The lamb with skin still on had been braised with fine yellow wine until the tendons were tender and the meat fell apart, then transferred to a red clay stove where low heat maintained the bubbling broth at a rolling simmer.

Beside it sat deep brown wine jars filled with baijiu. Each jar held exactly one jin of liquor and appeared rather delightfully compact.

Next to the wine jars was a small dish of laba garlic, emerald green as jade, sour and spicy to whet the appetite.

Take a bite of lamb, drink a mouthful of baijiu; take another bite of lamb, taste a clove of laba garlic.

Snow drifted outside the window. Sitting before the steaming pot and eating so leisurely, the hardships of days of travel quietly dissipated, all transforming into complete contentment.

Wei Han thought to himself that with lamb, baijiu, and laba garlic, he could come eat here every day and never tire of it.

So the tavern really should remain open for a long, long time.

However—wasn’t Miss Luo hungry?

He held his wine cup and glanced toward the counter, then withdrew his gaze to look at the pot before him, suddenly feeling a trace of regret.

It would be wonderful if Miss Luo would eat together with him.

That way, besides the lamb pot, they could add a fish ball pot too.

A commotion came from the entrance.

Wei Han looked over casually.

Standing at the door were two young men. One was sixteen or seventeen years old with a refined temperament like fresh bamboo, while the other was even younger—though his face showed rebellion, he still radiated vigorous youthful energy.

With the arrival of these two young men, the lanterns in the main hall seemed to brighten somewhat.

Wei Han recognized both of these young men. The older one was Lin Shu, the second grandson of Academy Chancellor Lin, while the younger was Xu Xi, the eldest young master of the Marquis of Changchun’s household.

Upon close examination, the two were cousins.

Xu Xi seemed to have been forcibly dragged here by Lin Shu, looking thoroughly unwilling.

Seeing it was these two, Luo Sheng rose and walked over to greet them, asking with a beaming smile, “Have you two come to drink?”

“Mm.” Facing Miss Luo who smiled so gently and warmly, Lin Shu’s scalp tingled.

That strange feeling—like his grandmother fussing over him with concern—had returned!

He looked deeply at Luo Sheng and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

She was clearly a beautiful young maiden in the bloom of youth, so why did he always have such odd thoughts?

Something must be wrong with him.

Falling into self-doubt, the young man stood at the tavern entrance, momentarily lost in thought.

Xu Xi looked at Luo Sheng with vigilant eyes, likewise standing motionless at the door.

To him, Miss Luo was no beautiful maiden, much less had any connection to a kindly grandmother.

Of course, his grandmother wasn’t kindly either.

In his eyes, Miss Luo was a demoness.

Meanwhile, Wei Han’s attention had settled entirely on the smile at the corners of the young woman’s lips.

Miss Luo even personally went to greet them…

“The snow is heavy outside, come in quickly. Today I’ll give you half price, plus two pots of rice wine on the house.” Luo Sheng stepped aside to gesture for the two young men to enter.

The baijiu the tavern offered in winter was too strong and unsuitable for them to drink; warm rice wine would be just right.

Wei Han gripped his wine cup tightly.

Half price?

Plus complimentary rice wine?

Wei Han tilted his head back and drained the cup in one gulp, setting the empty vessel on the table with a soft sound.

This slight noise didn’t attract anyone’s attention.

No, Shi Yan still noticed.

The young guard strode over and smiled at the two young men. “You two, follow me.”

Facing the shop attendant’s bright smile, Lin Shu and Xu Xi breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to follow. After just a few steps, they saw the cold-faced young man sitting by the window.

Lin Shu cupped his hands. “Greetings, Your Highness.”

He lightly tugged at Xu Xi.

Xu Xi followed suit in paying his respects.

Wei Han nodded slightly. Facing these two handsome young men who got half price plus complimentary wine, he had no inclination to speak.

The two young men didn’t notice the prince’s coldness.

In their view, this was actually Prince Kaiyang’s normal demeanor.

