Free Web NovelChapter 2224: Chapter 5: Once Snow Fell in the Human World
Jiang Wang secluded himself in Xia Shan Villa, refusing guests, not even keeping servants.
After inviting Yu Liyang to sit in the courtyard, he went to fetch four jars of wine.
After thinking for a while, he brought two more jars.
The prized Fragrant Snow Osmanthus, a plant that was hard to find, had also been transplanted here. It stood proudly in the courtyard, swaying in the breeze.
Of course, the osmanthus flowers could not be smelled at this time of the year.
The saying "Floating Mountain old, Fragrant Snow withered" refers to the two most famous osmanthus trees in the Eastern Region. Beyond their enchanting appearance, the former soothes the spirit, the latter pleases the heart.
A low stone table stood beneath the osmanthus tree, with two iac cushions as if carved from jade.
Jiang Wang brought some iron berries and pastries, then sat kneeling opposite Yu Liyang.
Yu Liyang quietly knelt under the Fragrant Snow Osmanthus from beginning to end, like a figure in a meticulous painting, part of the scenery... watching Jiang Wang bustle about.
Only then did he say, "I didn’t expect Marquis Wu’an’s courtyard to be so quiet."
This was their first meeting after the offering at The Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Before offering at The Imperial Ancestral Temple, they had never interacted.
Yu Liyang stood too high; at that time, Jiang Wang was far from qualified to drink with him.
"Besides cultivation, there’s nothing else," Jiang Wang said warmly. "I’m used to being free and undisciplined, and I don’t need to be waited on."
Six jars of Lu Ming Wine were lined up beside the table, resembling six white deer facing the snow osmanthus.
Not to mention the taste; just the jars were extraordinary.
The whole body appeared jade-colored; if you tapped the jar wall lightly three times, the jade color would slowly fade, the jar turning transparent, revealing the amber-like liquid inside. After three breaths, it would return to jade color.
This was called "White Deer Hiding in the Forest."
The overall shape of the wine jar was like a white deer kneeling on four legs. The antlers on both sides were particularly exquisite; each was held and turned slightly to open the jar. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
The deer’s lips were the jar’s mouth, and the antlers were two wine cups, called "Deer Horn Goblets."
This wine must be paired with these goblets for endless aftertaste.
Jiang Wang personally twisted off the two Deer Horn Goblets and filled them with wine, then only made a gesture of invitation without a word.
Yu Liyang picked up a goblet, gently sniffing it to find its aroma, then took a small sip to savor its richness, finally drinking it all, the spirits running through from his internal organs to his Heavenly Spirit.
Playing with the Deer Horn Goblet, his face showed delight. He said leisurely, "Wine from the East Country is best drunk during deer frost. Deer frost wine is the best ’Seeker of Forests.’ The ultimate ’Seeker of Forests’ is called ’Lu Ming.’ Only twenty jars are produced annually, hard to obtain easily. Marquis Wu’an surprisingly has such a stock. What is so popular... can be seen here."
"Actually, I find it hard to buy them myself." Jiang Wang said, patting the two jars near his hand: "These two jars, I won in a bet with General Yan Po of Yi Kingdom."
Of course, he didn’t say what the bet was.
Then he patted the two jars in front: "These two jars were gifted by my friend Yan Fu."
Young Master Yan’s gift for the marquis title filled ten carts. Two jars of Lu Ming Wine were indeed nothing.
He paused, then pointed to the two jars ahead: "These two... were some wine left over when Yan Fu came for a small gathering a few days ago. There were two jars of Lu Ming left untouched, so I brought them all out."
The so-called stock was almost entirely from Yan Fu, making him feel a bit embarrassed. So he stopped speaking and poured more wine for Yu Liyang.
In fact, not only the wine, but the entire table was also full of gifts from others.
Those iron berries were, of course, sent by Lian Que, and those pastries were also all brought by friends. Among them were crescent pastries made by the Eastern Palace Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua himself.
In fact, even this Xia Shan Villa originally belonged to Zhongxuan Sheng...
Listening to one Yan Fu after another, Yu Liyang naturally thought of the hospitality he received in Bei County these days and couldn’t help but sigh: "The Yan Clan indeed has excellent family traditions..."
Marquis Jiang deeply agreed.
So the Deer Horn Goblets clinked together, and they drank a cup.
Thus, the two continued to drink and chat idly, truly finding some comfort in spring.
Clouds passed the clear sky, the wind passed the empty courtyard, and the people were slightly intoxicated.
After a few rounds of drinking like this.
Yu Liyang looked at Jiang Wang and suddenly asked, "Aren’t you going to ask why I visited An Lebo today?"
Jiang Wang invited Yu Liyang for a drink without any particular intention. It was just that the weather happened to be good, and he was in the mood for a little wine, seeing this person’s elegant demeanor, he wanted to have a drink with him, nothing more.
He rarely has such natural and carefree moments. In recent years, he has been constantly driven by tangible and intangible pressures, unable to indulge in idle feelings.
At this moment, he just continued to pour wine, smiling, and said, "What kind of person is Upper Minister Yu! You can see whoever you want; no reason is needed."
Yu Liyang laughed and raised a goblet: "Let’s drink a cup!" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Jiang Wang naturally accompanied.
After finishing this cup, Yu Liyang smiled faintly and said, "An Lebo is a smart person, knowing that seeing me now is inappropriate and not safe."
"He is also a person with only small cleverness and does not know that in Emperor Qi’s eyes, he does not exist at all, completely indifferent to what he does. Whether he is truly carefree or pretending to be foolish, it is of no consequence."
"You’re right... I just suddenly wanted to see him today."
"I wanted to know what he would say seeing me."
"I wanted to ask him if he ever felt guilty."
"I wanted to see how he is today, what is different from what I saw thirty-three years ago..."
Yu Liyang said this much and suddenly stopped, probably feeling there was no need to say more. Finally, he just "heh"ed, "Actually, Yan Dao is also difficult to be free."
