The Extra Price

Unlike the bustling scene from yesterday, the Cui Manor appeared exceptionally tranquil and quiet tonight.

The open pavilion was built over the water. Fine bamboo blinds were half-rolled up on three sides, while the fourth side featured an open, carved moon gate.

The interior was elegantly furnished. A modest round mahogany table sat in the center, already laid with several exquisite seasonal side dishes, a jug of wine, and two jade cups.

Gu Chengyin and Cui Shifan sat facing each other at the table.

Without outsiders present, both Gu Chengyin's smile and Cui Shifan's polite formalities quietly faded a bit.

Stripped of much of the red tape, the atmosphere between them was relaxed and much more direct.

Cui Shifan had changed into a loose, dark-colored casual Taoist robe, giving him the somewhat romantic air of an esteemed scholar.

He picked up the wine jug warming in hot water and personally poured the wine.

As the clear liquid poured into the jade cups, a mellow and fragrant aroma instantly filled the air. It was the jar of Luoshui Spring wine that had been aged for thirty years.

With the food and wine ready, Cui Shifan raised his hand. The butler immediately understood, bowing as he led several servants carrying food boxes away, closing the lattice doors behind them.

Inside the spacious pavilion, only the two of them remained, accompanied by the murmuring sound of flowing water outside and the rustling of wind blowing through the bamboo leaves.

Gu Chengyin's gaze swept over the table full of delicacies. He was in no hurry to pick up his chopsticks; instead, he first raised the wine cup in front of him.

Holding the cup with both hands, he turned to Cui Shifan, his tone much more sincere:

"Elder Cui, no matter what, I will engrave your kindness of taking me in upon my heart."

"This first cup, this junior toasts to you."

With that, he raised his cup in a gesture of respect, then drained it in one gulp without hesitation.

The wine slid down his throat, mellow and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste. It truly was excellent wine.

After drinking, Gu Chengyin showed the bottom of his cup to Cui Shifan to show his sincerity.

A faint smile rested on Cui Shifan's face. He did not follow suit and drain his cup; he merely picked it up and brought it to his lips.

He cherished it deeply, gently wetting his lips with it.

A mellow aroma instantly bloomed in his mouth, carrying the softness and strength of accumulated years. It certainly lived up to the many years he had treasured it.

Cui Shifan narrowed his eyes, carefully savoring this rarely opened fine vintage, feeling immensely satisfied.

As for Gu Chengyin, this kid definitely had more to say. There was no rush; there was plenty of time anyway.

Wine should be sipped slowly, and conversations should unfold unhurriedly.

Sure enough, after setting down his empty cup, Gu Chengyin did not reach for the food. Instead, he picked up the wine jug and poured himself another full cup.

A look of shame appeared on his face as he continued:

"I am ashamed to say this, Elder Cui, but this junior must still offer you a sincere apology."

"Having Zilu dress as a man to leave the manor with me was originally intended for convenience and to draw less attention."

"Thinking back on it now, it was indeed ill-considered. It provided an opportunity for certain people to think they could fish in troubled waters."

Gu Chengyin once again raised the freshly poured cup, his face full of earnestness:

"To show my apology, this junior is willing to penalize himself with three cups! I hope Elder Cui can be magnanimous!"

Without waiting for Cui Shifan's response, he tilted his head back and downed another cup of Luoshui Spring.

Immediately after, he poured another full cup and drained it again.

Cui Shifan simply watched quietly as Gu Chengyin penalized himself cup after cup.

His fingers gently stroked the warm jade cup, his face betraying little emotion.

He, of course, understood the underlying meaning of Gu Chengyin's words.

On the surface, he was admitting fault, saying he shouldn't have let Cui Zilu cross-dress as a man.

But the deeper meaning was: precisely because Cui Zilu was dressed as a man and her identity was concealed.

It gave others the excuse and the audacity to accidentally injure her.

If Cui Zilu had gone out with Gu Chengyin openly and honorably under her true identity as the Eldest Miss of the Cui Manor.

Then people would inevitably have scruples before making a move.

How was this an apology?

This was clearly a hint asking him to lift Cui Zilu's grounding.

"This brat is actually still fixated on Zilu."

