LFHYB -Chapter 23 An Unintentional Remark Awakens the Father

Yang Zhao and Li Yuan left once more.

Before leaving, Li Yuan shot Li Shimin a look, meaning he would deal with him after returning.

Li Shimin sighed miserably. “A-Xuan, every time you cause trouble, I’m the one who gets beaten.”

Li Xuanba said, “I didn’t cause trouble.”

Li Shimin looked at Li Xuanba with deep resentment.

Li Xuanba averted his gaze and said guiltily, “Want to hear a story? I’ll tell you one.”

Li Shimin raised both hands and quietly cheered, pumping his arms. “Yay! You haven’t told me stories in ages. Every time I ask, you get lazy.”

Li Xuanba said, “Stop talking nonsense. Tell me which one you want to hear.”

Li Shimin answered without hesitation, “Journey to the West!”

Li Xuanba sighed inwardly. As expected, for children, Journey to the West was still the most fun.

Naturally, he couldn’t remember the original Journey to the West in its entirety, but telling stories didn’t require reciting the whole thing. The eighty-one tribulations could be patched together—and it didn’t even have to be the original eighty-one. He had no intention of writing one of the Four Great Classics; he just wanted to tell a lively story.

But after listening to Journey to the West, Second Brother insisted on practicing staff techniques, which gave him a real headache.

If the future Prince of Tiance ended up wielding a golden cudgel as his weapon, that would be far too ridiculous.

“Hurry up, hurry up! Last time you stopped at stealing the kasaya!” Li Shimin urged.

Li Xuanba frowned. Last time was stealing the kasaya? Oh no—he couldn’t remember the order anymore.

He racked his brains, trying to recall how many of the eighty-one tribulations he had already told.

…

Li Yuan didn’t return until evening, his body reeking of alcohol.

Chai Shao came with him—not only smelling just as strongly of wine, but also deliberately trying to fumigate Li Shimin and Li Xuanba with it.

Li Shimin shielded Li Xuanba behind him. A toy arrow without an arrowhead flew from his toy bow and hit Chai Shao in the stomach.

Chai Shao cried out “Ouch!” and stopped in his tracks.

“A-Xuan, run!” Li Shimin first struck Chai Shao’s outstretched arm with the toy bow, then grabbed Li Xuanba and ran.

As Li Xuanba stumbled forward, he glanced back at Chai Shao.

Wow—Second Brother already knows how to strike people with a bow this early.

Chai Shao rubbed his arm, feeling wronged. “Father-in-law, Erlang is so fierce.”

Li Yuan burst into laughter. “My son should be this fierce! Come on—keep drinking!”

Chai Shao replied, “Alright, let’s keep drinking!”

The two slung their arms around each other and went off for another round.

Lady Wan, who attended Li Yuan closely in his daily life, went to take a look at them. Worried they’d get drunk and come disturb the children again, she arranged for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to sleep in the room next to hers.

Lady Wan was Li Yuan’s concubine, from the Wan clan of Jiangdu.

Her great-grandfather had been a high official of Southern Qi, and her grandfather a high official of Southern Liang. After the Sui dynasty destroyed the Southern dynasties, Lady Wan’s father served as the Governor of Lizhou under the Great Sui.

With such a background, she was naturally no ordinary concubine in the Duke’s household.

A duke and third-rank officials were each permitted six ying (secondary wives), ranked as seventh-grade. Lady Wan was one such ying, holding an imperial conferment. When Lady Dou was absent, she could represent the Duke’s household women in external social engagements.

Under Sui–Tang law, officials of fifth rank and above were allowed to take ying. An ying was considered a secondary wife; only below them were the women commonly referred to as “concubines,” who were treated as property to be bought and sold.

Officials below fifth rank and commoners had no right to take ying, so any additional women they kept were all such sellable concubines.

Old Lady Dou was often bedridden with illness, and Lady Dou had to remain in the old home in Daxing to serve her mother-in-law and look after the children. Lady Wan thus stayed by Li Yuan’s side, attending to his daily needs and helping him handle social affairs among the women.