“We’d like a lamb pot.” Lin Shu glanced at his cousin, then weighed his money pouch. With an outwardly calm but inwardly pained expression, he added, “And ten steamed buns.”

After the incident at the Grand Commander’s household, he’d come to eat here once alone. The lamb pot paired with steamed buns was especially fragrant.

Thinking of his grandfather and older cousin who couldn’t conveniently come drink here, Lin Shu’s mood became somewhat complicated.

As a mere commoner, he was sometimes freer instead.

Perhaps in the eyes of the world, having no official prospects meant he had simply given up on himself.

But if he didn’t think about Miss Luo with her kindly smile, he actually quite enjoyed the freedom here—except this freedom was rather expensive. Even at half price, he could barely afford it.

“Bring a pot of baijiu.” Xu Xi didn’t think so much. Having been forcibly dragged to the demoness’s territory by his cousin, he already had a bellyful of resentment. Smelling the lamb fragrance in the main hall, he only felt that drinking a mouthful of strong liquor would be satisfying enough.

“Right away!” Shi Yan efficiently wiped down the table and turned to fetch the dishes.

“Serve rice wine,” Luo Sheng reminded coolly.

Anger flickered in Xu Xi’s eyes as he said discontentedly, “Isn’t this a tavern? Why not allow customers to order as they please?”

Luo Sheng replied expressionlessly, “Rice wine is complimentary. Baijiu costs one hundred taels of silver per jar. As long as you’re not short of money, naturally you can order as you please.”

Wei Han stared blankly at the two empty wine jars on his table: The price increase was quite significant—before this meal, it had only been thirty taels per jar.

Lin Shu’s expression changed slightly.

One hundred taels per jar?

If his cousin dared order it, he wouldn’t claim this cousin anymore—he’d just leave him here to work off the wine debt.

Xu Xi first froze, then pointed at the wine jar before Wei Han and blurted out, “Such a tiny jar of baijiu costs one hundred taels? Why don’t you just go rob people?”

Luo Sheng smiled slightly. “The tavern has clearly marked prices. No need to rob anyone. If you don’t believe me, ask His Highness.”

Xu Xi looked toward Wei Han.

Wei Han replied without changing expression, “Yes, that’s the price.”

In any case, whether thirty taels or one hundred taels didn’t make much difference. Whatever Miss Luo said was fine.

Xu Xi held his breath in his chest and said through gritted teeth, “Bring a jar of baijiu!”

One hundred taels was one hundred taels—did they think he couldn’t afford it?

“Cousin, the rice wine is quite good to drink.” Lin Shu felt his detached and carefree self about to depart, leaving only a cousin who wanted to beat up his younger cousin.

Xu Xi said dismissively, “I’ll treat you, cousin. I have money.”

The family had been generous with money lately, and he had plenty on hand.

Lin Shu’s face darkened as he said to Shi Yan, “Just bring two pots of rice wine. No need to mind him.”

Xu Xi shot to his feet. “What’s the point of eating lamb pot without baijiu? I’m not eating!”

“You sit down this instant!” Lin Shu finally lost his temper.

Just then, the steaming hot pot was brought to the table.

The copper pot was clearly a size larger than the one at the neighboring table, piled high with meat chunks. Scallion segments and chili peppers tumbled with the boiling broth, and the rich aroma rushed toward them.

Xu Xi sat back down immediately.

If he sat, he sat—he’d just give his cousin some face.

Seeing Xu Xi had settled down, Lin Shu sighed softly and used his chopsticks to place a piece of lamb in his cousin’s bowl. “Eat first.”

Xu Xi picked up the lamb with a sullen expression and ate one piece.

Then ate another piece.

Then another piece…

Finally he tore open a steamed bun and dipped it in the meat broth before beginning to eat the bun.

Seeing he had eaten his fill, Lin Shu set down his chopsticks and said in a low voice, “Cousin, I hope today is the last time you go to the gambling house. You must never go again in the future.”

Going to the gambling house?

Luo Sheng, who had been keeping an eye on her two grand-nephews all along, narrowed her eyes.