Chapter 6: The Purple-Robed Nobleman

Chapter Six: The Young Noble in Purple

“I have no freedom! No freedom at all! Heartbroken, sore-hearted, my tears are flowing, my tears are flowing—ah! How utterly boring!”

It was already noon, yet Li Qi was still lying in bed, hands tucked behind his head, legs crossed, staring blankly at the ceiling, looking entirely idle.

He had been in Northern Song for nearly half a month. Aside from the fresh air, the greatest impression it left on him was boredom. No television, no computer, not even a newspaper. The popular pastime here was composing and matching verses, which held no interest for him. As for going to a pleasure house, he had no money—and even if he did, he would not dare. In this age, security was so poor that there were not even condoms. If he caught some disease, whether it could be cured would be an open question.

This was truly no life for a human being.

Li Qi cursed again in his heart. Then he sat up and glanced outside. Since he was sitting anyway, he might as well go see whether Uncle Wu needed any help. Otherwise, he really would bore himself to death.

Humming a little tune, Li Qi made his way to the Drunken Immortal Residence. It was still the same desolate scene. In the hall on the first floor, only Wu Xiaoliu sat alone on a bench, and he looked even more bored than Li Qi.

Another poor soul! Li Qi sighed. Looking left and right and not seeing Wu Furong, he felt quite puzzled. He walked up to Wu Xiaoliu and asked, “Little Six, where’s Uncle Wu?”

In Li Qi’s impression, Wu Furong was the model employee—never late, never leaving early, and needless to say, never absent without leave. To see him away from his post today filled Li Qi with curiosity.

Wu Xiaoliu answered listlessly, “Uncle and Master Zhou were called to the manor by Madam first thing this morning to discuss something.”

The “madam” Wu Xiaoliu mentioned was the true owner of the tavern. Wu Furong was really just an employee, and Li Qi had learned this from Wu Xiaoliu.

A meeting not held at the shop, but at home instead? Could there be some secret behind it? Thoughts of something shady and improper could not help but surface in Li Qi’s mind. In his own time, such things were hardly unusual.

Wu Xiaoliu asked casually, “Young Master Li, not going out today?”

The way he said “Young Master Li” carried a rather mocking edge.

Wu Xiaoliu looked down on Li Qi, something Li Qi had long since realized. Still, he did not care. No matter how Wu Xiaoliu mocked him, he always answered with a grin. To squabble with a kid who had not even grown up yet—Li Qi was not childish enough for that.

“Nope, not going. It’s too dangerous outside. Safer to stay here,” Li Qi said with a shake of his head and a smile. Since being threatened by that Zhao Jing the last time, he had not stepped out the door for several days. Who knew whether that girl was searching for him everywhere? Better to hide than to court disaster.

Wu Xiaoliu blinked but did not ask further. He only assumed Li Qi had drunk himself stupid, and said with a laugh, “That’s fine, then. Anyway, I’m afraid you won’t be staying here for many more days.”

“Why? Am I causing you trouble?” Li Qi’s expression changed as he asked hurriedly. This concerned his future survival; how could he not be anxious?

“No, not really. One more of you, one fewer of you—it makes little difference,” Wu Xiaoliu said, shaking his head. Then he sighed. “It’s just—sigh, when Uncle comes back, ask him yourself.”

“Oh.”

Li Qi pouted, but his heart was already uneasy. Aside from Uncle Wu, his nephew, and Master Zhou, he knew no one else here. If even the Drunken Immortal Residence would not take him in, he would probably have to sleep on the streets again.

If only I’d found a job back then. Damn that old hag. She’s the reason I don’t even dare step outside. If I really starve to death on the street, I’ll haunt her even as a ghost. The more Li Qi thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

“Drunken Immortal Residence—hm, a good name.”

At that moment, two guests suddenly entered from outside. The one who had spoken was a young gentleman in his early twenties, wearing a soft gauze turban, a long robe embroidered in purple, and holding a folded white paper fan. He was tall and slender, handsome as jade, graceful in every movement, smiling before he even spoke. His air was refined and noble, and anyone could tell at a glance that he was no ordinary commoner. Behind him followed a servant about Wu Xiaoliu’s age, with red lips and white teeth, looking clever and obedient.

Seeing them, Wu Xiaoliu hurried forward at once and said apologetically with a smile, “My apologies, honored guests, but our little establishment is not open for business today.”

The young man in purple raised his brows, looking slightly displeased. “And why is that?”

Wu Xiaoliu bent at the waist and smiled ingratiatingly. “Our shopkeeper and head chef both had matters to attend to and went out early this morning. I’m the only one left watching the place. I hope you’ll forgive us.”

