The day before New Year’s Eve, Lin Wanwan flew to the Ancient City with Lu Shouyue to pay a New Year visit to Master Liang.

Master Liang’s son’s family had already confirmed they wouldn’t be coming home to reunite with the elderly couple this year, as both of them were on duty during the holiday.

Lin Wanwan’s unexpected visit was a delightful surprise for the elderly couple, bringing some liveliness to a home that would otherwise be quiet during the New Year.

Although Lin Wanwan spends every week with Senior Brother to learn medicinal formulas, she still flies to the Ancient City once a month, staying for a couple of days to learn from Master Liang.

Master Liang and his wife only have one son, while other disciples have long since graduated, making Lin Wanwan, the favored last disciple with no parents, particularly dear to them.

"Come, come, eat!"

"Thank you, Master Mother. Wow, these dishes look so appetizing."

Lin Wanwan was adept at charming and flattering elders, having practiced it during her long tenure as the health doctor for Empress Zhangsun in Chang’an.

"Little Lu, do you drink? How about sharing a couple of cups with this old man?" Master Liang asked Lu Shouyue, holding a bottle of Feitian Moutai.

"A little, my tolerance isn’t high," Lu Shouyue humbly replied.

"No worries, we’re just casually drinking."

With Lin Wanwan being parentless, Master Liang naturally placed himself in a fatherly role and wanted to test Lu Shouyue’s drinking capabilities.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers that once disciples formally pay respects as students, the master-disciple relationship demands treating the master as a lifelong father. So today, he just wanted to take a good look at this "prospective son-in-law."

At the last sect gathering, Lin Wanwan and Lu Shouyue were still newly dating, and had little knowledge of Lu Shouyue’s family background.

But this time, they visited as an engaged couple.

The Lu Family is quite wealthy, yet Master Liang, who has spent his life as a doctor and teacher, holds high moral standards and regards material possessions lightly.

He has treated numerous people over his lifetime and met many others. To him, wealth at the Lu Family’s level doesn’t count as a virtue, and might instead be a flaw.

Marrying into a family like theirs naturally leads to many disturbances and challenges.

Other families might not have a "throne" to inherit, but his kind of family essentially has one.

Thus, issues regarding heirs, social circles, and the foreseeable rush of ambitious individuals seeking advancement would all become ticking bombs in their marriage.

Marrying into a wealthy family can be challenging, and Master Liang, being fiercely protective, believes that with Lin Wanwan’s medical talent and family background (misunderstanding her gifts of antique treasures as inheritances from her grandparents), she could easily find someone whose family matches hers.

Ideally, the person should also practice Chinese medicine, so Lin Wanwan could dominate him completely and enjoy a comfortable life.

But Lu Shouyue, at first glance, seems exceptionally capable. After learning about his career landscape, Master Liang was even more stunned.

He could tell that Lin Wanwan, in terms of wit and strategy, might not be a match for Lu Shouyue.

Such people, while loving, are wonderful; however, should they change their heart one day, one might remain oblivious even if being sold by them.

Master Liang worried deeply!

He thought his little disciple was too naïve and lacked scheming skills, fearing she would suffer losses.

Lu Shouyue was clever indeed. After a few drinks, he grasped Master Liang’s intentions. Therefore, to show sincerity, he drank willingly.

"I’ll drink up, you take your time," was his most spoken phrase today.

His tolerance wasn’t too bad, but due to his status, he seldom encounters people urging him to drink. Typically, pouring one glass allows him to mingle throughout. So, today’s abrupt downing of white liquor was a bit overwhelming.

However, he understood that the old man meant to get him drunk, so he went along with it, drinking on!

One deliberately intoxicated, the other sincerely drunk, leading Lu Shouyue to quickly feel overwhelmed by the liquor.

Initially, Lin Wanwan thought Master Liang just wanted someone to accompany him in drinking and didn’t think much of it.

As women typically don’t drink, they finished eating quickly and were led by Master Mother for some casual chat over snacks.

The old couple executed their conversation and actions with great tacit understanding. Lin Wanwan’s still non-cohabiting couple could not possibly compete.

When Lin Wanwan realized what was happening and checked on their drinking progress, she found Lu Shouyue’s face unusually pale.

While some appear red after drinking too much, others become paler—Lu Shouyue being the latter.

Even drunk, he remained composed, but his conversation with the old man unknowingly revealed an authoritative air, losing some of the restraint shown when sober.

His slender fingers wrapped around the glass showcased his privileged nature, and his slightly raised lips carried an elegant and aristocratic sense, projecting a strong sense of distance.

He remained courteous, yet the remarks subtly carried edges.

Lin Wanwan quickly stood up, approaching the dining table, saying to them both, "Why drink so much? Stop drinking already. Teacher, excessive drinking harms health; it doesn’t align with our traditional Chinese medicine’s approach to wellness."

There were two empty bottles of Feitian Moutai on the table! This is high-alcohol liquor—Lin Wanwan herself couldn’t manage even a sip.

Lu Shouyue slowly turned to look at Lin Wanwan, smiling slightly: "I’m fine, just happy today, drinking a bit more."

His speech reeked of alcohol; his gaze was somewhat unfocused, yet he claimed he was fine. It’s true that a person drunk never admits they are drunk.

Initially, Master Liang was quite alright, as most of the two bottles were consumed by Lu Shouyue.

However, as Lu Shouyue drank more, his toasts became sharper, and his atmosphere more compelling, unknowingly leading the old man to consume a few more drinks.

"I’m okay, Little Lu’s tolerance is impressive, indeed!" Master Liang stood up shakily, with Lin Wanwan quickly stepping forward to support him.

"Master Mother, Master is drunk!"

"This old man, with such little tolerance yet drinking so much." Master Mother came over, "I’ll help him rest in the room for a while. You watch over Little Lu."

"Alright."

Master Liang was helped to rest in the room. Lu Shouyue took Lin Wanwan’s hand, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, then dominantly pulling her onto his lap, resting his head on her shoulder: "Honey, I feel a bit dizzy."

Lin Wanwan was overwhelmed by the smell of alcohol, snapping, "I told you not to drink so much! Let me go; what conduct is this while holding me!"

They were in Master’s house, not their bedroom!

"No, I just want to hold you. I’m dizzy, blow on me, honey!" Lu Shouyue even resorted to acting spoiled!

If no one was around now, Lin Wanwan would gladly fulfill his wish for a breeze.

But at this moment, when Master Mother came out of the room, how could she continue sitting in Lu Shouyue’s embrace!

She quickly freed herself from Lu Shouyue’s hold, jumped off his lap, and sheepishly looked at Master Mother: "He’s drunk too, Master Mother, perhaps we should head back."

"No way to leave in such a state; stay home for a nap, then head off after dinner. The guest room is vacant, come on, help him inside."