575 Wondered who had fallen into whose trap
Shi Qingluo had never been one who would play by the rules.
How could she not see the thoughts of Madam Tu and the other madams and young ladies present?
“The lie is that this wine doesn’t taste good,” she said as she played with the wine glass in her hand.
“The truth is that this wine is terrible. The quality is low, and the taste is terrible.” she said.
“The so-called lack of astringency and sweet taste is simply the sensation you get when you drink it.
“But after drinking it, there was a bitter taste on the tip of the tongue.
“Moreover, this wine has a kind of murkiness to it.
‘It doesn’t have the slightest type of purity. Just looking at it, I don’t have the urge to drink it.
“In addition, you didn’t handle the apricot flowers very well in the wine. The flower fragrance is very light, and it doesn’t make the apricot flower wine rich and soft, nor does it have a long-lasting fragrance.”
These words were said without any mercy.
Shi Qingluo even revealed an innocent expression that said, “I’m not the one who’s causing trouble, you’re the one who’s forcing me to say it.”
Madam Tu was so angry that she could no longer maintain the smile and politeness on her face.
She couldn’t help but argue. “Princess Fubao, although you’re a noble princess, you’re deliberately belittling my apricot wine. Isn’t it inappropriate?”
Shi Qingluo sneered, “What do you mean by deliberately belittling your apricot wine? I’m clearly speaking the truth. Wasn’t this what you wanted me to evaluate?
“Every time I’m done with my honest evaluation, you’re not happy. I was going to ask you why you’re so narrow-minded and can’t accept other people’s bad opinions.
“I have my own reasons for raising these suggestions. If you accept my advice with an open mind, you can improve this apricot wine in the future, and your wine-making technique will naturally be better.
“You wanted me to say it, and you didn’t listen.”
Her expression suddenly turned stern.
“I was wondering if you invited me here today to purposely cause trouble for me, Madam Tu.”
She was not afraid of bickering.
She didn’t say anything nonsense, but she had evidence to back up her words, making it difficult for the other party to refute.
“Madam Tu,” Xi Rong chimed in, “I’ll tell you the truth. Your wine doesn’t taste bad. It’s just too bad.
“I really don’t know why such a low-grade wine is called the best in Northern City.
“I just wanted to ask, has Northern City’s wine become so shabby?”
Madam Tu was so angry that his whole body trembled.
These two people were simply going too far.
She couldn’t help but sneer. “From how the two of you have commented, have you drunk flower wine that is better than my apricot wine?”
Shi Qingluo nodded. “Of course, we did. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have made such a comparison and told the truth.”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Xi Rong said it bluntly. “How would we know what kind of flower wine is the real good wine if we haven’t tried it before?”
“I’ll tell you the truth again. “Your wine differs enormously from the flower wine my Luoluo brewed.”
“Other than the flower wine, the white wine and fruit wine she brews are the best,” she said proudly.
Her words stunned all the madams and young ladies present as they looked at Shi Qingluo with suspicion.
Princess Fubao could make wine? Is that true?
Madam Tu felt as if she had just heard the biggest joke in the world.
Of course, she didn’t believe that Shi Qingluo knew how to brew wine.
As a young lady of an aristocratic family, she didn’t know how to brew before.
It was only after she had married into the Tu family and learned patiently for several years that she knew how to brew wine.
How would it be possible for Shi Qingluo to know?
The Southern Marquis actually used Shi Qingluo’s name to step on her.
She was just as annoying as her.
She thought for a moment and looked at Shi Qingluo meaningfully. “So you are an expert at brewing wine, princess?”
Since she couldn’t refute what the two of them had said, she would just slap them in the face with the truth.
Shi Qingluo could tell from a glance what Madam Tu was thinking.
She smiled. “I can’t be considered an expert, but compared to Madam Tu, I’m indeed much better.”
There were many master winemakers in the modern world who made better wine than her, so she couldn’t really be called an expert.
After all, she specialized in another field, and making wine was just a hobby of hers.
However, compared to Madam Tu, she was indeed miles ahead of her.
Although Madam Tu wanted to lure Shi Qingluo into her trap, she was still furious when she heard this.
If not for the fact that Shi Qingluo’s status was indeed much higher than hers, she really wanted to order her people to kick him out.
What she was most proud of was not being the matriarch of the Tu family, the number one family in Northern City, but her wine-making skills, which were sought after by many.
She also knew that Shi Qingluo must have seen through her intention to find fault with her, so she deliberately embarrassed her in this way.
She took a deep breath and forced a smile. “Then I really want to try the wine you brewed, princess.”
“Previously, you felt that the Tu family’s banquet was inadequate. At the same time, I also want to try the princess’ family banquet.
“I believe that the madams present here have the same thoughts as me.”
She looked at Shi Qingluo and said expectantly, “I don’t know if I’ll have the chance to.”
She didn’t believe that Shi Qingluo could get her people to prepare a better banquet, and even more so, she didn’t believe that she could brew better wine, so she deliberately said that.
She was waiting for Shi Qingluo to reject her request.
By then, she would be aggrieved and be the one that Shi Qingluo was bullying.
She wanted to let everyone see how overbearing and unruly Princess Fubao was and how she could not tolerate others being better.
The people present all thought that Shi Qingluo would find an excuse to decline.
Who knew that she would just chuckle and say, “Sure!”
“It just so happens that my husband has come to Northern City to be the magistrate.” I should have invited all the madams and young ladies.
“Since you all want to eat more delicious and unique delicacies, like real wine, I will naturally satisfy your request.” she said with a face full of confidence.
Behind her back, these people often called her family “country bumpkins” and looked down on her status as a village woman.
It came at the right time for her to accept Madam Tu’s evil intentions and let these people know who the real country bumpkins were.
These words surprised Madam Tu and the people present.
Clearly, they had not expected Shi Qingluo to not only agree but also be so insolent.
Madam Tu was not disappointed by Shi Qingluo’s agreement.
On the contrary, she was happy.
She had set up a trap for Shi Qingluo.
Whether she agreed or not, it was all within her calculations.
Since Shi Qingluo agreed, if she could not bring out more unique delicacies and better wine, it would be too embarrassing.
She would also cause the new magistrate to be deeply embarrassed.
What happened at the banquet today would definitely spread.
That included the words Shi Qingluo had said to slander her.
Therefore, she didn’t know what others would say about her.
After all, she was the wife of the number one aristocratic family in Northern City. It would be very embarrassing for her to be looked down upon by a peasant girl.
However, as long as it was proven that Shi Qingluo couldn’t do it, the situation would be reversed.
At that time, the only one who would be embarrassed would be Shi Qingluo.
The wine she brewed would become even more famous and popular.
She was prepared to order her people in Northern City today to be prepared to push Shi Qingluo into the fire.
When the time came, she would never be able to come back down. Hmph!
Her smile was no longer so forced.
“Sure, I’m looking forward to the princess’s banquet.”
The other madams, regardless of whether they had good or bad intentions, all laughed and said, “We’re also looking forward to the princess’ banquet.”
The group of madams with Madam Tu wondered if this country bumpkin could organize a banquet better than the Tu family.
“Sure, I’ll send you an invitation in a few days,” Shi Qingluo said with a smile.
When she saw the triumphant smile on Madam Tu’s lips, the smile in her eyes deepened.
She wondered who had fallen into whose trap, but she hoped that Madam Tu would still be able to laugh after this.