Chapter 81: Refusing to Take the Blame

Chang'an City, on the street.

Li Yi and his group were returning from Wang Family Town. As they passed the Drunken Immortal Tavern, they saw that, due to the launch of a new wine called “Wuliangye,” business was more booming than ever before. The sight left Li Lizhi and Linlang utterly astonished.

Outside the tavern hung a wooden sign with bold, eye-catching words: Wuliangye, ten taels of silver per pot—you deserve a taste!

Despite the high price, the Drunken Immortal Tavern was packed to the rafters, both upstairs and down, with not a single empty seat to be found.

On the street, streams of people bustled to and fro, buying Wuliangye to take home, flowing like a tide.

Some diners even set up makeshift shelters outside the tavern, braving the cold. They nibbled on Orleans chicken wings and sipped Wuliangye, their faces wreathed in laughter and joy, as if they had forgotten that it was the depths of winter.

Sitting outside in the freezing cold, drinking wine, seemed to bother them not at all.

“This…” Li Lizhi withdrew her gaze in disbelief, then turned to look at Li Yi, exclaiming in surprise, “Young Master Li, is this wine truly that good? Aren’t these people afraid of the cold?”

“That’s right!” Linlang echoed, her eyes full of amazement.

After all, it was the harshest winter month—December—not the warmth of spring, summer, or autumn.

The jubilant spectacle before them was truly beyond comprehension.

“Ahem… Princess, to be honest, I never expected this either…” Li Yi coughed awkwardly and waved his hand with a wry smile, looking genuinely bewildered.

He truly hadn’t anticipated that, with the debut of Wuliangye, the Drunken Immortal Tavern’s business would become so astonishingly prosperous!

Gazing at the flourishing scene, Li Yi thought inwardly, “At this rate, the Drunken Immortal Tavern will soon have stolen all the business in Chang’an…”

He couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration, marveling at these customers’ fortitude.

But then, realizing these people were braving the cold just to bring him their silver, Li Yi broke into a satisfied smile.

“They’re all such good people…” he murmured softly.

Yet upon hearing his sigh, and seeing the sly grin on his face, Li Lizhi and Linlang exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes at him in perfect unison, not believing a word.

“Young Master Li, you look a little too smug for your own good…” Li Lizhi teased with a laugh.

“Do I?” Li Yi raised an eyebrow and immediately put on a composed, reserved expression.

“…Of course you do!” Li Lizhi shot him a helpless glance, then turned to Linlang. “Linlang, what do you think—does he or doesn’t he?”

“Yes, Princess,” Linlang nodded honestly, her eyes carrying a hint of disdain as she looked at Li Yi. “And he’s especially insufferable about it!”

“Ahem…” Li Yi’s cheek twitched. He quickly coughed and smiled faintly. “Princess, surely your jealousy of me doesn’t need to be so obvious?”

…

Li Lizhi and Linlang glared at him in unison.

Li Yi: …

After witnessing the scene at the tavern, Li Lizhi became even more determined to bring a jug of wine and the recipe for the Orleans set meal into the palace.

She had always trusted Li Yi.

And now, seeing so many people braving the cold to buy Wuliangye, she was convinced the wine must be truly exceptional.

Otherwise, how could the Drunken Immortal Tavern’s business be so hot? These people weren’t fools.

So, setting aside her banter, she said softly, “Young Master Li, it’s getting late. Go home and give your instructions. Then, I’ll take you somewhere.”

“Oh?” Li Yi grinned mischievously at Li Lizhi.

“???” Li Lizhi blinked in puzzlement, looking at him curiously. “Young Master Li, what are you smiling about?”

“Ahem, nothing, nothing at all.” Li Yi quickly wiped the smirk from his face, stepped aside with a courteous bow, and said, “Princess, after you.”

“Mm.” Li Lizhi smiled and nodded, walking ahead of him.

But behind her, Linlang, piecing together Li Yi’s sly smile and his earlier “oh,” glared at him furiously.

She hadn’t expected Li Yi to be so shameless, daring to take such liberties—even verbally—with the princess!

“Scoundrel, shameless!” Linlang gritted her teeth.

Whatever little goodwill towards Li Yi she had managed to muster had now vanished like smoke.

…

Li Yi glanced at Linlang speechlessly, realizing at last that this clever maid always caught the hidden meaning in his words, and a trace of embarrassment flashed across his face.

He decided not to press his luck and headed back to the Li residence.

At home, neither Lady Hongfu nor Li Jing were present—they had gone to the Du residence. So, Li Yi instructed the servants and prepared to leave empty-handed with Li Lizhi.

He had just taken a step when Li Lizhi suddenly reminded him, “Young Master Li, it seems you’ve forgotten something.”

“Hmm? Did I?” Li Yi frowned, puzzled, and looked at her.

…

Li Lizhi’s cheeks twitched, but she said nothing. Instead, Linlang by her side frowned in annoyance and reminded him, “Young Master Li, you forgot the wine and the chef.”

“Ah, the wine and the chef?” Li Yi stared blankly at them for a moment, then suddenly realized.

So, the place Li Lizhi had mentioned wasn’t just anywhere—it was the imperial palace!

And he was to bring wine and a chef?

Wasn’t she dragging him into the palace to meet Emperor Li Shimin?

Damn!

At last, Li Yi understood.

Looking at the slightly embarrassed Li Lizhi, he rubbed his hands and said with a bitter smile, “Princess, you can bring the wine and chef yourself. I… won’t be going into the palace.”

“Young Master Li, why not?” Li Lizhi frowned in confusion, then teased, “Are you afraid that after we get to the palace, I might just eat you up?”

“Ahem…” Li Yi forced a laugh, glanced at Li Lizhi’s not-yet-fully-developed figure, and shook his head.

“Princess,” Li Yi bowed respectfully, his face troubled and his tone earnest, “My father instructed me to spend more time at home reading and to go out as little as possible.”

…

Li Lizhi rolled her eyes on the spot.

Beside her, Linlang nearly choked at the excuse.

Such a feeble lie—Uncle Li would never take the blame for this!

“Ahem…” Li Lizhi coughed lightly, used to Li Yi’s shamelessness by now.

So, in a commanding tone, she declared, “No. Young Master Li, you must come to the palace today!”

…

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End of chapter.