LFHYB -Chapter 37 The Old Lady Faints Again

After the “Fire Pearl Incident,” the storm at the Tang Duke’s Mansion settled down.

Li Jiancheng seemed to have truly learned his lesson. He became calmer and friendlier, even toward Li Xuanba, whom he had previously ignored.

When Li Xuanba delivered gifts as a matter of routine, Li Jiancheng no longer picked and chose; he even sent people to thank him. Occasionally, he would bring gifts to his younger brothers when going out.

Li Yuan and Old Lady Dugu were very pleased with Li Jiancheng’s growth, and Lady Dou’s worries about her eldest son lessened.

Even Li Shimin, after receiving several gifts, told Li Xuanba, “Brother isn’t bad at all! Admitting mistakes and improving—that’s what makes a good brother!”

Li Xuanba was utterly speechless.

His second brother had held a strong grudge against Li Jiancheng. Yet after less than half a month of Li Jiancheng treating him kindly and a few gifts, he was suddenly “not a bad person”?

Although their relationship with Li Jiancheng wasn’t openly hostile, and the incident had indeed been instigated by Old Lady Dugu with Li Jiancheng reluctantly complying, this “forgetting the wrongs once someone is nice” attitude seemed too naive. You’re a child, right? Getting pampered makes you forget your anger?

Oh—this future Emperor Taizong was, after all, still a child, almost eight years old.

Li Xuanba quietly made a note of this.

When he later wrote the Annals of Emperor Taizong, he would begin with his brother climbing trees, rolling on the ground, getting scolded and beaten, and ending with “my brother isn’t bad at all.”

Or perhaps he could write a memoir titled My Brother Li Shimin.

However, with Li Jiancheng showing goodwill, Li Xuanba felt relieved.

They didn’t need to struggle against each other yet. Living in harmony was much better. The time for showing their abilities would come after the Tang dynasty was established. Messing around for years beforehand would only ruin their mood.

Li Xuanba even learned from the naïve Li Shimin, saying “Brother is good” while sending gifts more frequently.

Besides small, inexpensive gifts, Li Xuanba no longer “bothered” Li Jiancheng. He firmly kept Li Shimin, who wanted to play with Li Jiancheng, in check, making him study diligently and not disturb his elder brother.

“Your brother has already taken concubines and is working hard to have your little nephews and nieces. How embarrassing would it be if you barged in?” Li Xuanba said sternly. “You should think of your brother and be a sensible younger brother.”

Li Shimin pouted. “I always feel like you don’t really think that way. Sigh, you must still dislike brother. Fine, I won’t go then.”

Li Xuanba wanted to smack his second brother. Weren’t you the one who hated brother the most before? Now you’re pretending to say a few good words so I don’t offend him and get scolded by Lady Dugu?

“Hahaha, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Smile!” Li Shimin said cheerfully. “If you won’t go because you dislike him, then I won’t like him either. Let’s go find Xiao Wu to play?”

Li Xuanba continued to hold his second brother like a runaway sled dog. “Do you really have to leave your homework to go play?! Finish your homework first!”

Li Shimin grabbed Li Xuanba and ran together. “There’s still a whole day left! Homework should be done on the last day! Doing it early is disrespecting the homework!”

Li Xuanba: “…” What kind of twisted logic is this?!

“Hmm? Homework should only be done on the last day?”

Li Shimin slammed on the brakes and bumped straight into Lady Dou, who had come to check whether they had been doing their homework properly.

Li Xuanba didn’t brake in time and crashed into the back of Li Shimin’s head.

The two children let out an “Ouch!” at the same time, clutching their heads and squatting on the ground.

Lady Dou, trying to keep a stern face, nearly broke into laughter but managed to restrain herself. She picked up her mischievous second son and headed back to finish homework.

Rubbing his forehead, Li Xuanba followed behind, muttering complaints in his heart about his constantly making-faces older brother.

Li Shimin used his index finger to pull down the corner of his eye, then stretched his mouth wide with his thumb, sticking out his tongue and rolling his eyes chaotically while making “Ah-reh ah-reh” noises at his younger brother.

Lady Dou lowered her head. Li Shimin immediately dropped his hands, retracted his tongue, and pretended to be obedient.

Lady Dou kept walking. Li Shimin resumed making faces, “Ah-reh ah-reh.”

Li Xuanba could bear it no longer. He ran up and punched his brother on the head.

