Old wine Huadiao
"Little demon, don't just be so distracted. I won't let you work in vain. I'll trade you a treasure. This treasure can free you from being trapped in your current form. I found it while wandering in the wilderness. Even if you don't know how to use it, a jade hairpin of this quality can still be worth a lot of money."
Xue Gu stretched out her hand towards her with a faint green light in her hand. Yuanli was attracted by it and subconsciously reached out to take it, but was held firmly by a pair of cold hands.
The source of that hand was wrapped in countless silver butterflies, and Yuanli could recognize him without the silver butterflies dispersing.
In an instant, heart-wrenching screams of pain echoed in the ethereal barrier, and Xue Gu turned into burning grass ash and disappeared before their eyes.
Along with the hosta it handed over.
"When will you change your soft-hearted and gullible nature? You just accept whatever is handed to you. If I hadn't come, you would have been borrowed by that Snow Girl to serve in my underworld."
Except for the cold hands, Cha Suxun's entire body was still tightly wrapped by the silver butterflies.
"The cat demon is good at creating illusions. Don't believe everything it shows you. Ah Li, it's time to go."
Yuanli grabbed the hand that was about to disappear and asked, "Acha, on the other side, why did you want to pick me up?"
Cha Suxun did not answer, but stayed for a moment and then disappeared in a flash. When the silver butterfly wrapped around him dissipated, it turned into scattered star-like light and brought her back to the Peony Tower.
The Peony Building was dilapidated and old at this moment. She stood there in a daze for a long time, until a faint light from the sky shone on her face through the cracks in the rotten ship wall, and then she remembered to get up and leave.
Without Li Nu here, the flower boat naturally would not come by itself. Yuanli was just trying to use Xiaobai to return to the shore when a black-sailed boat appeared faintly in the distance on the river.
The rower's skills were questionable, or perhaps he was too impatient, so the route he took was crooked.
It was not until it got closer that Yuanli could see clearly who the three people on the boat were.
"Why do you have to act on your own?"
Yuanli stared at him blankly, her eyes dull, but all her guesses raced through her mind at a rapid speed.
At this moment, Qi Heng's face was full of worry, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were filled with a thousand strands of worry and deep love.
Suppressing all the mixed emotions in her heart, Yuanli put on her expression, put her arm around his normally, and patted him gently, "Let's talk about it when we get back."
The moment she got close to him, Yuanli realized that the person in front of her was trembling.
His eyes fell on the edge of his robe that was shaking slightly at his feet. Qi Heng seemed to notice something and took a step forward to cover it up.
Yuanli walked around him and boarded the black boat. Chu Xiao looked at Qi Heng, who looked a little sad in front of the Peony Tower, and couldn't help feeling a little sympathy.
On the way back home, the group was silent. Although Yuanli never looked at him directly, Qi Heng's gaze was too hot. He followed her closely from beginning to end, never leaving her side, and it was hard for people not to know.
The moment he stepped into the mansion, Chu Xiao stopped and said, "Sir, although the cat demon in the Peony Tower has been killed, I am worried that something might happen, so I will take my leave first."
Chu Xiao remained bowed and waited for a reply, not daring to leave without permission. After all, his crime today was so grave. If Qi Heng were to pursue the matter, he would not receive his salary this year and would suffer a loss.
He could only pray silently in his heart for his sister-in-law's protection. Perhaps God heard his silent prayers, and Yuanli really stopped.
Yuanli turned back helplessly, and Qi Heng looked back at her disappointedly, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.
She glanced past him at Chu Xiao, and Qi Heng understood and turned to order, "Everyone go down, Xiang Yao, tell the kitchen to make some dishes that Ah Li likes, and also send the official swallows that the emperor gave as a reward yesterday..."
Qi Heng seemed to have endless worries and gave orders like a nagging woman. Seeing that Chu Xiao had already slipped away, Yuanli bowed and left behind him.
Back in her own courtyard, Chunyue Qiuyue stepped forward quickly with a worried look on her face, "Madam, it's all our fault for not doing our job well. Please forgive us, Madam."
"I am not married to the master of the house, so you can no longer call me Madam. You can call me Miss or just my name. I'm a little tired and want to take a nap. Everyone, please go down."
After giving the instructions, Yuanli quickly returned to her room, fearing that if she delayed any longer, Qi Heng would catch up with her and continue to pester her with questions.
In this matter, Qi Heng was not wrong, A Ci was not wrong, and even Emperor Heng Jin, who did not belong to her in the first place, was not wrong.
It was her fault. She had thoughts that she shouldn't have had.
Lying on the couch, Yuanli found countless reasons to convince herself, trying to pull herself out of this swamp, until sleepiness invaded her brain and she fell asleep.
After a good dream, Yuanli was awakened by sudden turbulence. When she opened her eyes again, she was wrapped in a quilt and held in Qi Heng's arms, with her head resting in his strong arms.
Subconsciously trying to sit up straight, Qi Heng suddenly bent down and buried his head in the quilt at her neck, burying it in the crook of her neck, in the same posture as when he was jealous that day.
Qi Heng sprayed hot air on her neck, and his broad shoulders supported her chin. Only then did Yuanli see clearly that she was lying in the carriage.
"Master, where are we going?"
Hearing the sound, Qi Heng bit her collarbone lightly. He didn't use much force, but it made her feel numb and even a little itchy.
