The Arrogant Prince Liang

Liang Prince Li Yin was the sixth son of Li Shimin. He was six years older than Li Zhi, and strictly speaking, he was still not yet ten years old—a child by any measure. His mother was Consort Yang, daughter of the late Emperor of Sui. Due to his mother's low status in the imperial harem, his fate was sealed from birth—he was never destined for the throne.

Among the many royal sons, Li Yin was far from favored. The fact that only this year did he finally receive a princely title from Li Shimin made this clear enough. Perhaps he had long since accepted this reality, or perhaps he was simply born a troublemaker. Either way, from a young age, Li Yin proved himself an incorrigible mischief-maker.

While living in the palace, he would often hurl baseless insults at palace maids and eunuchs, and frequently bullied his siblings close to his own age. As a result, he was no stranger to punishment. Since opening his own household, he had grown even more reckless, roaming the streets of Chang’an with a handful of followers, stirring up trouble wherever he went—seizing goods from merchants, assaulting patrolling officers. It could be said he was universally disliked, by people and even by dogs.

Recently, he heard that a certain exquisite product called “glassware” was becoming fashionable at court and among the upper echelons of Chang’an. Upon inquiry, he learned that these wares came from the Linde Exclusive Shop. He also knew Linde was Li Zhi’s business, and he was wise enough to realize that he could not afford to provoke Li Zhi. Therefore, he sought out Pei Mingli, intending to buy a few pieces to enhance the prestige of his own residence.

Pei Mingli, a man adept at handling all sorts of people, dared not neglect Li Yin when the prince called in person. He brewed a pot of tea for Li Yin himself and then asked, “May I inquire, Your Highness, what has caught your fancy?”

Li Yin, his eyelids drooping, replied, “I’ve heard you have some exquisite glassware for sale. I’d like to purchase several pieces to add luster to my residence.”

Pei Mingli frowned slightly upon hearing that Li Yin wanted to buy glassware. As per Li Zhi’s instructions, the workshop produced only a limited quantity each day. Coupled with the constant demands from the palace in recent days, there were never any items in stock. Everything now was by pre-order; there simply was nothing available for immediate sale.

Pei Mingli explained the situation to Li Yin in detail, then said, “Would Your Highness be willing to wait a couple of days? I’ll personally deliver the goods to your residence and offer you a generous discount.”

Pei Mingli reasoned that, after all, Li Yin was Li Zhi’s elder brother. While he couldn’t produce the wares immediately, he could at least offer a discount. Unfortunately, he had no idea just how unreasonable Li Yin could be.

Upon hearing Pei Mingli’s explanation, Li Yin’s brow furrowed. “Are you looking down on me, Shopkeeper Pei?” he demanded. Suddenly, he slammed his palm on the tea table and glared fiercely at Pei Mingli. “I just want to see the items now. Who cares about your petty favors?”

Pei Mingli replied with a troubled expression, “Your Highness, it’s not that I’m unwilling; there simply are no goods in the shop right now.”

Li Yin cut him off, “You’re just trying to fool me because I’m young. If you have nothing in stock, how have you been sending deliveries to the palace every day?”

Pei Mingli answered, “I wouldn’t dare deceive you, Your Highness. It’s precisely because Prince Jin insisted on prioritizing the palace that there’s nothing left in the shop.”

Li Yin retorted, “I’ve just established my own household. Since you have goods for the palace, set aside two pieces for me.”

Pei Mingli, face drawn, replied, “Your Highness, I truly have nothing to give. Every important guest must now pre-order.”

At that, Li Yin shot out of his chair. Pointing a finger at Pei Mingli’s nose, he cursed, “You insolent dog! Do you think I’m giving you face?”

He gestured toward the direction of the palace. “I heard you sent a batch to the palace just yesterday. How can you claim you have nothing today?”

Pei Mingli, panic-stricken, pleaded, “I swear I am telling the truth. I truly have nothing left in my hands.”

Li Yin sneered, “Well, we’ll see whether you’re looking down on me or really have no stock.” He turned to his hangers-on and ordered, “Search the place thoroughly. Let’s see if it’s as the shopkeeper claims—not a single piece in sight.”

His lackeys were, as usual, arrogant and unrestrained. Without a second thought, they prepared to storm the counter. Pei Mingli, fearing they would damage the valuable wares, hurried to block their way. The other staff wanted to help, but Pei Mingli waved them off. Every item here was costly; any damage would mean a heavy loss. Worse, if Li Yin were injured, the consequences would be dire.

Pei Mingli’s actions only confirmed Li Yin’s suspicion that the shopkeeper was looking down on him.

Li Yin immediately barked, “Still claiming you’re not slighting me? If you weren’t, why would you stop my men?”

Pei Mingli bowed repeatedly, pleading, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. I only fear your men may accidentally break something, and I’d be unable to answer to Prince Jin.”

Li Yin sneered, “Oh? Are you trying to use my ninth brother to intimidate me? You’re obviously deceiving me.” He narrowed his eyes at Pei Mingli and added, “If I find anything today, I’ll be sure to report you to my ninth brother.”

With that, he waved his hand at his lackeys. “Search the place! If anyone tries to stop you, beat them!”

The lackeys once again surged toward the counter. Pei Mingli instinctively tried to block them, but this time, emboldened by Li Yin’s command, they didn’t hesitate. They pounced on Pei Mingli, punching and kicking him to the ground. The other staff wanted to help, but Pei Mingli had already stopped them.

Two lackeys stayed behind to continue beating Pei Mingli, while the others rushed behind the counter and began ransacking the shelves. They weren’t really looking for goods; they just wanted to vent their aggression under Li Yin’s authority. The shelves were soon in disarray. Samples of tiles, porcelain trays for lime and cement, and even a toilet sitting on the floor were all roughly handled and tossed about.

Not satisfied, the lackeys tore through the shop’s furniture as well, causing countless scratches and dents. Only when the damage was done did one of them come to Li Yin’s side to report, “Your Highness, nothing was found.”

Only then did Li Yin’s suspicions of Pei Mingli subside. He cleared his throat and said to the two lackeys who were still beating Pei Mingli, “Since we found nothing, it means this dog wasn’t lying. Let’s leave it at that for today.”

At his command, the two lackeys returned to his side. Li Yin stepped forward, looked down at the battered Pei Mingli, and said, “Now I believe you.”

He added, “Today’s matter ends here. Don’t forget to pick out two exquisite pieces of glassware and deliver them to my residence in two days.”

With these words, he turned and strode out of the shop, showing not the slightest trace of remorse.