LFHYB -Chapter 35 Mother’s Dowry Fire Beads

Li Jiancheng, the legitimate eldest son, could not have his reputation ruined.

In the end, Old Lady Dugu, leaning on her cane, went from house to house at her granddaughter’s in-laws’ homes to apologize. She said it was all a misunderstanding: she hadn’t known her granddaughter used her dowry as capital and had mistakenly thought she was simply helping Li Shimin and Li Xuanba for free. This had nothing to do with Li Jiancheng; it was all her old confusion. Li Jiancheng had merely repeated her words to his friends while drunk.

Li Yuan also wanted to take Li Shimin and Li Xuanba to apologize, believing this matter had been caused first by them.

Li Xuanba, bedridden, asked Li Yuan expressionlessly, “Since the season changed, I’ve been sick and not recovered. Father, do you really want to take a sick me to apologize from house to house? Doing so, I fear, won’t save big brother’s reputation.”

This time Li Shimin also didn’t give their father any face. “Father, you’re just taking out your anger on Xuan and me, right? Where did we go wrong? It’s just a small shop; the sisters used their dowry to let us play. What’s wrong with that? The soap became so popular—how is that our fault? Are we too talented?”

Li Yuan angrily swept his sleeves and left.

Li Shimin stuck out his tongue. “I thought Father would hit me.”

Li Xuanba said, “If you’re afraid of being beaten, why intentionally provoke Father? I dare to provoke him only because I’m sick.”

Li Shimin jumped onto the edge of the bed, propping his hands on the frame, his short legs swinging. “Because I’m really angry. Clearly, it’s big brother’s fault, so why should we go apologize? Even just saying he was drunk and spoke nonsense, or simply denying it. Only a few friends heard. If he changed his words slightly, would those friends dare to contradict him?”

Li Xuanba said, “That’s how noble families work: status depends on birth and seniority. Resource allocation is fixed; their futures are determined from birth. Even a mediocre eldest son of the Duke of Tang’s household cannot be replaced. If one lacks talent, they must rely on others to support them. To remove big brother from this matter, others must take responsibility.”

Li Shimin’s mouth drooped. “I was upset about grandmother’s favoritism, but now that grandmother takes on the responsibility my brother should bear, I feel sorry for her.”

Li Xuanba said, “The eldest grandson she raised, she must bear the consequences herself. You sympathize with her, and she thinks you’re blocking her eldest grandson’s path. Do you really think Father came up with the idea to drag us both to apologize? At present, Father treats all his sons equally.”

Li Shimin squinted, thought for a moment, then slapped both legs in anger. “Exactly! You’re still sick! If Father takes sick you to apologize, wouldn’t that make him seem unkind? Then Father would also bear responsibility for big brother!”

Li Xuanba glanced at the shadows by the window. “Exactly. I just don’t understand this: Father is the Duke of Tang, and his career and reputation are the most important. But now it seems as if big brother is the Duke of Tang.”

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! Clearly Father is the Duke of Tang… sigh, let’s just call him Father. I was so angry, I didn’t want to call him that again. But thinking this way… Father is so pitiful. With a grandson, even his own son becomes like a weed.”

Li Shimin sighed deeply.

Li Xuanba almost couldn’t hold back his laughter.

He was certain Second Brother hadn’t noticed Li Yuan eavesdropping at the window. This was truly the heartfelt words of Second Brother.

Weed or not, Second Brother, your art of speaking is incredible.

Li Yuan was so angered by his two sons that he couldn’t eat.

Lady Dou ignored him and quietly ate her meal.

When Lady Dou was almost done, Li Yuan reluctantly asked, “Don’t you want to ask why I’m angry?”

Lady Dou scowled. “Why don’t you ask why I’m angry?”

Li Yuan: “……”

Li Yuan sighed helplessly. “Of course I wouldn’t take the sick child to apologize. I was just putting on a show to appease Mother. She made such a sacrifice; I had to comfort her a little.”

Lady Dou said, “You could take Dalang to apologize.”

Li Yuan said, “I would, but Mother absolutely forbids it. The future Duke of Tang cannot have a blemish.”

Lady Dou said, “Being stubborn to the end, making grandmother and the younger brother bear the responsibility for him—isn’t that an even bigger blemish? Besides, if the future Duke of Tang can’t have a blemish, why can the current Duke of Tang?”

