Old Wang from Yongchun Winery was pushing a small cart towards Qianqiu Inn.
The small cart creaked and the wine jars on the cart clattered together. When those who were greedy for wine heard the pleasant sound, they knew it was good wine. They all looked at it eagerly with their mouths watering.
What a pity! The first batch of fresh Yunye that arrived in Xiaowan Town since the beginning of winter was all bought up in one go, leaving no hope at all.
After turning a few corners, Old Wang arrived at the destination.
He was in a good mood today and walked briskly, arriving fifteen minutes earlier than yesterday.
"The wine is coming!"
The old innkeeper of Qianqiu Inn was crouching under the counter, pasting a fake beard with glue. He stood up and turned around when he heard the sound. His sparse beard was half drooping.
"What are you shouting about? You're the only one with the loudest voice."
Old Wang laughed, stretched out his bow legs and began to unload the goods, asking in a low voice while doing so.
"Is Master Zhong still the same today?"
When the shopkeeper heard this, he stopped caring about his half-stuck beard and lowered his voice.
"That's right. And he hasn't been out all day. It's really strange."
Old Wang disagrees.
"How can someone who can afford to pay double the price for drinks be a weirdo? He must be rich."
As soon as the topic of silver came up, the shopkeeper's expression instantly understood.
"I was wondering why you were so diligent today. It turns out you got some benefits. But I'm letting you know in advance, he probably won't be staying for much longer. I sent someone to find Boss Wu yesterday, and he told me to come over today."
Old Wang paused as he held the wine jar, his high spirits suddenly shattered.
"Don't lie to me. Did you find Boss Wu? Didn't he stop doing this mountain work a few years ago?"
The shopkeeper finally straightened his mustache and snapped the bronze mirror back.
"Maybe his gambling addiction has come back and he's short of money."
Old Wang was puzzled and anxious.
"But if he accepts this order, you, the God of Wealth, will be gone."
"I wish he'd stayed longer, but his wife can't wait any longer. Last night, Old Sun went to deliver the charcoal and said she looked like she wasn't going to make it." The shopkeeper sighed, paused, and muttered a few words under his breath. "Besides, he's already paid a year's rent. Here, the deed is still here."
"I was wondering why he had time to be kind, but it turns out he'd already taken advantage of me enough."
Old Wang snorted lightly and did not intend to really look closely at the stamped contract on the counter. He carried the last jar of wine to the shelf, and put the few fat silver coins that had been placed on the wooden plate early in the morning into the cloth bag, and did not forget to mutter before leaving.
"It's getting dark, I'm afraid Boss Wu won't come."
Of course he didn't know that as soon as he lifted the thick felt curtain of the inn, a sturdy figure walked in.
The shopkeeper caught sight of the visitor and pointed to the second floor without even looking up.
“The business is on the second floor.”
Boss Wu said nothing. He grabbed the cold teapot on the table, took a sip of tea and was about to go upstairs when the shopkeeper stuffed him a few jars of wine.
"Take this with you, and be careful not to bump or scratch it, or you won't be able to afford the compensation."
Boss Wu remained silent, and went straight to the Tianzi guest room on the second floor with a few jars of wine.
A candle flickered in the lone suite on the second floor. It wasn't that the occupants were reluctant to add oil to the lamp, but rather that there weren't many good candles in this small, remote courtyard. In the dim light, a young man in a jade-like hairpin and plain clothes sat beside the bed. His naturally gentle features, framed by the soft glow, seemed dreamlike.
Boss Wu suddenly felt uncomfortable for no reason and put the wine on the table.
"Your wine."
The other person glanced at him lightly, raised his hand and picked up the nearest jar.
He did not rush to pour the wine, but just placed the Yun Ye Xian that had been removed from the mud seal on the small table beside the bed.
The aroma of wine filled the room. Boss Wu could smell it but couldn't drink it. He felt that staying in this room for a moment longer would be torture, so he just got straight to the point.
"I haven't taken that route for a long time. I can't take this order today, so please find someone else."
The man was neither anxious nor annoyed after hearing his words. He kept moving his hands and waited for a moment before speaking slowly.
"My wife is seriously ill and urgently needs medicine, so I need to get into the mountains as soon as possible. It's freezing cold, but you're willing to make this journey based solely on the shopkeeper's message. This shows you're not as bad as you say, and you're a kind-hearted person. I don't mean to put you in an unjust situation, but I'm alone and have no other options. I hope you can lend a hand, and the fare is negotiable."
His words were thoughtful and his attitude was on point, but for some reason, his face didn't look like he was begging for help. Instead, it had an indescribable coldness, like the stone lions at the gate of the yamen, which, no matter how carefully carved and decorated, looked lifeless.
Boss Wu couldn't help but curl his lips.
From raising a family and raising several younger siblings to traveling extensively for business as an adult, he'd seen plenty of high-ranking officials, all of whom had impatience and disdain written all over their faces. Yet, the man before him, though clearly peaceful, bore just as much airs as those high-ranking officials.
Although he was somewhat tempted by the fare, he remained firm in his original intention and waved his hand.
"It's not about money..."
He had only said half of his words when the man took the lacquer box beside him and opened the copper lock on it in front of him.
A small lacquer box contained a thick stack of Xiaomeizhuang silver bills stained with red mud, neatly placed inside.
"How many do you want? Please help yourself, sir."
It seems that it is not a problem of silver, but a question of whether there is enough silver.
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