LFHYB -Chapter 104 Blood Relations Above All

When Lady Dou left, her steps seemed to float.

She made an excuse of having caught a chill and went to bed early.

She had expected a restless night, tossing and turning, but she fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

In her sleep, she had a dream she hadn’t dreamed in over a decade.

In the dream, she was lying in her uncle’s arms. She could not hear his words clearly, but she was laughing joyfully.

Her uncle rose, taking her hand over the tall threshold, and led her out through the wide palace gates.

Her parents were waiting for her outside.

Her elder brother jumped out from behind them, startling her.

Her father rolled up his sleeves, clenched his fists, and pounded her brother’s head with ferocity.

Her brother ran away, holding his head, making faces at her over his shoulder.

Little she clapped her hands as she jumped, as if cheering for her brother.

Her mother bent down to adjust her clothing and then turned to her uncle with a smile, speaking a few words.

Then her elder brother was brought back by her father. She held her mother’s hand and turned to bid farewell to her uncle.

“When your uncle returns from his campaign, I will find a good husband for you.”

“Huh? My daughter is still young; it is too early to find a husband. Besides, finding a husband is my duty as her father.”

“By my order, this duty is now mine.”

“Your Majesty, you cannot do this! Madam, please persuade His Majesty!”

“Pfft… fine, fine. We can search now and leave later. My daughter is so precious; I cannot send her off too early. I will wait until she is seventeen or eighteen before marriage.”

“Madam is absolutely right.”

“That’s what I think as well.”

The little girl that was once herself flushed bright red, covering her face with both hands, too shy to speak.

Lady Dou’s consciousness separated from that younger self. She watched the scene coldly, without shedding a single tear.

She remembered—this was the last time she had ever seen her uncle.

Her uncle was about to lead an imperial expedition, so he had sent her—who had been raised in the palace—back to her mother.

She had watched him leave in high spirits at the head of a great army. Who could have known that this farewell would become their final goodbye?

Her cousin had been a terrible emperor. She had long foreseen that her uncle’s family would not be able to hold onto the throne.

The only thing she had never expected was that Yang Guang, disregarding all the kindness her uncle had once shown him, would slaughter every single male member of her uncle’s clan—close kin and distant relatives alike—without leaving a single survivor.

Lady Dou had grown up in the imperial palace. She understood well how brutal struggles for imperial power could be.

Her cousin’s absurdity had caused him to lose the throne. Yang Guang seizing power for himself—there was nothing that could be done about that.

Yang Xian killing off her uncle’s sons—there was also nothing that could be done about that.

She was furious and grief‑stricken, yet she could not even fully condemn Yang Guang.

But she had never imagined that all the men of her uncle’s family would be wiped out.

Was that really necessary?

Yang Guang could even keep the princes of the fallen Chen dynasty in the palace and raise them there. Leaving one or two distant branches of her uncle’s clan alive would not have threatened his throne in the least.

Was it because the throne had come too easily to him, so he felt insecure?

Lady Dou could only think so.

At the time, what she feared most was her parents’ excessive anxiety.

In every dynastic transition, calamity rarely reached married women. What was more, Yang Guang had usurped the throne, so most of the power structure at court had not even changed. The Dou family had been one of Northern Zhou’s pillar aristocratic houses, and now it was also one of Great Sui’s pillar families.

In those chaotic times when dynasties rose and fell frequently, her father was an old minister who had served across several reigns. As long as one clearly stood against the emperor, once the dynasty changed, the new ruler generally would not purge the old officials of the previous dynasty.

So Lady Dou had originally believed her parents were merely worrying too much.

The entire Dou clan had chosen to support Yang Guang. What ability did their little household have to threaten his rule? During Yang Guang’s usurpation, her father and mother had only sought to protect themselves and had never opposed him. At most, Yang Guang should have merely sidelined them.

Her parents had hurried to marry her off early. Lady Dou had been full of reluctance, but she had never imagined that her future would be so bleak.

