Chapter 037 – The Choice
Leaving Tian Bao’s grave, Li Yuan headed straight for Silver Creek. Today was the day Cai Ze had told him to come by for the residency papers, and Li Yuan didn’t want to miss the appointment.
On his way, he spent 15 small copper coins on a two and a half kilo jar of rice wine.
The price of grain had gone up lately, driving up the cost of alcohol as well. Rice itself was already four times as expensive as millet, and brewing half a kilogram of wine required at least two kilograms of rice plus yeast.
All things considered, 15 small coins was actually quite reasonable. A while back, that amount might have seemed steep to Li Yuan. But ever since he’d sold his wild boars, he had more money to spare. It felt good to bring a decent gift.
Having grown familiar with the path, he soon reached White Cloud Alley and knocked at the second house on the lane. He waited patiently until the door opened, revealing the same attractive young maid he had met before.
This time, her attitude seemed warmer. “Ah, it’s you,” she said in a friendly tone. “Please, come in.”
Li Yuan smiled politely. “No need to trouble yourself. I can wait outside. Where’s Cai Ze?"
The maid replied, “Master isn’t home yet. He had some business to attend to. But he left instructions for me to take good care of you.”
Li Yuan held out the jar of rice wine. “Here. This is for him.”
She accepted it and started walking back inside, then noticed he wasn’t following. Swaying her hips, she glanced over her shoulder. “Come on in,” she urged.
Li Yuan hesitated, then gave in with a small laugh. “Well...if you insist. It’d be rude to keep standing out here.”
He followed her into the house and sat down in the front room, where she served him tea. Giggling, she introduced herself. “My name is Huang Ya. If you need anything, just let me know. There’s no mistress of the house right now, so you’ll have to make do with me.”