Chapter 91: Shamelessly Bold

As expected, when Li Yi said this, Li Shimin’s slightly furrowed brow eased at once, clearly relaxing far more than before. The tension in his face was plainly reduced.

Naturally, Li Shimin understood the deeper meaning in Li Yi’s words.

To put it plainly, it meant that as long as Li Shimin bestowed a plaque upon Drunken Immortal Lodge, he would not only obtain the secret method for the “Orleans set meal,” but also seize the chance to win the hearts of the people.

As for Li Yi, he would merely receive a sum of money, and that was all.

This move of Li Yi’s could be said to kill three birds with one stone, a true win-win arrangement.

But if one were to compare the two, even an outsider could instantly tell which side held more weight.

Clearly, Li Shimin stood to gain far more.

At the same time, Li Shimin also thought of another point: Li Yi wanted Drunken Immortal Lodge to become the golden nameplate of the imperial kitchen of Great Tang.

Although Li Shimin understood Li Yi’s goodwill, he still found this part somewhat difficult to grasp.

“Could it be that this brat, Li Bo’an, is short of money and wants to borrow my name to get things done?” Li Shimin thought to himself.

But it was only a passing thought, and he did not continue to speculate wildly.

How could the residence of the Minister of War possibly be short of money?

The salaries of Tang officials, though not exactly high, were not low either. By Li Shimin’s reckoning, those stipends should be enough for daily expenses.

Thus, regarding Li Yi’s tactful proposal, Li Shimin did not answer at once. Instead, he frowned slightly and fell into thought.

After all, this matter was no small affair now, and Li Shimin had to consider it with utmost care.

Seeing this, Li Yi did not rashly speak up to interrupt Li Shimin’s pondering, but quietly remained where he was.

After quite a while, Li Shimin finally raised his eyes.

“Li Bo’an, though you have made this matter sound wondrous beyond measure, why should I agree to it?” Li Shimin asked with a smile, his tone curious.

He had thought for a long time and still could not understand why Li Yi would do such a thing.

So Li Shimin intended to ask clearly what lay behind it.

“Your Majesty,” Li Yi said calmly, looking at Li Shimin without haste or agitation, “Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. I believe Your Majesty will naturally seek blessings for the common people of the realm. I am sure that in Your Majesty’s heart, this has long been as clear as a mirror.”

“Though it seems that the people of Great Tang are now well fed and well clothed, if war were to break out, vast sums of military funds would surely be needed in the rear to serve as the firm support of the army.”

“I also saw my father return from battle and often worry over military stipends, and so I came up with this idea. I ask Your Majesty to examine it carefully.”

Li Yi cupped his hands in salute, lowered his head slightly, and said no more.

Yet after hearing this, Li Shimin was deeply shaken.

He could never have imagined that although Li Yi was so young, he thought about matters with such thoroughness and long-term vision.

Indeed, as Li Yi said, war is always unpredictable.

And whether there are sufficient military funds to sustain it also represents the strength of a nation. This was an unavoidable truth.

“This brat, Li Bo’an. I never expected that he would also carry a heart for country and people. Truly worthy of being the son of the Medicine Master!” Li Shimin marveled inwardly.

He knew very well that among noble sons of Li Yi’s age, many did nothing more than recite poetry and seek pleasure all day, living carefree lives of idle extravagance. Rare were those who cared about affairs of state and country as Li Yi did.

Li Shimin’s esteem for Li Yi deepened once more.

“Very well, I grant it!” Li Shimin declared heartily, his face bright with pleasure and no trace of his earlier hesitation.

Looking at Li Yi, Li Shimin felt almost as though he were seeing his younger self.

“Many thanks, Your Majesty.” Li Yi quickly bowed in thanks and said with great understanding, “When I return, I will immediately have Yue’er draft a new agreement, offering Your Majesty forty percent of Drunken Immortal Lodge’s profits.”

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback. He had not expected Li Yi to give up part of the profits as well.

Forty percent was only a portion, but it was indeed a substantial share.

“Good. It is settled then, my loyal subject!” Fearing that Li Yi might have misspoken and would wish to take it back, Li Shimin hurriedly nodded, waving his sleeve as he said quickly, “It is late already. You may withdraw!”

“...” Li Yi’s mouth twitched.

Damn it.

Li Shimin had only just taken his benefit, and already he was so eager to send him away?

Li Yi had gained a new understanding of Li Shimin.

Utterly shameless.

Of course, Li Yi merely grumbled inwardly. He would never foolishly say it aloud; that would be like carrying a lantern into a cesspit, asking for death...

“Your Majesty, then I shall take my leave.” Li Yi once again restored his harmless smile, respectfully said his farewell, and withdrew from the imperial study.

But just as Li Yi reached the doorway of the imperial study hall, Li Shimin suddenly called out: “Li Bo’an!”

Li Yi froze, slowly turned back around, and looked at Li Shimin with some hesitation.

“Your Majesty, may I ask what instructions you have?” Li Yi asked in confusion.

“Cough, cough...” Li Shimin coughed twice. His expression was somewhat unnatural, and he glanced around the imperial study with a hint of embarrassment before asking, “The cook you brought with you, where is he now?”

“...” Li Yi was speechless in his heart and utterly defeated.

Li Yi had thought his own skin had already been thick enough, but he never imagined he had met a true master.

Before Li Shimin, he was like a grain of sand in a vast desert, utterly insignificant.

“Your Majesty, he is waiting outside the hall, ready at any time to receive Your Majesty’s summons.” Li Yi said expressionlessly.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.

“Very well, I understand.” Li Shimin waved at Li Yi and said with feigned casualness, “Once he has taught the imperial chefs in the palace, I will have him return to your estate. You may withdraw.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Your subject takes his leave.” With considerable helplessness, Li Yi left the palace.

Outside the palace, at the end of the long blue-stone path, beneath an old tree dressed in white from snow.

Li Yi saw the figure of a delicate, slender woman standing in the drifting cold snow, holding a small white umbrella and trembling slightly. He could not help but feel curious.

“In weather like this, who is it?” Li Yi murmured to himself. “Already frozen to this state, and still not going home. I wonder which family’s foolish girl she is.”

However, the moment Li Yi appeared, he saw that figure beneath the old tree running toward him in quick, light steps.

Though the snow was falling heavily, the countless flakes landing upon that graceful figure beneath the white umbrella lent it a uniquely alluring charm.

“Young Master, you’re out?”

At the same time, Yue’er’s familiar voice came rushing over.

Li Yi froze.

He had just been joking to himself, wondering which family’s foolish girl it was, and he never would have guessed it was actually that silly girl Yue’er.

“Yue’er, why is it you?” Li Yi walked over and asked in surprise.

“Young Master.” Yue’er smiled brightly, immediately raising the small white umbrella above Li Yi’s head and saying playfully, “Yue’er saw that Young Master had not come out of the palace for a long time, and since it was snowing again in the sky, I had them return to the estate first to report to Master and Madam. Yue’er stayed here to wait for Young Master.”

Seeing Yue’er’s little hands already cold and blue, and her face reddened by the frost, Li Yi felt moved and, at the same time, a wave of heartache.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Li Yi said with a smile.

He took the little umbrella from Yue’er’s hand, sheltering her as well, and held her icy, purplish little hand. The man and the woman, together beneath the white umbrella, slowly vanished into the wind and snow...

The second update is delivered. I especially liked writing this snowy scene in Chang’an. I’m very fond of Yue’er’s foolish innocence, and I had a wonderful time writing it. Yue’er humbly asks all leaders for votes and support, QAQ...

End of chapter.