LFHYB -Chapter 34 Curtain Call After Curtain Call

“Cough, cough… help me thank Granny Zhang,” Li Xuanba told his wet nurse. “On the pretext that the Second Brother and I are recovering, give some money to the servants close to Grandmother and Mother, to thank them for taking care of us. For the elderly grandparents, give some extra medicinal herbs.”

The wet nurse immediately understood. “Granny Zhang’s legs are a bit sore; I will carefully select the herbs for her.”

Li Xuanba said, “When you give her the herbs, remind Granny Zhang to take care of herself and not to worry about me causing any trouble with Grandmother.”

The wet nurse replied, “I understand.”

Not long after Li Xuanba’s wet nurse left, Li Shimin’s wet nurse arrived.

Although she was Li Shimin’s wet nurse, he was impatient with trivial matters, so his servants were also managed by Li Xuanba.

Li Shimin’s wet nurse reported essentially the same information, just from Old Lady Dugu’s perspective rather than Lady Dou’s.

“Mother should come speak to me in person soon,” Li Xuanba sighed, coughing a few more times. “You’ve worked hard, go claim your reward.”

Li Shimin’s wet nurse happily thanked the Third Young Master for the money.

Li Xuanba ate a sour plum to suppress the urge to cough, closing his eyes in thought.

After a while, still with eyes closed, he said, “Dali.”

A simple-minded servant answered, “I’m here.”

Li Xuanba opened his eyes. “When you help your beloved chop firewood, casually mention to her that the old Lady Wants her wife to gain a reputation for greed.”

Dali replied, “Yes, Third Young Master.”

Li Xuanba said, “Go get three feet of silk and give it to your beloved.”

Dali laughed, “Thank you, Third Young Master!”

Li Xuanba added, “After this, go find Brother Chai and deliver this letter to him.”

He pulled a letter, long prepared, from his sleeve and handed it to Dali.

After Dali left, Li Xuanba pinched his throat and coughed behind a scrap of paper for a long while.

Li Shimin kicked open the door, holding a bowl of stewed pear. “A-Xuan, eat this stewed pear. Once you finish it, you won’t cough anymore.”

Even though they had suffered the same illness, Li Shimin had quickly recovered after getting out of bed, while Li Xuanba was still left with a lingering cough, with no knowing how long it would last.

Li Xuanba forced himself to eat the pear despite the cough, feeling some relief in his throat.

Li Shimin tucked his brother back in. “I asked the teacher for leave. He said you don’t need to do your homework.”

Li Xuanba: “I’ll still do it; lying here is boring.”

Li Shimin smiled slyly, “I knew you’d do your homework, which is why I asked the teacher for leave. You take leave and still submit homework—he’ll be pleased.”

Li Xuanba: “True. Hopefully, after he’s pleased, he’ll assign us less homework.”

Li Shimin nodded vigorously.

He told Li Xuanba some interesting stories from outside. Now that his health had returned, he immediately followed Li Yuan around Daxing City, visiting friends his own age, like a little monkey let loose after being cooped up.

“They all regretted that only I went to visit them; they all wanted to see the twins of the Tang Duke Mansion,” Li Shimin patted his brother’s blanket. “You must get well quickly.”

Li Xuanba nodded.

Li Shimin smiled, then sighed, the smile fading. “I see the servants bustling about with furrowed brows. Is there some trouble at home? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Li Xuanba: “You always cover your ears saying you don’t want to hear about troubles.”

Li Shimin said, “Troubles that have already happened are completely different from troubles that haven’t! Of course, I need to know what’s happened, otherwise how could I solve it? Or do you look down on me, thinking it would be the same without me?”

Li Xuanba: “Of course not. I’ve already prepared things, waiting for you to step right into my trap.”

Li Shimin pretended to be angry, “You scoundrel! Tricking your brother!”

He tugged Li Xuanba’s little braid, and after his brother pleaded, magnanimously said, “Speak. What do you need me to do?”

Li Xuanba: “Go to the Crown Prince to fulfill our bet. Even though the Emperor hasn’t issued an official decree, I believe the soap becoming tribute is already settled.”

Li Shimin asked, puzzled, “That’s all? Can’t you just write a letter? Why do I have to go myself?”

Li Xuanba: “The Crown Prince promised that if I win, the Empress would be involved in making and selling the soap.”

Li Shimin scratched his head, then suddenly looked enlightened.

He frowned and smiled wryly. “Who’s making whom jealous now?”

Li Xuanba remained silent.

Li Shimin grabbed his brother’s cheek. “Speak! I can handle it!”

