LFHYB -Chapter 10 Why Not Play a Little Game?

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were identical twins. In theory, they should have looked exactly the same.

But Li Shimin was strong and robust, while Li Xuanba had been sickly since childhood, so Li Shimin—features included—was a full size larger than Li Xuanba.

Moreover, Li Shimin always wore a bright, cheerful smile, his eyes large and shining. Li Xuanba, on the other hand, usually kept his eyes half-lidded and his lips tightly pressed together. Li Shimin often said of him, “A-Xuan is either spacing out or dozing off.”

The difference in temperament and build between the two was simply too obvious. When they stood together, unless one deliberately examined their facial features, it was actually hard to realize that they were a pair of twins.

Only after the Zheng family’s women took a closer look did they begin to marvel at the wonder of it all, their words finally revealing a trace of envy.

Twins were an auspicious sign of overwhelming fortune—far more than an ordinary family could bear. The wife of the Duke of Tang was truly a woman of great fortune, worthy of admiration.

Seeing everyone’s attention shift to the two children, Lady Dou pressed her lips together in a faint smile. She stopped talking about clothing and accessories and instead kept praising Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Li Shimin pricked up his ears, listening as his mother casually picked out one mischievous incident after another from his and A-Xuan’s past to chat about. The expression on his face grew more and more smug.

Li Xuanba was helpless: **[Brother, Mother is clearly mocking how naughty we were back then. What are you so pleased about?]**

Li Shimin shot Li Xuanba a glance and remained smug.

I’m just pleased. If you don’t like it—then you can be pleased too.

Li Xuanba continued muttering inwardly: **[So boring. So sleepy. So tired. Are they really making us little short-legged kids walk all the way to the inner courtyard like this?]**

Li Shimin suddenly stopped.

Lady Dou asked in confusion, “What is it, Erlang?”

Li Shimin walked over to Li Xuanba, squatted down in front of him, and said, “Get on.”

Li Xuanba had wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but catching sight of the curious looks around them, he went along with it and climbed onto his second brother’s back.

Li Shimin stood up and bounced his younger brother slightly. “Ai, A-Xuan, you really should eat more. How are you still so light? Mother, let’s keep going.”

Lady Dou said anxiously, “Is Sanlang tired? Why didn’t you tell Mother?”

Li Shimin smiled. “A-Xuan isn’t tired—he’s just being lazy. With so many outsiders here, it wouldn’t be proper for Mother or the servants to carry him. I’m a child too; the elders here surely won’t mind me looking after my younger brother.”

Li Xuanba added, “The carriage ride was bumpy for too long. I’m young, and my legs really hurt. Please forgive me, everyone.”

After saying that, he very naturally leaned against his second brother’s back and dozed off.

A flash of awkwardness crossed the Zheng clan matron’s face.

In truth, the road to the inner courtyard wasn’t that long. Earlier, however, she had discussed with her husband and elders that they should let the Duke of Tang’s wife see the depth of the Yingyang Zheng clan’s ancestral residence. So they deliberately took a longer route, leading her through several of the most beautiful gardens.

This was, in fact, meant as a kindness.

When the Zheng family received other guests, they would also take a slight detour, allowing them to admire the scenery of the ancestral estate.

Guests usually praised the views along the way. Some talented ones even left behind calligraphy or poems, which the Zheng family would hang in pavilions and towers—becoming yet another sight for the next guest to admire.

Leading the womenfolk as they clustered around the Duke of Tang’s wife through the gardens, the Zheng clan matron pointed things out along the way: which pavilion bore whose poem or inscription, what elegant stories were associated with this clump of flowers or that stand of trees. It showcased the Zheng family’s heritage while also drawing closer to the Duke of Tang’s wife—a win-win arrangement, or so it should have been.

But Li Xuanba and Li Shimin’s actions now seemed to imply dissatisfaction with the Zheng family’s hospitality—as if to say: the Duke of Tang’s wife had come visiting with two young sons; they’d already been jolted around in a carriage for over an hour, and yet you still led them on a long, winding path. Look—now the children can’t even walk anymore.

Lady Dou had originally thought that the entrance and the banquet venue really were this far apart.

After all, she had grown up in the imperial palace. After her marriage, because Emperor Wen of Sui and Empress Dugu favored Li Yuan, she often entered the palace to please Empress Dugu as well. The imperial gardens she had seen since childhood were vast and majestic, so she truly hadn’t noticed that the Zheng family’s women were deliberately taking a longer route.

Only when she saw the awkward look in the Zheng clan matron’s eyes did a thought strike her, and she realized the Zheng family’s intention.

