Chapter 8, Fine Wine and Beautiful Women

She rubbed her forehead, her head pounding, truly a case of countless calculations leading to an unexpected encounter with such a person. Uncle Qi, with his ill-fated words, if this matter cannot be resolved, her father would likely resort to violence upon his return. It is acceptable to earn money for him, but it is absolutely unacceptable to sacrifice a person. Yun Fei knew that her marriage had not yet been settled because her father still wanted to manipulate her marriage, intending to keep her for a significant purpose.

Yun Fei went to the wine cellar and took a jar of pear blossom wine that her father had hidden for many years, pouring it into a wine jug adorned with the design of two dragons playing with a pearl. This jug is equipped with a mechanism that allows it to hold two different types of wine without mixing them. When pouring the wine, one can discreetly rotate the small pearl at the spout of the jug to manipulate it. Yun Fei poured the wine laced with a soporific into the jug, and with everything prepared, she went to Su Qingmei's bedroom

Su Qingmei was completely unaware that someone had entered the room

If the Spring Inn is considered the largest and most luxurious inn in Jingzhou, according to Song Jingyu, Wei Dongting is staying in the best room, which suggests he is quite wealthy

Wei Dongting smiled gently and said, "I reside at the Spring Inn"

He enthusiastically asked: "Would the young master prefer to stay overnight or lodge at an inn"

Yun Fei took the tray from the waiter and walked straight in, placing the food and wine on the table. As she turned around, she was startled to find Wei Dongting silently standing behind her. Backlit by the candlelight, his eyes appeared unfathomable, dark and deep as if concealing endless mysteries, ready to swallow one up with a careless misstep

This person is enigmatic and of unknown origin, but one thing she is very certain of is that, like all those who come to invest money, he does not care about who his wife is or what she looks like; he only desires to become the son-in-law of Yun Dingquan and rise to prominence in one fell swoop. For those who gamble everything for power, even if they resemble Pan An, she would never marry them. This is because, with her mother's past experiences before her, men who are greedy for power and ambitious are the most terrifying.

Pah, pah, pah, what a so-called ideal husband; he is clearly a cunning wolf. Yun Fei, filled with frustration, quietly instructed the two, "Do not tell anyone about this matter"

Outside the main gate, there were three layers of people inside and three layers outside, all gathered to watch the excitement. After Wan Jingliu and Doctor Li entered, they returned in a short while, but the third man who was answering questions did not come out for a long time. The crowd began to speculate that he must have answered Miss Yun's question correctly, which was why he was being held back.

Yun Fei pretended to be happy, smiling as she shook her arm, "Mother, don't be sad. With money, we need not fear traveling the world."

Wei Dongting looked at her innocent and naive, friendly and sincere smile, hesitated for a moment, and took the wine glass from her hand, "Thank you, Miss Yun, for your kind gesture"

She knows that having money does not necessarily equate to happiness. However, since her father was with her mother for the sake of money, as long as her mother continues to have money, there will be no immediate issues. The next challenge to address is the troublesome Wei Dongting.

The silver note safely in hand, the current task is how to deal with Wei Dongting

She instinctively felt a tightness in her heart, yet immediately revealed a light and playful smile on her face: "I apologize for any offense during the day, I have come to make amends to Young Master Wei."

Are you serious

I have come to meet friends. Please, young waiter, prepare two dishes to accompany the wine Yun Fei smiled gently, lifting the wine jug in her hand and giving it a light shake

However, after Wei Dongting said "thank you," he showed no intention of drinking it all at once; instead, he held the wine glass, smiling silently.

At the moment of heated discussion, a tall and handsome figure emerged from the governor's mansion, which was the third man to enter and answer the questions

Yun Fei nodded earnestly, her delicate and sweet face, along with her innocent and clear eyes, appeared to be completely genuine

The crowd watched his tall figure, filled with an air of mystery, still reluctant to disperse. Some naturally inclined to gamble began to place their bets. Some speculated that he had not won; otherwise, this young gentleman would surely have proclaimed it for all to know. Others speculated that he had indeed won, for he would not be smiling so confidently and emerging so slowly.

Yun Fei's face turned crimson with embarrassment, and she gritted her teeth in her heart: hum, soon you will know how good I am to you!

