That rascal is talking nonsense.

Xiao Yun’er laughed and said, “So that’s how it is. I thought Miss Nine could brew fine wine, so I called you ‘Miss Wine’. But for someone with such affection for wine, ‘Miss Wine’ suits you even better.”

Xiao Hong shot him a glare, secretly cursing, “Does he think my lady is some drunkard, calling her ‘Miss Wine’?”

But Miss Nine merely smiled calmly and replied, “Call me whatever you like.”

Xiao Yun’er grinned, “Then I’ll call you Miss Wine, for you are the fairy of the wine.”

Miss Nine laughed, “As long as you don’t think of me as a drunkard in your heart, that’s enough.”

Xiao Yun’er’s cheeks flushed slightly, thinking to himself that he did, in fact, see her as having the flavor of a drunkard. But he answered, “May I ask, miss, why you summoned me? Is there something you need me to do?”

Miss Nine chuckled, “At first, I meant to have you move some wine, but now, come with me.”

Xiao Yun’er followed her into the study. He saw the floor was laid with red wooden boards. Against the window by the entrance stood a large desk, with a guqin placed in the center, books on either side. Across the desk, along the wall, was a row of bookshelves filled with books and some paintings, as well as items Xiao Yun’er couldn’t name. The whole room was orderly and bright.

Miss Nine entered and settled herself casually into a huge sandalwood chair, leaning back. Xiao Hong and Xiao Jing stood beside her.

Miss Nine noticed that Xiao Yun’er, upon entering, neither bowed nor stood properly. He simply gazed around with curiosity, as if everything in the study fascinated him—clearly an untamed child with no sense of decorum.

After surveying the room, Xiao Yun’er realized Miss Nine was watching him with keen interest, as though she were appraising a work of art. He hurriedly lowered his head, no longer daring to look about.

Miss Nine smiled and asked, “Why are you so interested in these things? Do you find them more fascinating than me?”

Xiao Yun’er quickly replied, “Of course not! Seeing these objects, I suddenly understand what ‘the fragrance of flowers does not depend on quantity, nor does elegance require vastness’ truly means.”

Miss Nine could hardly believe that such a wild child could utter such refined words. She laughed, “That’s nothing. Seeing you, Xiao Yun’er, reminds me what it means for ‘heroes to emerge from youth’!”

Xiao Yun’er grinned, “Don’t praise me, miss. I’m no youthful hero—just don’t mistake me for a monkey and I’ll be content.” Miss Nine, Xiao Hong, and Xiao Jing all burst out laughing.

Then Miss Nine remembered her purpose and said, “Xiao Yun, I meant to have you help me brew wine, but now I’d like to know how much you actually know about wine.”

Xiao Yun’er smiled, “I’m young and don’t know much about wine, but a friend once shared her understanding with me.”

Miss Nine smiled, “Tell me then, let’s hear what she said.”

Xiao Yun’er replied, “Wine is a wonderful thing—it can influence people in many ways, and not just the drunkards. Since people can’t do without wine in life, they use it in joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

For joy: at weddings, wine is indispensable, otherwise there’s no ‘wedding wine’. For anger: when furious, people drink to boost their courage, and after drinking, fighting feels even more thrilling. For sorrow: wine is used to express grief. For happiness: it’s simple, when someone is pleased, they drink to celebrate.”

Xiao Jing laughed, “With such knowledge of wine, you sound like a little drunkard yourself.”

Xiao Yun’er replied, “I’m no little drunkard, don’t wrong me.” Xiao Hong rolled her eyes, “I think it’s only a matter of time before you become one.”

Xiao Yun’er laughed, “Is that so? Actually, being a drunkard is rather joyful. Isn’t it said, ‘A thousand cups are too few when drinking with a kindred spirit’? Clearly, those who love wine tend to have more friends than usual, right?”

Miss Nine smiled, “You may have a point.”

Xiao Yun’er rambled on, “Wine is so marvelous—even in sorrow, joy, separation, and reunion, it’s indispensable. In sorrow, people drink to ease their sadness and gain sympathy—especially from beauties. It’s said, ‘A woman grieves with tears, a man grieves with drunkenness.’

In joy, people drink, especially when celebrating with beauties, which brings about the saying, ‘It’s not the wine that intoxicates, but the person who gets drunk.’

At parting, it’s always ‘Let me urge you to finish another cup, for west of Yang Pass, no friends remain.’ Drinking marks the longing of each, and tells the other that whenever you drink in the future, you’ll think of them; so there’s no need to be sad, for there will always be chances to drink again.

For reunion, of course, one must drink, as today’s gathering is but preparation for tomorrow’s separation.

Some drink to celebrate their success, others to mark their failure. In any case, a true man cannot do without wine. In ancient times, ‘Heroes were discussed over wine’, so to become a hero, one must start with drinking.”

Xiao Hong and Xiao Jing were nearly laughing aloud, thinking this lad was quite the talker.

Miss Nine asked, “Do you know any famous wines in the world?”

In truth, Xiao Yun’er had rarely tasted wine and knew little of famous varieties. He recognized a few characters and could speak some refined phrases thanks to Lingzhi’s teachings. But later, he met Bai Xuehua, who loved wine. While recuperating in the cave, she taught him about several famous wines to pass the time, and his memory was sharp, so he remembered them.

Xiao Yun’er replied, “The famous wines of the world include ‘Daughter’s Red’ and ‘Jiangnan Fine’ from Old Yue; ‘Jian Nan Spring’ from Shu; ‘Dukang’, ‘Fen Wine’, and ‘Bamboo Leaf Green’ from the Central Plains; ‘Knife Wine’ from the Northern Frontier… and of course, our own ‘Ruyi Fine Wine’.”

Miss Nine sighed softly, “Ruyi Wine will never become a famous wine. Perhaps in a few years, it will fade into obscurity.”

Xiao Yun’er said, “That’s a real shame. I would love a taste—if I want to be a hero, I must start with drinking fine wine.”

Xiao Hong chimed in, “Who knows, you might never become a hero, but you’ll surely become a little drunkard.”

Xiao Yun’er replied, “You really don’t have much confidence in me, but thankfully, I have confidence in myself.”

Miss Nine smiled gently, “Confidence in yourself is enough. Better to rely on oneself than others.”

Xiao Yun’er beamed, “Thank you for the praise, Miss Wine. But these fine wines are expensive. I heard our Ruyi Wine costs over ten taels of silver per cup. A whole jar would be thousands of taels—if I sold myself, I wouldn’t be worth that much. If you’re pleased, miss, a jar of Ruyi Wine could buy ten or eight Xiao Yun’ers.”

Xiao Jing couldn’t help but laugh, “What use are you? Who would spend a thousand taels to buy ten or eight of you?”