“Father, what do you mean by this?”
Young Master Wang had just been subjected to a face-to-face scolding, and his expression was one of genuine bewilderment. The surprise in his eyes did not seem feigned at all.
“Our distillery has suffered such a major incident. If we don’t find out which ghost or god is behind this, I’m afraid the reputation of our ‘Immortal Drunk’ will be completely ruined.”
Master Wang’s expression shifted. He struck the ground heavily with his cane and began to cough even more violently.
“You muddle-headed wretch! Cough, cough, cough... Have you studied yourself into a stupor?!
I have always acted with integrity and regularly performed acts of merit and virtue. I frequently pay people to release fish, foxes, and turtles back into the wild.
I have never withheld the monthly wages of my servants, nor have I ever beaten or scolded them like other wealthy households do. If a maid made a mistake, she was never dragged out and beaten to death.
Even the officials have praised our Wang family as a well-known and rare example of a virtuous household. Cough, cough, cough...
Furthermore, cough, cough... cough, cough... your mother visits the temple to offer incense every first and fifteenth of the month, and she even orders the distribution of porridge and rice to the poor.
It is said that a virtuous household is secretly protected by the gods and Buddhas. In our distillery, we even have the Kitchen God standing guard. What ghost or monster would dare to harm us?”
Master Wang coughed as he spoke, the sound so intense it seemed as though he were trying to hack up his very lungs.
Seeing this, Young Master Wang hurried forward to help him sit down. He carefully patted his father’s back to help him catch his breath.
“Father, please sit down first. Do not let your anger get the better of you. The doctor said your illness requires rest and quiet. Let me handle the matters of the distillery.”
“Cough, cough... Let you handle it?”
Master Wang looked at his son and daughter-in-law with an expression of disappointment, shaking his head bitterly.
“If I truly felt at ease leaving this distillery to you, cough, cough, cough... I’m afraid the foundation I built with my own two hands would be completely destroyed by you!”
These words were quite harsh, especially since they were spoken in front of Nan Zhi, an outsider.
Young Master Wang’s face immediately flushed red. The gaze he turned toward his elderly father was involuntarily laced with a hint of resentment.
“Father, have you truly gone senile?! I only thought that with the distillery being haunted, the workers have no heart for their labor, and it wouldn't look good if word got out. That is why I invited Officer Nan to come here...”
Master Wang gave a light snort and ignored him. He turned directly to Nan Zhi and said with a forced smile:
“Officer Nan, regarding today’s matter, my son is simply young and lacks experience. A few cheap tricks by someone pretending to be a ghost, cough, cough, were enough to make him lose his composure...
Cough, cough. I will not hide it from you today. The haunting in the distillery is purely a deliberate attempt by someone to ruin my Wang family’s reputation.
If there are any ghosts, they are only the hidden, shameful schemes lurking in the hearts of petty people. I have already reported this to the authorities, and I am merely waiting for the government to give my Wang family justice.”
“So, you are saying that the rumors of the Wang Family Distillery being haunted are just a misunderstanding?”
Nan Zhi followed his lead and said with a smile:
“Hearing Master Wang say so, you must already have a suspicion in mind.
Presumably, the person behind this must have some grievance against the Wang family; otherwise, they wouldn't be so malicious. Not only did they dress up as ghosts to scare people, but they even dared to tamper with the wine. To me, it clearly looks like an attempt to destroy the ‘Immortal Brew’ brand.”
As soon as she said this, everyone in the room focused their gaze on Master Wang.
“Doing business is never easy, and it is common for friction to arise between different distilleries, especially in a small place like this.
But as for this matter, cough, cough, cough... strictly speaking, it is a calamity brought about by this ungrateful wretch of a son.”
Master Wang glanced at his son and daughter-in-law, unable to suppress a sigh as he struck the table forcefully.
“I have cherished this son of mine like a precious pearl since he was a child. My wife and I even arranged a marriage for him long ago—specifically with the daughter of the Qu family distillery.”
