Chapter 112: Only with a Nation Can There Be a Home (Two Updates—Please Vote)

Even after following Li Yi, Yue'er’s face remained flushed with a deep crimson, and she kept her head buried, her large blue eyes fixed firmly on her toes. Her small, lily-white hands clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, not daring to lift her gaze to look at Li Yi. Her expression was evasive, tinged with a hint of panic.

Seeing this, Li Yi found her behavior today quite strange and could not help but ask, "What is the matter, Yue'er?"

"Yue'er is fine, young master!" Yue'er first shook her head, then waved her hands, before lifting her rosy, smiling face to explain, "It is just that it was a bit hot while I was tending the fire earlier. I just needed to come out for some fresh air."

Li Yi frowned slightly, still feeling that something was off, and asked again, "Are you truly all right?"

"I am truly fine, young master!" Yue'er pursed her lips, nodded with a bright smile, and answered with great earnestness.

"Oh, that is good." Li Yi nodded. Seeing how serious she looked, he believed her and did not press the matter further.

Following this, the master and his servant walked through two long corridors, and Li Yi, carrying the freshly roasted tea leaves, arrived at the main hall. To his surprise, he found Li Jing sitting there, seemingly waiting for someone.

"Greetings, Father," Li Yi said with a slight bow and a smile.

"Greetings, Master," Yue'er quickly followed suit with a curtsy.

Li Jing nodded and waved his hand. His gaze drifted to the tea leaves in Li Yi’s hands, and he frowned slightly. He then glanced at Yue'er and commanded, "Yue'er, you may leave."

"Yes, Master." Yue'er nodded, cast a look at Li Yi, and gracefully withdrew.

The hall was suddenly left with only father and son.

"Sit," Li Jing said calmly.

"Thank you, Father." Li Yi paused for a moment; from Li Jing’s demeanor, he realized that his father had been waiting specifically for him. He set the tea aside and sat down without further ceremony.

Li Jing’s gaze locked onto Li Yi, swept casually over the fresh tea, and he asked, "Sanlang, these tea leaves... did you roast them yourself?"

"I did, Father," Li Yi replied with a nod, though he did not open the conversation further. Seeing that Li Jing’s expression was not entirely favorable, he felt it best to listen more than he spoke.

Li Jing’s brow furrowed more tightly. "Sanlang, you are now a physician at the Imperial Academy, an official of the court. Why must you insist on dabbling in such trivialities?" Li Jing found these actions of his son’s quite baffling. While he personally did not mind, he feared that others might see this and spread rumors, damaging Li Yi’s future. As a government official, one had to be cautious in all things.

Li Yi paused, then broke into a grin. "Father," he said, pointing to the fresh tea with an innocent smile, "this is excellent tea, fresh from the pan. Let me brew some for you to taste."

Before Li Jing could refuse, Li Yi had already set to work. Boiling water, steeping the tea, and covering the cup—his movements were fluid and natural, almost artistic. Before long, he had prepared two cups. He pushed one toward Li Jing, kept one for himself, and patted his hands clean before sitting back down.

Li Jing was left speechless by his son’s swift, obsequious display.

"Father," Li Yi called out softly, drawing Li Jing’s attention. Li Jing looked at him, full of confusion, waiting for an explanation.

Li Yi’s face lost its playful look, replaced by a solemn, earnest expression. "In truth, I do not do this for myself, but for the sake of the people of this land!"

He spoke with such conviction that it was clear he was not joking. Li Jing was slightly taken aback. He turned his eyes toward his son and asked with a furrowed brow, "What do you mean by that?"

Li Yi did not answer directly. He took a deep breath, shifted his tone, and asked seriously, "Father, allow me to ask you a bold question: do you know who else, besides myself, holds a stake in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion?"

Seeing the gravity of his son’s expression, Li Jing pondered for a moment, connecting the dots with what Li Yi had just said. He pointed toward the sky and whispered, "Sanlang, are you saying... that someone from above has a share?"

"Exactly!" Li Yi nodded honestly.

Li Jing was stunned. He had never imagined that even Li Shimin was involved in the business of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Seen in this light, Li Yi’s "unorthodox" activities were, in fact, truly beneficial to the livelihood of the people. Li Jing knew well that the strength of a nation relied upon a powerful military, and a powerful military required vast financial support. If Li Shimin was involved in the Pavilion, it meant the Tang Empire had a new source of funds for military provisions, which would naturally make the empire stronger. And only when the nation was strong could the people live in peace.

Reflecting on these immense benefits, Li Jing no longer felt any concern about Li Yi’s business dealings; instead, he felt a faint sense of pride.

"Sanlang," Li Jing asked with a touch of excitement, "is this truly the case?"

"I would never dare to deceive you, Father," Li Yi replied with firm sincerity. "If you do not believe me, the Emperor will send a plaque tomorrow for me to take to the Pavilion. You will see then that I have spoken only the truth."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing’s heart was completely set at ease. He recalled Zheng An leaving earlier with a joyous expression, and now it all made perfect sense. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Li Yi was truly a fine son.

"It is late. I should retire," Li Jing said calmly. "You should go and rest as well, Sanlang."

"Yes, Father. Goodnight," Li Yi replied with a bow, then stood and returned to his quarters.

Li Yi, however, remained unaware that Li Jing’s "misunderstanding" of him had, in fact, only grown deeper.