Li Xuanba: “Who else could it be? Grandmother favors the eldest brother, you know that. But she temporarily changed her mind, so don’t worry. I’m just being cautious.”

He hadn’t told his Second Brother that their mother had knelt before Grandmother to request this.

If he had, with his hot temper, Second Brother might have thrown a fit.

Li Shimin let go, rubbing his face in frustration. “Ahhh, so annoying, so annoying! Isn’t dealing with merchants supposed to be simple? You chose this because you thought no one would interfere—and yet someone did!”

Li Xuanba: “Perhaps it’s because this matter will please the Emperor.”

Li Shimin snorted coldly, “I don’t believe the Emperor would be pleased upon learning this.”

Li Xuanba held up a finger in front of his mouth: “Be careful what you say.”

Li Shimin was so angry that he jumped around the room a few times to vent. Only after he was tired did he climb back onto the bed. “Continue—what should I do?”

Li Xuanba explained to his older brother the plan he had long prepared.

When he had been thinking about how to make money, he had already prepared countermeasures in case someone tried to seize the profits.

In his previous life, someone had once snatched his winnings, and he had almost been crippled by thugs hired for the job. Once bitten, twice shy—he was prepared this time.

Although Li Shimin was still young, he could understand Li Xuanba’s analysis.

He flopped onto the bed with a throbbing head, rolling back and forth slowly. “My brain is going to split… okay, in simple terms, you’re using the money and land given by His Majesty and Sister’s dowry, without asking Gong Zhong to spend a single copper coin?”

Li Xuanba nodded.

Li Shimin said, “But we still can’t ignore the Duke of Tang’s household. We’re too young; if the business grows, the Duke’s household will definitely want a share.”

Li Xuanba: “Even if we use the rewards as capital, children have no private property. The two shops the household gave us are only temporarily for our use. Our investment portion still legally belongs to the Duke of Tang’s household.”

Li Shimin stopped rolling.

He lay flat on the bed with arms spread wide, forming a star shape. “So… what we’re doing now actually works?”

A faint smile appeared on Li Xuanba’s pale face as he said weakly and hoarsely: “It works. He’s not the Duke of Tang.”

…

After Lady Dou looked through Li Xuanba’s accounts, she felt conflicted.

Li Xuanba’s bookkeeping was extremely meticulous—so meticulous that she wanted to redo her own household accounts and learn from him.

Every detailed entry told her that Li Xuanba had long anticipated the Duke’s household trying to seize the soap workshop.

“To think he’s been pushed to this…” Lady Dou covered her mouth, quietly sobbing.

She truly could not stand the favoritism of her mother-in-law.

The mother-in-law claimed to favor the second and third sons—but who was she actually favoring? Everything in the Duke’s household belonged to the eldest son. The second and third sons had nothing and had to fend for themselves. Why must even the small earnings of the children be seized? Was the eldest son lacking money?

After her quiet sobbing, Lady Dou wiped her tears and murmured to herself: “Second son, third son, don’t worry. Mother will not let anyone bully you.”

She took the account book to Li Xuanba and asked about his plan.

Seeing the accounts, she knew that the precocious third son had certainly anticipated this situation and had already figured out countermeasures. She only needed to help him refine the plan.

When Li Yuan returned from official business, he heard that Lady Dou was ill.

He first sent someone to inquire about her health, then went to Lady Wan’s quarters to spend the night.

Li Yuan had gone to Lady Wan’s without notifying anyone, wanting to surprise her.

Back at home, he usually slept in Lady Dou’s quarters and had not come to Lady Wan’s in a long time.

He dismissed the servants and quietly entered the room.

Lady Wan seemed unaware of Li Yuan’s arrival and had not dressed up in advance. Her hair was loose as she brushed it in front of the mirror.

Li Yuan was about to announce himself when he heard her sobbing.

He sighed inwardly. Could it be that Lady Wan was upset because he had neglected her?

Li Yuan gently said, “Lady Wan, I came to see you.”

The wooden comb in Lady Wan’s hand fell onto the table. She hastily wiped her tears and smiled as she greeted him. “Why have you come, my lord?”

Li Yuan spoke honestly, “Lady Dou is ill today. I worried I might disturb her rest, so I came here to stay the night. Don’t you welcome me?”

Lady Wan smiled gently: “Of course I do.”

Li Yuan reached out to brush her temple. “Then why were you crying? Has Lady Dou been treating you badly?”

Lady Wan quickly shook her head: “How could Lady Dou be anything but kind and generous, my lord? If you speak ill of her, I’ll be angry.”

Li Yuan was slightly taken aback, half-amused. “Alright, alright. You’re closest to Lady Dou, so I’m the extra one here.”

