Chapter 108: A Small Token of Appreciation (First Update, Please Vote)

After handing over the two Tai Chi manuals to Emperor Taizong, Li Yi returned to the Li residence by the afternoon.

From Emperor Taizong, Li Yi had received definite news: early the next morning, palace attendants would deliver the imperial plaque personally inscribed by the emperor.

Li Yi felt exceptionally elated; even his brushstrokes flowed with an unusually graceful and effortless flair.

With this imperial plaque personally bestowed by Emperor Taizong, the business at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion would henceforth be genuinely recognized as a royal establishment. Li Yi no longer feared anyone daring to cause trouble.

Yet, before Li Yi could rejoice for long, Yue’er came rushing in from outside.

“Yue’er, what’s wrong?” Li Yi asked casually while continuing his relaxed calligraphy.

“Master, Zheng An from the Zheng family is here again,” Yue’er said, a faint flush of annoyance on her cheeks as she complained, “He’s currently lingering in the main hall, refusing to leave no matter what, insisting on seeing Master.”

“Zheng An?” Li Yi paused briefly upon hearing the name, recalling the man. His brush hesitated slightly before he resumed writing, asking nonchalantly, “What business does he have coming to the residence?”

“Master, it’s all about the Orléans set menu and the Wuliangye deal!” Yue’er pouted, displeased, and scoffed softly. Then, as if recalling something, she sneered with a hint of disdain, “He must be regretting how hot business at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion has become, so he wants to sign the agreement we didn’t finalize last time.”

Li Yi smiled and raised his brow, glancing at Yue’er with mock seriousness. “Did you not tell him that I am very busy right now?”

“Master, Yue’er told him everything,” she nodded obediently, though her displeasure deepened, her delicate nose twitching as she said angrily, “But he stubbornly refuses to leave, no matter how much we try to send him away!”

Li Yi was momentarily stunned but chuckled inwardly. When did Zheng An become so shameless? Was this still the courteous businessman from the imperial merchants?

Sighing softly, Li Yi finished the last stroke, set down his brush, straightened his sleeves, and said calmly, “In that case, let’s go meet this scoundrel.”

“Hehe, yes, Master,” Yue’er laughed aloud at his playful words and followed closely behind as they left the study.

……

In the main hall of the Li residence, Zheng An sat uneasily, nervously sipping tea every so often. His gaze darted around the room, as if searching for someone. His fingers clenched tightly, occasionally pressing against his knees, betraying his anxiety.

“Young Master, perhaps… we should come back another day?” whispered a steward wearing a green cap behind him, cautioning softly, “It seems Master Li is deliberately avoiding us. It’s been quite some time, and there’s still no sign of him.”

Zheng An frowned irritably and shot him a sharp look, raising an eyebrow. “No. If we don’t close this deal today, I’m not leaving!”

The green-capped steward was left speechless. He hadn’t expected Zheng An’s earlier claim to Yue’er—that he wouldn’t leave without seeing Li Yi—to be so resolute.

An hour had already passed with no sign of Li Yi. What kind of hospitality was this?

Though anger simmered within, as a mere steward, he dared not go against Zheng An’s wishes and simply stood by obediently.

At that moment, Li Yi and Yue’er slowly appeared in the main hall.

Zheng An’s eyes lit up immediately. He sprang to his feet and bowed respectfully, hiding his frustration behind a smile. “Zheng An greets you, Master.”

“Brother Zheng?” Li Yi feigned surprise and sighed, then returned the bow with a hint of apology. “My apologies, I was unaware of your arrival. My steward’s hospitality has been lacking, and you have waited too long.”

“No, no, Master, you are too polite,” Zheng An smiled and shook his head. After sitting beside Li Yi, he continued with a friendly smile, “It is I who has troubled you. Please forgive me.”

Li Yi shook his head and smiled. He hadn’t expected Zheng An to keep his composure so well. He gestured toward the tea and said, “Brother Zheng, please enjoy the tea.”

“...Thank you, Master,” Zheng An replied, nodding slightly with a twitch of his cheek, staring at the tea beside him, feeling somewhat nauseated.

Over the past hour, he had consumed countless cups but now could barely swallow another.

Still, needing to maintain appearances for his request, he forced himself to take a small sip.

Then he nodded approvingly. “Master’s tea has a slightly sweet entrance, without bitterness—a rare delight. Recently, I’ve also come into possession of a few jin of a coarse tea.”

As he spoke, the green-capped steward behind him respectfully placed a package of tea leaves on the table beside Li Yi.

Zheng An smiled gently and said, “It’s a small token. Please don’t despise it, Master.”

Li Yi was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Zheng An to seize this opportunity to present a gift, evidently having prepared this well in advance.

‘Coarse tea?’ Li Yi silently doubted his words.

He reached out and weighed the package a few times, then gave Yue’er a glance. She nodded and stepped forward to open the yellow paper wrapping.

Inside were indeed only tea leaves, nothing else.

The leaves looked remarkably fresh, a tender green hue—clearly recently picked from the mountains—a rare and fine quality tea.

“Then I won’t be polite. Many thanks, Brother Zheng,” Li Yi said with a smile, waving his hand. Yue’er obediently stepped back behind him.

“You’re too kind, Master. It’s just a small token,” Zheng An replied lightly, half-jokingly, half-teasing, “I was afraid you might refuse to accept it!”

“Brother Zheng, how could I ever refuse?” Li Yi smiled and shook his head. Seeing that he had already presented a gift yet still hadn’t broached the matter at hand, Li Yi grew weary of formalities.

Without further beating around the bush, he asked directly, “What is it that you’ve come to see me about?”

Zheng An’s expression turned somewhat awkward. He no longer evaded the question and said earnestly, “To be frank with you, Master, I have come to discuss the cooperation we failed to finalize last time.”

He looked embarrassed speaking those words.

After all, it had been he who had given up previously; now he was the one bringing it up again, causing some discomfort.

(End of chapter)