Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2418: Chapter 2419: Fine Wine

Several others chimed in with praise, Bai Ruozhu took a sip and found the wine quite mild, lacking the intensity of Danliang’s wine.

She Zongyi smiled, raised his glass courteously towards Bai Ruozhu and the others, and said, ”It is my honor to have the guests enjoy it.”

Bai Ruozhu almost couldn’t hide her surprise; this person spoke the best Chinese she had heard so far, without the typical accent of Fusang people.

Without living in a language environment for a long time, even if one learns well, speaking often carries an accent from their native language.

Like some foreigners speaking Chinese with a foreign accent, there are also those who have lived in China for years and speak Chinese very well, more like a native Chinese accent.

Thus, Bai Ruozhu thought about the language environment. How could She Zongyi have a Chinese language environment in Fusang? Could it be...

This made Bai Ruozhu more convinced that he too was transmigrated, and before transmigration, he was a Chinese.

Of course, she wouldn’t be naive enough to see a transmigrator and feel like they are ’countrymen’, shedding tears and becoming friends. She Zongyi is likely their enemy, a particularly tricky foe.

”Such high praise from distinguished guests. I wonder if you brought any wine from Danliang Country for us to taste?”

He said this and glanced at everyone before smiling and saying something briefly in the Fusang Language.

The others expressed agreement; these Fusang people have a curious love for Zhongyuan items.

Bai Ruozhu and the others didn’t bring much miscellaneous stuff, but they did have some wine, so upon hearing this, Li Jin immediately sent someone to fetch it.

Soon, Mo Beishan also presented the gifts they brought, all unique items from Danliang Country. General Chisong listened to Sa Tian’s translation and showed a warm smile, clearly very pleased.

Among the gifts was an invaluable Treasure Sword, crafted by the most famous blacksmith in Danliang Country, along with some rare brocade. At this time, Fusang’s textile industry was not so developed; many people stared wide-eyed.

Shortly after, General Chisong called his favorite concubine to perform a dance for everyone and rewarded her with a piece of Yunyun brocade afterwards.

Bai Ruozhu watched, almost falling asleep; she didn’t enjoy watching dances, and coupled with the language barrier, she found it quite dull.

But the Fusang people occasionally clapped and praised, so they had to smile along, making Bai Ruozhu’s face almost stiff.

Fortunately, at this time, the guards brought two jars of wine.

Li Jin stood up and said, ”General, space on the boat was limited, and we didn’t bring much wine. Later, we encountered storms at sea, and some wine jars were smashed, which is really unfortunate. Now, we only have these two jars left. Please don’t mind this.”

Li Jin was worried that without an explanation, the other party might think he’s stingy and not sincere to only send these two jars of wine.

After Sa Tian translated, Jiang Yichun of General Chisong smiled and said, ”Then I must not enjoy it alone; let one jar be sent to His Majesty the Emperor.”

This attitude is really puzzling.

Soon, a jar of wine was opened, and the aroma wafted out. Before drinking, General Chisong happily exclaimed, ”Good wine!”

His beloved concubine carefully poured him a cup of wine, and when she glanced up, she gave him a flirtatious smile, which made Bai Ruozhu feel a wave of discomfort, fearing that the power on the woman’s face would fall into the wine cup.

She has to admit she couldn’t understand their aesthetics; the dancing girl appearing had her face painted very white, short eyebrows drawn, and crimson lips painted into a small dot, looking similar to modern geishas, but with more accessories inserted into her hair, which styled into a huge coiffure that seemed very heavy.

General Chisong drank the wine in one go, took a breath, and then laughed, saying, ”Good wine, really strong!”

He waved his hand and spoke to the dancing girl, who then got up, carrying the wine jar, headed towards the others, clearly to serve each person a small cup.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at She Zongyi, who maintained a warm smile, even more scholarly than Anben. But Bai Ruozhu still caught the hint of displeasure in his eyes.

She chuckled softly in her heart, comparing to Fusang’s mild wines; indeed, Danliang’s Fine Wine is incomparable.

Soon someone was choked and showed a face of distress, clearly not fond of the strong liquor, but General Chisong and Luzhi, these warriors, really liked it.

Though Luzhi looked displeased, he couldn’t hide the amazement in his eyes.

The remaining wine naturally returned to General Chisong, and She Zongyi praised it without causing any trouble, evidently he was concerned about his image.

Enduring until the banquet ended, Bai Ruozhu’s face almost cramped. Upon returning, she gave herself a good massage, and used mud from the Spatial Pond for a facial mask for maintenance, and then slept beautifully.

The next day, everyone gathered to discuss the situation from yesterday: Tang Feng couldn’t help but ask, ”Why do the Fusang people have a special fondness for Zhongyuan culture, without any hint of rejection?”

Lingzi nodded and said, ”Few Fusang people have been to Zhongyuan, but the earliest monks who came to spread scriptures brought Zhongyuan culture, and the scriptures are in Chinese characters; the monks spoke Chinese too. Fusang believes in Buddhism, so they also learn Chinese and even consider speaking Chinese a symbol of high status.”

Saying this, Lingzi unintentionally showed a hint of pride on her face.

”We should visit the biggest Temple to see the high monks there.” Bai Ruozhu said.

”The high monks who spread scriptures are deceased now; the abbot at Zhaoti Temple is their disciple’s grandson.” Lingzi said.

Previously Bai Ruozhu and others hadn’t paid attention to Fusang’s Temples, now hearing the Temple’s name, Bai Ruozhu found it quite intriguing; surprisingly, it only differed by one character from Tang Jianzhong’s Tang Zhaoti Temple, built when he crossed east.

”Today Sa Tian is supposed to come and take us to meet the Emperor, so we’ll have to visit Zhaoti Temple tomorrow.” Li Jin reminded.

At the mention of the Emperor, Lingzi’s expression darkened; next month the second heir will ascend as Emperor, likely bringing disaster to Lingzi’s family soon.

But Bai Ruozhu couldn’t comfort Lingzi, nor could simply say she’d help her. In Danliang she might try, but in Fusang, unfamiliar with the environment and short of manpower, how else could she help Lingzi’s family?

They hadn’t talked for long before a guard announced the arrival of Sa Tian outside.

Sa Tian entered, and performed the Danliang Official ceremony to greet everyone, saying, ”If convenient, let’s go to see His Majesty the Emperor.”

Bai Ruozhu and the others tidied up briefly, went out with Sa Tian, boarded the horse carriage, and after a little over a quarter of an hour, they finally reached the Emperor’s Palace.

The same five people came this time, the horse carriage drove directly into the Palace; no need to alight, unlike the Imperial Palace in Danliang, this was much more convenient.

Quickly, they met the Emperor, which surprised Bai Ruozhu...