Hearing the manager's words, Nan Zhi let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.
“So this is how the Wang family treats someone they’ve invited for help? If women aren't allowed in the wine cellar, you should save that talk for the female ghost instead.”
“I’d like to see which is more important—your broken rules or your own lives.”
The distillery manager broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly stepped forward to stop her.
“Wait, wait! Little Immortal Nan, it’s all the fault of this old man’s loose tongue. I was talking nonsense; I deserve a slapping, I really do!”
“You are an enlightened cultivator, Little Immortal. You carry a celestial aura—how could you be compared to ordinary women?”
“It’s just that the rules of this wine cellar were set by our ancestors. The master has also given repeated orders, saying that no woman is allowed to step foot inside...”
“Don’t. Don’t try to flatter me. I’m just a woman, my mother was a woman, and her mother was a woman too. We’re all ‘unclean’ and unworthy of entering your family’s precious cellar.”
Nan Zhi gave a thin, joyless smile and glanced at the distillery workers.
“I have a plan. Tonight, when that female ghost leans against your ears to sing again, you can just pray for your ancestors to crawl out of the ground and save you.”
At those words, the faces of the surrounding workers turned pale.
They had been terrified by the female ghost over the past few days. Every night, they dreamed of a ghost with disheveled hair coming to take their lives.
Unable to sleep well at night, they had no energy to work during the day.
If this continued, not only would their bodies break down, but the masters would likely fire them all.
Seeing that they couldn't stop Nan Zhi, the group was like ants on a hot griddle. One of the quicker-witted ones had already run off to fetch someone in charge.
Soon, Young Master Wang entered the back courtyard of the distillery, accompanied by a woman dressed as a young mistress. Before he even reached them, his scolding voice drifted over:
“What are you doing? Why are you all crowding around instead of working? My Wang family pays you monthly wages—do you think I hired you to stand around and drink for fun?”
Nan Zhi had met this Young Master Wang once before.
Today, he was dressed wealthily in a silk scholar's robe, wearing a jade crown on his head and a fine jade pendant at his waist.
The woman with him was also beautiful, possessing a delicate charm and a pair of eyes that betrayed a certain shrewdness from living in the city—the kind that wasn't off-putting.
Young Master Wang acted as if he had only just noticed Nan Zhi. His face broke into a wide smile as he made a gesture to welcome her in.
“The servants at home are shortsighted and failed to recognize a true master. How could they not invite Officer Nan inside for tea and a proper talk? Uncle Li, you’re a veteran of this household; how could you be so muddled?”
Young Master Wang gave the manager a light scolding. The latter realized his cue and hurriedly bowed to Nan Zhi.
“Oh, dear me! I was so focused on the ghost that I forgot to invite Little Imm— I mean, Officer Nan, to have some tea. I truly have grown muddled. Officer Nan, this way, please. This way.”
As he spoke, the manager stepped ahead of Nan Zhi, preparing to lead her toward the back.
Nan Zhi watched coldly as the master and servant played off each other, remaining silent.
The news of her joining the Demon Suppression Division hadn't even spread yet, but the Wang family's information was certainly quick.
“I should have personally visited your home to invite you here to handle this ghost today, Officer Nan.”
“Unfortunately, the haunting has caused panic in the distillery lately. Our dozen or so wine shops are in total chaos. I only just returned from outside this morning.”
Seeing Nan Zhi’s lack of reaction, a flicker of annoyance crossed Young Master Wang's eyes, and his smile stiffened slightly.
“My father has also fallen ill because of this matter and is currently taking herbal medicine. Otherwise, he would have certainly sent a formal invitation to invite you for a detailed discussion at the manor.”
“Master Wang is ill?”
Nan Zhi asked in return, “Does it have anything to do with the ghost haunting the Wang family?”
“Thank you for your concern, Officer Nan. It is merely an old ailment of chest pain brought on by anxiety and stress.”
Young Master Wang shook his head and sighed, looking very worried.
“You should know, Officer Nan, that my Wang Family Distillery owns over a dozen wine shops with nearly a hundred workers. We produce over a thousand vats of fine wine every month.”
“The specific cellar having trouble is the one used to store our Immortal Brew.”
