Chapter 49: Li Ke's Request

  After hearing Wu Mei Niang's words, Qin Mu Bai also guessed the current situation of the world's first wine to be eight or nine out of ten.

  "Haha, why didn't you tell me? There's also Wu King Li Ke and Wei King Li Tai, who brought countless princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials to cheer for you?" Qin Mu Bai smiled and said, "Nowadays, people all have a herd mentality. Seeing what the emperor likes, what the royal family and high-ranking officials like, they follow suit. The number one wine in the world can be so popular, Li Ke and Li Tai must have helped a lot, right?"

  "Hmm, you're clever and well-informed. Wu Meiniang smiled slyly and said: "As for Li Ke, there's no need to mention him - as the matchmaker who changed my fate, he should at least help me out a bit. But Li Tai is unexpected. I didn't know that this most popular prince would bring a large group of young masters and famous scholars to come and support me. Spending money like dirt is naturally not an issue; among them, many people composed excellent poems here, which were spread outside and admired by many. Those people may not be good at other things, but they're skilled at composing poetry and describing the scenery in a way that makes my small wine shop seem like a heavenly palace where fairies live, attracting countless curious and envious people. In this case, it's unlikely that my humble wine shop won't become famous throughout Chang'an City."

  "I'm afraid it's not just that, right?" Qin Mu Bai said, "A tree standing out in the forest will inevitably be shaken by the wind. There must be many people with backgrounds who want to come and cause you trouble. If no one comes to make trouble for the number one wine, I definitely don't believe it. Who helped you resolve it?"

  "Is it still necessary for me to take action?" Wu Meiniang's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing two small dimples, and she chuckled, "The hoodlums from the streets of Chang'an have come here to cause trouble. But is Yuwen Hongtai the kind of person who doesn't eat meat? Without saying a word, they would be picked up and beaten senseless, and in the end, thrown into the yamen to suffer punishment. Of course, there are also officials and fellow merchants who come to provoke us unreasonably, but it's not necessary to invite Li Ke to intervene. As soon as they investigate the background of this small wine shop, they would retreat on their own. After one or two incidents, no one dared to cause trouble here again. Occasionally, there are one or two drunkards who flirt with the girls in the shop, and I don't care if he's a general or an official, I'll have him beaten out without hesitation. When he sobers up, he still has to come and apologize. Otherwise, he won't be able to get away with it."

  "You're awesome!!!" Qin Mu Bai couldn't help but give Wu Mei Niang a thumbs up. This woman who could manipulate the fate of a nation and change an era in history was now running a small tavern, it really seemed like a waste of her great talent.

  "Hmm, I said." Wu Meiniang suddenly smiled slyly and leaned in closer to Qin Mu Bai, saying in a low voice, "You, this Hundred Riders Messenger, seem quite formidable too. Even Li Tai wants to win you over, otherwise why would he suddenly show such concern for my small shop? He told me himself that from now on, no matter what trouble arises, I can just look for him or his friends for help. His friends are numerous, including Du He, Fang Yiai, and Changsun Chong, all of whom are famous young masters in the city of Chang'an."

  "You're quite clever." Qin Mu Bai stretched out a finger to hook her chin, Wu Mei Niang jumped away, glaring at him: "Hmph, flirting with me again! You're still the same old scoundrel!"

  "Is teasing one's own wife also considered flirting?" Qin Mu Bai smiled and said, "Mei Niang, now this small wine shop of yours has become a gathering place for politicians, generals, and all sorts of big shots. It's a place where right and wrong are easily blurred. Listen to my advice: stay away from politics. Treat Li Tai and Li Ke as guests, don't get too close to them, and don't owe them too much."

  "Why?" Wu Meiniang pouted and said somewhat reluctantly, "If others are willing to help and take care of me, why shouldn't I accept it?"

  "You don't understand, do you?" Qin Mu Bai smiled slightly and stood up, walking to her side. He said in a low voice, "There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. The princes are all big politicians, they've never done favors for anyone without a reason. They're treating you like this just to curry favor with me. And I don't want to get too close to any of the princes right now."

  Wu Meiniang's eyes rolled around and she nodded, "Oh, I thought of something. Is it because you're now serving the Emperor and your identity is relatively sensitive, so it's not good to get too close to any of the princes... especially those related to the struggle for the throne?"

  "Clever." Qin Mu Bai nodded, "Fighting for the throne, it has always been bloody, either you die or I perish. Think about it, if I were to tread on both Li Tai and Li Ke's boats at the same time, and have a very close relationship with them, what would happen when these two brothers start fighting? No matter who wins, who will spare me? As for you and this wine shop, naturally, you'll also be dragged down. So, just focus on your business, and never get involved in official matters."

  "Got it!" Wu Mei Niang pouted and muttered in a low voice, "I didn't go to provoke others, they came to provoke me. Can't I just do some business and make some money? This isn't allowed, that can't be done, it's like being treated like a child, geez..."

  "Haha, you're really throwing a tantrum like a kid!" Qin Mu Bai clapped his hands and exaggeratedly opened his arms wide. "Come here, husband, give me a hug!"

