May13, 2026
Chapter 90 — Sky-high Priced Wine • Scheming Against Zeng Shaoqing
Zeng Shaoqing’s “frankness” made one itch to kick him—hard. Judging by that calculating smile on his face, one didn’t need to think too deeply to know the man was scheming again. Ling Jingxuan fixed him with a pair of cool, aloof eyes. Seeing him continue to sit there, smirking to himself like some black-hearted fox, the whites of his eyes nearly rolled skyward.
Could this man show even the slightest bit of respect for others?
“If Sixth Master summoned me here only to speak of such trivial matters, then forgive me—I’ll be taking my leave.”
He had no interest in staying just to be picked apart, inside and out.
“Heh… you truly don’t intend to tell me the truth?”
Lifting his gaze to the Ling Jingxuan who was about to rise, Zeng Shaoqing shifted sideways, one hand resting casually on the table as he crossed his legs. There was not the slightest attempt to conceal the roguishness in his bearing. By all rights, it should have been thoroughly off-putting—but when he did it, it somehow felt entirely natural, as though he had been born this way.
Ling Jingxuan paused, then sat back down. Calmly smoothing his sleeve, his presence didn’t falter in the slightest.
“I don’t understand what Sixth Master is referring to. As for cooperation—if you’re willing, we continue. If not, I lose nothing.”
“Food is the people’s heaven. The jamsI make and the fish I raise—if I don’t sell them to Xinyuan, I can sell them elsewhere. At worst, it’s just a matter of how fast they move. For me personally, there’s no real difference.”
“But the profits my goods have brought your restaurant—surely Sixth Master is aware. Without my supply, your losses would exceed mine.”
“Not to mention—today, I’ve brought something that even you might not be able to obtain easily.”
No one liked being pressed for answers—least of all Ling Jingxuan.
From a business standpoint, Xinyuan and Zeng Shaoqing were currently his best partners. But if he kept prying like this, Ling Jingxuan wouldn’t hesitate to walk away.
“Oh? The ‘good thing’ you’re referring to… wouldn’t happen to be that?”
It was the first time anyone had dared speak to him this way. Zeng Shaoqing raised a brow, his gaze drifting to the large jar on the table. At a glance, it resembled a decorative vase—but a closer look revealed a wooden stopper sealing it tight.
Clearly, there was something inside.
With that single hint, his curiosity was instantly piqued.
“Mm. Does Sixth Master dare to try it?”
Ling Jingxuan nodded faintly, watching him with quiet composure.
As far as he knew, pampered young nobles like him usually wouldn’t eat or drink things from outside lightly—especially after he had just revealed his skill with poison. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn’t dare touch anything offered by him.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Zeng Shaoqing, however, proved him wrong.
Yes, he was born into nobility—but he also came from a military family. Spoiled since childhood, he had only tempered himself slightly in recent years. In his younger days, he had been nothing short of a tyrant in the capital—there was no sort of person he hadn’t encountered.
If he truly feared poison, he wouldn’t be sitting here at all.
“Miss, trouble yourself to bring a few cups. Brother Zhang, you should join us for a taste as well.”
As though unsurprised by his answer, Ling Jingxuan rose and pulled out a simple opener from his robes—a tool he had specially commissioned, somewhat similar to a modern corkscrew, though more rudimentary.
Pop.
The moment the wooden stopper was removed, a faint fruity fragrance spread through the air, laced with a trace of alcohol.
Zeng Shaoqing’s brows lifted slightly, his gaze sharpening.
That scent… could it be—
The pale ruby liquid poured into the cup and slid across the table toward him gave him his answer.
Zeng Shaoqing picked up the cup, inhaled lightly, then took a tentative sip. A wicked smile bloomed across his face.
It truly was grape wine—the “national wine” of the Eastern Regions. Even he had only tasted it a handful of times. And yet, this casual trip to the countryside had allowed him to enjoy it once more.
More than that—the wine before him was richer, smoother, more fragrant than any he had tasted before.
Without a doubt, it was of the highest quality.
“Brother Zhang, have a taste as well.”