From the perspective of someone from a later age, Li Xuanba initially felt some hostility toward Lady Wan, always fearing there would be unpleasant household struggles between her and his own mother.

As he grew a little older and became more familiar with Lady Wan, and after observing her interactions with his mother, he realized that Lady Wan was also a pitiable person, carrying much bitterness in her heart.

When Lady Wan accompanied Li Yuan to his official postings, the children she bore could only be left behind at the old residence.

When she returned, her children didn’t recognize her at all. She could only silently wipe away her tears, not daring to let Li Yuan or Old Lady Dou see. Only Lady Dou would comfort her.

When her children grew a little older, Lady Dou would often speak of Lady Wan in front of them, and only then did her children gradually grow closer to Lady Wan.

Lady Wan had once wondered whether she could take turns with Lady Dou in accompanying Li Yuan on his postings, alternating in serving Old Lady Dou. For this thought alone, she was scolded by Old Lady Dou until she was drenched in insults, and even her natal family wrote letters rebuking her for disregarding propriety.

A secondary wife, though not a concubine, still could not overstep her bounds. When the principal wife was present, a secondary wife had no right to serve the mother-in-law.

As a lady born into a prestigious official family, even thinking about serving her mother-in-law earned Lady Wan a reprimand for lacking decorum. After hearing of this, Li Xuanba could no longer muster any hostility toward her.

Because Lady Dou took good care of Lady Wan’s children, Lady Wan in turn treated Li Shimin and Li Xuanba very well.

Li Jiancheng, being the legitimate eldest son and much older than his younger brothers, was distant from them and looked down on his half-brothers born of secondary wives. As a result, Lady Wan racked her brains to quietly curry favor with Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

She had damaged her body giving birth to Li Zhiquan and found it difficult to conceive again afterward. In the Duke’s household, aside from the legitimate eldest son, the other sons all needed to carve out their own paths. Having brothers to support one another was certainly better than struggling alone. What’s more, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba had displayed extraordinary talent from a very young age—there was no doubt their futures would be bright.

After being lectured several times by Old Lady Dou and her own family, Lady Wan became extremely strict in observing the rules. When Lady Dou was around, she would quietly stay shut inside her room, never coming out to draw attention to herself.

Now that Lady Dou was in Daxing, Lady Wan finally came out to look after Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Li Shimin liked Lady Wan very much and called her “Auntie.”

Li Xuanba resisted a few times at first, but eventually followed suit and called her “Auntie” as well. Though he still wasn’t particularly close to her, he was no longer distant either, and would even tell her amusing stories about Fifth Brother.

As for Lady Wan’s own child, Li Zhiquan, he also called Lady Wan “Auntie.” Lady Dou was the one he called “Mother.”

“Ah, everything about our lord is good, except his fondness for alcohol. Once he drinks too much, he loses all restraint. Why is Young Lord Chai the same way?” Lady Wan muttered softly as she helped Li Shimin and Li Xuanba change out of clothes reeking of alcohol. “Alcohol isn’t a good thing—you really mustn’t drink too much.”

Li Xuanba said, “I don’t drink. Second Brother should drink less too.”

Li Shimin replied, “Huh? But Father and Big Brother both love drinking. When I grow up, I want to drink too!”

Li Xuanba said seriously, “Drinking without moderation is a bad habit. You can drink a little, but you must not get drunk.”

Li Shimin’s eyes darted around. “We’ll see.”

Lady Wan laughed. “You truly are father and son alike. Second Young Master, you haven’t even tasted alcohol yet, and you already love it.”

Li Xuanba said disdainfully, “Drink if you want, but if you ever dare force me to drink, I’ll beat you up.”

Li Shimin hurriedly waved his hands. “No, no! If you hit me, I’m afraid you’ll hurt yourself.”

Lady Wan laughed nonstop.

Every time she saw these twin brothers “quarrel,” she found them unbearably adorable.

After helping the two boys change their clothes, Lady Wan said, “Second Young Master, Third Young Master—Madam said you want to do business? Auntie has some supply channels in the south. Would you be willing to help Auntie sell some goods?”

