The four of them sat in a circle. Some of The Ethan Family's maids carried dark earthenware wine jars to serve the wine, others brought exquisite wine pots and cups on trays, while some served simple dishes, fruits, and pastries.

The Tang people had high standards for drinking vessels, and Chris was no exception. When the maids set down the colorfully glazed, gold-inlaid duck-billed wine pot and the gold-flowered, gold-inlaid silver bowls, John Adams couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "Old Ethan truly deserves to be called a hermit of the wine arts—these elegant drinking vessels are simply breathtaking."

Andrew Bolton paid no heed to all that. He immediately had a maid fill his wine pot with the fragrant Jade Spring wine, and helped himself to a bowl.

Ryan Carter was rather surprised. Gold and silver were extremely precious in this era, mostly popular among the nobility. It was not unusual to see such silver-crafted wine bowls in the homes of princes and lords, but to find them in the house of a common winemaker was quite rare—at the very least, it showed that Chris had spent a considerable sum to acquire these drinking vessels.

Holding his silver bowl, Chris smiled and said, "Mark Green, David, this is a treasured set of wine vessels of mine. If it weren't for the honor of your visit, I wouldn't have been willing to bring them out. Please, drink up!"

After drinking, Andrew Bolton exclaimed with delight, "Old Ethan, this Jade Spring wine has an even longer aftertaste now, and it's a bit stronger too—much better than what I've had before. Your winemaking skills must have improved again."

Chris glanced at Ryan Carter and sighed, "My friends, ever since I brewed this Jade Spring wine, I fancied it could rival any fine wine in the world. But after Charles's comments, I realized how arrogant I've been all my life. What are my winemaking skills worth, really? I'm ashamed! Mark Green, come back in a few days—I'll rebrew this wine according to Charles's method, and it will taste even better."

Andrew Bolton was surprised and now looked at Ryan Carter more closely. "A young man who knows winemaking?"

Ryan Carter cupped his hands and replied, "Just a little interest, and a bit of knowledge."

John Adams studied Ryan Carter carefully and said calmly, "Young Master Carter is not yet twenty, and yet, unexpectedly, is also a man of the wine arts."

Chris recalled Ryan Carter's skill in identifying wine by scent and his effortless familiarity with wine culture and brewing rules, and couldn't help but grow excited. "You two mustn't underestimate Charles. His wine tasting and brewing skills far surpass mine—I'm not even close."

These words startled both Andrew Bolton and John Adams, especially Andrew Bolton. Though he was wild and uninhibited, he was also proud and looked down on others at heart, much like Chris. He knew Chris was always aloof and self-assured, so to see him praise a junior so highly and treat him as an equal was quite a rare thing.

Andrew Bolton eyed Ryan Carter, and saw that the young man showed neither joy nor arrogance, sitting there calmly, gently swirling the silver bowl in his hand and gazing at the clear wine within. Andrew Bolton couldn't help but burst out laughing, flicking his fingers and saying, "What a fine young man! Come, let us drink a bowl together!"

As the conversation flowed, three rounds of wine passed. In truth, it was mostly Chris and the other two talking, while Ryan Carter sat quietly listening, a silent observer. He was still not quite used to this kind of Tang-style drinking gathering.

After a jar of wine, Andrew Bolton was feeling its effects, his wild nature fully revealed. He sat cross-legged behind the table, tapping the exquisite gold-flowered, gold-inlaid silver bowl with his fingers, and sang loudly: "Faintly flies the silver, separated by the jade pot; in Luoyang city, the Boyang residence. Peach blossoms and flowing water, spring has gone; where in the world can one find immortal brew?"

"Excellent poem!" John Adams praised, clapping in rhythm.

Andrew Bolton laughed heartily and rose with a sweep of his sleeve. "To blend wine into poetry—only Li Taibai can do that in this world. But to blend wine into the Dao—only Old Ethan can. The so-called scholars and poets of this world merely pretend to drink freely; few truly understand the three flavors of wine."

As he spoke, Andrew Bolton's expression suddenly changed from wild to unusually solemn. He bowed deeply to Chris, "Old Ethan, you are learned and talented, with a universe in your chest, yet you linger every day in this winery. Isn't that a waste of your talents? Mark Green wishes to recommend you to a high official at court—what do you think?"

Chris was taken aback. Andrew Bolton suddenly speaking so seriously caught him off guard. After a moment, he rose and returned the bow. "Mark Green, I thank you for your kindness, but I have no interest in officialdom. I only wish to roam freely among my wines, to be a carefree wealthy man—reading books, tasting wine, but never becoming an official!"

Andrew Bolton sighed and sat back behind the table, dejected. He knew Chris's temperament too well—he refused to be an official because he didn't want to flatter those above him, and despised the corruption of officialdom.

John Adams gave a wry smile and added, "Old Ethan, your great talent is truly wasted if you do not serve the court."

Chapter 011: The Wild Zhang and Yan's Muscles (Part 2)

Chris smiled calmly, glanced back at Ryan Carter, and saw that Ryan Carter's expression was as calm as a still pond, unruffled by the slightest breeze. He said loudly, "I appreciate your kind intentions, but I have no desire to leave the world. Charles, you are still young and come from an official family—don't follow my example and lose yourself in wine. Read more classics and go to Chang'an to take the exams—that is the right path."