The siblings left the Grand General’s residence and boarded the carriage.
Feng Lingze inquired, “Is little sister asking about this because she also wants to taste the Immortal’s Intoxication?”
“Second Brother knows me well—I’ve always preferred savoring tea over drinking alcohol.”
“Indeed, little sister often says that tea tasting cultivates one’s character. All the tea in our residence is grown by you at the Hot Spring Villa. After processing, it’s sent back to the residence, and we all enjoy drinking it very much.”
Feng Jinyue smiled faintly. That tea was carefully cultivated by her. Although it was a different variety from the Misty Rain Spirit Tea, its complexity was in no way inferior—how could it not be delicious?
Soon, the carriage came to a halt, having arrived at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
After alighting from the carriage, they found the outside bustling with activity. Though night had fallen, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was brilliantly lit, as bright as day.
Feng Jinyue followed her second brother into the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. From the moment they stepped out of the carriage, they had attracted countless gazes.
“Wasn’t that the Grand General’s residence carriage just now? That’s the Feng family’s second young master, the current Vice Minister of Revenue. The young lady walking with him is his biological sister, the Feng family’s legitimate daughter. Is she a celestial maiden descended to earth? So beautiful! Who was it that kept spouting nonsense, saying Miss Feng had been frail and sickly since childhood, that even if her weak constitution improved, she couldn’t possibly amount to much?”
“Your information is outdated. After today’s Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet at Princess Changle’s residence in the Jin Prince Manor, news spread quickly. Not only is the Feng young lady as beautiful as a fairy, her talents are extraordinary. They say the half-melody she played today carried profound artistic conception, completely overshadowing all the other noble young ladies present at the banquet.”
“She’s the type who remains silent until astonishing everyone with one brilliant move. Everyone had been misled from the beginning. The Feng family will always be the Feng family—never to be underestimated. Now it seems the Empress Dowager’s arranged marriage between the Regent and the Feng young lady is quite well-matched.”
“Absolutely.”
“You mentioned her music had artistic conception? That’s a level only master musicians achieve. Is she really that remarkable? But why only half a melody?”
“As for the specific reason, you’d better inquire privately. Such matters aren’t appropriate to discuss openly in public.”
“Why so secretive?”
Meanwhile, Feng Jinyue paid no mind to the outside discussions. She followed her second brother upstairs to the Private Room he had reserved.
Feng Lingze explained, “The Drunken Immortal Pavilion has nine floors in total. The lower three levels are for walk-in customers, the middle three levels contain Private Rooms, the seventh floor is the auction venue we’ll visit later—only those with distinguished status can enter the auction. As for the top eighth and ninth floors, no one knows what’s inside. We’re headed to the fifth floor.”
As Feng Jinyue listened to her second brother’s explanation, she realized the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was definitely not merely a restaurant with an auction house—there was certainly more to it.
Inside the Private Room.
Attendants were already waiting there. Feng Lingze carefully selected several exquisite dishes and confirmed them with his younger sister before instructing the attendants to prepare the meal.
“Speaking of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the identity of its owner has always been a mystery, just like the owner of the Elegant Pavilion. Could they be the same person?”
“No.” Feng Jinyue replied without hesitation.
Feng Lingze looked surprised at his sister’s resolute answer. “How does little sister know they’re not?”
“Just a guess.” Realizing she had spoken too quickly, Feng Jinyue immediately offered these two words in the same tone, brushing off the question.
“Oh, I almost thought my little sister was privy to the inside story.” Feng Lingze chuckled, then continued, “It’s only 5:45 PM now, and the auction isn’t until 7:30 PM. There’s no rush—let’s enjoy our meal at a leisurely pace.”
Shortly after, attendants brought several dishes to the table one by one.
Feng Lingze noticed that all the dishes had been served, but then saw a final maid carefully place an exquisitely carved celadon wine jug on the table.
“What’s this?”
The maid bowed respectfully and said, “Second Young Master Feng, Miss Feng, this is our Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s signature offering—Immortal’s Intoxication. Our Deputy Tower Master specifically instructed us to present this wine for you to sample.”
