Chapter 85: Forbidden to Leave

After delivering the hangover soup, the Ren family’s mother and daughter retreated to their rooms to rest, urged by Patriarch Ren.

The five men present had all drunk quite a bit, but they were no strangers to alcohol, so the soup served more to quench their thirst than to sober them up.

Upon seeing the soup, Gu Ning’an stirred it with a porcelain spoon and noticed a variety of ingredients—orange segments, Ge Xianmi (immortal rice), green plums, hawthorn jelly, lily bulbs, snow pears… The numerous components combined to create this rich and aromatic “Eight Immortals Hangover Soup.”

Scooping up a spoonful and tasting it, he first detected the sweet and sour tang of fermented rice, followed by the fresh citrusy aroma of orange peel and segments. Finally, the medley of ingredients blended into an unusual, sweet aftertaste.

One sip, and he felt instantly refreshed.

Gu Ning’an smiled and said, “This soup is excellent. I’ve heard of it before but never had the chance to try it. The Eight Immortals Hangover Soup truly lives up to its reputation.”

“If you like it, Mr. Gu, I’ll have them prepare more tomorrow,” Patriarch Ren replied, chewing on an orange segment with a smile.

Gu Ning’an waved his hand. “No need to trouble them. I’ll try making it myself someday.”

Hearing this, Patriarch Ren chuckled and lowered his head to continue drinking the soup.

For a moment, the only sound in the dining hall was the collective slurping of soup.

“Patriarch, Hou Si seeks an audience,” came a voice from outside the dining hall.

Gu Ning’an found the voice familiar and turned to look. Standing outside, bowing, was none other than the scrawny man who had tailed them earlier.

“Let him in,” said Patriarch Ren without looking up.

Hou Si quickly entered and approached Patriarch Ren, leaning in to whisper something in his ear.

As he listened, Patriarch Ren’s previously calm expression darkened. Dismissing Hou Si with a wave, he set down his porcelain spoon and cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, the Sun family has sent a message…

“They say that during the poetry gathering, Mr. Gu, you repeatedly humiliated Sun Xuan with your words. They’re furious and plan to deal with all of you as well.

“The Sun patriarch claims that, out of respect for me, they’ll only give you a ‘small punishment.’ You’re forbidden from leaving Jiangling Prefecture for the next seven days. If you try to leave, you’ll be sent straight to the underworld.

“After seven days, depending on the choice Xunshan makes, they’ll decide whether or not you can leave alive.

“This matter… it’s not small, but not overly serious either. Why don’t you stay in this small courtyard for seven days? After Xunshan and Yue’er get through this period, you can leave together.”

“Tsk, tsk!” Gu Ning’an, seemingly unaffected, took a bite of hawthorn jelly and remarked, “Sweet and sour, truly delightful.”

Wei Hai remained silent, though the sound of his slurping grew louder.

“Such arrogance!” After a brief pause, the old beggar suddenly slammed the table. His disheveled hair made him look like an enraged old lion as he lifted his gaze.

Patriarch Ren exchanged a glance with him, but upon seeing the face beneath the wild hair, he involuntarily choked on his soup.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

A fit of violent coughing broke out as Patriarch Ren pounded his chest and stamped his feet. Seeing this, Li Xunshan quickly stood up, concerned. “Uncle Ren, take it slow!”

Wei Hai cast a glance at the old beggar and sighed. “Old Wen, can you stop with the sudden outbursts? Look, you’ve scared Patriarch Ren into choking.”

“Apologies,” the old beggar said, his eyes wide with anger but now tinged with a hint of awkwardness. His earlier fury dissipated somewhat.

Patriarch Ren waved it off. “It’s fine, it’s fine. I choked on my own.” As he spoke, he stood up, picked up a pot of tea, and poured a cup for Li Xunshan at his side, then for Wei Hai and Gu Ning’an.

When he reached the old beggar, he poured tea with one hand while patting the beggar on the back with the other. He smiled and said, “Old Master Wen, don’t be so upset. As the saying goes, ‘Forbearance brings calm seas; retreating opens vast skies.’ Their arrogance stems from their position of power.”

The old beggar tapped the table lightly with his finger, prompting Patriarch Ren to stop pouring at just the right moment, filling the cup perfectly.

In any culture, a full cup of wine is a gesture of respect, but a full cup of tea often implies dismissal.

“Oh!”

“My apologies! I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t paying attention and overfilled it!” Patriarch Ren pretended to notice his mistake and reached to pour out the excess tea to refill the cup properly.

“Ah, no need for such formalities,” the old beggar said, lifting the cup steadily. He sipped a bit, then drank the rest in one go.

Retracting his gaze from the old beggar, Patriarch Ren seemed to remember something. “Gentlemen, stay here for the night. The servants have already prepared your rooms.”

Hearing this, the group exchanged glances, then cupped their hands in thanks to Patriarch Ren.

Soon, under his orders, the maids who had left earlier returned and guided Gu Ning’an and the others to their respective rooms.

…

Late at night

The sound of chirping insects filled the air as the entire Jiangling Prefecture was cloaked in darkness. The sky was cloudy, and the bright moon occasionally peeked out from behind the clouds.

Gu Ning’an sat at his desk, picking up a wolf-hair brush. He dipped it into freshly ground ink and began writing on a scroll.

Before long, four bold characters appeared on the first scroll: “Peace and Safety”.

Without pausing, he unrolled a second scroll and swiftly wrote another four characters: “A Century of Harmony”.

Setting down the brush, Gu Ning’an leaned forward and gently blew on the ink, drying it almost instantly. He then rolled up both scrolls and casually placed them on the desk.

Creak!

A faint sound of a door opening came from outside, so soft it was quieter than the chirping insects.

Gu Ning’an glanced to the right side of the room before stepping out. As he exited, he saw the old beggar walking into the courtyard.

“Old Master Wen, where are you headed at this hour?”

The old beggar didn’t expect Gu Ning’an to still be awake and startled slightly when he was called. Turning around, he smiled sheepishly. “Don’t laugh at me, Mr. Gu. I haven’t slept on a proper bed for over twenty years. I just can’t get used to it.”

“I was planning to find a spot I’m more accustomed to for resting.”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an chuckled. “What a coincidence. I can’t sleep either. How about we go out together?”

“That won’t do,” the old beggar quickly objected, waving his hand. “I’m just an old boar who can’t stomach fine grains, but you’re different, Mr. Gu… Besides, it’s cold and damp outside at night. You might catch a chill.”

Gu Ning’an stepped forward, pulling the old beggar along. “Come now, let’s go. I’ve spent nights in mountain forests before. A bit of cold won’t bother me.”

The old beggar, looking helpless, muttered, “Ah, Mr. Gu, why are you so stubborn…”

As they approached the courtyard gate, a low voice suddenly called out, “You two, stop right there!”