LFHYB -Chapter 100 Yang Xian’s Renewed Growth

Yang Xian left after having his fun.

The next day, he returned with a serious expression.

This time, he entered through the main gate.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had already received news of the official reassignment and were happily discussing the future. Seeing Yang Xian’s dark expression, they were puzzled.

Li Shimin clapped him on the shoulder: “Second cousin, who upset you?”

Yang Xian’s voice was grave: “Sorry, I’ve caused you trouble.”

Li Shimin: “Huh?”

Yang Xian clenched his fists, lowering his head. His tone was heavily restrained, as if suppressing a fire: “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been reassigned. I should have listened to your brother’s advice, I…”

So many burdens pressed on Yang Xian’s heart. Li Shimin and Li Xuanba became the final straw for his emotional collapse.

Covering his face with one hand, he choked out, “How can Father do this…”

Li Shimin hurried to console him: “What happened? What trouble? I and Xuan are fine. Second cousin, calm down.”

Li Xuanba guessed the situation: “Let’s go inside first.”

Li Shimin led Yang Xian indoors.

Li Xuanba addressed those around them: “If this gets out, you know the consequences. Go back to your duties.”

The attendants immediately dispersed.

Li Xuanba turned to the grim-faced Yu Jian: “Can the people you brought with you keep their mouths shut?”

Yu Jian gave a bitter smile: “I don’t know anymore.”

Li Xuanba glanced at the five guards Yu Jian had brought.

The guards’ faces showed nervousness.

Li Xuanba withdrew his gaze: “You only brought a few people this time. If today’s incident spreads, it’ll be easy to trace. The Crown Prince is His Majesty’s most beloved son, and Xuan and I are His Majesty’s most trusted juniors. Anyone who gossips in front of the Emperor should weigh their position carefully.”

Yu Jian said, “I thought the same. Yesterday, I shouldn’t have brought so many guards.”

Yu Jian felt deeply guilty. The Crown Prince had originally planned to bring only a few people, but since he was wandering the city outskirts at night and bandits had been numerous recently, Yu Jian persuaded him to bring more.

He had assumed they were all close guards, and since the Crown Prince had always been friendly with Li Erlang and Li Sanlang, visiting them was harmless and didn’t need to be overly concealed.

Even now, Yu Jian still couldn’t understand why such a thing had happened.

Li Xuanba noticed Yu Jian’s guilt and patted his shoulder: “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”

Yu Jian gave a bitter smile. If it’s not his fault, then whose is it?

Li Shimin led Yang Xian inside to talk. Li Xuanba went to the kitchen briefly, returning with tea and snacks.

Yu Jian voluntarily stayed outside, keeping watch over the door for them.

By the time Li Xuanba arrived, Yang Xian had already had his complaints out.

Although Li Xuanba didn’t hear all of Yang Xian’s grievances, he could still guess the reason for this visit.

Yang Guang had originally intended for him and Second Brother to become generals of the palace’s elite troops.

For nobles, commanding the palace guards was a direct path to rapid promotion. Several men Yang Guang once valued—like Yang Su and Changsun Sheng—had once held command of the palace troops.

If Li Shimin and Li Xuanba took command of the palace guards, they wouldn’t need to risk themselves in campaigns outside the capital to earn merit. Once their seniority was sufficient, they could directly be appointed as Grand Generals.

But because Yang Xian had met secretly at night with Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, Yang Guang, judging by his own experience, thought they were too close to the crown prince. He thus refused to let them enter the palace troops.

Back when Yang Guang was still crown prince, Yang Yong had already been deposed, and the other brothers were no threat. His position as heir was secure, yet he still tightly controlled the palace guards, closely monitoring the aging Emperor Wen. This had fueled rumors that his succession was a usurpation rather than legitimate.

Having once done such things himself, he naturally remained wary of Yang Xian attempting the same.

Yang Xian felt utterly confused.

He had done his utmost to be a good crown prince, curbing his pride and learning humility and caution.

Yet why did the emperor’s attitude toward him continue to worsen? Even just having a drink with Second Brother and Third Brother, the emperor would consider sending them away?

Officially, the edict stated that Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were young and needed experience, so assigning them to the frontier was for the opportunity to earn merit.

But Yang Xian knew even before Li Shimin and Li Xuanba returned to Luoyang that Yang Guang had intended for them to enter the palace troops. Yang Guang had already drafted the decree, and Yang Xian had seen it.

Yang Xian hadn’t told Li Shimin and Li Xuanba because he wanted to surprise them.