Afterward, her father rose rapidly in office, and her elder brother was entrusted with an important post and sent out as a regional official. Lady Dou truly believed their family had weathered the storm.

Though she carried her uncle’s blood feud in her heart, she could only carry it silently. Her own family mattered more.

Her family… her parents, her aunt by marriage—everyone—passed away one after another in the second year of the Kaihuang era. Her title‑inheriting elder brother, Dou Zhaoxian, also died young soon afterward, leaving not even a single heir.

Her other two brothers, Dou Zhao and Dou Wenshu, had already died back when the Sui replaced the Northern Zhou. In the blink of an eye, she became an orphan with no parents and no brothers.

Everyone said it was a coincidence.

Everyone said so.

Her husband’s family said so. The Dou clan said so. The entire world said so.

Even the physician she trusted most in the household said so—her parents had died of illness, and her brother had also died of illness.

Perhaps it really was just a coincidence.

Perhaps it really was only a coincidence.

Coincidence, coincidence, coincidence… coincidence upon coincidence upon coincidence… it was truly just coincidence.

Lady Dou put on her mask, covering the face wet with tears.

Just a coincidence.

Her loved ones just happened to die shortly after she was married. They just happened to die shortly after Yang Guang seized the throne.

She bore no hatred. She was simply ill‑fated.

Lady Dou awoke with a start.

She touched her face—it was strange that even after such a dream, she had not cried.

When she got up, a servant told her that the Duke of Tang had been worried about disturbing her rest and had gone to sleep elsewhere.

She let out a breath of relief, threw on her robe, picked up a lantern, and went to the storeroom.

The things in the storeroom were not merely her dowry. After her parents and brothers had died, since her elder brother had left no heirs, he had left a will before his death giving all his property to her.

In this regard, Yang Guang had been very “generous and magnanimous,” never interfering in how his officials distributed their family assets. He always wore the air of a benevolent elder—no wonder her uncle had trusted and valued him so much.

The household possessed many valuables. To avoid provoking envy, Lady Dou had sold off everything that could be sold, leaving only a few pieces of writing and artwork from her family as mementos.

But in all these years since her marriage, she had rarely come to look at them—over the past decade and more, not even once.

Lady Dou spread out a painting.

It was not very good. Her father’s painting really was not very good.

On it were her mother’s inscribed poem, her brother’s seal, and her uncle’s slightly exaggerated praise.

Since her uncle had praised it so lavishly, her father had believed his painting truly excellent and had treasured this “masterpiece” greatly.

Lady Dou touched the yellowed paper scroll. The corners of her lips twitched as if she wanted to smile, but she could not.

She could neither cry nor smile.

She was alone in the storeroom, all the servants having been sent outside, so she could finally speak to herself.

“This world… if what they are fighting over is more than just the title of Duke of Tang, then brothers turning against one another is inevitable,” Lady Dou murmured. “Not just turning against one another—but fighting to the death.”

After sleeping and waking again, Lady Dou regained her clarity of mind.

She immediately guessed that horrifying future.

Yet for some reason, even as she spoke of worry and fear, her heart felt utterly unmoved.

Lady Dou closed the scroll and covered her face with both hands. At last, tears spilled through her fingers.

“So it turns out… I am not a good mother.”

So long as she could have her revenge, she, her husband, her sons… everything—everything could come after revenge.

I want revenge so badly.

Father… Mother… Elder Brother… Uncle… I want revenge.

Erlang and Sanlang will take revenge for you.

I can finally have my revenge.

“I can take revenge now!”

Lady Dou put her hands down. Tears still streamed from the corners of her eyes, but the corners of her mouth were lifted high.

The mixture of happiness and sorrow made her expression utterly twisted.

…

Li Xuanba felt that his mother had changed a little—but perhaps it was just his imagination.

She was still kind to everyone and managed the affairs of the Duke Tang residence with perfect order.

