LFHYB -Chapter 139 Still No Time for Grief

Li Yuanji was imprisoned. Yang Guang had already decided that his death should cover up the crown prince’s military protest. It was winter, a season of death and stillness—perfect for executions. Li Yuanji was soon taken to the execution ground.

Li Yuan didn’t even have time to react and had to play the part of the compassionate father forgiving an unfilial son, and to collect the son’s body.

Li Yuanji’s head would be displayed in various counties to warn those unfaithful and unfilial. His head would eventually reach Taiyuan, where Li Yuan might still shed a few tears for this wayward son.

To prevent Li Yuanji from saying anything he shouldn’t, Li Shimin bribed Pei Yun heavily and had Li Yuanji poisoned to silence him in advance.

This was the first time Li Shimin had personally done such a thing.

Previously, Li Xuanba handled these matters. This being his first time, Li Shimin felt… fine.

He knew as a lord he shouldn’t personally handle such secretive, shady business, but it felt satisfying.

Just this once. Next time, he would follow history’s example: mask such acts with moral justification, like A-Xuan said—become a “non-stick pan.”

Speaking of which… how exactly do you make a pan truly non-stick so the food won’t stick?

While Li Yuanji was executed, Li Shimin was by the Yellow River.

It was the winter low-water season; much of the riverbed was exposed with mud and stones, lifeless. The normally rushing Yellow River flowed thinly and quietly. Fewer boats traveled its surface, leaving it bleak and desolate.

Lost in thought, Li Shimin moved from Li Yuanji to non-stick pans, and from pans to A-Xuan, gazing at the southern bank of the river.

If he crossed the river now, he could reach Wagang Village and see if A-Xuan was there.

“Lord, shall we cross?” Qin Qiong asked. “If so, I’ll deal with the tailing spies following us.”

After such a major event at the Tang Duke’s mansion, many were curious. Yang Guang had also sent spies to see if Li Shimin was truly loyal.

Moreover, as the youngest envoy of the Sui, many scholars and attendants lingered around him—appearing to follow him to Zhangye, hoping to find opportunities, yet careful not to seem overly eager.

Li Shimin returned to his senses and said calmly, “I’m not ready to raise troops yet.”

Qin Qiong said, “As long as I handle it neatly, no one will notice.”

This was the wish of all Li Shimin’s subordinates.

Although Li Shimin appeared calm, his subordinates, whether lifelong household servants or battle companions, were used to his cheerful daily demeanor. Seeing their lord become so composed and serious, they did not think, “Our lord is maturing,” only feeling uneasy.

Li Shimin looked back at his subordinates waiting for his decision, lost in thought.

He understood their intentions.

“Let’s go back to Zhangye. Since A-Xuan said he would come to find me, he surely will,” Li Shimin said. “I don’t want rumors spreading about me colluding with rebel generals while A-Xuan is recovering, disturbing his rest.”

Li Shimin smiled. “Let’s go. Set off.”

He spurred his horse and turned, not looking back at the Yellow River.

Even though his teeth were clenched so tightly he could taste blood after smiling, he didn’t look back.

“Achoo.”

Li Xuanba had just sneezed when Li Zhiyun sprinted a hundred meters to fetch another fur covering, wrapping Li Xuanba even more securely.

Li Xuanba sighed, “My nose just itched—I’m not cold.”

Li Zhiyun didn’t believe him.

Li Xuanba rubbed his nose. “It must be Second Brother thinking of me.”

Li Zhiyun sat beside him. “Third Brother, we can’t leave for Zhangye. But shouldn’t we send a message to inform Second Brother that we are safe?”

Li Xuanba sighed, “I’ve been thinking about that too.”

To ease his second brother’s mind, he should send word that although the dream has collapsed, he is still alive.

But he worried he might not survive much longer.

Though alive, Li Xuanba was barely hanging on. He wasn’t pessimistic—neither Sun the physician nor Lady Zhu knew if their prescriptions were effective.

