Chapter 123: Feigning Ignorance (First Update—Please Vote)

The sudden, sharp exclamation instantly interrupted Inugami no Mitasuki’s cold interrogation of Zhang Yuxuan.

Not only were Zhang Yuxuan and his fellow Tang court officials taken aback, but Inugami no Mitasuki and his delegation of Japanese envoys also paused, turning their heads in unison to see who had arrived. The newcomer was none other than the savior summoned by Shopkeeper Xu—Li Yi.

Close behind Li Yi walked Yue'er, dressed in a green gown. She remained expressionless, as cold and distant as a statue of ice and jade. Seeing that it was Li Yi, Zhang Yuxuan hesitated for a moment before quickly regaining his composure.

"This official pays his respects to Physician Li," Zhang Yuxuan said, bowing slightly. Straightening up with a beaming smile, he added, "I never expected to run into Physician Li here. It seems today was truly an auspicious day for me to venture out."

Upon hearing this, the other court officials following Zhang Yuxuan also chimed in with respectful greetings: "We pay our respects to Physician Li!"

Zhang Yuxuan and his companions were perfectly clear about the situation. Although the Drunken Immortal Pavilion appeared small and unassuming, it bore a plaque personally bestowed by the Emperor, which meant its background was anything but simple. Furthermore, they had recently heard rumors in the palace about the Imperial Chef learning to prepare "Orleans-style sets" from the head chef at the Li estate. It was not difficult for them to deduce the connection between Li Yi and the restaurant.

However, they were caught in a dilemma. On one side were the Japanese envoys, whom the Emperor had personally ordered them to treat with great care. On the other side was Li Yi—a man highly valued by the Emperor, respected by the physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau, and, most importantly, the son of Li Jing. They could not afford to offend him. Zhang Yuxuan and his men had been fretting over how to handle this, and Li Yi’s sudden appearance offered them a perfect escape.

"With Physician Li personally intervening, we can finally breathe easy," they thought, feeling a wave of relief. They had no intention of involving themselves further.

Since the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was Li Yi's territory, his interference was for the best; it would make it much easier for them to report back to the Emperor. Sensing their relief, Li Yi returned their gesture with a polite bow.

"What are you saying, Envoy Zhang?" Li Yi asked with a self-deprecating smile. "I was simply craving the food at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and came out for a meal. I didn't expect to run into you and the other envoys here."

As he spoke, Li Yi raised his eyebrows and glanced at the Japanese delegation. Suddenly, he frowned, feigning curiosity. "Envoy Zhang, these people... they look quite unfamiliar!"

As soon as Li Yi spoke, Yue'er chimed in with a look of surprise. "Young Master, looking at how weary and dusty they are, could they be... refugees fleeing from some other part of our Tang Empire?"

"Refugees?" Li Yi echoed, feigning shock. He studied the Japanese envoys closely before nodding. "Indeed, they do look a bit like that!"

"Oh, Young Master, I almost forgot the important business!" Yue'er suddenly tapped her forehead, abruptly changing the subject with a serious expression. "Young Master, should I go ahead and queue at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion? If we go too late, I fear... you won't be able to taste the delicacies." She blinked her deep blue eyes at Li Yi, pouting slightly.

Hearing this, Li Yi turned to her. After a brief moment of feigned contemplation, he nodded and instructed, "Yue'er, go ahead and queue. Once I have bid farewell to Envoy Zhang, I will join you immediately."

"Yes, Young Master." Yue'er nodded, offered a slight curtsy to Zhang Yuxuan and the others, and turned toward the restaurant.

Meanwhile, Inugami no Mitasuki and his group were flushed with rage. Their expressions were as venomous and hateful as a farmer cornered by a snake. They could not believe that this man, whom the envoy called "Physician Li," and his maid had the audacity to call them a group of fleeing refugees to their faces!

"Refugees? I think... you are the ones who are the damn refugees!"

To Inugami no Mitasuki and his delegation, this was a blatant insult to their status as imperial envoys. They gnashed their teeth, glaring at Li Yi with eyes full of murder.

"Physician Li, are you and your maid attacking and insulting us, your foreign guests?" Inugami no Mitasuki demanded, his face dark with fury.

Li Yi ignored him, instead turning a look of genuine confusion toward Zhang Yuxuan. "Envoy Zhang, are these people... really not refugees? They are foreign guests? From which corner of the world did they crawl out of?"

Zhang Yuxuan and the other officials, having watched the master and servant play out their act, finally realized what was happening. Suppressing the urge to laugh, Zhang Yuxuan looked at Li Yi.

"Ahem, Physician Li, you are teasing me," Zhang Yuxuan said, maintaining a straight face. "They are not refugees of our Tang Empire. Our nation is powerful and wealthy, our people are well-fed and clothed; how could there be refugees here? They are the official envoys sent from the nation of Japan."

Pointing to Inugami no Mitasuki, he continued, "Physician Li, this is the Japanese ambassador, Inugami no Mitasuki. Those behind him are his delegation."

"Oh?" Li Yi’s mouth fell open, his brows relaxing in feigned realization. "So, you are the envoys from Japan! My maid and I truly thought you were refugees appearing in our Great Tang." He smiled and bowed slightly to Inugami no Mitasuki. "Honored envoys, please forgive the ignorant remarks made by my maid just now. I apologize on her behalf for her lack of discretion."