Chapter 122: Highly Probable

The diners inside and outside Zuixian Restaurant were stunned into silence, their jaws dropping as they watched Manager Xu. Today, he had undergone a sudden transformation; not only was his tone remarkably firm, but his demeanor showed absolutely no deference toward the Japanese envoys.

This abrupt change was entirely contrary to their usual perception of Manager Xu.

"Is... is this really the Manager Xu we know?" they whispered to one another, their hearts filled with shock and disbelief.

They found it hard to fathom. They felt as though they hardly recognized the man. After all, everyone was keenly aware of a single fact: the Great Tang had always been exceptionally lenient toward foreign envoys, granting them unique, privileged status in many respects. It wasn't just about purchasing food; even their escort teams were provided from the moment they entered the country until they were safely delivered to their destination. Yet, never in their wildest dreams did they expect Manager Xu to flatly refuse the Japanese envoys when they tried to cut the line to buy food.

"Damn... Manager Xu has some serious guts today," the crowd marveled to themselves.

However, as they reconsidered, their thoughts turned to the "Imperial Plaque" hanging in the restaurant, personally inscribed by the current Emperor and delivered by Li Yi himself, along with the restaurant's notoriously rigid rules. A realization began to dawn upon them.

"The mysterious owner behind Zuixian Restaurant must be Master Li, without a doubt."

"It is highly likely. Master Li is known for his upright character and his intolerance for evil. If he is indeed the owner, then everything is easily explained."

"No wonder Manager Xu has such confidence today to stand up to the Japanese envoys—it’s because he has Master Li backing him!"

With this realization, their confusion vanished. At the same time, a sense of envy and jealousy stirred within them. They hadn't expected Manager Xu to have secured such a powerful patron. They all knew exactly who Li Yi was—a man who dared to beat even high-ranking nobles like Zhangsun Chong and still remained a Tang official without a scratch. Once one secured the backing of such a man, as long as one stayed honest and did not tarnish his reputation, the future would be limitless.

Since they could not befriend Li Yi themselves, helping Manager Xu now felt like helping Li Yi. Consequently, the diners began to voice their support one after another.

"Manager Xu, don't worry, we are definitely on your side!"

"That's right! If those Japanese barbarians return with officials later and try to hold you accountable without knowing the truth, we will all testify for you!"

"Japan is nothing but a tiny, remote nation. It is already a supreme grace that the Emperor allows them to come to our Tang Dynasty to study. Since they are on our soil, they must follow our etiquette and laws. If they don't, they deserve a lesson!"

"Well said! Manager Xu was right to discipline them. We must not tolerate these Japanese barbarians acting so arrogantly on our land!"

"Exactly. Manager Xu is justified and in the right. Even if this reached the Emperor, it would be seen as a meritorious act, not a crime!"

As the patrons spoke up, Manager Xu felt a stir of gratitude. He cupped his hands to the crowd and replied with a smile, "I thank you all, kind sirs, for your goodwill."

"No need for formalities, Manager Xu. We are all people of the Tang; there is no need for such things!" the crowd replied with a laugh.

Seeing their reaction, Manager Xu smiled as well. He hadn't expected to have such confidence today. He knew, however, that his courage did not stem from himself, but from the fact that he was backed by Li Yi. If not for Li Yi's support—and the fact that Li Yi had brought in the great protector Li Shimin to act as a hidden pillar of strength for the restaurant—Manager Xu would likely have been terrified.

But times had changed. Manager Xu believed that although Li Yi enjoyed teasing him, as long as he persisted in following the rules set by him, Li Yi would certainly step in to help. Thus, he waited quietly inside the restaurant for the Japanese man to return with his entourage, and for Li Yi to arrive.

***

Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Wang Yuxuan, Inugami no Mita-aki, and the others watched as the Japanese man, Inugami no Junji, returned from the restaurant looking wretched and empty-handed. The Tang officials couldn't help but find the scene amusing. However, Inugami no Mita-aki and his group of envoys wore grim, deeply displeased expressions.

"Inugami no Junji, did you manage to buy the delicacies that the Envoy mentioned?" Inugami no Mita-aki asked, his face darkening.

Inugami no Junji's expression twisted in embarrassment. He kept his head bowed, bowed slightly toward Inugami no Mita-aki and Zhang Yuxuan, and apologized, "I am sorry, Ambassador Inugami, I failed to bring the items back."

Hearing this, Inugami no Mita-aki lost his composure. "You didn't bring them back?" he whispered, his brows furrowing as he glared at the bowed man. "Tell me, why could you not buy them?" As he asked, he shot a sideways glance toward Zhang Yuxuan and his group, a veiled accusation in his eyes.

But to his surprise, neither Zhang Yuxuan nor the other Tang officials seemed to notice; they turned their heads and looked around, expressionless. Their indifference only fueled Inugami no Mita-aki's growing rage. He gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger.

Just then, Inugami no Junji replied, "Ambassador, the Tang people are bullying us. I told them I was a Japanese envoy wanting to buy some food, but they didn't care at all. They said if I wanted to buy, I had to wait in line, or they would throw me out."

Upon hearing this, Inugami no Mita-aki turned his gloomy gaze toward Zhang Yuxuan. "Envoy Zhang, is this how you Tang people treat your guests?"

Zhang Yuxuan turned slowly, shook his head with a helpless shrug, and said, "Ambassador, you cannot blame me. That is simply how Zuixian Restaurant does business. I am as powerless as you are."

Inugami no Mita-aki was momentarily choked by these words. After a long silence, he took a deep breath and asked, "Envoy Zhang, surely even we, foreign envoys, must wait in line?"

Just then, a voice filled with surprise cut through the air.

"Oh? Isn't this Envoy Zhang? What are you doing here?"