Jiang Moran looked at the name on the paper, recalling that tender yet tough guy. He was a friend Jiang Moran had made when he first entered the jianghu.
He was also one of the few who knew his true identity.
They had agreed to roam the jianghu together, but who would have thought a woman would steal his heart, making him vow to never leave even if it killed him.
Although they didn't wander the jianghu together after that, they had always kept in touch occasionally. The last messenger pigeon had arrived a year ago, when his old ailments had flared up again, leaving him almost unable to get out of bed.
He never expected that the next news he would wait for would be his death.
“Forget it, I shall make the trip,” Jiang Moran sighed, tucking the envelope away.
He turned and walked back into the inn, briefly explaining the situation to the others.
Ning Qingzhu had the biggest reaction, leaping up to grab a corner of Jiang Moran's sleeve.
“B-but, you just arrived in Jinling City, and we haven't even had a proper chance to look around...” the young girl said, her tone filled with a hint of grievance.
She had only just reunited with her Young Master after so much trouble. She did not want to separate from him again, not even for a single moment.
“That city isn't far. I promise to be back within five days,” Jiang Moran comforted her, patting her head.
Ning Qingzhu had no choice but to nod obediently. She let go of his sleeve, knowing she couldn't be too stubborn, though she was truly reluctant to see her Young Master go.
“Fengqingzi, Zhang Wuji.”
The two who were called quickly responded.
“You two go with them to prevent any danger on the road,” Jiang Moran instructed. Too many people were heading to the Northern Desert this time, and he didn't feel easy leaving Ning Qingzhu behind.
“Senior, rest assured. As long as I can still draw breath, nothing will happen to them,” Fengqingzi said firmly.
“Me too!”
Seeing this, Jiang Moran spoke no further. He packed some light belongings and departed that very night. Instead of riding a horse, he traveled using lightness techniques.
While the night-travel limit of an excellent warhorse was only a hundred and thirteen li, Jiang Moran could cover three hundred li in a single night without stopping.
Hurrying at this terrifying speed, he successfully reached his old friend's city just as dawn broke.
Jiang Moran stood on the city streets. A night of hard travel had not left him fatigued. At his level, this minor exertion was nothing.
“Has this city changed this much?” Jiang Moran looked around, sighing with emotion.
The last time he came, it was just a small town. Now, its scale of development was so massive that even Western Regions style clothing had been introduced into the city.
As Jiang Moran looked around, he searched his memories and finally arrived in front of an estate.
“Zhao Residence,” he muttered, looking at the two large characters above. So this was where Old Lin had married into the family. No wonder he didn't want to leave with him back then; it turned out he had become a kept man.
Knock, knock.
Jiang Moran went forward and knocked on the door. Moments later, footsteps approached from inside, and the front door opened to reveal a slight crack.
“Who are you? Who are you looking for?” the person inside asked warily, sizing Jiang Moran up through the gap.
“At the invitation of an old friend, I have come to taste whether his old craft has gotten rusty.”
“An old friend?”
The person inside thought for a moment. Suddenly remembering something, they swung the door wide open.
“Are you Son-in-Law Lin's friend?” The servant sized Jiang Moran up, asking with a hint of doubt.
Jiang Moran nodded slightly.
Although the servant wanted to say more, he still stepped aside to make way.
“Take me to Lin Yuanzu's son,” Jiang Moran said flatly to the servant.
A flash of displeasure crossed the servant's eyes, but he said nothing, turning to lead the way toward the inner courtyard.
The two passed through the winding corridor, quickly arriving at a courtyard in the inner residence.
Standing in the courtyard were two people, a boy and a girl. Both were dressed in white mourning clothes with white cloth draped over their heads, faint traces of tear stains still visible on their faces.
Seeing the servant leading Jiang Moran inside, the two quickly hurried forward and bowed to him. “Are you Uncle Jiang?”
Jiang Moran looked at the two children. He could see a faint resemblance to Lin Yuanzu in their faces.
“Yes.”
Hearing this, the two breathed a sigh of relief. “Father was buried yesterday. Before his passing, he specially left a jar of Osmanthus Wine for Uncle Jiang.”
Saying so, the two made to invite Jiang Moran inside to sit.
“Wait a moment,” Jiang Moran suddenly said. He then turned his gaze back to the servant who had just led the way.
—Slap!
A crisp slapping sound echoed through the courtyard. The servant's face was whipped to the side, his cheek swelling up rapidly as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The two behind Jiang Moran watched this scene, completely dumbfounded.
“If I see even a trace of your displeasure again, I will twist your head off,” Jiang Moran said expressionlessly.
Yet, there was not a hint of a joke in his eyes. The servant only subconsciously met his gaze for a split second, and a profound dread instantly surged in the depths of his heart.
“Y-Yes, yes, of course,” the servant replied, trembling all over. He did not even dare to make his movements too hasty as he scrambled away.
Only after finishing this did Jiang Moran follow them into the room. Through this, the two had also gained a preliminary understanding of this Uncle Jiang of theirs.
“What are your names?” Jiang Moran asked the girl as he sat down on a chair inside.
The girl quickly replied upon hearing this, “I am the eldest daughter, Lin Wan. The other is my younger brother, Lin Ming.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than Lin Ming emerged from the cellar carrying a jar of wine. The entire jar was tightly wrapped in thick oilpaper, preventing even a hint of the aroma from escaping.
He took a small knife and gently sliced open the seal. In an instant, the rich aroma of sweet Osmanthus Wine flooded the entire room.
Lin Ming carefully poured a cup for Jiang Moran.
Jiang Moran picked up the cup. Instead of drinking it immediately, he recalled how the servant at the entrance had addressed him as "Son-in-Law Lin" but lacked even a shred of actual respect in his actions.
Was that letter really inviting him to taste the wine, or was it inviting him to see the plight of his children in this residence?
Jiang Moran let out a soft chuckle and cursed inwardly:
“Old Lin, oh Old Lin, if this wine doesn't taste good, I'm not going to help you.”
He then took a light sip from the wine glass. The rich aroma of osmanthus mingled with the scent of alcohol, spreading across his palate with a smooth and mellow texture. It was clear how much heart had been put into brewing it.
Jiang Moran drained the cup of Osmanthus Wine in one gulp, the empty cup making a crisp clink as he set it on the table.
He leaned back, resting against the back of the chair.
“Speak.”
Hearing Jiang Moran's prompt, the eyes of the two instantly turned red, and their voices choked up.
Before Lin Yuanzu passed away, he had held their hands and told them that someone would visit the estate in a few days—their Uncle Jiang.
【He loves to drink. I specifically brewed a jar of five-year-old Osmanthus Wine, hoping to drink it with him when he arrived.】
【Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. I will have him come to the estate to collect the wine. When the time comes, entertain him well. You must not tell him of your plight, nor can you beg him for his help.】
【If he is willing to help, he naturally won't sit idly by. If he says nothing, then let him finish his drink and go.】
【Do you understand?】
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