Chapter 55: Yearning to Trade Bronze for Snow Wine

Before Wenjun Zhan married Guo Li—specifically, after their engagement—Bai Hua had already been dressed up by Guo Mian and personally sent to the Zhan residence to serve as Wenjun’s personal maid, arriving several years earlier than Shi Shu and Qian Qin.

As for Wan Qi, she was brought in after an incident on the Lantern Festival night during the engagement year. Wenjun Zhan had encountered a group of ruffians, and the household servants who followed her got separated in the crowd, nearly causing trouble. Upon hearing this, Guo Mian was furious and assigned Wan Qi to serve as both maid and bodyguard to Wenjun, arriving a few months after Bai Hua.

Wenjun Zhan felt pity for the young Bai Hua, who was unfamiliar with life in the Zhan household, and treated her like a sister. Though not lavishly doting on her, Wenjun had never spoken to her with such harshness as she did today.

Bai Hua bit her lip stubbornly, standing there neither admitting fault nor kneeling. Her eyes began to redden, tears slowly spilling over and silently tracing down her cheeks.

Wenjun Zhan’s heart softened, but the matter at hand was grave—there was no room for negligence. She said, “It seems I have been too lenient, allowing you to act so recklessly. Since you refuse to respond, you need not serve here any longer. Go find Shi Shu and face the family’s discipline!”

Hearing the name Shi Shu, Bai Hua trembled, her face turning pale, yet she remained silent. She knelt, kowtowing deeply before rising and heading out.

Wenjun Zhan watched her frail figure and suddenly called out, “Stop!”

Bai Hua halted immediately, gripping the hem of her skirt tightly but without turning around.

Wenjun Zhan shook her head slightly, sighed, and said, “Don’t go to Shi Shu. Stay in your room. From today on, you are not to step outside without my permission.”

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Wenjun Zhan sent for Xu You to join her for breakfast. Knowing she was about to descend the mountain, Xu You did not hesitate and followed the maid to a uniquely styled pavilion surrounded on three sides by thick cloth screens, the remaining side opening to a garden filled with exotic flowers and plants—a breathtaking sight.

Xu You sat opposite Wenjun Zhan, glanced around, and noticed no maid nearby. “Where is Bai Hua?”

The young girl often roamed around him; her sudden absence felt strange. Wenjun Zhan hesitated but ultimately decided to be forthright. Since she and Xu You had to work together sincerely, there was no room for deceit. She said, “She made a mistake and is currently reflecting in isolation.”

Xu You studied Wenjun Zhan’s expression carefully, then straightened his posture. “It’s not related to me, is it?”

Wenjun Zhan shook her head. “You worry too much.”

Xu You, a man of keen perception, instantly understood it was indeed connected to him, though he could not fathom what he had done to cause Bai Hua’s punishment.

“If it’s not a grave offense, I can shamelessly plead for her forgiveness…”

Wenjun Zhan’s gaze was clear and sincere as she looked at Xu You. “Normally, if you requested, I would comply without hesitation. But the Zhan household has its own rules. Bai Hua is part of my entourage; if she breaks the rules and escapes punishment, it would undermine discipline.”

Judging by Wenjun Zhan’s usual demeanor, she was not one to lose her temper easily. Whatever happened must have been truly intolerable.

Xu You resolved to inquire discreetly later.

He stretched his sleeves gracefully, smiling, “I was rash. Madam, please forgive me.”

Wenjun Zhan found Xu You’s intentions inscrutable but could not yield on this matter. As she said, every household has its laws; one cannot sacrifice discipline for convenience. Skillfully changing the subject, she said, “I must depart down the mountain after we meet. Do you have any other instructions?”

“No instructions, madam,” Xu You replied solemnly. “I don’t know much about the people of the Zhan household, so I have little to add. Only this: delay! Delay for a day if you can, two days if you must. What we need most now is time.”

Wenjun Zhan understood immediately and said no more. She gently raised a beautifully crafted wine ladle and filled two exquisite jade cups with liquor, clearly valuable.

The wine was neither clear nor turbid, neither yellow nor red—like pristine winter snow, pure and breathtakingly white.

This white was unlike the eternal snow atop mountains or the ordinary snow found in the streets. It carried a vibrant, almost suffocating vitality, swirling within the cup and subtly emitting a mist like clouds and rosy dawns—a truly enchanting sight.

“This is the renowned Snow Mud Wine of the Three Wu region? I thought it was only available in winter,” Xu You remarked.

