Chapter Seventy-Four: Wei Jin Is Also Overcome by Wine

In any case, it was now an established fact that she and Wei Qingwan were at odds, even though she still had no desire to compete for favor or contend over the male lead. Since enmity could not be avoided, she might as well do something else and stir up the entire situation. Letting everything veer off course was, in a sense, also a way of protecting herself.

Of course, this would also benefit Four Treasures Studio. By fabricating a figure such as Lord Heyou, and by establishing a solid connection with the Hermit of the Hidden Grove, it would spark much speculation and make people wonder if the true owner behind Four Treasures Studio was someone of status and influence. This would induce a certain degree of wariness. As long as they didn’t encounter someone with a truly formidable background who went out of their way to investigate, their secret would remain safe. If they did encounter such a powerful figure intent on causing trouble for Four Treasures Studio, Wei Ruo, given her current circumstances, would be powerless against them anyway.

***

That afternoon, Xiao Bei came from Listening Pine Court to invite Wei Ruo to dine together in Welcoming Bamboo Court that evening.

“My lady, my young master wishes to thank you for securing him the opportunity to become the Hermit’s apprentice. He has specially asked me to prepare some fresh meat and seafood, and would like to invite you to celebrate together. And if Miss Xiumei would be willing to help with the cooking, that would be even better,” Xiao Bei said with a bright smile.

“No problem, I’ll have Xiumei go right away,” Wei Ruo replied without hesitation.

As long as there were good ingredients, both she and Xiumei were always eager.

After Xiao Bei left, Wei Ruo sent Xiumei ahead to Welcoming Bamboo Court, while she herself went to her private storeroom. She had brought several jars from the Mo Family stockade; inside them were not only soy sauce, but also wine.

Although Wei Ruo was not particularly fond of drinking, she brewed quite a bit—partly out of experimentation, since she liked to try any profitable venture; partly to give as gifts, as wine was considered a presentable offering; and partly so that when something truly joyful happened, she could have a small drink to celebrate.

Wei Ruo selected a jar of plum wine, cradled it in her arms, and made her way to Welcoming Bamboo Court.

Xiao Bei and Xiumei were busy in the kitchen. Wei Jin Yi was sitting upright in the pavilion, for once not reading or writing, but airing out his books.

Upon seeing Wei Ruo and the jar she was holding, Wei Jin Yi remarked, “We haven’t finished the soy sauce from last time.”

“Though the jars may look similar, this isn’t soy sauce—it’s wine,” Wei Ruo explained. “Look, I sealed the lid with putty. The soy sauce jars aren’t sealed.”

“You can brew wine as well?” Wei Jin Yi asked.

“I wouldn’t say I’m skilled at it. In fact, I’m better at making soy sauce,” she replied. “I’d planned to try my hand at vinegar too, but things have been busy. Once winter comes and there’s less farm work, I’ll give vinegar brewing a try.”

“You have a wide range of interests,” Wei Jin Yi remarked.

Wei Ruo smiled. “I always want to learn more skills and gather more means to stand on my own. If no one else will love me, at the very least, I must love myself and live well.”

She wasn’t sure if she was speaking of her past self or her present one—or perhaps both.

***

Wei Jin Yi frowned slightly, as if about to say something.

Before long, Xiao Bei and Xiumei returned from the kitchen, carrying an array of delicious dishes: braised wild boar, pork rib and yam soup, scallion oil prawns, stir-fried octopus with pickled greens, and sautéed pumpkin shoots. The table was filled to the brim.

Wei Ruo began to pour wine into Wei Jin Yi’s cup, but he stopped her.

“I can’t hold my liquor,” he explained.

“It’s all right, Second Brother. This wine isn’t strong—it’s plum wine, sweet and light, almost like juice,” Wei Ruo reassured him.

Seeing the earnest look in her eyes, Wei Jin Yi withdrew his hand and allowed her to fill his cup.

Wei Ruo took a sip first, then looked at Wei Jin Yi.

Under her expectant gaze, he took a cautious sip.

As she had said, the plum wine was sweet and mellow, much like tasting ripe fruit.

Unable to help himself, Wei Jin Yi took several more sips.

“See, Second Brother? I told you it wasn’t strong,” Wei Ruo said with a smile, raising her cup in a toast. “Come, let me drink to you. May your studies proceed smoothly and your future be ever brighter.”

Wei Jin Yi nodded and emptied the rest of his plum wine.

“Second Brother, once you get a response to your recommendation letter, when do you plan to go to Huzhou Prefecture?”

She asked, only to find Wei Jin Yi staring at her blankly, saying nothing.

“Second Brother?”

Wei Ruo looked at him in puzzlement. Seeing he still failed to respond, she waved her hand in front of his face.

“Ruoruo, don’t wave your hand. If you do, there’ll be so many hands,” Wei Jin Yi finally spoke, but his tone was utterly unlike his usual cool and detached self.

“Are you all right, Second Brother?” Wei Ruo asked, instinctively placing the back of her hand against his forehead.

“I’m fine, Ruoruo. I feel wonderful,” he replied with a dopey innocence.

***

That expression, that reaction, those words—this was not the Wei Jin Yi she knew!

“Are you... drunk?” Wei Ruo asked.

Wei Jin Yi didn’t answer. He simply gazed at her, unblinking.

When sober, he would never stare at Wei Ruo so unabashedly; it wasn’t proper, even if she was his sister. But now, he looked at her with utter concentration.

A rosy flush crept over his fair, strikingly handsome face, spreading all the way to the roots of his ears.

Now Wei Ruo was sure—Wei Jin Yi was truly drunk.

He had said he couldn’t hold his liquor. She had thought it was just a polite excuse; surely, she assumed, even the weakest drinker could handle a small cup of plum wine. Clearly, she was wrong. Her brother’s incapacity for alcohol was all too real.

Looking at the dazed and adorable Wei Jin Yi, Wei Ruo tried to think of a solution.

“Second Brother, have some food and drink some soup. That might help.”

She picked up some dishes for him, filled his bowl with pork rib soup, hoping to help him recover.

Wei Jin Yi obediently opened his mouth, waiting to be fed.

Wei Ruo was left speechless.

Was this truly her usually icy Second Brother?

Xiao Bei, too, stared wide-eyed, unable to find the words.

As someone who had grown up serving the young master, Xiao Bei knew about Wei Jin Yi’s low tolerance for alcohol. The last time something like this had happened, the young master had just turned ten and drunk a small cup of maiden’s blush wine. He had become adorably docile and even a bit chatty. But at that age, he hadn’t yet developed his cold and distant demeanor, so it wasn’t so shocking.

Since then, the young master had avoided alcohol entirely, and Xiao Bei had never had the chance to witness such a scene again.

“Can you eat by yourself?” Wei Ruo asked.