinking tea while casually flipping through the files on the desk.
Although the incident in the West District came to a temporary end, the trial court did not relax its investigation into the black market incident of "smuggling fermented wine causing plague."
Since this case was related to alcohol and involved other bars, Zhu Yu was naturally arranged to participate in the case research.
She flipped through the summary reports of various cases and the corresponding team attendance records, her fingers sweeping over the time, place, and people involved on each page.
Until one of the pages, a paragraph came into view——
[Night patrol record of the third action team]
Person in charge: Rhine Leirs
Date: 23rd of x month, 22:00 at night - 1:00 in the morning of the next day
Action Content: Executing confidential field mission, detailed route not recorded
Zhu Yu was just flipping through the book, but when he saw this name, he subconsciously stopped.
"Captain Rhine... on the 23rd of last month?"
She frowned slightly and pressed her finger on the date.
This record didn't sound like anything special, but a name suddenly flashed through her mind - Elena.
Didn’t Elena’s assassination happen late at night on the 23rd of last month?
When she escaped death in the winery, her guards said that someone ambushed her at night and the assassin was extremely cruel.
Captain Rhine happened to be leading his team out that night, and the content of the mission was classified as "confidential".
Zhu Yu stared at the page of paper, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
Is it a coincidence? Or is there something else going on?
Her mind raced through the details.
In her impression, Captain Rhine has always been an upright, steady and prudent person - but the night out recorded in this record not only has a strange time, but also no detailed notes on the location, and it just happened to be the night when Elena was attacked... What a coincidence.
She slowly leaned back in her chair, her eyes unconsciously looking out the window.
The afternoon sun shone through the blinds, hitting the gray-white walls of the courtroom, creating blurry shadows. The wind blew the flags between the columns, which rose and fell slightly. Occasionally, one could hear the powerful and regular rhythm of the law enforcement officers' shoes and boots treading on the ground during training in the yard.
Zhu Yu knocked on the table and temporarily suppressed his chaotic thoughts.
However, before she could fully figure out her next move, there was a slight knock at the door.
Before she could get up and put away the paperwork on the table, Captain Rhine pushed the door open and walked in.
"We have finally made some progress in our investigation of black market fermented wine." He said as he walked closer and placed a new document on the table in front of Zhu Yu. "We have obtained some useful clues from several tavern owners. We can basically confirm that the next trade fair will be held in the evening of two days later at the old dock outside the town."
"You found it out so quickly?"
Zhu Yu's gaze fell on Captain Rhine and he paused for a few seconds before lowering his eyes.
She flipped through the information and quickly scanned the time and place written on it.
"The other party probably didn't expect that we could catch up with them in such a short time." Rhine continued, "We will set up an ambush in advance and try to catch the people behind it this time."
"It sounds like a big operation." Zhu Yu raised his eyes, "I also want to participate in this operation."
Hearing this, Rhine was slightly stunned, but he immediately recovered his composure and a smile appeared on his face.
"Of course." He said, "This mission is not easy. It would be great if you could participate in it."
Zhu Yu: "That's settled then. Remember to give me the action plan in advance, and I'll make some preparations in the next two days."
"Okay, I'll have someone bring it over later."
Captain Rhine nodded, then said goodbye and left.
Zhu Yu packed up and left the courtroom. Her mind was still turning over the information she had just heard, but her body had already honestly reminded her: she was hungry.
As soon as she entered the door, she rubbed her belly and complained to 996:
"I had white people for lunch again today...boiled chicken breast and broccoli. I'm starving."
Ever since she started working in the trial court, her appetite has increased without her noticing.
Mainly the business lunch at noon... I really couldn't praise it, it was a typical white person's meal, with a bland taste and not much portion. She had no appetite at all.
Fortunately, 996 has always paid attention to dinner.
Ever since he knew she had been under a lot of work pressure recently, he downloaded new recipes and adjusted the taste almost every night.
When she got home, 996 had already prepared dinner.
Today's menu is seared beef ribs, black truffle risotto, accompanied by a bowl of refreshing basil tomato soup and cucumber salad dressed with honey.
