Chapter 321: Midnight Disturbance
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“Where’s my return gift?” Nan Mu Bai suddenly asked.
Ming Lang’s eyes widened as he swiftly snatched the Longevity Talisman back and tucked it securely into his robes. Even within the Ming Family, only two such talismans existed, both reserved for the elders.
“You never asked for one!”
Nan Mu Bai watched him clutch the talisman so carefully, a flicker of regret flashing across his face.
“It’s just a Longevity Talisman, what’s the big deal?” he muttered.
“My Imperial Grandfather and Mother can draw them too!” However, what he didn’t say was that his grandfather could only manage one per month at most.
Drawing talismans drained both spiritual energy and stamina. The Emperor was aged; one per month was already his limit. The Eldest Princess had a higher aptitude and could produce two per month.
“Oh, right! Lord Lu also gifted me a jar of wine, claiming it to be an extremely rare delicacy…” Ming Lang extended his hand, and the servant behind him quickly presented the small, exquisitely crafted wine jug. It could hold only two or three cups at best.
The servant hesitated before speaking hesitantly, “Lord Xiangliu took it.”
“Xiangliu is extremely picky. It never drinks ordinary liquor,” Nan Mu Bai waved dismissively, clearly skeptical.
“It did! It even refused to let us touch or approach it.” The servant seemed utterly convinced.
Nan Mu Bai arched a brow.
Following Ming Lang outside, he directed his gaze toward Xiangliu.
In the courtyard, the nine-headed serpent was coiled up, cautiously tilting the jug to take a sip. As soon as the liquid touched its tongues, it swayed its heads in pure bliss.
Ming Lang sniffed the air. “Huh? This wine has a faint trace of spiritual energy…”
Nan Mu Bai scoffed, “Since when does North Zhao have spiritual energy? Lord Ming, you must be longing for Southern Kingdom’s Spiritual Wine. Once we return, I will have my Imperial Grandfather send you two jars.”
“The Hundred-Year Spirit Fruit Wine of the Imperial Palace contains spiritual energy and greatly benefits Celestial Attendants.”
Despite his usual disdain for Nan Mu Bai’s arrogance, Ming Lang couldn’t deny that Spiritual Wine was a rare treasure.
He sincerely thanked him, “Then I must thank Your Highness. I also heard the palace acquired a branch of the Immortal Peach Tree?”
Nan Mu Bai nodded proudly. “Indeed. My Imperial Grandfather once acquired a branch of the Immortal Peach Tree by chance. Legend has it that an Immortal Peach takes a thousand years to bloom and another thousand to bear fruit. Each fruit is exceedingly precious.”
“For thirty years, my father nurtured the branch with spiritual energy before it finally took root.”
“Though it is merely a separated branch, it remains among the finest spiritual fruits in existence.”
“It flowers and fruits once every thirty years, and this year happens to be its harvest. When the time comes, I’ll send two peaches to the Ming Family for a taste.”
The Immortal Peach, a divine fruit of legends.
Even a branch-grown peach carried an extraordinary meaning.
Ming Lang smiled in agreement.
“Speaking of which, the Fruit Wine Lord Lu gifted indeed carries a subtle peach fragrance.” Ming Lang took another sniff, his curiosity deepening.
Strangely, the spiritual energy was growing even more potent.
“Lord Xiangliu, may I take a look at the wine jug?”
“Just a glance, nothing more?”
At these words, Xiangliu’s nine heads instantly turned toward him, their gazes ice-cold and imposing.
“It’s just a wine jug! Why is Lord Xiangliu being so defensive?” Even Nan Mu Bai found it odd. Never before had the creature displayed such protectiveness over food.
Xiangliu’s eyes glowed menacingly, baring its fangs. The sheer pressure forced both men to step back.
“Something isn’t right.” Ming Lang narrowed his eyes.
A flicker of green light appeared at his fingertip, and with a swift movement, he knocked the wine jug’s lid off.
