Tempting The God - Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Brewing Wine
The summer in Feixue City arrived fiercely this year.
Just after the Dragon Boat Festival, the afternoons already carried a stifling heat.
Xu Chang had yet to return.
Lin Mozhi unfolded the paper crane made from a talisman, and Xu Chang’s voice resonated in the room:
“Master, the refugees have scattered, making their traces hard to track. However, I’ve found that Shen Weixue’s parents are now in Lin’an City in the south. I’ll reach there the day after tomorrow.”
“Master,” Lu Yi hesitated before speaking, “A few days ago, I casually mentioned something to Steward Zhang. He said that Ah Xue’s parents only traded her for two sacks of coarse rice and didn’t ask for anything else.”
“They didn’t want her and just sent her here.”
Though Lu Yi’s words seemed to state facts, in truth, she was speaking up for Shen Jixue.
“They” referred to Lady Lin, implying that Lady Lin didn’t care for Shen Jixue, which indirectly suggested that Shen Jixue wasn’t a spy planted by Lady Lin.
Lin Mozhi didn’t respond.
He understood Lu Yi had a soft heart.
Ever since that girl had been injured, Lu Yi’s attitude had shifted, and she had been showing her considerable care.
But for Lin Mozhi, sentimentality was the first thing to discard.
“Everything will wait until Xu Chang returns.”
Lu Yi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
“Understood.”
She cleaned up the shredded talisman paper and, upon leaving, saw Shen Jixue holding a clay jar.
She frowned immediately.
“Out again so early in the morning?”
Shen Jixue tightened her grip on the jar and offered an ingratiating smile.
“Sister Lu Yi…”
“I avoided all the crowds,” she explained hastily.
“No one saw me.”
Lu Yi frowned.
“What are you hiding? Even if no one saw you, it’s still not okay. Better safe than sorry. Have you forgotten that crazy woman who almost gouged out your eyes last time?”
“It’s been ages since then,” Shen Jixue said with an innocent look.
“Second Miss has surely forgotten all about me by now.”
Lu Yi didn’t know how to explain it to her.
Initially, she had suspected Shen Jixue had something to do with Feicui’s death.
However, the artifacts showed no trace of her involvement.
Even with the family master’s advanced cultivation, it would have been impossible to conceal her presence—let alone for this powerless little girl.
Cunning and calculating?
Lu Yi glanced at the silly expression on Shen Jixue’s face as she hugged the jar.
It was more plausible to believe in “fools’ luck” or sheer good fortune.
Even if she explained that Lin Moyu, the madwoman, would never let things go, Shen Jixue likely wouldn’t take it seriously.
With that in mind, Lu Yi’s expression turned stern as she gave a clear command.
“I told you not to go out. If you disobey again, I’ll report to the young master and let him deal with you.”
After a pause, she added, “The young master’s health has always been fragile. You wouldn’t want him to fall ill over something as trivial as this, would you?”
Shen Jixue, initially indifferent, immediately nodded obediently upon hearing that it might affect Lin Mozhi’s health.
“Don’t worry, Sister Lu Yi. I’ll behave and won’t go out again.”
Lu Yi nodded in satisfaction but couldn’t help asking, “I remember from the day you first arrived that you’ve always been particularly concerned about the young master’s illness. Why is that?”
“Big Brother was the first person to say he’d take care of me,” Shen Jixue replied, pursing her lips with slight embarrassment.
“And he’s really handsome. I’ve never seen anyone so good-looking before.”
Lu Yi was momentarily stunned.
“Take care of her”? It was merely a perfunctory remark meant to calm her down.
Suppressing the inexplicable sourness in her chest, Lu Yi deliberately changed the subject.
Pointing to the bundle Shen Jixue was hiding behind her, she asked, “What’s this treasure you’re so secretive about?”
Shen Jixue grinned, shaking her head before opening the jar and offering it to Lu Yi.
“What’s this black stuff?” Lu Yi picked up one of the items casually.
“Mulberries? Why are you gathering these?”
“To make mulberry wine,” Shen Jixue said as she closed the jar, her eyes sparkling.
“Every year, my mother would brew mulberry wine during this season. It’s delicious. She also said it’s good for improving eyesight. It might help Big Brother with his eye condition too.”
Lu Yi froze briefly but quickly masked her reaction.
She muttered, “Is there even a place in this estate with mulberry trees?”
Then, she warned, “Don’t go out again. These are enough for you to make two jars.”
“Got it!” Shen Jixue carefully cradled the jar and headed inside.
“Thank you for worrying about me, Sister Lu Yi.”
Lu Yi muttered at her back, “Who’s worrying about you?”
As Shen Jixue disappeared, Lu Yi suddenly thought of something and called out, “If you need anything else, just let Chun Xing, who brings the meals every day, know.”
Shen Jixue turned and smiled.
“I’ll keep that in mind!”
She returned to her small kitchen, placed the jar in a cool spot, chilled it with well water, washed her hands, and then went back to her room.
At noon, as the sun blazed overhead, someone knocked on the gate of the Songhe Courtyard.
Lu Yi opened the door with a familiar smile.
“Thank you for coming. It’s such a hot day, yet you still made the trip.”
“It’s no trouble,” Chun Xing said, waving her hand before teasing, “If you really want to thank me, don’t just say it. A hairpin or some rouge would do nicely.”
Lu Yi reached out and patted her.
“Alright, alright. When I’ve saved enough money, I’ll definitely buy you one!”
The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
“Hello, Sister Chun Xing,” Shen Jixue peeked out from behind Lu Yi, smiling warmly.
Chun Xing chuckled as well.
“You little one, I haven’t seen you in a while. Have you grown taller?”
