Wang Xian nodded, reached for the money pouch on the table, and headed toward the kitchen.
He knew that the guest had ordered the most expensive wine. The meat came free of charge. Two hundred spirit stones—he had guarded this place from spring to autumn and had never once seen anyone order it.
The owner had to fetch this wine personally. It was hidden in the deepest part of the cellar in the back courtyard, among those jars no one was usually even allowed to look at twice.
After both the owner and the waiter had left, the bearded man lowered his voice. "Big Brother, this tavern only has the owner, the cook, and the waiter?"
He looked around. It was still far too early, only just past the hour of the dragon. Other than them, there was not a single customer.
"Better if there's no one!"
The middle-aged man sighed and replied coldly, "Find somewhere to settle down later. Once all our people are here... we'll talk."
The bearded man frowned slightly, his gaze shifting toward the cloth curtain leading to the inner courtyard.
The middle-aged man lightly tapped the table and said in a low voice, "You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry. Don't rush."
Before long, Du Yulin returned from the back, carrying two exquisite celadon wine pots, which she gently set on the table.
Wang Xian followed behind her with seven equally delicate blue-and-white porcelain wine cups, placing one before each person.
Just as Wang Xian was about to pour the wine, the middle-aged man said, "Owner, why not sit down and have a drink with us?"
Du Yulin hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No."
The middle-aged man showed a regretful expression and lifted a cup to take a sip.
The instant