Lady Dou did not expose the Zheng clan matron. Instead, she lowered her head and apologized to Li Xuanba, “It’s Mother’s fault for not noticing. Let Mother carry you instead. You’re both young—no one will blame you.”

Li Shimin shook his head. “Mother’s strength isn’t even as good as mine. Let’s go, let’s go.”

He bounced with Li Xuanba on his back, then even ran a circle around Lady Dou. “See? I’m fast even carrying my little brother. Mother, don’t worry.”

Li Xuanba said lazily, “Mother, just let Brother carry me. If you carried me instead, I’d be too embarrassed and would have to walk on my own.”

Lady Dou was amused into laughter.

She said to the Zheng clan matron, “My two children are unruly. Please forgive the spectacle.”

The Zheng clan matron hurriedly replied, “Second Master cherishing his younger brother—how could that be called unruly?”

She quickly switched to a shorter path.

The Zheng family was forming an alliance by marriage, not making an enemy. Although one had to put on airs a bit before marrying off a daughter, in private it was still necessary to soothe the in-laws’ feelings.

As she quickened her pace, the Zheng clan matron couldn’t help stealing a few more looks at Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

She felt somewhat suspicious. Were these two children truly tired, or were they dissatisfied with her taking a detour? Or were they deliberately trying to earn a reputation for brotherly affection within the Zheng household?

Li Shimin hadn’t been boasting. His body really was strong. After walking for another half-incense stick’s time, when they reached a pomegranate grove, Li Shimin was still hopping about energetically, showing not the slightest sign of fatigue.

It was early summer—the season when pomegranate blossoms were in full bloom.

Green branches and red flowers surrounded a pool fed by flowing water. A white jade bridge arched over the murmuring stream, leading to a raised platform in the very center of the pond.

The platform was encircled by sheer silk curtains. Inside, figures could be seen faintly through the gauze, though it was impossible to make out how many people there were; only the soft strains of silk and bamboo instruments drifted out.

When Lady Dou saw the thin silk being used as curtains on the platform in the pond, her heart tightened—and then relaxed again.

Earlier, Li Yuan had specifically procured silk from Jiangnan, intending to hastily make two inner-garments (light over-garments) for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Li Yuan had shown them off, boasting that this silk was priceless, something he’d only obtained through connections. Bringing the children to the Zheng family as guests was the perfect chance to have garments made for shading them from the sun and mosquitoes.

But Lady Dou believed that great aristocratic families were all interconnected. Many northern noble clans also had branches in the south. What she considered rare from Jiangnan might well be something these great families could obtain at will.

Thus, the clothes Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were wearing now were all made from fabrics bestowed by the imperial court. Leaving aside the quality of the material itself, the patterns woven into it were ones only the palace was permitted to use, clearly marking their origin as imperial gifts.

As expected, the Zheng family was incredibly wealthy; even the Tang Duke’s household could hardly compare.

If the fabrics the two children used for their coverings happened to be the same as those Zheng family used for table covers, it would have been utterly embarrassing.

It just so happened that the Zhengs didn’t know Li Yuan had sent someone to Jiangnan to fetch some popular silks from the south—pure coincidence.

“Does Madam Tang like these canopies?” the senior lady of the Zheng family asked politely. “These are Biluo gauze, currently all the rage in Jiangnan. Very light and thin, and the high families there now use it mostly for window coverings.”

Window-covering material… Lady Dou’s expression didn’t change as she said, “Indeed, we like it. Second Brother and Third Brother are sensitive to the heat; the windows need to block sunlight but allow ventilation. We tried many kinds of silk, but none were suitable. Truly, if you want to keep out the oppressive summer heat, you have to get window-covering fabric from Jiangnan.”

The senior Zheng lady nodded. “Exactly so.”

Li Shimin complained, “Mother, it’s Third Brother who can’t stand the heat, not me.”

Li Xuanba retorted, “Fine, if you can stand it, don’t use me as a bamboo pillow next time you sleep.”

Li Shimin said, “No way. I’m not using you as a bamboo pillow—your body’s too cold, so I’m just warming your hands and feet.”

Seeing the two children argue back and forth so naturally in front of all these strangers, everyone couldn’t help but smile.

Lady Dou covered her mouth with a handkerchief, laughing. “Fine, next time I’ll give Second Brother a bamboo pillow and Third Brother a small heater so you can sleep separately.”

Li Xuanba: “Good.”

Li Shimin: “Absolutely not! I must protect A-Xuan!”