She still treated all her children equally. If there was any difference, it was probably that she was a bit closer to Li Zhiyun.

Was it an illusion? Li Xuanba scratched his head.

Soon, he couldn’t pay attention to such subtle inconsistencies anymore. Because his brother was back.

Li Shimin returned with such imposing momentum that the moment Li Xuanba, who went to greet him, saw him, he turned and ran.

Li Yuan looked bewildered and said to Li Jiancheng, “Dade… why is he running?”

Li Jiancheng was equally puzzled: “I don’t know.”

Only Lady Dou covered her mouth and laughed, softly sighing, “Serves him right.”

Seeing Li Xuanba turn and run, Li Shimin leapt off his horse and shouted, “Father, mother, elder brother, Xiao Wu, wait a moment! I’m going to give A-Xuan a good beating first!”

Li Yuan couldn’t stop him, and watched as his second son ducked under his arm like a cat and chased after his third son.

Li Yuan shouted, “Daxiong! What are you doing! Dade’s not strong enough for this kind of running! Hey!”

He hurried to follow them.

Li Jiancheng scratched his head.

This action made him feel, in a way, like the elder brother of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

“Mother, what’s gotten into Daxiong?” Li Jiancheng asked in confusion.

Lady Dou suppressed a laugh: “He probably found out that the third son was sick again, and he’s angry that the third son didn’t take care of himself properly.”

Li Jiancheng couldn’t help but chuckle: “Getting angry? Can the third son be blamed for being sick?”

He hurried to follow and try to stop Li Shimin.

Knowing how malicious their younger brother Li Yuanji could be, Li Xuanba still treated him with respect. Li Jiancheng let go of the jealousy and resentment he had toward his second and third brothers and seriously tried to be a good elder brother. This was the perfect moment to show fraternal love.

Li Zhiyun, who had the best relationship with Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, put his hands to his mouth and shouted, “Second brother, run! Don’t let Father catch you! Make sure you teach Third brother a lesson!”

Lady Dou laughed and patted Li Zhiyun’s head: “Why aren’t you protecting your third brother?”

Li Zhiyun put down his hands and shook his head, smiling: “Second brother has always been lenient with Third brother. If Third brother makes Second brother angry, it must be that Third brother really did something excessive. Though I don’t know what he did.”

Lady Dou smiled: “Smart.”

She took Li Zhiyun’s hand and slowly walked in the direction Li Xuanba was fleeing.

By the time Lady Dou saw Li Shimin and Li Xuanba again, Li Shimin had already given Li Xuanba a thorough beating and was yanking at his face while roaring. Li Xuanba’s hat had fallen off, leaving him utterly disheveled.

Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng tried to intervene, but Li Shimin’s fierce demeanor made them hesitate.

Seeing the second son so angry—did that mean the third son really did something wrong?

Lady Dou sighed and held Li Shimin back: “Enough. A few words of scolding would have been enough. Why resort to hitting? Your brother is weak—how many punches can he withstand?”

“Hmph.” Li Shimin released Li Xuanba. “I’ll continue scolding you later.”

Li Xuanba hid behind Lady Dou. At this point, he didn’t care about his pride. His second brother’s punches really hurt… my back…

Li Zhiyun tiptoed behind Li Xuanba and jabbed him where he was covering.

“Ah!” Li Xuanba jumped up. “Xiao Wu!”

“Hee hee hee.” Li Zhiyun dodged behind Li Shimin.

Li Xuanba was exasperated. Why is everyone bullying me?

He glanced at his useless father and Li Jiancheng. “Don’t just talk! At least stop him with your hands!”

His useless father and Li Jiancheng shrugged helplessly at him.

“Father, mother, elder brother, I’m back.” Li Shimin now bowed properly. “Xiao Wu, I’m back. Did you do your homework properly?”

Li Zhiyun’s face fell: “I did it properly! I did it really well! I’m not like Second brother, always playing and forgetting homework… ouch!”

