Chapter Thirty-Three: Li Shimin’s Day of Misfortune

Under Li Lizhi’s threat of “telling on him,” Changsun Chong, feeling utterly defeated, muttered, “I’ll be back,” before fleeing the scene with Du He in tow.

As for the little brat Li Tai, he remained rooted to the spot—not because he didn’t want to leave, but because he didn’t dare. The two before him could truly make his life a living hell.

After such an incident, Li Lizhi lost all interest in shopping. She exchanged a few words with Li Kong before taking Li Tai straight back to the imperial palace.

Just as Li Kong had expected, shortly after their departure, a large contingent of guards trailed after them for protection. Judging by their imposing presence, they were the elite Black Armored Guards, which meant that Li Kong’s “inappropriate” behavior toward Li Lizhi would reach Emperor Taizong’s ears in less than half an hour.

Perhaps Li Shimin already knew by now?

“Let’s hope you fools don’t do anything stupid, or I’ll find a chance to get back at you all!” Comforting himself with these words, Li Kong turned back home to continue refining his upcoming business plans.

As he had anticipated, by evening, nearly all the remaining tables and chairs had been sold—only two sets were left, netting him a total of 430 strings of cash. Though not a fortune, it was more than enough as start-up capital for his next venture, with quite a bit left over besides.

He worked tirelessly until nearly evening, finally completing all the technical documents. The remaining business plan he only outlined in broad strokes, as this was not his area of expertise; he intended to leave the details for Li Shimin to worry about, while he himself would simply steer the overall direction.

Meanwhile, within the Tai Chi Palace.

Li Shimin sat in the Ganlu Hall, his expression shifting between anger and confusion. Before him knelt a Black Armored Guard, head bowed so low it nearly touched the floor.

“What you just said… is it all true?”

After a long silence, Li Shimin finally forced out a few words through gritted teeth.

“Your Majesty, it is indeed so. I witnessed it with my own eyes—Young Master Li Kong touched Princess Changle’s head!”

“That little scoundrel! I’ll skin him alive!” Li Shimin roared in fury. As a textbook doting father, he had always known his daughter would one day grow up and marry, but Changle was only eight years old, still the apple of his eye.

And yet Li Kong had dared to lay hands on his precious daughter—on his own turf, no less. The audacity was beyond belief.

“Hmm? Father, whose skin are you going to peel?” Just then, Li Lizhi bounced in, skipping right past the Black Armored Guard and leaping into Li Shimin’s arms, her face filled with curiosity.

The moment he caught sight of his daughter’s sweet, innocent eyes, all of Li Shimin’s rage evaporated. But the memory of Li Kong’s actions brought his smile crashing down. He put on a stern face. “Changle, did someone touch your head today?”

Huh?

Li Lizhi looked a bit dazed, then turned to glare at the Black Armored Guard behind her, pouting. “Did you tell Father? What did I tell you on the way here? Do you think I can’t have you punished?”

The Black Armored Guard looked baffled—what had he done to deserve this?

Li Shimin coughed twice, drawing Li Lizhi’s attention back. In a deep voice, he said, “That’s his duty. Don’t change the subject. Did Li Kong really touch your head? But don’t worry, Father won’t let you be wronged. I’ll have him brought here and skinned to make it up to you!”

“Oh, come on! Who said you could go after Brother Kong? Really… it’s nothing, actually.” Li Lizhi said shyly, two pink smudges blooming on her cheeks, her delicate appearance so adorable it made one want to dote on her even more.

But to Li Shimin, her bashful expression was a crushing blow. As someone who had once been young himself, how could he not recognize what this look signified? Back when he first met Empress Zhangsun, she’d worn the very same expression. In other words, Li Kong had managed to win over his most beloved daughter right under his nose!

Outrageous—simply outrageous! Li Shimin’s heart bled with pain. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, “No, I can’t let this go. That little scoundrel, stealing away my daughter without a word—I’d be no emperor if I didn’t skin him alive!”

“No!”

Li Lizhi jumped down from his lap and stared at him with wide eyes. “You’re not allowed to bully Brother Kong, or—or I’ll never speak to you again!”

Under the force of his daughter’s ultimate weapon, all of Li Shimin’s anger vanished like smoke. Faced with her resolute gaze, he could only give in, snorting in frustration as he turned and headed for the rear hall.

Once he’d left, Li Lizhi turned to the Black Armored Guard, hands on her hips. “You’re in for it now. Hmph!”

In the rear palace.

Empress Zhangsun had just finished making the bed and was sipping a bowl of ginseng porridge prepared by the imperial physician according to prescriptions written by Li Kong. The medicinal porridge tasted excellent, and after several days of continuous use, her complexion had noticeably improved—the most obvious change was that her coughing had nearly disappeared, and for the first time in ages, she hadn’t coughed at all that morning. To all who knew of her illness, this seemed nothing short of a miracle.

After finishing her bowl, Empress Zhangsun felt a comforting warmth spreading through her body, and even the usual tightness in her chest had eased considerably. But before she could rest, Li Shimin stormed in, muttering angrily, “I’m so furious! Outrageous, truly unforgivable…”

Empress Zhangsun looked at him in surprise, waving everyone else from the room before approaching to take his arm with a smile. “What’s happened, Erlang? Who managed to upset you so? Wei Zheng? Or…”

“Don’t even ask. It’s Yunfeng, that little rascal, and Lizhi. Do you know, today Li Yunfeng actually reached out and touched Lizhi’s head. What’s worse—Lizhi blushed! She blushed! She’s only eight, and—oh, it’s infuriating!”

Empress Zhangsun was surprised, but then recalled something Changsun Wuji had mentioned a few days earlier. In her view, Li Lizhi wasn’t all that young—she herself had married Li Shimin at thirteen. It wasn’t implausible for Lizhi to have a budding affection for someone at this age.

Still, Empress Zhangsun was torn. Li Kong was indeed outstanding, and she’d watched him grow up. But Changsun Chong was her nephew, and marrying him to Changle would only strengthen family ties. For now, she couldn’t quite make up her mind.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something else. Next time you see your brother, ask him to keep an eye on his son. At only eight or nine, he’s already brazen enough to visit brothels—utterly lawless! Where did he pick up such habits?”

At these words, Empress Zhangsun’s face immediately darkened. Nine years old and already frequenting brothels? If Changle were to marry Changsun Chong, what sort of future would await her?

In that instant, Empress Zhangsun struck Changsun Chong off her list of suitable matches for Changle.

As for Changsun Wuji, she knew that just a word from her would be enough—no matter how thick-skinned he was, he would no longer dare to bring up the matter.

But then she noticed Li Shimin’s face growing even darker.

How could it not? He’d been so flustered over Li Kong and Li Lizhi that he’d forgotten—among those reported by the Black Armored Guard, besides Changsun Chong, was also his own imperial son!