(BL) Reborn as Lycan's Emperor's abandoned Beta concubine?!

Chapter 4: 4. Lang Li - The Lycan emperor

A FEW DAYS LATER

XAVIER

If there was one thing I had learned since getting isekai here, it was, things can’t get any more complicated." The universe took it as a personal challenge. Business at Ana’s inn had exploded. People were traveling from neighboring villages just to taste Hawthorn liquor. Every morning I brewed another batch, and every evening it was completely sold out. I was beginning to suspect I had accidentally invented capitalism. Meanwhile, Huan had purchased several sealed bottles before leaving.

"I have business in the capital." He had told me.

I hadn’t thought much of it, and that was a first mistake.

Inside the palace, the imperial court was unusually quiet. Golden pillars stretched toward the ceiling while ministers stood in orderly rows. At the end of the hall sat the ruler of the Lycan Empire, Emperor Lang Li. Tall, broad shoulders, silver hair that reflected the morning light, golden wolf eyes that made experienced generals nervous. Even while reading reports, he carried the pressure of a predator.

"Your Majesty. Merchant Huan of the North requests an audience."A guard announced loudly.

"Let him enter."Lang Li said.

The massive doors opened. Huan walked inside carrying an elegant wooden case.

"Your Majesty."He bowed respectfully.

"What brings the kingdom’s busiest merchant to my palace?"Emperor asked.

"I discovered something interesting."Huan answered.

That immediately earned the Emperor’s attention. Huan wasn’t known for exaggerating. If he said something was interesting, it usually became valuable.

"What is it?"Emperor asked.

Huan opened the wooden case. Inside rested three glass bottles filled with shimmering ruby gold liquor. Even before the cork was removed, a faint aroma escaped. Sweet, fruity, warm. The ministers closest to Huan exchanged surprised looks.

"What is that fragrance?"One minister asked.

"It smells unlike any wine."Another one added. "Is it imported?"

"It was made inside the Empire."Huan smiled.

"I have never seen it."The Emperor raised an eyebrow.

"Because it was only created a few days ago."Huan explained.

Emperor Lang Li instantly looked intrigued. Huan poured a small amount into a crystal cup before presenting it.

"Please."He said.

The Emperor accepted it. He smelled it first as his golden eyes narrowed.

"Interesting." He took one sip.

Silence filled the throne room. The ministers watched carefully because the Emperor rarely reacted to food or drink, his expression rarely changed. He swallowed, then took another sip, then another, and then finally he finished the entire cup.

"Did His Majesty just...finish it?"One minister quietly whispered,

"Another."Lang Li looked towards Huan.

Several ministers nearly dropped their documents.

"I thought you might say that."Huan chuckled. He poured another cup.

"This drink." Lang Li studied the liquid. "Who made it?"

"A village chef."Hian explained.

"A chef?"The Emperor looked mildly surprised.

"Yes."Huan said.

"What family?"He asked.

"No noble family."Huan said.

"What brewery?"The emperor asked again.

"None."Huan said and smiled.

Lang Li set the empty cup down.

"What is his name?"He asked.

"Wei."Huan smiled.

The room became strangely quiet. One elderly minister blinked.

"Wei?"He sked.

"That name sounds familiar."Another looked toward the Emperor.

Lang Li’s fingers stopped moving.

"Wei..." His voice was quiet.

Then he remembered the forgotten Beta concubine, the one he had dismissed a month ago. The one who had quietly disappeared after being ordered to leave the palace.

"Impossible."The emperor said.

"You know him, Your Majesty?"Huan tilted his head.

Lang Li didn’t answer immediately. Instead he remembered something. The palace cooks had once complained.

"His Grace refuses to eat. He says the food is bland. He keeps asking strange questions about spices."One of cooks kept complaining about Wei.

At the time Lang Li hadn’t cared. He barely remembered what Wei looked like. Only that he had been quiet, polite and forgettable and now the greatest merchant in the North was standing before him praising the man’s work.

"This liquor." Lang Li looked into the ruby coloured drink. "You are certain he created it himself?"

"I watched him make it."Huan said.

"And you’re certain his name is Wei?"The emperor asked again.

"Without question."Huan nodded.

Lang Li slowly leaned back against the throne. For the first time in a very long while, he was curious.

"Where is he now?"The emperor asked.

"A small village several days south of the capital."Huan said. "He works at an inn owned by a woman named Ana. He seems quite happy there."

Lang Li’s golden eyes lingered on the bottle. Happy? After leaving the palace, was Wei happier? That wasn’t the answer he expected. He had assumed the forgotten concubine would eventually beg to return. Instead, the man had built a reputation without relying on the palace at all.

"Should we summon him back, Your Majesty?"One minister finally spoke.

Lang Li didn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on the bottle. The sweet aroma still lingered in the air.

"No."The emperor shook his head. "Not yet."

He wanted to see for himself. What kind of man could create something that even Huan considered worthy of investment? And why did the thought of Wei smiling somewhere far from the palace leave an unfamiliar feeling in his chest?

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