Li Shimin tapped Li Zhiyun’s head.

Li Zhiyun stood together with his third brother, who was holding his head and rubbing his face.

Both were little pitiful brothers being bullied by their second brother, squeezed together.

Li Xuanba glanced at Li Zhiyun and lightly tapped his head as well.

Li Zhiyun could only hide by Lady Dou’s side.

Li Yuan watched Li Shimin bullying his brother long enough and finally laughed: “Enough. Don’t bully people the moment you come back. Go wash up and change your clothes. The smell on you is choking me—how many days have you not bathed?”

Li Shimin said, “I heard that A-Xuan got sick again, so I immediately rode back. I didn’t have time to wash. And it’s not that bad—compared to the battlefield, this smell is nothing.”

Li Yuan said, “Alright, alright, you’re right. Go wash up then.”

“Oh.” Li Shimin obediently went to wash and change.

After washing and wrapping his wet hair with a cloth, he once again grabbed Li Xuanba to settle the score.

Li Xuanba raised his hands in surrender: “I admit it! I deliberately distracted you. If you had been home, Li Yuanji wouldn’t have dared target me.”

Li Shimin frowned: “Then why didn’t you tell me in advance? Why keep it from me?”

Li Xuanba said: “I didn’t know if I could succeed myself.”

Li Shimin still felt his brother was hiding something else: “Even if you didn’t succeed, what then? Would I scold you?”

Li Zhiyun quietly tattled: “Maybe Third brother’s sickness was a ruse. If he intended to use a ruse, he hid it because he knew you wouldn’t approve.”

After saying that, Li Zhiyun jumped down from the couch and ran off like a streak of smoke.

Both Li Xuanba and Li Shimin’s faces immediately changed.

Li Xuanba wiped his face: “Second brother, let me explain!”

Li Shimin smiled. “Mm, I hear you making excuses.”

Li Xuanba shouted, “Aoooh! Second Brother, don’t hit me! Let’s talk this out!”

Li Shimin said, “Since you don’t want to live, I’ll beat you to death, you stinky little brother!”

In the distance, Li Zhiyun patted his chest with a wicked grin.

He had successfully completed his mother’s task, and now he went to seek her praise.

Lady Dou, receiving Li Zhiyun’s report, revealed a kindly smile.

She was reluctant to act herself, but luckily Second Son could keep Third Son in check.

By the time Li Shimin returned, it was nearly the New Year.

After the New Year, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba would set off for the frontier town. The place they were heading to was precisely the strategic stronghold on the He-You border where they had stayed before—Zhangye.

After Pei Shiju returned, Zhangye had no senior officials managing it. Although Yang Guang had sent his two nephews to the frontier, it wasn’t to torment them. The border town of Zhangye, previously under Pei Shiju’s administration, was now handed over to Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Although Li Shimin and Li Xuanba held the titles of Tiger-Banner Generals and Tiger-Tooth Generals, high-ranking military officials also assumed major civil responsibilities in the provinces. They were responsible for some local governance.

In particular, the management of military farm settlements, markets, and the families of the soldiers fell under their duties.

This time, Li Zhiyun would also accompany them.

During Li Shimin’s recent return, he had not seen Li Yuanji at all.

Li Yuanji was sent to an academy and assigned the strictest teacher, so that Li Yuanji would experience some hardship and learn to appreciate the comforts of home.

Li Xuanba joked, remarking that he hadn’t expected ancient times to also have something like Yuzhang Academy.

Lady Dou advised Li Yuan, “Leaving the child to others for guidance is never a long-term solution. Ultimately, we must be resolute and discipline him ourselves. Fifth Son listens well to Erlang and Sanlang, so it’s best to have them guide him. That way, the two of us can devote ourselves fully to educating Fourth Son.”

Li Yuan was slightly swayed. “Fifth Son is about the same age as Li Yuanji. Is it really wise to have him so far from home?”

