Volume 1, Chapter 7: Provocation

Not long after, Fang Yang arrived at the East Market with Lian'er.

The entire East Market was a bustling sea of people. A significant crowd had already gathered at the entrance of "Celestial Drunk." They were pointing at the tavern’s signboard, whispering among themselves.

Stepping closer, one could hear their murmurs: "Is this the Celestial Drunk that has been the talk of the town these past few days?"

"It must be. 'This wine belongs only in the heavens; mortals get but a chance to catch its scent. If you live a life without tasting Celestial Drunk, even serving as Prime Minister is in vain!' I was wondering where this tavern was, but I never expected it to be here in the East Market."

"I must buy some to taste. What kind of wine could it be to make even a Prime Minister's life feel in vain?"

Listening to the chatter of the crowd, the corner of Fang Yang’s mouth curled into a smile. "Lian'er, look at that. The time to make a fortune is coming!"

Lian'er remained silent.

Inside Celestial Drunk, servants were already busy at work. However, because Fang Yang had not arrived yet, they were merely cleaning and preparing; they had not yet opened for business. Seeing Fang Yang appear, Wang Fugui, the accountant transferred from the Duke’s estate, hurried out.

"Young Master, shall we begin business now?"

Fang Yang scanned the interior of the shop and, seeing that everything was in perfect order, nodded and said, "Yes, let’s begin."

Manager Wang Fugui hurried back to prepare to welcome guests. Fang Yang looked at the people queuing up and said with a chuckle, "Everyone, I assume you have all heard of the reputation of my Celestial Drunk."

"To tell you the truth, the reason this wine is called Celestial Drunk is that it is brewed using the techniques of immortals. From today on, you will all be able to drink wine brewed with the methods of the immortals!"

Before he could finish his sentence, a discordant voice suddenly cut in: "Bullshit!"

Xie Ping then arrived with a group of his cronies. Everyone turned to look at Xie Ping.

Xie Ping sneered and said, "Don't be fooled by him. What 'immortal brewing technique'? This kid is Fang Yang, the son of the Duke of Cheng, a notorious spendthrift known throughout the capital. If he knows how to brew wine, the sun might as well rise from the west!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was stunned. A few who had been standing close to Fang Yang immediately took a few steps back. As the saying goes, a person’s reputation is like the shadow of a tree. The title of "spendthrift and young bully" was not earned for nothing.

Even so, people were whispering.

"My goodness, I didn't expect this tavern to belong to that spendthrift."

"Who would dare drink this? Who knows if there's something else in the wine?"

"Heaven, have I been looking forward to this for nothing these past few days? What happened to 'even serving as Prime Minister is in vain'?"

For a moment, the crowd was in an uproar, all wearing expressions of having been swindled. Xie Ping heard the murmurs around him clearly. His smile deepened as he looked at Fang Yang.

"Fang Yang, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you'll be out of business before you even open," he mocked.

One of his friends added, "Tsk, tsk. The Duke of Cheng is truly pitiable. He travels thousands of miles to guard the frontier, yet his son sells off the family fields to start a business that goes under before it even begins. Truly pitiful!"

He shook his head as he spoke. Lian'er, seeing this group of mocking young masters, became anxious. "What are you doing! Our young master is not what you say he is!"

"Lian'er," Fang Yang called out, completely unbothered. Lian'er glared indignantly at the group of young masters.

*Snap!*

Fang Yang unfolded the folding fan in his hand. He glanced at the growing crowd, then looked at Xie Ping, and said coldly, "Xie Ping! You come here to cause trouble on such a great day; I think you're looking for a beating!"

*Clack!*

He snapped the fan shut, his eyes glinting with a cold light. Xie Ping was startled, but before he could react, Fang Yang continued, "The brewing method for my wine was gifted by an immortal. If you don't believe me, dare you make a wager with me?"

Xie Ping, who had been slightly nervous and worried that Fang Yang might resort to violence, felt relieved upon hearing that he wanted to make a bet. A look of disdain flashed in his eyes. After all, he didn't care about a mere spendthrift when it came to business or brewing.

He said with great confidence, "Heh, you think I'm afraid of you? Come on, let me see what kind of bet you want to make!"

"Simple. You don't think much of my wine, so let's bet on whose wine—mine or the one from your tavern—is better. Do you dare?" Fang Yang looked at Xie Ping with a mocking smile.

