Chapter 48: A Visit to Provoke

Staying up to see in the new year was tedious, and with only two people, the tedium reached its peak.

The maids and manservants had all retired to their own quarters, to pray for their families and keep vigil in their own way.

In the main hall, beneath the ancestral tablet of Li Ji’s late father, Xu Gai, Li Yue’e and Li Kong knelt facing each other. Li Yue’e murmured softly, her lips moving in prayer or supplication.

But Li Kong, long since drowsy, had already slipped into slumber. Midnight had passed, with three hours yet until dawn. The thought of those cold, drawn-out hours before sunrise made him feel dizzy with fatigue.

Still, after tonight, he would be sixteen. According to the laws of the Tang dynasty, this was the age when a young man came of age. In his previous life, Li Kong had read about the coming-of-age ceremony. Officially, it was set at twenty, but it was common for boys to don the cap—marking adulthood—at sixteen, the so-called "young cap age."

After all, it wasn’t uncommon for men to marry at fifteen or sixteen in ancient times; not holding the ceremony before then would be odd. More importantly, due to the many internal and external hardships of the era, lifespans were generally short. For someone like Li Ji to live to seventy was a rare exception; most men grew feeble by forty, and dying at fifty was expected.

Whether for increasing the population or demonstrating vigor, people in ancient times matured early.

Li Kong’s birthday was the twenty-sixth of the third month, so his own coming-of-age would have to wait another three months. But that was no matter—he could wait. Besides, he wasn’t eager to put on the cap or start his official career so young; he thought himself much too green.

Most of the veteran officials of the Zhenguan era were still in their prime, in their thirties; few had reached forty. Joining their ranks now would make him a mere bystander.

Of course, with his abilities, he could rise quickly—but as the saying goes, "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to feel the wind." He had no wish to attract undue attention or resentment. Life as it was had its own charms: making a little money, enjoying the moment, teasing his future wife—what could be more delightful?

In a daze, caught up in his daydreams, Li Kong drifted off to sleep, leaving Li Yue’e both exasperated and amused.

But as a mother, she said nothing. Instead, she took a fur blanket and gently draped it over him to keep him from catching cold.

When he opened his eyes again, the sky was already paling toward dawn.

According to custom, one ate dumplings on the morning of New Year’s Day—though at this time, they were called “jiao’er” or “wontons.” True dumplings wouldn’t take their familiar form until the Song dynasty. In this era, wontons were exceedingly simple, containing little more than mutton and, perhaps, some wild greens cultivated for their medicinal properties.

Li Kong had never tasted the wontons of this time, and truth be told, he was looking forward to them.

Li Yue’e had left before daybreak to oversee the maids as they prepared the wontons. As Li Kong stepped out of his room, the savory aroma of pure mutton reached him from afar.

“How wonderful, everything’s so natural in this era,” he mused, though he quickly shrugged off further thoughts—there was no going back, after all.

Smiling and shaking his head, he banished those idle musings and headed toward the kitchen. Though the phrase “A gentleman stays out of the kitchen” was in vogue, Li Kong paid it no mind; had anyone dared to rebuke him with it, he would have left them doubting their own sanity.

Meanwhile, unlike Li Kong’s ease, Changsun Chong had not slept a wink all night—truly, not a moment’s rest. Scolded by the empress yesterday, his nerves were already frayed, and returning home, he’d suffered a harsh tongue-lashing from Changsun Wuji as well, who sternly forbade him from pursuing Li Lizhi any further.

Changsun Chong could endure many things, but not having his beloved taken from him. Enraged, he skipped breakfast and stormed out to the Duke of England’s manor, determined to demand an explanation from Li Kong—perhaps even settling things with force.

By this time, Changsun Chong had entirely forgotten the lesson Li Kong had taught him before. His grudge over Li Lizhi had overwhelmed all reason.

“Young Master Changsun, who are you looking for?” The gatekeeper, startled awake by the urgent knocking, opened the door and stared in surprise at Changsun Chong.

“Enough talk—bring Li Kong out to see me!” Changsun Chong’s face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

The gatekeeper was alarmed. “Master Changsun, it’s New Year’s Day—if there’s nothing urgent, please go home. The family is at breakfast.”

“Oh, so even a watchdog dares speak to me this way? Do you think I can’t do anything to you?” Changsun Chong’s rage flared. If not for the fact that this gatekeeper was one of Li Ji’s handpicked guards, exuding a formidable presence, Changsun Chong might have rushed forward already.

The gatekeeper stiffened and said in a low voice, “Master Changsun, this is the Duke of England’s residence, not your own. Whatever business you have, it would be best to wait until after the New Year.”

Changsun Chong glared, then glanced up at the plaque above the gate, sneering. “Second-class duke? My father is a first-class duke—are you sure this won’t bring trouble to your master?”

With that, he stepped back, drew a deep breath, and shouted, “Li Kong, you bastard! If you’ve got the guts, stop hiding—come out here and face me!”

The gatekeeper’s expression darkened; were it not for concern over Changsun Wuji’s power, he would have struck Changsun Chong then and there.

Inside the side courtyard, Li Kong was in the midst of enjoying a fragrant, steaming bowl of food when the commotion at the gate made him freeze, his eyes narrowing.

He hadn’t met Changsun Chong often, but he instantly recognized the voice. What was Changsun Chong doing here at this hour?

If it was over Li Lizhi, he should have acted back when Li Shimin sent him to Changle County, not waited until now. So what was it really about?

Regardless of the reason, anyone bold enough to make trouble at his door could not be forgiven. Just as he was about to go see what this brat wanted, he suddenly paused—he had spotted Li Ji heading toward the main gate.

Should he go? Or stay? Somehow, the choice seemed rather difficult.