He recalled Guo Mian’s nickname, “Snow Mud Swallow”—the Snow Mud referring to this wine.

Wenjun Zhan turned her gaze toward the chilling scene outside the hall and said, “It is winter now.”

Xu You realized it was true. Though snow had yet to fall, deep autumn had passed, and harsh winter had arrived.

“Yes, it is winter!”

“Snow Mud Wine emphasizes the ‘snow’ aspect, so it must be served chilled. Please enjoy,” Wenjun Zhan said, raising her cup in salute before tossing it back in a bold gulp.

Some clear bubbles playfully escaped her red lips and traced down her pale, smooth skin to her lofty bosom.

Xu You’s gaze followed, his heart skipping a beat. He quickly suppressed the feeling; Wenjun Zhan’s allure was more a matter of modern aesthetics than anything he could act upon. In this era, some women were not simply obtainable by desire.

“Madam’s generosity is boundless!”

Xu You looked down at his glass with a wry smile. “My old injury makes it difficult to drink cold wine… but…”

He lifted his cup and slowly drank under Wenjun Zhan’s watchful eyes. When finished, his face paled slightly. Covering his mouth with his hand, he coughed softly. “Today, one cup to toast madam’s journey, two cups for this Snow Mud Wine—come what may, I must drink it!”

Had anyone else said this, it might have sounded frivolous. But from Xu You, it was sincere and, unintentionally, drew them closer.

Wenjun Zhan smiled, tilting her head. “How is it?”

“To trade bronze for snow wine, the small characters read ‘Cold Crow’. Excellent wine! Truly excellent!” Xu You exclaimed.

This meant that even if one were destitute and selling calligraphy on the streets, they would spare no cost to obtain a cup of Snow Mud Wine.

Wenjun Zhan clapped her hands like a man, praising, “I have heard many praises for Snow Mud Wine, but none as eloquent as yours!”

She even took chopsticks to serve him some dishes. “I lack poetic talent and cannot match your verse, sir. This ‘Golden Condiment Jade Slices’ was praised by our lord and personally named by him. Please try it.”

Her grace and composure, even if unintentional, earned Xu You’s silent admiration.

In those times, poetic exchange was a cherished custom, especially for women restricted by status and unable to hold official positions. To gain fame, they often needed to engage with top scholars. Lacking poetry skill was often a source of shame. Wenjun Zhan’s frankness and sincerity, free from pretense, was rare. For her, no poetry meant simply no poetry; talents deserved respect, but lacking them was no reason for undue self-deprecation.

The dish “Golden Condiment Jade Slices” was originally “Perch Slices.” The fish’s flesh was as white as jade, while the seasoning was a vivid gold. Anzi Dao, a notable figure, favored this dish so much that he named it thus.

Beyond taste and presentation, its reputation alone was formidable—no ordinary dumpling compared.

Xu You naturally expressed thanks, neither embarrassed nor shaken, as if having Wenjun Zhan personally serve him was no great matter.

After savoring it for a moment, his eyes brightened. “Perch is common, but few can elevate it to this level. Were it not for the gentleman’s code, I would have asked madam for the chef!”

Wenjun Zhan appreciated his candor and smiled. “If it were my decision, I would not mind. But this chef was brought here by my uncle at great effort… Uncle has no pleasures but these: drinking Snow Mud Wine, eating Golden Condiment Jade Slices, and watching the Swallow Dance—three joys of life, none dispensable!”

Xu You had spoken jokingly, but her serious refusal stirred something within him. After all, to save Guo Mian, even the White Snake could be surrendered. Why then hesitate over a mere chef?

Could there be something amiss?

Yet Xu You was skilled at masking his thoughts. “I said, a gentleman does not take what another loves. Madam’s explanation is long—do you doubt my gentlemanly nature?”

Wenjun Zhan laughed heartily, challenging him like a man. “I misspoke; I shall drink another cup in penance!”

“Well…” Xu You’s heart fluttered. “I hope I need not join you again?”

Their laughter and light banter made them appear, from afar, like a devoted married couple, respectful and harmonious.

After the meal, as Wenjun Zhan’s party descended the mountain, Xu You casually stopped a passing maid. “Where is Bai Hua?”

The maid bowed respectfully, her expression tense but composed. “Sir, Bai Hua has not been seen since early this morning. She might be elsewhere in the mountains. If urgent, madam instructed before departure that you can ask Shi Shu to assist.”

Shi Shu?

Among Wenjun Zhan’s four maids, Shi Shu was the only one Xu You had not yet met.

Well, it would not hurt to meet her now!