“That cellar holds ninety-nine jars of top-grade Immortal Brew. Their value is not just a thousand gold pieces; even ten thousand gold would hardly buy them.”
“That is why Uncle Li said what he did earlier. Besides, these rules aren't specifically targeting you, Officer Nan; they have been the standard for breweries since ancient times.”
“It is not that I am narrow-minded, but the rules left by our ancestors must have some reason behind them to have lasted until today.”
“Then why did your family bother inviting me to catch the ghost? Young Master Wang, you are quite silver-tongued; everyone says you have the talent of a top scholar.”
“Women aren't allowed in the distillery? Then how did I hear that a dozen years ago, there was a daughter of the Qu family who also brewed excellent wine?”
Nan Zhi found it hilarious and mocked him:
“Why don't you try reasoning with that female ghost the next time she appears?”
“Say to her, ‘Oh, my dear Lady Ghost, I am truly sorry, but the rules of our Wang Family Distillery forbid women from entering the cellar. Ghosts are no exception. Could you please swap places with a male ghost to do the haunting instead?’”
“Officer Nan, you certainly have a sharp tongue. I was merely explaining the situation,” Young Master Wang said, his face turning bright red from the mockery, though a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.
He didn't know why Nan Zhi would suddenly bring up the Qu Family Distillery.
But thinking of his former engagement to that girl from the Qu family, Young Master Wang couldn't help but feel a bit guilty as he glanced at the wife beside him.
Seeing the atmosphere grow tense, the woman beside Young Master Wang suddenly gave Nan Zhi a graceful bow and smiled.
“I am the Young Mistress of this house, Ma Chunxiang. It is an honor to meet you, Officer Nan.”
“I have heard that you are a hero among us women, Officer Nan. You slew a demon tiger and joined the Demon Suppression Division as an official. You are truly impressive.”
“I only regretted that I didn't have the chance to meet you before. Seeing you today, I realize the rumors were true—you are indeed exceptionally brave and far from an ordinary woman.”
“Officer Nan, the servants were ignorant and offended you. Why not stay for a cup of tea? Consider it my way of apologizing on behalf of the manager.”
Ma Chunxiang was beautiful, and her smile was very captivating.
Her polite words were flawless, picking only the most pleasant things to say.
So this was the daughter of the Ma family?
Nan Zhi raised an eyebrow.
She had heard that the one originally engaged to Young Master Wang was the daughter of the Qu family.
She just didn't know if Ma Chunxiang had snatched him away or if Young Master Wang had simply changed his mind.
Or perhaps it was both?
Nan Zhi had no interest in delving into their romantic grievances, but she suddenly remembered something and agreed.
“Very well. My throat happens to be dry; I might as well have a cup of tea to moisten it.”
Ma Chunxiang was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting Nan Zhi to relent so suddenly.
She had been furious just a moment ago; how did a few soft words make her change her face so quickly?
Could it be...
That Officer Nan simply liked being flattered?
“Oh, why are you all just standing there? Quickly, bring tea for Officer Nan.”
Young Master Wang shot a look at the people beside him and quickly led the way, guiding Nan Zhi toward the back of the tavern.
During the Great Song period, the commodity economy developed rapidly, and the markets were incredibly prosperous.
Even in a small city like Dingyuan, the taverns were decorated with lanterns and streamers at night.
The Wang Family Distillery's main establishment, Taihe Tower, stood three stories high and was built with great grandeur.
The wooden building featured red lacquer and green tiles, looking exquisite and imposing. Its upturned eaves were like the half-spread wings of swallows.
Banners advertising Immortal Brew hung before the door. The establishment offered everything: wine, lodging, music, tea, conversation, and storytelling.
The second floor consisted of private booths and elegant rooms. If guests wanted to call for musicians to entertain them, layers of gauze curtains and screens provided a private space.
Looking from the outside, one could see shifting shadows within the building. Musicians holding lutes performed by the windows, their string and wind music mingling with the voices of the guests, creating an atmosphere like a mortal paradise or a world of ultimate bliss.
An establishment of this caliber could have survived even in Dongjingfu.
This was why Nan Zhi never understood: since the Wang family was making a fortune from their Immortal Brew and had even secured the qualification to provide imperial wine to the palace, why were they content to remain in this tiny Dingyuan County?
Rate on N.U.
