LFHYB -Chapter 198 The Calm Before the Storm

Being twins, it took Li Shimin only a moment to realize what his mischievous younger brother had done.

“Mother! Every soldier suffers hardships, don’t listen to A-Xuan’s nonsense!” Li Shimin quickly saluted, not waiting for Mother or Aunt to speak, and lunged at Li Xuanba with a grim expression.

Li Xuanba had long anticipated this move and skillfully hid behind Dou Huiming.

Li Xuanba peeked out, then ducked back.

“Enduring hardship in battle is normal. But as commander, personally leading the vanguard every time is not normal. Do you know that your officers are complaining too?” Li Xuanba said from behind Mother. “We had agreed to first control Zhongyuan and leave the pacification of Jiangnan to Li Jing. Second Brother, you insisted on marching hungry… hehe, Mother, don’t you think he deserves a lesson?”

Li Shimin circled Dou Huiming while chasing his brother, arguing: “Among the rebel kings, only Dou Jiande respects the established order and encourages farming. If we don’t seize this chance to eliminate him completely, even if he escapes after total defeat, he can still regroup to oppose me… don’t run!”

Li Xuanba dodged behind Consort Wan in a flash.

Consort Wan laughed, spreading her arms to block Li Shimin.

Li Shimin almost caught Li Xuanba’s sleeve, but Li Xuanba kicked him. Li Shimin instinctively dodged, missing his chance and thumping his chest in frustration.

Dou Huiming held the whip in one hand and supported her forehead with the other, sighing.

“We’ve leveraged our status as loyalists of the Sui dynasty to quickly amass strength and reputation, inheriting the people’s resentment toward Sui. Even if A-Xuan and Mother gained some fame by helping the people through the charitable estates, it’s a drop in the ocean. Most people still see us as Sui’s allies,” Li Shimin explained seriously. “Many don’t even know Sui has become Tang. So whenever someone raises a banner of rebellion, the people will rise with them.”

Dou Huiming’s eyes shone with pride: “Erlang is very far-sighted.”

Li Xuanba peeked out from behind Consort Wan: “But what about you personally leading the vanguard, with your officers unable to restrain you?”

Then he ducked back again.

Consort Wan was shorter than Li Xuanba, and he crouched behind her, arching his back and hunching over in a ridiculously funny way.

Dou Huiming smiled, shaking her head: “Sanlang is right. Erlang, why must you personally lead the vanguard?”

Li Shimin muttered: “Because I’m the strongest.”

Dou Huiming: “…” She had been joking with Sanlang before, but now she really looked ready to raise the whip.

“Hey!” Li Shimin suddenly leapt over Consort Wan, yanked Li Xuanba out from behind her, and jumped up with a clenched fist.

“Ow!” Li Xuanba crouched, holding his head.

While Li Xuanba was crouching, Li Shimin, with practiced skill, kicked him on the backside, sending him sprawling.

The smile vanished from Dou Huiming’s face.

She rushed to Li Xuanba, who had rolled exaggeratedly on the floor, scolding: “Li… Shimin!”

Li Shimin froze.

Oops, he had reflexively unleashed a combo on A-Xuan, forgetting Mother was here.

Li Shimin turned and ran: “I’m going to pay respects to Father!”

Dou Huiming helped Li Xuanba up, his face full of grievance, shouting: “Stop him!”

After Dou Huiming became Empress, she didn’t select any new palace maids; the elders who had served her at home remained by her side.

A few of the accompanying servant women blocked Li Shimin’s path, smiling kindly at their second young master.

Li Shimin: “…” It’s been a long time since anyone dared to block my way.

After helping Li Xuanba up, Dou Huiming gripped a thorned whip and strode toward Li Shimin. “Hands out! How did I teach you before? I already told you: even when brothers fight, there must be limits!”

Li Shimin obediently held out his hands.

He looked at Li Xuanba behind Dou Huiming, eyes brimming with tears.

Li Shimin: [Fake.]

Li Xuanba: [Huh?]

Li Shimin: [Cry!]

Li Xuanba: [Ha?]

Li Shimin: [Disgusting!]

Li Xuanba blinked and continued pretending.

