Chapter 256: Using Wine to Make a Plan

Yuan Xi was talking to Zhen Mi in a low voice, and he peeled a taro and handed it to Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi took it and said with a smile, "Thank you, husband."

She whispered, "Guess, my dear, which dish was made by me?"

Yuan Xi lowered his head to look at the Yue Kiln celadon square box on the table in front of him. Different foods were placed in each square box inside.

This kind of food box is very similar to the buffet plate of later generations, but it has more grids and can hold a variety of food. It is quite popular in banquets among the gentry in the Wu and Yue regions.

After Yuan Xi came to Guangling, he discovered this thing in the city. It can hold a wider variety of food, but the quantity is not large, which makes it very suitable for family gatherings.

He looked inside the grid. The vegetables included sunflower (Amaranth), wild rice stem, and taro. There was a piece of soft meat soup and half a Wu sea bass sprinkled with sauce. This was a local specialty that was loved by both the gentry and the common people.

There is also a small piece of fruit cheese next to it, which is made of cheese mixed with nuts from the north. It is a dessert made during festivals.

Finally, there is a small bowl of fragrant rice.

Yuan Xi smiled at Zhen Mi and said, "This really stumps me."

He looked at Zhen Mi's mischievous expression, and something clicked in his mind. He pointed at the perch and said, "You made this."

Zhen Mi was surprised when she heard this: "How did my husband guess so accurately?"

Yuan Xi looked at Zhen Mi's still somewhat pale face and thought that everyone knew that Zhen Mi's illness had not yet fully recovered, and it was estimated that Cai Zhaoji and the others would not let Zhen Mi overwork herself.

After all the calculations, the rice and vegetables need to be washed, and the meat soup needs to be chopped, which means it is most convenient to wash the fish in advance, steam it in a pot, and let Zhen Mi pour the sauce on it.

He suddenly remembered that the winter in Xuzhou was not too cold, and Zhen Mi was still sick. He would have to be more careful when he arrived in Youzhou.

Thinking of this, he said to Zhen Mi: "You are still a little weak. You should rest well these days and don't overwork yourself. Let others do these things."

Zhen Mi also knew that she had caused trouble when she was sick, so she said softly, "I know, I am indeed still feeling a little uncomfortable, I will go back to rest soon."

She lowered her voice and said, "I can't serve my husband these days. You should go find Zhao Ji Cao Xian."

Yuan Xi thought that Cao Xian had finally spent the New Year with his family, so there was no need to disturb them. Cai Zhaoji had no family and was probably not in a good mood either, so he might as well go find her himself.

Mrs. Wu, who was eavesdropping on the side, looked slightly changed when she heard what Zhen Mi said.

She also thought that Yuan Xi might go to see Cai Zhaoji tonight, and the token was in Cai Zhaoji's room!

what to do?

Wait until tonight is over and then make new plans?

Mrs. Wu's brain was working rapidly. If she missed tonight, Cai Zhaoji would finish copying all the classics in the next few days, Zhen Mi's illness would be almost cured, and Yuan Xi would be ready to take his family north to Youzhou at any time.

By then I will also be sent to Youzhou, and that will be really troublesome!

New Year's Eve is the time when everyone in the mansion is the most relaxed. If you miss it, you will never find such a good opportunity again!

The token must be stolen!

After three rounds of drinking, Zhen Mi drank some wine and felt a little sleepy. Seeing this, Yuan Xi wanted to send Zhen Mi back. Zhen Mi said, "I can go back by myself. My husband hasn't finished his meal yet."

When Madam Wu saw this, she quickly stood up and said, "I will take you back."

Yuan Xi did not doubt him and nodded immediately, saying, "Thank you, Madam."

Madam Wu helped Zhen Mi back to her room and helped her to sleep. Zhen Mi could hardly open her eyes and squinted her eyes and said, "Thank you for your help, Madam."

"I don't know why. I was feeling better, but today I feel a little tired."

Madam Wu said, "Don't worry, Madam. You will be fine in a few days."

Zhen Mi nodded and fell into a deep sleep.