Li Shimin immediately cried out, “Mother! My brother hit me!”

Lady Dou took a deep breath, set Li Shimin down, and gave him a firm slap on the bottom: “Don’t bully your brother!”

Li Shimin stomped his feet: “He hit me! How am I the one bullying him?!”

Li Xuanba sneered: “Serves you right.”

Li Shimin rolled his eyes, grabbed a handful of Li Xuanba’s hair, and ran off.

Li Xuanba covered his messy hair and looked up at his mother, who was taking a deep breath: “Mother, isn’t my brother running into the house asking for trouble?”

Originally annoyed by her mischievous second son, Lady Dou let out a small laugh, her anger dissipating, leaving her feeling both exasperated and amused.

“Let’s go catch him. Today he must be punished with an extra page of big characters.” Lady Dou took Li Xuanba’s hand and headed into the house to catch the “asking-for-trouble” mischievous son.

Li Xuanba, rare in showing a childish temper, walked proudly with his mother’s support.

Though he didn’t understand why his elder brother liked to ask for trouble, a good younger brother should let him be!

Li Xuanba’s daily life returned to normal, with one difference: the soap and book shops officially opened.

Using his elder brother’s recent mischief as an excuse, Li Xuanba asked the teachers to give extra martial arts lessons to his brother to help expend his excess energy—and to keep him from interfering.

As for martial arts, Li Xuanba himself gave it up. He only learned horseback riding, enough to be able to run.

Gao Seng and Yuwen Bi, in theory, would not approve of their disciples engaging in business. Li Xuanba had already prepared arguments to persuade them—but he never needed to use them. Both teachers approved without hesitation. As long as Li Xuanba completed his assigned work, he could freely manage his own time.

Li Shimin shouted that it was unfair.

Yuwen Bi sneered: “Don’t want extra time on riding and archery? This time, I’ll teach you real hunting. If you pass the assessment, I’ll ask the Crown Prince to allow you to play at the royal hunting grounds.”

Li Shimin immediately straightened up and shouted even louder than before: “I’ll go! I love practicing martial arts!”

Gao Seng held his forehead: “You really change fast.”

Li Shimin proudly “hehe”-laughed, taking it as an honor rather than embarrassment.

Yuwen Bi and Gao Seng originally didn’t want to laugh, but seeing Li Shimin’s deliberately goofy smile, they couldn’t help but chuckle.

Li Xuanba made them both worry yet relieved, while Li Shimin truly made them happy.

Although Yu Shinan, the calligraphy teacher, didn’t have much presence, Yuwen Bi and Gao Seng even ignored that the disciples had another teacher. Li Xuanba also took his brother to see Yu Shinan, asking him to give extra assignments to the increasingly restless Li Shimin, to cultivate his character.

What kind of teacher is teaching calligraphy? Yuwen Bi and Gao Seng looked down on Yu Shinan, who was a generation younger.

Yu Shinan, observing mourning, pretended to be invisible, quietly teaching Li Xuanba and Li Shimin to write, without saying much.

Earlier, he had warned his older brother Yu Shiji that even if Gao Seng and Yuwen Bi obediently withdrew from court to compile books for safety, the emperor still disliked them and might act against them at any time. For the safety of the Yu family, Yu Shinan should avoid getting too close to Gao Seng and Yuwen Bi.

Yu Shinan silently followed this advice, but continued teaching Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Yu Shiji originally hoped Yu Shinan would use the mourning period to cut ties with Li Shimin and Li Xuanba completely, severing any connection with Gao Seng and Yuwen Bi—but Yu Shinan silently refused this time.

Later, Yu Shiji saw that the emperor genuinely liked Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, his nephews, and didn’t interfere further.

Yu Shinan usually kept a straight face, his eyes deep and calm like a still pond. Only when seeing his disciples did he show a faint smile.

Yu Shinan’s wife especially enjoyed Li Shimin and Li Xuanba visiting—it brought a touch of life to Yu Shinan.

After hearing Li Xuanba’s request, Yu Shinan understood something. He had his wife take Li Shimin to the kitchen to fetch pastries, and said to Li Xuanba: “You don’t want your elder brother meddling in business affairs?”

Li Xuanba nodded: “Yes.”

Yu Shinan sighed: “You shouldn’t interfere too much either.”

