Chapter 93: Why Are You Looking for Me?

“Hmph. You want me to say it plainly? You stubborn brat, you really won’t give up until you hit a wall, will you?”

Li Jing’s face darkened at once. Seeing Li Yi still standing there, pretending ignorance to his face, he could not help pointing a finger at him in fury.

“I’ll ask you once more: do you have business dealings with the Drunken Immortal Tower or not?”

The moment Li Yi heard this, he immediately understood why Li Jing was so angry.

It must be that Li Jing had already learned something of the matter.

Although Li Jing was not like the other officials, corrupt in thought and contemptuous of merchants, Li Yi had come out of the imperial palace so late tonight. Li Jing had assumed that Li Yi had been punished by Emperor Li Shimin while in court.

That was why he had been so enraged, and why he had vented all his temper on Li Yi.

If Lady Hongfu had not warned him in advance not to strike Li Yi, then by now Li Yi would likely have already taken several hard blows from the family board.

But now, hearing Li Jing’s rebuke, Li Yi felt no guilt at all.

“Father, please calm yourself first,” he said evenly. “Your son does indeed have business dealings with the Drunken Immortal Tower, but it has all been handled through Yue’er.”

“You—!” Li Jing was so angry at that answer that his eyes bulged and his nose flared, yet for a moment he could not find words to scold him further.

But the matter was already settled. However much he might rage now, it would be of no use.

“Haah...” Li Jing sighed in helplessness. Taking a deep breath, he frowned in thought before asking more softly, “In the palace, did His Majesty make things difficult for you?”

“No,” Li Yi replied with a slight start, then smiled.

Li Jing’s brows knitted tighter. Narrowing his eyes, he studied Li Yi’s expression carefully, but he could not detect the slightest sign of deceit.

He had not expected that even now, Li Yi could still smile?

Though he did not object to Li Yi allowing Yue’er to manage business, after entering the palace today, the emperor had not made things difficult for Li Yi at all. How could that be possible?

Li Jing simply did not believe a word of it.

Seeing the doubt all over Li Jing’s face, Li Yi smiled with an innocent air and said slowly, “Father, please hear your son out.”

Then he recounted everything that had happened in the imperial palace that night.

After hearing the whole story, Li Jing’s brows were tightly furrowed, his fingers gripping the hem of his robe. He could hardly believe that not only had Li Shimin failed to punish Li Yi, he had actually appointed him as a seventh-rank imperial medical officer.

And at the same time, the emperor had even agreed to bestow a plaque upon the Drunken Immortal Tower.

To Li Jing, it was simply inconceivable. He found it almost impossible to believe.

“Third Son, are you certain... you have not lied to your father?” Li Jing looked at Li Yi in utter shock, his face full of disbelief.

Li Yi thumped his chest and promised with a grin, “Rest assured, Father. Not one word of what your son says is false!”

Li Jing was stunned.

He had never imagined that Li Yi, with nothing more than his silver tongue, would not only secure an official post, but even turn the Drunken Immortal Tower into something openly legitimate.

With things as they were, who would dare look down on the Li family now?

They would probably not even have time to envy them.

Li Jing was truly shaken. It felt as though a veil had been lifted from his eyes. Looking at Li Yi before him, there was now a touch of admiration in his expression.

“Third Son,” Li Jing said, his voice unusually gentle. Looking at Li Yi across from him, he continued slowly, “you must remember this well: the way of office lies in knowing how to adapt. One must not insist on charging straight ahead according to one’s own temper.”

“I will remember, Father,” Li Yi answered dutifully, accepting the lesson with a nod.

“Good.” Li Jing nodded. Though there was no smile on his face, the ease radiating from him was unmistakable to Li Yi.

“Go back to your room. It is already late. Sleep early. Your father still has court duties tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father.” Li Yi rose, cupped his hands, and took his leave. “You should rest early as well.”

Watching Li Yi depart, the expressionless face on Li Jing’s features finally broke into a pleased smile.

“This Third Son of mine truly is worthy of being my son. He is a promising lad indeed!”

With a satisfied laugh, Li Jing also rose, left the study, and went to tell Lady Hongfu the good news.

The next morning, the heavy snowfall had already ceased.

The servants of the Li household had cleared the snow early. Li Yi got up with Yue’er’s help, then practiced a set of Tai Chi with her before returning to his room to take out two copies of the Tai Chi manual, preparing to enter the palace.

Just as Li Yi stepped outside, he saw Lady Hongfu waiting for him at the door.

“Mother, why have you come?” Li Yi asked in surprise.

Seeing the loving, smiling look on Lady Hongfu’s face, he knew at once that Li Jing had already told her everything.

“What, Third Son? You’ve only just become a tiny little official and you’re already starting to resent your mother?” Lady Hongfu teased with a smile as she walked toward him.

Li Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry. He hurriedly shook his head and said, “How could I possibly think that, Mother? Your son would never dare. I still do not have nearly enough time to honor you!”

“Heh heh...” Lady Hongfu covered her mouth and laughed softly. While straightening his collar, she also reminded him of a few trivial matters.

Li Yi obediently nodded and smiled.

“All right, go on now.” Lady Hongfu patted his shoulder, then pointed outside with a smile. “Your father is waiting for you in the carriage. Hurry off to the palace, and come back early. I’ll make something delicious for you!”

“Thank you, Mother.” Li Yi grinned. “I knew it. Mother is still the best to me.”

“Enough with the sweet talk. Go on.”

“Yes, Mother. Your son takes his leave.”

Having said his charming little farewell, Li Yi bid Lady Hongfu goodbye and headed out of the residence.

But when he reached the gate and saw that Li Jing really was waiting in the carriage to go with him, Li Yi was genuinely surprised.

He had not expected Li Jing to wait for him and travel together.

“Father.” Li Yi smiled and bowed in greeting. Only after seeing Li Jing nod back did he climb into the carriage and sit down.

The carriage rolled slowly toward the imperial palace.

To be honest, this was the first time Li Yi had seen the spectacle of the court officials assembling before Taiji Palace, and it was truly grand.

Countless carriages traveling along the official roads stopped before Taiji Palace, and all the officials dismounted and continued on foot.

Li Yi got down from the carriage together with Li Jing, preparing to head toward Xuanzheng Hall.

But just then, a woman’s voice Li Yi knew all too well suddenly rang out in the air, cutting across his steps.

“Master Li, please wait a moment.”

Li Yi could not help but freeze.

Turning his head, he immediately saw Linglong waiting not far away, and he frowned faintly.

“Father, please go ahead first. Your son will be along shortly,” Li Yi said to Li Jing.

Li Jing glanced at Linglong, nodded, then clasped his hands behind his back and went off alone to attend the morning court.

Only then did Li Yi slowly walk toward Linglong.

But as soon as he saw her standing there with her arms folded, emphasizing the graceful and alluring lines of her upper body, a wicked amusement rose in him. He lifted his chin slightly and smiled.

“What do you want with me?”