Chapter 69: The Princess’s Request

For a moment, Li Lizhi was left in a daze, staring at Li Yi in confusion, unable to grasp the meaning behind his blunt comment. However, the maidservant Linlang, standing at her side, noticed how Li Yi's bloodshot eyes lingered on her long legs before drifting upward to her chest, all while he replied with such shameless flippancy. A flush of anger rose to Linlang’s cheeks.

“Hmph, lecherous scoundrel—shameless and vulgar!” Linlang muttered under her breath, shooting Li Yi a fierce glare, as if she might storm over at any moment and give him a thorough beating.

Unlike Li Lizhi, who remained innocent and oblivious to matters between men and women, Linlang had been raised within the palace since childhood, trained to serve as a companion and future dowry maid for Li Lizhi. She instantly caught the innuendo in Li Yi’s words and did not hesitate to scold him outright.

Li Lizhi, not knowing the truth of the matter, saw Linlang speak so rudely and frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing as she gently reproved, “Linlang, you must not be discourteous to Young Master Li.”

“My apologies, Princess,” Linlang replied, pursing her lips and casting another resentful glance at Li Yi before lowering her head in reluctant silence.

Li Yi, on the other hand, found the whole thing amusing—at last, he thought, he’d found someone he could tease a little. His mood brightened instantly.

He strolled over, deliberately pausing beside Linlang to take in the faint scent of her perfume, which only provoked another murderous glare from the maid. Sensing her rising fury, Li Yi quickly retreated a step to put some distance between them.

He then turned to Li Lizhi with an innocent expression. “May I ask, Princess, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?”

Li Lizhi, seeing Li Yi’s directness, chose not to beat around the bush either. Smiling, she asked straightforwardly, “Young Master Li, I heard that this morning the Imperial Guards came to seek you out in the palace. Why did you refuse to sell a set meal to the noble in the palace?”

Her tone was calm, without the slightest hint of blame. Rather, it felt like two old friends chatting at ease, which made Li Yi feel completely relaxed. He enjoyed this atmosphere greatly.

He smiled, pausing thoughtfully before replying with a troubled look, “Princess, those Imperial Guards didn’t seem to be sent by you. They lacked even the most basic courtesy—how could I possibly sell anything to them?”

Though Li Yi had already guessed the identity of the noble in question, he did not say it aloud before Li Lizhi. With the arrogance displayed by those guards, only one person in the palace could have dispatched them—none other than the Emperor himself: Li Shimin.

If Li Shimin truly wanted to taste his delicacies, Li Yi would have been more than willing to oblige, considering the Emperor’s immense power and influence. But, with the guards’ insolent attitude, Li Yi had no desire to show them any respect.

Whether they failed their mission and were punished by Li Shimin upon their return was none of Li Yi’s concern. He was not a petty man by nature, but respect must be earned, not begged for.

Hearing Li Yi’s response, Li Lizhi couldn’t suppress a smile. “This is indeed very much like you. But have you considered—aren’t you afraid to offend that noble in the palace?”

Her eyes sparkled with a teasing glint as she looked at Li Yi, causing him to be momentarily distracted by her gaze.

Li Yi burst out laughing, well aware that Li Lizhi was only joking with him. They both knew perfectly well who the “noble” was, though neither named him aloud.

“Princess, you know I meant no harm,” he said, shaking his head helplessly and returning her playful look with one of his own. Then, grinning wildly, he added, “Besides, with you here to help me, Princess, isn’t everything fine?”

Li Yi’s shamelessness reached new heights, leaving Li Lizhi both exasperated and amused. Yet, his words inexplicably filled her with joy.

“All right, let’s not talk about this anymore,” she said, covering her mouth with a laugh before turning to walk back. As Li Yi caught up, she explained, “Actually, Father has already demoted Yang Lin for his behavior, so you need not worry—he does not blame you.”

“What?” Li Yi looked at her in shock. He had never expected Yang Lin to be punished, and so severely at that.

Looking at Li Lizhi in a new light, Li Yi suddenly thought that her support was quite substantial; if he could win her favor, it would last him a long time indeed.

The thought made him chuckle to himself, realizing how much of a rascal he must seem.

“Hmph, shameless rogue!” Linlang, perhaps sensing the indecent turn of his thoughts, drew near and snorted, glaring at him even more fiercely.

Li Yi was left speechless by the maid’s warning, finding her unexpectedly amusing.

Just then, as Li Yi was still caught between laughter and embarrassment, Li Lizhi abruptly stopped, turned around, and said, “By the way, Young Master Li, you still haven’t told me—what were you doing in the cellar just now?”

Li Yi, lost in thought as he walked forward, nearly stumbled into her before he realized she had turned back. Fortunately, Linlang quickly stretched out an arm to block him, preventing an awkward scene.

Yet, her intervention only made things more uncomfortable for the two of them.

Clearing his throat, Li Yi quickly stepped back and offered a sheepish smile. “Ah, Princess, I was just storing some wine in the cellar and got a bit distracted.”

Li Lizhi’s cheeks flushed, and she nodded in embarrassed agreement. Neither mentioned the awkward moment again.

However, Linlang drew even closer to Li Lizhi, as if determined to shield her mistress from any further impropriety.

Both Li Yi and Li Lizhi were left speechless by this, and a brief silence fell over the trio.

But after a moment, Li Lizhi’s thoughts turned. If Li Yi was storing wine, it certainly wasn’t ordinary wine—perhaps, just like his famous set meals, it was something special. And since Li Shimin had already developed a taste for those, an idea quickly formed in her mind.

Smiling at Li Yi, Li Lizhi said, “Young Master Li, I have a small favor to ask—would you be willing to help me?”

Thank you all for your votes—truly, I am moved to tears… (End of chapter)