Dou Huiming struck the palm of Li Shimin’s hand three times, prompting him to apologize to Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba, feeling wronged, said, “As long as you don’t put yourself in danger in the future, it’s fine if you kick me a few times.”

Li Xuanba: [Next time, I’ll prepare a thorned whip for Mother.]

Li Shimin, moved, said: “I know A-Xuan is always the best to me. Brother won’t kick you anymore.”

Li Shimin: [Pfft!]

The two brothers reconciled, leaving Dou Huiming only exhausted.

She had raised these two brothers; how could she not see through the hypocrisy in their words?

They were already the Crown Prince and a prince—couldn’t they be a bit more mature? Once Second Young Master becomes emperor, must he still fight Third Young Master? Didn’t he know Third Young Master was physically weak? Couldn’t he go easy on him?

After a long separation, Li Shimin still habitually called Dou Huiming “Mother.” She had been happy and her eyes were red.

But before her emotion could last more than a few breaths, Li Shimin, like when he was a child, made her temples throb with frustration.

Little Li Erlang (Li Shimin) was lively and sweet-tongued—super cute at times—but also a hyperactive, mischief-making child who could wreak havoc if not disciplined for three days. Most of Dou Huiming’s rare outbursts were shouted at Li Shimin’s face.

The more Dou Huiming thought about it, the angrier she became, and she couldn’t help bringing up old grievances.

When Li Shimin could only sit and not walk, he had rolled the not-yet-sitting Li Xuanba around like a ball. When Li Xuanba learned to walk, Li Shimin still pushed him over to play. When Li Xuanba finally learned to walk properly, Li Shimin made it his daily joy to flip his younger brother.

How could he grow up and still treat his brother like a ball to kick?! What kind of older brother is that?!

Li Shimin knelt before his mother. “Stop scolding, stop scolding… Mother, once you bring up old grievances, there’s no end.”

Li Xuanba also knelt before their mother. When his second brother got scolded, he had to accompany him—listening and nodding: “Yes, yes, that’s right, second brother really is such a rascal. Growing up healthy is not easy.”

Li Shimin: “Huh? What part of you is healthy?”

Dou Huiming examined Li Xuanba’s almost skeletal frame and lost control, crying.

Li Xuanba: “…??!”

Well, the plan to have Mother lecture Second Brother was temporarily suspended. First, they needed to soothe her.

Consort Wan watched the entire scene, a smile on her lips.

While Second Young Master was away, the palace atmosphere had been tense, and her nerves were taut, waking at night.

Once Second Young Master returned, the palace instantly became lively; even the usually stern Third Young Master returned to his old cheerful self.

With the backbone back, she finally felt at ease.

Consort Wan thought: now that Second Young Master is back, there should be nothing to worry about.

Li Yuan, upon hearing of Li Shimin’s return, had been waiting for his audience.

When he heard that Li Shimin had rushed straight to Li Xuanba’s palace, he sighed, feeling uneasy.

Li Shimin had always been like this: whenever Li Xuanba fell ill, he would visit him first before attending to anything else. Back then, Li Yuan had thought the sons’ mutual affection was a good thing.

The circumstances hadn’t changed, but hearts had.

Li Yuan hesitated about whether he should go to Li Xuanba’s palace, knowing Empress Dou was taking care of him.

If he were still Duke of Tang, he would have gone without hesitation to Li Xuanba, stopping by to see him, and the family would have chatted at the bedside.

“Li Shimin really doesn’t care about Father at all—he didn’t come to pay respects first,” Li Jiancheng complained indignantly.

Li Yuan sighed and gave up the idea of visiting Li Xuanba.

Fortunately, Li Shimin still came to pay respects to Li Yuan.

Dou Huiming brought Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to visit Li Yuan together. Li Zhiyun had just returned as well, and the three brothers paid their respects to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan looked at his son, now brown and messy from travel, and couldn’t help but show concern: “Did you not rest properly on the road?”

Li Shimin complained: “I heard A-Xuan was ill again, so I rushed back in a panic—faster than the forced march south—completely no time to rest.”

Li Xuanba: [Blame me? You just don’t keep yourself clean.]

Li Shimin gave Li Xuanba a subtle glare.

Now that Mother is here, you’re acting arrogant, huh? Just wait, I’ll find a chance to get back at you!