Feng Lingze leaned closer to his younger sister and whispered, “All matters at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion are handled by this Deputy Tower Master. This person only appears during the pavilion’s monthly auctions and is rarely seen otherwise. Still, at least they’ve made appearances—unlike their Tower Master, whom no one outside has ever seen.”
“Since your Deputy Tower Master has gifted us wine, I presume there’s something they wish to say. You may speak frankly.” Feng Lingze addressed the maid in a firm tone.
The maid’s gaze shifted to Feng Jin Yue, and she bowed again. “Our Deputy Tower Master is deeply fond of music. Having heard that Miss Feng’s melodies carry profound meaning and her qin skills have reached master level, our Deputy Tower Master is waiting at the door, hoping to hear Miss Feng play a piece. If this is too presumptuous, we shall take our leave immediately and beg Miss Feng’s forgiveness. This humble jug of wine shall serve as our apology. Alternatively, if Miss Feng has any requests, as long as…”
“Your Deputy Tower Master is quite courteous. Very well, I agree. After my second brother and I finish our meal, I can play a piece.”
“Yes.” The maid bowed reverently once more before withdrawing from the private room.
Feng Lingze couldn’t help but glance toward the private room’s entrance, where indeed someone stood waiting.
“That half-piece you played earlier today had quite the lingering impact, little sister. But I truly never expected the Deputy Tower Master of Drunken Immortal Pavilion to be so fond of music. No wonder all the musical performances here are extraordinary.” Feng Lingze picked up the jug of Immortal’s Intoxication and poured a cup for each of them. Instantly, the aroma of wine filled the air—intoxicating even before tasting. “This is truly excellent wine.”
Feng Jin Yue lifted her cup and gently inhaled. The brewing technique was undoubtedly top-tier. It seemed there was indeed an expert behind this. Wait—this wine actually emanated spiritual energy? She focused her senses and confirmed it came from the water used in brewing. If true, the water source might be connected to a Spirit Vein, worth investigating further.
Feng Jin Yue only took a small sip of the Immortal’s Intoxication, while her second brother finished most of the rest.
After the meal, attendants served tea, and the Deputy Tower Master mentioned by the maid entered along with them.
“I am Han Chen. Honored to meet you, Miss Feng.”
Feng Jin Yue studied the person before her, a slight smile curling at her lips. “The Deputy Tower Master is too polite. I never imagined the Deputy Tower Master of Drunken Immortal Pavilion would be such a young and handsome gentleman. Quite unexpected.”
Though his underlying bone structure was inherently elegant—suggesting naturally striking features—he had used disguise to present this particular handsome appearance.
Feng Lingze whispered, “Did I forget to mention this to you, little sister?”
Feng Jin Yue nodded.
Han Chen, pleased by Feng Jin Yue’s compliment about his youth and looks, responded cheerfully, “Miss Feng is the one with city-toppling beauty.”
The private room already contained a qin table. Han Chen moved the original qin from the table and replaced it with the one he had brought.
Feng Jin Yue glanced at the seven-stringed qin. “Phoenix tree wood, ice silkworm strings—a fine instrument.”
“For this qin to be called ‘fine’ by Miss Feng is its greatest honor.”
“The Deputy Tower Master has invited me to play a piece—aren’t you afraid that after this tune ends, one person in your Drunken Immortal Pavilion might die?”
“A mere coincidence, that’s all. I don’t take it seriously.”
Feng Jin Yue sat before the qin table, without any flashy gestures, and began to pluck the strings, drawing out the notes…
The melody flowed like a babbling brook, sketching images of deep valleys, secluded mountains, and trickling streams. The sound was as clear as shattered jade from Mount Kunlun… as if instantly transporting listeners into a wondrous realm.
The lingering notes, distant and enduring, drifted from the Private Room, silencing the discussions among the guests in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. All quietly immersed themselves in appreciating this exquisite music.
Long after the piece ended, Han Chen finally snapped back to reality. He bowed respectfully to Feng Jin Yue and praised, “This melody seems to belong only in the heavens, rarely heard in the mortal world. Miss Feng, if you have any needs here at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, I will do my utmost to accommodate you properly.”
“You flatter me, Deputy Tower Master. Since that’s the case, I do have one matter I’d like to consult you about.”