Li Qi, standing nearby, grew anxious when he heard this and silently cursed Wu Xiaoliu for his stupidity. When you run a shop, how can you drive customers away? And such distinguished customers, at that. If there’s no chef, why not have a few dishes brought in from another place to tide things over? Foolishness. No wonder business here was so poor.

The young man in purple looked around and saw that there truly were no customers at all. A trace of regret appeared on his face as he sighed. “So that’s how it is.” Then he turned to the servant beside him and asked, “Do you know of any other taverns nearby?”

The servant nodded. “Young Master, I’ve heard there’s another tavern opposite called Emerald Pavilion.”

“Very well, then let’s go there,” the young man in purple said with a nod.

“Please, honored guests, wait a moment!”

Just as the master and servant were about to leave, Li Qi suddenly stood up and called out.

The young man in purple turned back and looked at Li Qi curiously. “And what is it, little brother?”

Li Qi smiled faintly. “It happens to be mealtime now. I imagine the other taverns will be full as well. Even if there are seats left, you’d likely have to wait a while. Why not stay here instead? Since Your Grace has come to our humble shop, it is fate. If you don’t mind, I could prepare a few small dishes to go with your drink. What does Your Grace say?”

Wu Xiaoliu was stunned. He had long since seen that this young man in purple was no ordinary person. If Li Qi accidentally offended him, the consequences would be unbearable. He kept shooting frantic looks at Li Qi, but Li Qi pretended not to see them.

The young man in purple was momentarily taken aback. “You are?”

“I live here in the shop, but I can still manage a few small dishes,” Li Qi said with confident a smile.

The young man in purple studied Li Qi for a moment. Finding his words not unreasonable, he smiled and cupped his hands. “Very well, then I shall trouble you.”

“Think nothing of it.” Li Qi returned the salute, then lowered his voice to Wu Xiaoliu. “Why are you still standing there? Go attend to the guests.”

At this point, Wu Xiaoliu had no choice but to accept his fate. He hurried forward and said with a smile, “Honored guests, please come upstairs.”

A moment later, Wu Xiaoliu came back down from upstairs and saw that Li Qi was still standing in place. Alarmed, he cried, “Good heavens, Young Master Li, why are you still standing here?”

Li Qi blushed and gave an awkward laugh. “Heh heh, I still didn’t know where the kitchen was.”

Wu Xiaoliu was nearly driven mad by him and said anxiously, “Come on, come on, I’ll take you there. Good grief, you’re going to be the death of me.”

Following behind Wu Xiaoliu, Li Qi asked, “By the way, what dishes did the customer order?”

That was, at present, the thing Li Qi cared about most. He had great confidence in his cooking skills, and he was also quite familiar with ancient cuisine. But his familiarity was limited to famous dishes; as for the everyday fare eaten by ordinary people, he knew almost nothing.

Wu Xiaoliu replied, “That guest didn’t say anything specific. He just said you should make a few of your signature dishes.”

Li Qi let out a long breath of relief. “That’s the best possible outcome.”

Wu Xiaoliu looked puzzled. “What do you mean, the best possible outcome? Say, Young Master Li, can you really cook?”

Li Qi smiled. “You’re the first person ever to ask me that.”

Li Qi had begun learning cooking from his father at the age of six and had completed his training by fifteen. During his university years, he was already serving as head chef at an upscale business club. After graduation, he joined the super-five-star hotel founded by his father-in-law, and at twenty-three he won the title of China’s King of Chefs.

Could he not cook? If he could not, then probably no one could.

Wu Xiaoliu led Li Qi to a room in the back and pointed with a hand. “There—it’s the kitchen.” With that, he pushed the door open.

The moment the kitchen door opened, an extremely foul stench rushed out to meet them. Li Qi quickly covered his nose and said, “Whoa! What is that smell?”

“Isn’t a kitchen supposed to smell like this?” Wu Xiaoliu replied irritably.

Li Qi widened his eyes in horror. “Your kitchens—your kitchens all smell like this?”

Seeing his expression, Wu Xiaoliu grew worried. “Of course! You haven’t even been in a kitchen before, have you? Seriously, Young Master Li, can you really cook?”

Was this ever going to end? Li Qi shot him an annoyed sidelong glance and said, “Why don’t you do it, then?”

Wu Xiaoliu immediately fell silent. If I could do it, why would I beg you to?

Seeing Wu Xiaoliu so uneasy, Li Qi patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, “All right, I’m only teasing you. Just get the fire going properly, and leave the rest to me.”

The end of Chapter Six