Li Shimin didn’t quite understand her meaning, but Li Xuanba immediately did. Lady Wan was trying to curry favor with them through this.

The “Jiangdu” of the Jiangdu Wan Clan referred to what would later be known as Yangzhou City. Though Lady Wan’s foundations in the north were shallow, she possessed considerable assets in Jiangdu.

In later geographical terms, Jiangdu belonged to the north of the Yangtze River, but in the minds of the people and within cultural circles, Jiangdu was firmly considered Jiangnan—the most prosperous city of the region. Goods from all over Jiangnan were concentrated there.

Because Yang Guang favored Jiangnan, the nobility in Daxing and the Eastern Capital also preferred southern goods. With the backing of the Jiangdu Wan Clan, Li Xuanba and Li Shimin’s cosmetics shop would never lack fresh southern merchandise to sell.

Li Xuanba accepted bluntly, “Good. Then I’ll thank you, Auntie. If Second Brother’s and my business succeeds, once Little Fifth grows up a bit more, we’ll bring him along and let him learn arithmetic through the shop’s account books.”

Lady Wan’s smile bloomed like a flower. “I’ll leave Fifth Young Master in the hands of Second and Third Young Masters. If he can learn even a fraction of your abilities, Auntie will be at ease.”

Li Shimin cut in, “Auntie, why do you have so little confidence in Little Fifth? He’s very obedient and sensible, and he studies diligently. Before he could even sit steadily, he was already holding a brush and practicing writing on paper. He even sleeps holding his brush! A-Xuan, Master Yu writes exceptionally well—how about letting Little Fifth also study calligraphy under Master Yu like we do in the future?”

Seeing the faint tension on Lady Wan’s face, Li Xuanba sighed inwardly and said, “Little Fifth is very hardworking. Master Yu will definitely agree.”

The fingers twisting the corner of Lady Wan’s clothes finally relaxed. She smiled and said, “Then I’ll trouble Second and Third Young Masters to make the introduction.”

Li Shimin thumped his small chest loudly. “Don’t worry, Auntie—easy as pie!”

Lady Wan chatted with Li Shimin and Li Xuanba for a while longer before returning to sleep in the adjoining room.

After closing the door, she took out a jade necklace her son had once worn and silently choked back tears for a while.

It was good—very good. Second and Third Young Masters were good children who remembered her kindness and were willing to help their younger brother at such a young age. She hoped Second and Third Young Masters would gain even more favor with the Emperor and enjoy bright futures ahead.

“I wonder if, when we return this time, Fifth Young Master will have forgotten my face again,” Lady Wan murmured softly. Her voice was so low that even the personal maid keeping night watch outside couldn’t hear it.

Elsewhere, Li Xuanba pondered which Journey to the West stories he hadn’t told yet while explaining the true intent behind Lady Wan’s actions to his second brother through his inner voice.

He had been telling Journey to the West stories all afternoon and honestly couldn’t remember how many trials Tang Sanzang had already endured.

Li Shimin lay sprawled on the bed, propping his head up with both hands. Tilting his head, he sighed. “Auntie thinks about so much. Father and Mother definitely won’t mistreat Little Fifth—yet she still comes to curry favor with us two kids.”

Li Xuanba replied inwardly: **[That’s precisely why she’s smart.]** Lady Wan’s cautious attempts to please him and Second Brother made it difficult for him to simply ignore Li Zhiquan’s death.

Li Zhiquan was Li Zhiyun. Although his name had already been changed, they were still accustomed to using his old name as a childhood nickname. Perhaps only after Li Zhiyun received a courtesy name would they change how they addressed him.

Li Shimin’s arms grew numb, and he rolled over twice on the bed. “Lady Wan being this cautious looks so pitiful. Let’s take even better care of Little Fifth. When we go home, we’ll teach him how to read! We’ll assign him tons and tons of homework! I’ll even teach him archery—no slacking off whether it’s sunny or raining!”

