Chapter Eighty-One: The Truth Is Revealed!

Kong Yingda chuckled. "Take another look at what I wrote!"

Li Yi shifted his gaze to the text and was startled. "Heavy snow presses upon the green pine; the pine stands upright and firm! Master Kong, this..."

Kong Yingda stroked his beard, taking a small sip of tea. "Hmm! Your tea is indeed excellent. I find myself unable to part with it now!"

Li Yi hurried to reply, "Master Kong, rest assured. I will have someone deliver tea to your residence regularly!"

"You rascal, do you think I would covet your tea? Knowing your temperament, I suspect you intend to sell this tea eventually. When the time comes, I'll buy it myself. Let's leave that aside for now and discuss these lines. If I'm not mistaken, this is the opening of a poem, isn't it?"

"Heh heh, Master Kong, you have a keen eye!"

"Hmm," Kong Yingda smiled gently, then pulled out a folding fan from beneath the table, its craftsmanship clearly new. "I heard your poem inscriptions on fans are quite renowned, and you rarely write them for others. Yesterday, Song'er came to me, saying she wanted a fan with your poetry, specifically these two lines. I couldn't refuse her, so here I am today to ask you for this favor!"

Li Yi grumbled inwardly. When did you ask, really? But after all, it was Kong Yingda; refusing wasn't an option.

"Master Kong, you flatter me. It is my honor that you value my writing. I am more than happy, how could I decline!"

Kong Yingda nodded in satisfaction, handed the fan and a brush to Li Yi, and stepped aside to watch.

Li Yi calmed his mind, thought for a moment, and then wrote in semi-cursive script on the fan: "Heavy snow presses upon the green pine; the pine stands upright and firm. To know the pine's noble character, wait until the snow melts."

On the other side, in regular script, he wrote eight bold characters: "Steadfast and unwavering, evergreen through the ages!"

"Excellent! A fine poem, elegant calligraphy, and profound words!" Kong Yingda exclaimed, picking up the fan and examining it closely. "Wonderful! Ah, I must admit, your talent rivals that of Cao Zhi in ancient times!"

Li Yi blinked. Cao Zhi? The one whom Xie Lingyun praised, saying, "Of all the world's talent, Cao Zhi possesses eight-tenths"? Goodness, that's quite the compliment!

"Master Kong, you overpraise me!"

"Haha, whether it's praise or not, time will tell. No need for modesty. You may go now; your part here is done."

"Is this what they call using the donkey and then slaughtering it?" Li Yi muttered inwardly, then withdrew. No, I'm no donkey!

Li Yi mounted his steed, Dustless, and left the Kong residence. He strolled along, ever since being ambushed by Cheng Yaojin, he journeyed with extra vigilance, scanning his surroundings, ears alert for any sign of trouble, dreading another surprise attack. But fate, ever capricious, had other plans.

"Young Lord Li, please wait!"

Li Yi pulled the reins of Dustless, raising his eyes to size up the man who blocked his path. The newcomer was tall and sturdy, sword at his waist, dressed as a military officer. His skin was fair, but his aura was fierce and bold.

Li Yi dismounted, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked, "May I ask who you are, General?"

The man returned the gesture. "I am Feng Wu, an imperial bodyguard. By His Majesty's order, I am here to escort Young Lord Li to the palace."

Li Yi was surprised. "You're Uncle Li's guard? Uncle Li wishes to see me? Has he said what it's about?"

"Young Lord Li, I do not know," Feng Wu replied.

Li Yi considered for a moment. "Very well, let us go."

Before long, Li Yi and Feng Wu entered Daxing Palace, heading straight for the Hall of Eternal Spring. Yet, midway, they encountered an unexpected guest.

"You? What are you doing here? This is no place for you!"

Li Yi frowned at Li You, who blocked their path. Damn it, why do I keep running into this troublemaker!

Thinking it over, Li Yi stepped forward and said, "So it's Prince Yan. I am here by imperial summons. Might I ask what advice you have for me?"

Li You sneered, "What a joke! Who do you think you are? You imagine Father would summon you? Ridiculous!"

Li Yi was about to provoke Li You further, hoping he'd utter something treasonous and thus earn a beating from Li Er. But Feng Wu was quicker.

"Prince Yan, Young Lord Li is indeed summoned by His Majesty. Please allow us to pass."

Li You glanced at Feng Wu and was visibly startled. As an imperial bodyguard, Feng Wu was well known to Li You, but his focus had been solely on Li Yi, and Feng Wu had stood behind Li Yi, so he hadn't noticed him before.

"So it's Guard Feng. In that case, I won't disturb you." Li You cast a dark look at Li Yi and departed.

Li Yi frowned, watching Li You's retreating figure. That look just before he left was deeply unsettling.

He shook his head and continued toward the Hall of Eternal Spring. Soon, Li Yi and Feng Wu arrived at the entrance. After being announced, Li Yi entered the hall.

Li Er was as usual, seated on the reclining chair Li Yi had invented, reviewing the endless stack of memorials. A eunuch assisted with organizing the documents, while several palace maids attended nearby.

Li Yi glanced up, and Li Er gestured to the chair before him.

"You've arrived! Sit. Wait until I've finished these memorials."

Li Yi acknowledged and sat down to wait. After a while, boredom set in, but he dared not wander about, lest Li Er punish him. So he simply looked around; after a bit, even that grew tedious. Li Er's hall was dull, save for the few palace maids, but they were all too young—pretty faces, but lacking in other charms.

At last, Li Yi was so bored he lay back in the chair and fell asleep.

His nap was restful, and he even dreamt of Changle and Li Xueyan. Just as he was about to indulge in certain improper fantasies, he was rudely awakened by a kick.

Li Yi opened his eyes angrily and turned to see Li Er, his face dark with fury, glaring at him.

"You rascal! Is the Hall of Eternal Spring a place for you to nap?"

Li Yi rubbed his backside, feeling aggrieved. Was it so serious to take a nap?

Li Er's eyes widened. "You still dare protest! Sleeping isn't the issue, but why do you keep calling my daughter's name while you sleep? Hmm?"

Li Yi's eyes grew wide. His daughter? Changle? Damn, what was happening? This was bad!

Li Yi hung his head, now truly subdued and silent.

Seeing Li Yi's compliance, Li Er snorted and sat back down.

"Stop standing there. Sit!"

Li Yi shuffled over to the chair, head lowered, and sat as quietly as an ostrich.

"So what? Now you know how to be shy? What were you dreaming about?"

Li Yi's gaze was full of innocence. Who can control their dreams?

"Hmph! Don't play dumb. Explain yourself! How will you handle this?"

"Handle what?"

"You know what I mean. You weren't only calling one name!"

"What? Oh my God!" Li Yi was utterly flustered now. Damn, this was serious!