Mrs. Wu stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door, feeling a little guilty.

She was the one who helped buy the rice wine for tonight's banquet. She was the only one who knew that this local wine was not strong at first but had a strong aftereffect, making it easy for people to fall asleep after drinking it.

So Zhen Mi only drank a few cups, and she, who was already a little weak, became very sleepy.

She quietly returned to her room and took out a small bottle of rice wine, which she had carefully selected. It tasted as bland as water, but it still had a strong aftertaste.

It is New Year's Day now and everyone in the mansion is drinking. During the night hours, it is time for them to act. The only variable is Yuan Xi, who does not drink.

No matter what, I have to trick him into drinking!

After Mrs. Wu returned, she told Yuan Xi that Zhen Mi had already gone to bed. At this time, Cao Hua was young and drowsy, so Mrs. Huan took him back to the house.

Seeing that her daughter A Xiang was also very sleepy, Mrs. Wu took her back to the house and coaxed her to sleep.

When she went back, there were only a few people left at the banquet. Cao Xian and Cao Hua had also gone back, leaving only Yuan Xi and Cai Zhaoji.

When Yuan Xi saw Madam Wu coming back, he apologized, "I'm sorry to bother you. I barely ate a bite of food."

Madam Wu said hurriedly, "It's okay, I've almost finished eating."

She was secretly happy in her heart that almost everyone was there, and now she just had to find a way to prevent Yuan Xi and Cai Zhaoji from returning to the house for the time being!

Cai Zhaoji was thinking about the remaining books. Her face flushed. She stood up and said to Yuan Xi, "I've drunk too much. I'll go to the study to sort out the books first. I'll be back in about half an hour."

When Mrs. Wu saw that Cai Zhaoji's steps were a little unsteady when she went out, she thought to herself, this is bad, the alcohol has taken effect, let alone half an hour, she might have to sleep for several hours.

The only obstacle now is Yuan Xi!

She had already covered it up with her sleeves, poured the wine she had brought into the wine pot, turned to Yuan Xi and said, "I will take my leave in a moment, but I have not yet formally thanked you for saving my life."

After saying this, she picked up the wine pot and said, "I know you don't drink, so I will only pour you a glass of wine, but you don't have to drink it."

After saying that, she picked up the wine jug, filled the glass in front of Yuan Xi, and then filled her own glass.

She picked up the wine glass and said, "I'll drink first as a token of my respect," then she tilted her head back and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

When Yuan Xi saw this, he said, "Then I'll use tea instead of wine."

He picked up the teapot at hand, but found that there was no tea in it.

Mrs. Wu secretly thought that she had already planned it all out. She only urged Yuan Xi to drink because she saw that the teapot next to him was empty!

Yuan Xi hesitated for a moment and found that the wine in front of him tasted very light. He took it to his lips and smelled it, wondering: "This wine seems to have no taste?"

Mrs. Wu heard this and whispered, "Did you buy wine mixed with water? I'll go get another glass."

Yuan Xi waved his hand and said, "No need, it's just right."

He took a sip and felt that it really had no taste, so he drank it, pointed the empty cup at Mrs. Wu, and said, "If I don't drink it, it would be a bit rude."

Madam Wu quickly bowed and said, "I am overwhelmed. Thank you for your kindness, young master."

She saw that there were not many people at the table and Yuan Xi had also drunk the wine. If the other party really had a low alcohol tolerance as rumored, then tonight's night would be ruined!

Thinking of this, she stood up and said, "It's getting late, please allow me to leave first."

Seeing that everyone at the banquet had left, Yuan Xi also stood up and said, "It's time to go to bed, Madam, be careful."

The two of them left the hall one after the other. Mrs. Wu saw that Yuan Xi was going to Cai Zhaoji's bedroom, so she said quickly, "I saw Madam Zhaoji go to the study. She seemed to be feeling unwell."

After hearing this, Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Thank you, ma'am, for the reminder." Then he went towards the study.

Mrs. Wu concealed her inner ecstasy. Most of the things were done!

She returned to her room and stared in the direction of the study. A full quarter of an hour passed, but no one came out.