He took her hand and sat with her on the couch. “Then why are you sad?”

Lady Wan hesitated.

Li Yuan asked, “Could it be something in the household I cannot resolve? Did Mother scold you again?”

Lady Wan shook her head: “I don’t dare to go near the Old Madam. She doesn’t scold me.”

Li Yuan sighed and patted her hand: “You’ve worked hard.”

Lady Wan continued shaking her head: “How can I say I’ve worked hard? Since returning, Lady Dou has taken care of me, and every day I’m carefree. I even get to entertain Second Young Master, Third Young Master, and Xiao Wu. I’m much happier than worrying about your meals and clothing.”

Li Yuan feigned shock: “Are you complaining about me?”

Lady Wan covered her mouth, laughing: “Yes, I am.”

Li Yuan said, “If you’re this happy, why are you worried? Has Xiao Wu been unkind to you?”

Lady Wan sighed: “My lord, why insist? Since I haven’t told you voluntarily, it means it’s not easy to say.”

Li Yuan pressed: “I must hear it. If I can’t even solve the troubles of the wives and concubines in my own household, am I still a man? Tell me!”

Lady Wan’s hesitation returned.

After a moment of internal struggle, she whispered: “I’ll tell you. It’s just some capricious words. My lord, please don’t tell anyone else. If it spreads, people will say my upbringing was poor.”

Li Yuan nodded: “Only I will know.”

Lady Wan sighed, her eyes red again.

She dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief: “Early this morning, the Old Madam summoned Lady Dou and ordered her to take back the shops belonging to Erlang and Sanlang, to be given to the eldest son’s concubines. Lady Dou knelt and begged for a long time. The Old Madam finally allowed her to keep only the business income in the household, so the eldest son’s concubines could freely use the money.”

Li Yuan was shocked: “W-Why?”

Lady Wan forced a bitter smile: “The soap business caught His Majesty’s attention and won the favor of all the city’s powerful families. In the future, wealth and reputation will only increase. Since the eldest son is the primary heir, the benefits naturally go to him. I know, I know this is the proper way… but still…”

Lady Wan covered her face with a handkerchief and said, “Everything in the Tang Duke’s Mansion belongs to the Eldest Son—his rank, his connections, his wealth—I know that. But seeing Erlang and Sanlang pour their hearts into making their first venture a success… even if it’s just a small business that others might look down on, they’ve invested their effort and care into it.”

Lady Wan sobbed for a while, then continued, “Erlang and Sanlang probably wouldn’t care. They’re so clever, already making a name for themselves at His Majesty’s court at such a young age. If these things are taken from them, so be it. When they grow up, they’ll surely achieve great things on their own. I was just thinking about my Wu, my Xiao Wu, who’s a bit slow… in the future, he might only be able to make do with some petty wealth to get by…”

“My husband, I’ve been selfish,” she said, wiping her tears, choking as she forced a smile. “Actually, when Erlang and Sanlang worked out the ancient recipe from the old books, they brought Xiao Wu along to contribute a little money, calling it a ‘share.’ Husband, just think of it as my greed, that the money I poured in and got lost… you must make it up to me, okay?”

Li Yuan’s face darkened like water.

He took a deep breath and said, “Are you telling the truth? She actually knelt and begged Mother?”

Lady Wan forced a bitter smile. “Husband, she was fine this morning when she saw you off.”

Li Yuan stood. “I’ll go see her. Lady Wan, don’t worry—the Tang Duke’s Mansion hasn’t fallen so low that we can only support one child’s success.”

Lady Wan grabbed the hem of his robe, panicked. “Husband, you promised me—you won’t tell anyone what I said. If you do, how could I ever bring my troubles to you again?”

Li Yuan gently gathered her shoulders. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Don’t be sad—this I can handle.”

Lady Wan let go, her face full of admiration. “Alright, I trust you, husband.”

Li Yuan left, and Lady Wan stood at the door, watching him go, unwilling to leave for a long while.

Those who saw this couldn’t help but remark on how devoted Lady Wan was to the Tang Duke.

After leaning by the door for half a while, Lady Wan returned inside and had someone fetch water to remove her makeup.

It had to look elegant yet presentable; after crying, she couldn’t smear her makeup—painting her face like this wasn’t easy.

After washing, Lady Wan angrily tossed the facecloth aside.

A maid said, “My lady, don’t be upset. The Duke said he could handle it, so he surely can.”

Lady Wan snorted coldly. “He’s confident now, but when he meets the matriarch, who knows? He can be so bold in private, yet timid in front of her—how many times has that happened?”

The maid replied, “This time is different. Second, Third, and Fifth Sons are all the Duke’s children. He’ll still care about them.”