Li Yuan sighed. “That’s why I’m angry. Do you know the nonsense that brat Daxiong said? He said that ever since grandmother had a grandson, son has become a weed!”

Lady Dou almost couldn’t keep a serious expression.

She pinched her palm with her fingernail to stop herself from laughing. “Everyone does indeed spoil Dalang too much. She was actually very strict with Jiancheng.”

Li Yuan said, “Perhaps it’s because Mother is older, or perhaps because the Tang Duke’s household situation has improved. It’s common in society for a mother to be strict with her sons but indulgent with her grandsons.”

Lady Dou thought of the courtyards of other prominent families in the capital and sighed. “Indeed. Maybe you and I will also become muddled when we grow old. With the son-in-law’s family, it’s fine. By personally going to apologize and giving them full face, they won’t say anything. Other nobles needn’t be bothered; as long as Jiancheng restores his post and regains the Emperor’s favor, they will naturally stay quiet.”

Li Yuan said, “Right now, the only thing we need to focus on is regaining His Majesty’s favor.”

Lady Dou said, “His Majesty likes hunting falcons and fine horses. The last time you presented falcons and fine horses, he was very pleased. This time, it would be best to treat it as a small family matter. You should give His Majesty more falcons and fine horses. In my dowry, there is a fire pearl…”

A complex expression flickered across Lady Dou’s eyes. “Back when Empress Wenxian gave me the dowry my maternal uncle had saved for me, she joked that she almost didn’t want to part with this fire pearl. His Majesty was present at the time as well.”

Li Yuan looked puzzled. “Your dowry contains such a treasure? But if Empress Wenxian said that, why didn’t you take the opportunity to give the fire pearl to her and win her favor?”

Lady Dou: “…”

A perfect smile spread across her face. “Since Empress Wenxian joked with me like that, it was to show her magnanimity. If I had offered the treasure, it would have made her virtue appear lacking. Besides, a rare treasure like this—I simply cannot part with it.”

Li Yuan nodded. “True, your aunt is of high moral character. Even if you offered it, she wouldn’t take it. Sigh… I really don’t want to bribe His Majesty. But for the sake of an incapable son, as a father I have no choice but to temporarily set aside my pride. Children are truly like debts.”

Lady Dou comforted him, “After this lesson, our eldest son will surely grow and improve.”

Li Yuan said, “I’ll personally instruct him from now on! That way Mother won’t have a word to say! You find the fire pearl and give it to me. Changsun Sheng has also returned to the capital with His Majesty. He is most familiar with the Turks. I’ll ask him if there’s a way to quickly acquire good horses from them.”

Seeing Li Yuan about to stand, Lady Dou hurriedly blocked him. “You should eat first before going. You can’t just go to General Changsun’s house to scrounge a meal.”

Li Yuan gave a wry smile. “True.”

He began to eat in earnest, grumbling as he went, ignoring the custom of not speaking while eating: “As Erlang and Sanlang said, it’s as if our eldest son is the real Duke of Tang. Even I, the old Duke of Tang, have to play second fiddle to him. Sigh… children are debts.”

Lady Dou listened quietly to Li Yuan’s complaints. Once he finished and left, she got up and went to the storage room holding her dowry to retrieve the fire pearl.

Hearing that their father had left, Li Shimin dragged the nearly recovered Li Xuanba out of bed to play with their mother.

“Ah? Mother’s dowry? I want to see too!” Li Shimin bounced around. Li Xuanba, dragged along, stumbled awkwardly.

Lady Dou protected the box in her arms, laughing and scolding, “Be careful not to break the fire pearl! If you did, you wouldn’t even be able to pay for it if sold!”

Li Shimin stood on tiptoe, peering into Lady Dou’s arms. “What fire pearl? What fire pearl? Let me see! A-Xuan, do you know what a fire pearl is?”

Li Xuanba finally shook off his older brother’s hand, as if he had finally freed himself from the rope of a sledding mischief.

He slowly stretched the arm that had gone numb from being pulled and said leisurely, “I know. A fire pearl is a crystal ball. It’s the same kind of mineral as the crystal cups you played with before. But making a crystal ball requires large, natural crystal blocks, which are very rare. Even among tributes from the Western Regions, fire pearls are considered uncommon.”

Lady Dou was surprised. This was the first time she realized that a fire pearl is the same type of mineral as crystal.

Li Shimin frowned. “Crystal is called crystal because it looks like ice. So why is a crystal ball called a fire pearl?”

