Grilled kidneys

Huangfu Yuan set the wine jar on the stone table, patted its side, and smiled. "Brother Li, last time you said you wanted to try Imperial Jade Liquor. It took me a great deal of effort to get this.

"Today, none of us leaves sober!"

The corner of Li Xiao's mouth twitched at those words.

He had only said that to probe Huangfu Yuan's background. He had never expected the man to take it to heart, let alone actually bring the liquor.

Outwardly, however, he looked touched and cupped his hands.

"Thank you, Brother Huangfu! It was only a passing remark, yet I ended up sending you running all over the place."

Huangfu Yuan laughed heartily and waved a hand. "We're all brothers here. No need for such courtesy!

"Today, let's have a proper taste of the Zhou Kingdom's Imperial Jade Liquor and see whether it really is as good as people say."

The two maidservants were about to step forward to attend to them, but Li Xiao waved them back. He brought out the wine cups himself, cleaned the tea utensils, and arranged everything on the stone table.

Behind them stood a lush green bamboo grove. A breeze rustled through the leaves, and sunlight spilled through the gaps, scattering tiny patches of light across the ground. It truly was a fine place for drinking.

Someone teased him. "I thought Brother Li had no interest in women, but it turns out he's been hiding beauties in a golden house. And two such lovely maidservants at that! Enough to make anyone green with envy."

Li Xiao offered no explanation, merely smiling and shaking his head.

He was just about to take out his treasured dragon kidney and slice some off to accompany their drinks when someone suddenly pushed the courtyard gate