Kidnapping the Princess

Neptune, the Left Minister, and the Right Minister stared in amazement as Li Ziming devoured the food on the table and washed it down with gulp after gulp of wine.

"This wine is really good. Could you tell me how you make it?" Li Ziming asked a mermaid who had just brought more food.

"Don't tell me you came here just for a free meal..." Neptune watched Li Ziming stuff his face, utterly at a loss. "What exactly did you come here for?"

"..." Li Ziming looked up at Neptune, then nodded with complete seriousness. "That's right. I came for a free meal..."

Neptune and both ministers fell speechless. The Right Minister apparently couldn't take it anymore. He turned and left to check on Shirahoshi again.

"Ho ho ho ho!" Neptune burst out laughing, without a trace of imperial dignity. "If you like it, eat as much as you want..."

"Haha, thanks. Though we'll probably be imposing on you for a few more days..." Li Ziming said without hesitation.

"Not at all. Stay as long as you like..." Neptune looked quite pleased. "Ryugu Palace is very comfortable!"

"I can't stand this!" The Left Minister rapped his cane and glared at Neptune. "Ryugu Palace is not an inn! And Your Majesty should act like an emperor!" He struck the floor so hard that his cane went thump, thump, thump.

"Sorry, is there any more of this dish?" Li Ziming asked, pointing to a plate on the table.

"Oh, we have plenty more of that. Please, eat your fill..." The Left Minister's attitude toward Li Ziming was entirely different from his attitude toward Neptune.

"Ho ho ho ho. Please make yourself comfortable here. I'll be off for a while..." Neptune smiled amiably, seemingly unconcerned about leaving a dangerous man in his palace.