Li Xuanba said: “In the future, my elder brother and I will definitely be short of money. I don’t care about fame. Also, with my health, it will be difficult for me to enter officialdom. Entering officialdom consumes more energy than lying at home and letting stewards earn money for us.”

Yu Shinan gently rubbed the precocious disciple’s head: “Even dealing with the emperor takes a lot of energy.”

Li Xuanba said: “Next spring, His Majesty will leave the capital. I won’t spend too much energy then. But before he leaves, there will be imperial examinations to recommend talents. I plan to participate. Teacher, can you guide me with my strategies?”

Yu Shinan asked puzzled: “Why not ask Lord Gao or Lord Yuwen?”

Li Xuanba said helplessly: “Lord Gao and Lord Yuwen probably can’t grasp His Majesty’s mind.”

Yu Shinan said sadly: “I also don’t know His Majesty’s mind.”

Li Xuanba replied: “Better than Lord Gao and Lord Yuwen, right? I hope teacher won’t think I am flattering the emperor.”

Yu Shinan shook his head: “To show your talent to the ruler, how is that flattery? I may lack talent, but I can point out a thing or two. Your calligraphy already has its own character, no need for tracing. Consider the strategic essay I assign you as calligraphy practice.”

Li Xuanba immediately cupped his hands: “Thank you, Teacher.”

He knew Mr. Yu was being modest.

The brothers Yu Shiji and Yu Shinan were both naturally gifted at reading a ruler’s mind. The difference between them was that Yu Shiji chose to cater, while Yu Shinan, upon realizing the ruler’s desires did not align with his own, chose silence.

So it wasn’t that Yu Shinan didn’t understand Yang Guang’s psychology, or didn’t know how to please him—he simply didn’t want to.

But he would never let his own principles burden his students. Besides, Yu Shinan believed he was good at judging people; Li Xuanba should not be someone who flatters for personal gain.

By the time Li Shimin returned with a basket of pastries, Yu Shinan had already assessed Li Xuanba’s foundation in writing.

Li Xuanba’s mind was brilliant, but his writing lacked a bit of literary flair and he wasn’t skilled at parallel prose.

Adequate parallel prose could be learned by rote memorization. After all, one wasn’t composing a work to be handed down through the ages—practice and repetition were enough. The real difficulty lay in writing with substance.

Yu Shinan was very satisfied with Li Xuanba.

Although Li Xuanba had started participating in the imperial examinations at eight—somewhat early—he wouldn’t be appointed to office yet even if he passed. But the imperial examinations were a test against scholars from humble families across the empire. Since his student had the ambition, he naturally had to support it.

Originally, Yu Shinan thought Li Xuanba was only going to see the world a bit, but if Li Xuanba could put his thoughts on paper, it might not just be a one-time visit.

Li Shimin stuffed a pastry into his brother’s mouth, nearly choking Li Xuanba: “A-Xuan, this is delicious! Teacher’s wife packed a whole basket for us!”

Li Xuanba chewed laboriously with puffed cheeks: “Teacher lives a frugal life. You eat and take like this—aren’t you ashamed?”

Li Shimin blinked.

Teacher lives frugally? Then one should give the teacher more gifts during festivals. But tasty treats should still be taken. Those are two different things!

He not only didn’t return it, but even offered a pastry to Yu Shinan’s son, Yu Chang.

Yu Chang was a year younger than Li Shimin, and had already become like a little brother to him. Holding the pastry respectfully, he followed Li Shimin quietly, munching happily, completely forgetting it was his own pastry, and feeling grateful to the eldest brother.

Yu Shinan couldn’t help but sigh at the scene.

He had thought his son was fine before. But with students like Li Shimin and Li Xuanba around, one couldn’t help but feel a sense of shame by comparison.

Li Xuanba wiped his mouth and finally swallowed the pastry.

He pulled out a scroll and handed it to Yu Chang: “These are the primer books my second brother and I used. See if you can use them, little Chang.”

Yu Chang’s face fell. Children that age rarely enjoyed reading. For one just beginning to learn, books were truly a nightmare.

But when he opened the book and saw the exquisite illustrations inside, his mouth immediately lifted into a smile, and he chirped: “Thank you, Third Brother Li!”

Yu Shinan sighed once more.

Even learning the basics of reading was so hard for his own son, who didn’t love books—it really was a matter of comparison bringing shame.

