Chapter 182: Chapter 182 Fine Wine and Delicacies_1

Translator: 549690339

These days, she left the house under the pretext of attending classes in Tianqin Garden.

Now, Mr. Wang Caiwei is teaching in Tianqin Garden. Madam Yuan indeed brought several daughters from the Yuan Family over to attend the class, just as Wei Ruo had previously told her family.

Wei Ruo has been skipping classes more frequently than before. However, Mr. Wang did not chastise her for it, saying instead that there are certain things that books cannot teach as well as hands-on experience.

Wei Mingting did not doubt Wei Ruo1 s response, and continued to speak to her, “I received a message from my colleagues in Xingshan County these few days, declaring the peasants who were clearing up the deserted land in the south of the city are all safe. Magistrate Qian has taken good care of them, you do not have to worry.”

Knowing that Wei Ruo was concerned about these hardworking and poor peasants, he made it a point to convey this message to her as the weather turned colder.

“Good, I am glad they are safe. I hope they all stay out of trouble,” Wei Ruo, too, felt pleased for those elders and children.

Then, Wei Qingwan also arrived.

She resumed her classes these days, going to the city magistrate’s house. She was extremely diligent, leaving early and returning late. Whereas she used to arrive just in time for dinner, her return today was relatively early.

Upon seeing Wei Mingting, Wei Qingwan bowed her head, greeting softly,

“Your daughter pays respect, Father. You must have been working hard recently.”

“I am not feeling overworked, Wanwan, you do not need to worry,” Wei Mingting responded.

“How many days can Father rest this time?” Wei Qingwan asked with concern. “After dinner tomorrow, I will return to the barracks,” Wei Mingting, having been granted only a two-day leave, had decided not to cause delay at work by staying at home only for a night.

Upon hearing his words, Wei Qingwan looked at him, her face filled with distress.

Feeling the warmth in his heart from his daughter’s concern, Wei Mingting smiled.

Weilin arrived late, sweating profusely.

“Dad! Today, I learned a new knife technique! My teacher said that on the battlefield, the knife is handier than the sword. The sword is all flash and no substance, it’s not as fierce as the knife!”

Before Wei Mingting could even ask him about how he had been, Wei Yilin had already started explaining the progress of his recent education to him.

“Mmm, your teacher speaks the truth. On the battlefield, a knife is indeed more useful than a sword. After supper, let’s go to the yard, and I will see if you have improved,” Wei Mingting replied, showing his approval.

“Sure!” Wei Yilin agreed with the confidence of someone who has everything under control.

Subsequently, Madam Yun arrived and asked Wei Ruo and the others to first go freshen up before dinner, especially Wei Yilin, who was covered in sweat from his day of martial arts training.

Today, only Wei Mingting, Madam Yun, Wei Ruo, Wei Qingwan, and Wei Yilin were celebrating the festival together at home. As Wei Yichen and Wei Jinyi had not returned home, Madam Yun’s previous suggestion of separating men and women at dinner was put aside.

After looking at Wei Mingting, Wei Ruo decided to return to the Tingsong Garden to bring back a jar of wine.

“It’s rare for Father to return home, so let’s enjoy some wine to relax a bit.” Wei Ruo knew her father, despite being a wine enthusiast, wouldn’t drink in the army and would savor a glass or two only when he was at home. Yet, he had been more occupied than ever, having not had a chance to drink much throughout the year.

Seeing the jar of wine Wei Ruo brought, a hint of joy was evident on Wei Mingting’s face, “Ruo understands me.1

Though the wine jar seemed rough and unremarkable, Wei Mingting knew his daughter’s wine was exquisite and could not be found anywhere else.

When he reached out to accept the wine jar from Wei Ruo.

Wei Ruo retracted her hand and added, “Father, you can drink, but not to the point of intoxication. Drink moderately for pleasure, to drink heavily is injurious to health.”

“Alright, I promise,” Wei Mingting couldn’t help but laugh. Being lectured by his daughter was an intimate and novel experience.

Only then did Wei Ruo handed Wei Mingting the jar of wine.

Wei Mingting lifted the lid of the jar, and a strong fragrance of wine permeated the dining hall.

“Is this wine different from the one we had before, Ruo?” Asked Wei Mingting.

The aroma of this wine was more potent.

“Yes, the last time everyone drank together, I brought a lighter fruit wine. This time, for Father, I’ve brought a stronger variety. So, you must take your time „ consuming it, or else you might become drunk, and then you can’t blame me, Wei Ruo added.

The previous wine was a lower-alcohol fruit wine that had been soaked in distilled spirit. However, this time, it was the original high-spirit liquor.

Upon hearing this, the underage Wei Yilin leaned in, trying to get a look at what was inside the wine jar. His efforts to get on tiptoe were in vain as he was too short to see inside.

Fortunately, Wei Mingting had already poured some liquor into a wine glass.

The liquid was clear and the aroma was strong and rich.

Wei Mingting took a careful sip and savored it, then he looked at Wei Ruo with an astonished expression, “Ruo, did you. brew this wine?”

“Yes, when I had nothing to do in the countryside, I would brew some wine. „ Sometimes, people also swapped it for silver in order to buy quilts and such,” replied Wei Ruo.

“Ruo, your brewing skills are worth their weight in gold!” Exclaimed Wei Mingting.

Wei Ruo knew her father was not exaggerating when he said this. Most of the wine around now is fermented. Although the technology for distillation exists, it is only mastered by a few wineries.

Ordinary fermented wine has a lower alcohol content and is somewhat cloudy and yellowish.

Distilled wine, on the other hand, can greatly increase the alcohol content, and its aroma is strong, crystal clear as water.

Therefore, distilled wine is much more expensive than ordinary grains fermented wine.

Wei Mingting had enjoyed this distilled wine when he was in the Capital City. However, during his tenure in remote areas, he never again had the chance to drink this kind of wine.

Wei Ruo didn’t respond but just said, “It’s good if Father likes it.”

Seeing her husband happy, Madam Yun’s face also showed a smile. Then she ordered the dishes to be served.

The foods served had a familiar taste for Wei Ruo-the stewed flavors of stewed pig’s ears and pork. Wei Ruo could tell at a glance that they came from her shop. Madam Yun specifically introduced this stewed dish to Wei Mingting, “Good wine needs to be paired with good food. Today’s stewed pork ears and meat are just for you.”

After a taste, Wei Mingting nodded in approval, “Not only is the stewed dish „ flavorful, but it also tastes excellent. Our cookhas indeed improved recently.” Madam Yun explained, “I bought it from a stewed shop in the city. That shop is very famous in the Government City. The gentry in the city are their regular customers. I heard it from the city magistrate’s wife. So, I bought it today to try it since you came back.”

“Indeed, it’s different from others and better than any stewed dish I’ve had before,” Wei Mingting commented.

Then, looking at the wine in his glass, Wei Mingting commented, “Today, my wife and Ruo seemed to be in tune. One prepared the wine, and the other prepared the food to accompany the wine.”

Madam Yun laughed, “A mother and daughter share a connection. Ruo is our daughter, so it’s not surprising that our thoughts align.”