Ignoring the subtle shifts in Zeng Shaoqing’s expression, Ling Jingxuan poured another cup and handed it to Shopkeeper Zhang.
This batch of wine had been brewed entirely with Crescent Spring water. Its taste was something no wine of this era could rival. Given a few years of proper cool storage, even the finest wines of later generations would struggle to compare.
He had no doubt—
Zeng Shaoqing was already hooked.
“Go—go ahead…”
Shopkeeper Zhang first glanced at Zeng Shaoqing. Only when he saw no reaction did he reach out with trembling hands to accept the cup. Staring at the pale red liquid within, his facial muscles twitched with excitement. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that in this lifetime, he would be able to taste the legendary grape wine reserved only for nobles and great families.
Ling Jingxuan didn’t pour himself a cup.
For one, he had already tasted it the night before. For another, he wasn’t particularly fond of drinking—especially not in broad daylight. And lastly… he still had a patient waiting at home. Once this was settled, he needed to hurry back. Otherwise, someone might very well use his illness as an excuse to pester him shamelessly again.
“This grape wine—you brewed it yourself? Do you still have stock at home?”
Only after a long moment did Zeng Shaoqing suppress the shock in his heart. Looking up at Ling Jingxuan, a thought lingered—
Just how many abilities did this man still have that he hadn’t seen?
A mere farmer—yet he looked every bit the refined young master. A single chilled dish had doubled the restaurant’s revenue. The small jars of fruit jams had become coveted items among noble ladies and madams. He could raise freshwater fish in Cangzhou. Upon meeting, he displayed near-masterful skill with poison. And now—he could even brew the Eastern Regions’ national wine.
If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed such a person existed.
“Whether I have stock… depends on whether Sixth Master has the desire to buy.”
In other words—if you want it, we can talk. If not, I won’t waste my time.
“…Hm? Hahaha!”
There were few in this world who dared speak to Zeng Shaoqing like this. For a brief moment, he was taken aback—then burst into wild, unrestrained laughter.
Interesting. This man was truly interesting.
“Sixth Master, you see…?”
Ling Jingxuan remained unmoved, waiting calmly. It was Shopkeeper Zhang, who had also tasted the wine, who grew visibly anxious. Sixth Master couldn’t afford to hesitate now—if they secured exclusive rights to this wine, the restaurant’s profits wouldn’t just double. They might even secure supply rights to the imperial court.
Not that they lacked status as imperial merchants—but more was always better than less.
The laughter stopped abruptly.
After casting him a warning glance, Zeng Shaoqing turned back to Ling Jingxuan.
“How much stock do you have? And how do you intend to sell it?”
“Four hundred jars. Ten jin per jar. One hundred taels of silver each.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ling Jingxuan named his price—bold and unapologetic.
Business was meant to be negotiated. A hundred taels per jar might be steep, but… such a golden patron didn’t come along every day.
If he didn’t take advantage of it now, wouldn’t he be doing himself a disservice?
“Done. I’ll take all four hundred jars. And if you have more in the future, deliver them to Xinyuan Restaurant.”
A man of immense wealth and power truly was different.
He didn’t even pause to consider before swallowing the entire stock whole. One hundred taels per jar—four hundred jars meant forty thousand taels of silver. And yet Zeng Shaoqing didn’t even blink.
Even Ling Jingxuan, who had set the price, was momentarily stunned. Then he chuckled lightly.
“Sixth Master is indeed generous. The wine is at my home—you may send people to collect it anytime. As for the preserves and the fish…”
He deliberately left the sentence unfinished, giving the other man room to respond.
Zeng Shaoqing, sharp as ever, immediately understood.
“As long as you can guarantee quality, whether it’s wine or anything else, deliver it directly to the restaurant. I trust Old Zhang will offer you a fair price.”
“In that case, we have an agreement.”
Ling Jingxuan rose without hesitation, unwilling to waste another moment—but before he could leave, Zeng Shaoqing spoke again.
“You truly won’t consider coming with me to the capital?”