“Hmph,” Lady Wan snorted again, tears now freely falling. “Even Second and Third, born of the Madam, are treated so harshly. How can my Wu, living under Li Jiancheng, hope for anything good?”

“Look at Erlang and Sanlang—they have nothing themselves, yet they share rewards with Fourth, Fifth Son. When their shop earns profits, they share with Fourth, Fifth Son too. Li Jiancheng only gives gifts to Fourth, never thinking of my Fifth!” Lady Wan, furious and distressed, covered her face and cried bitterly. “How did Fifth end up with such a legitimate elder brother?”

The maid patted Lady Wan’s shoulders, equally saddened.

She had followed her lady from Jiangnan to the capital, watching her grow from a pampered, lively young lady of a prestigious family into someone careful with her words and actions. Now, worrying about Fifth Brother’s future, how could she not feel sad?

Her sorrow was useless; all she could do was quietly comfort her lady: “Don’t be upset, my lady. The eldest brother is unreliable, but there’s Erlang and Sanlang. As the Duke said, the Tang Duke’s Mansion doesn’t only support one child’s success. How many nobles have several dukes and marquises in one generation? With the Emperor’s favor for Erlang and Sanlang, they will eventually be ennobled. They will surely help Fifth Son make his way too.”

Leaning her head on the maid’s shoulder, Lady Wan closed her eyes, nodding through tears.

When Li Yuan left Lady Wan’s small courtyard, the servant sent to check on Lady Dou had just returned.

The servant reported, “Madam said it’s nothing. She just felt a bit of wind in the courtyard today, her head aches, so she went to bed early.”

Li Yuan clenched his fists. “She doesn’t even trust me?”

The servant was puzzled. “Madam looked well. She should be truly fine.”

Li Yuan waved him off and strode toward Lady Dou’s residence.

When he entered, the candles in Lady Dou’s bedroom were already out.

Li Yuan moved in the dark to her bedside and sat silently.

Lady Dou was the first to speak: “Husband, why are you sitting here in the dark without a word? Are you trying to scare me?”

Li Yuan said, “I know you’re not asleep. I also know you can hear my footsteps.”

Lady Dou said, “I just have a bit of a headache. A day’s rest will make it better. Don’t worry, husband.”

Li Yuan asked, “Are you worried I might clash with Mother?”

After a long pause, a faint sigh came from the darkness.

Lady Dou said, “Husband, help me light the candle.”

Li Yuan rose to light the candle.

Lady Dou sat up.

Li Yuan returned to her side and draped clothing over her shoulders. “Be careful not to catch a chill.”

He looked at the corners of her eyes—they were red, tear-streaked, not yet dry.

Lady Dou said, “You are the Duke, the master of the Tang Duke’s Mansion. Naturally, nothing can be hidden from you. I overthought it, sigh.”

Li Yuan forced a smile. “Yes, nothing can be hidden from me.”

Lady Dou said, “In the court, if the elder generation is outstanding, it’s common for multiple children to be ennobled. If the children themselves are talented, when it comes time for ennoblement, the Emperor won’t care whether someone else in the family already has a title. Erlang and Sanlang are talented, especially Erlang. Gaining merit at the frontier should be easy. I’ve always thought—Li An and Li Zhe of the Li family both became marquises. Erlang and Sanlang in my family should be able to do the same.”

The Li An and Li Zhe she mentioned were sons of Li Yuan’s seventh uncle, cousins already deceased.

Li Yuan said, “Not just Li An and Li Zhe—my other uncles also held high office, even Fourth Uncle Li Bi…”

Li Yuan’s eldest and second uncles had both passed away early, so it was Li Yuan’s father, Li Bing, who inherited the title of Duke of Tang. The remaining uncles, who had no inheritance rights, all held high positions in the Northern Zhou at the time, and many of them had noble titles.

So even when Li Yuan’s fourth uncle, Li Bi, raised troops to try and eliminate the Northern Zhou power-holder Yang Xian, he failed and died. Yet after Yang Xian founded the Sui dynasty, he still made good use of the Li family members.

Especially those who had opposed Li Bi, like Li An and Li Zhe, were highly trusted by Yang Xian and jointly commanded the capital’s elite troops, a case of “one family, two dukes.”

Dukedoms were mostly established at the founding of a dynasty, and in times of peace, it was hard to grant new dukes. But aiming for the rank of marquis? Li Yuan felt that with the current abilities of his second and third sons, this wasn’t reaching too high.

