IDWBE -Chapter 435 Feeling Jealous

If anyone tried to talk to him about traditional handicrafts or the heritage of craftsmanship, he would definitely get annoyed! There’s no way he’d fall for a scam selling intelligence taxes!

If there were a modern, factory-made iron wok costing just a few dozen yuan, he absolutely would not choose one of those so-called hand-forged woks that cost hundreds or even thousands.

The assembly line wok is the pinnacle of human industry and technology!
That’s the kind of wok that truly makes cooking enjoyable!

He had always loved cooking, but after being reborn, seeing such heavy, thick iron woks in the kitchen made his head ache. Flip it once or twice, and his wrists would be done for.

To become a competent chef, one must be sturdy and well-built; otherwise, you can’t even lift the wok.

Not all chefs are fat, but only a fat person is fit to be a chef.

Not just anyone can become a chef.

“Little brother, where did you buy this wine? How much is it worth?”

Guan Sheng smiled and said, “Though I am poor, I had my youth and have seen a bit of the world. I won’t claim to have tasted all the wines from north to south, but I’ve certainly visited many taverns in Ankang City. In recent years, I’ve fallen on hard times and rarely dined out, but I’ve always known which places had good wine. But this wine of yours, little brother… I’ve never tasted anything like it. It’s rich and lingering—truly fine wine.”

“This is home-brewed, so of course it’s different from commercial wine,” Lin Yi said without hesitation. “Usually, I drink alone, but today, since you’re here, we can share a cup.”

“Little brother,” Guan Sheng hesitated for a moment, “with just this brewing skill alone, you may not become fabulously wealthy, but at least you’ll never worry about food and clothing for life. This wine alone would make taverns scramble to get it.”

“Thanks for your praise, Brother Guan.”

Lin Yi was somewhat surprised.

Guan Sheng clearly had a good eye—he recognized the value of the wine!
Most importantly, he didn’t even ask Lin Yi for the brewing method!

“Little brother, I speak honestly,” Guan Sheng said with emotion, “Even Wen Xiang Pavilion and Xinghua Tavern don’t have wine this good.”

“Not to hide anything from you, Brother Guan, my wine is good, but it’s not easy to make,” Lin Yi said casually. “It’s very troublesome.”

Guan Sheng laughed, “Good things take effort. That’s only natural.”

Lin Yi smiled and explained, “To brew wine, first you need good water. Water is the most important. Historically, famous wines come from places with excellent springs. Water is the lifeblood of wine; only good mountains and good water can produce fine wine.”

Guan Sheng nodded in agreement. “Naturally. It’s not just wine; tea is the same. Only famous mountains and rivers can produce good tea.”

Lin Yi continued, “Ankang City is on a dragon vein, but it lacks good water. Since you’re a native, you naturally know the quality. In spring and summer, the rain makes the water muddy; in autumn and winter, dust fills the air.”

“Exactly,” Guan Sheng sighed. “In autumn and winter, we can rely on well water a little, but the worst is the rainy season. Dirty water floods into the wells, making it impossible even to drink, let alone brew wine. From what you’ve said, little brother… this wine isn’t made from Ankang’s water?”

“No, it’s neither river water nor well water,” Lin Yi smiled. “I use dew collected from pear, apricot, and lotus flowers in summer.”

“Dew?”

Guan Sheng looked incredulous. But sniffing the wine in his cup again, he thought, maybe it’s possible.

Lin Yi sighed, “Yes, I collected less than a bucket of dew all summer, brewed less than a pound of wine, drank a couple sips myself, and brought the rest here.”

“Ah!” Guan Sheng exclaimed. “Such a precious thing… letting someone like me drink it is truly a waste.”

“It’s nothing, I’ll brew more next year,” Lin Yi said.

He always spoke honestly. When he brewed wine, Mingyue and Zixia were very particular, insisting on using dew that fell from the sky without touching the ground. They said it absorbed the essence of heaven and earth.

He used to scoff at such unscientific practices, but let them do as they pleased.

The result was utterly astonishing.

Wine brewed from dew on pear, apricot, and lotus petals was even better than that brewed with well water. Completely unbelievable!

Could dew really have some kind of spirit?
Why wouldn’t he believe it?

But taste doesn’t lie.

The wine brewed from dew was indeed delicious.

Most importantly, drinking it didn’t make him tipsy.