Li Xuanba explained, “First, most precious crystal balls are rutilated—transparent crystal balls with metallic hair-like inclusions that glitter brilliantly in sunlight, like flames burning inside the crystal. Second, because of the lens effect, a crystal ball can focus sunlight into a small point and ignite flammable materials like paper or dry grass. This is described in detail in the Mozi.”

Li Shimin pinched his chin and tilted his head. “I haven’t read Mozi yet. Sounds interesting. A-Xuan, lend me the Mozi notes you wrote in your study journal.”

Li Xuanba said, “Sure, but you might not understand it.”

Li Shimin placed his hands on his hips. “Hmph! Don’t underestimate me!”

A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of Li Xuanba’s lips.

Although he had only partially completed high school, the physics knowledge he possessed was beyond what a little Tang Taizong could grasp. Hmph.

Li Shimin grabbed Lady Dou’s sleeve and exclaimed, “Mother! Look! A-Xuan is mocking me! This brother is too bad—he dares to mock his older brother. Mother, punish him with copying books!”

Lady Dou laughed and changed the topic. “Do you want to see what a real fire pearl looks like?”

Li Shimin grinned. “Yes, I do!”

Lady Dou took the fire pearl and walked into the courtyard.

The early winter sun was still warm and bright.

She carefully removed the fire pearl from the box, unwrapped the soft silk cloth around it, and held it in both hands, facing the dazzling sunlight.

Li Xuanba’s eyes flickered.

Even though he had seen many modern crafts and artificial crystals of perfect purity, the beauty of this natural crystal ball still stunned him.

It was a golden titanium crystal ball. The base was a pale tea-colored crystal of exceptional clarity, and inside were golden, blade-like titanium threads resembling golden grass.

As Lady Dou held the crystal ball, the titanium threads reflected a dazzling golden light, giving even the tea-colored crystal base a faint golden glow, as if she held a small golden sun in her hands.

Seeing this, Li Xuanba could easily understand why ancient people called crystal balls “fire pearls.”

Li Shimin’s eyes widened, the golden light of the titanium threads reflecting in his pupils as if he were dazzled by the ball’s brilliance.

When Lady Dou wrapped the crystal ball back in silk, Li Shimin’s expression clearly fell.

“It’s so beautiful,” Li Shimin said. “Mother, why don’t you display it… ah? Mother, why are you crying?”

The brilliant light of the titanium crystal ball immediately faded from Li Shimin’s eyes. He anxiously stood on tiptoe to wipe his mother’s tears.

Li Xuanba took a step forward, then half a step back, quietly watching his older brother care for their mother.

Lady Dou, smiling through her tears, said, “It’s nothing. I just remembered some past events.”

Li Shimin pouted. “Let’s forget all the unhappy past! Hoo… hoo… I’ll blow away all the unhappy things that Mother went through!”

Lady Dou shook her head. “It’s not about unhappiness.”

She fiddled with the crystal orb in her hands and said, “This fire pearl was one of Mother’s uncle’s treasured possessions. When I was young, I often watched him play with it. I never expected that he would place it among the dowry saved for me.”

Lady Dou didn’t dare take the fire pearl out. The moment she did, its dazzling brilliance seemed to reflect the scene of her younger self, propping her face on her hands on the couch, watching her uncle roll the pearl back and forth. That’s why Li Yuan had never seen this treasure in her dowry.

Empress Wenxian truly cared for the little girl Dou. Knowing that her dowry contained too many rare treasures, she had omitted some from the public list and personally handed the complete dowry list only to Dou.

Rationally, Lady Dou knew she should be grateful for this protection, but it was hard to feel genuine gratitude.

And now, she had to use this treasure, once played with by her uncle, to secure the safety of her family.

Li Yuan only thought the emperor was angry for a moment, but Lady Dou keenly sensed the emperor’s suspicion, paranoia, and ruthless nature.

Lady Dou knew the emperor hadn’t yet reached a level of distrust toward the Duke of Tang’s household, but small things could accumulate into a mortal danger. Therefore, she needed to completely resolve this matter.

Empress Wenxian greatly favored the current emperor, Yang Guang, so when reviewing Lady Dou’s dowry, she always kept Yang Guang nearby.

Yang Guang had excellent taste and a proud temperament. Though he loved treasures, he wouldn’t covet the dowry of a girl destined to be orphaned. Only when the fire pearl appeared did his face show astonishment and a trace of sorrow.