Lady Dou said, “Although for the good of the family, it would make sense for the eldest son to inherit the dukedom and for the resources of the duke’s house to favor the second and third sons—adding two more marquises to the Tang Duke line would be the ideal choice. But can family really be so calculating? Brothers just need to support each other. As before, when the second and third sons gained fame outside, the eldest naturally benefited. There’s no need for them to compete with each other.”

Li Yuan sighed, unusually attentive to his wife discussing court matters: “Indeed.”

Lady Dou continued, “People’s hearts are made of flesh. If you favor one and suppress the other, how can brothers not grow distant? Talented men are naturally proud—your second and third sons even resist you, their father.”

Li Yuan could no longer sigh in peace.

He pressed a hand to his forehead, gritting his teeth: “These two boys indeed obey no one. They aren’t even fully respectful to the Crown Prince; His Majesty often laughs at them.”

Lady Dou smiled wryly: “All geniuses are like that. And you, sir, do you not feel the same when it comes to archery? Even when General Changsun bested you once, didn’t you pull it back to a win?”

Li Yuan felt a bit proud: “True enough—they take after me.”

Lady Dou said, “Merchant affairs are trivial. Never have I heard of any noble relying on trade to manage the household—they live off rents. The second and third sons are still young, so they were just allowed to mess around. When making soap, they never thought of earning money for themselves; they used their sisters’ dowries and even asked Lady Wan and me for some reserve dowry money, saying that if they made a profit, it would just be for us women to play with.”

Li Yuan inhaled sharply: “Dowries?!”

Lady Dou smiled bitterly: “Yes. They also said that if they really earned a lot, they’d involve their unmarried sisters. They hope to achieve merit and success, and in the future, the family’s wealth would be rewarded by His Majesty. Even not counting food grants, just adding a few good estates for collecting rent would be far better than petty trading. Their little business is simply for daughters to save pocket money.”

Lady Dou patted Li Yuan’s arm, sighing: “Back then, everyone supported the Duke of Tang’s household on their own. You were still young, and influence at court relied on money, so money was important. But now things are different. With you as the eldest son’s father, there’s no need to curry favor with money. He can just wait for others to flatter him. Our Tang Duke household owes its prominence to you, sir.”

Li Yuan pinched the bridge of his nose: “Mother may truly have feared poverty. At the time, I had little salary. During the New Year and other holidays, she worried in secret when preparing gifts. We didn’t know how much dowry had been pawned, and she often borrowed money from Empress Wenxian, earning some glares. But now things are truly different. I’m still alive! And Li Jiancheng isn’t an orphan either!”

Lady Dou chuckled: “Normally, sir, I should advise caution when you speak like that. But your reasoning is sound. You are in your prime, your official career just beginning, and your future is vast. When you retire, even the youngest, Xiao Wu, may already have grandchildren. Sigh, the eldest should focus on earning a title; it’s too early for him to become Duke of Tang.”

Li Yuan said, “Your reasoning is very sound, madam. Why didn’t you tell my mother?”

Lady Dou sighed: “Do you think I dared? If I scolded the eldest even slightly, everyone would say I’m biased! That’s why I have headaches.”

Li Yuan said awkwardly: “Mother does favor the eldest too much. He was raised by her, so it’s normal.”

Lady Dou sighed again: “Yes. But the eldest will bear the responsibilities of the Duke of Tang household in the future. Overindulgence cannot be allowed. Your grandfather and father fought on the battlefield, and your own future goal will certainly be to serve as a general. War is harsh.”

Li Yuan comforted her: “Don’t worry, madam. Though the eldest is a bit spoiled, he is skilled in archery and horsemanship, and very capable at hunting.”

Lady Dou thought, hunting and fighting aren’t the same… yet she nodded: “If you say so, sir, I am reassured. You should rest now; we can discuss these troubling matters tomorrow. Sigh, maybe you should go to Lady Wan’s place? My head hurts.”

Li Yuan said, “No, I’ll sleep here. I won’t disturb you; you sleep in peace.”

Saying that, he slipped under the covers.

Lady Dou could only laugh and cry at the same time, calling someone to blow out the candle.

…

“Crown Prince, cousin, hurry and get Her Majesty to join us. If she doesn’t, my brother and I can’t make better soap,” Li Shimin whined, tugging on Yang Zhao’s sleeve. “We won’t work for free for others! If it weren’t our own workshop, who would bother with this? We’re busy studying and training!”

Yang Zhao laughed and cried at the same time: “Cousin? Just call him cousin, don’t make it weird. You two should study and train, why bother with crafts and trade?”

Li Shimin blinked: “We’re still young and cannot serve officially yet. Besides playing merchant games, what else can we do? Merchant games are more fun than tossing arrows. Our elder brother shouldn’t be worrying about trade; he already holds office!”

