“Benjamin sir, please come in! Oh, and who is this?” Only then did Henry Scott notice the young man standing beside Chris—handsome, composed, with a calm smile at the corner of his lips, not yet twenty years old.

　　“Hehe, this is a friend of Benjamin’s despite our age difference, a rare wine-tasting expert in this world, far superior to myself. This time, I’ve brought my young friend along to introduce him to everyone.” Chris smiled, turning his head to glance at Ryan Carter.

　　Henry Scott was startled. To be friends with this eccentric scholar and wine lover Chris, and to have the man recognized as the top wine brewer and taster in Luoyang admit inferiority—just who was this youth? He looked only sixteen or seventeen; how had he become so skilled in this field?

　　……

　　……

　　Inside Yihong Tower, the lights were bright. The entire building had been reserved by the Luoyang wine society, so no other guests were received tonight. The only guests were these dozen or so prominent figures from Luoyang’s wine industry.

　　Outside the curtain, songstresses played elegant and pleasant guqin music, sandalwood incense wafted gently, and the sound of the zither lingered in the hall. The brewers either knelt on small stools or simply sat cross-legged on the floor, holding ornate wine cups, eyes closed as they listened to the soothing music. The people of Tang loved elegance, and even these wine artisans were no exception. Whether this display of refinement was genuine or just for show, no one could say.

　　In fact, in past wine-tasting banquets, there were no such musical performances. It was only this time, seeing Chris attend against his usual habit, and knowing his refined tastes, that Henry Scott added two sessions of guqin and singing.

　　As the music stopped, the owner of Bamboo Leaf Spring, George Brooks, could no longer contain himself. He stood up, broke the seal on his wine jar, and cupped his hands toward Henry Scott, who sat at the head, saying, “Gongrang, Benjamin sir, everyone, our distillery’s new special brew of Bamboo Leaf Spring is here for your appraisal.”

　　A maid from Yihong Tower came forward and poured the wine brought by George Brooks into the cups on each person’s table. The strong aroma of the wine instantly filled the hall. Most people took a deep breath, intoxicated, and praised it endlessly. Chris frowned, while Ryan Carter, sitting beside him, simply leaned forward to observe the color of the wine, the calm smile at his lips unchanged.

　　Henry Scott stood up and laughed heartily, “Though I sell wine, I do not understand it. Please, everyone, begin your evaluations.”

　　The owner of the Sangluo Distillery in the south of the city, Frank Scott, drained his cup in one gulp, stood up, raised his thumb high, and praised, “Brother Shaohua, this Bamboo Leaf Spring is so fragrant, it must be several times stronger than aged wine. Once released, it will surely be beloved by wine lovers. In my opinion, its strength lies in its rich aroma—intoxicating just by the scent. It can be rated as a top-grade wine.”

Chapter 013: The Wine-Tasting Banquet (Part 2)

　　At these words, everyone nodded in agreement. George Brooks was overjoyed; with his new wine recognized as top-grade, it meant he could set a high price—thirty coins per liter. If it were rated as low-grade, it could only be sold for fifteen. This customary division of wine into top, middle, and low grades in Luoyang’s wine industry was not just a title, but determined the price and was closely tied to the distillery’s profits.

　　Henry Scott saw Chris sitting there frowning and silent, and smiled, “Benjamin sir is a true gentleman among wine connoisseurs, unmatched in tasting skills. Why not give your opinion on Brother Shaohua’s new Bamboo Leaf Spring?”

　　At this, all eyes turned to Chris. George Brooks was especially eager; if he could win Chris’s praise, his new brew would be guaranteed as a top-grade wine.

　　Chris said quietly, “Vulgar, unbearably vulgar—gentlemen, when it comes to wine tasting, Benjamin is far inferior to my young friend Charles. Since you are here, why not give your thoughts on this wine?”

　　Ryan Carter smiled faintly and shook his head, “Old Meng, you only brought me here for the fun and to broaden my horizons. Wine tasting is a matter of professional etiquette; it’s not my place to comment.”

　　Ryan Carter had been brought to this wine-tasting banquet of Luoyang’s wine industry figures. He had been sitting here for quite a while, simply as an observer, not wanting to get involved in these professional matters. He had long seen that this so-called wine-tasting banquet, though elegant in name, was really just a means of self-regulation and protection within the industry, involving trade secrets and the interests of the distilleries. As an outsider, it was best to say as little as possible.

　　Seeing Ryan Carter unwilling to speak, Chris did not press him, only exchanging a smile and saying no more.

　　As soon as Chris uttered the words “unbearably vulgar,” George Brooks’s expression changed. He shot Chris a dissatisfied look and, somewhat unwillingly, cupped his hands and said, “Benjamin sir, why do you say that?”

　　“Vulgar is vulgar. This wine’s aroma is as gaudy as the incense used by women. I have no interest in tasting it.” Chris spoke bluntly, not caring about George Brooks’s feelings. Ryan Carter couldn’t help but chuckle at this, thinking to himself that this old man really didn’t spare anyone’s dignity.

　　Chris was highly respected in Luoyang, not only a leading figure in the city’s wine industry, but also with a nephew serving as Inspector in Hedong Circuit, a fourth-rank official. George Brooks dared not offend him, but Ryan Carter’s light laugh pierced his heart, making him transfer all his embarrassment and anger onto this handsome, almost effeminate, unfamiliar young man.

　　“And who are you?” George Brooks demanded angrily.

　　“Uh? I—I am Ryan Carter.” Ryan Carter stood up, gritted his teeth, and announced his name in public, a trace of helplessness and embarrassment appearing on his face.