Lady Dou believed that the emperor must still remember this fire pearl.

She wiped away her tears and suppressed the memories in her heart.

She smiled. “I’m fine now. Do you still want to see it? I’ll have someone bring a stand—today, we’ll see it to our heart’s content.”

Li Shimin brightened immediately. “Alright!”

Then he scratched his head. “But if seeing it makes Mother sad, then we won’t. I won’t look, I won’t, there’s nothing much to see, right, A-Xuan?”

Li Xuanba nodded. “Right.”

Lady Dou smiled. “I’m not sad anymore. Erlang, go bring Siliang and Wuliang—we’ll all look at the fire pearl together.”

Li Shimin nodded.

After Li Shimin left, Lady Dou sent a maid to fetch Li Jiancheng as well.

Holding the box in one hand and Li Xuanba’s hand in the other, Lady Dou walked toward the pavilion in the courtyard.

Once seated, she placed the box on the stone table and looked at the silent Li Xuanba. “Dade, do you dislike your grandmother or your father?”

Li Xuanba lifted his eyelids slightly and cupped his hands. “No, Mother. I am not unfilial.”

Lady Dou sighed. “Your grandmother and father also care for you.”

Li Xuanba said, “I know. I’ve always treated my grandmother and father well. Mother, why would you say that?”

Lady Dou pressed her lips together and shook her head. “Forget it, I won’t say more. Just think of it as Mother rambling.”

She beckoned Li Xuanba over.

Li Xuanba said, “But my cough hasn’t healed yet…”

Lady Dou said, “Come here.”

Li Xuanba had no choice but to move to his mother’s side, where she began to knead his face.

He looked utterly helpless. There’s hardly any flesh on my face; she should be kneading Second Brother instead.

After Lady Dou massaged Li Xuanba’s face until it turned red, she let out a long sigh of relief.

She flicked Li Xuanba’s forehead with her finger.

Li Xuanba covered his forehead. “Ouch!”

Finally, Lady Dou laughed. “You may be thoughtful, but you’re also lazy. If no one schemes against you, you wouldn’t bother scheming either. But you’re still young—don’t overthink things. Your body is weak as it is, and overthinking will only make it worse. You’re already half a head shorter than Second Brother. Be careful—if you walk beside him, people might think you’re his son.”

Li Xuanba widened his eyes in disbelief, for the first time showing such an expression in front of his mother. “Impossible!”

Lady Dou couldn’t help laughing and flicked his forehead again.

Li Xuanba covered his forehead, his indifferent expression finally cracking.

Lady Dou continued flicking.

Li Xuanba turned, presenting the back of his head to his mother.

Lady Dou flicked the bald back of his head.

Li Xuanba gritted his teeth, jerked his head, and hid under the table.

As soon as he crouched, his face flushed—he realized how foolish he looked.

Lady Dou laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.

Li Xuanba climbed out from under the table, distancing himself from his playful mother.

Lady Dou beckoned, “Come here.”

Li Xuanba moved slowly, sulking, only inching closer when she called again.

As expected, she started kneading his face again.

Li Xuanba looked completely exasperated, silently shouting for help.

Li Shimin had just stepped within earshot and was immediately overwhelmed by Li Xuanba’s frantic cries of “Help!”

Covering his ears didn’t help at all.

Fortunately, the arrival of his younger brothers rescued Li Xuanba, who had been turned into a toy by his mother.

He immediately hid behind Li Shimin, who spread his arms like a mother hen to protect his siblings.

Li Shimin sighed deeply. “Mother, don’t bully A-Xuan. His illness isn’t healed yet. When he’s well, I’ll hand him over to you, and you can play with him as much as you like.”

Li Xuanba angrily lifted his leg and kicked his elder brother in the rear.

Li Shimin clutched his backside and staggered. “Ouch!”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Li Yuangji clapped and laughed, showing his teeth.

Li Zhiyun was startled by Li Yuangji’s laughter, hesitating whether to laugh along. But he just couldn’t.

Soon, Li Jiancheng arrived, scowling.

In a muffled voice, he cupped his hands and said, “Mother, I’m reading and don’t have time to play with my younger brothers.”

Without a word, Lady Dou opened the box and placed the crystal orb on the stand.

A dazzling golden light instantly captured everyone’s attention. Even Li Xuanba and Li Shimin, who had seen it once before, couldn’t help but be drawn to the beautiful crystal orb again.