Cui Shifan coldly snorted in his heart, somewhat annoyed that Gu Chengyin still harbored these designs.

But how could he be so easily persuaded?

Unhurriedly, Cui Shifan took another small sip of the fine vintage in his cup, letting the mellow flavor linger on his tongue.

Only then did he speak leisurely:

"Worthy Nephew, I appreciate your sentiments."

"However, you might not be very familiar with the rules of our great clans."

Cui Shifan set down his wine cup, picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of crisp bamboo shoot tip, put it in his mouth, chewed carefully, and swallowed.

He then continued with a sigh, "For families like ours, the rules are quite numerous and detailed."

"Take marriages, for example. For both the man and the woman, from the initial proposal to the betrothal, and finally the wedding, every step has its specific traditions."

"When the bride enters the household, there must be an entry gift, symbolizing that she has become part of the family and is starting a new life."

"Similarly, when the bride leaves her home, there must be a corresponding departure gift, for good luck and to show respect."

Cui Shifan raised his eyes, his words carrying a pointed implication: "Ah, these are all things passed down from our ancestors generation after generation."

"Although we descendants might find them cumbersome, we dare not easily violate them; we can only obey."

Gu Chengyin, having just set down the cup from his third penalty drink, immediately understood upon hearing Cui Shifan's words.

This old fox.

Entry gifts and departure gifts?

It sounded high-sounding, but in reality, he was putting a clear price tag on things.

Just now at the manor gates, what he had paid was the price of entry, and Cui Shifan had accepted it.

And now, if he wanted Cui Zilu's grounding lifted so he could continue acting under the protective tiger skin of the Cui clan.

That would be another price altogether.

There was not the slightest hint of conflict or displeasure on Gu Chengyin's face.

When dealing with this kind of person, empty words would not work; the exchange of interests was the eternal theme.

He hadn't expected to settle this with just a few apologies and a few penalty drinks anyway.

"Elder Cui is absolutely right!"

Gu Chengyin put on an expression of having learned a great deal. He took the initiative to pick up the wine jug, first refilling Cui Shifan's half-empty cup, and then pouring one for himself.

He held the cup with both hands and solemnly bowed to Cui Shifan:

"Elder Cui, your family has been officials for generations, passing down poetry and propriety. You are a model of etiquette for our Great Luo!"

"Strictly following ancestral teachings and abiding by the rules is exactly the demeanor of a noble clan!"

"This junior admires you immensely! This cup, I toast to your excellent management of the household and strict family traditions!"

With that, he tilted his head back again, emptying the liquid in the cup. He drank decisively and spoke beautifully.

Cui Shifan smiled and raised his cup in acknowledgment, taking a small sip as well, accepting the flattery.

In his heart, however, he muttered: This kid is drinking so fast, could it be he's eyeing my thirty-year-old jar of Luoshui Spring?

Gu Chengyin set down the cup. This time, he didn't pour another immediately. Instead, he picked up his chopsticks and ate a bite of food to suppress the alcohol.

"Speaking of rules."

Gu Chengyin chewed his food, acting as if he had suddenly remembered something:

"This junior actually has a point of confusion and would like to seek your guidance."

"Oh? Worthy Nephew, please speak freely."

Cui Shifan casually ate his food, waiting for the rest.

"Today, this junior had the honor of entering the palace to meet His Majesty."

Gu Chengyin put down his chopsticks, his face showing a mix of reminiscence and reverence:

"I saw with my own eyes that on the desk in the warm pavilion, the memorials were piled up like a mountain, almost to the point of running out of space."

"His Majesty is truly diligent in government and loves his people. He rises early and sleeps late, attending to a myriad of affairs every day!"

"To have such a wise and holy sovereign is truly the blessing of the hundreds of millions of subjects of our Great Luo!"

Gu Chengyin grew increasingly impassioned as he spoke. He picked up the wine jug to pour himself another cup, then held it respectfully with both hands, turning toward the general direction of the imperial palace.

With profound devotion and reverence, he declared, "Whenever I reflect upon His Majesty's tireless efforts, this junior is filled with boundless admiration!"

"I raise this cup in honor of His Majesty!"

"May His Majesty enjoy robust health and endless blessings!"

With those words, Gu Chengyin once again drained his cup in a single gulp.