As before, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba used glances to secretly communicate when talking to others, careful that no one else knew their private way of chatting.

Li Yuan had once found this amusing; the brothers’ close bond was a good thing.

But now…

Li Yuan said: “Since you’re tired, go rest.”

Li Shimin cupped his hands: “Yes, Father.”

Li Yuan and Li Shimin did not discuss the succession of the throne.

Li Shimin had already come of age during the southern campaign; he could inherit the throne at any time.

Dou Jiande had surrendered, Yuwen Huaji was killed, and the rebel kings in Ji, Yan, Qi, and Lu had all submitted to the Tang. Only Yang Xuangan in Luoyang and the southern regions beyond the Yangtze remained.

The ministers had already made arrangements: Li Yuan would abdicate in December this year, and the new era would begin next January.

Li Yuan, seated on the throne, had little power left except for discussing with his ministers which day to abdicate and become the Taishang Huang (Retired Emperor).

So, in truth, he had nothing more to say to Li Shimin.

When Li Shimin was leaving, Li Yuan reminded him once: “Daxiong, you must treat Bishamon well.”

Li Shimin looked up and smiled slightly, pursing his lips: “As long as my elder brother can honestly act as a prince, I can still support a household of idlers.”

Li Yuan’s eyes twitched as he observed Li Shimin’s expression.

Then his gaze fell on Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba seemed on the verge of bursting; since Li Shimin’s return, he hadn’t stopped “beeping” his thoughts to himself.

On the way to meet Li Yuan, Li Xuanba had already given his opinions on Dou Jiande and Liu Heita, then mocked Yuchi Gong for still being under Liu Wuzhou, playing on the pun that “Yuchi” sounded like “meeting late.”

Now, seeing Li Yuan’s expression, Li Xuanba continued babbling in his mind: [He absolutely thinks your expression looks like mine right now. It doesn’t, not at all—I’m not as dirty as you. Your hair is all tangled. Luckily, sister-in-law hasn’t come back, or she’d surely scold you.]

Li Shimin maintained a restrained and elegant smile, while inwardly, he was imagining punching his younger brother left and right.

The elegantly smiling Li Shimin, the taciturn Li Xuanba, and the background small-time third brother Li Zhiyun briefly paid their respects to Li Yuan. Once done, they turned and left.

With Li Shimin back, Li Xuanba and Li Zhiyun no longer had to act out family harmony with Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng—they could move out of the palace.

Li Zhiyun shouted excitedly: “Today we eat roasted meat! I’ll grill it myself!”

Li Shimin clicked his tongue: “I want baked flatbread—with lots and lots of cheese and meat.”

Li Xuanba said, “You’re making me hungry just talking about it. While you’ve been running around outside, I’ve been so busy I barely had time to eat properly, let alone enjoy the taste.”

The dirty Li Shimin, while frantically rubbing mud off his body onto the struggling and screaming Li Xiaowu, cried in horror: “What! You, someone who loves food so much, haven’t even tasted it properly because of being busy! Then you must keep helping me with the paperwork—I don’t want to be overworked!”

Li Xuanba: “???”

Li Xuanba: “Second Brother, listen to yourself! Do your own work. Now that you’re back, I’m going to start slacking off and taking care of myself.”

Li Shimin shook his head hard: “No, no. Burdens shared are burdens halved… Xiaowu, you’re not allowed to escape either.”

Li Zhiyun screamed: “I’m still young! I’m a boy who’s neither come of age nor married yet! I don’t want to be stuck in the capital working for you!”

Li Shimin pressed down on Li Zhiyun’s head: “Don’t even think about it, hahaha! None of you are allowed to escape!”

The three brothers chased and wrestled with each other, bickering from the palace all the way outside.

The ministers all turned to look.

“Should we remind the Crown Prince about proper etiquette?”

“The Crown Prince has been reunited with the Princes of Jin and Chu after a long time apart; they’re just playing around. Let them be.”

The ministers whispered among themselves and ultimately did not approach, leaving the three brothers their private space.

“The Crown Prince has a genuinely deep bond with his brothers.”

“Of course. Li Erlang has been known since childhood for his forbearance and friendliness toward his siblings.”

