She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

The more the wife of the Champion Marquis looked at the chubby young lord, the more she felt he was pleasant to the eyes. She gently patted the back of Han Lei’s hand.

”Don’t worry! Later I’ll have a word with that Changle girl for you.”

She deliberately stretched the words ”have a word”, making her intentions unmistakably clear.

”Hehe.” Han Lei let out a dry laugh and followed her words, ”Then I’ll trouble you, Aunt.”

The wife of the Champion Marquis felt she had indeed guessed Han Lei’s thoughts correctly and smiled with profound meaning.

Han Lei quickly changed the topic, looking towards the Champion Marquis.

”Uncle, I forgot to mention. This fragrant wine has one distinguishing feature from Drunken Immortal Brew.”

”Oh? How so?” The Champion Marquis wore an expression of eager anticipation.

Han Lei said with an air of importance, ”Drunken Immortal Brew gets more fragrant with age, but this type of fragrant wine doesn’t hold well over time. Once brewed, it must be consumed within two months. Otherwise, it will evaporate into plain water.”

”Ah? Why is that?”

The Champion Marquis was astonished; despite years of drinking, he’d never heard of such a magical wine.

”I don’t know.” Han Lei shook her head, answering straightforwardly yet helplessly. ”We use these special bottles to store the wine, hoping to extend its shelf life, but the effect is minimal.”

”Oh! I see.”

The Champion Marquis nodded, thoroughly convinced.

”Uncle. I’ve been in the Capital City for over a month, and this exquisite wine will turn to plain water in a few days. There’s not much of it either, so don’t give it away; enjoy it with your family tonight! The next time I come to the Capital, I’ll be sure to bring more for you and Aunt.”

Han Lei spoke earnestly, and the Champion Marquis and his wife listened attentively.

”Good! Wei, you’re thoughtful.” The Champion Marquis patted Han Lei’s robust shoulder with satisfaction, saying, ”After the banquet ends, I’ll gather the family to enjoy it.”

Han Lei gave the Champion Marquis a knowing look and respectfully said, ”Hehe! It’s only right. If the Commandery Princess is willing, won’t we be family in the future?”

Big Fatty, who just resisted laughing, watched Han Lei continue to speak seriously and mischievously, while his mouth almost spasmed from holding back laughter.

Having given the gift, Han Lei didn’t want to stay long to avoid unexpected complications.

She chatted idly with the couple for a while longer, subtly reminding them to enjoy the wine tonight, and then made an excuse to leave the Marquis’ residence...

The night quietly descended.

In the summer night, a cool breeze stirred, and stars dotted the sky, tranquil and vast.

Han Lei and Big Fatty sat quietly on the glazed tile roof of Tengyun Building, the night breeze brushing their hair and bringing a touch of coolness.

In the distance, the lights flickered like stars, outlining the bustling silhouette of the Capital City.

Apart from the Imperial Palace, Tengyun Building was the tallest landmark in the Capital City.

From here, the entire city’s streets and houses lay beneath their gaze, like a slowly unfolding painting.

Han Lei adjusted the telescope in her hand, the tube glinting faintly under the moonlight.

Through the lenses, her gaze fell on the distant Champion Marquis’ residence.

The banquet in the residence had long since ended, leaving only the servants bustling around. They carried lanterns, shuttling back and forth in the courtyard, cleaning up.

However, the masters of the house were nowhere to be seen, likely having retreated to the inner chambers for rest.

Big Fatty turned his head to look at Han Lei, his eyes filled with admiration. The night breeze gently caressed his cheeks, yet it couldn’t calm the curiosity in his heart.

”Miss,” he asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with excitement, ”how were you so sure that the gift would be successfully delivered?”

Han Lei’s lips curled up slightly, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

She put down the telescope, her fingertips gently caressing the tube, as if reminiscing about the scenes of the day.

”This is called catering to one’s taste.” Han Lei said softly, her tone exuding confidence.

”Before giving a gift, I certainly did enough homework. I once asked Big Fatty to find out the likes of the Champion Marquis’ family members, and he said the Champion Marquis liked to drink.”

”So, you thought to give wine?”

”Yes!” Han Lei nodded, ”Yang Haibo also said the Champion Marquis was a frequent patron of the Drunken Immortal Brew House. He feared the Drunken Immortal Brew might run out, so he spent a lot of money to buy a large stock to enjoy at home slowly.”

”Oh!” Big Fatty suddenly understood, his eyes lighting up.

He couldn’t help but continue asking, ”Then how are you sure the Champion Marquis would drink that wine with his family tonight?”

Han Lei giggled, her sweet, glutinous laughter crisp as a silver bell, especially pleasant in the night air.

She turned her head, the moonlight casting a playful expression on her profile.