Chapter Sixty-Four: Digesting

The old madam looked around at the people in the room and smiled at Cheng Bo. “Mancheng, take them all out. There’s no need to be so formal—let everyone return to what they were doing, just as usual. Leave two maids here with Gui’s wife to serve us, that will be enough.”

Zou Mancheng understood the old madam’s temperament. Seeing the dishes on the table were nearly all served, he didn’t linger any longer and led everyone out.

Country food always had its own particular flavor; Liu Qin ate to her heart’s content, not stopping until her belly was round and full. Only then did she set down her chopsticks. Jiang Li had already left his seat to come to Liu Qin’s side. Hearing her hiccup, he knew she had overindulged again, and hurried to rub her back, calling Fang Nuo to bring some water. The old madam, just being helped up by Cai Xinlan, shook her head at the sight of Liu Qin’s state. “This child is always like this—never knows when to stop eating. I’ve always said we should invite a proper nanny to teach her some manners, but your father wouldn’t allow it. Just look at her, what sort of behavior is this? Fortunately, we’re at home and no one will laugh at her.”

Cai Xinlan had nothing to add, so could only smile. The old madam turned to Jiang Li and said, “A’Li, take your sister outside for a walk, help her digest her food, otherwise she’ll be complaining of a stomachache again soon.”

“Yes, Aunt,” Jiang Li replied respectfully.

So, after leaving the dining hall, Liu Qin wandered the estate once more, this time with Jiang Li, Xiao Wu, and Fang Nuo as her followers.

“Y-Young Master...” Bai Rong’er and Bai Lingfeng had not left, but waited outside the dining hall. When they saw Liu Qin and her group come out, they hurried forward to pay their respects.

Glancing at Bai Lingfeng, now clean and tidy, Liu Qin was surprised at how handsome the former snot-nosed boy looked when washed. Smiling, she asked, “Sister Bai, are you two settling in well here on the estate?”

Bai Rong’er grinned happily, pulling her little brother along as she replied, “We really have to thank you, Young Master. If not for your help, we could never have enjoyed such a peaceful life.”

Liu Qin waved her hand, indicating she hadn’t done much. Bai Lingfeng asked curiously, “They call you ‘Miss’, but are you really a girl?”

Liu Qin rolled her eyes, not wanting to answer. Jiang Li and Fang Nuo both laughed, while Xiao Wu, though expressionless, had a hint of amusement in his eyes. Jiang Li pinched Liu Qin’s cheek gently, “There’s not a trace of a young lady’s behavior in you, so it’s no wonder people get confused.”

Liu Qin tilted her head away from Jiang Li’s mischievous hand and said haughtily, “Let them be confused! Sister Bai, Little Brother Bai, you should keep calling me Young Master.”

“But... but I’m older than you?”

Bai Lingfeng said timidly. Liu Qin tapped him on the forehead, “Older or not, you’re still the little brother.”

Perhaps because of malnutrition, Bai Lingfeng was over a year older than Liu Qin but not as tall. After being knocked on the head, he grew even more timid and dared not speak further.

They walked on, chatting as they went. At Liu Qin’s suggestion, they took the eastern path this time, the opposite direction from their morning stroll. Turning a corner past a courtyard wall, they heard a commotion ahead. Looking up, they saw a long corridor built with grapevines. It was the season when grapes were heavy on the vine: clusters of red and purple, large and round, hung temptingly, making one’s mouth water at the sight. With a cheer, Liu Qin ran forward.

Cheng Bo was directing the estate workers to cut the ripe clusters and place them in bamboo baskets. Liu Qin ran up, snatched a bunch from a basket, plucked a grape and popped it into her mouth. Cheng Bo laughed, “You can’t eat those unwashed—be careful there aren’t any bugs crawling on them.”

At the mention of bugs, Liu Qin threw the rest back in the basket. Seeing several baskets already filled, she asked curiously, “Are these for making wine?”

“Wine?” Cheng Bo was puzzled. “I’ve never heard of making wine from grapes.”

Only then did Liu Qin recall that there was no such thing as grape wine in this world. She felt a pang of regret—so many people in her previous life had made their own wine, yet she never learned. If she had, she could now dominate the taverns of Han with this unique skill.

Feeling a little vexed, she heard Cheng Bo, a lover of wine, become animated at the subject. “I’ve not heard of wine from grapes, but there’s a fine tavern in Wucheng, run by a husband and wife. I used to be a regular there. But now, alas, it’s a pity—I’ll never taste such good wine again.”

“Why is that?”

“They couldn’t keep the business going. Their wine is excellent, but the shop is small and not in a prime location. The wealthy aren’t willing to go, and the poor can’t afford it. When I went a few days ago, they said they were preparing to sell the place and return to their hometown. I don’t know if they’ve left yet.”

Liu Qin blinked, inexplicably sensing an opportunity. Hadn’t she always wanted to go into business? Perhaps she didn’t have to wait until she was grown—maybe she could try now. So she pressed on, “Cheng Bo, is their wine really that good?”

“Of course! I’ve been drinking for decades—just one sniff and I can judge the quality of any wine. That wine of theirs, the aroma could drift ten miles away.”

“Cheng Bo, Cheng Bo, take me there, will you? Please, please?” Liu Qin clung to his arm like a big gourd, shaking him insistently.

Already tempted by his own cravings, Cheng Bo’s resolve weakened further under Liu Qin’s urging. He laughed and patted her head, “Do you want a taste too?”

“Didn’t you say there wouldn’t be any left soon? Of course I want to try it.”

“All right, I just need to deliver these grapes to the manor. You can come with me.”

With Cheng Bo’s agreement, the old madam would have no objections. Liu Qin cheered and tugged him along. “Wait, wait, you still have to tell your mother,” Cheng Bo said helplessly, seeing how impulsively Liu Qin acted.

Liu Qin pointed at Bai Rong’er. “Let Sister Bai go tell her. Since I’m going with you, my mother won’t mind.”

But Cheng Bo still went himself to inform the old madam about delivering grapes to the manor and Liu Qin wishing to accompany him. The old madam, well aware that Liu Qin could not sit still for a moment and seeing she would be with Cheng Bo, did not object. However, she cautioned him to keep a close eye on the girl and not let her run off causing trouble.

A quarter of an hour later, Liu Qin was once again in the carriage, accompanied as before by Jiang Li, Xiao Wu, and Fang Nuo. Lei Hu, hearing the young mistress was going out, sat up front rather than riding his horse. He simply couldn’t understand why this girl was never ladylike and never seemed to rest—she’d barely arrived and was already off again!

Jiang Li did not approve either—a girl going to drink wine was hardly appropriate—but he was used to indulging Liu Qin. Seeing her so excited, he couldn’t bear to dampen her spirits, resolving instead to make sure she didn’t actually drink any.

The carriage rattled along and, after half an hour, returned to the Liu residence. Cheng Bo led people to deliver the grapes into the estate and soon returned. Without further delay, the group headed straight for the tavern he had mentioned.

The tavern was in the northern district, not on the main street, but tucked down an alley beside it. The entrance was tiny; if not for the small wine banner above the door, no one would guess a tavern stood there.