Li Shimin widened his eyes and looked back at the brother on his back in disbelief. “A-Xuan!”

Not only Lady Dou couldn’t hold back, but all the other women laughed until they were nearly shaking.

Li Shimin was puzzled. Why are they laughing? What’s so funny?

Hearing the laughter, an elderly lady walked out from behind the curtain with a cane.

“Oh my, let me see—whose Bodhisattva and celestial child has arrived?” she said with a smile.

Lady Dou, bound by her official edict, didn’t bow fully but clasped her hands over her chest in a polite greeting. “Please don’t mock me, Elder Lady Cui.”

Li Xuanba patted his older brother’s head, signaling him to put him down.

The brothers clasped their hands and bowed deeply.

“Good children, all good children,” Elder Lady Cui said, smiling as she bent down to lift the two boys. “Grandma doesn’t have much to give, but I’ll give you two longevity locks to play with.”

Two beautiful maidservants brought forward trays, each holding a gold-and-jade longevity lock tied with a red cord.

Elder Lady Cui took the locks and handed them to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba, out of habit, hung the lock from his own neck onto Li Shimin.

Li Shimin said, “A-Xuan, what are you doing?”

Li Xuanba replied, “Oh, just…hand it to me.”

He snatched the lock from Li Shimin and hung it around his own neck.

The children’s little antics made Elder Lady Cui laugh so hard she could hardly close her mouth.

“Madam’s children are so loving—it’s truly enviable,” Elder Lady Cui said.

Lady Dou didn’t demur; she smiled and replied, “With such children, I consider myself very fortunate in this life.”

Elder Lady Cui led Lady Dou and the two children inside the curtain.

Inside, there were only elderly women and unbound children; aside from a few boys whose hair was yet to be tied, there were no other males.

Lady Dou first glanced at the girls who were bowing, then smiled and instructed the servants to bring boxes of gifts. Regardless of gender, each child could pick a Buddhist amulet set with colored gemstones.

“They’ve all been blessed—just a little good luck,” Lady Dou said.

But none of the Zheng children moved.

It wasn’t until Elder Lady Cui nodded at them that the eldest child took a box, apparently intending to distribute them privately.

Elder Lady Cui said, “Children are lively; perhaps they are impatient to spend time with us elders.”

She spoke to the eldest child: “Xuanyi, take Erlang and Sanlang of the Tang Duke’s household and play in the forest.”

Since no one had formal courtesy names yet, they were called by their given names.

Lady Dou introduced Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

When the children heard Li Xuanba’s name, all eyes turned.

Li Xuanba thought: **[Sooner or later, I’ll pull out his oxygen tube.]**

Li Shimin looked at him puzzled.

Li Xuanba: **[Nothing, just talking to myself.]**

Of course, Li Xuanba meant Li Yuan.

Clearly, when Li Xuanba was born, Li Yuan saw the sickly child and didn’t expect him to survive, so he gave a careless name.

Look at the eldest and second eldest: “Jiancheng” meant to maintain the family estate, “Shimin” implied serving the people in the future—both meaningful.

The fourth son was originally named Li Jie—“Jie” meaning cautious—now called Li Yuangji; the fifth son was Li Zhiquan—“Quan” meaning wise—now called Li Zhiyun.

And him? “Xuan” means third in rank; “Ba”… that’s supremely domineering.

The third-ranked little tyrant, huh?! Might as well just call him Li Xuan!!

Li Xuanba once tried to ask Li Yuan to change his name, but people were superstitious back then. Li Yuan, seeing that Li Xuanba hadn’t died, believed the name was lucky and refused to change it.

Every time Li Xuanba announced his name, people would glance at him.

He got used to it. He’s waiting for someone to pull the oxygen tube.

Li Xuanba’s expression remained calm, as if he hadn’t noticed the amused glances around him.

His composure made those who had mocked his name feel awkward, and they quickly averted their eyes.

Elder Lady Cui nodded inwardly. Though the child looked frail, he was steady—Tang Duke’s household clearly taught their children well.

Lady Dou stayed on the high platform chatting with the other women, while subtly being tested.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba held hands and followed Zheng Xuanyi and the other Zheng boys out, also subtly being tested.

Zheng Xuanyi, about eleven or twelve, acting like the eldest brother of the family, led his younger brothers and Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to a pavilion in a pomegranate grove.

The pavilion was draped with curtains, and inside were ice blocks, a writing desk, and bookshelves.

On the desk were brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone; the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of books.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba exchanged a glance. Tch, they were really well-prepared.