Li Xuanba hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. Assigning Little Fifth a pile of homework, and making him practice archery whether it was sunny or raining—was this what counted as “taking extra care”? Really, Second Brother, I should thank you on Little Fifth’s behalf.

“Alright, let’s stop talking about annoying things. Journey to the West! Journey to the West!” Li Shimin shouted noisily.

“Keep your voice down, I’m thinking,” Li Xuanba said.

He continued frowning in deep thought. Exactly how many trials hadn’t he told yet?

So troublesome. Next time he tells Second Brother a story, he definitely needs to write down what he’s already told, so he won’t rack his brain again.

…

Five more days passed, and Li Yuan finally set off again.

This time, not only had Chai Shao joined the entourage, but also Changsun Sheng, who had just taken leave to visit relatives.

Changsun Sheng and Li Yuan had verbally agreed on a marriage for their children. After thinking it over for several days, he requested leave from the emperor to return home and settle the matter.

Li Xuanba thought Li Shimin would be very nervous traveling with his future father-in-law, but it turned out that only he—the outsider—was nervous. His Second Brother was completely at ease.

Li Yuan, Changsun Sheng, and Chai Shao all rode horses. Li Shimin insisted on riding with Li Yuan, chattering nonstop with Changsun Sheng along the way.

Finding him annoying, Li Yuan tossed him onto Changsun Sheng’s horse.

Li Shimin then very naturally sat in his future father-in-law’s arms and continued chattering away, asking Changsun Sheng about the Turks.

Li Yuan reached out to Li Xuanba, who was poking his head out of the carriage. “Sanlang want to ride a horse?”

Li Xuanba shook his head vigorously and withdrew back inside.

In his previous life, he had never ridden a horse. In this life, his body was weak and he hadn’t formally learned yet. Though curious about horseback riding, he still remembered the one time Li Yuan had taken him riding.

Li Yuan had carried his son and galloped at full speed. When they returned, both of the child’s tender little legs had been rubbed bloody.

That was the first time Li Xuanba had ever seen Old Lady Dou—normally so indulgent toward her son—raise her cane and chase Li Yuan around, beating him until he fled in panic.

Li Yuan complained, “Sanlang you’re not still holding a grudge from last time when I rubbed your legs raw while riding, are you?”

Li Xuanba stared at Li Yuan silently.

Suddenly, Li Yuan grinned mischievously, leaped off his horse, jumped onto the carriage, grabbed his son under his arm, hauled him out, and mounted the horse again.

Li Xuanba’s eyes widened in shock.

Father, what kind of acrobatics is this?! Don’t you think this is dangerous?!

Li Shimin covered his mouth with both hands and snickered.

“If you don’t want to ride, you still have to ride. How can a young master of the Duke of Tang’s household not know how to ride a horse?” Li Yuan laughed loudly. “Don’t think about running—behave yourself!”

Li Xuanba shrank against Li Yuan’s chest and shot his father a resentful glance.

Seeing his son’s aggrieved expression, Li Yuan laughed even harder.

After Li Shimin finished laughing with his hands over his mouth, he finally spoke up for his brother. “Father, A-Xuan just recovered from illness. Don’t bully him.”

“It’s precisely because he just recovered that he needs to ride more to strengthen his body,” Li Yuan retorted with twisted logic.

Lady Wan didn’t dare stop Li Yuan. She only put on her veil, leaned out, and handed him a blanket. “Please cover Third Young Master to block the wind.”

“Does he really need to be pampered like this?” Li Yuan said, but still wrapped Li Xuanba tightly in the small blanket.

He wrapped Li Xuanba as if bundling luggage, turning him into a round tube with only his head sticking out.

Li Xuanba tried moving his arms. Mm. Completely immobile.

Li Shimin kept covering his mouth and laughing so hard he bent forward and backward, the back of his head slamming into Changsun Sheng’s chest, making him howl in pain.

Changsun Sheng rubbed his chest helplessly. “Your head is really hard.”

Li Shimin held his head and laughed. “Thank you, General Changsun, for the compliment!”

