Someone's real purpose is not what they appear to be doing — there's a hidden agenda. The surface activity (like drinking) is just a pretext for something else.
This phrase comes from a famous essay by Ouyang Xiu, a Song dynasty poet, who wrote about enjoying the mountains and waters rather than the wine itself.
It's a subtle, indirect way to call out someone's hidden motives without direct confrontation, preserving face while signaling awareness.
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