Once they sat down, the stern-faced boys of the Zheng family relaxed considerably. Some even picked up fruits and started eating them outright, showing a shocking lack of manners, completely different from their behavior in front of elders just moments ago.

Zheng Xuanyi shot a reproachful look, but no one paid him any attention.

He could only clasp his hands and say, “The younger brothers have been spoiled.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba nodded and casually chose a place to sit.

“Fifth Brother, why are you dawdling? Hurry up, I want to go back and rest,” complained one of the Zheng children.

Zheng Xuanyi glared at him and said, “Twelfth Brother, we have guests—mind your manners.”

In prominent families, siblings were numbered by generation. Although Zheng Xuanyi was the eldest son of his parents, he was called Zheng Wulang at home.

Zheng Shierlang sighed and bowed to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba: “Second Young Master, Third Young Master…”

Li Shimin said, “Just call me and A-Xuan ‘Li Erlang’ and ‘Li Sanlang’.”

Zheng Shierlang immediately corrected himself: “Li Erlang, Li Sanlang… You must be bored, right? Shall we have a little contest of knowledge? We can even put up some money as stakes.”

Zheng Xuanyi raised his voice: “Twelfth Brother, you—!”

Li Shimin interrupted: “It is a bit boring, indeed. What sort of contest did you have in mind?”

Zheng Xuanyi repeatedly bowed in apology: “Twelfth Brother is mischievous. Please don’t take it to heart, Li Erlang. We can just eat some fruit, read a little, and chat casually, if that’s fine. If you enjoy writing or painting, there’s paper and ink as well.”

Li Xuanba: **[They coordinate so nicely—it’s almost musical. They say it’s play, but there isn’t a single toy here. Did they really send us here just to study?]**

Li Shimin nodded slightly. Exactly. If you’re going to do something, just do it—no need to beat around the bush.

Li Xuanba, in a calm tone and slow speech, said, “A contest of knowledge is too harsh. How about playing a word game instead? What do you all think? For example…”

Li Xuanba casually pulled out a scroll of the Analects: “At our age, most of us are mere novices. Perhaps only Zheng Wulang has read a bit more.”

Zheng Xuanyi, understanding his subtle meaning, said: “Li Sanlang means a word chain game like the Thousand Character Classic?”

Li Xuanba shook his head: “That’s too dull. I mean, whatever books we’ve read, our own brothers should know. Each family picks one person to recite, then another person selects a book from the shelves that the reciter knows well, and the book-holder asks the reciter questions from it.”

Li Xuanba smiled at everyone: “Brothers quiz their own brothers—that’s play, isn’t it?”

Seeing Li Xuanba’s expression, Zheng Xuanyi realized the Li family probably already understood their intentions.

He felt a little embarrassed: “Yes… it really is play.”

Elders have their considerations, and so do they.

In the future, he would enter official service. The two young masters of the Duke Tang Mansion were the emperor’s nephews, and their careers would surely go smoothly. It wouldn’t do for everyone to be embarrassed if they served together.

Originally, this wouldn’t have been such a hassle. It was just that the father of the chosen bride in the family was unwilling to marry his daughter into the Duke Tang Mansion, so extra conditions were added to see how sincere the Duke Tang household was.

Currently, the Zheng family had few members holding actual positions of power. Uncle Zheng Jibo held a post as a governor and thought it was enough for his daughter to marry a king’s consort. Moreover, the daughter was still young, while Li Jiancheng was already sixteen—by the time she married him, the prince might have illegitimate children.

But because the previous head of the Zheng family, Zheng Yi, had fallen out of favor with Emperor Wen of the Sui, their political fortunes had fluctuated. Although his son inherited the title, he had long been out of the court’s core circle. The Zheng family urgently needed a return to the central court. The Duke Tang Mansion’s marriage proposal was like a pillow delivered to a dozing person.

If the Duke Tang had not been so picky about the bride’s father’s official rank, it wouldn’t have been such a complicated affair.

Thus, this “test” was the result of both Duke Tang and Zheng Jibo setting high demands—both sides willing to meet halfway.

Zheng Xuanyi had been troubled by this task. Li Xuanba’s suggestion solved his problem, and he immediately agreed.

The other young boys of the Zheng family were also interested.

“Li Sanlang, how should the questions be asked? Are there rules?” asked a boy dressed in red.

Li Xuanba smiled: “Don’t rush—let me explain slowly. How about a challenge contest? One defends, one attacks. The defender first asks a question, and the attacker must answer with the defender’s question.”

“For example…” Li Xuanba opened the Analects: “‘The Master said: To learn and practice in due time’—the next ten characters.”