The dessert after the meal was also a plate of smooth lemon cheese tart.
Zhu Yu sat down and started eating without hesitation. After finishing a plate of risotto, he finally came to his senses.
After eating and drinking, she took a comfortable bath. By the time she dried her hair and lay down on the bed, she was so sleepy that she didn't want to move.
She turned over, buried her head in the pillow, and fell into a deep sleep in a moment.
But before he had slept for long, Zhu Yu was awakened by a faint noise.
She frowned. At first she thought it was the noise in her dream, but gradually, the low noise mixed with voices became clearer and clearer, and there was a faint smell of burning.
She opened her eyes drowsily, stood up, put on her coat and walked out of the room, just in time to run into Maggie who was running towards her in a hurry.
"Miss!" Maggie looked panicked, her voice filled with anxiety, "Oh no, the Golden Cup Tavern... is on fire!"
Zhu Yu was startled, and his sleepiness was instantly swept away.
She almost subconsciously grabbed a coat and put it on. Without asking any more questions, she took Maggie, George, Betty and others and rushed to the tavern.
There were already quite a few people gathered outside the Golden Cup Tavern in the night. Although the fire had been put out, there was still some smoke lingering above the eaves and a pungent burnt smell in the air.
The door of the tavern was open, and there were still traces of water spraying on the door panel. A corner of the door frame had been blackened. Several tavern waiters were busy using water to put out the remaining fire that had not yet been extinguished.
Zhu Yu immediately found Carl, the guy on duty tonight.
"What happened? How did the fire start?"
Karl wiped the sweat from his forehead and panted, "Yes... the fire started from the side house in the backyard. When we smelled the smoke and rushed out to see, the fire had already started. Fortunately, we discovered it early and it didn't burn into the front hall of the tavern."
"A side room?" Zhu Yu's eyes flickered, and his heart skipped a beat. "That... is where the wine cellar is."
After a while, when the fire was completely extinguished, Zhu Yu raised his hand to press on his collar and took the lead to rush into the tavern.
Betty, George and Maggie followed closely behind, covering their mouths and noses with wet cloths.
Although there was no open flame inside, there was still smoke and dust in the air. The group walked towards the side room while coughing.
Tables and chairs collapsed, wine bottles shattered, and a large area of water-soaked ground remained on the road.
The door of the side room was half closed. Zhu Yu kicked the door open, and several people walked into the wine cellar holding lights.
The air in the wine cellar was filled with the pungent sour smell of burnt wood and alcohol. A pool of wine that had not yet dried up in the corner was slowly seeping onto the floor.
The dozen or so barrels of wine originally stored in the wine cellar now had their lids either pried open or the entire barrel split apart.
The wine was flowing everywhere, mixed in one place, sawdust was scattered on the ground, and even the barrels on the innermost side were not spared.
There was a series of messy footprints in the corner, leaving clear mud marks.
"It wasn't an accident. Someone deliberately smashed the barrels and set them on fire."
Betty looked at the mess and said in a deep voice.
Zhu Yu's expression turned completely cold.
Who did this and for what purpose?
Was he jealous of her tavern's rising fame and sales? Or was he dissatisfied with her representing the town of Arce in the Dionysus Festival? Or... was he looking for something?
A thought flashed through her mind: Was it for the secret ale recipe?
But she quickly rejected this idea.
Anyone who truly understands winemaking knows that important recipes are never left in easily accessible places like wine cellars.
After memorizing the recipe, the winemaker will hide it in a very secret place, even if he does not burn it.
She remembered clearly that the parchment containing the secret beer recipe was still locked in a secret compartment in her room, and no one could possibly access it.
Zhu Yu held up the lamp, squatted down carefully, and examined the broken pieces of the wine barrel and the scattered residues inch by inch.
Suddenly, she found a small piece of cloth embedded in the crack of a broken barrel board.
"What is this?" Maggie also squatted down and took a closer look.
The tiny piece was only the size of a fingernail, dark in color, with slightly coarse texture, and looked like what was left when the edge of a garment was torn by a sharp point.
