Chapter 50: A Lively New Year (Bonus Chapter)

Li Shimin had arrived.

It was not just Li Shimin; even Empress Zhangsun, who rarely left the palace, had come. Along with them were Li Chengqian, Li Lizhi, and Zhangsun Wuji.

At this moment, Zhangsun Wuji's face was extremely grim. He could never have imagined that his usually timid son would have the audacity to storm Li Ji's residence.

Though he held the rank of First-Class Duke, in Li Shimin's eyes, his status was certainly a shade lower than Li Ji's. If not for consideration of Empress Zhangsun’s feelings, perhaps he would not have attained even the title of Duke; a county duke would have been fortunate enough.

Looking around at the pairs of furious eyes glaring at him, Zhangsun Wuji felt his heart bleeding. He had once hoped to dominate the court, but now, thanks to Zhangsun Chong, all the military officials had been overturned in one stroke.

Had this happened in the Song or Ming dynasties, Zhangsun Wuji would not have cared, for those eras belonged to civil officials. But this was Tang—the age where military merit determined one's status. What did the generals represent? The flourishing of the Tang, its prestige, and the most trusted arm of Li Shimin.

Zhangsun Chong had not only severed one of his arms; he had split him in two. No matter how capable he was, his dreams of dominating the court would now vanish like mist.

History is filled with tales of sons ruining their fathers, but Zhangsun Wuji had never imagined he would become one of those unfortunate men.

Was he frustrated? Deeply so. Zhangsun Chong was his only son at present. He even wondered, since he was only thirty-four and far from the age of forty, whether he should abandon Zhangsun Chong and raise another son anew.

(According to records, the birth years of Zhangsun Wuji’s sons are not documented, so this is the assumption for the plot. Please do not take it too seriously!)

However, his wife was already pregnant, and the historical records claimed he would have twelve sons. Time would grant him ample opportunities to produce more.

"What exactly happened here?" Li Shimin swept his gaze across the crowd, his face cold as he questioned in a deep voice.

Empress Zhangsun’s complexion was pale, angered by Zhangsun Chong. Had she not benefited from Li Kong’s medicinal cuisine recently, which had significantly improved her health, she might have fainted from sheer fury.

Li Lizhi had already rushed to Li Kong's side. She had just heard someone say, "Zhangsun Chong struck seventeen blows," so she disregarded the crowd and anxiously asked, "Did he hit you? Does it hurt? Are you alright? Should I call the imperial physician?"

Seeing Li Lizhi so worried about Li Kong, Zhangsun Chong felt his lungs about to burst with rage. But with Li Shimin present, no matter how angry he was, he had to hold it in, biting his lip so hard he didn’t even notice the blood.

Li Kong felt warmth in his heart, smiled, and shook his head, saying, "I’m fine. He hasn't grown up yet; he doesn’t have much strength. Besides, I was raised in the military; my body is strong. Honestly, it didn’t hurt at all!"

"You’re lying! I don’t believe you unless you let me call the imperial physician to check!" Li Lizhi pouted, clearly dissatisfied.

Her expression left everyone around stunned. Even though Tang culture was open, it wasn’t open to this extent. Luckily, everyone here was familiar, and with the royal family’s reputation at stake, otherwise Li Kong might have been spoken of in unspeakable ways.

Li Shimin, on the other hand, was furious, glaring at Li Lizhi and Li Kong as they exchanged tenderness. His overwhelming affection for his daughter erupted as he shouted, "Changle, come back!"

Li Kong rolled his eyes, then instantly switched faces and hurried to Li Shimin, clasping his hands in salute. "Your Majesty, may the New Year bring you joy! Yesterday, I discovered something that could create wealth for the Tang and benefit all its people. I was planning to submit a memorial after the New Year, but since Your Majesty is here, shall we discuss it inside later?"

"Is what you say true?" Li Shimin’s anger abated somewhat as he looked at Li Kong with suspicion.

"Of course it’s true! No matter how bold I am, I wouldn’t dare deceive you. That would cost me my head!" Li Kong grinned.

Li Shimin finally nodded in satisfaction.

Their conversation was quiet, and aside from Empress Zhangsun, no one else heard. The others were bewildered: why had Li Shimin, who was raging moments ago, suddenly become so amiable?

Li Shimin realized his change of expression had been too abrupt, so he quickly resumed a stern face. "Tell me, what happened just now?"

Li Kong didn’t need to answer; Cheng Yaojin immediately jumped in, loudly recounting the events from start to finish, without exaggeration. He knew that even as it was, Zhangsun Chong would be plunged into ruin in Li Shimin’s eyes.

When he finished, Cheng Yaojin added with relish, "Your Majesty, tell me, why should this brat have such privilege? Setting aside his insult to Yunfeng, how can he claim we old men are inferior to his father? Just because his father is a First-Class Duke?"

As he spoke, Cheng Yaojin shot Zhangsun Wuji a glare.

Zhangsun Wuji was about to explode. Others may not know, but he knew precisely how he had gained his title. Now, thanks to Zhangsun Chong’s antics, he doubted he could keep it, cursing Zhangsun Chong inwardly.

Zhangsun Chong looked at Li Shimin with utter despair. He realized now that these dukes, all of military background, were tightly united. No matter how capable his father was, he couldn’t hope to contend with so many dukes. He was finished.

Sure enough, after Cheng Yaojin finished, Li Shimin’s face turned even colder than before. Earlier, he had only been jealous of his daughter’s regard for another, but now, Zhangsun Chong had openly provoked the Tang's officials—a grave crime, punishable by death.

Seeing Li Shimin’s expression, Zhangsun Wuji panicked, immediately kneeling and pleading, "Your Majesty, my son is young and ignorant. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness!"

Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Fujii, we have known each other for over ten years. I am truly disappointed this time!"

"Your old servant is guilty!" Zhangsun Wuji bowed so low his head touched the ground, the cold seeping into his body, but he dared not raise his head.

Empress Zhangsun sighed softly and said to Li Shimin, "Second Brother, let this be a warning to others."

Li Shimin snorted coldly. "Zhangsun Chong has shown disrespect for his elders and attacked a duke. He is stripped of his heir status, confined for three years, and his future to be observed. Zhangsun Wuji, for poor parenting and nearly causing disaster, is demoted to Duke of Yu, and his salary is docked for a year. That is all. Everyone, return."