Chapter 84: Of Course, It Would Not Be Any Less

“This wine…”

The rich aroma wafted up, filling the air with an intoxicating fragrance. Li Shimin was so startled that words escaped him. Even his posture changed unconsciously; he sat up straight and leaned forward, drawn in by the scent.

He had spent half his life on the battlefield, and now reigned as Emperor of the Great Tang, revered as the Khagan of Heaven by all neighboring states. When had Li Shimin ever lost his composure?

Yet here and now, in the modest imperial study, he was undone—by nothing more than the aroma from a jar of medicinal wine.

Though the vassal states around Tang sent him their finest wines every year, Li Shimin had never encountered a fragrance so compelling, so alluring to the senses!

The bouquet from those other wines, however refined, simply could not compare to what emanated from this medicinal jar. They were worlds apart; there was no comparison.

After struggling for a long while to find the right words, Li Shimin at last found a familiar phrase and sighed, “It is truly exquisite.”

Beside him, Empress Zhangsun was equally dumbfounded. Her jade-black eyes widened in disbelief.

She had thought Li Yi brought nothing more than an ordinary medicinal wine. But as soon as the jar was opened, the aroma that poured forth was utterly enchanting.

If she could taste it herself, perhaps her spirits would soar—and who knows, maybe even her old ailments would be cured.

“Was this jar of medicinal wine truly brought by Li Bo’an?”

“This third son of the Li Jing household, who seems so young, is truly astonishing!”

“To think that his medical skills are extraordinary, and now his brewing craft is equally remarkable!”

Empress Zhangsun sighed inwardly. She found herself growing fond of this child, Li Yi.

Eunuch Gao and the two guards were struck dumb, standing frozen as if carved from clay. Even Li Shimin’s instructions slipped their minds, utterly forgotten.

“Li… Li Bo’an…” Li Lizhi, drawn by the soul-stirring aroma, couldn’t help but call out to Li Yi.

She walked slowly toward him, her small head raised, and asked, stammering, “Is this wine… the ‘Wuliangye’ sold at Drunken Immortal Pavilion?”

She had seen firsthand how business at Drunken Immortal Pavilion boomed, the crowds were astonishing and the scene unforgettable.

Therefore, if this medicinal wine was the Wuliangye sold at the pavilion, she understood perfectly why its business thrived.

If such peerless wine could not spark success, then no one in the world would dare do business.

“No,” Li Yi paused, glanced at the curious Lizhi, and shook his head. “That wine is indeed Wuliangye, but it’s for profit. This wine is called Health Wine; it’s for wellbeing.”

Lizhi rolled her eyes in silent exasperation.

But inwardly she was shaken. Wuliangye and Health Wine—Li Bo’an had crafted two types of wine!

Only the Wuliangye was sold. Yet even that one wine nearly monopolized the market in Chang’an—how terrifying!

Lizhi suddenly felt she could no longer see through Li Yi.

But then a smile blossomed on her delicate, lovely face, revealing two charming dimples.

“The one I’ve chosen could never be ordinary!” she laughed to herself, feeling a surge of pride.

At this thought, her heart thudded, her cheeks flushed crimson. She hurriedly lowered her head and turned away, avoiding Li Yi’s gaze.

Fortunately, her outburst broke Eunuch Gao’s spell of astonishment; he quickly urged the guards to fill a cup with medicinal wine and hurried it to Li Shimin.

“Your Majesty, please enjoy,” Gao bowed respectfully, secretly swallowing his saliva.

Li Shimin smiled and reached out eagerly.

He inhaled the aroma at the rim, eyes closed, savoring for a long moment, loath to drink. At last, he took a tiny sip, as delicately as a dragonfly skimming water.

“So fragrant!” he sighed inwardly.

As the wine slid down his throat, he realized it was neither bitter nor harsh, yet carried a deeper flavor than other spirits.

When the wine settled in his stomach, a warm fire slowly spread, but it brought no discomfort or annoyance. Instead, Li Shimin felt his fatigue ease, as if by magic.

“What a wondrous sensation…” he frowned slightly, surprised.

He took another small sip.

That feeling of comfort and relaxation swept through his entire body, every cell soothed.

Li Shimin had never felt so relaxed.

Only now, after tasting the medicinal wine himself, did he realize Li Yi had spoken true.

This Health Wine was not for drunkenness, but crafted to ease the mind.

“Li Bo’an, this wine is extraordinary. Even the finest immortal brews pale beside it!” Li Shimin reluctantly set down his cup, nodding in praise. “I did not expect your medical skill to be matched by such extraordinary brewing!”

“Your Majesty overpraises me,” Li Yi replied modestly, bowing. “I merely had the fortune to learn a few tricks from a teacher in my dreams—it is all thanks to my teacher.”

Li Yi had no choice but to place the credit on his dream mentor.

After all, such Health Wine had never before appeared in Great Tang. New things inevitably invite suspicion.

Moreover, Li Yi was only sixteen!

To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was better to let his dream teacher bear the burden.

“Haha!” At this, Li Shimin laughed aloud.

He had not expected Li Yi to answer with such humility, utterly devoid of pride—much to his liking.

“There is an old saying: ‘A master opens the door; cultivation depends on oneself.’ Li Bo’an, you need not be so modest.” Li Shimin looked at Li Yi with joy.

The more he observed the respectful, bowing Li Yi, the more Li Shimin found himself fond of this child.

But suddenly, as if reminded of something, Li Shimin’s expression turned stern.

“All of you, withdraw for now,” he ordered.

(End of chapter)