After dealing a small blow to Yu Shinan’s confidence in raising his son, Li Xuanba and Li Shimin—still clutching his basket of pastries—went to see Li Zhao and Chai Shao.

Li Xuanba had already written up a plan for the soap shop. Since he would be busy preparing for the exams and couldn’t frequently appear in person, he fully entrusted the follow-up to his elder sister.

Li Zhao, though married to Chai Shao, was still essentially another daughter in the Chai household, learning how to be the lady of the Chai family. She had not yet consummated her marriage, so Li Xuanba did not need to worry about disturbing her or Chai Shao.

For aristocratic families, the birth of a legitimate eldest son in a union was of utmost importance. Until a legitimate son was born, the bride’s family closely monitored her well-being, fearful of any mishaps.

Thus, although daughters of noble families might be betrothed at six or seven and married by thirteen or fourteen, consummation usually happened around sixteen, and the first child was typically born around eighteen.

This was the case for both Lady Dou and the future Lady Changsun.

Before this, daughters of noble families who married often brought along handmaidens to consummate in their place. The families agreed that if the handmaiden bore a boy, it would be aborted or drowned; if a girl, she would be raised.

Some families, however—like Li Jiancheng’s—would allow a male child to be kept if the groom first received a relative concubine, or, like Chai Shao, would not sleep with the handmaid, enjoying a “pure romance” first with their bride.

After Li Zhao married, Li Shimin didn’t often visit the Chai residence because Chai Shao’s smile was too dazzling to bear.

When Li Xuanba discussed the soap shop’s future with Li Zhao, Li Shimin insisted on competing with Chai Shao in archery, purely to prove his own skill.

Chai Shao could only leave reluctantly, looking back three times with each step.

Li Xuanba could only sigh helplessly: “Doesn’t Brother-in-law have official duties?”

Li Zhao held her forehead and smiled wryly: “He specially requested leave. The Crown Prince, being kind, approved it.”

Li Xuanba was speechless. Six months into their marriage, how long had Chai Shao been taking leave? Or was it not continuous, but rather every few days, taking leave to spend time with his new wife? He had the leniency of a benevolent Crown Prince.

Li Xuanba changed the topic, not wanting to discuss his love-struck brother-in-law.

It was astonishing that the parents of his brother-in-law also indulged their son’s “lack of ambition.”

“When selling soap, we must grade customers; not everyone can buy the soap. Soap of the same quality as tributes will be one grade lower, and only available to families of high-ranking officials.”

Li Xuanba introduced his graded VIP system.

Grading, limited quantity, pre-orders, blind boxes—these were the four main methods used by online stores to regulate customers.

Most noble families had their own workshops and produced nearly all household items themselves, so they rarely bought things outside.

Announcing “tribute-quality” items could attract such customers, but nobles naturally distrusted outside goods and considered shopping in a store beneath their status, so they rarely purchased in large quantities.

Though the clientele differed from a “custom store,” the psychology was similar: few in number, wealthy, and desiring special treatment.

At this point, the store needed to “set rules” for customers. The more rules, the more customers felt the purchase was worthwhile—they weren’t buying just a product, but a “membership” in the circle.

After Li Xuanba had “retired” from active business, some online store owners he knew said they had missed the golden age. Now, “custom goods” riding on fan popularity sold even better. Even if customers had been scammed before, they would obediently prepay months in advance, without requiring guarantees, or risk being scolded by the community.

Li Xuanba was now putting his newly learned “knowledge” into practice in the Sui Dynasty.

“The soap in the Western Market isn’t fixed in quantity, but there’s a VIP card system. Besides the entry fee, the VIP card follows a stored-value tier system. For example, storing one thousand coins gives you a Class C level, which allows you to reserve certain functional soaps. Once the stored value is used up, you have to reload the amount required for your tier to continue enjoying the VIP benefits.”

“In the Eastern Market, there’s a membership system: any official can enter for free, and VIP levels are assigned based on rank and title. The ‘VIP Skincare Sets’ are limited editions available to all members; different VIP levels have pre-order limits, and members can reserve the skincare products they want a month in advance by paying in full. His Majesty has already approved that officials of the third rank and above, as well as Dukes and Princes, can use the cold-processed soaps he uses as tribute.”

