CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 218: HEAVY DRINKER, IS THAT IT?

Most of the guests had left by evening, leaving only the Xiao siblings and Xiao Chong and Xiao Ce.

Little Qingyu was taken to have dinner with the two children from Lin Mengbo’s family next door. There were many guests today, and Madam Lin Qin was afraid that Lin Wanwan would neglect the guests while tending to the children, so she came over to take them.

The number of guests at dinner couldn’t be compared to noon; one table was enough.

Lin Wanwan simply arranged a hot pot, and everyone sat around to enjoy it together. Additionally, tuna sashimi, marinated crab, and Peking duck were, of course, a must.

After all, Xiao Chong was quite the foodie. After a busy day, he came over expecting a good meal. Lin Wanwan knew him too well.

"The crispy duck skin, fatty but not greasy, with the pleasant aroma of wood fire, dipped in thick sauce and wrapped in dough, the taste is exquisite. Cousin, just in terms of culinary skills, you are definitely a master. I admire you. I’m in for a treat tonight." Xiao Chong praised verbally while his hands moved swiftly.

"Hehe, in this world, only love and food cannot be missed. However, I am no master. I just narrated the recipes, and it was thanks to Hua Nong’s superb skills that they came out so well," Lin Wanwan explained with a smile.

Xiao Chong laughed carefreely, "The recipe comes first, followed by the dish; you deserve credit all the same, cousin."

Xiao Jingfeng watched the familiar and casual interaction between Xiao Chong and Lin Wanwan, seemingly deep in thought.

Xiao Xianghua was initially a bit nervous; it was her first time dining with someone as distinguished as Xiao Chong, fearing she’d make a mistake and be laughed at.

But seeing Xiao Chong, Xiao Ce, and Lin Wanwan behaving so casually, she gradually relaxed.

After finishing the sashimi and marinated crab, Yun Shang and Hong Yan came up, one holding a wine decanter and the other carrying a tray full of jade cups, to pour the grape wine for everyone.

Wine enthusiast Xiao Ce couldn’t stop praising, "Good food and good wine; the days of the Village Lady of Le’an are truly as carefree as being a deity."

Lin Wanwan said, "This grape wine has a strong afterkick; it’s good, but don’t overdo it."

"Haha, don’t worry, Village Lady of Le’an, I can handle it; even several big bowls of Sam Le Jiang won’t get me drunk."

Lin Wanwan smiled without saying anything; with the alcohol content of the wines brewed in the Great Tang, no one should boast about their capacity; today will teach them a lesson.

They toasted, and Xiao Chong said, "To the hospitality of the Village Lady of Le’an!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone downed their cups with gusto, while Hong Yan refilled them.

Xiao Jingfeng, who had been quietly blending into the background, grew bolder after drinking and spoke up, "It’s a rare occasion to dine with the two Xiao brothers and to taste such rich grape wine; why not each compose a poem with our wine to enliven the mood? What do you all think?"

At the banquets of the aristocrats of the Great Tang, wine and poetry were inseparable, a tradition.

Everyone naturally agreed enthusiastically, and Xiao Jingfeng continued, "Then let me start."

With that, he recited a five-character regulated verse about wine.

Next to Xiao Jingfeng sat Xiao Ce, and following the seating order, Xiao Ce thought for a moment before also reciting a poem. With the speed they recited poems, they must have prepared them in advance.

It was Xiao Xianghua’s turn next. After a brief pause, she recited a decent poem that mentioned wine.

Xiao Xianghua sat next to Lin Wanwan, so it was Lin Wanwan’s turn next.

Lin Wanwan was ready in her mind; holding the jade cup against the candlelight, she said, "My master once recited a ’Liangzhou Poem’ that I loved very much. I’ll recite it for everyone: Grape wine in a luminous cup..."

"Great! The line ’grape wine in a luminous cup’ is very fitting." Already a bit tipsy from the wine, Xiao Jingfeng, who had finished his first attempt and had another drink, couldn’t help but praise loudly upon hearing Lin Wanwan’s poem, in stark contrast to his previous quiet demeanor.

Xiao Xianghua looked worriedly at her brother, knowing he might be drunk.

It’s only been two cups, how could her brother act as if he’s had too much?

Lin Wanwan continued, "Want to drink, yet the pipa sounds urge faster."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ce glanced at Xiao Chong, noticing the faint smile at the corner of the latter’s lips, an expression of great appreciation, and returned the smile.

Ignoring the distractions around the table, Lin Wanwan continued reciting, "Drunk on the battlefield, laugh not, how many return from ancient wars?"

As Lin Wanwan finished the poem, the room fell silent, evidently savoring the verses.

Xiao Xianghua looked at Lin Wanwan with admiring eyes.

Xiao Chong straightforwardly remarked, "With this ’Liangzhou Poem’ today, the rest is tasteless, no need to continue. I’m certain this poem will become an eternal classic. I won’t embarrass myself; I’ll drink three cups as punishment instead."

"Oh, there’s no need... for that."

Just as Lin Wanwan wanted to persuade him otherwise, before she could finish speaking, Xiao Chong had already downed his cup heroically, and Hong Yan cleverly refilled it in time.

After drinking three cups in succession, Xiao Chong’s jade-like face flushed red, appearing more ethereal in the candlelight.

At this moment, Xiao Ce and Xiao Jingfeng exclaimed together, "Great poem! Great poem! Drunk on the battlefield, laugh not, how many return from ancient wars! Truly a great poem! Let’s drink another cup to celebrate!"

Lin Wanwan and Xiao Xianghua exchanged glances; what’s going on, are the three men at the table already drunk?

Lin Wanwan shrugged, about to speak, when Xiao Jingfeng, having had another cup, suddenly collapsed with a thud, snoring began!

Xiao Xianghua turned red with embarrassment; her brother was being so rude, tomorrow he’d be too ashamed to show his face after sobering up.

"Cousin Wanwan, my brother is drunk; I’ll take him to rest."

Lin Wanwan nodded and asked Yun Shang, who was waiting nearby, "Is my cousin’s bed ready?"

"Yes, my lady, it was prepared yesterday."

"Then take them away."

"Okay!"

"Hong Yan, you help too. Drunk people are heavy."

"Yes!"

Xiao Ce had already grabbed the wine decanter by the table and was pouring himself more; sipping and staggering, he walked to the window, talking gibberish to the bright moon.

Watching the usually collected Xiao Ce in this drunken state, Lin Wanwan couldn’t help but chuckle softly, "He claimed a vast capacity, yet this is all it took!"

Indeed, the modern wine is a formidable weapon against the people of the Great Tang; lacking the training of real spirits, these so-called connoisseurs are rather overrated!

After her internal monologue, Lin Wanwan subconsciously glanced at Xiao Chong, only to find his handsome face almost touching hers, startling her into suddenly leaning back, putting some distance. Her heart was thumping wildly, nearly losing her composure.

"Cousin, are you drunk too?"

Xiao Chong’s star-like eyes were fixed intently on Lin Wanwan, unresponsive to her question, as if he hadn’t heard it at all.

Lin Wanwan pushed against his firm chest with her palm, pushing him away while slowly sitting upright, speaking in exasperation, "Cousin, mind your drink; your drinking manners are your character."

Xiao Chong suddenly sighed, laden with the scent of alcohol, "Lin Wanwan, confess honestly, where exactly did you come from, you spirit?"

Lin Wanwan: "?!"