Chapter 62 What Am I Supposed to Do?

Chapter 62 What Am I Supposed to Do?

The shipment of wine truly arrived on the agreed-upon tenth day.

Following the address provided by Zhi Xing, Gao Wenyan found a wine cellar containing about twenty jars of wine.

It was said that this was merely a private winery. The owner, an avid drinker, had learned to make his own wine and only gifted it to those he deemed worthy.

These twenty-odd jars were all he had, originally intended as gifts for the New Year, but Chu Xu bought them all.

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but admire Chu Xu's efficiency.

However, Chu Xu said it was all thanks to Zhi Yan.

Zhi Yan managed most of his private assets. This time, in search of the wine, he had exerted tremendous effort, exhausting himself in the process.

Lifting a jar of wine, Gao Wenyan placed it before Weng Zhigang and smiled, "Manager Weng, please taste this."

Hearing that Gao Wenyan was coming, Weng Zhigang had closed the shop early, leaving only the side door open.

As soon as the seal was broken, a rich aroma of wine filled the air.

Weng Zhigang's eyes lit up.

Excitedly, he exclaimed, "Yes! Yes!"

Pouring a small bowl, Weng Zhigang sniffed and tasted it, completely absorbed in deciphering the recipe.

Gao Wenyan sat beside him with a smile, not disturbing him.

After ignoring her for a moment, Weng Zhigang suddenly realized his rudeness and felt embarrassed.

"Please don't be offended, Lady. I got a bit too excited seeing the new wine."

"No worries."

She stood up and instructed, "Start selling this wine tomorrow."

"Since the quantity is limited, sell it in limited quantities."

"Sell two or three jars each day to the nobles who have been informed."

"Additionally, select a few jars each day for scholars, commoners, and people from various walks of life."

Weng Zhigang followed her instructions, and indeed, within a few days, the wine became famous throughout the Capital.

Everyone said that Manager Weng had a special wine that was unforgettable once tasted, with a lingering aftertaste, but it was rare and only given to those deemed worthy.

The wine was mysterious, without even a name, yet not expensive, just scarce.

Thus, tasting this unnamed wine became a goal for wine lovers in the Capital.

Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and Gao Wenyan guessed that Wang Yong wouldn't miss this opportunity.

After all, it was Wang Yong who first encouraged the Emperor's love for wine.

Then, the nobles followed suit, drinking excessively every day, forming the current trend.

On this day, Gao Wenyan was still drinking tea at Chu Xu's place.

"Lady is now waiting for the fish to bite, right?"

"Indeed."

She lifted the tea cup, noticing a different scent than usual.

"What kind of tea is this? I don't think I've had it before."

"Lady, please taste it."

Gao Wenyan took a sip, finding it exceptionally fragrant, with a sweet aftertaste upon entry.

Seeing her enjoyment, Chu Xu poured her another cup.

Ever since discovering that Gao Wenyan didn't enjoy tea much, Chu Xu always served her different varieties.

Today, she asked about it, which was unusual.

"It's fragrant tea from Yunnan."

No wonder she hadn't tasted anything similar on the market.

Although the tea was unique, Gao Wenyan wasn't particularly fond of tea, so she didn't dwell on it after asking.

She had come to inquire about Prince Zhuang, but Li Wanqing brought up the topic.

"Has Qing Qing visited you since then?"

"Of course."

Regardless of Lin Yishan's response, Li Wanqing would never willingly marry Crown Prince Zhuang.

"What does the Chancellor plan to do?"

He tapped his fingers and said, "I don't plan to do anything."

Meaning he wouldn't help Li Wanqing.

Gao Wenyan couldn't help but feel anxious, "How can that be?"

If it weren't for her stopping them that day, Chu Xu would have certainly helped Li Wanqing.

In this way, it seemed as though Gao Wenyan had harmed Li Wanqing instead.

"It's not your fault. I was planning to refuse that day anyway."

But what about Lin Yishan?

"Are we to let Qing Qing marry Crown Prince Zhuang then?"

Chu Xu glanced at her and countered, "Even without Crown Prince Zhuang, there would be other princes. Am I supposed to help with every arranged marriage?"

He spoke with a slight mockery.

"In that case, why don't we just restore the old arrangement? It would be a permanent solution."

After saying this, he silently brewed tea, unwilling to engage further.

Gao Wenyan realized that her tone had been a bit too urgent.

Indeed, who Li Wanqing marries has nothing to do with any of them.

Only Lin Yishan or Li Wanqing herself could break this deadlock.

Taking the teapot, Gao Wenyan eagerly poured him a cup of tea, and only then did Chu Xu look up.

She decided to get straight to the point, no more beating around the bush.

"I actually wanted to ask if Prince Zhuang has any grudge against my father."

Chu Xu thought carefully for a moment and said, "I haven't heard of anything like that."

"However..."

He looked at Gao Wenyan and continued slowly, "He does seem to hold some resentment towards you now."

Gao Wenyan knew this.

Yet, while Prince Zhuang's words were harsh, he hadn't taken any action.

Gao Wenyan had instructed Bixi to keep an eye out daily, but there was no sign of Lin Qian returning to the Capital.

Could it be that the connection between Lin Qian and Prince Zhuang had been severed?

"I feel there's still something to uncover about Prince Zhuang."

Apart from the mentor's favor, Gao Wenyan couldn't think of anything else that could prevent Lin Qian from refusing.

"However, as you can see, Prince Zhuang is not a man of much depth."

Otherwise, the matter of him cursing Gao Wenyan in private wouldn't have become known throughout the Capital.

"Why did Grand Tutor Li choose him?"

Chu Xu took out some fresh tea and placed it into the pot.

"Who knows? Perhaps there was really no one else to choose."

Prince An is only interested in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. Prince Gong is low-key and humble, devoted to Buddhism.

The one capable of inciting a rebellion against the Crown Prince can only be Prince Zhuang with his straightforward nature.

Precisely because he has no guile, he is easier to control and to incite.

It seems that the eloquent Grand Tutor Li, through his gentle persuasion, managed to plant ideas in Prince Zhuang's mind that should not have been there.

"I think we still need to be cautious."

Chu Xu gave her a half-smile.

"Yes, I will keep an eye on him for the lady."

Having her thoughts exposed, Gao Wenyan felt somewhat embarrassed.

"What does the Chancellor mean."

As she spoke, she reached for the teapot again.

The teapot was hot, and without paying attention, her fingers touched the scalding sides.

Gao Wenyan exclaimed "Ah!" and quickly withdrew her hand, blowing on it gently.

She was never one to be overly delicate and was about to reach for the teapot again when Chu Xu caught her hand.

"Let me see."

Her fingertips were bright red, and given how she didn't take it seriously, they would surely blister by tonight.

He called for Zhi Xing to bring ice water and held Gao Wenyan's finger under it.

"It's really not necessary to go to such trouble."

Chu Xu frowned and said, "If the lady had been injured elsewhere, it would be fine."

But being injured under his watch, there is no distinction between minor and major injuries.

Gao Wenyan looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

In the end, Chu Xu fell silent again, only preparing the burn ointment for her.

"Is it any better?"

He asked softly.

It was just a minor injury, so Gao Wenyan did not care.

But she still replied instinctively, "Not really."

So Chu Xu put down the medicine and came over to look at her hand.

Gao Wenyan gazed at him unwaveringly, her smile spreading unconsciously in her eyes.