Chapter 63: Shopkeeper Xu Requests an Audience

He truly could not imagine it; his mouth hung half open in astonishment, and for a long time, he was unable to utter a single word.

So early in the morning, he had thought himself early enough already. Who could have guessed that, upon asking, the inn’s servant would say... everything was already sold out?

Could Drunken Immortal Tavern really sell out of breakfast so quickly?

It was barely dawn in the capital!

The man simply could not believe what the servant was telling him.

With a cold expression, he shook his head and sneered, “Don’t try to fool me, or you’ll regret it.”

“Sir, I swear it’s truly sold out... I wouldn’t dare deceive you,” the servant replied, forced to offer a bitter smile in response to the suspicion. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask them whether I’m lying.”

As he spoke, the servant gestured to the other diners enjoying their meals.

Those gathered laughed with evident satisfaction. “Ha!”

Seeing that the man refused to believe the servant and looked rather displeased, the customers began explaining on the servant’s behalf:

“Friend, it’s simply that luck was on our side today—we queued up earlier, that’s all.”

“That’s right. The servant speaks the truth. Today’s share was all bought up by us. If you want an Orleans Set Meal, you’ll have to come back tomorrow!”

“If you arrived this late, missing out is only natural!”

“We were already queuing up in the dead of night. Otherwise, do you think we’d have had a chance?”

The group all grinned smugly, shook their heads at the man, and returned to their meals.

But upon hearing this, the man was utterly dumbfounded.

“What the—?! Lining up in the middle of the night? Are these people insane?” He was overwhelmed with disbelief, yet couldn’t help but wonder, “Is this Orleans Set Meal really so delicious?”

Judging by the expressions and earnest insistence of the diners, they clearly weren’t lying. The man was left with a pounding headache.

But if he returned to the palace today without a single Orleans Set Meal, how could he possibly explain himself to His Majesty?

They might all be in for a scolding!

After some contemplation, he finally remembered his identity as an imperial bodyguard and the mission that had brought him out of the palace this day.

He thought of a desperate solution.

“Excuse me, could we speak in private?” The man hesitated for a time, then drew the servant aside to a quiet corner and asked, with a pained expression, “Is it possible to make just one more? I need to take it back for a noble in the palace to taste.”

He offered a faint smile, and as he spoke, he discreetly showed the servant the token he carried.

The four golden words—Imperial Bodyguard—left the servant momentarily stunned, his legs growing weak as he stared blankly at the man before him.

He very nearly collapsed on the spot.

Though the man hadn’t said exactly who he was buying for, any citizen would know—it must be the Emperor, a consort, or a prince or princess.

Why else would an imperial bodyguard be sent out?

How could ordinary folk risk offending such a person?

“Er...” The servant, after a long moment’s daze, could only shake his head helplessly.

There was no other reason—it was simply that he suddenly recalled the rules set by Li Yi.

With a troubled expression, he replied quietly, “Sir, it’s not that I wish to make things difficult, but our proprietor has set strict rules: only a hundred portions are sold each day.”

“At Drunken Immortal Tavern, our business is built on trust. I truly dare not make exceptions on my own.”

“Sir, please allow me to consult the manager before I answer you. Would that be acceptable?”

His voice trembling, the servant looked anxiously at the imperial bodyguard, still deeply shocked.

He had never imagined that even nobles in the palace would become enamored of the Orleans Set Meal!

It was truly unimaginable.

Yet he had to admit, once one tasted it, the flavor was so enchanting that even immortals might find it irresistible.

He genuinely admired Li Yi for creating such a delicacy.

The man, seeing the servant’s astonishment, had just begun to smile in satisfaction when he was suddenly taken aback by the servant’s words.

What was this?

Even after revealing his status as an imperial bodyguard, the tavern’s servant still refused? Not even the palace’s nobles could have the rules bent in their favor? It required the manager’s approval?

The man was inwardly astonished. “Just who on earth owns this Drunken Immortal Tavern?”

Fortunately, he’d been cautioned before leaving the palace not to use force or to wield his position as a threat, so he could only nod and say helplessly, “Very well, I’ll wait here.”

“Thank you, sir. Please wait a moment. I’ll return at once!” With that, the servant, sweating at the brow, hurried off to find Manager Xu.

Manager Xu, busy with his work, was surprised to see the servant so flustered.

“What’s happened to make you so anxious?” he asked with a frown.

The servant glanced at the imperial bodyguard waiting nearby, quickly approached, and whispered the situation in Xu’s ear.

Manager Xu was instantly dumbstruck, staring at the imperial bodyguard in disbelief.

“Even the palace nobles want to buy the Orleans Set Meal?”

“Is that possible?”

“You can’t be mistaken?” Manager Xu peered at the servant, but the servant nodded solemnly. “Manager, I’m absolutely certain. He really was sent by a noble from the palace. What should we do?”

Manager Xu’s face clouded with unease.

He hesitated for a long while before sighing heavily and saying through gritted teeth, “You stay here and look after the guests. I’ll take him to the young master.”

“Yes, Manager!” the servant replied at once.

Without further delay, Manager Xu left the counter, walked briskly up to the man, and bowed slightly. “Sir, please come with me. I must take you to the proprietor—only he can decide this matter.”

“Very well.” The man, surprised, nodded and followed Manager Xu out of Drunken Immortal Tavern.

The imperial bodyguards waiting outside were momentarily confused to see their comrade exit and head off in an unexpected direction, farther and farther from the tavern.

“Where are they going?”

Though puzzled, the other guards followed, careful not to draw attention.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen of the Li Residence, Li Yi was tinkering with a new recipe.

He had no idea that, just then, a house servant hurried to the kitchen door and reported, “Young Master, Manager Xu has arrived at the gate with a guest, saying the matter is urgent and he requests an audience with you!”

“Manager Xu?” Li Yi paused, set down his work, and looked at the servant, puzzled.

“Why isn’t Manager Xu minding the tavern? What’s he doing here at the residence?” Li Yi mused under his breath.

“Young Master, shall I show him in?” the servant asked tentatively.

Li Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

He hadn’t expected that it wasn’t just Yue’er who had a way with words—even the servants of his house had developed such amusing turns of phrase.

He nodded with a smile, “Of course, show him in!”

Second chapter delivered. Thanks to reader 1199532805 for the tip, and to everyone for your recommendations.