“VIPs have dedicated service staff, receive gifts during festivals, and each month there are exclusive activities for each VIP level, like free trial sets of new limited-edition products and various seasonal mystery boxes…”

Li Zhao looked at the plan Li Xuanba had written and listened to his detailed explanation, her eyes spinning in confusion. “Slow down, slow down, I don’t understand yet.”

Li Xuanba took a sip of warm water and gave his sister detailed examples.

By the time Li Xuanba had spoken himself hoarse, drunk a whole pot of water, and made a trip to the latrine, Li Zhao had finally barely grasped it.

She rubbed her younger brother’s little head and said, “Ah, Dade, how do you come up with so many strange ideas?”

Li Xuanba said expressionlessly, “I read a lot. These ideas were all done by wealthy merchants in the past, especially during the Wei and Jin dynasties. There were all kinds of marketing tricks.” After all, he could just blame the ancients—he didn’t believe anyone would check.

Li Zhao didn’t doubt him.

The Jin Dynasty was a bizarre era, full of extravagance from top to bottom, with many wealthy merchants. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, the richest man, Shi Chong, made his fortune by robbing wealthy merchants while serving as the Governor of Jingzhou.

Li Zhao said, “Don’t let money change your nature.”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it properly. I think making money from the rich is more ethical than collecting rent from the poor. Money acquired properly won’t change one’s nature.”

Li Zhao felt something was off.

By common sense, collecting rent was considered proper, while being a merchant was not. Yet Li Xuanba’s twisted logic made her unable to refute him.

She could only laugh and cry at the same time: “Our Dade truly is virtuous, with the heart of a Buddha or a saint.”

Li Xuanba twitched at the corner of his mouth: “Why do I feel like you’re insulting me?”

Li Zhao tapped his forehead. “I’m not. I’m sincerely praising you.”

Li Xuanba changed the subject: “Lady Gao’s shops are all in the Western Market; she wants to do business there. She also wants to open a shop selling cheaper soap, small profits but high volume. The soap won’t have added fragrance. This shop can make soap on site, so people will know our posted soap recipes are real.”

Li Zhao was curious. “Why make the recipe public?”

Li Xuanba smiled. “If we don’t make the recipe public, how can others imitate it? If no one can imitate it, how will people promote it for us for free? Only when many people use the soap will it become a craze.”

Li Zhao asked, “What if they sell it cheaper than us? Won’t we lose customers?”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “No. The value of a product isn’t only in its materials but also in its reputation, just like a person’s fame. Our soap is tribute-grade. Precisely because we publicized the recipe, they’ll think we have even bigger secrets. If they lower prices, they still can’t compete with us.”

Li Zhao half understood.

Li Xuanba said, “Sister, if you fancy a particularly precious and rare piece of jewelry, and there are two shops that look about the same but the price differs by a hundred coins, do you buy from the more expensive or the cheaper one?”

Li Zhao immediately said, “Penny-wise, pound-foolish; I’m not short on that money… Ah, I get it.”

She covered her mouth and laughed. “I hope they lower prices drastically.”

The siblings exchanged a sly smile.

When they lower the price, we won’t. Instead, we’ll even raise it with the seasons or take it off the shelves entirely.

Li Xuanba and Li Zhao reached an understanding, while Li Shimin sulked in defeat.

Li Shimin complained to Li Xuanba, but Li Xuanba didn’t feel like consoling his second brother.

You’re so much younger than Chai Shao, how can you be confident you’d win against him?

Sometimes Li Xuanba really didn’t understand why his elder brother’s confidence was so inflated, as if he were made entirely of confidence.

“Next time I’ll definitely win!” Li Shimin clenched his fists and vowed.

Li Xuanba perfunctorily replied, “Oh,” and closed his eyes to rest.

Li Shimin covered his mouth and yawned widely. Archery is a physical activity; he was tired.

“A-Xuan, move over a bit.”

“The carriage is so spacious, don’t squeeze me.”

“It’s uncomfortable leaning on the door; use me as a pillow.”

“Get lost!”

“I can be your pillow too! Move over!”

Li Shimin shoved Li Xuanba aside without warning.

Li Xuanba was too sleepy to move. So the two children rested their heads together, using each other as pillows, and fell asleep like that.

When the wet nurse carried them down from the carriage, they were still asleep.

Li Siniang and Li Wuniang were waiting where the carriage had stopped, so the wet nurse could take a different route back to the courtyard.

Li Siniang whispered, “The backyard is noisy again; don’t bump into anything.”

