Hearing the new quest notification from the System echo in his mind, Li Rufeng muttered to himself with misgivings, but right now, in order to avoid military service, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it. His eyes darted around as a plan hatched in his mind, and he casually sidled up to the fortune teller.
Before the fortune teller knew what was happening, Li Rufeng quietly stuck out his foot and gave him a gentle trip. While the fortune teller was in the middle of a nonstop stream of chatter, his foot suddenly slipped. Pitching forward with a loud thud, he fell flat on his face. His once-neat Daoist robes were covered in dust, and his cap was knocked crooked, making him look utterly wretched.
Seeing this, the surrounding crowd burst into raucous laughter. "I thought this fortune teller could read his own fortune? How did he end up falling like that?" a passerby mocked derisively.
Yet this commotion also caught the attention of the Imperial Guards by the Empress's side. Seeing someone causing a disturbance right in front of the Empress, they instantly leaped forward and lunged at Li Rufeng. Realizing things were taking a turn for the worse, Li Rufeng turned tail and ran.
The market was already bustling and crowded, and Li Rufeng darted left and right through the throng like a runaway ball. The Imperial Guards possessed agile martial arts skills and gave chase closely behind.
As he ran, Li Rufeng suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure up ahead—it was none other than General Mei Yuxin. As it turned out, upon learning of the Empress's inspection tour, she had hurried over to escort and protect Her Majesty.
Panicking and choosing his path blindly, Li Rufeng crashed straight into Mei Yuxin. Mei Yuxin had been concentrating entirely on keeping watch over the surroundings, completely unprepared for Li Rufeng to barrel into her from behind. With a startled cry, the two of them tumbled to the ground together, Li Rufeng landing squarely on top of Mei Yuxin.
"Li Rufeng, you jerk!" Mei Yuxin cried out, consumed by a mixture of shame and fury as her cheeks burned crimson.
In an instant, the Imperial Guards closed in, surrounding the pair tightly. Standing to the side and watching the chaotic scene unfold, the Empress couldn't help but massage her forehead with a wry smile. "This Li Rufeng really brings trouble wherever he goes."
Just then, a vegetable vendor squeezed her way out from the crowd and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, although Li Rufeng is mischievous, his heart is not bad. Please spare him."
Woodcutter Uncle chimed in from the side as well, "Indeed, Your Majesty. He just doesn't want to serve in the army, which is why he's caused all this fuss."
Gazing at Li Rufeng, a flash of mischievousness crossed the Empress's eyes. "Li Rufeng, you have repeatedly collided with me and thrown this market into such chaos. You deserve severe punishment. However, considering that so many are interceding on your behalf, I will grant you a chance. As long as you can pass the three test challenges I set within three days, I will no longer hold you accountable for evading military service. What do you say?"
Hearing this as if he had just grabbed a lifeline, Li Rufeng nodded frantically. "Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble subject will give it everything I have!"
The corners of the Empress's lips lifted slightly as she looked at Li Rufeng, then pointed to an exquisite Glazed Jade Vase placed on the table beside her, speaking slowly: "This Glazed Jade Vase is a priceless treasure sent as tribute from the Western Regions. If you can take it right under my nose without anyone noticing, that will count as passing this first test.
"The second test won't be nearly so easy. In front of everyone, you must use this jade vase to brew a cup of fine wine that leaves me full of praise; otherwise, all your previous efforts will go to waste!"
With a faint smile, the Empress continued, "For the final test, you must use the simplest ingredients right here in this market to make a delicacy that brings joy to everyone who eats it."
The Empress nodded, watching Li Rufeng with growing interest. How do you suppose Li Rufeng will manage to pass these three tests?