The gap between commanding palace troops and being stationed at the frontier was enormous, and Yang Xian could hardly believe it.

Even if he were foolish, he would know this wasn’t a punishment for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba—it was a punishment for himself. And in truth, Yang Xian was quite clever.

Yet no matter how clever he considered himself, he could not fathom why the emperor treated him this way.

Choking back his sobs, Yang Xian asked, “Am I doing too well? If I didn’t do well, would Father not be wary of me?”

Li Shimin handed him a handkerchief, unsure how to respond.

He had already heard from Li Xuanba what Yang Xian’s original future would have been.

Back then, Yang Xian had fared poorly: he did not become crown prince, did not cultivate his own power, and was so inept that he posed no threat at all. Yet that unworthy Yang Xian was feared and disliked by Yang Guang even earlier than the capable crown prince Yang Xian of today.

No matter what he did, it was wrong—this was not truly Yang Xian’s fault.

Li Xuanba sighed and shoved a piece of cake into Yang Xian’s mouth.

Yang Xian’s sobs faltered as he blinked repeatedly.

“Second Cousin, do you remember what I told you?” Li Xuanba asked, expressionless. “For some emperors, the crown prince—or even all adult sons—by their very existence represents overstepping. It has nothing to do with how well you do. If you do well, he has no reason to punish you directly; he can only apply pressure, like now. If you did poorly, you’d already have been deposed.”

Li Shimin hurriedly pulled Li Xuanba back. “Brother, brother! Don’t be so blunt—be gentle with Second Cousin!”

Yang Xian quietly chewed the cake Li Xuanba had stuffed in his mouth.

He took a sip of water to soothe his throat and said dejectedly, “I remember.”

Li Shimin also stuffed a piece of cake into Li Xuanba’s mouth, telling his brother to be quiet and not further upset their already distressed second cousin.

“Second Cousin, A-Xuan’s words may be harsh, but they make sense. Think about how eldest cousin was once cautious and timid too. You’ll get through this. Many crown princes in history endured exactly this,” Li Shimin said.

Yang Xian spoke in grief, “Are the emperor and his sons really not father and sons? I’ve done nothing, yet he distrusts me—and drags loyal people like you into it! He is neither kind nor discerning!”

Li Shimin handed him more cake. “Just eat. Don’t speak. If you keep talking, I’m afraid by the time A-Xuan and I return from the frontier, you’ll already have been deposed.”

Yang Xian gnawed on the cake in anger to vent his frustration.

Li Xuanba quietly ate his own piece, while Yang Xian angrily devoured his, and only Li Shimin sighed as he poured tea and served them.

Yang Xian and Li Xuanba shared a plate of cakes. Yang Xian grabbed more than half.

Stuffed, he leaned against the backrest, lost in thought. “When will this life ever end?”

Li Shimin swept up the crumbs Yang Xian had scattered and said, “The emperor enjoys traveling. As long as you’re not in his presence, you’re still fairly free. This time, don’t blame yourself for A-Xuan and me. We actually wanted to be stationed away. Think about our family situation—we can’t even safely return home. Being sent away is better.”

Yang Xian frowned. “What has Li Jiancheng done this time?”

Li Shimin replied, “This time, Li Jiancheng knows he’s in the wrong, so that’s okay. But Li Yuanji is causing trouble. Ugh, why hasn’t that brat died young yet?”

Li Xuanba held his teacup and said, “A mischief lasting a thousand years.”

Yang Xian sat up straight, hands on his knees. “Tell me your family’s troubles. If yours are worse than mine, I’ll feel comforted.”

Li Shimin cursed, “Get lost!”

Li Xuanba, expressionless, said, “Second Brother, beat him!”

Li Shimin grinned savagely and lunged at the couch, wrestling with Yang Xian. Li Xuanba stood by, expressionless, cheering his brother on.

Yang Xian laughed and cursed, “You actually came?! You’ve just been to the battlefield and already think yourself grand?!”

Outside, Yu Jian’s frown finally relaxed as he heard the laughter from inside.

He muttered to himself, “Good thing Li Erlang and Li Sanlang are here.”

Seeing the fate of the deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong, he thought, the crown prince must not be crushed by the emperor’s pressure.

Thinking of Yang Yong, Yu Jian felt uneasy.

Yang Yong had been deposed because the reigning emperor competed with him for the crown prince position; the late emperor had tested Yang Yong because he still had several adult sons.

