Chapter 117: Is This Statement Correct?

Silence.

The air was heavy with a deathly, suffocating silence. It felt as though an invisible pressure had descended upon the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, thinning the air like paper and leaving everyone present stunned and wide-eyed.

Every person stood frozen like a statue, their eyes wide with shock, fixed intently on the imperial plaque.

After a long while, seeing that Manager Xu remained speechless, Li Yi finally broke the silence.

"Manager Xu, hurry up and hang the plaque. What are you standing there for?" Li Yi frowned impatiently. "You don't expect to fill your belly just by staring at it, do you?"

"Ah!"

Only when Li Yi spoke did Manager Xu snap back to reality. He shuddered slightly, then waved his hands frantically, shouting orders to his staff: "Quick! All of you, hurry and put up the 'Imperial Plaque'!"

"Uh... yes, Manager." The staff members, shaken from their daze, scrambled to find ladders and tools to mount the plaque.

Seeing them fumbling in their haste, Manager Xu frowned and cautioned anxiously, "Be careful! Make sure you don't scratch or damage the plaque."

"Understood, Manager," the staff replied, taking a moment to steady their nerves before proceeding with the task.

As he watched the imperial plaque being slowly hoisted above the doorway, Manager Xu asked in disbelief, "Young Master, is this... is this truly a gift from the Sage?"

Even after the plaque was hung, instantly lending the Drunken Immortal Pavilion an air of elegance, Manager Xu still found it hard to believe. With his remark, everyone else’s gaze also turned toward Li Yi.

It wasn't just him; no one present had ever dared to imagine that the Sage would personally bestow a plaque upon a restaurant. While the "Orleans Set Meal" and "Wuliangye" served at the pavilion were indeed unparalleled delicacies, the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was, at best, just a restaurant.

Why would the Sage go to such lengths as to bestow an imperial plaque? The crowd was utterly confused, their minds a complete muddle.

Seeing this, Li Yi gave a slight grin. He glanced at Manager Xu, then swept his gaze across the room before speaking slowly: "Manager Xu, the truth is, the techniques for the Orleans Set Meal and the Wuliangye both originated from the palace."

"What?"

Manager Xu was instantly dumbfounded. He stretched his neck forward like a dazed duck, eyes wide, and stammered, "Young Master, are you saying... these two delicacies were crafted with techniques from the palace?"

Seeing Manager Xu's idiotic expression, Li Yi couldn't be bothered to respond. However, Yue'er, standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer. She huffed with annoyance, glared at Manager Xu, and snapped, "What is it? Do you think my Young Master would lie to you?"

"Uh..." The moment Yue'er spoke, the crowd was rendered speechless.

Indeed, given Li Yi's status and position, how could he possibly deceive them? Furthermore, Li Yi was the one who had brought the plaque, and the "flying-white" calligraphy style on it was distinct and unique—it was clearly the authentic handwriting of the Sage. Anyone who dared to impersonate the Sage would likely lose their head ten times over.

Still, the news from Li Yi was simply too shocking for them. Manager Xu stood stunned for a moment, then his hands began to tremble with excitement. He looked at the calm and composed Li Yi, feeling more than ever that his own judgment was sharp. He realized he had made the right choice in siding with Li Yi.

"Young Master, from now on, I will serve the Sage and you with all my heart!" Manager Xu declared solemnly, bowing deeply in front of everyone. He was no fool; he knew better than to say anything more in such a crowded, noisy place.

"Forget it." Li Yi waved his hand and rolled his eyes, looking at the now-grinning Manager Xu. "It is 'from now on,' not 'in the future'! And one more thing: just serve the Sage well; there is no need to serve me."

"Yes, Young Master, I will keep that in mind. I will certainly serve the Sage well," Manager Xu replied with another bow.

Li Yi nodded in satisfaction and motioned for him to stand up. "Manager Xu, let's go. To Room Number One. I have something to discuss with you."

"Yes," Manager Xu said, bowing respectfully and gesturing with his hand. "Right this way, Young Master!"

Following this, Manager Xu accompanied Li Yi to Room Number One, leaving the crowd behind in a state of wonder and delight.

The onlookers, especially the patrons who had been dining, had finally recovered from their shock. They looked at the doorway, then back at the "Orleans Set Meal" and "Wuliangye" on their tables, a sense of pride swelling within them.

"I never imagined... that in my lifetime, I would get to eat food from the palace. What a blessing from the Sage!"

"The Sage is truly a wise ruler; he is even willing to let us commoners taste imperial delicacies..."

"Such divine flavors could only come from the imperial kitchen. I must eat my fill today..."

The crowd buzzed with excitement, calling out to the staff to place more orders or request takeout. Business at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion exploded once again.

As Li Yi entered the pavilion, a long queue of customers formed outside, while others departed. Yet, the news of the "Orleans Set Meal, Wuliangye, and the Imperial Plaque" spread through the streets like a butterfly effect...

---

In Room Number One, Li Yi had barely sat down when a waiter brought in a bottle of Wuliangye and an Orleans Set Meal before quietly retreating. The room was left with only Li Yi, his servant Yue'er, and Manager Xu.

"Young Master, what is it you wish to discuss?" Manager Xu asked, looking at Li Yi, who was already beginning his meal.

"Sit down first," Li Yi said, glancing up and taking a sip of wine. Once Manager Xu was seated, he continued, "The imperial plaque is hung. You said you wanted to repay the Sage—is that true?"

Manager Xu hesitated, sensing something might be amiss, but nodded honestly. "Yes, Young Master. I spoke nothing but the truth."

"Well, now is the time to repay the Sage," Li Yi said, sounding nonchalant as he gnawed on a chicken leg. "I have already informed the Sage that you and I will each contribute thirty percent of our monthly profits to the national treasury."

"..." Manager Xu was speechless.

He hadn't expected to fall into one of Li Yi's traps again—and one he had eagerly walked into himself, the kind that not even nine oxen could pull him out of.

Seeing that Manager Xu remained silent, Li Yi didn't rush him. He continued to eat his chicken and drink his wine, clearly savoring the taste.

Finally, the silent Manager Xu could no longer hold back. He took a deep breath, looked up at Li Yi with a solemn expression, and nodded. "Very well, Young Master. I will do as you command!"

"Deal!" Li Yi smiled and nodded, continuing to enjoy his fine wine and food.