Chapter 42: Ye Xun's New Creation Astounds Everyone

About half an hour later.

The wine brought by Shangguan Yunqing and the distilling equipment ordered by Cao An were delivered to the estate almost simultaneously.

Arriving at the study, Shangguan Yunqing looked at Ye Xun and said anxiously, "Your Highness, let us depart. Your humble servant's daughter has brought the finest Immortal-Retaining Nectar from the imperial palace. The Emperor's best window for treatment is within the next two days, and any further delay will be extremely dangerous."

Immortal-Retaining Nectar lived up to its name; it was a divine nectar so exquisite that even immortals would linger for it. This showed the confidence behind the brew. It was the most precious wine within the borders of the Great Xia, and even Emperor Ye Lantian was usually reluctant to drink it.

Ye Xun, however, said calmly, "There is no rush. The Sage of Medicine has traveled across various realms for many years; what kind of celestial nectar has he not tasted? This Immortal-Retaining Nectar alone is not enough to move him."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunqing was slightly startled and puzzled, asking, "Your Highness, what do you mean by this?"

Her heart skipped a beat at Ye Xun's surprisingly calm attitude. She had not expected him to be capable of such composure.

Ye Xun replied, "It is difficult to explain in words. Come with me; I will refine this wine a little bit first."

With that, Ye Xun walked out of the study and headed straight for the Eastern Twelfth Courtyard.

Although perplexed, Shangguan Yunqing had no choice but to follow along helplessly. Despite her confusion, she was filled with trust in Ye Xun.

Not long after, Ye Xun arrived at the Ding Courtyard and instructed the hired laborers to begin setting up the distillation apparatus.

The distillation setup he wanted to construct was very simple.

A large iron pot was placed over a direct-fire stove inside the room.
A steaming grate was placed over the large iron pot.
Above the grate sat a large wooden distillation tub, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.
At the very top of the tub, a large iron pot with a rounded, pointed bottom was placed as a condensing device, filled with cold water.
A spout with a flared opening was fitted to the side of the distillation tub and directed down into a jar at the base.

When the fire was lit beneath the stove, the alcohol and aromatic substances within the fermented mash inside the tub would be carried upward by the water vapor, condense at the bottom of the upper iron pot, collect at the center of the pot's base, and flow through the flared spout into the wine jar.

In this manner, the distilled liquor would be completed.

The strength of the Immortal-Retaining Nectar distilled in this fashion would be infinitely greater than before.

Under Ye Xun's direction, everyone worked busily and intently.

Shangguan Yunqing stood quietly to the side, watching. Although she did not understand what Ye Xun was doing, it seemed shrouded in mystery.

Half an hour later, the distillation apparatus was assembled.

An hour later, the newly distilled Immortal-Retaining Nectar began to flow into the wine jar.

When Wei Feng learned that Shangguan Yunqing was accompanying Ye Xun to Mount Bulao, he squeezed some time out of his schedule and hurried over to the Prince of Qin's estate. Previously, he had not known about the past connection between the Shangguan family and the Sage of Medicine.

If they could leverage this relationship, their chances of persuading the Sage of Medicine to descend the mountain would increase dramatically.

Truly worried that Ye Xun and Shangguan Yunqing would go alone and squander this opportunity in vain, Wei Feng decided to go along with them.

Upon learning that Ye Xun was at the Eastern Twelfth Courtyard, Wei Feng rushed over urgently.

Arriving at the Ding Courtyard, he saw Ye Xun directing several laborers in steaming some strange contraption, looking utterly bewildered.

As expected, coming here was the right decision.

The situation was already extremely critical, yet Ye Xun was still neglecting proper business and messing around with such nonsense.

Ye Xun turned his head toward Wei Feng and asked with a puzzled look, "Cousin, why have you come?"

Shangguan Yunqing stood up as well, greeting, "Yunqing pays her respects to Marquis Wei's Heir."

Wei Feng nodded slightly and smiled, "I heard that Yunqing's family has some connection with the Sage of Medicine and can provide an introduction, so I specifically came to see how your preparations are going." With that, he pointed at the steaming apparatus and asked, "Your Highness, what is this?"