Li Xuanba had learned from Wei Zheng that the Sui government was posting notices everywhere: the head of the disloyal and unfilial Li Yuanji would be displayed publicly, and people were instructed to come see it on time.

Although the notice didn’t specify the details, Li Xuanba could easily guess that it must have been because his second brother, when meeting the emperor, said something to Yang Guang that encouraged officials and commoners to falsely accuse Li Yuanji—thus Yang Guang severely punished him.

When Li Xuanba learned that his second brother had been appointed the Comforting Envoy of the Right Bank, he became even more certain of his suspicion.

That his second brother could successfully have Li Yuanji executed and even cheer up Yang Guang enough to get promoted proved that he had calmed down from the shadow of Li Xuanba’s supposed death.

If he told his brother that he was alive, and then later didn’t make it, it would mean his brother, who had finally prepared himself mentally, would be overjoyed for nothing—and on top of his old scars, a new wound would be added. That would be torturous.

After telling Li Zhiyun his worries, Li Zhiyun pouted angrily: “Third brother, don’t talk nonsense! You’re already fine! You’ll recover soon enough!”

Li Xuanba struggled to pull his hand out from beneath the layers of brocade quilts and furs, flicking Li Zhiyun lightly on the forehead: “I hope I recover quickly too, but any decision should be based on considering the worst-case scenario first.”

Li Zhiyun mumbled, head down: “Even the worst-case scenario, third brother, you’ll still recover quickly.”

Li Xuanba was too tired to argue and moved on: “But we should indeed inform Aunt Wan and Teacher Yuwen that both you and Zhuniang are safe.”

Li Zhiyun thought for a moment and shook his head: “Although I want to reassure Mother as soon as possible, let’s wait until third brother recovers and we depart for Zhangye before notifying her. I’m worried Father will intercept the messengers we send and try to track us down. I don’t trust him.”

Hearing Li Zhiyun openly say he didn’t trust Li Yuan, Li Xuanba felt a pang in his chest.

Though he also didn’t trust him, Li Zhiyun was still young; he didn’t want his brother to see this heavy truth too soon.

Li Zhiyun added: “As for whether to tell Lord Yuwen, third brother, you should ask third sister-in-law.”

Li Xuanba sighed: “Zhuniang will definitely say not to tell him. She’s worried our whereabouts will be revealed. Even when Physician Sun was brought out from the Yuwen household by Wei Xuancheng, Zhuniang didn’t contact her family.”

Li Zhiyun said, exasperated: “Then what are you babbling for, third brother? Do you expect me to persuade third sister-in-law?”

Li Xuanba was speechless: “Xiao Wu, are you becoming less and less respectful toward your elder brother? Your tone is so insolent.”

Li Zhiyun crossed his arms: “If you want to teach me a lesson, then recover quickly.”

Li Xuanba: “…”

Could Xiao Wu be entering the rebellious phase? He remembered how cute Xiao Wu had been as a little tail behind him and his second brother. Was he about to lose this adorable little brother?

Li Zhiyun strutted away arrogantly, and Li Xuanba sighed deeply.

When Yuwen Zhu entered with the medicine, Li Xuanba complained at length.

Suppressing a smile, Yuwen Zhu said: “Wulang is right, get better quickly. Once we return to Zhangye, you can have brother-in-law teach him a lesson.”

Li Xuanba pretended to be indignant: “Once I see second brother, I’ll make sure he gives Xiao Wu a good spanking.”

Yuwen Zhu couldn’t help laughing: “Yes, yes. Come on, third brother, take your medicine first.”

Li Xuanba’s expression instantly fell.

He really didn’t want to take the medicine.

Physician Sun and Zhuniang adjusted the prescription daily. Drinking the medicine felt like opening a box of Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans in the Harry Potter world—but with all the edible flavors already picked out in advance.

Seeing his expression, Yuwen Zhu felt a pang of guilt.

She comforted him: “It will be better once we return to Zhangye.”