Li Wuniang reached out to help the wet nurse hold Li Xuanba. “Second and third young masters’ courtyard is very close to the eldest young master’s. Let’s hide in our courtyard first, and return after the commotion dies down.”

The wet nurse looked puzzled. “Is it that serious? Should we wake the second and third young masters?”

Li Siniang shook her head. “If they go, they might get blamed. Better to hide first.”

Fourth and Fifth sisters had already planned this. Plus, ever since they got some dividends from the soap shop with their pocket money, they had been fond of the second and third young masters, so the wet nurse trusted them.

Li Shimin lay in the wet nurse’s arms, Li Wuniang held Li Xuanba steadily, and Li Siniang led the way in front. They took a long detour before returning to the small courtyard where Fourth and Fifth sisters lived. Along the way, Li Siniang and Li Wuniang even swapped holding Li Xuanba for a stretch.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, along with their attendants, wanted to carry Li Xuanba, but the two young ladies shook their heads.

The wet nurse sighed helplessly. It was clear that both young ladies were far too fond of their Third Young Master.

When they arrived at the courtyards of Li Siniang and Li Wuniang, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba slept on the same couch, but Li Siniang and Li Wuniang only pointed and whispered at Li Xuanba, giggling at how cute Third Young Master looked while sleeping.

Li Siniang said, “The impulsive Second Young Master can only be managed by Third Sister, yet it’s Third Young Master who is truly likable.”

Li Wuniang nodded.

Li Xuanba was a light sleeper. In fact, he had already woken up when getting off the carriage, but was too lazy to open his eyes.

When he heard the sisters suggesting he take a detour, he found it even harder to wake and could only continue pretending to sleep.

Now, hearing the sisters whispering, Li Xuanba felt so embarrassed he almost couldn’t keep up the act.

He wasn’t particularly close to Fourth Sister or Fifth Sister. Although the backyard of the Sui dynasty did not follow the later custom of separating boys and girls at age seven, Li Siniang and Li Wuniang were not his and Li Shimin’s full sisters, so opportunities to meet were rare, and genuine affection was out of the question.

Li Xuanba only included a gift for Fourth and Fifth Sister out of courtesy when giving presents. But in the sisters’ mouths, this had been exaggerated into the idea that Li Xuanba was extremely kind and close to them.

This time, the Old Madam caused another commotion, and a serious one at that. The two sisters had “risked” coming to the gate to wait for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, hiding the two younger brothers in their own courtyard.

Li Xuanba thought this decision was… well, naïve. But he was already asleep, wasn’t he? Besides, his mother surely knew what was happening at the sisters’ place. Since she didn’t send anyone to call them, she must have tacitly approved of the sisters’ actions.

Fortunately, after praising Li Xuanba for a while, Fourth and Li Wuniang mentioned today’s backyard events to the wet nurse of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba, sparing Li Xuanba from further embarrassment.

Li Xuanba closed his eyes and listened, sighing inwardly.

He guessed that Grand Madam wouldn’t live until spring, basing this mainly on subtle clues in historical records.

The official histories did not record the birth and death years of Old Lady Dugu.

However, archaeological discoveries revealed that Li Yuan had erected steles for Li Shimin at Dahan Temple in Xingyang in the first year of Daye and at Caotang Temple near the capital in the second year of Daye. Combined with Li Shimin’s own recollection of being taken by his mother to visit his father as a child, and having gone to the newly built Luoyang—this probably referred to that time.

This meant that from the first year of Daye to the first month of the second year, Li Yuan was still serving as the Governor of Zhengzhou and Prefect of Xingyang. Lady Dou stayed in the capital. In the first year of Daye, she took Li Shimin to visit relatives, then returned to the capital with Li Yuan, who had taken leave for the visit, stopping by Luoyang along the way.

In Li Xuanba’s current life, something similar had happened. Coincidentally, his Second Brother was also ill, and Li Yuan had erected a stele for him in Xingyang, but after returning to the capital, so many things happened that he forgot to make a vow at a temple in the city.

He didn’t know if, in history, his mother had taken Second Brother to visit relatives purely for family reasons.

Perhaps in the previous life, his mother’s long journey to Xingyang was also meant to settle Li Jiancheng’s marriage. Only because Second Brother was sick, if the Zheng family didn’t want a grudge, they likely abandoned their original “test” plan and simply had a brief meeting.