  "Get out!" Wu Mei Niang was both angry and amused, jumping aside as if to grab a cup to smash him.

  Just then, a clear cough came from the doorway: "It seems that Little Wang has come at a bad time, disturbing a young couple's sweet love."

  "Li Ke?!" Qin Mu Bai's heart lit up and he hastily walked over to open the door, and indeed it was Li Ke!

  Li Ke wore a simple and unassuming outfit, with his hands clasped behind his back and a smile on his face as he looked at Qin Mu Bai: "Qin San Ge, is this how you welcome an old friend?"

  "Your Highness, please come in quickly!"

  "Just call me Li San, that's enough. His Majesty has ordered me to stay in seclusion, but I've sneaked out to have some fun." Li Ke smiled and walked into the elegant pavilion, indicating that there was no need to reveal his true identity.

  Wu Mei Niang also saw the ceremony and stood aside silently.

  "What's wrong, the famous Wu Dongjia, saw Xiao Wang and didn't want to say a word, could he still be angry with Xiao Wang?" Li Ke asked with a smile.

  "How dare a humble girl like me offend Your Majesty's son?" Wu Meiniang turned her face away with a snort.

  "Haha!" Qin Mubai and Li Ke burst out laughing together.

  Li Ke pulled Qin Mu Bai and sat down, saying: "Two or three months ago, I was secretly brought here by Yuwen Hongtai and Yin Yang to have fun. Unexpectedly, one of the geishas here suddenly caught my eye, and I was immediately smitten. So I prepared to buy this geisha back to the mansion. Who would have thought that Wu Dong's family was not willing, no matter how much money I offered? Later... heh heh, the young lady's family voluntarily agreed to follow me back to the mansion to serve me, so she left with me!"

  Qin Mu Bai shook his head with a wry smile: "Then I suggest you come here less often, otherwise the girls here will be snatched away by you! No wonder Mei Niang's face turned green when she saw you. You're clearly stealing her thunder!"

  "Haha!" Li Ke floated with a big laugh, opening his hands and saying, "No wonder I'm not to blame, Mei Niang! You yourself set the rules early on, didn't you? If the girl's family doesn't want to, no matter how much money or effort someone puts in, they can't take her away. But if it's a mutual affection, any girl in the shop who wants to leave can do so herself. It seems I haven't broken your rules, have I?"

  "Is, is, is!" Wu Meiniang hummed angrily, "But you, a big man, were born with such a good appearance, like a ghostly charm that can capture people's hearts, and you're also a young prince, this is already a bad precedent! Which girl's family hasn't had their soul captured by you? It's better if Qin Mubai said it well, you'd better come less often in the future, hum!"

  "Haha!" The two of them burst out laughing together, and Wu Mei also couldn't help but join in.

  "Meiniang, would you trouble yourself to go and get some food and drink for Xiao Wang? It's been many days since I've seen your husband, and Xiao Wang wants to have a good drink with him." Li Ke said.

  "Isn't it just to drive me away, so you can discuss the main issue? Just say it! " Wu Mei Niang stuck out her tongue and turned around to walk outside, saying, "Don't get drunk, don't be reckless with wine in my place!"

  "Haha, this little girl is really interesting!" Li Ke shook his head and smiled, "Mu Bai, your wife who hasn't even crossed the threshold yet is a rare talent. A clever and resourceful business genius, with a sharp tongue that's also quite charming, your future days will definitely be rich and colorful."

  "Isn't this also a gift from Your Highness?" Qin Mu Bai laughed and said.

  Before long, the pretty waitress brought over fine wine and delicacies. The two sat facing each other and drank. After three rounds of drinks, Li Ke let out a hearty sigh and patted his belly.

  "Fattened up, fattened up." Li Ke shook his head with a tsk-tsk sound, "Staying in the Wang Manor all day, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating, doing nothing, and growing a whole body of fat."

  "What a wonderful thing, that would make the young lady's family even more fond of you." Qin Mu Bai said with a smile. In the Great Tang Dynasty, being plump was considered beautiful, as long as one wasn't too fat or stupid, it was the best figure, especially for men, which meant having a lucky physique. But Qin Mu Bai knew that Li Ke had an ulterior motive, because of the impeachment incident last time, he was still an idle prince and must be feeling unwell in his heart.

  "Mu Bai, you say, if I were to speak to the Emperor and ask for a position, would His Majesty grant it?" Li Ke had indeed said this.

  Qin Mubai slightly furrowed his brow, shaking his head and saying: "This, I'm not quite clear about. Although I serve in the emperor's presence, I rarely have direct conversations with him, and I don't understand the emperor's thoughts very well either."

  "You've been serving in the Golden Hall and the Imperial Study all day, even if you don't participate in politics, you must have heard a lot of things." Li Ke's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of sharpness, "Have you noticed anything suitable for me to do? I'd like to take the initiative to ask the Emperor. I'm only twenty years old, and spending my days cooped up in the palace, just eating and waiting for death, is not a solution!"

  Qin Mubai's heart slightly stirred: Li Ke, are you trying to pry into the emperor's secrets from me... If I really say it, that would be a crime of leaking national secrets and deceiving the monarch!

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