Lady Dou replied, “Erlang and Sanlang could already travel for study at that age. Besides, our Third Son became a xiucai (talented scholar) very early. There are few in the world more learned than him, most being senior ministers—people we couldn’t bring for Fifth Son’s instruction anyway.”

Li Yuan was convinced by Lady Dou’s reasoning.

Later, an event solidified Li Yuan’s determination to personally supervise Li Yuanji’s upbringing: the forced suicide of Zhang Heng, who had been dismissed from office and made a commoner.

Zhang Heng had originally been a favorite of Yang Guang. He displeased Yang Guang by advising against excessive levies during the expansion of Fenyang Palace. After repeated provocations, he was eventually dismissed, aided by a report from Yang Xuan.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba’s grand mansion in Luoyang had once been Zhang Heng’s residence.

Normally, for a noble official like Zhang Heng who had committed no major offense, dismissal from office would be the gravest punishment. Yet after Yang Guang’s failed campaign against Goguryeo, he grew paranoid, suspecting ridicule from others. Reportedly, one of Zhang Heng’s concubines submitted a complaint, accusing him of criticizing Yang Guang’s decision-making during the failed campaign. Yang Guang then had Zhang Heng killed.

Li Yuan found the situation utterly absurd.

How could a concubine have the power to submit an official complaint? And what a flimsy excuse!

Regardless of who submitted the report, Zhang Heng’s death for “Slandering of Court” was a fact. This incident caused an uproar in the court.

Historically, the death of figures like Gao Ying for “Slandering of Court” didn’t create as much turmoil as Zhang Heng’s case. Ministers recognized Gao Ying as a political opponent of the emperor, so his execution was seen as the emperor finding a pretext. Yu Wenbi, He Ruobi, and others were implicated merely because of their close association with Gao Ying.

Zhang Heng’s situation was entirely different.

He had been Yang Guang’s trusted aide during the succession struggle and had never wronged him. His only “offense” was offering counsel—advising against over-taxation and commenting on the failed campaign in Goguryeo.

For this, Yang Guang killed a loyal subordinate?

At the time, remnants of Wei-Jin customs still persisted. A man like Zhang Heng, in the Wei-Jin era, would have been considered a “yuancong”—someone so loyal that even fleeing abroad wouldn’t endanger his family.

“Slandering of Court” was basically normal admonition. Which emperor would kill a loyal aide over such counsel?

If the emperor treated a yuancong so harshly, how should others survive?

Before his death, Zhang Heng cried out in grief, “What have I done as a man, that I should hope to live long?”

Upon hearing the news, Li Yuan was silent for a long while. He quietly fasted and abstained from alcohol for three days to mourn Zhang Heng.

“The people of the world are suffering, and rebellions rise. Yet His Majesty neither nurtures his realm nor spares the advisors who speak the truth,” Li Yuan told Li Shimin and Li Xuanba. “Before Zhang Jianping died, he lamented never having done good for the people, implying the emperor’s failures… sigh.”

Li Yuan did not voice the treasonous words outright, but the meaning was clear.

He said, “Though our three sons are now favored by His Majesty, this favor is far less than Zhang Jianping’s. If Zhang Jianping met such a fate, we must be extremely cautious. When you were younger, making a scene was excusable. Now that you are grown, you must remain low-profile, or the emperor will not tolerate us.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba said, “We understand, Father. Please take care of yourself as well.”

Li Shimin murmured, “We can be cautious ourselves, but Father, you should keep a close eye on Li Yuanji. If he, like that concubine of Zhang Gong, goes and accuses us of Slandering of Court, our family will be finished.”

Li Yuan pressed his forehead. “Yes, we must watch him carefully.”

If Li Yuanji could falsely accuse his own mother of being unkind at home, he would certainly do the same to his father regarding ‘Slandering of Court.’

