Lin Wanwan got up and exchanged greetings with Ma Zhou before they each took their seats.

Between them hung a sparkling crystal curtain, which Lin Wanwan had specially bought from the modern era, about the size of a typical screen.

Normally, a screen could be used to separate them, but with a screen, only a vague outline could be seen.

How could Lin Wanwan, who was extremely curious about Ma Zhou, bear that? She couldn’t wait a single night longer; she had to see the other person’s appearance clearly right now, so she urgently paid extra in the modern era to have a crystal curtain made.

"Imperial Censor Ma, were you startled? It was really just a misunderstanding, and Le’an was remiss. When I heard the report from my subordinates, I was very ashamed."

Lin Wanwan flowed smoothly as she began making tea.

Her tea-making skills were learned from the great scholar Old Cao and further nurtured by Empress Xiao and Empress Zhangsun, two women who were mothers of the nation, making it quite respectable now.

Seeing beauty under the lamp indeed makes the beauty more captivating, and with the wafting white steam and the crystal curtain adding to the scene, Lin Wanwan appeared even more like an Immortal.

Ma Zhou lowered his eyes, refraining from direct sight even with the crystal curtain in between, responding in a low tone: "Village Lady Le’an, you exaggerate. The ignorant should not be blamed; it was my own recklessness that led me to trespass into the lady’s place, causing this misunderstanding."

Hmm, not bad, he’s on the right track. Since everyone acknowledges it as just a misunderstanding, they can be friends.

Lin Wanwan felt satisfied in her heart, and a slight smile naturally formed at the corner of her lips: "Though the night scenery in the mountains is beautiful, dangers lurk everywhere. Tonight, please stay in the mansion, and tomorrow morning I will have someone escort you to the official road."

Ma Zhou stroked his eyebrow-like beard and said: "In that case, I will trouble the Village Lady."

"Not at all, not at all, it is Le’an’s honor that Imperial Censor Ma, who serves the Emperor across the land, visits here," Lin Wanwan remarked politely.

As the water in the pot fully boiled, Lin Wanwan began distributing the tea, with maids naturally serving the tea to Ma Zhou on the table before him.

The two drank tea and engaged in a few inconsequential conversations.

Lin Wanwan took Ma Zhou’s own ideas on governance, found in future historical records, as topics for conversation to avoid awkwardness.

Things like being vigilant in peace and wise in employing talent.

"The essence of the world is its people. To make the common people happy, it lies with the prefects and county magistrates."

"Since ancient times, the rise and fall of nations do not depend on accumulation, but on the common people," and other such viewpoints were expressed one by one.

She even criticized the practice of feudalism and proposed thrift to benefit the people—lying on a soft blanket made of modern-bought rabbit fur, with a sparkling crystal curtain before her, truly unimaginable how she could maintain composure while talking about frugality with the impoverished Ma Zhou.

But Lin Wanwan’s seemingly unintended preparations stirred a special glow in Ma Zhou’s eyes, making him look at her with newfound admiration.

What Lin Wanwan expressed were indeed Ma Zhou’s own political ideals, and were the correct guiding thoughts proven right by over a thousand years of history.

Even Li Shimin and New Huaxia’s ancestors praised them upon hearing; how could he not acknowledge them, directly considering Lin Wanwan as a confidant and insisting on becoming sworn siblings.

This kind of familiarity, no wonder he could shamelessly eat and drink at Wang Ao’s place for months, only to turn around and seek refuge with a rival.

Currently, Ma Zhou, in his early thirties, had just married Wang Ao, arranged by the rival and benefactor (this complex relationship).

As a former young wanderer, rules and etiquette are just clouds to him, all nonsense.

He wishes to form a bond, he forms it, without concerns about rank or status.

Not to mention he has risen from a farmer to the Emperor’s Hall; even if he had met Lin Wanwan before being noticed by Li Shimin, he would have unhesitatingly proposed forming a bond.

Such a person won’t be inferior, nor proud. It understands happiness or sadness should not come from material or self.

Perhaps geniuses are unique, and the feeling of being awake while others are drunk makes them cherish confidants.

Since there is a big figure seeking friendship, Lin Wanwan had no reason to refuse.

Forming a bond, it turns out he’s sworn siblings with Ma Zhou, the future Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and famously remembered Prime Minister; saying it aloud, no one would believe.

Lin Wanwan’s heart was filled with joy, this truly was an unexpected gain!

Though Ma Zhou’s life was short (not living to fifty), he was treated favorably by the Li Tang imperial family both in life and death, and even his descendants never suffered hardship.

When he was gravely ill, Emperor Taizong nearly had the Imperial Physician live at his house, and when he couldn’t be saved, Li Shimin was heartbroken and later whimsically wanted to call his spirit back.

Unlike Wei Zheng, whose affairs after death weren’t too pleasant.

The incense table, fine wine, offerings, etc., were quickly prepared; the mountain base already had no shortage of supplies, with food stockpiled in several granaries!

The two came to the cement ground in front of the castle, under the moonlight, facing the sky, and became sworn siblings of different surnames.

"With Heaven above and Earth below, I, Lin Wanwan, and brother Ma Zhou swear to become siblings, from now on sharing hardship and joy, never failing our sibling bonds."

Holding incense, Lin Wanwan bowed thrice to the moon and placed the incense on the incense table.

Ma Zhou repeated Lin Wanwan’s actions, the ceremony ended, and Lin Wanwan ordered fine wine to drink heartily with her newly bonded elder brother.

The crystal curtain was no longer needed; now the two were siblings beyond blood, no need to adhere to the usual formalities between men and women.

The wine was modern champagne, not very strong, but far superior to local Great Tang wines.

To Ma Zhou, a poor official who always drank the worst green ant wine, it was akin to celestial nectar.

After a hefty gulp, Ma Zhou let out a long breath, exclaiming: "Now I remember, Wanwan, you co-opened a tavern with the Cui family of Qinghe, selling rare wines, yet my pockets were always empty, and the shopkeeper never let me trade goods for wine, so I never had the chance to taste it. Today, my wish is finally fulfilled, fortunate indeed!"

This gentleman, like Li Bai, is also someone who can trade ’five-colored horses, thousand golden furs’ for wine with carefree spirit.

Lin Wanwan covered her mouth and laughed lightly: "It was my fault, if I had known you earlier, I should have had someone send you fine wine. Come, come, I must apologize with a self-filled cup."

The two drank and chatted, enjoying refreshing chilled conch meat and other snacks, while a warming pot boiled slices of beef, lamb, and fish, carefree like immortals.

Lin Wanwan’s alcohol tolerance was better than Ma Zhou’s.

Though Ma Zhou was historically known for enjoying wine, his early life was a struggle marked by poverty, leaving him with limited fine wine.

Meanwhile, Lin Wanwan had faced the test of alcohol since university days, and although not a wine lover, she had quite the knowledge about wine and improved her tolerance during her first year of internship.

Not to mention facing Ma Zhou, even with Xiao Chong, she wouldn’t falter—as long as the latter didn’t cheat with inner strength.

"Having wine and having friends, one of life’s great pleasures!" Ma Zhou became more excited as he drank, shifting from politics to playing drinking games with Lin Wanwan.

Lin Wanwan was too lazy to recall poetry and songs from the masters in her mind, hastily pretending to be drunk to decline.

The two drank and ate until the moon rose to its zenith, each then reluctantly leaving, supported by their servants.