I hurried toward the lodging where the brewing houses had gathered.
The courtyard there was crowded with people, all murmuring among themselves.
When I pushed through the crowd and stepped inside, I saw the Vice Minister of War standing face-to-face with Master Brewer Yeong Gu-jin, accompanied by a woman wearing a veiled hat.
“Are you the artisan who brewed the White Heron Wine?”
“That is correct.”
Master Brewer Yeong Gu-jin answered the question with confidence.
“Was there some problem with the wine I brewed?”
“No, that is not it. What I wish to ask is whether that wine…”
I cut in before the Vice Minister of War could continue.
Because it would be troublesome if what came next reached other ears.
“Well, well. Who might this be? Isn’t this Lord Vice Minister of War?”
“Mm? Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho.”
“Yes. I heard you had come to see our Master Brewer Yeong, so I hurried over.”
“That is right. I came because I have something to discuss with him.”
“In that case, rather than standing here making conversation, I believe it would be better to go inside. The weather is still chilly, so I’m sure that would also be better for your daughter.”
At my suggestion, he nodded.
“That would be best.”
And so, I guided the Vice Minister of War and his party to the Reception Room, and Palgap prepared refreshments.
“Please, have some.”
“Thank you.”
I was about to ask the Vice Minister of War to let me sit in on the conversation.
But Master Yeong Gu-jin was faster than I was.
“Forgive me, my lord, but Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho here is the person who sponsors me. Because of that, he also handles matters related to my affairs, both large and small. So, with your permission, I would like Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Seo-ho to be present as well.”
The Vice Minister of War readily accepted the request.
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
I quickly sat down beside Master Yeong Gu-jin.
“Let me ask once more. Are you truly the one who brewed the White Heron Wine?”
“That is correct.”
Just what is making him confirm it over and over like this?
Still, it did not seem to be anything bad.
If there had been a problem, the Imperial Guards would have come storming in.
“The White Heron Wine was indeed brewed by Master Yeong Gu-jin here. The hundred invited guests who watched yesterday’s Tasting Competition, along with the countless others who witnessed it, can all testify to that.”
“I see.”
He nodded.
“There is a reason I keep confirming it. The truth is… my daughter suffered from madness.”
“…”
I had already heard this from Young Lord Yeong Gu-sang, but I could not say that, so I had to pretend this was my first time hearing it.
“It was the kind of madness that drove her to harm herself. She suffered greatly from an affliction whose cause we could not understand. But yesterday, I fed her the White Heron Wine bestowed by His Majesty… and the madness vanished.”
“Pardon?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“It seems you did not know either. In any case, to me, it was both wondrous and deeply moving. Madness that had not improved no matter what medicine we tried disappeared with a single sip of wine.”
Master Yeong still seemed unable to understand why, but I had an idea.
It must have been because of the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art Qi I had sensed within the White Heron Wine.
The madness suffered by the Vice Minister of War’s daughter was likely not an illness, but something closer to brainwashing or a curse.
After all, a Maoshan Sect Taoist had treated it before.
The White Heron Wine infused with the Supreme Yin Ice Sea Divine Art must have played a similar role.
But what the Vice Minister of War said next still left me stunned.
“No method we tried had any effect all this time… This must surely be a bond arranged by the heavens. So, you there! Please marry my daughter.”
“Pardon?”
“Pardooon?”
No, why did the conversation suddenly flow in that direction?
Yet as though this had already been discussed, the Vice Minister of War’s daughter merely sat demurely beside him.
Master Yeong Gu-jin spoke in obvious panic.
“T-This is far too sudden. And your daughter, my lord, is far too good for someone like me.”
“Not at all. If not for you, my daughter would surely have taken her own life someday.”
I could not refute that.
It had not been her own life, but when her husband tried to stop her, he had lost his.
“If you brewed the wine that cured my daughter’s madness, then I can entrust her to you with confidence.”
The Vice Minister of War’s resolve was firm, while Master Yeong Gu-jin looked utterly troubled.
Watching the situation unfold left me with a very strange feeling.
Two people who had been bound as husband and wife in my previous life were being connected like this again in this life?
Seeing this really made me think that destined partners existed.
As for me, there was no particular reason to stop it.
In the previous life, he had been sacrificed because of his wife’s madness, but in this life, that very problem had been resolved thanks to the wine he made.
And someone like the Vice Minister of War would make a fine in-law from a respectable household.
Still, for the sake of Master Yeong Gu-jin, who was clearly flustered, I needed to buy him some time.
I carefully opened my mouth.