Yang Zhao frowned: “True. I heard he comes daily to check on you and the third brother. I thought he was being very friendly.”

Li Shimin rolled his eyes: “Doesn’t come daily! We and the third brother desperately need rest, but he insists on bringing his rascally friends to torment us. So annoying. We cried to grandmother once, then he stopped bothering us. Otherwise, the two of us would still be sick.”

Yang Zhao looked puzzled. “Visiting you didn’t go well?”

Li Shimin said, “Even the Crown Prince must get sick sometimes, right? When you’re sick, you just want to sleep and not talk, right? Now imagine if someone pulled you into a conversation every single day… hmm…”

Li Shimin shrugged, spread his hands, shook his head, and sighed.

Yang Zhao thought about it carefully, and indeed, it made sense.

Especially when you catch a cold and cough until your throat is hoarse—who would have the patience to talk?

“You’ve worked hard,” Yang Zhao said sympathetically.

Li Shimin said, “Actually, my elder brother meant well. But he hasn’t even reached adulthood yet; as Grandmother says, he’s still a child. He doesn’t know how to properly take care of children. So my younger brother and I are still very grateful that he came to visit us. Coming every day shows he cares about us. It’s just that this soap shop… my brother and I plan to develop the business before passing it on to our sisters.”

Li Shimin embarrassedly rubbed his nose and added, “And also my future mother-in-law, hehe.”

Yang Zhao was speechless. “You’re so young, and you’re already trying to please your future mother-in-law?”

Li Shimin puffed out his chest. “Being good to my future mother-in-law isn’t ‘pleasing her’!”

“Alright, alright, your twisted logic does make sense,” Yang Zhao said. “I’ll go petition Mother now. Do you want to come with me?”

Li Shimin immediately tried to hug the Crown Prince’s impossibly large waist. “I want to go! I haven’t seen my uncle in so long! I’m even better at archery now—I want to show off to him!”

Yang Zhao muttered, “You really aren’t afraid of Father at all… fine, let’s go together. But don’t cling to me—walk on your own!”

Yang Zhao took Li Shimin to pay respects to the emperor. Yang Guang happened to be complaining about court affairs to Empress Xiao.

Li Shimin didn’t complain to Yang Guang; instead, he boasted about his improved archery skills.

Yang Guang laughed and asked Li Shimin to demonstrate his archery, then mischievously had him shoot arrows from a horse.

Li Shimin hadn’t learned mounted archery yet, and all his arrows missed the target completely, which made Yang Guang laugh heartily.

Li Shimin puffed his cheeks. “Uncle, I’ll report to you again once I’ve mastered mounted archery!”

Yang Guang laughed. “Alright.”

Yang Guang was very pleased teasing his juniors and generously handed out rewards, planning also to reward Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng.

Yang Zhao hesitated. Just as Yang Guang was about to reward Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng, he stood up. “The Duke of Tang has taught his household well and deserves a reward. But Li Dalang has already received rewards due to Erlang and Sanlang. If he receives rewards again because of Erlang and Sanlang, it might cause gossip in court.”

Yang Guang thought for a moment. “Very well, then I won’t give it.”

He was puzzled—why would the Crown Prince block such a small reward?

Because the situation was unusual, Yang Guang promptly accepted the Crown Prince’s advice.

Yang Guang sent Li Shimin home, using the excuse that he hadn’t spent much time bonding with the Crown Prince lately, then left the Empress’s palace and went to the Eastern Palace with Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao’s legs trembled from exhaustion, but he dared not show it, forcing himself to endure.

“I’ve heard Li Jiancheng often says he is friendly and dutiful with Daxiong and Dade, but judging from your behavior today, that doesn’t seem the case,” Yang Guang asked, hands behind his back. “Does he bully Daxiong and Dade just because he’s the eldest legitimate son?”

Yang Zhao took a deep breath while sighing. “From his perspective, it’s not really bullying. In noble families, the eldest son inherits the title and naturally gets the best things first. Daxiong and Dade are still young; how can they compete with the eldest brother?”

Yang Guang snorted. “It’s still about how he compares himself to Daxiong and Dade. He’s this old, and I haven’t seen him achieve anything remarkable in literature or martial skills.”

Yang Zhao knew his father would be angry.

Li Erlang and Li Sanlang were very similar to their father in their youth, both overshadowed by a mediocre elder brother. They finally succeeded in securing their inheritance, yet outsiders spread ridiculous rumors just because their father was not the eldest.

Their father now acted rashly, eager to achieve great feats, wanting to prove quickly that he was fit to be emperor.