“This is… this is the legendary Fire Pearl?” Li Jiancheng murmured, unconsciously stepping forward, wanting to touch the beautiful “Fire Pearl.”

Lady Dou handed the Fire Pearl to Li Jiancheng.

Li Jiancheng carefully held and examined the Fire Pearl for a while.

The pearl felt warm and smooth in his hand. Worried that it might accidentally slip and fall, he quickly placed it back on the stand.

Lady Dou said, “Everyone, go ahead and touch it.”

Even the mischievous Li Yuanji approached the pearl cautiously, his movements careful and restrained.

Children were actually very smart—they knew what might get them in trouble if broken. When their parents were watching, they usually behaved well.

Li Xuanba also reached out to touch it.

“It’s just a crystal, nothing special,” Li Xuanba thought. He planned that once he earned enough money, he would buy a large raw crystal and carve big crystal beads himself for fun.

When the sun’s angle shifted and sunlight no longer shone into the pavilion, Lady Dou collected the Fire Pearl.

“I’ll show it to the ladies of the residence tomorrow,” Lady Dou sighed. “In a few days, this Fire Pearl will no longer belong to the Duke of Tang’s household.”

Everyone looked puzzled. Only Li Xuanba furrowed his brow, sensing something.

Lady Dou looked directly at Li Jiancheng. “Eldest son, I originally intended to pass this Fire Pearl to your wife.”

Li Jiancheng clenched his fists, his voice low and deep. “Then, Mother… who do you intend to give it to now?!”

Lady Dou calmly replied, “I will offer the Fire Pearl to His Majesty, asking him to restore your official rank.”

Li Jiancheng’s eyes widened.

Lady Dou continued, “When you were just beginning to understand the world, your grandmother told you that everything in the Duke of Tang’s household was yours, that it all belonged to you. That made you arrogant—you thought you were the center of the world and that everything should bend to your will. But Jiancheng, even your father, the current Duke of Tang, cannot claim to act entirely on his own will.”

Li Jiancheng lowered his head, clenching his fists even tighter.

Lady Dou continued, “Indeed, whether you turn out capable or not, the Duke of Tang’s household is yours. Your father became Duke at just seven years old. Do you know how hard life was for your grandmother protecting him back then?”

Li Jiancheng said, “I know…”

Lady Dou scolded sharply, “No! You do not know! If you did, you wouldn’t speak nonsense while drunk! How many years did your father wait before he could enter official service? Among those who flattered you when the household was thriving, how many genuinely wished the Duke of Tang’s household well? How many were just waiting for mistakes?”

“Yes, in any case, the Duke of Tang’s household will be yours in the future. But if you are incompetent, what will remain of it? An empty title? Even a title can be stripped away by the emperor if he is displeased!”

“Your grandfather fought countless battles to preserve the Duke of Tang’s title. Your father will surely risk his life on the battlefield as well, to ensure that when the title passes to you, it is still the ‘Duke of Tang.’”

“Your younger brothers can afford to be careless, even frivolous, but not you! If you cannot shoulder the responsibility of the Duke of Tang, then the world will no longer have a Duke of Tang! Understand?!”

Li Jiancheng knelt, shedding sincere tears for the first time. “It is my fault. I know my mistake. I was not careful enough.”

Lady Dou’s tone softened. “I know you feel wronged. This incident is not your fault, so why blame yourself? But you are the Duke of Tang. Your elders and those around you are only giving advice. The one who makes the decision is you. Only you can decide for the Duke of Tang’s household in the future. So now, you must learn to take responsibility.”

She helped Li Jiancheng to his feet and said earnestly, “Stand up. Take another good look at the Fire Pearl, and remember it in your heart. Remember, it should have been yours, but now it is not.”

Li Jiancheng, still crying, said, “Yes, I will remember.”

Hearing this, the Old Lady Dugu, worried that Lady Dou had been too harsh on Li Jiancheng, despite her own frailty, shakily approached to offer counsel.

Seeing that Lady Dou was merely playing with the children, Old Lady Dugu was about to leave but witnessed this scene.

She sighed deeply, recalling past hardships.

Old Lady Dugu shook her head and quietly left.

Back in her room, Old Lady Dugu held Granny Zhang’s hand, her tears muddy. “Did I really do wrong? Did I really spoil Eldest too much?”

Granny Zhang comforted her: “He is still very young, just a child. It is normal for him to be immature now. Once he marries and has children, he will naturally mature.”