Changsun Sheng: “…That wasn’t a compliment.”

Li Shimin didn’t care. He treated it as praise and completely ignored the second sentence.

Li Yuan lowered his head and smiled at Li Xuanba. “This should be fine now, right?”

Li Xuanba could barely even turn his head. “Father, are you wrapping me in a blanket? You’ve tied me up. When we get back, I’m telling Grandmother and Mother—you’re bullying me.”

Li Yuan laughed. “Go ahead and complain. Do you think I’m afraid of you?”

To prove he really wasn’t afraid, Li Yuan even raised his riding whip and started singing.

Li Shimin clapped his hands to the rhythm. Even though he didn’t know the lyrics or tune, he still shrieked and sang along.

Chai Shao, trying to please his future father-in-law, originally sang boldly along too. But after being led astray by Li Shimin’s off-key singing, he scratched his head, unsure how to continue.

Wrapped so tightly he couldn’t move at all, Li Xuanba rolled his eyes nonstop.

Too noisy, too noisy—pure sonic torture.

Li Xuanba said, “Father, Second Brother, you sound awful. Shut up!”

Li Yuan and Li Shimin only sang louder.

Chai Shao thought about it and decided to forget about tune and lyrics altogether and just sing along wildly.

Changsun Sheng stroked his beard with a smile.

He liked this harmonious and lively family very much. With Guanyin marrying into such a household, her future life should be quite good.

…

After Lady Dou returned to Daxing, she worried constantly about Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

When she learned that both children would be returning to Daxing with Li Yuan, she frequently sent people outside the city to ask for news, anxiously waiting.

Finally hearing that Li Yuan and the two boys had arrived, she couldn’t wait for them to return home. Wearing her veil, she personally went out to welcome them.

Before she even saw Li Shimin or Li Xuanba, Li Shimin—perched on horseback with excellent eyesight—had already spotted his mother.

“Mother!!” He drew up his legs and actually stood on the horse’s back.

Changsun Sheng was terrified. “Careful! Don’t fall!”

Li Shimin said in an innocent tone, “With General Changsun here, how could I fall? Mother! Look here, look here!”

Changsun Sheng sighed and could only protect him with both hands.

Li Yuan lowered his head and asked Li Xuanba, “How does Erlang recognize his mother among a crowd of people all wearing veils?”

These days, he dragged Li Xuanba out to ride every day, with Li Xuanba still “tied up” in front of him.

Li Xuanba replied weakly, “How would I know? Maybe Second Brother has eyes like a hawk.”

Li Yuan laughed. “Eyes like a hawk? Perfect for archery.”

Li Xuanba was speechless. Just how much did his father like archery—and how proud was he of his skills? Why was it always archery this, archery that, every time he opened his mouth?

When Lady Dou saw Li Shimin actually standing on the horse’s back, she was so frightened that her face went pale.

“Li—Shi—Min! Sit properly! You are not allowed to stand on the horse’s back!” Lady Dou shouted angrily.

When Mother calls your full name, you’d better behave.

Li Shimin obediently sat down.

Changsun Sheng couldn’t help but laugh.

Li Yuan reined in his horse. Lady Dou stepped forward to reunite with her family.

Then she saw Li Xuanba in front of Li Yuan—wrapped tightly in a blanket like a bundle, desperately begging her for help with his eyes.

Lady Dou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Is this how you wrap a child? Hurry up and let him go!”

She reached out. Only after Li Yuan untied the little blanket did he hand Li Xuanba to Lady Dou.

Lady Dou weighed her son in her arms, her eyes reddening. “You’ve lost weight. You’re much lighter.”

Li Xuanba touched his chin—one that hadn’t slimmed down at all, even after overeating on the dragon boat and then falling seriously ill.

His pointed chin had finally gained a bit of flesh. How could he possibly have lost weight?

Well, if Mother said he’d lost weight, then he’d lost weight.

After Lady Dou put Li Xuanba down, Li Shimin stretched out his arms and called out sweetly and clingingly, “Mother, I’ve lost weight too! I really missed you—Mother, hug me!”