Mrs. Wu waited for a while and felt a little drunk. She quickly drank some water and washed her face, and then she sobered up a little.

She thought to herself that this wine was really strong. She could drink quite a bit, but she still reacted so strongly. If Yuan Xi really couldn't drink much, he would probably have fallen asleep in the study by now.

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, she decisively left the house and tiptoed towards Cai Zhaoji's bedroom.

At this time, in the study, Cai Zhaoji was drunk and her head was shaking. The pen in her hand fell down. Yuan Xi saw it and said, "You have drunk too much. Go back to your room and rest first."

Cai Zhaoji nodded and tried to stand up, but she found that she was too weak. She simply lay on the couch, pulled the quilt over her and said, "I will take a short nap. Sir, go back to sleep first. I will come back when I wake up."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "It's not that troublesome. Let me carry you back."

He stretched out his hand to pick up Cai Zhaoji, but found that when he exerted too much force, he began to feel dizzy and could not even lift Cai Zhaoji.

At this time, Cai Zhaoji had already fallen asleep. Yuan Xi was afraid that if he carried her back on the way, they would be blown by the cold wind, which would be bad, so he had to give up.

He stood up shakily, feeling the alcohol rising up in his body, and wondered how that glass of wine could have such a strong aftereffect?

Or is it because I can't drink much?

He picked up the teapot on the table and drank three large bowls of tea in a row, but still felt dizzy, so he got up and went out. The severe winter cold outside stimulated his mind and made it clearer.

Yuan Xi looked up at the starry sky and felt the drunkenness still rising. He cursed himself for being so arrogant. He thought a glass of wine would be fine, but he didn't expect it to be so unbearable.

He staggered around the yard and performed a few sets of Five Animal Exercises, but he didn't expect that once his body moved, his blood flowed faster and he became even more drunk.

Yuan Xi's mind gradually became unclear and he wanted to return to the study, but in a daze, he walked towards Cai Zhaoji's bedroom.

At this time, Mrs. Wu was rummaging through Cai Zhaoji's room in the faint moonlight outside the window. She turned out several secret drawers, but did not find the key token.

She felt the alcohol rising to her body, her body began to heat up, and she started to get anxious. She had finally come this far, how could she give up!

She lifted the mat, felt the cracks between the boards, moved the cabinet away, and time passed by, but she still found nothing!

At this moment, the sound of footsteps outside the house made her breathe suddenly stop.

Then there was a knock on the door, and Yuan Xi's dazed voice rang out: "Zhao Ji, are you asleep?"

Mrs. Wu wanted to vomit blood immediately. Aren't you in the study with Cai Zhaoji? Why are you here?

She turned her head to look at the door bolt and became even more devastated. She had not put the bolt on when she came in, so Yuan Xi could have come in just by pushing the door!

Yuan Xi's voice said again: "I'm coming in."

Mrs. Wu became very anxious when she heard this. She would be finished if she was caught!

She looked around, at a loss as to what to do.

Yuan Xi pushed the door open and walked in. In the moonlight, he found a person lying on the couch, covered with a quilt, with a long gown thrown beside him.

His mind was already confused at this time, and he smiled and said, "So you're back." After saying that, he turned around and closed the door and bolted it.

Mrs. Wu faced the wall and groaned inwardly when she heard the sound of the door closing.

She had just thought quickly and took off her long clothes and got under the quilt, hoping to get away with it, but she didn't expect the other party to just stay and not leave!

When Mrs. Wu heard Yuan Xi's footsteps approaching, her heart began to beat rapidly and she could only pretend to be asleep.

But with a plop, Yuan Xi lay down next to Madam Wu, pulled half of the quilt over him, and said in a daze, "You, you fell asleep?"

Seeing that the people around him did not respond, Yuan Xi felt sleepy and was about to fall asleep.

Mrs. Wu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the other party was very drunk. As long as he fell asleep, she could take the opportunity to escape.

Although the token issue failed, at least the truth was not revealed and it can still be salvaged.

As she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a claw reaching out from behind her.

Mrs. Wu's mind went blank.