Chapter Twenty-six: The Compassionate Grandson

Taiji Palace, Linde Hall.

This is where the Empress resides—a complete fabrication, as no specific palace can be found—but under normal circumstances, Empress Zhangsun prefers to stay in Ganlu Hall, accompanying Li Shimin. Only under special situations does she move here, such as during pregnancy or... illness.

At this moment, Li Kong suddenly remembered that Empress Zhangsun suffered from a congenital respiratory ailment, what would later be called bronchitis, which gradually developed into asthma. After successive blows from Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li You, she lost all her support and passed away in the tenth year of the Zhenguan reign.

Slapping his forehead, Li Kong cursed inwardly, “Damn it, I was so busy messing around that I forgot something so important.”

Fortunately, there was still time. At this point, Li Chengqian and the others were still good children, and Empress Zhangsun’s bronchitis was only affecting her bronchi, not yet spreading to her lungs. With careful treatment, it could still be cured, though it would take some time.

Most importantly, once treatment began, Li Zhi and the future little Princess Xu might never be born.

“If there’s no Emperor Gaozong, Li Zhi, will Wu Zetian still become the future Empress? Come to think of it, Wu Zhao should only be three or four years old right now.” Li Kong stroked his chin, pondering whether to nurture Wu Zetian from childhood—a rather interesting prospect. But with a few years left before her father Wu Shiyue’s death, the plan would have to be shelved. For now, Wu Shiyue’s family was still living well.

Just as Li Kong was lost in thought, a palace attendant emerged from Linde Hall and said, “Young Master Li, His Majesty requests your presence.”

Li Kong nodded, smiling and cupping his hands toward the attendant. With a flourish of his sleeve, he strode into the grand hall.

He rather wanted to make a show like those TV dramas he’d seen in his previous life—throwing out a few coins—but alas, his pockets were emptier than his face; even if he wanted to tip, he couldn’t.

Inside Linde Hall.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun sat side by side on a low couch. Nearby, a boy of eight or nine sat upright and dignified, eyes fixed intently on Li Kong, curiosity and excitement swirling together to form a unique gleam.

Li Kong drew a deep breath and saluted the pair, saying, “Your nephew greets Uncle and Aunt.”

The term “Aunt” could only be used here in Linde Hall, for it was a title Empress Zhangsun had insisted upon when Li Kong was still in the Prince of Qin’s residence, meaning “second mother.”

Previously, when Li Shimin was not yet emperor and Empress Zhangsun only a consort, adopting Li Kong was of no consequence. But now, such ties had to be set aside, lest they bring unfavorable implications for Li Shimin and thrust the Duke of Britain’s household into the eye of the storm.

“The child has grown! Come here, let Aunt have a look!” Empress Zhangsun’s face was full of affection, as if she were gazing at her own child.

Such a look warmed Li Kong’s heart, strengthening his resolve to cure Empress Zhangsun once and for all.

He quietly stepped forward, gazing at her slightly pale face, and asked, “Is Aunt feeling unwell?”

“It’s nothing. You might soon have another younger brother or sister.”

A thunderous shock exploded in Li Kong’s mind—brother? Sister? He remembered it was the winter of the first year of Zhenguan, and Li Zhi, the future Emperor Gaozong, was born in the second year. Was Li Zhi about to be born?

Looking at Empress Zhangsun’s complexion, Li Kong frowned at Li Shimin, saying, “Uncle, is it really right for you to treat Aunt this way? Don’t you know her health can no longer bear another child?”

Li Shimin’s face flushed red. Luckily, only the four of them were present; even the court recorder had been sent out. Otherwise, Li Kong’s words alone would have been enough to cost him his head.

“Ahem, it was purely accidental…” Li Shimin’s expression suddenly hardened. “Hey, you brat, what do you know? Get out of my sight, you’re annoying!”

Empress Zhangsun cast a reproachful glance at Li Shimin, then took Li Kong’s hand. “Aunt is fine. Didn’t I give birth to Chengqian and Tai as well? This time, Aunt will be fine too, so don’t worry.”

“Very well, let’s leave it at that for now. But after this child is born, you mustn’t have any more, at least not until your nephew cures your ailment!”

Heaven bear witness, Li Kong spoke these words entirely involuntarily, blurting them out without any intention of showing off. As a special forces king in his previous life, he knew more than one way to treat bronchitis, and with Empress Zhangsun’s status, acquiring the necessary medicines would not be difficult.

But his words gave Li Shimin a surge of hope.

Li Shimin’s face turned crimson as he stood up, grabbed Li Kong by the collar, and demanded, “What did you just say? You said you could cure Aunt’s ailment?”

Not only Li Shimin, but Empress Zhangsun and Li Chengqian were also stirred—if it could truly be cured… They didn’t dare hope, for fear of disappointment.

Li Kong then realized that in this era, respiratory illness was incurable, or Empress Zhangsun would not have struggled on until her death in the tenth year of Zhenguan.

Yet he replied, “Aunt’s symptoms are likely due to inflammation of the bronchi, but I’ll need to examine her further. It shouldn’t be difficult to cure.”

“Good, good! If you can truly cure Aunt, I’ll grant you any reward you wish!” Li Shimin was so excited he could barely speak; heaven knows what a sensation his words would cause if they spread.

Li Kong’s eyes lit up—did this mean he could secure his marriage to Li Lizhi?

Still, he cautiously approached Empress Zhangsun and asked, “Aunt, may I take your pulse?”

“You know the art of medicine, Kong’er? That’s wonderful!” Empress Zhangsun smiled indulgently and extended her hand.

Li Kong took a deep breath, solemnly placing his fingers on her wrist.

He was not particularly skilled in pulse diagnosis, but could discern major illnesses without difficulty.

Li Shimin and Li Chengqian watched him intensely; the entire Linde Hall was enveloped in silence.

After nearly fifteen minutes, Li Kong exhaled and turned with a smile. “It’s fortunate—only bronchial inflammation, no other complications. Before childbirth, Aunt only needs to rest and nurture her health. Afterward, your nephew will surely restore her to wellness.”

“Excellent! How should she be cared for now?” Li Shimin could not wait.

Li Chengqian, ever the dutiful son, had already taken out paper and brush to record everything. Seeing his serious little face, Li Kong felt that if this child were to ascend the throne, perhaps things would turn out even better than under Li Zhi.