Chương 181: The Song of a Drunken Moon
For over a month, Xuan Yue had been tirelessly on the move, making this lunch her most sumptuous in recent times, with delectable dishes and fine wine.
A rose wine aged twenty years had just been opened, filling the entire dining hall with a rich, heady fragrance. At the very first whiff, Xuan Yue felt as though she were floating, already intoxicated by the aroma alone.
Licking her lips, Xuan Yue rose from her seat, snatching the bottle of rose wine from Bai Zhan Feng's hand. She brought it to her nose, savoring the potent scent and the pure, rich hue; one look was enough to recognize this as an exceptional vintage—indeed, age had only refined its depth.
"Old Bai, is this the only bottle you have?" Cradling the bottle like a cherished treasure, Xuan Yue gazed at Bai Ao with a playful smile. She was notoriously possessive, especially when it came to fine food and wine. Although this wine wasn't hers, she couldn't resist the urge to claim it entirely.
Bai Ao merely smiled, using his chopsticks without a word, while Bai Zhan Feng chuckled and attempted to reclaim the rose wine, only for Xuan Yue to elude him deftly.
"There are still a few more bottles. If we finish this one, I'll bring another." Bai Zhan Feng's face was alight with a rare warmth, far from his usual reproachful tone. Such generosity brought a smile to Xuan Yue's eyes as she remarked, "Well, Bai Zhan Feng, you're quite the generous host! Full marks!"
Instead of a wine cup, Xuan Yue handed a large bowl to Bai Zhan Feng. "Since Old Bai is in high spirits, join us for a hearty drink. Once we're full, rest here, and I'll have two big bottles sent your way."
Xuan Yue protested, "Bai Zhan Feng, I don't do well with small sips. Let me drink to my heart's content this time! I haven't had a drop for over a month, setting an example for others. The fragrance alone is driving me crazy!"
As she spoke, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, looking utterly enraptured. Bai Zhan Feng could barely contain his reaction, while the attendants nearby struggled to hide their amusement.
"Leave us," Bai Zhan Feng commanded, waving the servants away. This uninhibited display was too undignified for others to witness.
"Feng'er, it's fine. Let her drink from the bowl," Bai Ao said with a smile. Xuan Yue grinned at Bai Ao and turned to Bai Zhan Feng, urging, "See? I was going to drink straight from the bottle, so I'm already showing restraint."
Helpless, Bai Zhan Feng poured her a large bowl of wine. Before he could hand it over, Xuan Yue had already risen, taking it from him. Without waiting, she lifted it to her lips, the rich aroma of roses mingling with the lingering warmth. Satisfied, she placed the emptied bowl on the table, licking her lips in contentment. The rose's delicate flavor, both soft and enduring, rivaled Lan Yi Xuan's plum wine; it had been so long since she'd tasted something this exquisite—one word: bliss.
"Xuan Yue, you certainly have a remarkable tolerance!" Bai Ao laughed, lifting his own cup. Watching her drink was infectious, making even the most restrained person feel the urge to indulge freely. In her company, all formalities seemed to fade, replaced by a sense of liberation.
"I've always had a strong tolerance." Xuan Yue laughed, handing the bowl back to Bai Zhan Feng with one hand, while with the other, she continued picking at the various dishes. Each nation had its own cuisine, and many of the dishes on the table were ones Xuan Yue couldn't even name. Yet the flavors were exceptional—likely due not to the chef's skill alone, but rather the particular tastes that suited her so well.
The state of Chu bordered the sea, with frequent rains and damp air. Due to the climate, people here enjoyed spicy foods, as spiciness could counteract the humidity. Among the six nations, the people of Chu were the heartiest when it came to spice, a preference that Xuan Yue shared. The warm burn of the wine, combined with the lingering heat of the spicy dishes, filled her stomach and left her feeling invigorated, almost euphoric.
With Xuan Yue present, even the largest bottle of wine would be too little. Inspired by her, Bai Ao also indulged in several more cups. Before the meal was over, a pleasant haze had already settled over him.
"Xuan Yue, I owe you a great debt," Bai Ao said, holding his cup. His face, lined and weathered, softened by a gentle intoxication, was stripped of its usual sharpness and seemed, for once, genuinely approachable. Gazing at Xuan Yue, a trace of guilt lingered in his eyes.
"When you fell from the cliff, I turned a blind eye. And yet, since then, I've asked for your help countless times. If not for you, our Chu state—and the entire Bai family—would have been lost long ago."
