Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Pei Zhihui's fingers were long and strong, with calluses on the pads, gripping Shen Qiongju's wrist tightly.

Shen Qiongju was forced to bend down and meet those eyes that were misty from coughing violently.

The corners of his eyes were tinged with a faint red, and his usual coldness and restraint shattered, leaving only a kind of stubbornness that made one's heart tremble.

"Let go."

Shen Qiongju lowered her voice and tried to break free, "Commander Zhao is watching, Uncle, please don't be disrespectful."

"Disrespectful?"

Pei Zhihui gave a cold laugh, his chest still vibrating with a muffled cough.

He didn't let go; instead, he used the leverage to lean forward a bit, almost touching her cheek.

The smell of alcohol mingled with the crisp scent of styrax on his body, forcefully penetrating Shen Qiongju's breath. "Your sister-in-law is so intimate with another man and it's not considered improper, but I just wanted to ask for a drink, and that's considered improper?"

These words were dripping with sarcasm, yet he himself was completely oblivious, believing he was simply upholding the Pei family's reputation.

Zhao Qiyan, who was standing to the side, almost popped her eyes out.

Is this still the legendary Pei family's second son, who is so aloof and unyielding that he can't even fart when hit with a stick?

Why are you acting like a wolf cub guarding its food?

"Pei Erlang, you're getting tired of this."

Zhao Qiyan slammed her wine glass on the table and leaned in casually, "This liquor is really strong, your body can't handle it. Qiongju and I are discussing serious business, if you interfere, how are we supposed to do business?"

The sound of "Qiongju" made Pei Zhihui's eyelids twitch violently.

He released Shen Qiongju's wrist, but then took the wine catalog from her hand.

His movements were so natural, as if he were the master of the place. "Since it's business, we should listen to different opinions."

Pei Zhihui suppressed the itch in his throat and picked up the glass of strong liquor that had just made him cough.

This time, he didn't rush to drink.

Instead, he raised the glass to his nose, took a gentle sniff, and then lightly flicked his wrist to observe the color of the wine's "legs" (the streaks or clumps on the glass).

His movements were elegant and refined, revealing the inherent sophistication of a young master from a prominent family.

"Brother Zhao is a soldier, and he knows his stuff."

Pei Zhihui put down his teacup, straightened his slightly disheveled cuffs, and resumed his aloof and noble demeanor. "Although I am not a good drinker, my tongue is not useless. If this wine is to win the drinking contest, being strong is not enough."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiyan became interested. "Oh? Then tell me, what else is needed?"

Pei Zhihui glanced at him, his gaze falling on the amber-colored wine on the table.

"It lacks a title and a certain artistic conception."

Zhao Qiyan immediately spoke up: "Why not call it 'Blazing Fire'? People who like strong liquor will buy it as soon as they hear that."

He extended his slender finger, dipped it in the wine, and drew a circle on the table. "Brother Zhao only tasted the intensity, but not the aftertaste. This wine is like a knife cutting into your throat at first, but it warms you up, leaving a fruity aftertaste. If you were to sell it to soldiers, calling it 'Burning Fire' would be perfectly satisfying. But if you wanted to sell it to scholars, or even nobles in the palace..."

He paused, a faint hint of mockery playing at the corners of his lips.

"Calling it 'Burning Fire' is too tacky."

Zhao Qiyan scratched her head: "What's it called? 'Down it in one gulp'?"

Shen Qiongju almost burst out laughing.

Pei Zhihui glanced at Zhao Qiyan with disdain, then turned to look at Shen Qiongju, his gaze instantly becoming focused.

"My sister-in-law just said that pear juice was added to this wine?"

"Yes, it was made with pears from Laiyang, boiled into juice and then added in," Shen Qiongju nodded.

"The word 'pear' means 'separation.' The northern border is bitterly cold, and soldiers are stationed far away. This wine carries both the sorrow of parting and the sweetness of home."

Pei Zhihui lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. "How about calling it 'Drunken Swan'? A fleeting glimpse, a grand dream. It suits the aftereffects of the wine and adds a touch of elegance."

Shen Qiongju's eyes lit up instantly.

Good name!

It was much more sophisticated and had a more story-like quality than the "Pear Blossom White" and "Warm Spring Brew" she had imagined.

"Alright! Let's call it 'Drunken Beauty'!"

Shen Qiongju immediately made the decision, and her eyes showed more approval as she looked at Pei Zhihui. "Uncle is indeed knowledgeable. Changing this name will at least double his value."

Looking into her bright eyes, Pei Zhihui felt most of the pent-up frustration dissipate.

Shen Qiongju quickly picked up her notebook and wrote it down, her lips curving upwards involuntarily.

Seeing the admiring smile she gave Pei Zhihui, Zhao Qiyan was furious and slammed his fist on the table.

"Hey, hey, hey! I helped too! I even had to find someone to get the yeast! Qiongju, you can't be biased!"

Zhao Qiyan, like a vying dog for attention, squeezed to the other side of Shen Qiongju, "I could come up with that name too! How about 'Zhao Family Brew'? So powerful!"

Shen Qiongju's lips twitched.

Before she could speak, Pei Zhihui coldly added, "Utterly vulgar."

"Who are you calling vulgar?" Zhao Qiyan snapped.

"Alright, alright!"

Shen Qiongju felt a headache coming on.

What terrible thing did she do to have to bring two children along while doing business?

She expertly poured Zhao Qiyan a glass of fruit wine. "Commander Zhao, you are so powerful and domineering! Without your yeast, this 'Heroic Journey' would be like a skilled cook without rice. You deserve the most credit!"

Zhao Qiyan was instantly flattered and gave Pei Zhihui a smug look: "Did you hear that? First place!"

Pei Zhihui's face darkened, and he was about to speak.

Shen Qiongju immediately turned around and pushed a plate of peeled peanuts in front of him.

"Second Uncle is quick-witted; this name is excellent. I'll need your help to polish the descriptions for this wine in the future."

Pei Zhihui looked at the plate of peanuts, his expression softening slightly.

She's smart to be sensible.

Just as the two were about to start arguing about who had contributed more, Shen Song's loud voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Sis! Sis! It's done!"

Shen Song rushed in excitedly, holding a dark jar in his hands.

"The medicinal wine is ready! But... but it smells a bit strange, like spoiled foot bath water. Go check it out!"

Like foot bath water?

Shen Qiongju's expression changed.

This medicinal wine was her trump card for opening up the senior market; if it spoiled, everything would be over.

"Please enjoy your meal, I'll be right back."

She felt like she had been granted a pardon, grabbed her skirt and ran out, her back view exuding a sense of relief at "escaping a hellish situation".

The curtain fell, and the air in the private room seemed to freeze instantly.

As soon as Shen Qiongju left, the gentle smile on Pei Zhihui's face vanished instantly.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently stroking the white porcelain wine glass, his eyes as cold as if he were looking at a dead man.

Zhao Qiyan stopped pretending.

He crossed his legs, tossed the jade pendant in his hand, and looked at Pei Zhihui with a half-smile.

"Pei Erlang, we're all men, stop pretending."

Zhao Qiyan chuckled, "Your sour tone just now could be smelled from three blocks away. What, you've taken a fancy to your sister-in-law?"