"Haha!" Xie Ping laughed, as did his cronies. After a while, Xie Ping said proudly, "Fang Yang, since you are so eager to throw your life away, I will oblige. Everyone knows the quality of the Xie family's wine."

"Fine, since you've agreed, that's settled. If I win, I don't want anything else—just let me give you a sound thrashing to vent my frustration. And when you go back, you're not allowed to complain; you'll just say you fell. How about that?"

Hearing this, Xie Ping's mouth twitched. There was no other reason than the fact that Fang Yang’s combat prowess was terrifying. If he really lost, the beating would certainly be severe.

Just as Xie Ping hesitated, one of his friends said, "Young Master Xie, don't worry. What could this spendthrift possibly know about brewing? Besides, in just these few days, even if he knew how to brew, the fragrance of the cellar wouldn't even have developed yet."

Xie Ping's eyes lit up, and he felt more confident. He immediately said, "Fine! I agree. But Fang Yang, if you lose, you must kneel and kowtow to me three times, and from now on, whenever you see me, you must call me 'Father'. Do you dare?"

*Gasp!*

The scene was in an uproar. Many were shocked that Young Master Xie would go to such lengths. The cronies accompanying Xie Ping, eager to see the chaos, began to egg him on.

"What's the matter! Scared? If you're scared, just kowtow to Young Master Xie three times and save yourself the trouble of calling him 'Father' every time you meet!"

"That's right, our Young Master Xie is a man of stature and will spare you once."

Fang Yang didn't care about their words at all. He simply said, "Fine. Go get the wine."

"Young Master!" Lian'er quickly grabbed Fang Yang's arm. She was truly panicking. The Master was not home, and if the Young Master lost, there would be no one to handle the fallout—it would be the end of the world!

Fang Yang gave a mysterious smile and said softly, "Don't worry, Lian'er. You haven't seen a pig's head yet, have you? Just wait a moment and I'll show you a big pig's head."

After saying this with absolute confidence, Fang Yang waved his hand and had a servant bring out a jar of wine. Xie Ping also hurriedly ordered his servants to fetch his own wine.

In the crowd, unnoticed by most, a young woman in a green dress frowned. This was Song Yiran, who had broken off her engagement with Fang Yang. Seeing this, she couldn't help but feel relieved that she had ended the engagement days earlier. Otherwise, if Fang Yang’s tavern, which he opened using the family's good farmland, went bankrupt, it would surely bring her a wave of ridicule.

She became even more convinced that Fang Yang could never have written those poems; he must have plagiarized them!

Just as Song Yiran was lost in thought, the men Xie Ping had sent to fetch the wine rushed back with a jar. As the two jars were placed on the table, the surrounding onlookers stretched their necks to get a better look.

"Fang Yang, how do you want to compete?" Xie Ping asked with an arrogant air.

"Simple. We will each pick ten people and have them taste your wine and mine in turn. Finally, we'll let them say whose wine is better. That's it," Fang Yang said slowly.

"Fine. Just don't go back on your word when you lose," Xie Ping sneered.

"I, this young master, have always kept my word. There is no such thing as failing to honor a debt. I hope Young Master Xie won't wail too loudly when he gets his beating later."

Xie Ping’s expression froze, and his face darkened instantly. Too lazy to bother with Fang Yang anymore, he waved his hand to let his servants begin picking people. Fang Yang picked a few people at random, and finally, he pointed out the old man who had been crying out, "Heaven!"

The old man's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward to pour himself a drink. Fang Yang stopped him with a wave of his hand and said with a chuckle, "Don't be in such a hurry, old man. You'll get your fill. Once I win, I'll provide you with enough to drink today."

"Really?" The old man’s eyes brightened even more.

"Would I lie? Let's follow the rules first," Fang Yang said with a faint smile.

The old man stopped, suppressing his inner excitement, and waited for Fang Yang's instructions. Fang Yang looked at the crowd and said, "In a moment, after you have tasted the wine, just say which one is better. Don't worry about anyone giving you trouble."

Xie Ping added from the side, "If this spendthrift dares to trouble you, I will have my father submit a memorial to impeach him!" As he spoke, Xie Ping bowed toward the direction of the Imperial Palace.

"Young Master Xie has a bold spirit. Then, let's start with your wine," Fang Yang said calmly.