Chapter Eight: Tremors Once More

Sunset was slanting in the west.

The day’s lessons had come to an end with Kong Yingda’s crisp announcement of dismissal. Since Li Kong had explained the phrase “The people may be made to follow, but not made to understand” earlier, Kong Yingda hadn’t paid him any attention at all, leaving a bored Li Kong to bury his head and doze off.

When everyone else burst out laughing and running, his mind was still hazy, unable to tell whether he was in the twenty-first century or the Tang Dynasty. But as his vision cleared, his thoughts sobered completely. He shook his head with a wry smile and sighed, “There’s no going back now…”

Helplessness, loneliness, and solitude tangled together in his heart, weaving a strange symphony, each emotion distinct, yet none interfering with the others.

Glancing at Li Lizhi, who was still taking notes, Li Kong felt that this world wasn’t so bad after all. A thought flickered in his mind: perhaps, he could win her away from Zhangsun Chong?

But considering his father, Li Ji’s, character, expecting him to contend with Zhangsun Wuji was nearly impossible. In the end, it would have to fall on his own shoulders. After all, as someone who had traveled through time, not pursuing a girl who moved his heart would be the height of foolishness.

According to the historical records, Emperor Taizong was to betroth Li Lizhi to Zhangsun Chong at the beginning of the third year of the Zhenguan era. That left him with less than two years to prepare.

Two years—neither long nor short.

He gave himself a silent push and walked toward the door.

“Hey, Li Kong, wait!”

Just as his foot was about to cross the threshold, a clear voice called from behind. Turning, he saw Li Lizhi had just stood up.

Somewhat surprised by this girl whose demeanor didn’t quite match the history books, Li Kong turned back and asked, “May I ask what commands the Princess has for this humble subject?”

Li Lizhi blushed and said, “Don’t call me Princess… Just call me Changle. I just wanted to ask—how are you so amazing? I don’t understand any of these poems or texts. When the teacher explains, I’m still completely lost.”

Hmm?

Noting her expression and manner, Li Kong suddenly understood—perhaps Li Lizhi was a bit lively, but at six or seven years old, what child isn’t? He realized he’d overlooked her youth because his mind was tangled up in historical records.

With this in mind, his last worry faded away. He smiled and replied, “These things really aren’t so difficult. If you step away from the sentences themselves—remember, ‘To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all.’ So, why don’t we try to understand the punctuation and meaning ourselves?”

“To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all?” Li Lizhi’s eyes brightened. She repeated the phrase, then said, “I understand now. Thank you.”

With that, the shy little girl lifted her skirts and ran out, a bit bashful—was that shyness?

Li Kong stroked his chin, feeling a little self-satisfied. Regardless, this was a good start. As long as he didn’t make any fundamental mistakes, he should be able to influence Li Lizhi’s decision.

Next would be Emperor Taizong.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Sweet Dew—

Kong Yingda stood before Emperor Taizong with a face full of bitterness. The things he had clung to for most of his life had been overturned in one morning by a young boy, leaving him speechless. Yet, as his behavior that afternoon had shown, he was convinced—stubborn, but honest and endearing in his way.

Emperor Taizong was also surprised by Li Kong’s understanding and ability. According to Li Kong’s interpretation of the Analects, he seemed to have found a path toward genuine prosperity.

Most importantly, Emperor Taizong saw hope—a chance to realize his deepest ambition: to eradicate the entrenched aristocratic clans.

At present, these clans controlled more than ninety percent of the country’s scholars and talent. The vast majority of the court was composed of their descendants. With the Tang dynasty’s rule still newly stabilized, the emperor’s power was limited, so much so that the aristocratic families effectively dictated court affairs—a frustration that had nearly made Taizong overturn the table more than once.

But if the words of the sages could be reinterpreted, the very doctrines these families relied upon would become their undoing. In that moment, Emperor Taizong felt an urge to bring Li Kong into the court as soon as possible.

“Father, I’m back!”

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out, and a graceful figure rushed to Emperor Taizong’s desk, throwing herself onto his back.

Throughout the Tang Empire, only two people could behave so boldly without reproach: Li Lizhi and Princess Gaoyang. But Princess Gaoyang was only a newborn, not yet two months old. So this darling daughter could only be Li Lizhi.

Kong Yingda, direct descendant of the Sage Confucius and a staunch defender of propriety, was instantly enraged by the scene, his beard bristling. “What manners! What decorum is this?”

Only then did Li Lizhi see Kong Yingda and, a little embarrassed, stuck out her tongue before backing away several steps and bowing. “Changle greets the teacher.”

Emperor Taizong, loving his daughter dearly, coughed twice. “Master Kong, this is neither the court nor council. Is it wrong for me to enjoy a moment of family happiness with my daughter?”

“Your Majesty is the sovereign; the sovereign has no private affairs. At all times, Your Majesty should uphold imperial dignity. This—this is a disgrace to decorum!” Kong Yingda pressed on relentlessly.

His intransigence irked Emperor Taizong. “Enough. What, am I not allowed a moment of kinship even as emperor?”

“Your Majesty, as the sages said—”

Kong Yingda had just begun when Li Lizhi interrupted, awkwardly. “Teacher, the words of the sages were spoken many years ago. As the saying goes, ‘To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all.’ Shouldn’t we find our own understanding too?”

Hmm?

At these words, both Emperor Taizong and Kong Yingda were stunned.

Then Emperor Taizong slapped the table, rose, and exclaimed, “Excellent! What an insightful saying—‘To believe everything in books is worse than having no books at all’! Changle, did you come up with this? As expected from my beloved daughter.”

Li Lizhi, blushing fiercely, waved her hands. “No, no, it was Li Kong. I asked him for help today, and he gave me this explanation, telling me to reinterpret the classics for myself.”

Li Kong again?

Kong Yingda trembled with frustration. He wanted to object, but recalling the afternoon’s events, he was at a loss. Though it was just one line, Li Kong’s approach to punctuation had produced several interpretations, completely undermining his own theories. It made him question whether what he had always believed was truly correct.

Kong Yingda was bewildered.