"Trick you?" Gu Jinli ignored Young Master Douās anger, continuing to feign ignorance, and asked, "Why would Young Master Dou say that? If thereās anyone tricking, itās you who are tricking me."
Young Master Dou: "When have I ever tricked you? You shouldnāt change the topic."
Gu Jinli: "First you said you were interested in me, then uttered a strange word, and now youāre swearing an oath with me. If it werenāt for the few months of business weāve done, knowing youāre of sound mind, I would have thought youāve gone mad."
She said seriously, "If youāre not crazy, then surely youāre just messing with me."
Young Master Dou was bewildered, looking at Gu Jinliās serious and somewhat confused face, feeling lost... This shrew didnāt seem to be pretending; she really seemed to not understand him talking about Qin San Lang being Young Master Qin.
However, when he mentioned Young Master Qinās name, Gu Jinli let it go, no longer bothering him about deliberately saying he fell in love at first sight.
Young Master Dou felt a headache, unsure whether Gu Jinli understood what he was saying, could only say, "Stop pretending, you clearly know what Iām talking about, Qin..."
He stopped, ensuring no one was passing by outside, and then whispered, "You obviously know Iām talking about Young Master Qin, why pretend to be confused? Donāt try to fool me, I know you understood, otherwise, how could you have let it go?"
Gu Jinli laughed, "Do you think ten thousand taels is too few? Then give another ten thousand taels, this way you wonāt doubt I really donāt understand."
Young Master Dou was choked, indeed, he had compensated Gu Jinli with ten thousand silver notes, "Do you really not know what Iām talking about? Young Master Qin..."
"Forget about Young Master Qin, Iām just a farmer girl, a village girl, the most influential person I know is Master Ouyang. As for any Marquis or Lord, even if I were more vain, I wouldnāt dare to boast about knowing themāthatās asking for trouble." Gu Jinli thought Young Master Dou was really foolish, she had denied it, yet he kept asking, asking more wouldnāt make her confess?
She would never admit she knew Qin San Lang was Young Master Qin.
The reason for not admitting is twofold. First, she couldnāt fully trust Young Master Dou yet, even if Qin San Lang had mentioned Young Master Dou to her, people change. After so many years, how much childhood sentiment and gratitude remains? How could she know if Dou was bribed or deliberately trying to trap her?
The second reason is that before revenge is taken, Brother Qinās true identity cannot be revealed. If it is, it could be the evidence used to exterminate entire families. So, even if Young Master Dou sincerely wants to help Brother Qin, she cannot admit in person that Brother Qin is Young Master Qin.
Young Master Dou listened, stared at Gu Jinliās face, saw her unperturbed face, frowned slightly, and finally gave up, believing her words.
He truly didnāt know, could it be he was mistaken, Company Commander Qin wasnāt Young Master Qin?
Gu Jinli successfully deceived Young Master Dou, laughing inwardly; Young Master Dou had no underground work experience at all. If he had any experience, he would understand that when he comes to confront her like this, no matter if heās a friend or foe, she would never admit the truth.
The matters of the Qin family could cost oneās head if mishandled; she would be foolish to admit immediately.
Regarding revenge, Brother Qin had told her that he wanted to seek revenge openly and honorably, using accomplishments and evidence to make Emperor Chu retract his mistakes!
Qin San Lang said, "My Qin family has been loyal for two generations, loyal to the Great Chu Royal Family, guarding the borders for Great Chu, never carrying the name of rebellion. This accusation must be retracted personally by Emperor Chu."
He and Qin Er Lang differ. Qin Er Lang wants to overthrow Great Chu, wipe out the entire Great Chu Royal Family for revenge. But even if Great Chu is destroyed, the case from back then cannot be overturned. In the histories written by Great Chu, in the dossiers where Great Chu convicted them, their families would still be labeled as traitors.
Qin San Lang has no objections to overthrowing Great Chu; he himself wants to destroy it. But before destroying Great Chu, the Qin familyās charges must be personally cleared by Emperor Chu.
Only this way is true revenge!
"Young Master, the equipment has arrived." Xiao Ji said as he pushed open the door, clearing the food on the table to the few teacup stands on the side, then placing the bartending equipment on the table with Qi Kangle, grinning, "Alright, Young Master can start now."
Gu Jinli nodded, telling Young Master Dou, "Call your maid in."
Young Master Dou was visibly disappointed, slumped, and yelled toward the door, "Dou Zhi!"
"Yes, the slave is here," Dou Zhi replied upon hearing, hurriedly assisting Nanny Tang inside.
"Learn bartending from Miss Gu," Young Master Dou slumped in the Taishi Chair, listlessly gestured toward Gu Jinli.
Dou Zhi dared not ask more questions, came to Gu Jinli, bowed, and followed her to learn bartending.
The two new flavors of drinks taught today were quite simple, using six different types of alcohol, then adding a bit of sugar and fresh fruit.
One of the drinks was made into flaming wine.
"This is a high-proof alcohol; simply pour a circle of strong liquor over the lid and ignite it to produce a flaming effect."
As she spoke, she demonstrated it to Dou Zhi. With a whoosh, red and blue flames blazed fiercely atop the lid, akin to a flaming mountain, astonishing everyone present.
Young Master Dou shrugged off his previous gloom, stared at the burning flaming wine, eyes red and declared, "Silver, silver! This single glass of flaming wine could sell for hundreds of taels of silver!"
When selling the first glass of flaming wine, if they held an auction, with the highest bidder winning, those noble young masters could bid up to tens of thousands of taels, truly a lucrative venture.
Gu Jinli seeing Young Master Dou so excited, reminded, "This liquor has a high alcohol content. Servants should be extra cautious when preparing flaming wine for customers, avoid catching themselves on fire."
Then she told Dou Zhi several precautions, like storing strong liquor separately buried in sand, and not placing too much strong liquor in one warehouse, among others.
Dou Zhi proved to be a capable maid, recording everything Gu Jinli said.
"Rest assured, Little Boss Gu, the slave has remembered everything."
Gu Jinli nodded, let Dou Zhi practice several times, tasted the drinks she made, and laughed, "Not bad, the taste is almost like mine, just follow the recipe, teach future bartenders accordingly."
Dou Zhi, receiving Gu Jinliās praise, was very pleased, bowed, "The slave thanks Little Boss Gu for the compliment."
Gu Jinli smiled at her and reminded Young Master Dou again, "Take good care of the recipe. If the recipe gets leaked, you must compensate for my losses."
Young Master Dou, feeling discontent, retorted with a grudging tone, "Understood, this Young Master loves money even more than you do. Would I leak such a money-making recipe?"