Listening to his words, Ye Xun understood immediately. Wei Feng was worried and wanted to tag along.

However, Ye Xun was not angry; after all, Wei Feng meant well, and the abilities he had displayed so far were indeed insufficient to put Wei Feng at ease. Especially now, with the connection provided by Shangguan Yunqing, they could easily gain an audience with the Sage of Medicine.

Ye Xun smiled and said, "Cousin, I heard that the Sage of Medicine is an absolute wine lover. Since we cannot go to see him empty-handed, I thought I would refine this Immortal-Retaining Nectar to use as a greeting gift for him. What if he takes a liking to this wine and decides to come down the mountain with us?"

Wei Feng: "......"

You expect him to come down the mountain with you just for a jar of wine?
Then this Sage of Medicine must be terribly cheap.

Still, Wei Feng did not question him further, only asking with lingering confusion, "Your Highness, what is the purpose of heating the wine in this wooden barrel?"

Ye Xun's bizarre actions completely baffled Wei Feng.
If they brought heated Immortal-Retaining Nectar all the way to Mount Bulao, wouldn't it have cooled down by the time they got halfway?
Besides, who drinks heated wine in the dead of summer?
Wasn't this sheer madness?

Ye Xun explained, "Cousin, you misunderstand. This isn't heating; it is distillation. The wine after distillation is purer and stronger."

Distillation?
Purer and stronger?

Wei Feng looked at Ye Xun, his eyes filled with perplexity, unable to comprehend a single word.

Seeing his expression, Ye Xun stepped forward, scooped half a jar of wine, poured a small cup, and handed it to Wei Feng. "Cousin, just taste it and you will understand."

With a furrowed brow, Wei Feng took the cup doubtfully and downed it in one gulp.

The moment the cup of wine hit his stomach—

Wei Feng was first startled, and then amazed.

The wine burned all the way from his throat down to his stomach, possessing an intense, fiery strength.
It was his first time tasting such potent liquor.

Wei Feng savored the lingering taste of the wine.
First was the fragrance: a single cup down the throat, leaving a lingering aroma on the lips and teeth.
Second was the mellowness: smooth upon entering the mouth, sliding effortlessly down the throat.
Third was the richness: a full-bodied flavor, delightfully deep.
......

It was Wei Feng's first time encountering a liquor so mellow yet fierce, truly unforgettable.
For a heavy drinker like him, this wine was nothing short of divine nectar and heavenly provisions.

Seeing his shocked expression, Ye Xun smiled and asked, "Cousin, how is this distilled wine?"

Wei Feng could not help but give a thumbs-up. "Your Highness, you... you are truly miraculous! This wine... this wine..."

Stammering, Wei Feng found himself entirely at a loss for words.

Shangguan Yunqing watched Wei Feng's reaction with curiosity.
As the heir of the Wei family and a leading figure among the younger generation of Great Xia, what grand scenes had he not witnessed?
Yet now, a single cup of wine had left him speechless.

Turning her gaze to Ye Xun, she deliberated and said, "Your Highness, this humble servant's daughter... would also like to taste this wine."

As the daughter of a Minister, it was nothing unusual for Shangguan Yunqing to know how to drink.

"Very well." Ye Xun nodded slightly, took an empty cup, and poured a measure for Shangguan Yunqing. "This wine is strong. Drink it slowly so you don't choke."

Hearing Ye Xun's words, Shangguan Yunqing softly replied, "Thank you for the warning, Your Highness."

With utmost care, she accepted the wine cup and took a light sip.

Just a tiny sip, and Shangguan Yunqing felt an intense, fiery heat. In all her years, she had never tasted alcohol so potent.

Yet, once swallowed, the rich aroma of the wine burst forth, fully releasing every nuance of the original Immortal-Retaining Nectar.

It was the first time she realized that the fragrance of the Immortal-Retaining Nectar could be so deeply concentrated.
It was truly hard to believe.

With just a brief refinement by Ye Xun, the strength and flavor of the wine had been completely transformed.