Chapter 155: White Spirits and Red Wine

Liu Ling’er was in an exceptionally good mood today. With the opening of Flowing Water House, she finally possessed a property in this ancient era. Although it was only her first shop, it was a promising start. Once she reclaimed the forces of the Heavenly Law Organization, she could open countless more branches of Flowing Water House, and her life would become truly carefree.

Upon returning to the Prince Xian Mansion, Liu Ling’er set down a jar of premium Pear Blossom Wine. It was a gift from Master Wuyou. When he had sent it over that morning, she had grumbled to herself about his stinginess. Everyone else’s congratulatory gifts arrived by the cartload; for the master of the Zhuji Hall to send only a single jar seemed truly petty.

However, once she recalled that Master Wuyou had personally handled all the renovations for Flowing Water House, she stopped dwelling on the gift. She decided to treat the wine as a mere bonus. After all, he hadn’t charged a single copper for the renovations, insisting whenever she brought it up that it was his gift for the grand opening.

In truth, Liu Ling’er was unaware that Master Wuyou’s wine was no ordinary vintage. His private collection, when sold on the market, fetched many times the price of similar spirits. The addition of the word "premium" to this Pear Blossom Wine meant it was worth its weight in gold—a rare treasure indeed.

When Baili Xian returned to the mansion, the table was already set. People are always in higher spirits when things go their way, and Liu Ling’er sat at the table, pouring the wine into a cup with evident delight.

Approaching the table, Baili Xian sniffed the air. "Such fragrant Pear Blossom Wine! It’s almost on par with Master Wuyou’s private reserve. Ling’er, where did you get this?"

"Prince Xian, your nose is sharp indeed. You could tell it was Pear Blossom Wine from a single sniff, and even identify that it rivals Master Wuyou’s collection. To tell you the truth, this was a gift from him. Imagine, sending only a single jar to congratulate the opening of Flowing Water House—how stingy!" Liu Ling’er was still harboring resentment over the gift.

Baili Xian’s eyes widened as he stared at the premium wine. "It really was from Wuyou? How generous of him today! You must know that his premium reserve is his absolute pride and joy. Don’t be ungrateful."

*How pretentious,* she thought. It was just a jar of wine; no matter how good it was, it was meant to be drunk. It wasn't as if one could survive on the mere sight of it. Liu Ling’er was not a heavy drinker, nor did she share Wuyou’s obsession with collecting spirits. They were simply different kinds of people.

She beckoned for Baili Xian to sit and filled his cup. "Flowing Water House was able to open so smoothly thanks in no small part to you, Prince Xian. Let me toast you."

With that, Liu Ling’er downed her drink in one go. Baili Xian had no choice but to follow suit, though he did not gulp it down like a barbarian; instead, he sipped it slowly, savoring every nuance.

Although Liu Ling’er was no connoisseur, as the wine hit her stomach, her eyes lit up. The flavor was far richer than the aroma suggested. It lacked the harsh burn of other spirits, replaced by a smooth, mellow texture that left a lingering, infinite aftertaste.

No wonder Master Wuyou had said this wine was best suited for women—it wouldn’t cause drunkenness even after several cups, nor would it leave one with a headache the next morning like other drinks.

As Baili Xian reached for the jar to refill his cup, Liu Ling’er snatched it away, leaving him speechless. "I say, Liu Ling’er, it’s just a cup of wine—is it really necessary to be like this? I think you’re even stingier than Wuyou."

Liu Ling’er rolled her eyes at him, grabbed a porcelain bowl from the table, and filled it with the Pear Blossom Wine. "Do you really think I’m that petty? You underestimate me. What’s the point of drinking from such tiny cups? When there are no outsiders around, drinking from a large bowl is the only way to do it properly!"

So, it turned out he had misunderstood her. Baili Xian felt a bit embarrassed for having judged her so harshly. He wanted to warn her that while drinking from a bowl was refreshing, it was also an easy way to get drunk, but he didn't want to spoil her mood after his earlier slip. He chose to remain silent. If there was wine to be had, he would drink it and worry about the rest later.

Drinking from a large bowl was indeed satisfying, but after two such bowls, the jar was empty. The gift from Master Wuyou, including the jar and the wine, had only been about a pound in total. It was no wonder the two of them had finished it so quickly.

Liu Ling’er, just starting to enjoy herself, looked disappointed as the wine ran out. "It looked like so much, how did it disappear in just a few sips?"

Suddenly, she remembered the red wine she had tasted in the imperial palace. While not as fine as Wuyou’s premium vintage, it was still a rare treat. She thought she might as well use that to keep the party going.

With a burning gaze, she looked at Baili Xian. "Prince Xian, I remember you once gave me a type of red wine to drink. The taste was quite good. Do you have any left?"

Baili Xian sighed inwardly. *If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have touched the Pear Blossom Wine.* That red wine was a tribute from the Western Wei Kingdom, and he had only received two barrels. He had let her drink one last time, and he had saved the second to show off to Wuyou.

However, Liu Ling’er’s gaze was too intense. Looking at her hopeful expression, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. *Fine, it was meant to be drunk eventually, so I might as well indulge her. As for showing off... hmph, if Master Wuyou dares to show off his wine in front of me, I’ll make sure he cries.*

He brought over the small wooden barrel, and Liu Ling’er expertly pulled the bung. The fragrance of the wine immediately intoxicated her.

Baili Xian sat and watched her drink. It wasn't that he didn't want to drink, or that he was already drunk; he was simply afraid that if he joined in, the wine would vanish even faster. Where would he find more to satisfy her then?

Liu Ling’er wondered why Baili Xian had become so reserved, refusing to touch the wine even when it was right in front of him. He didn't seem like the type to dislike it. But since he wasn't drinking, she would enjoy it to her heart's content.

This time, Baili Xian wouldn't let her use a bowl, so Liu Ling’er poured for herself cup after cup. Between the Pear Blossom Wine she had finished earlier and the red wine she was currently consuming, the mix of spirits soon took its toll.

After another cup of red wine, Liu Ling’er looked up at Baili Xian. Seeing him staring at her, she couldn't help but laugh. "Prince Xian, what are you looking at? Is there something on my face? Wait... why are there two Prince Xians sitting there?"

*Aside from the flush on your cheeks, there's nothing on your face,* he thought. *I'm worried that you've had too much, and you're clearly not acting like yourself.* Baili Xian was baffled; she had been perfectly coherent just a moment ago, yet suddenly she was completely intoxicated.

"Ling’er, you're drunk," he said, reaching to take the cup from her hand. Unexpectedly, Liu Ling’er slapped his hand away. "Don't talk nonsense! Who's drunk? I thought you said you weren't drinking—I see, you were just being greedy and couldn't hold back anymore, right?"