Lady Dou smiled and lifted Li Shimin up—then her smile froze. Her arms sank, and she almost failed to hold him.

Li Yuan was just dismounting. Seeing this scene, he laughed so hard he nearly slipped.

He took Li Shimin from Lady Dou, put him down, and tapped him on the head. “You’ve got the nerve to say you’ve lost weight?”

Li Shimin protested, “A-Xuan lost weight, so of course I did too. Hmph.”

Chai Shao and Changsun Sheng stepped forward to greet Lady Dou.

Lady Dou was surprised. “So it’s General Changsun.”

She quickly returned the greeting, then quietly glanced at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan gave her a look, then glanced at Li Shimin.

With just that exchange of looks, the couple understood each other.

Lady Dou smiled. “You must be tired from the journey, so I won’t disturb General Changsun reuniting with his family. In a few days, I’ll bring Erlang to pay a visit to the General.”

Changsun Sheng nodded. After a moment’s thought, he took a bow down from his horse and handed it to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin held it up with both hands and nearly failed to catch it. “Wow, it’s so heavy!”

Changsun Sheng said, “When you can draw this bow, I’ll marry my daughter to you.”

Li Shimin set the bow upright on the ground and hugged it. “Deal! General Changsun, just wait—I’ll be able to draw it very soon!”

Changsun Sheng smiled, then took his leave.

He had deliberately said those words at the city gate. They would soon spread throughout all of Daxing City. Compared to openly publicizing a verbal marriage agreement between the Changsun family and the Duke of Tang’s household, this kind of encouraging remark to a junior sounded much more casual.

Changsun Sheng’s second wife, Lady Gao, had also personally come to welcome him.

From behind her veil, she sized up Li Shimin, feeling a sudden blockage in her chest.

My daughter isn’t even four yet—is it really necessary to decide this so early? She felt some resentment, but since Changsun Sheng had already said it publicly, she had no room to object.

She decided that after returning home, she would carefully inquire into the situation of the Duke of Tang’s household.

This time, Lady Gao had also brought along her son, Changsun Wuji, who was not yet eleven.

Changsun Sheng’s other two sons already held official posts and were currently on duty; his daughter was still too young. None of them had accompanied Lady Gao this time.

At eleven, Changsun Wuji naturally understood his father’s meaning.

He looked displeasedly at that small child who was a whole head shorter than himself.

Li Shimin gave Changsun Wuji a friendly smile.

Changsun Wuji withdrew his gaze. For some reason, after seeing that smile, he found that he couldn’t really get angry.

Forget it—parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. What fault did a small child have?

Li Xuanba was guessing whether the child Lady Gao was holding was Changsun Wuji.

After Changsun Wuji and his second brother exchanged that “clash” of gazes, he was certain—this child, subdued at a glance by his second brother, had to be Changsun Wuji.

“A-Xuan, it’s so heavy. Help me hold it for a bit,” Li Shimin whispered for help while Li Xuanba was lost in thought.

With obvious disdain, Li Xuanba helped his second brother support the bow. **[If you can’t hold it, just tell Father and let him carry it for you.]**

Li Shimin whispered, “That’d be too embarrassing.”

Li Xuanba replied, **[So having me help you hold it isn’t embarrassing?]**

Li Shimin said, “Of course it isn’t.”

Li Xuanba was speechless. He really couldn’t understand his second brother’s way of thinking.

Fortunately, Li Yuan also noticed how the two children were struggling to support the powerful bow.

He laughed and took it from them. “I’ll keep it for now. When Erlang grows up, I’ll give it back to you.”

Li Shimin said, “Father, you’re not allowed to secretly use it and ruin my bow.”

Li Yuan said with a straight face, “Who would use your bow!”

Li Shimin snorted. “That’s hard to say. Anything Father especially likes, you won’t even give to His Majesty. His Majesty even complained about you before.”

Li Yuan asked in confusion, “What did His Majesty complain about?”

