Night fell.
As the imperial capital, Chang'an displayed an extremely prosperous scene under the night sky.
Lanterns hung high on the main streets, and countless pedestrians came and went.
The Great Zhao Dynasty enforced a curfew at night, but the curfew did not allow people to move between wards.
For example, within a ward, after nightfall, people inside the ward could still move around freely.
All one hundred and eight wards of Chang'an were exceptionally lively.
Besides these wards, there were also two independent places: the East Market and the West Market.
The Song family was in Shengping Ward, and even after night fell, it was still incredibly lively outside.
At this moment, Steward Song came into the courtyard and saw He Xiuyuan sitting on a stone chair, looking up at the distant lights.
He immediately stepped forward and handed the Chang'an fine wine he had bought to He Xiuyuan.
"He Gongzi, this is the Chang'an fine wine you requested, ordered by the Master.
We weren't sure what kind you preferred, so we bought you some of all the famous fine wines from Chang'an for you to try."
Steward Song was much more polite to He Xiuyuan now.
To be honest, regarding the scene that occurred on Vermilion Bird Street, he still wasn't sure if it was his own illusion or a coincidence.
But if it was a coincidence, the same coincidence had happened at Zhuangyuan Ferry.
Weren't these coincidences happening a bit too frequently?
"Oh? Thank you!"
Hearing Steward Song's words, He Xiuyuan immediately perked up, his gaze falling upon the stone table in front of him, where a dozen or so kinds of Chang'an fine wine were haphazardly placed.
Seeing this, He Xiuyuan immediately opened each cork, first smelling the wine's aroma before deciding whether to drink it.
Steward Song hesitated for a moment, then, with some uncertainty, asked, "He Gongzi, don't you already have that gourd of fine wine? Why do you still want to drink others?"
His words reached his lips, then he hesitated again.
Actually, he wanted to say that the immortal wine in He Xiuyuan's hand was superior to countless earthly wines, so why would He Xiuyuan still seek these earthly fine wines?
Recalling it now, his heart pounded even more.
The immortal wine in He Xiuyuan's hand, looking back, was indeed extraordinarily divine, but at the time... why hadn't he noticed it?
"Oh, you mean the peach blossom wine in this gourd of mine? This peach blossom wine isn't fully brewed yet, so it can't be drunk for now."
He Xiuyuan shook his head upon hearing this, sniffing the wine in the porcelain cup in front of him, then placing it aside.
The aroma was somewhat unappealing, so He Xiuyuan naturally had no appetite for it.
It's not brewed yet?
So, when the boatman asked He Xiuyuan to pour out the wine, it wasn't because He Xiuyuan was stingy, but because the wine wasn't brewed yet?
Thinking this, Steward Song was even more astonished.
"Hmm... this wine aroma is quite good."
Just then, He Xiuyuan picked up the most dazzling jade porcelain cup in front of him, and after opening it, he smelled a rich wine aroma inside.
The jade porcelain cup in his hand also seemed extraordinary; when the wine liquid swirled inside, He Xiuyuan could see its movement through the jade porcelain.
Even the porcelain itself was exquisitely crafted.
"What kind of wine is this?"
He Xiuyuan picked it up, took a small sip, and his eyes immediately lit up.
A faint wine aroma slowly spread in his mouth.
When the refreshing wine liquid slid down his throat, it wasn't spicy, had a faint wine aroma, and a hint of icy, bone-chilling sensation.
After the wine completely entered his throat, a rich surge of intoxication immediately swept up from his abdomen, then melted the ice, giving him a feeling of thorough exhilaration.
This wine was unexpectedly good.
He Xiuyuan savored the fine wine, looking at Steward Song beside him and asking.
"This wine..."
Steward Song snapped back to attention upon hearing He Xiuyuan's question, glanced at the jade porcelain cup in He Xiuyuan's hand, and immediately replied, "This wine is called one day spring."
"one day spring? That's a good name."
He Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this, making a mental note of the wine.
Next, He Xiuyuan picked up other fine wines nearby, preparing to open them and take a look.
Noticing Steward Song beside him, He Xiuyuan's hand paused slightly, "I almost forgot about you.
Sit down and have some together?"
He Xiuyuan invited Steward Song.
It seemed a bit improper for him to enjoy the fine wine alone while leaving Steward Song ignored.
Steward Song was startled upon hearing this, then quickly waved his hand, "As a mere family servant, I cannot drink with an esteemed guest like you, and I need to wake up early tomorrow."
"You really can't drink?"
Seeing the other party refuse, He Xiuyuan frowned.
Steward Song, however, shook his head firmly, then prepared to excuse himself.
Before leaving, Steward Song still called for the family maid, asking her to serve He Xiuyuan some small dishes before he finally departed.
After the maid brought some small dishes to He Xiuyuan, seeing that there was nothing else for her to do, she returned to the backyard and knocked on her Young Miss's boudoir.
"Young Miss."
The maid walked in, asking respectfully.
"What is He Gongzi doing?"
Inside the boudoir, Song Sijun was embroidering mandarin ducks, and after glancing at the maid, she asked casually.
"He Gongzi..."
The maid hesitated upon hearing this, then softly said, "He is drinking wine.
Steward Song sent him all the famous fine wines of Chang'an."
"Indeed."
Song Sijun's delicate brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this.
Earlier, her father had cautioned her not to judge others based on external words.
Therefore, after some thought, she had asked the maid to go and see what He Xiuyuan was doing.
But now, it seemed that He Xiuyuan was truly just as he had described himself.
"Tell the family servants in the manor to treat He Gongzi with courtesy when they see him, and not to neglect him, lest it damage our Song family's reputation."
Despite her disappointment, Song Sijun did not show her emotions.
Instead, she instructed the maid beside her.
"Yes, Young Miss."
The maid bowed deeply upon hearing this, then quietly turned and left, leaving her Young Miss to continue embroidering.
.......
The next day.
As dawn broke, He Xiuyuan got out of bed and was about to get dressed when he heard a knock at the door.
"He Gongzi, are you awake?"
"If you are awake, your servant will bring you hot water to wash."
The voice outside the door was soft, and it seemed as though she had been standing outside for a long time, just waiting for He Xiuyuan to wake up.
"Thank you for your trouble."
He Xiuyuan nodded upon hearing this, then couldn't help but glance at the sky.
When he saw that the sun was already high in the sky, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Oh no, is it not good to sleep this late when staying at someone else's manor?
He Xiuyuan felt a bit uneasy thinking this, which was also why he was unwilling to stay overnight at the manor.