bullyxtreme Chapter 48 Wang Zhihuan's Emotions
Chapter 48 Wang Zhihuan's Emotions
The twelfth day of the fifth month in the ninth year of the Zhenguan era.
Before dawn, Wang Zhihai was already squatting in the distillery, starting a fire.
The newly built brick stove retains heat very well. When pine firewood is stuffed in, the flames leap up immediately, and before long, the heavy copper pot is heated until it makes a slight crackling sound.
Today we're going to steam two vats of fermented mash that were ready a few days ago. One vat is for the first fermentation, and the other is for the second.
The first brew of raw liquor is very strong, with a sharp and pungent taste that rushes down the throat. It is not only his favorite drink, but also a top-quality liquor for entertaining guests.
The second brew has a smooth and mellow taste with a rich and lingering rice aroma, making it perfect for those who don't drink much to enjoy in a small amount.
Both flavors have their own unique charm and uses.
All the fermented mash was scooped into a copper pot, the lid was tightly closed, and the joints were sealed tightly with a damp cloth.
The bamboo tube passes through the condenser barrel and rests steadily on the rim of the earthenware jar. The entire distillation apparatus is arranged neatly and efficiently.
Everything was ready. The pine firewood in the stove was burning brightly, the crackling of the wood mixed with the muffled sound of the mash slowly churning, and a sweet aroma of wine quietly permeated the entire distillery.
The aroma was completely different from when the wine was officially produced.
When the distillation process officially began, the alcohol was so strong and domineering that it choked the flowers that were perched on the windowsill, causing them to flee in panic.
The aroma emanating from the newly heated fermented rice wine is warm, mellow, and gentle, carrying the sweetness of glutinous rice and the richness of the yeast, which is refreshing and delightful.
Ah Huang, who had been fast asleep on the doorstep, was disturbed by the aroma of wine. His nose twitched and he made low gurgling sounds in his throat.
It tentatively peeked its head forward, about to step over the threshold, when Wang Zhihuan, without turning his head, uttered two words indifferently: "Get out."
Ah Huang whimpered in grievance, sullenly retreated outside the door, and remained lying in the same spot, gazing longingly at the winery, constantly sniffing the aroma in the air.
In the courtyard, Huahua and Huihui were also awakened by the aroma of wine on the jujube tree.
Hua Hua squatted on a tree branch, her nose twitching incessantly toward the winery;
Grey leaped down from the treetop and sneaked to the entrance of the winery to peek out, but was blocked by Ah Huang, who was guarding the threshold.
The two stood there at the door for a while before Wang Zhihuan finally told them to "get out" and chased them back into the courtyard to stay put.
Around 9:45 AM, the first batch of raw liquor finally began to be brewed.
A clear stream of wine slowly flowed from the bamboo tube, falling to the bottom of the jar with a soft tinkling sound. The wine foam was fine and smooth, condensing and lingering for a long time.
At this moment, the aroma of the wine fully unfolds, its pungent notes carrying the warm and smooth texture of rice wine. It passes through doors and windows, drifting on the wind into the distance, and can be smelled from ten miles away.
Meanwhile, on the official road outside the city, a donkey cart was moving slowly and steadily.
Chen Laosan, the driver, leaned back against the carriage shaft, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, the reins casually draped over his knees, looking relaxed and carefree.
Inside the carriage, Sizi clung to the window, sticking her little head out and curiously observing the scenery along the way.
Chang Le sat quietly to the side, wearing a lotus-colored soft silk dress, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair, elegant and gentle, without any extra decorations.
"Big sister, big sister! Do you think the pretty brother's flower still recognizes Si Zi? Si Zi hasn't come over in ages." Si Zi shrank back, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Of course I recognize it. My Sizi is so smart and adorable." Chang Le took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the thin layer of sweat from her nose. "Look, last time you even fed it candied fruit, didn't you see how happy it was? How could I forget little Sizi!"
"What about Ah Huang? Will Ah Huang still bark when he sees Si Zi? Will he play with Si Zi?"
"Ah Huang is always docile. He only wags his tail when he sees you and never barks."
"And there's Little Black! It always hides under the stone bench! Last time, Si Zi specially saved some candied fruit for it, but it didn't dare to come out and eat it. It's such a coward!"
"You should know, Si Zi, that all living beings in the world have their own temperaments."
"In my opinion, although Xiao Hei is quiet and shy, he really likes you." Chang Le gently stroked her sister's head and comforted her softly.
The little ox tilted its head and pondered for a while, then seriously concluded, "Anyway, the little ox likes them, so they must like the little ox the most too!"
The donkey cart slowly turned through the mulberry grove, and when it was only a short distance from the farm, a rich aroma of wine wafted over on the wind.
Chang Le, who had been resting with her eyes closed, trembled slightly upon smelling the unique fragrance.
Having lived in the deep palace for a long time and tasted countless royal tribute wines, she had never smelled such a clear and pure aroma of wine.
It has neither the sourness and turbidity of ordinary rice wine, nor the fierce spiciness of Western Region wine; it only has a natural, mellow aroma that lingers steadily in the breeze, gentle and clear.
Sizi was instantly drawn in by the aroma. Her small nostrils twitched, and she took a deep breath. Turning her head, her eyes widened in amazement: "Big sister, what is this? It smells so good! It's like glutinous rice, but a hundred times better!"
"It's the smell of wine," Chang Le replied softly, a hint of surprise rising in her heart.
The donkey cart came to a steady stop at the entrance of the farm.
Before the servants could put down the footstool, Sizi nimbly slid down from the cart shaft and dashed into the courtyard, her clear voice echoing throughout: "Handsome brother! Sizi's here!"
The courtyard gate was already ajar, but she pushed it open.
The scenery in the courtyard was much the same as usual, except that the aroma of wine was several times stronger, like a warm, thin net gently enveloping the entire farm.
Sizi stood in the courtyard, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then covered her little nose and giggled, "It smells so good! It's intoxicatingly fragrant!"
Chang Le slowly stepped into the courtyard, looked around but did not see Wang Zhihuan. Following the strong aroma of wine, she walked straight to the backyard.
Ever since he first met the two sisters, Wang Zhihuan had already begun to have some thoughts about them.
When I first met her, the woman was dignified and elegant, and her clothes were made of the finest materials that ordinary people in the countryside would never be able to come across. Every word and action of hers exuded the composure and grace of a lady from a prominent family.
Such demeanor and attire could not have been cultivated by an ordinary poor family; one must have come from a prominent family and held an extraordinary status.
Having been in this place for a long time, he was all alone and helpless. The hidden dangers buried by his past life still lurked in the shadows, and there were invisible crises all around him.
For the Tang Dynasty, which was just beginning to quell the chaos of war, being powerless and without influence was like being adrift like duckweed, and a slight misstep could plunge one into a quagmire.
Having lived a lifetime, he had long seen through the ways of the world. Love and affection are never the whole of life. Only by establishing a stable life and finding a reliable support can one gain a firm foothold in this era.
The woman before me comes from a prominent family. If I can befriend her, she will provide me with unseen protection and be able to avert many potential troubles.
But as they spent more time together, beyond his calculations, he had already developed some genuine feelings for her.