Fortune Across the World

Chapter 63: Unintentional Trouble with the Lady (Part 1)

The attendant recognized the wine jug in Ding Qiyu's hand and immediately knew she wanted to buy "Tian Lu" wine. "You're here for Tian Lu, yes? It's quite popular right now, and as you can see, those folks standing over there are also waiting for their turn. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little while. Here's a ticket number. We'll call you when it's your turn," he explained apologetically. "Sorry, young master, it's so crowded at this time that there's no room for you to sit while you wait."

Thanking the attendant, Ding Qiyu accepted the ticket. She touched the unread letter in her pocket, feeling a bit resigned. Who knew buying wine would require waiting in line? This Tian Lu wine must be exceptionally popular. She wandered to a corner of the tavern, leaning against a wooden pillar, and scanned the room, recognizing several faces, though she couldn't put names to them.

At that moment, a low male voice drifted into her ears. "How many times have I been mad and lost, unable to speak of the wasted years? Half a cup of Tian Lu for half a life's sorrow, only in drunken dreams can I repay my country."

Turning toward the voice, Ding Qiyu saw a young man sitting by the window in the corner, just a few steps away. His soft recitation was clear to Ding Qiyu. He sat alone at the table, dressed in the attire of a scholar, drinking deeply from a bowl, his face flushed with the telltale signs of inebriation, eyes clouded with unresolved sorrow.

"A devoted heart and a scroll of books, why worry when the day to serve the country will come?" Ding Qiyu instinctively responded.

The young man's movements paused as he set down his bowl, turning to Ding Qiyu with a smile. "Haha, young master, you have a more optimistic view than I do."

Feeling slightly embarrassed for interrupting, Ding Qiyu shook her head, "Apologies, I don't know your circumstances and shouldn't speak out of turn. But you seem to be in your prime, hardly 'half a life' gone by, and the future is full of possibilities."

"Well said, well said!" The young man seemed cheered up, noticing Ding Qiyu's injured hand holding a book and a wine jug, and invited her, "Are you waiting for wine? If you don't mind, you can sit here while you wait."

Ding Qiyu accepted his kind offer, awkwardly bowing in thanks, "Thank you!" and sat down at the table.

The young man introduced himself, "I am Yun Ke. May I ask your name, young master?"

Hearing his name gave Ding Qiyu a moment of pause before she replied, "I am Ding Qiyu. 'Qi' as in unique, 'Yu' as in feather." She had thought the young man looked familiar, and now that she heard his name, the familiarity grew. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Does Young Master Yun know a lady named Yun Yi?"

Yun Ke's eyes widened in surprise, then he eagerly asked, "You know my sister?!"

"So Miss Yun is truly your sister!" Ding Qiyu's suspicion was confirmed. "She's my classmate, though I'm just a companion," she said, gesturing to her attire.

"What a coincidence, haha! Companion or scholar, we're all just ordinary people," Yun Ke, slightly tipsy, was delighted to hear about his sister and keen to know how she'd been. "Is my sister doing well at the academy? Has anyone bullied her?" Because the students at Cang Huan Academy were managed separately by year, it was difficult to see those from different years outside common areas. Yun Yi had been at the academy for some time, but Yun Ke had only accompanied her the first day on the Hengbu Path. A mishap involving Yun Yi's maid had caused them to forget their arranged meeting, leaving Yun Ke unable to reconnect with his sister since then.

Hearing his anxious inquiry, Ding Qiyu thought Yun Ke seemed to understand his sister well. Yun Yi's gentle and timid nature made her an easy target. She truthfully answered, "I'm not particularly close with Miss Yun, but I haven't seen anyone bully her, except for once..." Ding Qiyu recounted their initial encounter to Yun Ke.