But what about the current emperor? The crown prince was his only surviving adult son, and also the only surviving son of the empress. No matter how you looked at it, as long as the crown prince had done nothing wrong, there was no reason for such oppression and suspicion.

The heart of a ruler is truly hard to fathom.

Yang Xian stayed at Li Shimin and Li Xuanba’s house for a night before returning.

Since sneaking around to meet them had already been discovered, it was better to interact openly and honorably.

Yang Xian confessed to Yang Guang, saying that because of Li Erlang and Li Sanlang, he had become a close attendant to the emperor. To avoid others thinking he was forming cliques for personal gain, he had secretly gone to visit. He had overthought it.

He and Li Erlang and Li Sanlang were cousins and had shared a close bond since childhood. After Li Erlang and Li Sanlang had accomplished achievements, he should have visited them openly. Sneaking around like this not only undermined the dignity of the crown prince, but also risked Li Erlang and Li Sanlang being misunderstood.

Yang Xian feigned self-reflection: “I was very aggrieved. I merely climbed the wall secretly to have a drink with Li Erlang and Li Sanlang, yet I was punished by the emperor? I’ve done this before, and father never scolded me. Li Erlang and Li Sanlang admonished me, and now I am the crown prince—not a free-spirited prince like Qi Wang. Every action I take requires careful thought. Father didn’t punish me before because of my elder brother; now that he does, it shows he values me.”

Yang Xian kowtowed: “I now understand father’s intention. I know my mistake, and will be more cautious in speech and action in the future.”

Yang Guang was pleased: “It is good that you’ve come to realize this. Li Erlang and Li Sanlang are good children. You should spend more time with them and heed their advice.”

Yang Xian nodded: “I will always treat them well. But Li Erlang and Li Sanlang are really talkative; it’s probably better if I don’t go too often.”

Yang Guang sighed helplessly: “I just praised you, and now you… ah, well. You are still young; I still have time to teach you slowly.”

Yang Xian, armed with the strategies given by the mansion’s advisors, successfully dispelled Yang Guang’s newly arisen suspicion.

From then on, Yang Xian became more humble and cautious, and his reputation at court improved.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were also rewarded.

Although they still had to go to the frontier garrisons, their titular rank was raised by one grade, becoming Tongyi Dafu of the fourth rank. While their official posts didn’t change, their rank was the real measure. From the fifth rank onward, every promotion was extremely difficult. Considering their age and rate of advancement, officials at court were envious.

At this pace, even without a noble title, when Li Shimin and Li Xuanba married, they could establish separate households and step out from the Duke Tang Mansion.

Establishing a separate household for offspring is different from breaking away from the family entirely.

If children separate from the family while their parents are still alive, it’s considered disharmonious and will invite ridicule. But if the children are promoted to high office and granted titles, the family will create a separate branch in the genealogy for them. This is a symbol of a family’s flourishing and is highly enviable.

The late Duke Tang, Li Bing, had brothers who were all remarkable, each with their own genealogical branch, making other nobles green with envy.

Unfortunately, some of Li’s descendants took the wrong sides, and some were incompetent, leading to the current decline of the Li clan.

Judging by Li Shimin and Li Xuanba’s abilities, the Duke Tang line was set to flourish again.

Li Yuan had stayed in Zhuo Commandery for a while and had only now returned.

He beat Li Yuanji soundly and then brought back Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Li Yuan complained to Lady Dou: “Aren’t Li Erlang and Li Sanlang your sons? How can you be so partial? You need to explain this properly to the eldest son. When Li Erlang and Li Sanlang marry in the future, they will establish separate genealogical branches and won’t compete for the position of Duke Tang’s heir. They will be support for the eldest son!”

Lady Dou cried: “I said it, didn’t I? But he wouldn’t listen! Whenever I was slightly strict, the fourth son would say I had abandoned him, claimed I favored only Erlang and Sanlang, and would even go to the ancestral tombs to accuse me. What could I do? I really couldn’t control him…”

Li Yuan interrupted: “It’s all because you abandoned the fourth son back then. Look at his strange temperament now—it’s all because of your abandonment. Forget it, you don’t need to manage the sons at home anymore. They are grown up; it’s not your business now. Stop interfering and focus on household affairs.”

Lady Dou, exhausted, said: “Yes.”

She really couldn’t manage them.

When the emperor issued the edict reprimanding Li Jiancheng, Lady Dou only then learned that Li Jiancheng had sent someone to reprimand Erlang and Sanlang, even demanding that they lead troops to Xingyang.