Usually, Yun Dingquan always teaches Acon to keep his emotions in check, but Acon has not learned this lesson, while Afei has mastered it thoroughly. At this moment, her heart is ablaze with emotions, yet her face is adorned with an increasingly sweet and lovely smile. Suddenly, her clear and bright eyes sparkle as she sweetly and cheerfully says: "Young Master Wei, you must try this; if you like it, I will bring you another jar tomorrow."

The young servant knocked on the door and announced through the crack, "Young Master Wei, there is a visitor."

Su Qingmei asked listlessly, "What is it?"

Saying this, I poured a glass of wine and handed it to him with both hands: "Young Master Wei, this is a fine wine that my father has kept hidden, please give it a try"

Song Jingyu responded with a sound of acknowledgment and immediately followed suit

Su Qingmei responded with a choked voice

Alright. The waiter quickly prepared two plates of dishes.

She endured the days like years until nightfall, changed into a set of men's clothing, took along the pot of pear blossom wine, and quietly left the governor's residence with Song Jingyu

Wei Dongting held up his wine glass, gently swirling the wine within. After a moment, he sighed and said, "You treat me so well even before we are married, truly, it leaves me feeling both honored and surprised"

Did you get it right or not

She is most skilled at concealing her thoughts; although her heart is full of schemes against him, her face is adorned with genuine sincerity. Two sweet and lovely dimples float at the corners of her lips, appearing and disappearing like tiny ripples created by raindrops falling on the water's surface

Miss Yun, please hold on

Yun Fei walked to the front of the door, gazing at the two large red lanterns inscribed with "Spring All Year Round" and "Guests Feel at Home" hanging in front of the inn. Taking a deep breath, she thought that her father would be back soon, and no matter what, this matter had to be settled tonight

Yun Fei has already come up with an idea and whispered, "You go get some knockout drops for me. Tonight, we will go to the Ruchun Inn together to find him."

Yun Fei walked into the inn, and the young attendant was immediately struck by her beauty; it is truly rare to see such a graceful and elegant young man with extraordinary demeanor.

Everyone urged eagerly, "Young Master, please speak quickly."

Observing the excited and gossiping faces of the crowd, he merely smiled with his hands behind his back, neither confirming nor denying the answer. In any case, that enigmatic smile and his remarkable aura of confidence left everyone feeling an itch in their hearts, as if seven or eight cats were simultaneously scratching at them

Yun Fei held her emaciated shoulders, her small chin resting on her shoulder, and softly said: "Before grandfather passed away, he left a sum of money for mother, and asked me to keep it safe for her"

Yun Fei looked at her emaciated shoulders, her heart sinking heavily. That girl dressed in vibrant colors, whose eyes sparkled with joy when she smiled, would never return.

Fuling and Baishao approached with smiles, saying: "Congratulations, Miss, on finding your ideal husband"

Dressed in a long robe adorned with deep green bamboo leaf patterns, the person appears refreshing and elegant, resembling a beautiful jade, with a clear and bright demeanor. On their fair complexion are two glistening black eyes that seem to speak when they sparkle, instantly evoking an indescribable fondness in those who gaze upon them

Yun Fei smiled increasingly sweetly and charmingly, her pair of sparkling eyes fixed on him without a moment's distraction, as if wishing that a pair of hands could fly out from her gaze to pour the wine into him

Yun Fei secretly warned herself that in the future, she must not let love and affection cloud her judgment; it is crucial to keep a close eye on money, otherwise, if she ends up in a situation like her mother, all that would be left is to weep

She turned to Song Jingyu and said, "You stay by his back window, and if I call you, then you come in." She planned to use diplomacy before resorting to force, hoping to resolve the matter as quietly as possible.

Yun Fei pretended to be angry: "What, am I not welcome?"

Yun Fei hid inside the gate of the governor's mansion, and upon seeing Wei Dongting leave with his men without saying anything, she finally placed a hand on her frightened little heart and let out a long, drawn-out sigh

Moments later, the door creaked open, and it was indeed Wei Dongting. Upon suddenly seeing Yun Fei dressed as a man, he was momentarily taken aback: "So it is you"

Wei Dongting stood tall and upright on the steps, exuding an imposing presence, like a fragrant orchid or a jade tree

Mother, it is sufficient for you to know about this matter. If Father does not mention it, you need not say anything at all

Young Master Wei, please take care as you depart

As soon as he exited the side hall, Yun Fei hurriedly said to Song Jingyu outside the door, "You quickly take someone to follow that person and see where he is staying"

Wei Dongting smiled and said, "Of course, you are welcome"

Song Jingyu's eyes flickered, but she did not ask anything. Soon, he brought her the soporific drug. Yun Fei's favorite type of person was someone like him, taciturn and reliable in handling matters. Although he was only 23 years old, he seemed to possess an innate maturity beyond his years, and the most common expression on his handsome face was one of indifference.

