Chapter 60: The Grievances and Passions of the Changsun Family

“Enough talk, quickly lie down and rest. I’ll work here today, and keep you company,” Li Shimin said urgently, helping Changsun to lie down. He dared not mention taking a day off to stay with his wife—Changsun would never allow it.

In the imperial garden, four little children sat crouched on the ground, their faces clouded with worry. In that moment, all distinctions of rank and status seemed meaningless. These innocent souls gathered for a matter beyond their abilities, racking their brains for naïve solutions.

“Cai Cong, don’t you know an immortal? Maybe you could ask him to grant my mother fifty more years of life! When my brother the Crown Prince becomes emperor, he can appoint you to a great office,” Li Tai said, coming up with an outlandish idea he’d picked up from some rumor.

To his surprise, both Li Chengqian and Changle nodded in agreement, looking at Cai Cong with hope in their eyes, sincerely believing he was acquainted with the divine.

Cai Cong rolled his eyes in exasperation and retorted, “If I really knew an immortal, would I be running around looking for medicine for Her Majesty? Don’t believe those fools and their nonsense—nothing but wild rumors.”

“I heard it from my father, the Emperor…” Li Tai replied with a sly grin. Cai Cong nearly spat blood in frustration. First the two most powerful members of the Li family had beaten him today, and now this—did they truly think him so easily bullied?

“Fine, just make sure to bring the money later. As for an immortal! Wait, of course—Sun Simiao, the Divine Doctor Sun! If there’s anyone in this world who can save the Empress, it must be him.”

Cai Cong slapped his thigh in excitement—it was as if he’d forgotten this great man. This venerable elder, who had lived nearly a century and a half, was famed for his medical mastery and known as the King of Medicine. Common folk called him an immortal, and even Li Shimin had sought him out more than once.

Overcome with excitement, Cai Cong clapped Li Chengqian and Li Tai on their legs. This almost otherworldly figure had been revered as a living legend—and with such real skill, even if he couldn’t completely cure the Empress, he might at least grant her more years.

Without another thought for the three children, Cai Cong hurried off. The trio followed in confusion, unwilling to let him go—so he didn't know an immortal? Hadn’t he just named one?

They trailed after him until, as they neared the palace gate, a rotund figure stepped out of the shadows. The three immediately bowed and greeted, “Greetings, Uncle Wuji.”

“Heh, and what are you four up to now?” Zhangsun Wuji’s face, though full and fleshy, lacked any severity—he looked more like a kindly old man, and his gentle tone made them feel at ease.

“Uncle, we’re off to find an immortal,” Li Chengqian answered respectfully. This uncle’s status was unassailable; he’d supported Li Shimin since the founding of the dynasty, never once faltering.

“Matters of immortals are nothing but illusions—how can you take them seriously? As princes and princesses, you should set an example. Back to your studies with you, and reflect well on your conduct.”

Zhangsun Wuji, quick to change his face, turned stern in an instant—harsher than any school disciplinarian, as if he might pull out a rod and cane them at any moment.

The three children, filled with dread, bowed and dashed away. Only Zhangsun Wuji and Cai Cong were left, walking side by side in silence. Leaving the palace, they made their way onto Vermilion Bird Street. Their respective attendants followed from a distance, not daring to approach.

Zhangsun Wuji’s expression remained unreadable, while Cai Cong, his body still smarting from earlier beatings, grimaced with every step.

Vermilion Bird Street wasn’t long; in no time, they reached its end. Cai Cong chuckled, waved to Meng Baolai, and soon a carriage was hurried over.

“Young man of talent, I am not your equal. Tell me, what must I do to secure a future for the Zhangsun family?” Zhangsun Wuji finally spoke. Cai Cong, bold and clever beyond measure, had the upper hand; whatever price he named, Zhangsun Wuji would have no choice but to accept.

“If I said Zhangsun Anye had to cut off his wife’s head, would he do it?” Cai Cong asked with a wry smile, still feeling the pain from the Empress’s heavy hand.

“If that would appease Lord Chang’an, I would have my brother personally deliver her head to you,” Zhangsun Wuji replied calmly. What was one woman, compared to the survival of the clan?

