The Prodigal Son

In the afternoon, after finishing his official duties, Zhao Luan disguised himself and, accompanied by his two henchmen, went to the Song residence to visit Song Zhuo.

While I'm at it, I'll also take a walk outside the palace to clear my head.

"A fine wine?"

Upon hearing the name again, Zhao Luan couldn't help but become curious.

Along the way, she had heard people talk about this so-called "Zun Wine" several times.

What kind of fine wine is this?

Why is it attracting so much discussion?

Shangguan Youyi, disguised as a man, noticed Zhao Luan's curiosity and immediately asked someone to inquire about what kind of fine wine this was.

Soon, Shangguan Youyi returned to Zhao Luan's side: "Young Master, I've found out. This wine is the one that appeared in the works of these geniuses. It's said to be extremely clear and strong, and ridiculously expensive, costing ten taels of silver per pound..."

"How much...?"

Zhao Luan's eyes widened suddenly as she stared at Shangguan Youyi in disbelief.

Yun Ying, standing to the side, also stared wide-eyed, seemingly unable to believe her ears.

What kind of wine dares to sell for ten taels of silver per catty?

Will drinking this wine make you an immortal or a grandmaster?

Only a fool with too much money would buy such an outrageously expensive bar.

"Ten taels of silver!"

Shangguan Youyi smiled wryly, "Moreover, I heard that only one hundred jars of this wine are sold each day, and each person is limited to one jar! Now many people are scrambling to buy it, and these one hundred jars are basically sold out within half an hour every day..."

Hearing Shangguan Youyi's words, the two of them widened their eyes exaggeratedly once again.

How can such expensive wine be sold out so quickly every day?

Wine that costs ten taels of silver per catty?

This wine must be incredibly profitable, right?

Such expensive wine is still in short supply, there must be a reason why it is so expensive, right?

In an instant, Zhao Luan's mind raced.

"Shady businessman!"

Coming to her senses, Yun Ying gritted her teeth and cursed, "The person who sold this wine is definitely a complete swindler!"

Even the imperial wine wouldn't dare to be this expensive!

Ten taels of silver per catty?

Ten coins a pound is more like it!

"It's a matter of mutual consent; there's nothing unscrupulous about the business!"

Zhao Luan waved her hand and smiled, "The fact that such expensive wine can be sold out shows that there are quite a few wealthy people in the public..."

The late emperor believed in the principle of keeping wealth among the people.

In recent years, due to various events, she has indeed squandered a significant portion of the family fortune accumulated by the late emperor.

But as long as this money doesn't flow into other countries, it's like the meat rotting in our own pot.

"What you say is true, sir."

Shangguan Youyi smiled in agreement, "Tomorrow I'll send someone early to buy a jar of premium wine, so that you can taste it and see why it's so expensive."

"No need for that."

A strange light flashed in Zhao Luan's eyes: "Send someone to investigate who is selling this wine and where it came from!"

Alcohol, isn't it all the same?

How good can it be, even if it tastes really good?

She was more interested in the person behind the wine than in its taste.

The imperial court needs such unscrupulous merchants right now!

If this unscrupulous merchant's wine can open up a path to wealth for the imperial court, he will not hesitate to reward him with high-ranking official positions and generous salaries!

After a moment's thought, Shangguan Youyi immediately understood Zhao Luan's meaning and said admiringly, "Young Master has a far-sighted vision; I admire you!"

"Let's go, to the Song residence first!"

The unexpected gain instantly lifted Zhao Luan's spirits, and she immediately led the two generals, Heng and Ha, to the Song residence.

Upon learning that Zhao Luan had come to visit, Song Zhuo hurriedly came to greet her.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Song Zhuo welcomed Zhao Luan into the residence, saying with a smile, "Someone came to visit me today and brought me a jar of fine wine. I was thinking of sending it to the palace for His Majesty to taste tomorrow, but I didn't expect His Majesty to arrive first..."

