Chapter 5: On What Grounds Do You Dare?

Qin Xinghuai felt his pride wounded. He snapped, "Do you have any idea that my daughter has been conferred the title of General Changying by the Emperor? She is also the closing disciple of the Master of the Yunlu Pavilion and the partner of the peerless Young Master Shi Wushuang. Open your dog eyes and look clearly! Is this not enough qualification to dine at the Qilin Pavilion?"

Qin Qingxue stepped forward as well, saying haughtily, "If the Sixth Prince is qualified to dine here, how could this General not be?"

They had expected the manager to change his attitude immediately upon learning their identities. Instead, the manager held his head high, his demeanor remaining strictly arrogant. He replied coldly, "My apologies, the Qilin Pavilion operates on an invitation-only membership basis. Only those who are qualified receive invitations. No invitation means no qualification, and this establishment will not provide service."

Qin Qingxue was enraged. Having returned in glory after defeating the enemy and being personally rewarded by the Emperor, she also possessed the transcendent status of a direct disciple of the Yunlu Pavilion. To be turned away by a mere restaurant was intolerable. "This General is going in. I want to see who dares to stop me!"

Qin Xinghuai was also burning with fury. With his daughter’s current exalted status, which official in the imperial court would dare not show them respect? It was just a commercial restaurant, yet it dared to slight him. "Men! If anyone dares to stop us, teach them a harsh lesson!"

"Wait! This is the capital. If you dare to act in defiance of the law, do you have no regard for justice?" The manager shouted, full of presence and completely fearless.

"How dare you insult General Changying and a direct disciple of the Yunlu Pavilion! It would serve you right if your shop were smashed to pieces," Qin Xinghuai bellowed. The Qin family was at the peak of its power; he did not see a merchant as a threat. He could easily slap a charge on him that would ruin him. Convinced that no official would dare offend his daughter, he urged his men, "What are you waiting for? Smash it! Let him know the price of looking down on the Qin family."

"I’d like to see who dares! This is the property of His Highness the Sixth Prince. If you dare to sabotage royal property, you must be tired of living! Are you not afraid of having your entire clan executed?" The manager stopped pretending and revealed the truth with a roar.

Qin Xinghuai was stunned. The Qin family servants dared not move further. No one could bear the consequences of sabotaging royal property. The scene fell into sudden silence, with everyone looking at each other in shock.

***

Realizing his impulsiveness, cold sweat broke out on Qin Xinghuai’s brow. If word of this got out, what would the Emperor think of him? He had only known that Li Ye had told him to dine here and that the costs would be covered, mistakenly assuming Li Ye was just a wealthy patron. He never imagined Li Ye was the actual owner. Although he knew Li Ye liked business—a fact often criticized by the nobility—he had no idea the scale of his assets was so staggering.

"You must be talking nonsense! Why would the Sixth Prince open a restaurant?"

"Hmph! If you don't believe me, go ahead and smash it. When we report this to the Emperor, let's see how you'll answer! Don't blame me for not telling you later when you claim ignorance."

Qin Qingxue assumed this was retaliation for her breaking up with Li Ye. She scoffed with dissatisfaction, "The Sixth Prince is so petty! Is this how you take revenge on me just because we broke up?"

Qin Xinghuai felt his courage wavering. His previous words had been truly treasonous. If a malicious person reported them to the Emperor, he would surely face punishment. He hurriedly advised, "Qingxue, Li Ye truly liked you. Even if you’ve broken up, there’s no need to make things so awkward! Why not say a few kind words and let this pass? Settling our guests is the priority."

"I understand. I will speak to him when I see him!" Qin Qingxue then said to the manager, "I am a good friend of the Sixth Prince; this was just a moment of temper. Today is a joyous day for the Qin family, don't make things difficult for us. Go ahead and prepare the banquet; I will explain the situation to the Sixth Prince later, and he will not punish you."

"My apologies. The rules of the Qilin Pavilion are absolute: no member, no service." The manager remained unmoved.

The guests and officials who had come to offer congratulations felt extremely awkward. They finally realized that Qin Qingxue’s defection to another’s arms had deeply displeased the Sixth Prince. While the Qin family might have climbed a higher branch, they had completely offended the Sixth Prince. He might not be able to crush the Qin family, but making life miserable for minor officials like themselves would be easy. They began to retreat, heads lowered, trying to hide their faces so as not to be associated with the Qin family’s celebration.

Li Ye was dining upstairs with Xiaocui and Linyue in a private room overlooking the street, where they could hear everything clearly below.

Xiaocui was furious. "The Qin family is truly shameless! They only received favors from the Prince when he was with Qin Qingxue, and now that they have betrayed him, they have the audacity to come to our restaurant to eat."

Linyue sniffed coldly. "The point is they expected a free meal! They are indeed shameless."

"Ignore them. Don't let it ruin our meal," Li Ye said.

However, Qin Xinghuai did not give up; instead, he escalated the situation, even threatening to smash the Qilin Pavilion. Xiaocui could no longer sit still. "Your Highness, if we let them continue to cause a scene, it will affect our business! Let me go and dismiss them."

Li Ye thought for a moment. "I’ll go. It’s better to clear things up face-to-face."

Li Ye led the two women to the entrance and said languidly, "Who said they were going to smash my Qilin Pavilion?"

Qin Qingxue looked up, fury in her eyes. "Your Highness, so you were here. Are you doing this on purpose to humiliate me?" She didn't even bother with formalities, questioning him directly. The other officials hurriedly bowed.

"Where would such an idea come from?" Li Ye asked.

"I know you’re unhappy after our breakup! But feelings cannot be forced. Is there any need to be this petty and take revenge on me?" Qin Qingxue said indignantly. Still hoping to accommodate her guests, she took a deep breath. "Since you are here, it’s easier. My family is hosting a banquet today to celebrate for me. We need a few tables in your Qilin Pavilion; just tell the manager to let us in."

Linyue and Xiaocui looked disgusted. A mere female general daring to use a commanding tone with the Prince! Linyue’s eyes brimmed with killing intent, ready to teach her a lesson.

"Why should I?" Li Ye sneered. "What is our relationship that I should agree to your demands?"

"Isn't this your restaurant? Are you really holding a grudge over the breakup and using this method to retaliate? I truly didn't expect this. I even intended for us to remain friends, or perhaps even like siblings. You are so narrow-minded. I really misjudged you!" Qin Qingxue looked aggrieved, her words dripping with indignation.

"Audacious! What is your status that you dare speak of being siblings with His Highness?" Linyue shouted.

"This is a private matter between me and His Highness. What right does a servant have to speak?" Qin Qingxue replied with extreme arrogance.

"Linyue is right," Li Ye said calmly.