“Heavens, no! If your family did that, my Cai family’s reputation would be ruined—who would ever want to deal with us again? Rest assured, I’ll see you have a way out. Even without considering Her Majesty, I would still honor you, Lord Wuji. Besides, the Empress herself has spoken on your behalf. The Zhangsun family must have accumulated great virtue over generations to have produced someone like her.”

With that, Cai Cong climbed into the carriage and left without looking back. At any other time, he would never have dared to speak to Zhangsun Wuji this way, but today he had reason to—such words would only prove to the other noble families he was no pushover.

Zhangsun Wuji stood in silence for a long time before finally returning home by carriage. In his life, his two greatest prides were choosing the right man to follow, and having such an extraordinary sister. But every great tree has withered branches; the Zhangsun family was not without fools like his elder brother, always causing trouble. If not for his support, disaster would have struck long ago.

The gate of the Duke of Qi’s mansion was crowded with visitors; during the New Year, so many came bearing gifts and seeking favor that the threshold was nearly worn down. Zhangsun Wuji paid them no heed, strolling calmly inside. The servant registering gifts held his head higher, taking the offerings and telling guests to wait—when the Duke was free, they would be summoned.

In the main hall, Zhangsun Anye and his wife were pacing anxiously, their faces twisted with anger and worry. Whatever good mood Zhangsun Wuji had was instantly ruined—he could hardly stand his brother, who had once driven him out of the family; if not for their uncle’s charity, he and his sister would have starved on the streets.

But this was a world ruled by family ties—even if you’d been cast out, or even sold, today if your elder brother came to visit, you were obliged to receive him with respect. No matter how high your rank, ignoring him would win you only contempt.

“How did it go, Wuji? Did Her Majesty order that wretch be punished?” Zhangsun Anye asked through gritted teeth as his brother entered.

“Punished? Who do you mean?” Zhangsun Wuji sat and toyed with a jade ewer, feigning ignorance.

“Of course I mean that brat Cai Cong—who else? My mansion’s been burned to the ground! Are we just to let him go unpunished?” Zhangsun Anye exclaimed in distress.

Zhangsun Wuji hurled the jade ewer to the floor with a crash, shards flying like knives and startling the couple. He leapt up, glaring at them and shouting, “And how would you punish him? If the Empress hadn’t intervened, even my own face might not have been enough for them to spare us!

“And you—shameless woman! What nerve! The Empress had just bestowed a title on you, and you dared to bully her kin. She may be meek, but her son, when roused, is more fearsome than Old General Cheng. If not for the Empress’s plea, Cai Cong would have ruined all the Zhangsun family’s business—our entire clan would be left to starve!”

When Zhangsun Wuji erupted, he didn’t even call his sister-in-law by her title—just scolded them both mercilessly. Intelligence was a fine thing, but his wine-soaked brother seemed to possess none at all.

“Have you no respect for your elders? I am your brother! She’s but a peasant woman—what right does she have to sit at our table?” Zhangsun Anye, stung by his brother’s reproach, bellowed in outrage.

Zhangsun Wuji remained silent. Could a man truly be this obtuse? They weren’t just slapping the Cai family’s face—they were slapping the Empress’s face as well. She had just been granted a noble title, and they dared humiliate her in front of the Empress herself—did they show any respect for the throne?

Li Shimin had gone to such lengths only to defend his wife’s honor. Otherwise, not even a prince would escape death or exile for such deeds, let alone someone like Cai Cong. Had any official spoken up for them? All owed their fortunes to the Empress’s intercession—without her, many would have fallen to Li Jiancheng’s schemes. Their silence now was itself a form of protest.

But it was pointless to explain; they would never understand. All he could say was, “Since your mansion was burned, stay here for now. Once it’s rebuilt, you can move back.”

“No need. I was counting on you and my sister to deal with that brat, but you won’t even help with this—clearly you’re still holding a grudge for casting you out years ago. How could I dare stay here? What if you suddenly decide to announce our whole family is dead? Go, call the children—we’ll stay at an inn.”

Zhangsun Anye’s words were full of sarcasm, denying Zhangsun Wuji even a shred of face. With that, he flung his sleeves and stormed out, refusing to stay in the bustling Duke of Qi’s mansion—just the sight of its prosperity was enough to make him uneasy.