Although Yang Zhao was the eldest legitimate son, hearing the subtle frustration hidden in Li Shimin’s words made him somewhat angry as well.

Besides feeling sympathy for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, the soap workshop was a reward directly from his father, personally handled. Could the Tang Duke’s household just take it? This was disrespectful to both him and his father.

Yang Zhao didn’t like to complain, knowing his father was petty—complaining could easily lead to harsher punishment.

Yet if the Tang Duke’s household seized Erlang and Sanlang’s soap workshop, the matter would inevitably reach his father’s ears, likely causing even greater anger and possibly implicating the Duke’s household.

Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, was a virtuous minister and shouldn’t be entangled in domestic matters. So after careful thought, Yang Zhao decided to speak to his father himself.

“Actually, this matter has little to do with the Duke of Tang and his wife. It’s just that Great-Aunt favors her eldest grandson. Seeing Daxiong and Dade develop a soap formula and earn Father’s favor, she…” Yang Zhao sighed, “…the elder’s favoritism is sometimes unreasonable.”

Yang Guang rolled his eyes at his son. “Are you saying your grandparents’ favoritism is unreasonable, or that I, your father, favor Dalang unreasonably?”

Yang Zhao immediately protested, “Father, I didn’t mean that. Don’t overthink it.”

Yang Guang called over the palace attendants to bring a carriage and pointed to the side. “Can’t walk anymore? Rest here. You think I can’t tell when you’re overexerting yourself?”

Yang Zhao awkwardly said, “I’m on a diet, really.”

Yang Guang gave his plump son a sideways glare, clearly unconvinced.

Yang Zhao quickly changed the topic. “I observed that Great-Aunt sees Daxiong and Dade get rewarded, while Li Jiancheng also gets rewarded, so she treats Daxiong and Dade as tools to earn Li Jiancheng praise. Li Jiancheng was an only child for nine years before Daxiong and Dade were born, so he’s probably not used to being a big brother yet. Daxiong and Dade have indeed suffered some unfairness. But with the Duke of Tang and his wife protecting them, they’re still safe.”

Yang Guang sneered. “Li Yuan is famously filial—he wouldn’t dare go against his mother.”

After sending his plump son onto the carriage, Yang Guang returned to the palace and issued an edict reprimanding Li Yuan, instructing him to return home for reflection. Once he had reflected enough, he could resume his official duties, and the positions held by Li Jiancheng’s subordinates were revoked.

The edict roughly stated: “The things I have bestowed upon your son—you dare to distribute them as you wish? Do you not even regard Me?”

When Li Yuan received the edict, he showed rare firmness. He didn’t quarrel with his mother, but he severely scolded Li Jiancheng.

“You don’t understand because your grandmother is old and muddle-headed, and yet you also don’t understand? You are the future Duke of Tang! You already hold a fifth-rank official post! A little gold and silver is enough to blind you? And you even announced it to the world?!”

Li Yuan’s chest ached with anger.

He had risen early that morning when Chai Shao came to pay a visit, subtly pointing out that the capital for the soap business came from Li Zhao’s dowry. How could the Duke of Tang’s household simply chase Li Zhao away, claiming she was an “outsider’s daughter”? Li Zhao dared not go against her elders, but he could not bear to watch it happen.

Just after sending Chai Shao off, Lady Gao from the Changsun household personally came to apologize. She claimed she didn’t know the business belonged to the Duke of Tang’s household and thought Li Erlang and Li Sanlang were just playing around. So she had also invested on behalf of Changsun Wuji and now asked how she could withdraw.

Lady Dou was receiving Lady Gao, and Li Yuan, listening from behind the screen, felt his face burn with embarrassment.

Soon, the eldest and second sons-in-law also came to visit, saying their wives had decided to withdraw from the soap business and requested that their father-in-law not be angry.

Li Yuan: “???” Angry at the eldest and second daughters-in-law? What for?!

The two sons-in-law politely explained: The news that the soap business was both profitable and earned the emperor’s favor, and that it was to supplement Li Jiancheng, had spread throughout the capital. Along with this, it was also widely known that Li Jiancheng had reprimanded the “outsider daughters” for meddling in the Duke of Tang’s affairs. The young second and third sons didn’t understand, and the daughters-in-law didn’t understand either, all due to greed, right?

Li Yuan: “……” I can’t take it anymore; I feel faint! Li Jiancheng, what nonsense are you spreading outside?!

Rumors spread rapidly in the capital. The three sons-in-law and future in-laws all came to visit, and clearly, the eunuchs and nobles in the capital probably already knew.

Li Yuan picked up a riding whip and lashed at Li Jiancheng: “You didn’t stop your grandmother, fine, but you went and told others? After drinking a little horse urine, you can’t control your mouth?!”

