Chapter 125: Selecting the Site

That day, since Hong Jing had to go out and Wan Yue had guests, Liu Qin and the others naturally could not learn anything. Seeing that Ning Zhiyuan showed no intention of leaving, they guessed that the two still had matters to attend to and it would be inappropriate to disturb them further. Once the business was settled, they prepared to take their leave.

Wan Yue took out a piece of sheet music and told the three that she had composed it based on the story Liu Qin had told her. The piece was titled "High Mountains and Flowing Water," and she asked them to take it and try practicing it.

After leaving the Misty Rain Pavilion, Chang’an and Chang Kang waited outside. Uncle Niu drove the carriage over to pick everyone up and they left together.

Nearby, under a willow tree, another carriage was parked. Two servants leaned against it; one squinted leisurely, while the other had been staring at them intently ever since Liu Qin came out. The carriage passed through the Flower Street, turned onto the main avenue, and disappeared from sight, yet he still looked in that direction, his eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

Half an hour later, Ning Zhiyuan finally came out of the building. As he crossed the plank, he called out toward the willow tree, “Zhaocai, Jinbao, let’s go.”

Zhaocai responded promptly and prepared to drive the carriage over, but Jinbao, for some reason, seemed not to have heard and continued gazing absentmindedly into the distance.

Zhaocai smacked Jinbao on the head, “What are you daydreaming about? The young master is leaving; hurry up!”

Only then did Jinbao snap out of it and helped to drive the carriage over.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t get in the carriage himself but looked around before smiling, “Jinbao, you seem so distracted. Don’t tell me there’s really a female ghost following you.”

Jinbao pouted unhappily, “Young master, please don’t say such scary things. You know I’m timid. It’s just… I saw that person from before.”

“Which one?”

“The one who spoke to me last time and angered the Earl.”

“Right, I haven’t asked yet. What did you say to him last time to make the Earl angry?”

“That person told me that the sister from Drunken Spring Pavilion, Dong Xue, wanted to buy her freedom. And the one helping her redeem herself was a charming young gentleman. Somehow the Earl heard about it and got upset.”

“Oh?” Ning Zhiyuan’s eyes flashed. “Where did you see him just now?”

“Right here. Just as I came out of the building, three young masters followed. He must be attending to one of those three.”

Three young masters? Could that be the younger sisters from the Liu family?

So it was connected to her after all.

Though Ning Zhiyuan wasn’t entirely clear about the internal affairs of the closure of Drunken Spring Pavilion, he knew it was because the Earl of Huaiyang had gotten involved that the matter was investigated. It seemed the situation was more complicated than it appeared; the Earl was merely a pawn, and someone else was using his name.

Since it was related to the Liu family, there was no way the Earl of Huaiyang could be allowed to find out.

Thinking of this, Ning Zhiyuan tapped Jinbao’s head with his folded fan and said, “Remember, you saw nothing today. Don’t tell anyone about this, and the same goes for Zhaocai. Understand?”

“Understood, young master.”

Though Zhaocai and Jinbao didn’t fully grasp what had happened, seeing the young master so serious, they dared not ask questions and quickly agreed.

Liu Qin and her group did not return immediately but went to Qiongjiang. In a side room, they had a thorough discussion with Uncle Cheng before summoning Master Jiang Xingmao to tell him about their plan to build a winery. Jiang was deeply moved and was about to kneel and kowtow to Liu Qin on the spot.

He still remembered his father’s words before dying—he hoped Jiang would faithfully inherit the family’s winemaking craft and expand its reputation. Only then could his father rest peacefully in the afterlife.

But Jiang had no ability. This skill had not brought fame to his family; instead, they struggled even to make ends meet. He had considered giving up and returning to farm the land, but fate brought him to his current employer. It was this employer who gave him shelter and a chance to apply his skills.

He was eternally grateful. So when Liu Qin proposed signing a contract that forbade the Jiang family from leaving the winery for three generations, Jiang Xingmao had no objection and agreed immediately.

Originally, Liu Qin had intended to buy the Jiang family’s secret brewing formula, but later realized it might be taking advantage of them. Because if she asked, even if reluctant, Master Jiang would agree. So she changed the deal to a three-generation commitment. Even if they lived long lives, three generations would span over a hundred years—and who could say what the world would be like after that? There was no need to worry about it now.

Two days later, Ning Zhiyuan invited Liu Qin to visit the estate.

Liu Qin’s travels usually involved a large entourage, and this time, with Master Jiang and his two apprentices, the group filled two carriages.

They left the north city gate and followed the official road until reaching a fork where the path split into three.

The middle path led south along the official road. The left led to a forested mountain called Liangzi Mountain, which suffered a fire some years ago. The nearby residents had moved away, and though the area had since revived, it remained desolate and overgrown with weeds due to lack of inhabitants.

The right path led to Liangshan Village, their destination.

Liangshan Village was a large settlement, with many fertile fields bought to build estates. Ning Zhiyuan’s own Qingquan Estate was among them.

At the entrance to Qingquan Estate, Ning Zhiyuan was already waiting. As Liu Qin and the others dismounted, he led them on a tour.

The estate was lush with green leaves and blooming flowers, white walls and black tiles blending harmoniously. The scenery was elegant, but these were not what defined Qingquan Estate. It was named so because of the clear spring that flowed within its grounds.

When Ning Zhiyuan led them to the spring in the center of the estate, Master Jiang couldn’t help but cheer and, with his two apprentices, eagerly rushed over to scoop up a handful of water and drink.

“Hmm, truly sweet.”

They exchanged glances, feeling joy deep in their hearts.

Good water was essential for brewing fine wine, and with this spring, Master Jiang believed he could produce even better vintages.

Following Master Jiang’s advice, the main brewing house was built right beside the spring for easy water access.

As for the style of the building and the necessary furnishings, Master Jiang described them, Jiang Li made the sketches, and after confirmation, Ning Zhiyuan took charge of overseeing construction. Master Jiang also sent his eldest apprentice to assist.

While the winery was being built, Liu Qin decided to send the Jiang couple back home to bring their family to live together, allowing Master Jiang to work with peace of mind.

She also planned to send Chang Sheng and Chang An with them. Once the winery was officially operational, they would need to expand the workforce. Since they needed to recruit, it was better to hire from their hometown—firstly, because they were familiar locals, making communication easier; secondly, to maintain secrecy. If she came and went often, outsiders wouldn’t recognize her, reducing the risk of leaks.

Chang Sheng and Chang An were overjoyed at the prospect of returning home. Since being sold into the estate, they had only returned twice in several years, so upon hearing the news, they hurriedly packed.

Only Chang Kang wore a sour expression, leaning against Chang An’s door, looking enviously at them.

“Fourth brother, staring at me won’t help. Why not ask the young master yourself?” Chang An reminded him kindly.

This woke Chang Kang up, and he rushed to the Ink Fragrance Courtyard. Panting as he entered, he paused to catch his breath when he heard voices from within the room behind the door curtain.

“Hey, Brother Li, I just remembered—I only told Chang Sheng and Chang An but forgot about Chang Kang. If only two of them go back, their mother will surely worry. Better to have all three go together. Chang Xing, go tell him quickly so Chang Kang won’t feel uneasy.”

“Okay, I’ll do it right now.” (To be continued.)