Chapter 130: Conflict

The residence of the Duke of Lai.

This was the ancestral estate of Du Ruhui, a founding hero of the Great Tang. During the campaigns of Li Shimin to pacify the realm, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling served as his right-hand men, rendering distinguished service and becoming famously known as the "Fang-Du Strategy," where Fang provided the plans and Du provided the decisions.

However, Heaven is often jealous of talent. In the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, Du Ruhui passed away due to illness, and Li Shimin posthumously conferred upon him the title of Duke of Lai.

Looking up at the imposing mansion, Mo Dun could not help but sigh. People’s fates are truly different; after his own late father passed away, the Mo household was ignored by all, while the Du family continued to receive endless honors and remained in high favor.

Not only was the eldest son, Du Gou, enjoying a smooth official career, but the second son, Du He, was also destined to be wed to a princess, serving as a駙馬都尉 (Imperial Son-in-law). Were it not for this fool later digging his own grave by participating in Li Chengqian’s rebellion—which not only cost him his life but also implicated the entire Du family—the prestige and wealth of the Du house would have endured for generations.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Tie An stepped forward and rapped on the door.

"Who is it?" An impatient voice rang out from behind the gate. One leaf of the gate creaked open, and a gray-haired doorman peered out, looking at Mo Dun and Tie An with clear annoyance.

As the old saying goes, a prime minister’s doorman holds the rank of a seventh-grade official. Even though Du Ruhui had passed away, the Du residence remained glorious, and the family’s servants were as arrogant as ever.

"Please announce us. Mo Dun of the Mo family is here to paint the portrait of the Duke of Lai for the Lingyan Pavilion. We gave notice yesterday," Tie An said, cupping his hands.

After nearly a month of painting, Mo Dun had completed twenty of the twenty-four portraits for the Lingyan Pavilion. The remaining four were the most difficult, as those heroes had long since passed away, which was why Mo Dun had left them for last.

Whenever Mo Dun visited for painting, he would always give notice in advance and schedule an appointment to avoid conflicts. He had already notified the Du household yesterday and was here today to discuss the arrangements.

"Go back! The young master said he won't trouble you two with the painting!" the doorman waved his hand dismissively.

Since Du Ruhui’s death, his eldest son, Du Gou, had inherited the title. However, as Du Gou was often away on official business, the true head of the household was the second son, Du He. The "young master" the doorman referred to was clearly Du He.

Mo Dun frowned, recalling the incident at the Jiaosi Pavilion where he had offended Du He over the famous courtesan Gongsun Dainiang. It was obvious this was Du He’s retaliation.

"Painting the portraits for the Lingyan Pavilion is a direct order from His Majesty, and it concerns the eternal honor of the Duke of Lai. What right does a mere doorman have to decide on behalf of the family?" Mo Dun said coldly.

"What a joke! The Master has been gone for four years. For you to come here now to paint him, wouldn't that make the whole world laugh?" the doorman retorted.

"Since I have accepted this task and dared to come here, I am naturally confident in my ability to paint the Duke of Lai. If you delay His Majesty’s grand project, can a mere doorman bear the responsibility?" Mo Dun looked coldly at the arrogant servant.

"You..." The doorman stammered, unable to speak. Of course, he could not bear that responsibility. If the Emperor were to blame anyone later, Du He might be fine, but he would certainly be doomed.

"Go and announce us at once! If he doesn't want the portrait, let Du He tell me himself!" Mo Dun commanded.

"Yes, yes!"

The doorman quickly shut the gate and hurried off in a panic to report.

...

"What did you say? The Mo boy is still waiting outside?" Du He, having just woken up when the sun was already high, asked with surprise upon hearing the report.

"Young Master, the Mo boy said that whether the portrait is painted or not, you must tell him yourself; it is not up to the likes of me," the doorman whispered.

"Useless! You can't even handle such a small matter!" Du He cursed at the doorman.

"I deserve to die!"

The doorman appeared terrified, though internally he breathed a sigh of relief. This was not a matter a lowly servant like him could get involved in; being removed from the situation was a stroke of luck.

"Mo boy, since you dare to come to the Du residence to seek fame and reputation, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!" Du He sneered.

Everyone knew that Mo Dun painted the Lingyan Pavilion portraits from life, which was why they were so vivid and lifelike. But his father had been dead for four years. Four years ago, Mo Dun was still starving in the Mo village—how could he have ever seen Du Ruhui, let alone paint him?

Therefore, Du He did not believe for a second that Mo Dun’s true purpose was to paint. He assumed Mo Dun was merely going through the motions to gain prestige. Coupled with their previous grudge over Gongsun Dainiang, old scores and new hatreds combined, leading to today’s farce.

"Young Master, please calm down. The Mo boy is here on imperial orders, and it concerns the Master’s honor in the Lingyan Pavilion. Making an enemy of him might not be wise," urged Steward Liang, an old servant who had served under Du Ruhui. He saw the situation more clearly than anyone; despite the mansion's prestige, the Du family’s standing had plummeted since the Duke’s death. Making an enemy of the rising star of the Mo family was unwise.

"Don't worry, Steward Liang. Do I have to eat hairy pork just because the butcher is gone? There are plenty of painters in this world. I have my own plan," Du He sneered.

Outside the mansion, Du He arrived with a group of servants, storming toward Mo Dun. "Mo boy, you dare to come to my house and cause trouble, insulting my late father? Do you think there is no one left in the Du family?"

Seeing the situation turn dire, Tie An stepped in front of Mo Dun to protect him.

Mo Dun looked at Du He with disgust. *What an idiot,* he thought. *No wonder he ruined the Du family in the future and dragged down his father's lifelong reputation.*

Mo Dun pushed Tie An aside and faced Du He directly. "I am here on the Emperor’s orders. Who dares to lay a finger on me?"

In terms of status, he was a newly appointed founding marquis, while Du He was merely a count. In terms of righteousness, he was here by imperial mandate.

"Young Master, please calm down!" Steward Liang pleaded.

Although Du He hated Mo Dun to the bone, he was not entirely stupid. Knowing this was not the time to settle personal scores, he took the opportunity to back down.

"Mo boy, you’re lucky this time!" Du He spat.

"I have always been lucky; don't you worry about it. I will ask you one last time: are you going to have the Duke of Lai's portrait painted or not?" Mo Dun said, suppressing his anger.

"My father's portrait is already being handled; I don't need your help," Du He said, enunciating every word.

Mo Dun chuckled coldly. "I hope you don't regret this."

With that, he turned and left with Tie An.

"If I ever regret it, I'll change my surname to yours!" Du He mocked.

Soon, fueled by gossip, the news of Du He driving Mo Dun away spread throughout Chang'an. One was the rising star of the Mo family, the other the son of a former prime minister.

The city was abuzz with discussion, yet most sided with Du He. After all, nobody believed that Mo Dun could paint a portrait of a man he had never seen.