Chapter 101: A Late-Night Visit

Late at night.
Inside the courtyard, Li Kong locked himself in his room, writing furiously by the flickering light.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, followed by Laifu’s voice: “Young master, there are guests at the house.”

Li Kong paused mid-stroke, glanced at the moonlight outside, and smiled softly. “That was quick.”

He then tossed the wolf hair brush onto the nearby rack and rose to walk outside.

Now, only Li Kong, Cuizhu, and Laifu remained in the courtyard; the others had moved to the main residence at the back. Originally, Li Ji intended for Li Kong to move as well, but Li Kong refused.

Partly because he was used to living here, and partly because he would soon leave this home to start a new family elsewhere—so moving or not was of little consequence.

“Do you know who’s come?” Opening the door, he took the woolen cap Laifu handed him and casually put it on his head to warm himself.

Laifu rubbed his hands together and smiled, “It’s Wang Gui, the patriarch of the Wang family, come in person!”

“Hm?” Li Kong glanced at Laifu in surprise. He had expected someone from the Wang family to come, but never imagined Wang Gui himself would appear. After all, in this era when aristocratic clans held power, the great families didn’t even regard the emperor highly, let alone a mere Li Kong.

“It really is Wang Gui himself. The master is receiving him in the main hall. Shall we go now?”

“Let’s go see this patriarch of the Wang family,” Li Kong said with a light laugh.

At the same time, in the main hall.

Li Ji sat upright in the seat of honor, holding a cup of tea, his gaze fixed on the motionless Wang Gui. Once upon a time, meeting this man required a junior’s respect; sometimes Li Ji didn’t even have the right to speak to him. Yet now, seeing Wang Gui’s sullen face forced to bow his head, Li Ji felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

After a cup of tea’s time passed and Li Kong still hadn’t appeared, Wang Gui’s anger flared. With a bang, he slammed his teacup onto the table and demanded in a low voice, “Then why hasn’t Li Kong arrived yet?”

Li Ji sneered, setting down his cup. “Kong’er is quite busy now; these are all tasks assigned by His Majesty, so a delay is only natural.”

“Hmph! I’m still acting Chamberlain, a position not inferior to yours. Aren’t you afraid I’ll accuse you of insubordination?”

Li Ji narrowed his eyes. “Acting Chamberlain? Do you think you can still hold that position?”

“What do you mean?” Wang Gui abruptly stood up, his anger turning to murderous intent. As patriarch of the Wang family, which had been influential since Emperor Wen of Sui’s reign and held high offices through four dynasties, Wang Gui had been appointed Right Attendant to the Crown Prince and Minister of Rites under Emperor Taizong. Last year, he became acting Chamberlain, overseeing the Secretariat.

Now, being reprimanded by a mere upstart—and a junior at that—was unforgivable.

Li Ji smiled ambiguously and sipped his tea. “What do you think I mean, Patriarch Wang? Since you took the Right Attendant position, you’ve hidden away in the Wang family estate, rarely showing your face. Even the emperor must request thrice to see you. Since becoming acting Chamberlain, how many days have you truly spent at court?”

At that moment, footsteps suddenly echoed outside. Wang Gui’s expression darkened as he turned to see a youth of seventeen or eighteen, hands clasped behind his back, walking calmly toward them.

“Li Kong?”

“That’s right. I suppose this must be Chamberlain Wang. You’ve never cared for court affairs before—what brings you to the capital today?” Li Kong patted his clothes and strode to Wang Gui’s side, sitting down without even greeting Li Ji.

“Heh, so you know I’m Chamberlain. And you, a mere junior officer, show me this attitude?” Wang Gui laughed bitterly in anger.

“Oh? Trying to assert official authority over me? Here’s some bad news: I was just bestowed by His Majesty as Guardian Middle-ranking General. Yes, also a middle-ranking general. Now, I shall salute Chamberlain Wang!” Li Kong stood up.

But Wang Gui suddenly turned aside, his face full of fury. “Impossible!”

As Chamberlain of the Secretariat, he naturally looked down on a middle-ranking general, but if it was a Guardian Middle-ranking General, he wouldn’t dare accept Li Kong’s salute—even with triple his courage, especially at this moment.

“There’s nothing impossible about it. If you came here only to flaunt your authority, you may leave. If you’re dissatisfied, you’re welcome to submit a memorial to impeach me.”

With that, Li Kong turned and left.

Originally, he thought Wang Gui came to gather information and perhaps plead on their behalf. But he had underestimated the pride of the aristocracy in this era, especially someone like Wang Gui, whose arrogance was ingrained to the bone. Asking him to plead was nothing short of a daydream.

“Stop right there!” Wang Gui leapt up as Li Kong tried to leave, moving swiftly to stand before him—hardly seeming like a man over sixty. Even some men in their thirties or forties would struggle to catch him.

“What? Patriarch Wang, what are you intending?” Li Kong stopped, coldness flashing in his eyes.

“I... I...” Wang Gui opened his mouth but said nothing. After a long moment, he exhaled heavily. “Can you tell me—does this matter truly have no chance for reconciliation?”

Li Kong chuckled. “Whether there’s a chance for reconciliation isn’t up to me or His Majesty, but entirely in the hands of your great clan. Well, I have a memorial to write, so I won’t keep you. Farewell!”

“Li Kong, what must you do to spare us?”

“That depends on you. Perhaps you’ll have your answer in a few days.” Li Kong walked on without looking back, slowly disappearing into the night.

Wang Gui’s face darkened as he watched Li Kong’s retreating figure, then abruptly turned to Li Ji. “I will not let this matter go quietly!”

“That’s beyond me. If there’s nothing else, you may rest here tonight, Elder Patriarch. Tomorrow I’ll arrange for someone to escort you back.”

Li Ji smiled lightly and rose, ignoring the murderous glare Wang Gui shot him, and walked toward the rear chambers.

In an instant, the vast hall was left with only Wang Gui. Staring at the empty room, his expression grew colder and colder until, at last, he muttered icily, “Li Shimin, do you really think the aristocracy is so easily uprooted? Since you won’t let us live, let’s see who breaks first!”