Li Xuanba forced a smile to reassure his wife, biting the bullet and sipping the medicine slowly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to gulp it down at once to lessen the irritation to his taste buds—it was simply too pungent. Drinking it all in one gulp would make him vomit.

He alternated sips of medicine with warm water. When finished, his stomach felt completely full.

He covered his mouth, gagging for a while, swallowing the medicine that kept rising, and only after a long struggle did he calm down.

Every time Li Xuanba suffered like this, Yuwen Zhu felt helpless, not knowing how to ease his pain.

Each time he recovered, Li Xuanba would smile at her, signaling he was fine.

That smile only made Yuwen Zhu feel more distressed and powerless.

Seeing her upset, Li Xuanba changed the topic: “Has Zhishi Lang returned to Qi Commandery?”

They had learned a few days ago that Wang Bo had returned to Qi Commandery. Yuwen Zhu knew he was just trying to distract her.

Following his lead, she said: “Yes. Wei Xuancheng stayed behind under the pretext of liaising with Wagang Fort.”

Li Xuanba said: “Zhuniang, could you do me a favor and bring Wei Xuancheng here?”

Worried, Yuwen Zhu said: “You need to rest properly. Don’t overexert yourself.”

Li Xuanba smiled: “Just talking a bit—hardly exhausting.”

Yuwen Zhu sighed and said softly: “Alright.”

After she left, Li Xuanba could no longer hold it in and retched beside the bed, his face covered with tears and snot from discomfort.

Finally recovering, he wiped his face and muttered to himself: “I really miss injections and IV drips from the future. If I could come back to this life with my memories intact, I’d request a transfer—from a shady marketing account for Emperor Taizong to a shady marketing account for Chinese medicine.”

He lay back down, closed his eyes, and let his churned stomach settle.

Soon, Wei Zheng arrived.

Li Zhiyun popped out again, obediently sitting on a small stool as if attending a lecture.

Yuwen Zhu closed the door and resumed discussing prescriptions and preparing herbs with Sun Simiao.

Before Li Xuanba could speak, Wei Zheng said: “I just happen to have something to report to Third Master Li.”

Li Xuanba asked: “Li Yuanji is dead?”

“Li Yuanji is dead, but that’s not what I came to tell you.” Wei Zheng’s expression darkened. “The Crown Prince has been forced to commit suicide and demoted to a commoner.”

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanba’s head went numb, his expression blank.

After a long pause, he lowered his head, messy hair falling over his eyes: “Forced to commit suicide, fine—but not even given a posthumous title of ‘violent’? Just directly demoted to a commoner?”

The worst posthumous title a crown prince could ever receive was always “the Violent Crown Prince.”

Yang Xuán hadn’t rebelled—he had only opposed the emperor’s command with a military remonstrance. According to ritual law, he deserved the title “Violent Crown Prince.”

But Yang Guang didn’t even want to grant him that. He went further and outright expelled Yang Xuán from the imperial clan.

Li Zhiyun crossed his arms and muttered, “Yang Guang as a father… he’s not even as good as mine.”

Li Xuanba said, “Comparing Yang Guang to our father is too much. No matter what, our father is far superior to Yang Guang.”

Li Zhiyun replied half-heartedly, “Oh.”

Wei Zheng asked, “Now that the crown prince has been executed, can we seize the opportunity to act?”

Li Xuanba said, “Are you thinking of imitating the old uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang? Gathering the people under the crown prince’s name to enlarge a rebel army?”

Wei Zheng nodded. “Yes.”

Li Xuanba said, “Let me think.”

There was no time to mourn his second cousin’s death properly; he had to consider how to use this event to his advantage.

After a while, Li Xuanba asked, “How is the campaign against Goguryeo going?”

Wei Zheng sneered, “Goguryeo is just a tiny state. The Sui should have won long ago. They’ve already been attacked three times; Goguryeo surely can’t hold out. Even if only the naval forces sent to support Hu’er are fully assembled, victory would be easy.”