“My lord, isn’t marriage, by its very nature, a major matter that joins one family to another?”
“That is true.”
“And it is also the matter of a man and woman pledging themselves to each other for life. Therefore, I believe it would be best to proceed with a little time and care.”
“Ah… you are right! Forgive me. Without realizing it, I was trying to move too hastily.”
“N-No, not at all.”
At the Vice Minister of War’s apology, Master Yeong Gu-jin hurriedly waved his hands.
“Then, is your honored father in Hubei Province?”
So he already knows Master Yeong Gu-jin came from a brewing house in Hubei Province.
“No. My father is in Guizhou Province.”
“In Guizhou Province?”
“Well…”
Master Yeong Gu-jin scratched his cheek as he answered.
“He serves there as Assistant Provincial Commander.”
At that answer, the Vice Minister of War blinked, then asked again.
“By any chance… how are you related to Clerk Yeong Gu-sang?”
“He is my second older brother.”
So he had not looked into that part yet. That must be why he looks so surprised.
“Ha! So that was the case! Then what exactly is wrong with Clerk Yeong, for him to have taken sick leave?”
At that question, Master Yeong Gu-jin looked troubled.
Because the reason for that sick leave was obvious.
He had been beaten within an inch of his life by his eldest brother, Young Lord Yeong Gu-man, on a rainy day. There was no way he was fine.
“My apologies. The truth is, I have not had much contact with my second brother, so I have no idea.”
“I see.”
At any rate, the Vice Minister of War looked extremely satisfied.
Of course he did. The man he had decided to take as his son-in-law turned out to come from a fairly respectable family too.
.
.
.
That evening.
I returned to my room and called Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong.”
“Kui?”
“You want to eat silver, don’t you? Then let’s run an errand.”
At my words, Geumryeong let out a few kui sounds and climbed onto the tea table in front of me. Then it looked at me with shining eyes.
I tied the letter I had prepared in advance to Geumryeong’s tail and said,
“Just deliver this to Master. And you need to bring back a reply too.”
“Kui.”
“Go on, then.”
Geumryeong immediately raced off toward Master.
I was not sure where Master was staying, but at Geumryeong’s speed, I should receive a reply by tomorrow at the latest.
The next morning.
“Kui!”
When I opened my eyes, Geumryeong was sitting on my chest, staring down at me.
“Uaaah, you came back fast.”
I yawned as I stroked Geumryeong.
Then I got up from the bed, untied the letter fastened to Geumryeong’s tail, and read it.
[The news you delivered to me, Deputy Merchant Lord, is truly astonishing. That White Heron Wine is undoubtedly Snow Wind Palace’s Snow Dew Wine.]
Snow Dew Wine?
[I do not know why my grandfather taught the brewing method for Snow Dew Wine and called it White Heron Wine, but in the end, its lineage has continued. How could this not be a joyous matter?]
Judging by the handwriting, Master also seemed extremely excited.
[It is true that the Qi contained within that wine is something worth concern, but I do not think we must necessarily treat it with caution. I feel sorry for the artisan who made the White Heron Wine, but perhaps this can become bait to draw out the culprits who destroyed Snow Wind Palace.]
As expected, his thoughts are similar to mine.
The ones who thoroughly destroyed Snow Wind Palace would surely find the White Heron Wine unpleasant to look at as well.
So they would target it, and if we caught them, we might gain a clue to their identity.
[As for that matter, I believe you will understand better than I do, Deputy Merchant Lord.]
In other words, he is leaving what comes next to me.
I used my Qi to burn the letter.
Then shall I try Breathing Meditation now?
Just as I thought that and tried to rise, Geumryeong caught the hem of my clothes in its mouth and would not let go.
“What’s wrong?”
“Kui!”
Geumryeong tapped the bed with its forepaw.
Ah… I still haven’t given it the silver tael. As expected, this one is thorough.
.
.
.
Before long, all the competitions came to an end.
As I had expected, the White Heron Wine was chosen as the final winner. Therefore, he stepped before the Emperor and received both the certificate proving he had earned the highest result in the First Liquor Tasting Competition and the prize money.
“Truly admirable! Continue to devote yourself to brewing fine wine in the future.”
“Your imperial grace is immeasurable.”
The runner-up excellence awards went to Moon Wine from the Moon Wine Pavilion, along with Tranquility Wine submitted by a brewing house under the Cheongsu Merchant Group.
Aside from them, seven other places were selected for Inscription.
Inscription meant having one’s name engraved.
In other words, it also meant being recorded and made widely known throughout the Empire.
