The next day, as dawn broke, the pale golden sunlight dappled the cobblestone path, but it failed to dispel the oppressive and heavy atmosphere in the air.
In the main courtyard, Li Huai'an, dressed in a simple scholar's robe, slowly raised his head from the stone table in the courtyard and rubbed his numb arm. He hadn't expected that he had waited for his father in the main courtyard all night and had even fallen asleep on the stone table without realizing it.
"Achoo—" He suddenly sneezed, his nose itchy, probably from catching a chill during the night.
Li Huai'an got up and stood in the courtyard. His shadow stretched long in the morning light, and in the large courtyard, his figure looked particularly lonely.
As the last sliver of dark blue sky was swallowed by the light, Li Zan's figure finally appeared at the courtyard gate, his steps faltering, his expression carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic.
He never expected that one night of indulgence would make him lose track of time. If Bai Wei saw him come home so late, she would probably run away from home again.
Hearing footsteps in the courtyard, Li Huai'an looked in the direction of the sound and his gaze instantly locked onto the glaring crimson mark on his father's neck. It was a trace left by his pleasure last night, but for Li Huai'an, it was an unbearable humiliation and betrayal.
Li Zan had just stepped across the threshold and hadn't even had a chance to stand firmly when he was met with a barrage of punches from Li Huai'an.
This punch, a culmination of years of resentment and anger, landed mercilessly on his face. With a muffled thud, accompanied by Li Zan's painful groan, blood instantly spilled from the corner of his mouth, staining his clothes red.
"You unfilial son!" Li Zan was both anxious and in pain, and couldn't help but curse loudly.
"Adulterous couple!"
Li Huai'an's eyes were bloodshot, as if they were spitting fire. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, filled with deep-seated hatred. He stared angrily at the man who had given him life, yet also chilled him to the bone.
"You little brat, who are you calling names?!"
Li Zan covered his injured cheek, blood trickling down his lip. He wiped it away, his hand covered in sticky residue.
"Whoever admits it, is the one being insulted!!" Li Huai'an refused to back down an inch.
Looking at his young and strong son, Li Zan suddenly felt a loss of confidence. The father and son started arguing back and forth, completely disregarding the differences between their status as Duke and Heir Apparent.
Li Huai'an pressed closer and closer, cornering Li Zan against the wall.
The veins on his arm bulged, and his fist looked ready to strike Li Zan again at any moment.
The maids and servants around were already pale with fright at this sudden turn of events and scattered in all directions. Some rushed to fetch Zhao Yun, the young mistress of the Lotus Courtyard, while others ran to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard to fetch Aunt Zhao Rou.
Inside the Lotus Courtyard, Zhao Yun had washed up and gotten up early. At this moment, she was gently stroking her swollen belly, but her eyes were staring blankly out the window, wondering where her mother-in-law had gone since she hadn't returned all night.
"Madam, the maid just came to report that the young master and the master are fighting!"
Yu Ming hurriedly entered the room to report.
"How did those two end up fighting?"
Zhao Yun frowned in annoyance, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. Her mother-in-law had only been away for one night, and the house was already in chaos!
She quickly composed herself, put on her outer robe, and, supported by Yu Ming, hurried to the main courtyard. Upon hearing this news, Liu Mei immediately put down what she was doing and followed closely behind the two.
Watching Zhao Yun's clumsy back, she suddenly smiled inexplicably.
Meanwhile, upon hearing the news, Zhao Rou, who was in Lixiang Courtyard, hurriedly asked Le Kui to help her choose a simple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and put on a light coat to keep warm before slowly walking towards the main courtyard.
On the way, Le Kui reminded her not to walk too fast. They absolutely couldn't arrive at the main courtyard before Zhao Yun, but they also couldn't be too late. It would be best if the two of them walked one after the other.
Inside the main courtyard, the standoff between Li Zan and his son remained deadlocked.
Li Huai'an clenched his fists, veins bulging, as if he were about to strike again at any moment; while Li Zan looked disheveled and resentful, he never imagined that he would end up in such a state.
Just then, Zhao Yun and Zhao Rou arrived almost simultaneously, adding a subtle twist to the conflict between father and son.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Yun's face showed a glimmer of hope for the father and son.
She took a deep breath and slowly walked over, trying to calm the storm: "Huai'an, what are you doing? Let go of your father! Can't we talk things out?"
As she spoke, she walked towards Li Huai'an, trying to use her body as a barrier to separate the father and son who were at each other's throats.
Zhao Rou quickly stood beside her and reached out to pull Li Huai'an's arm.
"Sir, people say that fathers and sons fight side by side. As for fathers and sons, even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. If you have anything to say, you should sit down with me and talk it out calmly!"
Liu Mei watched coldly from the sidelines, plotting how to maximize her own benefit from this farce.
She interjected at the opportune moment, her tone laced with provocation: "Yes, Your Highness, the Master is getting on in years, how can he withstand such torment from you? What grievances you have, why don't you sit down and talk them over slowly?"
However, Li Huai'an seemed not to hear their words; his eyes were only on Li Zan, his father whom he regarded as an enemy.
His fists remained clenched, his body trembling slightly with rage. In that moment, all reason was consumed by anger; he only wanted to beat him up.
Upon hearing Liu Mei's words, Li Zan's heart stirred. He sat down on the ground, sobbing with a sorrowful expression, "My life, Li Zan, is so miserable! I married a jealous woman and have encountered a rebellious son who doesn't know his place! Heavens above—"
"Get up!"
Li Zan's words infuriated Li Huai'an.
"Explain yourself clearly, who is the jealous woman?!"
"Your mother! Your mother is a jealous woman!" Li Zan jumped up from the ground and cursed.
The father and son started fighting again.
Liu Mei appeared silently behind Zhao Yun and suddenly shoved her.
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