As the lid fell to the ground, the rich spiritual energy became overwhelming.
Ming Lang picked it up, brought it to his nose, and took a deep inhale before pausing in disbelief. He dipped a finger into the liquid and lightly tasted it.
His eyes widened to their limits.
“Sp… Spiritual Wine!”
“This is Spiritual Wine, Your Highness!”
“And the spiritual energy is incredibly dense, carrying an overpowering peach fragrance. Just like…” He smacked his lips, trying to recall. “Just like the Immortal Peach I once tasted as a child.”
Years ago, the God of Life, Xian Ting, had granted a single Immortal Peach.
That one peach had been divided into seven portions.
One went to the Imperial Family, others to the great noble houses.
As a direct descendant, Ming Lang had received a mere fingernail-sized piece.
“Impossible! Nonsense!” Nan Mu Bai exclaimed. “Do you understand what the Immortal Peach is? It is a celestial treasure! Even in the Southern Kingdom, it is incredibly rare.”
“Xiangliu has lived for thousands of years, consuming countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Yet never before has it guarded food like this!” Ming Lang pointed at the nine-headed serpent.
At this moment, the grand beast was curled protectively around the wine jug, looking utterly ridiculous.
Nan Mu Bai casually poured the last drop from the lid into his mouth.
As soon as it touched his tongue, a surge of powerful spiritual energy spread through his limbs, nourishing his meridians and settling within his body.
He froze.
“It truly is Spiritual Wine! The energy is exceptionally concentrated! This one jug…”
Even my Imperial Grandfather has never tasted such a thing!
“It’s Immortal Peach Wine! The real deal!”
“Xiangliu, leave me a sip!” Without hesitation, he lunged forward to snatch the jug.
But Xiangliu was no easy target. Its overwhelming aura forced Nan Mu Bai to retreat, cold sweat dripping down his back…
Ming Lang sighed in despair. “That was mine!”
“Lord Lu just handed it to me!!”
“Why didn’t you accept it when Lord Lu gave it to you earlier?!” Ming Lang’s words left Nan Mu Bai red-faced with frustration.
“How could there be Immortal Peach Wine in North Zhao? We must go to the Lu Family at once!” Shamelessly, Nan Mu Bai rushed toward the Lu Manor.
By now, the Lu Manor had long gone to sleep.
Only the gatekeeper remained, drowsily leaning against the entrance.
Suddenly—
BANG BANG BANG!
The loud knocking jolted the guard awake.
“Who is it at this ungodly hour?” he grumbled, rubbing his eyes before opening the door.
As soon as he saw who stood outside, all traces of sleep vanished.
“E…Envoys? The masters have already retired for the night. Might I trouble you to wait until morning?” The gatekeeper recognized these arrogant Southern Kingdom officials immediately.
Earlier that day, they had arrived bearing gifts, acting as though they were above all others.
When the Eldest Young Master gave them return gifts, they had turned up their noses in disdain.
Yet now, the Emperor had taken all the leftovers for himself.
Honestly, he had never seen nobles at a banquet actually pack up leftovers! The Emperor even had the remaining wine bottled and stored in the royal cellar.
He had even contemplated hauling away the two massive wine barrels, though decorum had prevented him.
Ming Lang waved a hand. “No need to announce us.”
“We only wish to know—do you still have the gifts we left behind?” he asked with a smile.
The gatekeeper blinked. “Anything left unclaimed was taken by His Majesty.”
Ming Lang nearly wept.
“What about the banquet wine?” he pressed further.
Nan Mu Bai’s eyes burned with anticipation.
The gatekeeper hesitated. “There were only two barrels. One was finished. The other remains unopened for the lady’s wedding banquet.”
Ming Lang’s face turned thick-skinned. “How about…giving us the empty barrel? Just as a keepsake…”
Thankfully, it was dark, hiding his embarrassment.
The gatekeeper stood there, completely dumbfounded.
Were they serious? They woke the household at midnight… for an empty barrel?