Chapter 118: Naturally Honest (Second Update, Please Vote)

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In Xu the shopkeeper’s heart, it felt as if ten thousand wild horses were stampeding through his mind at this moment.

“Truly sensible?”

When he heard these three words casually uttered by Li Yi, no matter how Xu the shopkeeper tried to listen, he couldn’t shake off a strange and unsettling feeling inside.

That tone, that inflection—it was as if an elder was lecturing a junior. Xu the shopkeeper had a filthy word on his tongue, unsure whether it was appropriate to say...

After briefly indulging in this private criticism, Xu the shopkeeper chose to pretend he hadn’t heard it, twitching a smile at the corner of his mouth as he said, “You flatter me, young master.”

From Li Yi’s conversation, Xu the shopkeeper already understood the solemnity surrounding this “Imperial Bestowed Plaque.”

Since both the “Orleans Set Meal and Wuliangye” came directly from the palace, and now the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had received an “Imperial Bestowed Plaque” personally inscribed by the Sage, Xu the shopkeeper knew full well that the true master of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion had now changed hands.

Though on the surface, Li Yi remained the official proprietor, behind the scenes the real owner had become the current Emperor—Li Shimin!

A thirty percent profit share truly stung Xu the shopkeeper’s heart.

But now, with Li Shimin’s “unshakable backing,” Xu the shopkeeper believed that soon enough, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion would become the most renowned establishment in Chang’an.

By then, not only the noble sons of the capital but also officials and dignitaries from all over would gather frequently at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

With such plans in mind, Xu the shopkeeper felt that if he didn’t expand the pavilion’s scale soon, he would be unworthy of the Sage’s favor.

At the same time, his eyes brightened as he imagined a great sum of silver notes waving eagerly at him.

Just thinking about it filled Xu the shopkeeper with excitement.

With an awkward smile, he cupped his hands and bowed, then continued, “It is my good fortune from past lives to be entrusted by His Majesty and to serve the young master. I shall devote myself wholeheartedly and serve until death!”

“...” Seeing Xu the shopkeeper’s shifting expressions, Li Yi couldn’t help but roll his eyes silently, then suddenly laughed and said, “Xu the shopkeeper, no wonder you deserve the full forty percent.”

“Hehe...” Xu the shopkeeper grinned happily at this, nodding sincerely and smiling, “I am but honest, young master. Thank you for your kind words.”

Li Yi smiled sincerely and nodded, then glanced at Yue’er behind him and casually asked, “Yue’er, did you hear that clearly?”

“Yue’er heard it loud and clear, young master.” Yue’er nodded solemnly. “Xu the shopkeeper just said he thinks thirty percent is too little to show sincerity and that forty percent would be better.”

“Hmm.” Li Yi nodded approvingly with a laugh. “Unexpectedly, Xu the shopkeeper is even more magnanimous than I am. Since he insists on such great generosity, I shall, on behalf of His Majesty, thank Xu the shopkeeper in advance.”

As he spoke, Li Yi suddenly rose, and before Xu the shopkeeper could react, he returned the gesture with a slight bow.

Xu the shopkeeper was dumbfounded, his expression blank, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

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“No, when did I ever say I would give forty percent profit?”

“How could even I not know?”

Xu the shopkeeper’s mind was in a whirl.

Only after Li Yi sat down again and resumed enjoying the fine wine did Xu the shopkeeper suddenly realize he had fallen into a trap again.

“Young master, I...” Xu the shopkeeper parted his lips, about to protest, but the words caught in his throat and refused to come out.

After all, he had already spoken, and Li Yi had expressed thanks on behalf of Li Shimin. If he now denied and went back on his word, he would be untrustworthy.

Doing business with the royal family required absolute honesty, and the consequences of breaking one’s word were beyond what he could bear.

Xu the shopkeeper felt like crying on the spot.

Seeing Xu the shopkeeper abruptly stop, Li Yi feigned surprise for a moment, then waved his hand with a smile, saying, “Xu the shopkeeper, just get on with your work. Rest assured, I will definitely convey your good intentions to His Majesty!”

Li Yi nodded solemnly, staring seriously at Xu the shopkeeper.

“...” Xu the shopkeeper’s face twitched painfully, his expression awkward—half like crying, half like worrying.

‘Who the hell needs these “good intentions”? Let them go!’

‘I want to take back what I just said...’

Xu the shopkeeper forced a bitter smile, bowed to Li Yi, and said with a twitching face, “Thank you, young master. Please enjoy yourself; I will take my leave now.”

“Hmm, off you go.” Li Yi nodded.

“...” Xu the shopkeeper immediately turned around, looking as if he had just seen a ghost, his steps unsteady as he left.

Never before had Xu the shopkeeper felt that Li Yi was so cunning and shameless...

He begrudged paying more, yet Li Yi was squeezing him dry. Inwardly, he cursed silently.

Watching Xu the shopkeeper leave with a face full of misery, Yue’er beside Li Yi frowned slightly and asked, “Young master, do you suppose Xu the shopkeeper will leak this news?”

Li Yi raised his brow at Yue’er, gestured for her to sit and eat, then shook his head with a smile, “Don’t worry. Even if he had a million guts, he wouldn’t dare!”

“Uh...” Yue’er nodded, half understanding, then smiled brightly, revealing two adorable dimples. “Then I’m relieved.”

“Eat quickly, the food tastes good.” Li Yi smiled and pointed to the dishes on the table.

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“Thank you, young master.” Yue’er smiled and nodded, first placing a chicken wing in Li Yi’s bowl before starting to serve herself...

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In the main hall on the first floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion,

The diners ate delicious food and drank fine wine while chatting happily.

“I heard that at the end of this month, the envoys from the Eastern Sea Kingdom will come again to our Great Tang for cultural exchange and study.”

“Hmph, it’s only because of the cold weather this year that those Eastern Sea barbarians came late. If they dared come earlier, we Tang people would teach them a lesson to crush their arrogance!”

“That’s true. The Eastern Sea people have learned many skills from us in recent years, and their country has grown stronger. But I just can’t stand their hypocritical, greedy faces!”

“Don’t worry yourselves with such nonsense. If they dare act up, the court will certainly send someone to teach them a lesson!”

“Indeed, indeed. Let’s just enjoy our food now and see what happens later...”

The crowd chatted noisily before changing the subject to which young lady was most beautiful, whose charms were best, whose skill with the zither was unparalleled...

At that moment, Li Yi, having just finished eating and descending from the upper floor, happened to overhear their conversation and frowned slightly.

“The Eastern Sea Kingdom—that’s the Little Japan, isn’t it?” Li Yi muttered to himself, surprised, “They haven’t arrived yet?”

According to Li Yi’s recollection and historical records, they should have arrived long ago.

But after hearing the crowd’s remarks, Li Yi suddenly understood.

Thinking about Emperor Li Shimin’s policy of tolerance, Li Yi felt it was perhaps too merciful, and with a shift in thought, he began to form a plan.

“Let’s go home, Yue’er,” Li Yi commanded, walking straight ahead.

“Yes, young master.” Yue’er followed closely behind.

Second update done for today; no more for now. Taking a short rest these days as my health isn’t great. More updates starting this Friday, QAQ...

(End of chapter)

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