Lu Yi gestured with her hands and exclaimed, “I see her every day and didn’t notice, but you’re right—she’s grown taller since she first arrived. Looks like we’ll need to make her winter clothes a size larger this year.”
“What’s the matter?” Chun Xing asked, noticing Shen Jixue looking at her silently.
She playfully blinked.
“Do you need my help with something?”
Shen Jixue grinned sheepishly and scratched her head.
“Could I trouble you to help me find a few jars of rice wine? I need them urgently.”
“That’s no problem,” Chun Xing replied, pinching her cheek.
“But what do you need rice wine for?”
“I want to brew some mulberry wine,” Shen Jixue said with a bright smile.
“I’ll even save a jar for you when it’s done.”
“I seem to recall your master…” Chun Xing glanced at Lu Yi, who gave a slight shake of her head.
Chun Xing swallowed her words and smiled. “Alright, I’ll look forward to it.”
“Great! It’ll be ready in just seven days. I’ll make sure to give you plenty,” Shen Jixue said joyfully, oblivious to the subtle exchange between Lu Yi and Chun Xing.
Her mind was already planning how to divide the mulberry wine.
She would save some for Lu Yi and Chun Xing, and definitely leave some for Brother Xu Chang.
Most importantly, she had to save a generous portion for the young master.
He drank so much bitter medicine every day—maybe she could add extra sugar during the brewing to make it sweeter for him.
Seven days later.
Shen Jixue opened the sealed jar and ladled out a small spoonful to taste.
The flavor was perfectly sweet and tangy.
Eager to share her creation, she filled a wine pot, prepared a set of cups, and carried it to Lin Mozhi’s room.
Though Lu Yi still wouldn’t let her enter his room, she had softened over the past few days, occasionally delivering the items Shen Jixue brought.
Since the mulberry wine was good for Lin Mozhi, Lu Yi would surely accept it.
Buoyed by this thought, Shen Jixue felt a twinge of excitement.
She knocked gently on the door.
But instead of Lu Yi opening the door as usual, Lin Mozhi’s voice rang out.
“Come in.”
Shen Jixue froze, unsure if she should enter.
She hesitated for a moment at the door until it opened from the inside.
“Lu Yi, I—” Her face lit up as she prepared to hand over the wine, but when she looked up, she was startled to see Lin Mozhi standing there in a plain green robe.
Shen Jixue stumbled back a couple of steps, the wine set in her hands clinking as it almost slipped from her grasp.
The pot had been filled to the brim, and as it wobbled, a few drops spilled onto her hand, releasing the sweet aroma of fruit wine.
Lin Mozhi, blind but with a heightened sense of smell, immediately caught the scent.
Just as Shen Jixue was about to explain that she had brewed mulberry wine to help with his eyesight, Lin Mozhi’s face darkened suddenly.
His voice was low and heavy with suppressed anger.
“Who allowed you to bring wine into the Songhe Courtyard?!”
“Clang—”
The wine set slipped from Shen Jixue’s hands, shattering on the ground.
She had never seen Lin Mozhi this angry.
Even when Lady Lin had humiliated him by openly favoring Lin Moyu and disregarding his dignity, he hadn’t shown such rage.
Frozen in place, Shen Jixue trembled as she tried to explain.
“I… I didn’t mean to… I didn’t know…”
“You didn’t know?”
Lin Mozhi’s grip on his bamboo staff tightened, the veins on his pale hands bulging in his fury.
He let out a cold laugh, his voice like a blade cutting through the air.
“You’ve been in the Lin household for so long, hearing all the rumors—how could you not know?”
“And now you feign innocence…” He paused, his words dripping with disdain.
“Pathetic pretense.”
Shen Jixue couldn’t defend herself.
She bit her lip hard, tears streaming down her cheeks.
They mingled with the spilled wine on the floor, leaving no trace of distinction between the two.
She wanted to explain, she truly didn’t know.
No one had ever told her.
The mulberry wine was something her mother had taught her to brew.
Its ability to improve eyesight was something the village doctor had mentioned.
She had only thought that perhaps it might actually help his eyes.
Lu Yi stepped through the gates of the Songhe Courtyard and, rounding the front yard, saw Lin Mozhi standing coldly in place.
Shen Jixue stood before him, her head hanging so low it seemed as if she wished to bury herself in the ground.
The air in the courtyard was filled with the aroma of wine.
Lu Yi’s heart sank.
Something was clearly wrong.
She hurried forward to steady Lin Mozhi and pretended to scold Shen Jixue.
“If you’ve angered the master, why haven’t you left yet?!”
Shen Jixue sniffled, quickly cleaned up the shattered wine set, and hurried away.
Only then did Lu Yi breathe a sigh of relief.
She knew that whenever Shen Jixue talked about brewing wine, her eyes lit up brightly.
It wasn’t just for the master’s health—it was also because she missed her mother.
That was why Lu Yi hadn’t stopped her.
She had thought that without her permission, Shen Jixue wouldn’t be able to bring the wine to the master.
But as luck would have it, during the brief time she was sent out to handle some tasks, the girl had taken the opportunity to deliver the wine.
Lu Yi sighed inwardly.
The master had once been forced to drink a cup of wine by Lin Shuiyu, which had caused his current state. How could he not harbor hatred?
Not only did he despise Lin Shuiyu, the culprit behind it all, but even wine itself had become a forbidden topic.
Carefully glancing at Lin Mozhi, Lu Yi noticed that his anger had subsided somewhat.
Only then did she gently remind him,“Master, please don’t get upset. Let’s go inside; it’s nearly time.”
Lin Mozhi furrowed his brows slightly before turning to head into the house.
“Clean this place thoroughly.”
“And all the other wine she has—smash it all.”
Lu Yi lowered her gaze and responded softly, “Yes.”
