Chapter 136: A Request for a Spar

Li Yi, who was busy chatting and laughing with Cheng Chumuo and the others, was evidently unaware of the unfolding scene. He did not realize that the moment his figure had appeared within the line of sight of the Japanese envoys, it had ignited their deep-seated hostility.

Before long, every seat in the Qilin Hall was occupied. Suddenly, the sharp, shrill voice of Eunuch Gao echoed through the air:

"His Majesty has arrived!"

In an instant, everyone in the hall rose to their feet, bowing respectfully with cupped hands toward the dragon throne. A profound and solemn silence descended upon the entire Qilin Hall.

Li Shimin emerged slowly from behind the curtains of the throne. After seating himself, he gave a gentle wave of his sleeves and rested his hands upon his thighs before speaking in a measured tone: "My subjects, ease your formalities. Please, be seated."

"We thank His Majesty for his boundless grace!" The assembly responded in unison before sitting down together, once again falling silent.

Li Shimin’s gaze swept across the crowd, flickered briefly over Li Yi, and finally settled upon the three Japanese envoys seated in the places of honor.

"Honorable envoys, you have traveled a great distance from Japan. You have braved wind and rain on your journey; you have worked hard," Li Shimin said with a smile.

"We thank Your Majesty for your consideration!" Hearing this, Inugami no Mitasuki immediately stood from his guest seat, bowed slightly, and offered a respectful salute. He replied with a smile, "That we are able to travel from Japan to learn in the Tang Empire is entirely due to Your Majesty’s grace. On behalf of the Japanese Emperor and the entire nation of Japan, I wish Your Majesty eternal peace and prosperity."

"Heh heh..." Li Shimin could not help but smile faintly. He waved his hand dismissively and signaled, "Ambassador Inugami, please be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After another respectful salute, Inugami no Mitasuki sat back down.

Following this, Li Shimin asked a few more polite questions. Inugami no Mitasuki and his companions responded that all was well, showering Li Shimin with continuous praise. As for the events that had transpired the previous day in Chang'an, both sides acted as if they were entirely ignorant, choosing to remain silent as if nothing had happened.

After some pleasantries, Li Shimin signaled with his hand, and Eunuch Gao stepped forward from the side to read the imperial decree. Generally, it concerned the arrangements for the Japanese envoys' place of study, the supervision during their tenure, and the standards required for passing their examinations upon completion.

Everyone in the Qilin Hall listened with bated breath, their expressions filled with reverence and focus.

However, Li Yi, who had been feigning "attentiveness," found the proceedings dreadfully dull. As he raised his head, he caught Yue'er’s eye and gestured for her to sit down and join him for a drink.

Yue'er shook her head firmly, blinking her eyes to signal that she could not sit and preferred to stand.

"..." Li Yi glared at her in annoyance. He leaned over slightly and whispered, "Yue'er, I told you to sit, so sit. Where did you learn all these rigid rules?"

Yue'er looked up, casting a fearful glance at Li Shimin on the throne, and whispered, "Young Master, this is the Imperial Palace. I dare not."

"Sit down," Li Yi said, his brow knitting slightly. "Besides, no one here will notice us. What are you afraid of?"

"..." Yue'er pouted helplessly, then knelt on the mat beside Li Yi.

Seeing her seated, a smile returned to Li Yi’s face. He pointed to the items on the table and tilted his head, whispering, "Quickly, have a taste and see how the imperial chefs fare."

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er nodded with a smile. Her deep blue eyes darted around to ensure no one was watching them, and only then did she feel at ease.

She poured a cup of wine for Li Yi first, then timidly used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of dessert, tasting it in small bites.

"Yue'er, how is the imperial cuisine?" Li Yi asked with a smile as he sipped his wine.

"Hmm..." Yue'er fluttered her long eyelashes, her eyes flickering. She shook her head slightly, pouted, and whispered, "Young Master, the taste of this imperial food is nowhere near as good as what Master Song makes."

"Haha!" Li Yi couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The dishes Master Song prepared were mostly taught to him by Li Yi, excelling in color, aroma, and taste. The imperial chefs’ methods were far more conventional; how could they possibly surpass Master Song’s cooking?

"Pour yourself a drink and punish yourself with a cup," Li Yi said with a straight face.

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er nodded, poured herself a cup obediently, and downed it without blinking before placing the cup back on the table.

"..." Li Yi was left momentarily speechless.

If not for this "clumsy" display, Li Yi would have almost forgotten the "lovably foolish" nature of this silly girl. She clearly knew he had intentionally asked her to test the food, yet she was still willing to accept the punishment, leaving Li Yi feeling a twinge of guilt.

"Ahem..." Clearing his throat awkwardly, Li Yi said slowly, "Yue'er, don't drink so fast. Sip it slowly; be careful or you won't be able to hold your liquor."

"Yue'er is not afraid," she said, pouting with all seriousness.

...

Finally, just as Li Yi was running out of things to say, the imperial decree was finished, and all matters regarding the Japanese envoys' exchange and studies in the Tang Empire were settled.

At this moment, Inugami no Mitasuki suddenly stood up.

Bowing slightly with cupped hands, he proposed with a smile, "Your Majesty, back in Japan, I have often heard that the people of Tang are skilled in riding and archery. My companion here, Jun'er, though untalented, is considered a top-tier expert in these arts in our country."

"Therefore, I humbly request that Your Majesty permit a Tang subject to spar with Jun'er. It would provide us with the opportunity to admire the legendary riding and archery skills of the Tang Empire."

Inugami no Mitasuki spoke with grave solemnity, his tone exceedingly humble, yet his intention to provoke was as clear as day.

As soon as he finished speaking, Inugami Jun'er stood up. He bowed, lowered his head, and said in an "earnest" tone, "I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant my wish to spar and learn!"

Li Shimin smiled slightly upon hearing this.

Internally, however, he let out a cold laugh, mocking them: "A group of Japanese from a tiny speck of land dares to challenge my Tang Empire in the arts of riding and archery?"

At that moment, Li Shimin finally understood why Li Yi had humiliated these people in Chang'an the day before. Since they had taken the initiative to provoke him, Li Shimin would naturally not show any timidity or retreat.

"Very well," Li Shimin said, his expression unchanged as he nodded. "Since Jun'er is a young man, I certainly cannot bully him. I shall not send any of my veteran generals to spar."

Li Shimin’s gaze tightened as he looked toward the crowd in the hall and slowly asked, "I wonder if any of my subjects here would be willing to step forward and spar with Jun'er?"