Li Shimin answered: “Isn’t it a pleasure to have friends come from afar?”

He winked at Li Xuanba: “Easy.”

Li Xuanba smiled: “Once the defender answers, the attacker only needs to pick any ten characters following what the defender holds in the book. Only the top and bottom lines are used for questions. Simple, isn’t it?”

He reached out, and Li Shimin took a small hourglass from his pocket and handed it to Li Xuanba.

“If the sand runs out before answering, you’re out,” Li Xuanba said. “It’s just the two of us, so we’ll defend first.”

The Zheng boys all looked interested.

“Seems fun!” said Zheng Shierlang. “Really, no stakes?”

Zheng Xuanyi sighed: “Twelfth Brother, no gambling.”

Li Xuanba shook his head: “Just some stakes, not gambling. Let’s do it this way: we all wear jade pendants. Each participant puts up a pendant as a challenge token. If you lose, you give it to the winner. Each pendant represents a chance to answer wrongly or skip a question. When the elders come, the pendants in hand count as stakes.”

Zheng Shierlang clapped his hands: “This is great!”

Li Xuanba handed his jade pendant from his waist to Li Shimin: “I’m physically weak, so I won’t participate—just let my brother be the question master. If you don’t want to play, you can give your pendant to someone else.”

The Zheng boys all shook their heads in agreement.

Even within the Zheng family, there was competition—they didn’t want anyone to think they were cowards.

“Then let’s begin.” Li Xuanba put down The Analects and picked up a copy of Spring and Autumn Annals.

The young men of the Zheng family were all taken aback.

Li’s second and third sons were already reading Spring and Autumn Annals?

Zheng Shierlang glanced at everyone and took down a copy of the Book of Songs, handing it to Zheng Xuanyi: “I’ll start!”

Li Xuanba smiled: “‘In summer, the people of Chu besieged Chao. In autumn, Master Teng came to court.’ Ten characters above.” He flipped the hourglass.

Li Xuanba: **[Came to court. Second month, gengzi day. Zi Shuzi passed away.]**

Li Shimin pretended to calculate with his fingers and recited each character: “Came to court, second month, gengzi day, Zi Shuzi passed away.”

Zheng Xuanyi said: “‘Who can offer fish? Fill the cauldron.’ Ten characters above.” He flipped the hourglass.

Zheng Shierlang quickly calculated: “‘Alas! Look upon the ways of Zhou, my heart mourns!’”

Li Xuanba turned the page: “‘In winter, tenth month, Master Teng attended the funeral,’ fifty characters above.”

Zheng Xuanyi reminded him: “There aren’t fifty characters before this line in Spring and Autumn Annals, Year 31 of Duke Xiang.”

Li Xuanba replied: “Fifty characters above means the first fifty characters of this book.”

Both Zheng Xuanyi and Zheng Shierlang froze.

Li Xuanba flipped the hourglass and exchanged a glance with Li Shimin. The two brothers gave the same gentle smile.

Sweat beaded on Zheng Shierlang’s forehead.

…

“Huh? Are those Da Lang, Er Lang, San Lang, and Si Lang? Weren’t they chatting with friends just now?”

The women, still talking, spotted four dashing young men hurrying across from the other side, visible through the open side of the curtain.

All four had tied their hair, and one had even donned a crown.

“Let’s go see.” Elder Lady Cui, noticing Lady Dou’s anxious expression, felt uneasy herself.

Could it be that their young men had a conflict with Li Er Lang and Li San Lang?

She had only suggested testing the two boys’ studies; there shouldn’t be any conflict.

Lady Dou didn’t bother maintaining her composed demeanor and lifted her skirt to run toward the shore.

The women of the Zheng family quickened their pace as well.

…

“Time’s up, well played!” Li Shimin triumphantly placed the last jade pendant on the stone table.

On the table, the jade pendants were already piled like a small mountain.

Zheng Xuanyi gave a wry smile. His pendants had all been given as well.

The young men of the Zheng family were pale in the pavilion.

“Sorry for being late!” Zheng Dalang hurried into the pavilion, cupping his hands: “I and my three younger cousins were seeing off friends and have only just arrived. Li Er Gongzi, Li San Gongzi, we truly apologize.”

Li Xuanba put down the Book of Changes and, along with Li Shimin, returned the salute.

The brothers spoke in unison: “It’s nothing, nothing. Do you wish to continue the challenge?”

The four eldest of the Zheng family, seeing the pleading looks of their younger brothers, gritted their teeth: “Challenge!”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba grinned, showing all their teeth: “Please!”