Old Lady Dugu wiped her tears. “Yes… I hope Concubine Zheng quickly bears a child for Eldest Son. Once he has a child, he will surely mature.”

Granny Zhang brought warm water for Old Lady Dugu, gently tending to her tear-streaked face.

Though she spoke comfortingly, in her heart she didn’t entirely agree.

That day, when Li Jiancheng pushed the Elder Lady, Granny Zhang had almost rushed to beat him.

To her, the Elder Lady, old and ill, indeed acted with some bias.

But Li Jiancheng had no right to criticize, because he was the one the Elder Lady favored!

If she had favored the second or third grandsons, how lovely and considerate those children would have been. But Eldest Grandson had been personally raised and favored by the Elder Lady for over a decade, so much so that even the Duke of Tang seemed secondary.

Granny Zhang always felt that the Elder Lady indulged and spoiled Eldest Grandson so much because she had once been overly strict with the Duke of Tang, regretted it, and therefore poured all her maternal love into Eldest Grandson.

Alas, too much maternal love often spoils the child.

…

“Is what you’re saying really true?” Concubine Zheng’s hand trembled, her nail polish crooked.

The kneeling maid said, “It should be true. Dali has always admired me. Even when I asked him to help cut firewood for the kitchen, he obediently did it, without any trace of the Duke of Tang’s household heir. Dali actually told me this a few days ago. I didn’t believe it at first, but after some inquiry, I confirmed it.”

Concubine Zheng sighed, “You should have told me sooner.”

The maid kowtowed, “It’s my fault, mistress.”

Concubine Zheng put down the nail polish she had been applying and helped the little maid who had come with her bridal entourage to her feet.

She naturally understood why the maid hadn’t dared to tell her immediately. A kitchen servant girl, tasked with tending the fire, wouldn’t have the courage to gossip in front of her.

Now that the maid had spoken, it was likely out of concern that if Concubine Zheng later found out, she might take her anger out on her for keeping silent.

Still, the maid was articulate, and her excuse sounded reasonable—truly a waste of talent for just a fire-tending maid.

Concubine Zheng said, “From now on, you’ll learn sewing from Xiancui.”

The maid trembled, “Thank you, mistress!”

Concubine Zheng tossed her a silver coin as a reward and then sank back into the couch’s backrest.

“Good, very good! You try to line your eldest grandson’s pockets, yet almost ruin my reputation?” Concubine Zheng was so angry she almost bit through her silver tooth. “Luckily, it didn’t happen. Otherwise, if His Majesty were to punish me, he might even demote me from secondary wife to Concubine! In that case, I’d rather die!”

She touched her stomach. Why hadn’t she gotten pregnant yet? If she were, she would see if that old lady dared to meddle with her husband’s first child!

Or maybe the old lady deliberately ruined her reputation so that the legitimate wife could give birth to the first son?

The thought made Concubine Zheng increasingly fearful.

When Li Jiancheng returned, Concubine Zheng cried in front of him, saying she had just learned that the old madam intended for her to take over the household store belonging to the young master.

“Although I am humble, I am still a daughter of the Zheng family of Xingyang. Our family traditions cannot be insulted. How could I bear the stain of greed?” Concubine Zheng knelt, removing her gold hairpin and holding it to her neck, “If I dishonor the Zheng family’s reputation, I can only die to prove my resolve.”

Li Jiancheng, who was very fond of her at the time, quickly half-kneeled and held her: “What foolish words are these? Alas, this is all my fault…”

Concubine Zheng shook her head, “Though I should not speak ill of elders, I believe you have done nothing wrong. You simply trust your elders too much and do not think deeply when they suggest something. If I or anyone else had said such things in your ear, you would have refused after careful thought. But she is the grandmother who raised you; any hesitation would feel like unfilial behavior.”

Li Jiancheng, who had already been reflecting, immediately felt that Concubine Zheng’s words made perfect sense.

“Yes, I didn’t think enough and nearly caused trouble for you.” He helped her up. “Don’t worry. From now on, I will always think carefully before acting, so I won’t bring you harm.”

Concubine Zheng lowered her head: “For you, I would never regret it, even a thousand deaths. But on the matter of family tradition and upbringing, I simply cannot yield.”

Li Jiancheng stroked her temples: “You are a noble daughter of a prominent family. Becoming my concubine is already a compromise. It’s natural that you have such a temper.”

