Chapter Thirty-Three: The Rare Number One Scholar Red

  Everyone walked forward for another twenty steps, and they had already left the Shadow Mountain Villa. Far away, Dai Yan saw this and felt a slight sense of surprise in her heart. Ahead, Xiao Chengyan was already laughing in surprise: "It seems that this meal is going to be eaten outside!"

  Madam Ning smiled and said in a warm voice, "Exactly!" As she spoke, she suddenly turned her head to glance at Yu Dai, then added another sentence: "Today's meal may not be exquisite, but I think you'll all like it! Especially Miss Ten!"

  Ling Yuexuan suddenly heard this and couldn't help but ask in surprise: "What's the reason for this?"

  Mrs. Ning smiled and said: "It's just because among you three, you are the most childish, so I knew you would definitely like it!"

  Ling Yuexuan listened to her gentle and warm words, and was delighted with herself. She plucked up the courage to laugh and say: "Although your words are veiled, I still understood them, madam. You said I'm childish, but in fact you're referring to my limited experience of the world!"

  Mrs. Ning couldn't help but laugh, and she gently pinched Ling Yuanshu's delicate face, saying: "I originally thought you were gentle and weak, but it turns out you're also a clever and cunning one!"

  In the midst of laughter, the crowd had already walked more than twenty steps forward. Ahead, a faintly flickering firelight could be seen, and in the air, there were wafting fragrances that made one's mouth water.

  Xiao Chengxian took a deep breath and smiled: "I don't even know what this smell is, it's so fragrant!"

  Yuan Dai smiled faintly and said, "It's roasted meat!" She said, after carefully identifying it, and then laughed, "This flavor, must be deer meat without a doubt!"

  As soon as this was said, Xiao Chengyu and others did not know the inside story, but it didn't matter. On one side, Bai Lianyi asked in surprise: "How do you know they're roasting deer meat? As for us, what we prepared today were mountain pigs, yellow sheep, and antelopes. These two deers were sent up the mountain by General Deng Ming of the Tiger Speed Army just a little while ago!"

  It was unexpected that he would ask, and after being stunned for a moment, Fang smiled and said: "I think it's because I've had roasted deer meat several times before!"

  He glanced at Yuan Dai with a strange expression. Baili Yu didn't ask any further questions after all.

  In fact, venison is indeed tender and delicious, with a unique flavor, but because it doesn't have the gamey smell of mutton, one can tell that this is venison just by smelling the roasted meat. It's not like there aren't any exceptions, but it's extremely rare. And as for this person, it's clear that he has eaten deer many times in his life, and definitely more than a few times, unlike what Yuandai said.

  He didn't ask anymore, and others couldn't guess what he was thinking. Xiao Chengyan just smiled and glanced at Yuan Dai, saying: "Ninth sister is indeed proficient in the way of eating and drinking!" This sentence was because she remembered a conversation that Yuan Dai had with her when they were drinking Huajiu wine at Shuangyuan Building.

  Yan Dai had just wanted to speak when Xiao Chengye's voice came from ahead: "You've finally arrived! We were starving to death waiting for you!" As he spoke, Xiao Chengye and Lu Weijie hastened their steps and welcomed them.

  After a simple courtesy, the crowd walked forward for more than ten steps, and in front of them was a dense thicket. Entering the thicket and walking not far, suddenly it opened up to reveal a vast open space. On an empty land of about one mu (a unit of area), several bonfires were burning fiercely.

  On the west side of the empty land, a shallow stream flowed slowly. On the edge of the stream, several bonfires were lit. Iron frames were placed on top of the fires, and two wild deer that had been washed and cleaned were hung from them. The flames danced and licked the roasted deer, which had turned golden brown. The aroma wafted through the air, and every now and then, a few drops of oil dripped down, accompanied by the sound of sizzling.

  In the middle of a bonfire, Baili Zhao and Ling Yuancheng sat together, seemingly discussing something. Today, Baili Zhao was unusually not sitting in his wheelchair, but instead sat on a thick soft sheepskin rug.

  Because Ling Yuancheng was sitting in a position that happened to be facing the crowd, as soon as they came in, he had already seen them. After smiling, Ling Yuancheng said to Baili Zhao: "Your Highness, they have arrived!" As he spoke, he had already stood up and slightly bowed to the crowd.

  Baili Zhao heard the sound and immediately turned his head to look, his eyes scanning the crowd with a faint gaze. He then raised his hand and pointed to himself: "No need for formalities, come sit down!" The flickering firelight fell on his face and body, and in the half-bright, half-dark atmosphere, it softened the air of authority that had long been deeply rooted in him, but highlighted another kind of gentle elegance. Indeed, "a gentleman is like jade, warm to the touch".

  Everyone heard the sound and hastened to come forward, but still made their own bows and thanked for their seats before daring to sit down by the fire.

  By the bonfire, soft cushions had already been laid out. In front of the cushions, several low tables made of Huanghuali wood had been set up earlier. On each table, several crystal basins were arranged with fresh seasonal fruits. Among them, a basin of bright red and juicy cherries was particularly mouth-watering.

  After a slight cough, Baili Zhao said calmly: "Tonight is also a family dinner, you don't have to be polite, just enjoy yourselves!" As he spoke, he raised his hand and lightly clapped. After this clap, a maid came forward with a silver jug and poured full cups for everyone in turn. The wine was obviously warmed up, and as soon as it entered the cup, hot air rose from it.

  Baili Zhuo first raised his cup, and the crowd hurriedly followed suit, drinking to the bottom. Yuandai on one side held her cup in her hand, but only took a slight sip. The wine was fragrant and rich when it entered her mouth, with a mellow and refreshing aftertaste. Upon closer inspection of its color, she found it bright and lustrous like amber, and it turned out to be top-grade Niang'erhong.

  She carelessly put down the wine cup in her hand, and Yan Dai stretched out her hand to pick up a cherry from the crystal plate in front of her and sent it into her mouth. It was just the coldest winter month in Pingjing, and this cherry must have been transported from thousands of miles away in the south. She thought to herself, and with a slight effort, she cracked open the smooth skin of the cherry, and the sweet juice overflowed her mouth, making her involuntarily narrow her eyes for an instant.

  However, at this moment, a gentle voice came from afar, "As it happens, you've come at the right time! This wine was given to me by Zhao Zixu just a few days ago. It's said that it was brewed by his father for him on the year he was born, and it's called Zhuangyuan Red!"

  Suddenly, after hearing this, Yuandai's throat constricted abruptly and she almost choked on the cherry pit. She looked at Baili Zhao with a strange expression, her lips pursed unintentionally. At this moment, Baili Zhao suddenly brought up this topic, and she didn't think it was a coincidence.

  Subconsciously, she tilted her head to the side, and Xiao Chengya was also looking at her. The two exchanged a brief glance before quickly withdrawing their gazes. However, it was evident that not only the two of them were affected by the conversation, as Xiao Chengyan on the other side was also staring at Ling Yuqing with a look of astonishment, both of their eyes revealing a hint of shock.

  "According to Mr. Zhao himself, this is the last jar of Zhuangyuan Red in his family! So... everyone should cherish this wine and not waste it!" (Thank you for your support, it's my greatest motivation.)