"It's too small, I can't tell the type of fabric..."
She frowned and said softly, "But I can take it to the fabric market tomorrow to compare it. Maybe I can find out the source."
Zhu Yu nodded, carefully wrapped the piece of cloth into a handkerchief and gave it to Maggie for safekeeping.
Before he stood up, George on the other side suddenly shouted:
"Sister, there's something here!"
Zhu Yu walked over quickly and saw George standing by the wall in the corner.
The originally inconspicuous stone wall now revealed several criss-crossing marks of damage under the light, as if it had been smashed by an iron tool or a heavy object, and the stone bricks had several cracks.
"The marks here... don't look like they were caused by fire."
George raised his hand and pointed at the wall. "And the person who hit the wall was quite strong, and he hit it more than once or twice."
Zhu Yu stared at the marks for two seconds, and felt his head buzzing and a chill rising from his spine.
These people...are not here for the drinks or any recipes.
Their real target is the alchemical relic - the golden cup!
These traces of damage are exactly in the direction of the wall where the golden cup secret room is located.
They were smashing the wall trying to find the correct entrance to the secret room!
Now everyone's attention is focused on the fire in the pub, so the winery... is probably the real target. It is clear that the person behind this is trying to make a feint to the east and attack in the west.
Zhu Yu immediately stood up and said to everyone in a deep voice:
"That group of people came to look for the secret room. Their target was not the wine, but the golden cup."
After she finished speaking, she immediately ordered, "Betty, go get the car ready! We'll go to the winery first. George, 996, go back to the mansion immediately, gather the guards, and then come to the winery together!"
Maggie looked worried when she heard this: "Miss, I'll go with you."
"No." Zhu Yu looked back at her, his tone unquestionable, "I don't want any accidents to happen in the mansion tonight. You stay and look after the house with Mrs. Gwen."
Maggie met Zhu Yu's calm gaze, finally bit her lip and nodded:
"...Yes, Miss, you must be careful."
***
Winery.
Sophia sat by the oak barrel as usual, singing softly an ancient Dionysian song, her melodious voice floating in the air.
Suddenly, her singing stopped.
She opened her eyes, but did not stand up. Instead, she closed her eyes, tilted her ears and listened quietly.
In addition to the familiar sound of bubbles surging and the imperceptible sound of wine fermenting, she also heard... something else.
Faint but unmistakable footsteps.
Very light, but not belonging to their group of winemakers.
Sophia pulled out a small dagger from the hem of her robe, clenched her fingertips, and crouched quietly towards the direction where the sound came from.
It wasn't some drunk guy who accidentally walked in - drunk people would often trip over wine barrels or shout loudly, but the footsteps in front of me... were very "disciplined".
That must be the thief who came to steal the wine.
Sophia stopped at a corner and slowly stuck half of her head out from the stone wall.
In the residual light of the torch, she saw more than one twisting figure reflected on the curved surface of the wine barrel.
She counted the shadows in her mind, one, two... five, or even more.
What is even more frightening is that the outlines of long-handled weapons are clearly visible on those shadows, as well as the edges of several leather armors and the outline of the scabbards at the waist, which flicker in the candlelight and sway like ghosts.
These are not thieves who came to steal wine, but a group of armed intruders who came prepared!
Sophia's heart was beating fast. She held her breath and stepped back step by step, intending to turn back to inform Nora or the servant on duty.
However, as soon as he turned around, his shoulder slammed into a wall of people.
Her pupils suddenly shrank, and she raised her hand and stabbed almost subconsciously.
The next moment, the blade was firmly grasped by a strong hand.
"Shhh."
A familiar voice sounded softly.
Zhu Yu held her dagger with one hand, put the other finger to his lips, and nodded to her soothingly.
Behind her was Betty, who was also holding her breath.
The moment she saw who was coming, Sophia's tense body suddenly relaxed, but there was still doubt in her eyes.
"Don't be afraid, I'm coming."
Zhu Yu spoke silently to Sophia using his mouth.
Then she slowly loosened her fingers, and quietly retreated with Sofia, hiding in the shadow behind a wine barrel on the side.
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