Bai Ao's voice was choked with emotion, and Xianyue could understand. She understood his attachment to Chu, his devotion to the Bai family. These words he spoke to her now weren't solely born of guilt; rather, they were the truths he had to share, things buried in his heart for too long, now slipping out under the influence of wine.
"You are a rare and admirable young woman. In all my years, I've encountered every kind of noble lady and demure maiden, yet only you have earned my respect. At such a young age, you are considerate, discerning, and capable of thinking for others. Though I watched Ruoxi grow up and always envisioned her as the Bai family's future matriarch, to be honest, she is no match for you. Ruoxi is gentle and virtuous, yes, but she lacks your broad-mindedness and cannot understand everything that crosses her path. She's insightful and intelligent, and that worries me."
With a sigh of apprehension, Bai Ao spoke of the concern that would later be proven true. Ruoxi's inability to forgive Xianyue and Bai Zhanfeng would eventually lead her to actions that almost brought disaster to the Bai family and those around Xianyue—a scar that would never truly fade.
Xianyue listened silently. She understood the meaning behind his words. He was now firmly on her side, hoping that if she one day rose to power over the Six Kingdoms, she would show Chu mercy and continue to support the Bai family. He wished for the Bai legacy to endure within her dynasty. As for Ruoxi, a woman she had never met, she trusted she must be refined and highly capable—Bai Ao wouldn't have chosen her otherwise. He was giving her a preemptive warning, hoping she would show Ruoxi kindness and tolerance. Yet magnanimity was not every woman's strength, particularly when it concerned one's husband. Love and relationships often brought out one's most selfish side. If Ruoxi harbored deep affection for Bai Zhanfeng, disliking Xianyue would be natural; even Xianyue wouldn't have managed to feel otherwise in her place.
Bai Zhanfeng looked at Xianyue, steadying Bai Ao's figure, but said nothing.
Suddenly, Bai Ao turned towards Bai Zhanfeng and patted his shoulder. "Feng'er, it is I who have wronged you."
Compared to his earlier words, this apology was weighted with a far deeper meaning.
As his grandfather, Bai Ao had always tried to consider his needs; from a young age, he had arranged for him to learn martial arts with Nian Tianba, knowing he disliked political intrigue. When he had reached mastery, he hadn't forced him to return to inherit the Bai family legacy immediately. He had done his best to fulfill Bai Zhanfeng's wishes, but in the end, duty had weighed heavier than dreams.
No one could bear to let such an ancient family perish in their hands, and Bai Ao, who had fought and sacrificed for it his whole life, was no exception.
"I know you resent me, that you hate me for binding you. But Feng'er, I am your grandfather. How could I stand by and watch you go to your death?"
By the end, his voice cracked. Though she wasn't privy to the details, seeing Bai Ao's expression, Xianyue guessed Bai Zhanfeng harbored a profound grudge towards him related to that incident in Death Valley.
Xianyue suddenly recalled the question Bai Zhanfeng had once asked her: would things have turned out differently if he had been the one to fall alongside her? If both he and Lan Yi Xuan had held onto her, would he have still had a chance? It was a question she still couldn't answer.
Perhaps, if it had been Bai Zhanfeng who had fallen with her, she might have felt gratitude enough to marry him; after all, he would make a far better husband than Lan Yi Xuan. But it wouldn't have been love. When Lan Yi Xuan fell with her, it hadn't been gratitude that moved her but shock—and a wild elation. She knew then she held different feelings for him, feelings she had fought hard to suppress.
It was understandable Bai Ao had made that choice; Bai Zhanfeng was his beloved grandson, his legacy bearer. Any person would have acted similarly in his place. And if Bai Zhanfeng resented him for it, that was only natural; emotions were often beyond reason.
Between love and duty, Bai Zhanfeng had chosen family. Yet, in doing so, he seemed to have abandoned both. Perhaps he now understood why Bai Zhanfeng had changed so drastically; perhaps, in the end, Bai Zhanfeng's heart had been extinguished.
"Feng'er, forgive your grandfather."
Watching the old man slumped in her arms, Xianyue guessed he rarely drank, certainly not enough to become this drunk. He must have wanted to find courage to bridge this rift with Bai Zhanfeng. In her memory, Bai Ao had always commanded respect, maintaining the authority of an elder with Bai Zhanfeng.
Bai Zhanfeng glanced at Xianyue, uncertain, with a hint of unease.
"Xianyue."
She offered a faint smile. "The old master has had too much to drink. Help him to rest and see he is well looked after. When you return, bring me a few more jars of his best wine—enough to make him wince."
Friendship may not mend the cracks left by love, but she hoped Bai Zhanfeng would learn to treasure this bond of family.
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