Knowing that Song Zhuo was ill, why did he still bring him wine when he visited him?

Who was so stupid to do this?

Zhao Luan cursed inwardly, but then a thought suddenly struck her: "Could that wine be the Zun Wine Shop that's recently become popular in the capital?"

Song Zhuo was slightly surprised. "Your Majesty also knows about this wine?"

"I just heard about it today."

Zhao Luan smiled, "Shangguan previously said he would buy a jar of this wine for me to try. Since my mentor has it, then I will give it a taste!"

"good!"

Song Zhuo agreed and immediately sent someone to bring over the unopened jar of wine, and ordered the wine to be inspected in person.

"No!"

Zhao Luan raised her hand to stop her.

Song Zhuo gave her a grateful look and smiled, "We still need to check it; it's the rule."

Song Zhuo insisted and took the initiative to pour two glasses of wine. In front of Zhao Luan, he picked up his glass first.

"slow!"

Zhao Luan stopped Song Zhuo, "Our teacher isn't feeling well, so please don't drink!"

"Yes, Prime Minister Song, please take care of yourself."

As Shangguan Youyi spoke, he took the wine cup directly from Song Zhuo's hand and tilted his head back to pour it into his mouth.

"Cough cough..."

The next moment, Shangguan Youyi was choked and coughed repeatedly.

Song Zhuo looked at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Why are you in such a hurry, girl?

Shangguan Youyi coughed for a while before recovering, and quickly reminded Zhao Luan, "This wine is too strong, Your Majesty should only have a small sip."

Song Zhuo was slightly surprised.

Didn't you drink too fast?

Is it too strong?

Is it really that intense?

This made him want to try it too!

"good!"

Zhao Luan looked at the unusually clear wine in the glass and brought it to her nose to smell it.

It smells good, but I don't know how strong it is.

About fifteen minutes later, Shangguan Youyi confirmed that he was alright and then signaled to Zhao Luan that she could drink.

Zhao Luan was curious and quickly took a small bite.

It was described as a taste, but it was really just a small bite.

"Cough cough..."

In an instant, Zhao Luan was also choked and started coughing.

Shangguan Youyi quickly went behind her and gently patted her back.

Feeling the fiery sensation, Zhao Luan's eyes shone even brighter: "What strong liquor! No wonder it's called the Supreme Liquor! Its strength truly makes it worthy of being called the king of liquors!"

To be honest, she didn't like that kind of strong liquor.

Even if she only drinks a little, she prefers to drink the imperial wine with a hint of sweetness.

But she didn't like it; plenty of people do like strong liquor.

The more people who like this strong liquor, the happier she is!

Zhao Luan's mind raced, and she turned to ask Shangguan Youyi, "Do you think your father would be willing to spend fifty taels of silver to buy such a jar of wine?"

Shangguan Youyi understood Zhao Luan's meaning and replied with a smile, "With my father's salary, he should be willing to spend the money to buy a few jars a year to try."

Is that so?

Zhao Luan lowered her eyes, her mind already racing with calculations.

Just then, Yun Ying suddenly strode in, looking at Zhao Luan with a strange expression: "Your Majesty, we have found the person who sold the wine."

"Who?" Zhao Luan asked.

Yun Ying: "Luo Qingyi!"

"she?"

Zhao Luan suddenly raised her voice.

Yun Ying bit her thin lips lightly, "On the surface, it should be her, but the person behind it all is Qin Yu!"

Hearing Yun Ying's words, Zhao Luan suddenly froze.

Qin Yu seemed to have said a few days ago that he wanted to go into business with her!

The business Qin Yu was talking about was selling alcohol?

No wonder Yun Ying looked at me like that just now.

She had just righteously and firmly rejected Qin Yu a few days ago, but now she was already thinking about this business again?

Zhao Luan blushed slightly, then suddenly stood up: "To the Qin residence!"