Leaning on his shoulder, Concubine Zheng wept quietly: “I grieve for myself, but also for you. You are so good, yet misunderstood. This is clearly not your fault.”

Li Jiancheng comforted her gently, recalling that brilliant spark and feeling resentment toward his grandmother.

He had never cared about mercantile affairs; he only followed his grandmother out of habit. His filial piety had become a fault.

Today, his mother had scolded him in front of all his younger brothers, which left him embarrassed and angry after realizing it.

Why must she scold him in front of so many people? Especially in front of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba!

After Concubine Zheng’s tears, she said, “Please tell the old madam, if she truly disdains me, I would rather return home or even die to protect our family honor.”

Li Jiancheng, unsettled by her crying, said: “Alright, I will tell her, and warn her not to act recklessly again. Everyone says she favors me, but what benefit has that ever brought me? It only makes me more embarrassed, and makes outsiders think I am unfriendly. I can inherit my title without her favoritism.”

Concubine Zheng said, “Exactly. As long as you do not err, the more magnanimous you are, the more others will praise you.”

After calming Zheng, Li Jiancheng stormed off to confront his grandmother.

Her foolish decision not only caused trouble for him and his father, it also drove his beloved concubine to contemplate death to protect family honor. Born of the Xianbei, she understood nothing of Central Plains customs. A noble daughter of the Zheng family of Xingyang—she was not someone to be casually bullied!

…

“Oh.” Li Xuanba, after hearing from the wet nurse what she had learned from Granny Zhang, said calmly, “Tell everyone in the courtyard to go out less these days. If they must go out, they should keep their mouths shut.”

The last straw had fallen.

The wet nurse said solemnly, “Yes, Third Young Master.”

Li Shimin spun around in the room in anger: “What’s wrong with Li Jiancheng? Grandmother already apologized for him, yet he still angered her? Does he not fear being beaten by father again?!”

Li Xuanba tore the last cluster of petals from the chrysanthemum in his hand and dropped them into the jar: “Why do you care? Father will teach him himself. Prepare yourself; tomorrow we enter the palace.”

Li Shimin froze, “Enter the palace? Why? Ah, can we just enter the palace whenever we like?”

Li Xuanba said, “The goat milk soap and goat milk lotion for the Emperor and Empress are ready to be presented.”

Li Shimin frowned: “Just for that? Why not have Father deliver it?”

Li Xuanba rolled his eyes: “Of course, we must present it before father and mother deliver their bribing gifts to the Emperor. Can you bear to see mother give the crystal ball, filled with memories, to His Majesty just for that useless Li Jiancheng?”

Li Shimin immediately became serious: “I certainly cannot, but what can we do? A-Xuan, that is the Emperor. Don’t think we can scheme against him yet!”

Li Xuanba said, “It’s not scheming—it’s pleading. We just need to bring something better than the crystal ball. Once in front of the Emperor, we just need to speak honestly and vent our real anger about Li Jiancheng.”

Li Xuanba then, as if performing magic, pulled a stack of papers from his bosom and waved at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin immediately leaned closer.

Li Xuanba unfolded the paper, and it turned out to be a very abstract map.

Li Shimin frowned: “Your map-making skills aren’t even as good as mine.”

Li Xuanba replied, “It’s just to give an idea. I never studied cartography. Look here—Haizhou, Qushan County. The crystal deposits are very abundant. Even the titanium fiber quartz in Mother’s hands comes from here. If this place is developed, the Emperor could use crystals for floor tiles and wouldn’t even care about Mother’s crystal ball.”

Li Shimin: “…Better not. Who knows how many laborers would be exhausted?”

Li Xuanba blinked, averting his gaze: “Even if I don’t tell him, wouldn’t he still use conscripted labor for other projects? I heard he’s already building the Chidao, and next year plans to tour west to the Turks.”

Li Shimin sighed: “I’ve been playing outside every day and never heard of this. Where did you hear it? Well, fine, let’s just say you ‘heard’ it. Mining crystals in Haizhou is better than going west to build the Chidao with sand. But a single crystal mine might not be enough to convince the Emperor.”

Li Xuanba said, “I also know how to make colored glass.”

He took out another book: “It’s written in an ancient text.”

Li Shimin took the book and flipped through it, twitching at the corner of his mouth: “It’s aged on purpose, isn’t it? The ink smell hasn’t even faded, and this clerical script—you think you can fool me? You clearly wrote it yourself.”