Li Yuan regretted being deceived by Li Yuanji’s seemingly obedient demeanor. Even if Lady Dou truly treated Li Yuanji harshly, Li Yuanji should have reported it to him privately, not publicly shouted at home, making all of Luoyang’s nobility gossip about the family.

At that time, I was really confused.

“I’ve now been appointed Right Cavalry Guard Colonel, in charge of the Right Cavalry Guard, with a lot of duties. After educating your elder brothers and Li Yuanji, I’ll hardly have time to care for Fifth Son,” Li Yuan said earnestly. “Fifth Son has always been close to you; I entrust him to your care. You must teach him well.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba said, “Father, rest assured.”

Li Yuan sighed. “I’ve always trusted you. Sigh… even though Eldest Son isn’t as capable as you two, he can at least hold the line. I have five sons in total… how is it that Li Yuanji turned out to be the bad one?”

Li Shimin said, “That’s on you, Xuan. Maybe when you brought Li Yuanji back, you picked up the wrong kid.”

Li Xuanba cursed, “Second Brother, shut your mouth! You can’t say things like that!”

Li Shimin just smirked.

Li Yuan laughed. “Li Yuanji is definitely your brother. When your mother was giving birth, there were so many around—if Dade hadn’t picked him up, someone else would have protected him. The so-called ‘abandoning’ was just to ease your mother’s mind, a show. There’s no way they really left him behind.”

He sighed again. “Even so, Dade saved Li Yuanji—he did him a favor. You also spoiled him the most. Even while ill, you still tried to teach him. How could he… sigh.”

Li Shimin comforted him: “Father, don’t worry. If you must worry, wait until Xuan and I leave. I don’t want Li Yuanji to ruin my good mood.”

Li Yuan’s expression stiffened as he silently stared at his second son.

Li Xuanba didn’t know how to react—he could barely hold back a laugh!

“Ahem, Father, nothing to worry about. Second Brother and I will go first,” Li Xuanba said. “Father, don’t be angry. Second Brother is just like that—you’ll get used to it.”

Li Yuan could only cry and laugh at the same time. “Go on, then!” Sons are truly a liability.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba spent their fourteenth birthday at home and left for Zhangye in the first month.

Li Shimin was ecstatic. Zhangye was a wonderful place, full of hunting grounds for riding and hunting freely.

He said to Li Zhiyun, “You’ll definitely like it there!”

Li Zhiyun nodded vigorously.

The only one not fond of hunting, Li Xuanba, felt out of place.

Before leaving, Li Xuanba entrusted the family’s charitable estate to their mother, asking her to manage it with Third Sister.

“Now that Father is Right Cavalry Guard Colonel, our family is gradually becoming prominent and very noticeable. But people underestimate women, so if Mother continues the charitable estate, it won’t attract attention. Third Sister is resourceful and can certainly help you,” Li Xuanba said. “The estate is very important—not only will it earn us fame, but it will gather intelligence and recruit troops. Second Brother and I will be in Zhangye, too busy to deal with affairs in the Central Plains, so it’s all up to Mother.”

Lady Dou hesitated. “Can I handle it?”

Li Xuanba said, “Mother was personally taught by Emperor Wu of Zhou and has managed the Duke Tang Mansion’s finances for so many years. A small charitable estate is nothing. It’s no different from managing the mansion’s assets. Don’t treat it as a huge matter.”

Lady Dou laughed helplessly. “One moment you say it’s important, the next you tell me not to treat it as important—are you treating me like a child?”

She pinched her son’s thin face. “Since you trust Mother, Mother won’t let you or Second Son down. Leave it to me. Second Son, take good care of Third Son. Don’t let him get sick again on his own.”

Li Shimin grumbled, “Mother, don’t worry. Before he can get himself sick, I’ll knock him down first.”

Li Xuanba: “……”

Lady Dou smiled. “Good. That’s how it should be.”

Li Xuanba could only sigh. In Zhangye, with neither the Emperor nor Li Yuan around, he didn’t even need to play hard to gain favor.