Wine made from well water—whether white, yellow, or red wine—would get you drunk after just a little!

Why was that?
Could using dew reduce alcohol and aldehydes?
Nonsense!

So his confusing brewing technique couldn’t possibly be taught to anyone else.

“You’re truly generous, little brother,” Guan Sheng said, laughing. “You’ll achieve greatness in the future.”

Seeing that Guan Sheng hesitated to drink, Lin Yi loudly said, “Life is short—eating and drinking are important. We must finish this jar today. If we don’t, I won’t leave.”

Entertainment in this world was pitifully monotonous. If he denied himself food and drink, he really wouldn’t want to live.

He moved forward out of sympathy—for the poor common people. He wanted to make even a small difference.

“All right, since little brother insists, I’ll drink in your honor,” Guan Sheng said, downing the wine in one gulp. After refilling his cup, he stood seriously and toasted, “This cup is for saving my life. Without your guidance, I would not have survived today.”

“You’re welcome,” Lin Yi smiled. “Later, you’ll realize that since you’re allergic to cats and dogs, you’re probably allergic to many animals. So your idea of living in the mountains is risky. You’ll need to hunt for a living, and seeing rabbits, wolves, or wild boars… it probably won’t go well.”

Guan Sheng was surprised. “You mean I can’t even hunt?”

Lin Yi smiled, “Judging by you, you’ve never hunted before?”

Guan Sheng shook his head. “As the saying goes, rely on the mountain to eat from the mountain, rely on water to eat from water. Our Guan family has sailed for generations; we don’t know hunting. I thought at least learning some martial arts might let me survive by hunting.”

“Then don’t risk it,” Lin Yi said, raising his cup. “An allergy could be deadly.”

“Yes, father, you shouldn’t go into the mountains,” Guan Xiaoqi said, leaning through the window. “If anything happens to you, what will happen to your daughter?”

“Haha.”

Guan Sheng laughed. “All right, I won’t go. As the saying goes, a good man doesn’t quarrel over inherited meals, a good woman doesn’t worry about dowries. I should let you experience life on your own. But you’re my only child—I can’t let you suffer alone.”

“Father, you’re talking nonsense again,” Guan Xiaoqi scolded loudly.

“Haha,” Guan Sheng laughed even louder, “I say all this for you. Once you have your place in life, I can die peacefully.”

“If you say more nonsense, I won’t listen to you.” Guan Xiaoqi was getting angrier.

Lin Yi found her adorable when angry and couldn’t help staring.

“Little brother?”

Guan Sheng turned back to Lin Yi, who seemed lost in thought. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Little brother, though you dress plainly, your delicate skin shows you’re from a wealthy family. Where do you work?”

“I don’t work for anyone,” Lin Yi said calmly. “I go wherever, do whatever earns money. Today I earn more, I eat more; tomorrow less, I eat less. Basically, if I eat well, my whole family won’t starve.”

“Little brother, you’re modest. I’ve traveled the world and can read people. I don’t think you’re ordinary.” Guan Sheng poured more wine.

“My fate is in my hands, not heaven’s. I believe I’ll become someone remarkable one day,” Lin Yi said casually. “And don’t talk about not quarreling over family meals. In this world, you have to fight; otherwise, people think you’re weak. If you don’t want it, fine. But if you fight, at least you have a chance.”

His old Lin family brothers—ten or so of them—none were easy to get along with. From the Crown Prince to Prince Yong, Prince Jin, Prince Xin, to the old twelfth, not one was pleasant.
He was lucky he didn’t back down—he fought!
And he didn’t lose!

The situation now wasn’t perfect, but at least few had died.

The emperor, though furious, was alive and still had a commanding voice.

The Crown Prince had been rescued, and everyone in the Crown Prince’s residence was safe.

In the palace, the concubines were no longer fighting for favor; things were more harmonious.

Most importantly, he was alive.

His mother and sister were safe.

Even the Yuan family was spared.

Thinking about it, he felt a little proud.

If it weren’t for him, Ankang City would have been a river of blood.

Third Prince Yong was talented and popular but ruthless, instilling fear. Many loved and feared him.

As for him? Simple. Only one word: hatred.

Sometimes, Lin Yi really didn’t understand—he saved them, and yet they hated him? Ungrateful wretches!