Li Xuanba said, “I know we can defeat Goguryeo this time. I’m asking about after the victory. Once the king of Goguryeo surrenders, will Yang Guang continue the advance, or like in the first campaign, withdraw as soon as the king surrenders?”

Wei Zheng said, “I don’t know that part.”

Li Xuanba said, “Go investigate. Bring me the specifics. The navy is departing from Qijun; Zhishilang is stationed there, so the intelligence should be reliable.”

Wei Zheng asked, “Yes. Third Young Master, once we know, what should we do? I can make preparations in advance.”

Li Xuanba said, “If Yang Guang withdraws, he will first return to Luoyang, then head north to summon the Western Regions and the Turks for homage, using his conquest of Goguryeo to intimidate them. That’s when we can act. So I need to know Yang Guang’s movements.”

Wei Zheng’s eyes lit up. “Yes! I’ll do it right away!”

Li Xuanba said, “You can notify the rebel army in advance. Isn’t it said among the people that you are the Eighteen Rebellious Kings? If you chase after Yang Guang, it will certainly cause a stir throughout the empire.”

Wei Zheng hesitated. “I don’t know if they dare act against Yang Guang.”

Li Xuanba said, “Yang Xuangan has just made a comeback. When Yang Guang returns from Goguryeo, he will surely move against him to completely eliminate him. Yang Xuangan will strike first, catching Yang Guang off guard. I trust that Yang Xuangan can hold the main Sui forces at bay, giving you the chance to perform this grand feat.”

Wei Zheng asked, “Should I contact Yang Xuangan?”

Li Xuanba said, “Wait until you know Yang Guang’s movements. Then you can persuade Yang Xuangan to coordinate with the rebel army against Yang Guang. Li Mi under Yang Xuangan is a capable strategist; he’ll help you convince him.”

Wei Zheng smiled. “I’ve heard of Li Mi for a long time; this time I’ll meet him.”

Li Zhiyun was curious. “How capable is Li Mi? Can we recruit him?”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “This man is proud and independent-minded. Even now, serving under Yang Xuangan, when Yang Xuangan weakens, he will surely seize power for himself. Someone like him won’t be content to serve under us either.”

Li Zhiyun’s interest in Li Mi faded. “Oh, then he’s done for. Second and Third Brothers will deal with him in the future.”

Wei Zheng chuckled, and Li Xuanba rubbed his forehead.

Li Xuanba confirmed again: his younger brother may really be entering a rebellious phase.

Excited, Wei Zheng left.

Li Zhiyun climbed onto the couch and snuggled up to Li Xuanba. “Third Brother, if you want to cry, just cry. My shoulder’s here for you.”

Li Xuanba said, “Why would I cry?”

Li Zhiyun studied his expression. “Third Brother… you haven’t cried, but your face is a bit frightening. Are you thinking of something dangerous?”

Li Xuanba replied calmly, “I’m not thinking of anything dangerous.”

He was only thinking that he had expected his second cousin’s passing to be tragic. Yet Yang Guang, while using Li Yuanji to draw attention, quietly executed his second cousin, letting him pass away silently.

His second cousin had worked so hard; his funeral should not have been so cold.

While he still had a breath left, he would prepare a grand funeral worthy of his second cousin.

Perhaps the Eighteen Rebellious Kings would carry flags and mourn for him, with the entire populace lamenting his death.

Perhaps even sending Yang Guang himself to accompany him in the grave.

The hope of the Sui dynasty, the two wise crown princes, were killed by Yang Guang. Yang Guang and the Sui alike deserved to be buried as accompaniments.

“Xiao Wu, I suddenly thought of a way to send word safely without informing Second Brother or Teacher Yuwen.”

“Hm? What way?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “It’s a secret. You’ll know in a while.”

Someone like Yang Guang—how could he continue to live in comfort before the fall of Sui? How could that precious head stay safely on his neck after death?

From now on, he would live like a bird startled by a bowstring—until someone finally takes his head.