Among the countless brewing houses of the Empire, simply making it into the top ten was an incredible achievement.
After receiving an audience with the Emperor and withdrawing, Master Yeong Gu-jin staggered.
“Are you all right?”
“Hoo, I-I’m fine. It’s just that the tension has drained out of me.”
I understand exactly how you feel.
Every time I face the Emperor, I get so nervous it feels like my liver is shriveling up.
And I still have to meet the Emperor separately.
Hoo…
I said to him,
“Just follow that Eunuch.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll see you later.”
After sending him off, I looked toward the Emperor’s office and took a deep breath.
A short while later.
I went before the Emperor.
After I offered the highest form of etiquette, the Emperor spoke.
“Raise your head.”
“Your imperial grace is immeasurable.”
“Yes, you have worked hard this time. I heard the officials responded well, and the people’s sentiment has improved too. As a bonus, the participation fees were quite profitable.”
“How could that possibly be due to this event alone? It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence.”
“At least wet your lips before lying.”
At that rebuke, I moistened my lips with my tongue before speaking.
“It is the truth, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor gave a small snort of laughter, then changed the subject.
“I looked over the documents you submitted. It said that the liquor bottles for wines to be traded with foreign nations should each be made differently. It seemed like a rather good idea.”
“I am truly delighted that Your Majesty views my opinion favorably.”
“Proceed with it as written.”
“I shall obey your command. However, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“How much will the budget be?”
“The budget?”
“Yes. I believe that, as a rule, only when the budget is generous can those carrying out the work proceed without worry. When the heart is uneasy, no true work of art can be born.”
I continued speaking.
“Moreover, are the wines we are making this time not meant for trade with foreign nations? In order to show the Empire’s dignity to foreign lands, I believe they must be made well.”
“So you are telling me to spend money generously.”
Instead of answering, I bowed my head.
The Emperor thought for a moment, then granted my request.
“That is reasonable. I shall provide a generous budget.”
“Your imperial grace is immeasurable.”
“That aside… I hear the Vice Minister of War’s daughter drank the White Heron Wine and had her madness cured.”
“…”
As expected, the Emperor asked about that.
“I asked Master Brewer Yeong about it earlier, and he said that good Qi entered the wine during the brewing process. I also heard that you were the one who explained that to him.”
Ah…
I had explained it that way.
Since he was the person making the wine, he needed to know at least that much.
I had explained the matter to him in fairly considerable detail. But I had told him that if anyone outside asked about it, he should say, “Good Qi came to be contained within it.”
And I had also told him to say that I was the one who explained it that way.
He followed my instructions well.
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“When I looked into it separately, I was told that the Qi in the White Heron Wine is cold, yet clear. And your Qi is like that as well.”
“…”
The Emperor must have already investigated the White Heron Wine’s Qi through a Transcendent bodyguard.
I really cannot let my guard down for even a moment.
At the same time, I felt relieved that I had discussed this with Master in advance.
“Your Majesty, I do not know the details either, but it seems the cold Qi contained within the White Heron Wine helps clear the mind.”
I decided to reveal it in vague terms.
Bait was not something you threw where it could be seen clearly. You threw it somewhere hard to notice.
That way, the target would let down their guard.
“The reason I suspect this is, as Your Majesty said, because my own Qi possesses that same nature.”
“Then the Qi you possess also has such an effect.”
“That is correct, Your Majesty. However, I ask that you not speak of this elsewhere.”
“I have at least that much trustworthiness.”
“That is why I am telling Your Majesty, trusting in you.”
For some reason, His Majesty’s gaze felt… burdensome. So I quickly added a few words.
“However, such an ability cannot be expected to manifest every time.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Understood. And do your best in the Poetry and Prose Competition a few days from now as well.”
“I shall obey your command.”
“You worked hard. You may withdraw.”
And so, I withdrew from before the Emperor.
I did not stagger like Master Yeong Gu-jin, but once the tension loosened, I could not help feeling all the strength drain from my body.
When I returned to the Beijing Branch and looked for Master Yeong Gu-jin, he was not there.
“Master Yeong’s honored father arrived, so he went to the family residence.”
“I see.”
I returned to my room and unfolded the documents.
They were documents for producing liquor bottles, which I had received on my way out of the Imperial Palace.
As I read through them, I realized one thing and let out a sigh.
This… is work I have to do, isn’t it?
The Poetry and Prose Competition is in a few days, yet without even realizing it, I brought more work back with me.
Should I hand it over to Merchant Lord Go… no, ask him for help?
–TL Notes–
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