In this life, he and Second Brother had been energetic when they first arrived in Xingyang, which caused some unexpected complications.

During the Sui dynasty, when officials were sent to posts outside the capital, family members had to accompany them. Since his mother didn’t go along, she likely needed to stay home to care for the grandmother.

Later, when Li Yuan became Prefect of Loufan, his mother had already been living with him, which allowed her to persuade Li Yuan to offer horses.

Although Sui officials were supposed to resign during mourning, Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang had an unspoken rule: relatives and trusted ministers were quickly recalled after the first seven days of mourning, at most given a month or two leave. Yang Su, for example, experienced this.

Yu Shiji and Yu Shinan had to observe a full three years of mourning because Yu Shiji had not yet become a favored minister of Emperor Yang.

Li Yuan, being Yang Guang’s cousin, naturally would be immediately reinstated, without the need to resign for three years. Therefore, Grand Madam likely passed away between Li Yuan serving as Prefect of Xingyang and Loufan.

Of course, Li Xuanba’s deduction could be wrong. His mother may have stayed in the capital for other reasons, and Old Lady Dugu may have died during Emperor Wen’s reign.

But in this life, Old Lady Dugu was still alive, though her health was very weak, which confirmed Li Xuanba’s deduction. If she were angered by Li Jiancheng at this time, it was highly likely she would not survive the winter.

Because Li Yuan was delighted to be recalled to the court and his health improved, Old Lady Dugu, able to get up and walk, visibly lost spirit when Li Jiancheng shirked responsibility.

However, when Li Yuan was reinstated and Li Jiancheng was only demoted one rank, while Li Shimin and Li Xuanba received the emperor’s rewards, Old Lady Dugu’s health improved somewhat.

When Li Jiancheng recently became more mature and sensible, Old Lady Dugu’s health immediately improved further. She could stand with a cane and even invited familiar female relatives to the courtyard to admire the late autumn chrysanthemums that had yet to wilt, praising Li Jiancheng to them.

Li Xuanba thought he had misjudged—that perhaps Old Lady Dugu could escape this misfortune.

Unexpectedly, fate—or whatever governs it—might truly exist.

Li Jiancheng’s second confrontation with Old Lady Dugu was because of Concubine Zheng. Initially, Old Lady Dugu did not understand, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt puzzled: how could her grandson, who was so good, have once angered her? Perhaps a villain was at work. She summoned the maid gifted to Li Jiancheng to inquire.

The maid said something that convinced Old Lady Dugu that everything was Concubine Zheng’s fault.

Li Siniang sighed: “Grandmother said that our eldest brother had been so filial and friendly before only after taking in Concubine Zheng did he act biased. She said this, and neither father nor mother could stop her. So Grandmother had Concubine Zheng kneel at the ancestral hall to reflect.”

Li Wuniang added, “Who knew? Concubine Zheng knelt for a while and fainted. The doctor discovered she had disturbed the fetus. This angered our eldest brother. He insisted Concubine Zheng had never sown discord, but instead advised him to be filial to Grandmother and love his younger brothers. Even the gifts he gave to Erlang and Sanlang were actually chosen by Concubine Zheng.”

Li Siniang continued, “Eldest brother appeared extremely angry, saying that in the past, except for speaking out while drunk, he had done nothing wrong and had not gone against Grandmother’s wishes. What the maid recounted as inciting discord was merely Concubine Zheng comforting him that, out of filial piety, she did not insist on refusing, and he need not feel too guilty.”

Li Wuniang twisted a strand of fallen hair between her fingers. “Actually, I do think Concubine Zheng suffered an undeserved misfortune.”

Li Siniang held a finger to her lips. “Sister, be careful what you say.”

Li Wuniang replied, “What’s there to fear? The servants around Erlang and Sanlang wouldn’t blab.”

Li Siniang sighed. “You’d better still watch your words. Isn’t this already causing enough trouble? Sigh…”

The two wet nurses kept sighing quietly after hearing this, not daring to comment further.

Li Xuanba couldn’t help but sigh silently, his breaths growing heavier.

Then, he felt as if his older brother, who seemed to be sleeping very soundly, had grabbed his hand.

Li Xuanba: [Bro, are you pretending to sleep too?]

Li Shimin: [Ah!!!!]

