Chapter Sixty-Four: Taking Wu Zhao Away

Wu Yuanshuang felt extremely uncomfortable under Li Kong’s gaze, especially the chill radiating from Li Kong, which made him feel as if he was suffocating. In all his years, apart from some disturbances in the earliest days when the family’s standing was still uncertain, he had never suffered such indignity in more than a decade.

Just then, a voice called from the courtyard, “Second Brother, what are you doing? Has it really taken you this long to finish the task?”

As the words fell, a young man bearing an eight-part resemblance to Wu Yuanshuang appeared, holding half a jug of wine. His bleary eyes betrayed his drunkenness, and the rich aroma wafting from the wine jug made it certain he was drinking Hero’s Intoxication.

“Eldest Brother, you’re here! Someone is causing trouble!” On seeing the newcomer, Wu Yuanshuang seized upon him as a lifeline, shouting frantically.

Wu Yuanqing stiffened, then bellowed angrily, “Who dares cause trouble at the Duke of Ying’s estate? Beat them out with sticks!”

Wu Yuanshuang’s mouth twitched, and he whispered, “It’s Li Kong.”

“Li Kong? Never heard of him!” Wu Yuanqing took a swig, speaking carelessly. But at that instant, a wave of cold swept over him, sobering him up by half.

He looked blankly at Li Kong, who stood not far away, then turned to Wu Yuanshuang, as if demanding an explanation.

Wu Yuanshuang replied bitterly, “He’s… he’s the one who drove out the Turks three years ago, now the prospective son-in-law of Princess Changle!”

A thunderous crash seemed to explode in Wu Yuanqing’s mind, as if struck by a bolt from the blue. He might be a rake, but he was no fool; otherwise, he could never have risen to the position of chief minister after Wu Zhao ascended the throne in his past life. Of course, that was before—his mind was not so sharp now, but he still knew the gravity of the situation, who could be offended, and who could not.

So, hearing Wu Yuanshuang’s explanation, he immediately tossed aside the wine jug and slapped Wu Yuanshuang hard across the face, roaring, “Fool! Why didn’t you invite Young Master Li in? Do you want me to beat you to death?”

“Ah, ah! Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong! I’ll apologize to Young Master Li right away!” Wu Yuanshuang cried, clutching his face as Wu Yuanqing’s spittle flew in his direction.

Wu Yuanqing kicked him hard, then jogged over to Li Kong with a sycophantic grin. “Young Master Li, I do apologize! This fool has no eyes and offended you. Whatever it takes to appease your anger—hit or scold as you wish!”

“Taking advantage of your family’s power, how disgraceful,” Wu Zhao sneered, her lips curled in contempt as she looked at the two brothers.

Wu Yuanshuang was about to flare up, but seeing Li Kong standing in front of him, he wilted at once, sobbing, “Young… Young Master Li, f-forgive me, I was wrong!”

“I have no brother like you,” Li Kong retorted coldly. Looking at the two wastrels before him, he said, “I heard the Duke of Ying was unwell and came to visit, but instead witnessed this farce of family infighting. You two really bring honor to your father. Today, you’re lucky it’s me. If it were Kong Yingda, do you think he wouldn’t report this to His Majesty and strip you both of your right to inherit the title?”

At the mention of Kong Yingda, the old scholar, both Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang shuddered. The reason they treated Wu Zhao and her mother and sisters this way was to reduce the number of family members, so that any trouble within the house would be less likely to become public knowledge. Most importantly, the two of them were now addicted to gambling—their obsession had nearly squandered the family fortune. Whatever remained was tightly guarded by Wu Shiyue, and much of it was in Madame Yang’s keeping.

If this affair reached Li Shimin’s ears, they would no doubt be banished to the southern frontier.

“Yes, yes, Young Master Li is right. We’ll never do such a thing again. Please, Young Master, don’t let this matter be known, and we’ll reward you handsomely!” Wu Yuanqing groveled.

Before Li Kong could respond, Wu Zhao interjected, “Don’t trust them, Brother Li Kong. The two of them have lost all the family money gambling, and now they’re targeting us. If they drive us out, they’ll take our dowries and keep gambling.”

Li Kong’s eyes narrowed. He knew they were gamblers, but hadn’t realized how far gone they were. Coming from a modern world, Li Kong was all too aware of the dangers of gambling: he’d arrested many whose addiction had ruined their families and even led them into drug trafficking; some he’d even shot dead. Hardened gamblers couldn’t be reformed without drastic measures.

But in this era, sons were vital for continuing the family line, so Wu Shiyue couldn’t bear to punish them harshly. In other words, they were beyond saving.

From what Li Kong knew of history, these two gambled until their deaths, nearly draining half the treasury during Wu Zetian’s reign—compared to them, even Heshen seemed insignificant.

Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang blanched at Wu Zhao’s words. Their gambling habit was a secret known only to a few small gambling dens in the North Market.

Now that Wu Zhao had exposed them, if Li Kong spread the word, they could already imagine the torment that awaited them.

The two brothers glared at Wu Zhao and her mother and sisters with murderous rage.

Seeing their looks, Li Kong felt a chill. He knew that if he did nothing, Yang Shi and her daughters would be doomed. Perhaps Wu Zhao, being clever, could survive, but what kind of person would she become after losing her mother and sisters?

She was just a little girl. Such hatred could make her despise the entire Tang empire. With her intelligence, if she fled to Goguryeo or the Turks, the troubles she’d bring to the dynasty would be immeasurable.

“Could this all be deliberate?” Li Kong glanced at Wu Zhao and said, “I can overlook your offense against me today, but what assurance do I have that the four of them will be safe in this household?”

Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang exchanged confused looks, not quite understanding his meaning.

Li Kong shook his head and sneered, “To prevent any misfortune, I’ll be taking them away for now. Since the Duke of Ying is unwell, let’s not trouble him further. When he recovers, I’ll personally bring them back. How about that?”

“This…” The brothers were stunned, fear flickering on their faces.

But Li Kong didn’t give them a chance to protest. With those final words, he turned and left, leading Wu Zhao, her mother and sisters, as well as Cui Zhu and Lai Fu, back the way he had come.

He didn’t know if what he did today was right, but he could foresee that his days ahead would be anything but peaceful. Who could say? After all, wasn’t it just this kind of unpredictable, stormy life that he craved?