“I think the brothers you’re talking about aren’t the same as the brothers I mean.”

“Same difference, same difference.”

The ministers chuckled lightly.

Initially, there had been some concern over whether the abdication by the Taishang Huang would go smoothly. Now, with the Crown Prince—no, Prince Qin Li Shimin—back in the capital, there was no risk of surprises.

The Crown Prince had returned with armored troops; who would dare act recklessly?

…

After not drinking for a long while, Li Shimin happily got completely drunk.

Li Zhiyun also secretly tasted some wine, happily danced for a while, and then collapsed asleep.

Of the three brothers, only the sober Li Xuanba abstained from drinking; he was fully awake and had the servants carry his two drunk brothers back.

Li Shimin suffered a hangover for a full day; by the third day, he officially assumed control as the regent Crown Prince, taking over the powers that Li Yuan (or rather, Li Xuanba) had held, managing military and civil affairs while issuing new regulations.

As everyone expected, after Li Shimin’s return, not only Chang’an but even the chaotic realm seemed to calm down.

The south was distant, and Li Jing and Changsun Wuji’s steady strategies had successfully pushed past the Yangtze River and were radiating influence further south. In the north, only Luoyang remained, but Yang Xuangan had been injured attacking it, and the situation seemed unfavorable, so Luoyang now lay silent, almost wishing to erase itself entirely.

As for the ministers’ worries about the Turks, Goguryeo, and other tribes, it was said they did intend to take advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains—but Prince Qin’s rapid pacification of the realm left them no chance.

Indeed, it was easier to just call him Prince Qin.

Although Li Shimin was now Crown Prince, his close subordinates still called him “Lord” or “Prince Qin.” The title “Crown Prince” was, ironically, regarded with mild disdain. Other officials followed suit, calling him Prince Qin—essentially flattering the future emperor in advance.

Li Shimin himself preferred to be called “Prince Qin.” When Luo Yi came to surrender and the southern generals finally reached Chang’an, he even gathered his two younger brothers to compose the “Prince Qin’s Battle Victory Music.”

Li Xuanba invented new musical notation and symbols, so from then on, the sheet music included not only fingerings and scales but also rhythms, enabling anyone to perform it.

Only then did they remember that Li Xuanba was also musically talented and a pioneer in composing both the melodies and lyrics.

Li Xuanba: “Put a copy in my tomb, and carve one on the stele of every meritorious official of the Zhenguan era—I refuse to believe it won’t be passed down!”

Li Shimin had grown accustomed to Li Xuanba getting “fired up” about odd things.

Finally, December arrived, and Li Shimin was about to ascend the throne.

The anxious ministers straightened their chests and smiled in relief.

“You block Second Brother with the troops, don’t let him come,” Li Xuanba said. “If he won’t be persuaded, just lie on the ground and cling to his thigh while crying.”

Li Zhiyun suggested again, “Let’s switch.”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “It has to be me. Those ministers wouldn’t dare pressure someone who looks so much like Second Brother. And besides, I’m your older brother.”

Li Xuanba rubbed Li Zhiyun’s head. “Remember to lock Second Brother’s legs tight.”

Li Zhiyun nodded as his head bobbed under the rubbing. “Mm.”

Li Xuanba smiled.

There were changes among the Turks. The Black-Armored Army was stationed north of Chang’an to deter them. The palace guards in the capital were reduced, and most of those left were former nobles of Daxing. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he planned to overhaul the old Sui officials.

With Li Xuanba helping as an insider, and Li Yuan interfering in secret, Li Jiancheng was actually showing some competence this time.

“A lot of people will definitely die in this coup.”

“I’m not talking about us. I mean them.”

“Mm, Fifth Brother is right. They deserve to die.”

Li Xuanba and Li Zhiyun exchanged smiles.

…

“Although the capital seems peaceful, I feel uneasy. I always feel that A-Xuan is hiding something big from me.” Li Shimin secretly summoned Fang Qiao and Du Ruhui. “You two must know something.”

Fang Qiao said seriously, “My lord is about to ascend the throne. Even if Third Young Master wanted to hide something, he wouldn’t be able to hide it from you.”

Du Ruhui was more straightforward. “Too busy. Don’t know.”

Li Shimin was full of worry.