At this point, Young Master Wang fell silent. Ma Chunxiang, standing beside him, involuntarily darkened her expression and secretly pinched his arm.
The former, feeling guilty, did not dare to talk back even though it hurt. He only reached back to grab her hand, secretly shooting her a warning look.
“Originally, such a marriage was a matter of parental command and the word of a matchmaker.
However, this wretch of mine has an eye for beauty and a love for a life of leisure. He frequently haunted the entertainment quarters. Over time, word of this reached the daughter of the Qu family, and she naturally developed grievances against him.
As time passed, the Qu family felt that this wretch was not a good match, so they broke off the engagement. This caused a rift between our two families.”
Master Wang had no interest in the silent exchange between the couple and acted as if he didn't see it. He pointed at the two of them and said to Nan Zhi:
“My wife and I personally selected Ma Chunxiang as a good daughter-in-law through a matchmaker. Her horoscope is excellent, one that brings prosperity to her husband and children.
Furthermore, because she grew up learning business at her father’s side, she was raised like a boy. Her personality is not like that of ordinary girls; she is very straightforward.
As they say, ‘a good girl is sought by a hundred families.’ I was worried about this wretch of mine, so I quickly settled on this marriage and had my son take Ma Chunxiang as his wife.
It turned out to be a match made in heaven. As soon as Ma Chunxiang entered our home, this wretch of mine settled down. He cut off all his old bad habits and even began to work hard at the family business.
Who would have thought that when the Qu family found out, they suspected we had only put on a show before just so we could break the engagement...”
“So, the Qu family believes the Wang family had planned to break the engagement all along, and they resent you for it? Is that why they are now pretending to be ghosts and tampering with the wine?”
Master Wang gave a bitter smile and did not answer directly. He only covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed violently.
“Cough, cough, cough... cough, cough, cough... I originally thought that since the Wang and Qu families still had some old ties, I would suppress the matter and handle it quietly to leave both sides some dignity.
But I never expected, cough, that this foolish son would go directly to invite Officer Nan to our door...
Cough, cough. I was worried that Officer Nan would think the Wang family was intentionally playing a joke on you. That is why, cough, I had no choice but to come and explain personally.”
Young Master Wang seemed like he wanted to say something, but Master Wang glared him into silence.
Despite Master Wang’s explanation, the confusion in Nan Zhi’s heart was not resolved.
Although she couldn't tell exactly what illness Master Wang had, she could see the dark bags under his eyes and his red tongue coating. When he coughed, the whites of his eyes took on a strange grey tint. Anyone with eyes could see something was wrong.
The mud ghost from the City God Temple had once taught her that Master Wang’s facial features were a sign of being plagued by karmic debt.
And people who displayed such a face generally did not live long.
This was strange.
How could a man who claimed to act with integrity and perform acts of merit and virtue be plagued by karmic debt?
Then there were these two, father and son.
One was adamant that there was a ghost and wanted someone to catch it, while the other refused to even mention a haunting, only vaguely hinting that the Qu family was responsible.
There was something fishy going on.
There was absolutely something fishy going on.
But Nan Zhi did not expose him. She simply pretended not to know and prepared to take her leave after finishing her tea.
Master Wang did not try to keep her. Instead, he enthusiastically told the manager to take Nan Zhi for a tour around the distillery, his attitude perfectly composed.
He seemed confident that Nan Zhi would not be able to find anything.
“It just so happens that I am also a bit curious about the art of brewing. I only caught a fleeting glimpse earlier. Why don’t I trouble the Young Mistress to show me around instead?”
Nan Zhi spoke with a beaming smile. Ma Chunxiang looked to her father-in-law for approval, and after receiving a nod, she stood up to lead the way.
“Officer Nan wants to see the garden? What a coincidence. There is a Peony Pavilion in the garden with excellent scenery.
The peonies in the garden are all fine breeds that my father-in-law paid a high price for, having them brought in from Bianjing. At this time of year, they are in full bloom. Please follow me—”
Rate on N.U.