She propped her chin on her hand, squinting her pair of lively and exquisite eyes, while her slender fingers lightly tapped the table in a rhythmic manner, beginning to ponder.

She took a deep breath and took a long time to suppress the feeling of her heart being wrenched in agony

"Ah Fei, Mother will not be so foolish anymore," Su Qingmei said, sobbing. "It is still Grandfather who is astute, leaving you some dowry; otherwise, when you get married, Mother truly would have nothing to offer."

Laugh at your own head, Yun Fei's heart was racing with anxiety

She returned to her room holding a small box made of golden silk nanmu wood and began counting the money. Including yesterday's amount, it totaled one hundred and seven thousand three hundred taels of silver. After some contemplation, she decided to take out eighty thousand, placing it in a brocade box and locking it, intending to hand it over to Yun Dingquan upon her return. The remaining over twenty thousand taels in silver notes were kept for her mother.

Wei Dongting smiled without answering and strode away with the four attendants waiting outside.

Yun Fei reached out to wipe her tears, as the tears flowed incessantly from Su Qingmei's eyes, unstoppable and unending. For every bit of love that once existed, there is now an equal measure of tears. The romantic tales of talented scholars and beautiful women in plays, when faced with reality, turn into a story of fickleness and abandonment.

Su Qingmei was taken aback, and the previously expressionless face of Mu was finally animated.

If your father asks about it in the future, just say that it is the dowry left to me by my grandfather, and under no circumstances should you agree to give it to him

In recent years, everyone has envied the loving relationship between Su Qingmei and her husband, who is devoted to her. She has been living in a state of blissful ignorance, believing herself to be happy. Little did she know that Yun Dingquan would suddenly bring another woman home, shattering not only her happiness but also her dignity

Yun Fei felt a chill in her heart from his laughter. Could he be suspecting something? She quickly poured herself a glass and said cheerfully, "I will drink to show my respect first." After saying this, she downed it in one go to demonstrate that there was no issue with the wine

The room was eerily quiet as if no one were present, with every window tightly shut, allowing not a single breeze to enter. Su Qingmei sat dazed in front of the Buddha statue, her entire being devoid of spirit, curled up within the shell wrapped in Buddhist scriptures.

She is certainly at ease, as Jingzhou is the domain of Yun Dingquan. In her father's territory, she fears nothing. Moreover, she carries the sleeve arrow that Song Jingyu gifted her, with a range of two zhang, sufficient for self-defense

Su Qingmei recalled that all her father's assets had been given to her husband, yet it did not win his true affection. Instead, it was as if the good bow was hidden after the birds had flown. Unable to contain her sorrow, she covered her face and began to weep. At the Pure Land Temple, she could wail freely, but upon returning home, she did not dare to cry out loud, fearing that the servants would overhear and mock her.

Yun Fei paid the money and led the waiter directly to Wei Dongting's door.

She was once the pampered daughter of a wealthy family, cherished and protected by her father, never having experienced such humiliation. Upon returning home, she shut herself in, hiding within the Buddhist scriptures. Yun Fei deliberately instructed Yun Qi and others not to disturb the lady, so she remained oblivious to what had transpired outside the governor's residence these past two days

The onlookers were extremely excited, suddenly surrounding him without caring whether they recognized him or not, all speaking at once to ask: "Did this young gentleman answer correctly?"

Yet even so, Wei Dongting still did not drink, calmly holding the wine glass, looking at her with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Yun Fei stepped forward lightly and crouched down: "Mother, there is something I want to tell you"

The young attendant sniffed,敏感地 detecting the aroma of aged fine wine.

The night was as dark as ink, and Jingzhou City was immersed in a profound tranquility. Every household was closed tight, with the faint glimmers of light obscured by walls and courtyards. Only the taverns and inns along Lingfu Street were brightly lit.

Before long, Song Jingyu returned to inform her that Wei Dongting was indeed residing at the Ruchun Inn, accompanied by four others, all of whom possessed martial arts skills

Song Jingyu nodded slightly and said, "You can rest assured."