Li Jiancheng was originally full of regret. As usual, while drinking with friends, when the topic of when the soap would be sold came up, he boasted that the business was his and casually said a few extra words.

Now, after being whipped, his regret turned into grievance: “It wasn’t me who said it! It was grandmother who said the outsider daughters shouldn’t meddle in the Duke of Tang’s business! How can this be blamed on me!”

Li Yuan trembled with anger: “You’re talking back? I’ll whip you to death!”

The elderly Lady Dugu arrived, leaning on her cane, pounding her chest and crying: “It was me who said it! Why are you hitting Da Lang? If you have the guts, hit me!”

Li Jiancheng quickly hid behind his grandmother.

Li Yuan sighed helplessly: “Mother! Originally this was just a small matter, but he got drunk and said nonsense, and now it has turned into a big deal. You know how fierce court struggles are. I am favored by His Majesty, and there are many with bloodshot eyes watching me…”

Before Li Yuan could finish, Yang Guang sent someone with an edict for dismissal and self-reflection.

Li Yuan exhaled, sent off the official, and waved the edict: “See? I told you His Majesty would be angry.”

Li Jiancheng was terrified. In desperation, he shoved Old Lady Dugu: “It’s not my fault! It was grandmother who insisted on giving me the shop! I even refused! I won’t do merchant things! It’s clearly grandmother’s fault!”

Old Lady Dugu staggered and was steadied by Granny Zhang.

She could hardly believe the grandson, full of panic, continuously insisting he was not at fault.

Li Yuan glared at Li Jiancheng, gripping the edict so tightly he almost crumpled it, his face set in silence.

Old Lady Dugu, already old, seemed even older now.

After Li Yuan was summoned to court and returned home to reunite with Old Lady Dugu, her spirit had improved, and she could walk with a cane.

Now, she felt as if her vitality had been drained from her body.

Old Lady Dugu smiled wryly: “Yes, it’s my fault. Yuan’er, it’s my fault. I have burdened you and Da Lang. I must go to the palace myself to apologize. I was foolish.”

…

“Although grandmother knew I built the soap workshop on the land granted by the emperor and knew the Crown Prince had helped, she didn’t understand the emperor as well as I do. She merely thought that, according to normal reasoning, what was given to children was naturally for their parents to use, so the Duke of Tang’s household could take as they pleased.”

“Using elder sister’s dowry as capital was something I deliberately concealed; even mother did not know.”

Li Xuanba lowered his eyes.

He had not spoken to his second brother, nor to anyone else; he merely talked to himself when no one was around.

He could not tell his second brother, for his second brother still had affection for their grandmother and was especially close to their mother.

And this lonely soul from the future could not even fully trust his own mother.

The one he could trust was probably only the Li Shimin of the history books, whose deeds were settled in the annals.

The elder brother, with a good temper, who, even when angry that Wei Zheng recommended a traitor, pushed the monument of merit, only to quietly restore it after calming down.

He could not say… “Grandmother probably won’t make it to next spring.”

Li Xuanba sighed, covering his mouth to cough a few more times, wrapping himself tightly in his little blanket.

He needed to recover quickly, or he might ruin his health before watching over his grandmother’s mourning.

“Ahhh! A-Xuan! Father and Brother were both dismissed by His Majesty for reflection! How could it be this serious!”

Li Shimin kicked the door open.

Li Xuanba coughed angrily: “Don’t you have hands?! Can’t you open the door? Why do you keep kicking the door cough cough cough…”

“Oh.”

Li Shimin went out and closed the door.

Then, he kicked the door open and shouted: “Ahhh! A-Xuan! Father and Brother were both dismissed by His Majesty for reflection! How could it be this serious!”

Li Xuanba: “???”

He was utterly speechless. My future Emperor Taizong of Tang, Second Brother, is… just a goof.

Sigh. No choice—I’ll just have to worry more myself.

“Actually, it’s not that serious,” Li Xuanba said slowly. “After reflecting for a few days, he’ll be restored to his post.”

“Oh, then it’s fine.” Li Shimin flopped onto the bed, rolling around with delight. “Hahaha! Big brother got beaten! Since I was born, this is the first time I’ve seen him get beaten! Hahaha, so satisfying!”

“You probably don’t remember everything since birth,” Li Xuanba teased casually. “Cough… cough… cough… don’t pull my blanket!”

“Oh.” Li Shimin tucked his brother’s blanket in properly, then kept rolling around. “Hahahaha, so satisfying.”

Li Xuanba’s lips curved slightly.

Yes, truly satisfying.