It doesn't seem like he's venting his anger, but more like he's trying to attract attention.
"Chili, you broke the contract."
After realizing what was happening, Yuanli quickly changed her words: "Heng, where are we going?"
"Go to Jiwang Valley and propose marriage."
Qi Heng left her neck and met her surprised gaze. He said softly, "I should have gone to your house to propose marriage right away, but there were too many unexpected cases that kept me stuck for too long. I made you wait for me for so long without any status. I'm sorry for you."
The emperor of this world is moody and often behaves like two similar people. He was still accusing someone of an offense in the morning, but now he acts as if nothing had happened even though he had ignored him for a long time.
"You haven't wronged me. You have official business to attend to, and I know it all. My marriage to you, Ah Heng, is meant to atone for my sins, so of course, I'll follow your arrangements."
After the compliment was uttered, Qi Heng's face did not show any more joy, but rather more sorrow. The hand holding her tightly on the quilt loosened a lot, and Yuanli took the opportunity to get up and escape from his arms.
The two looked at each other, both wanting to say something but stopping themselves, and the awkward atmosphere in the carriage became increasingly intense.
After traveling for most of the day, dusk gradually rose in the sky and night fell. Xiang Yao's voice came from outside the carriage, saying, "Sir, we have arrived at the inn."
Yuanli looked up suddenly as if she had found a life-saving straw, and looked at Qi Heng excitedly.
"What I said this morning didn't mean to blame you. I was just afraid that you would lose your life and it would affect the contract between us." After saying that, Qi Heng got off the carriage.
The last time I was rushing back to the capital to study, I didn't even stop to appreciate the scenery along the way. Yuanli was completely focused on it.
Moreover, Yuanli did not take his words too seriously. After all, Qi Heng, with his icy face, spoke in a somewhat harsh and straightforward manner.
As soon as she got off the carriage, Yuanli was immediately captivated by the prosperity. Of the counties closest to the earth, Shangqing was the largest and most prosperous, often likened to a small imperial capital.
The entire street was lined with restaurants, hotels, and inns, with people coming and going, and the place was bustling with noise. The inn Xiang Yao found was also called Chang Xiangsi.
As soon as they sat down in the private room on the second floor, the waiter stood beside Qi Heng respectfully and said flatteringly, "These are our signature dishes. We can make all kinds of flavors from Xijiang. What would you like to eat, my dear guest?"
Qi Heng sniffed the scent and asked mysteriously, "If I'm not mistaken, this smell of wine, could it be..."
"Yes, yes, our signature dish is Gusu Huadiao. We offer unlimited drinking on the second floor. Would you like to try a jar?"
"I don't want separate jars. I want the original jars of wine. When the wine comes, ask your shopkeeper Zhou to come over. I have to say a few good words about you in front of him."
Hearing the compliments, the waiter nodded and bowed repeatedly, saying happily, "Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir."
The flower sculpture was lifted up by two strong men. The wine jar was half the height of Yuanli, and the body of the jar was carved with exquisite and intricate patterns.
The mouth of the jar is sealed with mud and can be opened with a special hammer. The red cloth at the mouth of the jar is tightened with a braided rope made of palm leaves. The moment it is opened, the aroma of wine fills the air.
"Sir, please inspect the inner wall to verify its authenticity."
At the moment the aroma of wine overflowed, Qi Heng just glanced into the jar and his face changed color, and he became displeased.
The shopkeeper arrived late. After seeing the face of the person in the room and the jar of Suzhou Huadiao on the table, he was terrified and strode forward and knelt down.
"Xiang Yao, take the girl back to her room for dinner first."
Without waiting for Xiang Yao to come over to invite her, Yuanli stood up and left the box on her own.
Inside the room, Yuanli couldn't help but ask, "Chunyue and Qiuyue, do you two know anything about Gusu Huadiao?"
"I've heard a bit about it. Gusu Huadiao is a liquor that's suddenly become popular in the last decade or so, and it's hard to find. It's said to be so fragrant that once the lid is opened, the aroma fills the room all night long. Its benefits are also touted as miraculous, with claims that women can nourish their yin and improve their complexion, while men can tonify their kidneys and strengthen their bodies. But let me tell you, it's not that magical."
"Huruteki, have you tried it?"
Chunyue shook her head and said, "That kind of wine has been priced at a thousand gold coins. How can I afford it? Besides, the head of the family has issued an order that no one in the Qi Mansion can touch Gusu Huadiao."
Yuanli was a little puzzled. It was obviously the most famous wine, but when she saw Qi Heng's expression just now, it was not just displeasure, it was clearly disgust.
When they set off the next morning, Yuanli saw with sleepy eyes that there was a new sign in front of Changxiangsi Inn, which read: This store will never sell Suzhou Huadiao again.
Qi Heng lifted the car curtain as if nothing had happened and reminded: "The road is still long, don't delay any longer, it's time to go."
As soon as he sat down, Qi Heng handed him a pink porcelain bottle. "You didn't realize it because you came into the mansion late, but I need to remind you that my people are not allowed to touch Gusu Huadiao. This is the signature peach blossom wine of Changxiangsi Inn, and it is also one of the most famous wines. It is not inferior to Gusu Huadiao in any way."
"Why doesn't Ah Heng like it?"
"Because if you smell the wine after it's been opened and left to sit for half a month, you'll notice a faint fishy smell."
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