Chapter 38: An Intimate Encounter with a Bold Woman

At the entrance of the Hall of Devotion.

Li Kong intentionally lingered a while before coming out, but to his surprise, a palace attendant was waiting for him at the door.

“Oh, Young Master Li, you’re finally out! Hurry up, His Majesty is waiting in the front hall.”

“Hm?” Li Kong had no choice but to follow the attendant toward the front hall.

He glanced back at the Hall of Devotion, where people were still tidying up. Perhaps this would be the last time he set foot here. Even if he had the chance again, he would have to avoid it. What was he supposed to do, try to outsmart Li Shimin?

The front hall was not far, only fifty meters away from the Hall of Devotion.

When Li Kong entered with the attendant, Li Shimin was still playing with the little girl in his arms. Although she had only just been born and hadn’t even opened her eyes fully, Li Shimin’s delight was so palpable that anyone who didn’t know better might have thought he was playing with something other than a child.

Beside Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun smiled tenderly. Li Lizhi watched the tiny figure in Li Shimin’s arms as if she had discovered a new toy. Li Chengqian and Li Tai knelt on either side, both smiling. The tables and chairs were already being mass-produced in the palace; soon, everyone could bid farewell to aching legs from kneeling.

“Commoner Li Kong pays respects to Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Prince Wei, and the Princess…” Li Kong saluted with cupped fists, inwardly cursing the eunuchs and palace maids nearby. Couldn’t they see this was a family gathering? Why were they hanging around? Now he had to rattle off so many greetings because of them…

Only then did Li Shimin look up at Li Kong and ask, “How is Consort Ling?”

“Consort Ling is merely exhausted. With proper rest and care, she will recover. But she must not bear another child, otherwise, not even the gods could save her.”

Li Kong spoke solemnly as he looked at Li Shimin. During his examination of Consort Ling, he’d found that the birth of Princess Gaoyang had drained all of Consort Ling’s vitality. Had he not intervened at the last moment, she would surely have died.

Though she had survived, she had forever lost the ability to bear children. Her body was too depleted; no amount of care could restore it. Such was the price of a premature birth.

Empress Zhangsun, though gracious and wise, couldn’t help but feel relieved upon hearing that Consort Ling would have no more children. Her own position and her children’s were precarious; one less male heir meant one less threat. Whether for public or private reasons, she didn’t wish for other consorts to bear sons.

Knowing Consort Ling’s fate eased her mind. She also felt even more affection for Li Shimin’s little daughter, Gaoyang. What harm could come from loving a little girl more? Besides, judging by Li Shimin’s attitude, perhaps one day Gaoyang could even help her own children.

Li Shimin’s thoughts were similar. He let out a heavy sigh. It wasn’t that he was heartless—he didn’t much care if Consort Ling had more children, as long as she survived. In truth, he’d only bestowed her the title of consort after learning she was pregnant; he hadn’t even known her former name.

Like many records describe, Consort Ling was the result of a drunken liaison—a debt born of folly.

But unlike what most chronicles claim, Li Shimin was not without feeling. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have doted so extravagantly on Gaoyang after Consort Ling’s death, even more so than on Li Lizhi.

Was it not so? Even after Gaoyang publicly humiliated Fang Yi’ai, Li Shimin hadn’t punished her. It was only after Gaoyang and Fang Yi’ai rebelled that Li Zhi forced them to take their own lives. Such favor was unique in the entire Tang dynasty—not even her aunt, Princess Pingyang, could compare.

“You’ve worked hard.” With a sigh, Li Shimin smiled at Li Kong, then, pride lighting his face, handed the infant to him. “Come, come, see my precious daughter. I have just bestowed upon her the name Gaoyang, meaning sunlight shining high and bright, bringing radiance everywhere. As the one who brought her into this world, you must be fond of her, so I’ll be counting on you to look after her in the future.”

Li Kong’s mouth twitched. Fond of Gaoyang? What a joke. Well, perhaps she was a pitiable soul. In the original history, she was motherless from birth, and by the time she grew up, Li Shimin was busy fighting the Turks and Gaochang, with unrest in the southwest and fires of war in Lingnan. Liangzhou was marshalling its forces, Goguryeo was charging through Liaodong—Li Shimin had no time for her.

Meanwhile, Empress Zhangsun’s son Li Tai, egged on by Cen Wenben, was targeting Li Chengqian. Lady Yang’s son Li Ke was equally ambitious. The entire harem was in chaos because of them.

After years of turmoil, when things finally settled and they moved to Daming Palace, Li Shimin married Gaoyang off to that halfwit Fang Yi’ai.

Given all that, it was a wonder Gaoyang didn’t go mad. Morality? She knew nothing of it.

But in this life, none of that would happen. Li Kong looked forward to seeing what kind of woman Princess Gaoyang would become, growing up in a perfect family.

He extended his hands and gently took the little one, watching as her unfocused eyes darted around. Amused, he said, “This little girl is clever indeed; she will surely grow into a heroine.”

Deep down, he couldn’t help but marvel: Was this destiny’s favor? To let him come so close to the most uninhibited woman of the Tang dynasty?

Yes, for the sake of a brighter future for the dynasty, Li Kong decided to raise this child into the first female general of Tang.

As for Gaoyang’s marriage to Fang Yi’ai? That was a matter for the future. Fang Yi’ai was still just a brat of seven or eight. With some guidance, he might amount to something, but Li Kong would need to have a word with Fang Xuanling. Sending such a simple-minded boy to study—was Fang Xuanling out of his mind?

Gaoyang seemed delighted by Li Kong’s praise, but sadly, as she couldn’t yet control her emotions, the next moment—

A sharp wail rang out. Li Shimin leapt up, snatched Gaoyang back, and kicked at Li Kong. “Go get some rest! If you make my daughter cry again, you’ll regret it.”

Li Kong rolled his eyes, tempted to retort—wasn’t this just burning the bridge after crossing it? After all, he’d risked his life to deliver the child, and this was how he was repaid?

“Father, it’s not Brother Kong’s fault. Is little sister hungry?” To Li Kong’s surprise, Li Lizhi stepped forward…

At that moment, Li Kong was so moved that he nearly wept. Inwardly, he cheered, “See, my wife is still the best.”

Li Kong was delighted, but Li Shimin was on the verge of madness!