“Little brother speaks reason,” Guan Sheng laughed. “When I was young, I didn’t argue with my eldest brother. He took two houses, and I went wandering the world. Now he’s successful, I’m impoverished, and he looks down on me even more. Recently, I asked to borrow a small amount of rice—he didn’t even let me in. Not like a blood brother, more like a ruthless enemy. I didn’t bother arguing to avoid embarrassment.”

Lin Yi said calmly, “Reasonable people don’t need to be reasoned with; unreasonable people won’t listen, no matter how much sense you make. Yet many don’t understand this and insist on reasoning.”

Guan Sheng shouted, “Little brother sees through things! You’re clearly someone who values reason.”

Lin Yi casually said, “Generally, those who dare be unreasonable toward me don’t end well.”

Guan Sheng was stunned.

He stared at Lin Yi, thinking the young man in front of him, as his daughter described, was just a poor street punk.

Yet now, sitting so calm and confident, he seemed almost unreal.

Was this still the humble little brother from before?

Now, his expression was the height of arrogance—a ‘who else but me’ look.

“Little brother?”

“Nothing,” Lin Yi realized his overstep, glanced at the darkening sky, and smiled. “It’s late. I won’t stay long. Farewell.”

“Safe travels, little brother.”

Guan Sheng personally escorted Lin Yi out.

Lin Yi carried the lantern, mounted his donkey, and soon left the village, swaying along the road.

“Your Highness,” Jiao Zhong whispered, holding the reins, “Guan Sheng followed behind.”

Yawning, Lin Yi said, “Do you think he can hear me?”

Jiao Zhong hurriedly explained, “Guan Sheng only knows a little martial arts and hasn’t mastered internal energy. He’s ordinary. Tan Fei, a ninth-grade warrior, could stand behind him without being noticed. He fell in the river thinking he’d drunk too much, then went home to change.”

Lin Yi curiously asked, “So he’s investigating me? Not asking face to face, but doing this behind my back—definitely a man of the Jianghu.”

Jiao Zhong smiled, “Those living off the canal aren’t very clever, but they’re a bit sharp. Just now, Xiao Xizi reported that the Consort got angry while dining, breaking several sets of dishes.”

“Because I didn’t enter the palace? Taking it out on me?” Lin Yi said helplessly. “She must care more about her brother… makes me wonder if she’s really my biological mother.”

“You’re joking, Your Highness,” Jiao Zhong said, terrified.

No one around—they could only breathe a sigh of relief.

Who is ‘Your Highness’?
The son of Emperor Delong!

And here he is, the regent of Daliang Kingdom, legitimate in every sense!

If careless words are overheard? Even if nonsense, it came straight from him!

Lin Yi chuckled, “Don’t worry. I won’t enter the palace these days. Let the old lady simmer. Though she’s my mother, she must understand my attitude. Otherwise, endless demands will only make things harder in the future.”

Jiao Zhong smiled awkwardly, not daring to reply.

Back at the Prince He’s residence, Lin Yi first took a bath, brushed his teeth, then went to hold the child.

Mingyue whispered, “Your Highness, the princess is asleep.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll just hold her for a while before putting her back,” Lin Yi said, looking into the child’s eyes, rocking her. “Babe, you can sleep all day but won’t even glance at me? Ignoring your dad… cool, huh? You don’t care about people who worry about you?”

Hu Miaoyi chuckled, “Your Highness, she’s still so little. How could she understand?”

“Exactly. She’s just a child—has features but no values,” Lin Yi sighed. “At this age, she has a father with such authority. She’s truly lucky. You must have done great deeds in your past life.”

He felt a little jealous of his own child.
Envious.

“Your Highness,” Hu Miaoyi’s face went pale.

Mingyue was equally confused.

Having served Lin Yi since childhood, she knew his speech patterns. Mentioning ‘values’ in this tone meant something was off in his mind.

She thought the same as Hu Miaoyi: could it be that Your Highness suddenly doesn’t like the princess? But the tone didn’t match…

“Hey, why are you looking at me like that?” Lin Yi shook his head. “There’s a gap. What I mean is this child has a good life. With a father like me, no one can harm her. Values, features… they don’t matter. She can go out and do as she pleases, because I’ve got her back.”

This was the helplessness of coming to this era.

No one shared his language.

He wondered if he should hang a couplet on the city gate: “Things change in wonder, odds stay the same.”

Seeking a matching lower line.