Chapter 114: The Bestowal of Honors!

Night had fallen at Xiao Xiang Pavilion, inside Mei Ling’s room. Li Yi had not left; he waited for Mei Ling—also known as the Ugly Aunt—to awaken. No, he refused to believe she was dead. Such a clever woman committing suicide? That was far too abnormal. More importantly, Li Yi noticed that Mei Ling’s “body” had not stiffened, which reminded him of some ancient poison that could induce a state of suspended death, making one appear lifeless. The world is vast and full of wonders—perhaps Mei Ling had taken such a drug.

By the third watch of the night, Li Yi had fallen asleep at the table, utterly exhausted from a day of intense mental strain—solving cases, confronting murderers. Yet just as he slept, Mei Ling quietly opened her eyes.

She felt a tinge of triumph upon waking; after all, she had won in the end. But when she saw Li Yi slumped over the table, sleeping peacefully, an icy chill swept through her heart. Looking at his youthful, almost unreasonably young face, Mei Ling was puzzled. How could he foresee everything? Who was he, truly? Why was he so remarkably intelligent?

Silently, she crept to the door, determined to seize one last chance.

“Ah! Awake at last? You sure can sleep!” Li Yi suddenly smiled at her from the table.

“Hmph! I refuse to accept this!” Mei Ling retorted.

“Whether you accept it or not is no concern of mine. I just want to sleep now. Later, quickly remove your makeup and reveal your true appearance! Fortunately, no one has seen the real Mei Ling, so there’s no risk of being recognized. I’m leaving too—this entire night has nearly worn me out!” Li Yi said.

Mei Ling looked at him in surprise. “You’re not going to arrest me?”

“Why would I? Li Yuanchang is dead, and you no longer pose any threat. No one really cares whether you live or die now. As long as you don’t run away, I have nothing to worry about.”

“Are you not afraid I’ll escape? You should know that once you’re gone, I have a thousand reasons to flee!”

Li Yi turned to her, his gaze cool and steady. “Escape if you want. If you do, I won’t stop you, but I won’t be happy about it. If anything or anyone in Xiao Xiang Pavilion suffers because of it, don’t blame me. Goodbye, and sweet dreams.”

“You’re despicable! Shameless!” Mei Ling exclaimed.

“I’m heartless, ungrateful, and unreasonable! Thanks for the compliments. Goodbye!” Li Yi replied with a grin.

After leaving Xiao Xiang Pavilion, Li Yi went straight home, his only thought to sleep.

---

The next day, Li Yi was abruptly shaken awake. He had been dreaming about something important, only to be rudely disturbed. His eyes snapped open, fierce like a roaring lion, then softened immediately as he glanced at his awakener.

“Oh dear, Bing Yu, Sister Yu, little Bing, just let your young master sleep a bit longer! Just a little, ha~~” If it had been anyone else, Li Yi would have snapped, but not with Bing Yu. It was a mystery even to him how he could never find it in himself to be angry with her.

Bing Yu, initially startled by his fierce gaze, had grown used to him over time. She realized Li Yi was sometimes like a child—prone to tantrums and needing comfort—though everything he did seemed far too mature, so much so that people often forgot his age.

“Young master, get up quickly! Someone from the palace has arrived with an imperial edict addressed to you. Master has been urging you for a long time!”

“What edict, what edict? I want to sleep!” Li Yi grumbled.

Bing Yu rolled her eyes and smiled playfully. “Alright then! Young master, you keep sleeping! But I heard this edict is a reward for you. If you don’t want it, we’ll just send it back!”

At the mention of a reward, Li Yi sprang up. “A reward? Money? Beauties? Hey, Bing Yu, why aren’t you going to splash water on my face? Standing here doing nothing! Don’t you know they’re waiting for me? Where’s your sense?”

“Cough cough cough!” Bing Yu’s face turned chilly.

Li Yi hurriedly dressed and turned to see her cold expression, then laughed. “Hey! Don’t be mad, Bing Yu. That was just a slip of the tongue. Don’t worry, whatever Uncle Li rewards me besides money and beauties, I’ll hand over to the public treasury, okay?”

“You’re shameless! I’m telling Sister Xueyan and Sister Changle!”

“Oh? You’re calling them sisters now? Bing Yu, are you defecting? Do you have no sense of loyalty? I’m telling you, comrade, that’s unacceptable. You—”

“Young master, if you don’t go now, they really will leave!”

“Cough, cough, I’m coming!”

After a flurry of activity, Li Yi finally dressed and entered the main hall, where the entire Li family was gathered, save for two children.

“Yi’er, come here. This is Yang Gonggong from the palace.”

“Hmm? Gonggong Yang?” Li Yi looked up and recognized the elderly eunuch who had delivered the classic texts that night and provided crucial clues. “Ah! Gonggong Yang, it’s really you. Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Yang Gonggong appeared kind and honest—someone you could trust at a glance. “Haha, no need to blame me, young master. If not for your recommendation to the emperor, I’d still be managing the archives. Thanks to you, I’ve been promoted. Today, by imperial decree, I’ve come to deliver an edict!”

Li Yi smiled. “Haha, that’s your hard work, not much to do with me.”

“Well, in any case, young master, your kindness is remembered! Shall we announce the decree?”

“Alright, let’s announce it.”

The incense and tribute were already prepared. The Li family knelt in proper ceremony as Yang Gonggong began reading the edict.

“Under the emperor’s command, Li Yi, grandson of Duke Li Jing the Guardian of the Nation, famed for loyalty and bravery, unmatched in wisdom and strategy, young and talented, blessed by heaven...”

Li Yi nearly dozed off as the decree droned on. The beginning was fine—praise he could understand. Then a long passage followed, filled with self-praise by Li Er, loaded with extravagant phrases. Why write so many words for an edict? Exhausting!

Finally, it concluded:

“By imperial decree, Li Yi is hereby ennobled as Count of Kaiguo County, granted the fief of Weinan, with a taxable population of six hundred households, an actual allotment of one hundred. Additionally granted the rank of Fourth Grade Minister of Court Affairs and Fourth Grade General of Ningyuan. Bestowed five hundred bolts of silk, one hundred taels of gold...”

The decree delivered, the Li family erupted in celebration. Lady Hongfu immediately ordered rewards for the servants to celebrate with gifts. Li Dejian gave Yang Gonggong a generous red envelope, and the eunuch departed. Li Jing wept tears of joy—his eldest grandson had finally succeeded. The Li family now boasted two noble titles, a proud and glorious moment. Bing Yu was ecstatic beyond measure. Initially worried when Li Yi refused to inherit the ducal title or family fortune, she was now happier than anyone to see him fulfill his promise.

Only Li Yi stood aside, pursing his lips. He was satisfied with the titles and official posts granted by Li Er—being promoted three ranks and directly ennobled as a count was generous. Li Er had been considerate, awarding both civil and military positions, unprecedented and both honorary, exactly to Li Yi’s liking. But Li Yi was deeply dissatisfied with the monetary reward. Damn it! After helping recover millions of copper coins, this was all he got? That was outrageously unfair! And where were the promised maidservants?