Chapter Four: Father and Son

Beneath a grove of peach trees, Li Kong and Li Ji sat facing each other. The vast courtyard around them was so silent that even the slightest sound would be heard.

A pot of cloudy wine, gently warmed over a soft flame, released a delicate fragrance that mingled with the green scent of unripe peaches, lending the scene a unique atmosphere.

“I heard from that rascal Cheng you nearly lost your life?”

“Uncle Cheng exaggerated a bit—it was just some superficial wounds. After this time recuperating, I’m almost completely healed.”

“That’s good. I didn’t expect our separation would last over half a year. You’ve done well for yourself, but is it really necessary to be so angry with your own father?”

Li Kong trembled all over, looked up at Li Ji, then sighed deeply. He filled his cup to the brim and said, “You think I shouldn’t be angry?”

“You should,” Li Ji replied, his gaze fixed upon Li Kong.

Enduring the elements for over half a year, Li Kong now seemed less naive, more resolute. His sun-browned skin glowed faintly in the sunlight. Were he not his own son, Li Ji might have found it hard to believe this young man was only fifteen.

Seeing the trace of loneliness on Li Ji’s face, Li Kong felt some pity, especially after Li Fu told him his mother was not dead; the resentment he held toward Li Ji had nearly faded away.

Now, all he wanted was an explanation from Li Ji—nothing more.

No one knows a son better than his father. Even if Li Kong’s soul had traveled from another world, it had fused with the original, so Li Ji could still sense most of what was in his heart.

After uttering that one word, “should,” he continued, “I owe everyone an explanation for what happened to your mother—not just His Majesty, but also the countless heroic spirits slain by Shan Xiongxin. Do you really think I am a heartless man?

Your mother followed me when I was down and out, and through years of chaos she never left my side. Do you really think anyone could replace her?

Let me tell you now—no one can. Not the current Lady of the House, not even you, my own son, can take her place in my heart.

But she needs a new life, a new identity—one accepted by all.”

“Do you know, for more than half a year, I’ve been waiting—waiting for news of you, waiting for the day you would return. Only when you came home could I give your mother the wedding she truly deserved.”

“What?” Li Kong leapt to his feet, staring intently at Li Ji, gritting his teeth. “What do you mean?”

“It’s simple. I want your mother to enter this house as the rightful Lady, the wife of a nobleman. What, are you not pleased?” Li Ji glared at Li Kong.

He spoke from the heart. Had Li Kong not returned, nothing more would be said; it would all come to nothing. But now that Li Kong had returned, Li Ji owed an explanation to both mother and son.

Years ago, Li Kong’s mother had followed Li Ji without name or title, brought to him by a single word from Shan Xiongxin; there had never even been a proper wedding ceremony. This was why the title of Lady of the British Duke had not gone to Li Kong’s mother, but to another woman.

But hearing these words, Li Kong laughed—a laugh tinged with sorrow and coldness. “And what will my mother’s status be—wife or concubine?”

“Wife,” Li Ji declared without hesitation.

The answer startled Li Kong so much he nearly jumped. Li Ji’s wife was currently none other than Lady Wang of Qinghe. Though not of the main branch, if Li Ji truly dismissed Lady Wang, the great clans of the east would surely cause a stir.

With the Tang dynasty newly stabilized, no matter how much the emperor favored Li Ji, he could not afford to offend the powerful aristocratic families. In the end, it would be Li Kong and his mother who suffered.

So Li Kong refused at once, saying in a low voice, “Let’s just forget it. If you really care for my mother, don’t stir up any more trouble.”

“But—”

Before Li Ji could speak further, Li Kong continued, “Say no more. If you truly feel guilty toward my mother, grant her a courtyard and let us live out our days in peace. That would mean more than any title.”

Li Ji was stunned by Li Kong’s words, sizing up the young man before him. If not for the face and voice that never changed, he might have doubted this was his son.

Li Kong had always been steady, but never so sharp, never so keenly aware of the tangled politics between officials and the great houses. In the past, had he heard his mother might be made the principal wife, he’d have been dancing for joy.

Could all this have changed in just half a year on the frontier? What had he experienced?

After a long pause, Li Ji finally let out a long sigh. “Perhaps you’re right. In that case, discuss it with your mother. If she agrees, I’ll grant you a separate residence. But remember, once you accept it, you’ll have no further ties to the Li family. Tell me, are you ready to bear that responsibility?”

Li Kong understood what Li Ji meant. His mother was “dead”—and at the hands of Lady Wang, no less. If she now returned, it would be a direct challenge to Lady Wang. To prevent Li Kong from coveting the family’s assets, the Wang family would use their influence to drive mother and son away.

Li Ji’s words, though seemingly heartless, were meant to protect them. Only by severing their ties could Lady Wang be appeased.

“I understand. I’m already prepared for everything.”

“In that case, go now. Li Fu will take you to your mother.” With these words, Li Ji seemed to age ten years in an instant, his whole demeanor crumbling.

Li Kong felt a pang of sympathy but resolutely rose and left the courtyard.

Yet before he reached the gate, Li Fu came hurrying toward him, shouting, “Master, His Majesty has arrived!”

Li Kong stopped in his tracks, body trembling.

His Majesty? Li Shimin? That emperor who forged an age of prosperity in Chinese history? The iron-willed sovereign who brought the name of the Chinese people to the world stage?

As a true son of China, Li Kong revered this emperor deeply—almost blindly so. Why else would he have thrown himself so completely into the history of the Tang dynasty?

He’d thought it unlikely he’d meet the emperor, or that if he did, it would be far in the future. Yet now, fate had brought this moment so swiftly.

Just as Li Kong stood in a daze, a hearty, robust voice rang out in the distance: “Maogong, I hear that rascal is back? Get him out here to see me!”

At these words, Li Kong jerked up his head, eyes fixed on the middle-aged man striding quickly toward them, his heart pounding wildly.

He’s here for me? Impossible!