Li Shimin said, “What else could it be? His Majesty also likes fine horses and hunting falcons, but Father, you collect them and don’t even send one to His Majesty. If I have something good, I immediately bring it to share with A-Xuan.”

Li Yuan frowned.

Lady Dou smiled. “My lord, let’s go home first.”

She went to greet Lady Wan, who had been standing quietly to the side, then took Lady Wan’s hand and boarded the carriage together.

Li Xuanba said, “Second Brother, let’s go back to the carriage too. I’m tired.”

“Oh, okay.” Li Shimin jumped onto the carriage and reached out to Li Xuanba. “Here, I’ll pull you up.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba both entered the carriage.

Li Yuan pondered for a while before mounting his horse.

He thought of what Lady Dou had said to him.

He was very proud, and he prided himself on having known His Majesty since their youth in the palace, believing their relationship was close enough that there was no need for ingratiating behavior…

Now that he listened to his second son, His Majesty actually harbored some resentment toward him?

Perhaps His Majesty was only complaining casually, but deep down, he must still have been somewhat displeased that he hadn’t been given a fine horse.

It seemed Lady Dou’s words did make some sense. Even among relatives, one must observe courtesy and reciprocity.

“Ah, Erlang is right— the closer the relationship, the more one should share good things.” Li Yuan shook his head and then laughed bitterly. “To think I needed my own son to remind me.”

He raised his whip.

What horse should he give to his cousin? Sigh—he couldn’t bear to part with any of them. It hurt his heart!

…

“Hm? Sent by Li Yuan?” Yang Guang was first surprised, then laughed. “Why would he suddenly think of giving me a fine horse?”

The eunuch handed the letter to Yang Guang.

After opening it, Yang Guang couldn’t help but smile at Empress Xiao beside him. “Look at this Li Yuan. I always thought he was deeply calculating—turns out he’s genuinely simple and straightforward.”

Empress Xiao took the letter, read it, and smiled as well. “If Erlang has something good, he shares it with Sanlang first. That truly is fraternal affection.”

Yang Guang said, “Only after being reminded by his son did Li Yuan think to share his beloved horse with me. He’s not as good as Erlang.”

Crown Prince Yang Zhao, hearing this, tactfully spoke up for Li Yuan. “The Duke of Tang previously only considered the distinction between ruler and subject. His personality is upright—he believes a minister should not present precious treasures to the sovereign. It was only after Li Erlang’s words enlightened him that the Duke of Tang remembered he also holds the status of Your Majesty’s cousin. This is, in fact, a reflection of his strict observance of propriety and hierarchy.”

In a very good mood after receiving the fine horse, Yang Guang said, “That’s true. Since he has remembered his identity as my cousin, I should properly promote this cousin of mine. He has been serving outside for many years; it’s time to summon him back to court.”

Empress Xiao smiled. “Indeed, he should return. Aunt is already advanced in age—if he serves at court, he can also take good care of her.”

Yang Guang thought for a moment and said, “Appoint him as Dianzhong Shaojian.”

Although Dianzhong Shaojian was only a senior fourth-rank position, it oversaw the emperor’s meals, medicine, ceremonial attire, and horses—an important post entrusted only to close confidants.

As soon as those present heard this appointment, they understood that Duke of Tang Li Yuan had gained the emperor’s trust, and his status was about to soar.

Yang Zhao’s eyes lit up. “Father, are you returning to Daxing?”

Yang Guang hesitated briefly. “Not yet. I’ll wait a few more days.”

Emperor Wen of Sui had been frugal, so the palaces and gardens in Daxing City didn’t quite suit Yang Guang’s tastes. He still hadn’t finished enjoying the newly constructed Eastern Capital.

Yang Zhao felt helpless. He had originally wanted to remonstrate—this was only the second year since his father ascended the throne, yet he had already left Daxing for a long time without returning. Court officials could only follow him back and forth between capitals, and Daxing hardly felt like a capital anymore. Many meritorious nobles were already somewhat dissatisfied.

But seeing that his father was in such a good mood, and that Duke of Tang had finally gained his trust, Yang Zhao swallowed his advice.

Next time, then.