Three Visits to the Courtyard, Finally Meeting the Master

The next morning, the sky was overcast, with scattered raindrops falling to the ground.

In front of the Ansi Courtyard, two figures, one tall and one small, stood under a shared oil-paper umbrella.

"Grandpa, are we just going to wait again today?" Jin Xingwang yawned, his tone full of sleepiness.

Beside him, Jin Wan handed his grandson a wine jar and chuckled. "I've already looked into it. Mr. Gu returned yesterday and hasn't left since."

"With the rain today, if we knock on the door ourselves, we're bound to see him."

Jin Xingwang nodded. "That's good, then."

With that, Jin Wan stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door. "Mr. Gu... Mr. Gu!"

Knock, knock, knock...

After about six knocks, the tightly shut courtyard door creaked open from the inside.

Dressed in a simple azure robe, Gu Ning'an sized up the grandfather and grandson before him and said flatly, "What's the matter?"

Jin Wan had mentally prepared himself, but seeing that Gu Ning'an hadn't aged a day in over twenty years left him momentarily awestruck.

"Mr. Gu, it really is you!" Jin Wan exclaimed, his face full of excitement. "I'm Jin Wan, Granny Sun's son."

Before Gu Ning'an could respond, Jin Wan pulled his grandson forward and hurriedly said, "Quick, greet Mr. Gu."

Hearing this, Jin Xingwang clasped his hands together and bowed, speaking respectfully. "Greetings, Mr. Gu."

It had to be said—this grandfather and grandson truly bore a striking resemblance. Their tone and demeanor were practically identical.

As for their reason for coming, Gu Ning'an didn't need to speculate much to guess.

Butcher Liu had mentioned the day before that Jin Wan had been asking around about him and even recounted Jin Wan's two prior visits.

Considering the villagers' comments about Jin Wan being opportunistic and seeing that they had brought a "gift" with them, it wasn't hard to deduce that they had come seeking help.

Although Gu Ning'an wasn't particularly fond of Jin Wan, the man had brought along a child, and out of respect for Granny Sun, Gu Ning'an said, "It's raining outside. If you have something to discuss, come inside."

Jin Wan's face lit up with joy, but he feigned modesty. "Oh, wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

Gu Ning'an stepped aside and turned toward the house. "No trouble at all. You've already disturbed me, so what's a little more?"

Not expecting such a direct response, Jin Wan was momentarily at a loss for words. Awkwardly, he pretended not to hear and led his grandson inside.

As they entered the courtyard, Jin Wan and his grandson slowed their steps, their eyes wandering as they scanned the surroundings. It seemed they were trying to spot anything out of the ordinary about the place.

Once inside the main hall, Gu Ning'an led them to sit down. He then took a seat at the dining table and began eating his freshly cooked porridge.

"It seems we came at the wrong time, interrupting your breakfast," Jin Wan said with a smile as he sat to the side.

"No matter. If you have something to say, just say it." Gu Ning'an picked up a chopstickful of pickled vegetables and stirred them into his porridge as he spoke.

Clink.

A string of copper coins was placed on the table. Jin Wan pushed the coins toward Gu Ning'an and said, "Sir, our family's mutton stew stall has always sold at twenty coins per bowl. The tael of silver you left last time was far too much."

"These six hundred coins—please take them back."

Seeing this, Gu Ning'an shook his head. "The extra money was intended for Granny Sun in the first place. Why would I take it back?"

As if expecting this response, Jin Wan slapped his thigh and sighed. "Ah, elders always stick to their principles... She insisted I return the money."

"I told my mother that since our two families are so close, accepting Mr. Gu's goodwill shouldn't be an issue. We could make up for it elsewhere later."

Close families?

Gu Ning'an smiled faintly but said nothing, continuing to drink his porridge.

Seeing that Gu Ning'an didn't respond, Jin Wan patted the bundle beside him and said, "Sir, I see you're fond of our family's mutton stew. How about I borrow your kitchen and show off my skills?"

"I've brought all the ingredients. Perhaps you could judge whether I'm fit to take over my mother's craft?"

Gu Ning'an gestured to the plain porridge and pickled vegetables before him and said with a smile, "No need to trouble yourself. I was just planning to eat something light this morning. Besides, whether you're fit to take over isn't up to my palate alone."

"It depends on whether you can win over the old and new customers in the village who are used to Granny Sun's mutton stew."

"Uh..." Jin Wan hadn't expected such a straightforward refusal. After a brief pause, he continued, "My mother said you understand her craft better than anyone else, and since our families are so close, you're the best judge."

"If I don't do well, the embarrassment stays within the family. But if I take it to the streets and let the villagers try, and they're dissatisfied, wouldn't that ruin the reputation of Sun's mutton stew?"

"Could you please try my mutton stew as a favor to my mother?"

Gu Ning'an was greatly displeased by Jin Wan's repeated use of Granny Sun as leverage.

Moreover, in his view, even if Jin Wan had spent a few days learning from Granny Sun, there was no way he could replicate her flavors.

The recipe might be the same, and the ingredients identical, but the cook's nature and intentions could make a world of difference.

For this reason, Gu Ning'an saw no point in wasting the ingredients Jin Wan had brought, nor anyone's time, on something doomed to fail from the start.

"Fine. If you really want to try, then go ahead." He pointed toward the kitchen. "Just don't break my bowls and dishes."

"Ah! Of course!" Jin Wan replied with a beaming smile. "Sir, just wait and see!"

As he carried his ingredients out of the main hall, Jin Wan gave his grandson a knowing look.

Jin Xingwang, catching the hint, promptly rose from his seat and carried the wine jar he had brought to Gu Ning'an's side. With a serious expression, he said, "Mr. Gu, this is our family's Fenjiu, specially brought for you to try." [Traditional Chinese liquor.]

"Homebrewed?" Gu Ning'an asked with a hint of amusement as he scrutinized the jar.

The wine jar was a light brown color with a narrow neck, a wide body, and a tapered base. Its smooth, polished exterior was so glossy it could serve as a mirror.

The red cloth seal at the top was intricately folded and meticulously designed, down to the creases.

By all appearances, Gu Ning'an couldn't see how this could pass as "homebrewed" wine.

Just the jar's fine craftsmanship alone was worth at least a qian of silver! [⅒ of a tael]

Who uses such an expensive jar for homebrewed wine meant for personal consumption?