“Compared to a rural place like Datong Town, someone of your ability would have far greater opportunities in the capital. I’ve heard you have two children who’ve only just begun their studies. If you’re willing to assist me, I can ensure their future careers are smooth.”
He was a businessman—and Ling Jingxuan was talent.
If he could bring him under his wing, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
“I don’t like being controlled. Nor do I like standing beneath others.”
Turning slightly, Ling Jingxuan answered calmly.
“I appreciate Sixth Master’s kindness—but I’ll decline.”
Zeng Shaoqing couldn’t help but be surprised. Though this wasn’t the first time Ling Jingxuan had said something startling…
“You won’t even consider it for your children?”
“If they have ability, then even in a place like this, they can still leap the dragon gate.”
“And if they don’t—even if they were sons of the Emperor, they would still be nothing more than useless ornaments.”
“Besides, I don’t insist that they pursue official rank. Learning to read and write is to understand right from wrong—to discern black from white.”
“I don’t seek for them to stand above others. I only hope they won’t be forced to bow to anyone… or be bullied at will.”
Ling Jingxuan’s gaze remained steady as he looked at him.
“Isn’t that the same for you, Sixth Master?”
If he truly cared about official rank and prestige, would he have gone into business at all?
Just because Ling Jingxuan didn’t say it aloud didn’t mean he couldn’t see it clearly. In truth, Zeng Shaoqing was someone worth befriending—if you could truly enter his inner circle and earn his genuine regard. Otherwise… he would devour you so thoroughly there wouldn’t even be bones left.
Unfortunately, Ling Jingxuan was too lazy for that. He had no interest in dealing with him, nor in forming such a connection.
“Heh… it seems I didn’t misjudge you.”
As he spoke, Zeng Shaoqing took out a jade token, its surface a deep, lustrous green, and tossed it over. At the same time, he cast a glance at the green-clad maid, who immediately turned and stepped into the inner room.
Ling Jingxuan caught the token and looked down.
It was square, about the size of a child’s palm, smooth and faintly warm to the touch. Carved upon it was a motif of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, with a small engraved “Zeng” (曾) at its center.
“Many thanks, Sixth Master.”
Clearly something valuable—there was no reason to refuse.
“This is forty thousand taels of silver. I won’t be staying here long. My people will go to your residence shortly to collect the wine.”
The maid returned, presenting several banknotes. Ling Jingxuan took them and glanced through—ten thousand taels each, four in total.
“No problem. In that case, I’ll head back and wait.”
With that, he tucked away both the notes and the jade token, then turned and left without hesitation. He still intended to stop by Chu Ci’s place.
“Sixth Master, I’ll go make the arrangements.”
Watching Ling Jingxuan’s figure disappear beyond the private room, Shopkeeper Zhang finally spoke, still shaken. He knew grape wine was valuable—but he had never imagined that a mere ten jin per jar could sell for a full hundred taels of silver.
And that was just the price Ling Jingxuan sold it for.
Once Sixth Master resold it… who knew how many times higher the price would climb?
Zeng Shaoqing gave a vague nod, resting his head against one hand on the table, lost in thought. Shopkeeper Zhang didn’t dare ask further and quietly withdrew.
At his side, the green-clad maid spoke at the right moment.
“Sixth Master, would you like another cup?”
Ling Jingxuan had left the opened wine behind—it was clearly meant for them to enjoy.
“Heh… no need. Seal it and take it with us.”
Zeng Shaoqing rose and stretched lazily, then suddenly muttered:
“Damn it… I got played by that bastard.”
His gaze fixed sharply on the wooden stopper.
Only now did it occur to him—
Without the proper opener, there was no way for them to remove it intact.
And at that very moment—
Ling Jingxuan had just stepped out of the restaurant. Turning back, he glanced toward the third floor, a calculating, almost wicked smile curling at his lips.
In the end—
he had still won this round.
If you enjoy reading Poisonous Peasant ‘Concubine’, consider buying me a coffee! A little coffee goes a long way!
Translator: LazyHermitGal
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal wondering in the void and falling into the translation abyss.