“Yes, understood,” Li Xuanba said. “Enough talking—Father’s here.”

Finally, Li Yuan, who had managed to take leave, rode to see Li Shimin, Li Xuanba, and Li Zhiyun off. Li Jiancheng stayed home to watch over the returned Li Yuanji.

“Hey, why are you running so fast?” Li Yuan scolded jokingly. “I said I could get leave, so I could get leave!”

Li Shimin laughed. “We wanted to run fast so Father couldn’t catch us.”

Li Yuan inserted his whip into his belt, jumped down, and tried to catch Li Shimin. “Is that so? Then I’ll definitely catch you! Don’t run!”

Li Shimin jumped off the carriage. “You can’t catch me!”

Li Yuan and Li Shimin circled the carriage, while Li Zhiyun sat in it laughing and cheering for his father and brother.

Lady Dou held her forehead. “How old are they? Still acting like children.”

Li Xuanba glanced at the onlookers along the road, blushing slightly.

Mother and sons exchanged a glance: truly embarrassing.

…

Li Yuan and Lady Dou didn’t leave until they were ten li away.

Li Yuan wanted to escort them further, but Lady Dou persuaded him to stop.

“Lord, you are now Right Cavalry Guard Colonel, responsible for palace security. Even if you take leave today, you can’t leave Luoyang without an imperial edict,” Lady Dou advised. “I know you will miss Erlang and Sanlang and Fifth Son, but the Emperor is in a bad mood. Be careful.”

Li Yuan reluctantly stopped his horse.

Once their parents had left, Li Shimin muttered, “Hmph, Right Cavalry Guard Colonel… so annoying.”

Li Xuanba held the restless Li Zhiyun, who was on his first long trip, and asked, “Why are you upset?”

Li Shimin crossed his arms and pouted. “Xuan, look. We ambushed the Tuyuhun Khan and quelled many uprisings. The quality and quantity of our achievements are good, yet we’re still just minor Tiger Guards. Father escorted some grain and got promoted to Right Cavalry Guard Colonel? Unfair!”

Li Xuanba rolled his eyes. “Unfair? The top merit-holder for the campaign against Goguryeo, the veteran general He Ruo, is still in prison.”

Li Shimin said, “That’s different!”

Li Xuanba replied, “Alright, fine, it’s indeed different. Official positions in court consider not only merit but also seniority and family background. Positions obtained by inheritance are far higher than those earned by merit—it’s normal. Our father is a duke; once he gains imperial favor, he can get any high office at will. We started from scratch. How can our promotion speed match his?”

“Besides, we’re still too young. Look at the high officials in the court—even those from noble families only take office after turning thirty. The fact that we can serve as Tiger Guards or Tiger-Tooth Guards is already because the emperor promoted us exceptionally. These positions are basically the peak we can reach before we come of age,” Li Xuanba advised. “But although our official rank won’t increase, once we marry, we can still hope for a noble title. Let’s wait a couple more years.”

Li Shimin sighed. “The Champion Marquis got his title the first time he went to the battlefield. Our first battle also brought in captives. True, the number of heads we took is… fewer… way fewer, but we still had a khan to deal with.”

Li Xuanba shook his head helplessly. “The Champion Marquis went to the battlefield at eighteen, became a marquis at nineteen, and a General of Cavalry at twenty. We’re only fifteen this year. Besides, His Majesty isn’t Emperor Wu of Han, we’re not the Champion Marquis, and the Great Sui isn’t the Han Dynasty.” (He was speaking in traditional East Asian age reckoning.)

“Fine, fine, you make a good point… but I’m still annoyed,” Li Shimin kept sighing. “Why is it that I earned so many merits while young, and yet I don’t get the proper reward?”

Li Xuanba led Li Zhiyun out of the carriage to ride a horse, leaving Li Shimin alone to wallow in self-pity.

Well, if he’s going to start feeling sorry for himself now, he might as well get used to it.