Arriving at the City Lord's manor, Bai Yang immediately instructed his servants to prepare a feast. "Go, prepare the wild boar that was hunted this morning."
He then turned to Fan Zitian, "Elder Fan, I provide the meat, you provide the wine. Not a bad deal, right?"
Fan Zitian wagged a finger at him. "You, always trying to take advantage of this old man. Fine, it's rare for esteemed guests to visit, so I shall offer my best. Please wait a moment, I'll be right back."
Bai Yang hesitated, wanting to say something more, but Ming Zhitian said, "City Lord has something to say? Please, feel free to speak your mind."
Bai Yang smiled faintly. "I've heard about Mr. Ming's experiences in the Iron Horse Empire. There are plenty of fish in the sea, why cling to one bloom? I have a daughter, exceptionally beautiful and outstanding. Perhaps I could introduce you two?"
Ming Zhitian waved his hand. "No, thank you. I have no plans to get married for now."
Bai Yang tutted. "Ah, no rush, young people need time. The outcome isn't important, just get to know each other. Qianqian, come, come and greet our guests."
"Deng deng deng..." Light footsteps approached.
A graceful woman in a white gauze dress walked towards them and said to Bai Yang, "Father."
Bai Yang winked. "Come, sit, not there, sit over there. Introduce yourself and get to know Mr. Ming."
The woman in the white gauze dress shyly sat beside Ming Zhitian. "My name is Bai Qianqian. Hello, Mr. Ming."
Bai Yang chuckled helplessly. "Not quite right, the etiquette is off. Mr. Ming is not much older than you, why call him 'Mister'? You should call him 'Young Master Ming'."
Bai Qianqian blushed with embarrassment and shame, lowering her head. "Yes, I apologize, Young Master Ming."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand. "Miss Qian, please don't worry about it. Call me whatever you like, I don't mind."
Fan Zitian brought over two jars of his ancestral century-old wine and placed them on the table. "City Lord, Mr. Ming, you are in for a treat. This priceless treasure, I'm sacrificing it today."
Bai Yang scoffed. "Elder Fan, don't be so stingy. It's just two jars of wine, what's the big deal?"
Fan Zitian personally opened the two jars of gold and silver wine, and a rich, fragrant aroma filled the entire City Lord's manor.
Ming Zhitian looked up, noticing that fine powder of real gold and silver was floating on the surface. Logically, metal is heavy and should settle at the bottom, but its suspension in this manner was a testament to the distiller's miraculous craftsmanship.
Bai Yang said, "No rush, the wild boar isn't ready yet, and the wine needs to 'breathe'. Mr. Ming hasn't seen the scenery of my manor's backyard either. Qianqian, go, take Mr. Ming for a tour. You can return later."
Bai Qianqian stood up, revealing her slender and graceful figure. "Yes, Father. Mr. Ming, would you do me the honor?"
Mr. Ming nodded. "Miss Qian, please lead the way."
Fan Zitian seemed about to say something, but Bai Yang waved him off. "Elder Fan, you go too. Tell Mr. Ming about the history of the City Lord's manor."
Fan Zitian looked puzzled. "Won't the City Lord join us?"
Bai Yang shook his head with a smile. "Someone has to keep an eye on the wine, right?"
Fan Zitian nodded. "That's true."
He then stood up and, with a lingering concern, turned back to warn, "Don't you dare drink it secretly."
Bai Yang shook his head. "Don't worry, I'll wait for you to return."
Leaving the City Lord's manor, Ming Zhitian couldn't help but ask, "Elder Fan, is this gold and silver wine red wine, white wine, or yellow wine?"
Fan Zitian replied, "Yellow wine."
Ming Zhitian asked, puzzled, "Does yellow wine also need to 'breathe'?"
Fan Zitian scratched his head. "Perhaps it's been sealed for too many years."
The City Lord's manor was already large, but the backyard was even larger, filled with a multitude of colorful flowers, grasses, orchids, and jade trees.
Bai Qianqian first led Ming Zhitian to tour the artificial lake. "This is the Jade Mountain Lake, personally constructed by the finest architects in the city at my father's behest."
The lake was vast, spacious, and bright. The jade waters rippled magnificently, the clear waves and green water offering a refreshing sight that cleared the eyes and soothed the mind.
Ming Zhitian asked, "Does it have a name?"
Bai Qianqian said, "It's named after my mother."
Ming Zhitian nodded, finding nothing unusual about it.
As they walked among the poplar trees, Fan Zitian explained, "These poplar trees are the City Lord's favorites. It's because the City Lord's father, Bai Quchen, named him after a poplar tree, hence the name Bai Yang."