Li Xuanba felt a vein twitch. Seriously, what the heck is your “ah”? Is it frustration, grief, or speechless exasperation? How am I supposed to know?

Li Shimin didn’t care about his younger brother’s annoyance. Every once in a while, he would let out an “ah” in his mind until he became too tired to even make a sound.

Li Xuanba silently endured his brother’s “ah,” and surprisingly, he ended up feeling sleepy from it.

Before falling asleep, Li Xuanba suddenly remembered a female colleague’s rant: “If the fetus is disturbed, it causes stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bleeding, but it doesn’t make you faint. Fainting is due to low blood sugar; in palace or household dramas, if someone faints and it turns out she’s pregnant, it’s always an act.”

Uh… was Concubine Zheng acting?

Forget it, it’s none of my business.

At least this time, it really has nothing to do with me.

Li Xuanba slept straight through until the next day, waking up back in his own small courtyard and already in fresh clothes.

It seemed he was truly exhausted; this sleep had been deep, without waking even once.

Beside him, Li Shimin was still snoring deeply.

Li Xuanba pushed his brother away and got up to dress, only to find their mother draped in her clothes, lying by his bed.

The moment Li Xuanba moved, Lady Dou immediately woke with a start, shouting, “It has nothing to do with Erlang and Sanlang!”

Li Xuanba felt a pang in his heart.

Lady Dou looked at Li Xuanba in panic.

Li Shimin was woken by her shout. Rubbing his eyes, he mumbled, “Huh? Did I fall asleep in Fourth and Fifth Sisters’ courtyard? Hmm… this is my bed? Did I only fall asleep after coming back?”

Lady Dou, terrified, stood up, her outer robe falling to the floor. Seeing the two children on the bed, she bent down and pulled Li Xuanba and Li Shimin into her embrace, unsure whether to comfort them—or herself: “It’s alright, it’s alright. Mother is protecting you. Nothing will happen.”

Li Shimin, still drowsy, said, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Lady Dou released them and stroked their heads. “Nothing, nothing at all will happen.”

Li Shimin rubbed his eyes hard to wake himself fully. “There definitely is something!”

No sooner had he spoken than Li Yuan pushed open the door.

Lady Dou gasped and immediately turned, shielding Li Shimin and Li Xuanba behind her, her voice sharp: “I told you, Erlang and Sanlang have done nothing wrong! If anyone insists on punishing them or having them adopted out, then you might as well divorce me—I will leave with Erlang and Sanlang!”

Li Shimin screamed, “Adopted out?!”

Li Xuanba clenched both fists.

Li Yuan paused, silent for a moment, then said, “Madame, I know Erlang and Sanlang are innocent. I will not have them adopted out. Physician Sun says that Mother is near death. She wants to see Erlang and Sanlang one last time.”

Lady Dou cried, “One last time? What can she say in the end? Blame Erlang and Sanlang? What did they do wrong? They merely have the Emperor’s favor. All the rewards they received were shared with the family. Eldest Son benefited because Erlang and Sanlang were praised, and the Crown Prince promoted Eldest Son because of his brotherly devotion. Everything these children do is for the family, for their older brother. What fault is theirs? The shop I gave them—that’s where it all began. If we trace everything back, it’s all my fault…”

Having already not rested well, Lady Dou, in her agitation, swayed and fell to the ground.

Li Xuanba and Li Shimin, ignoring the cold, leapt from the bed to protect their mother. There was no way two small children could fully support her; they fell along with her.

Lady Dou tried to cushion herself on the floor. Li Shimin and Li Xuanba nimbly avoided her reaching hands, sliding beneath her body to act as a human cushion.

As Li Xuanba fell, his foot ached as if twisted; his palms and arms burned as if scraped.

Li Yuan hurried over, helping Lady Dou and the two children to their feet.

Li Shimin opened his mouth wide and wailed, “Waaah!”

Li Xuanba hung his head, fury rising, tears silently spilling at the corners of his eyes.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice calm. “I will go with Father to see Grandmother. The soap formula was my idea, not my brother’s. If anyone wants to adopt someone out, then adopt me.”

He lifted his head, tears streaming, with a bitter laugh: “Anyway, I probably won’t live to adulthood. If it brings peace of mind to Grandmother and happiness to my brother, it’s worth it.”

Li Shimin threw himself onto his brother, holding him tightly, sobbing so hard he couldn’t breathe, unable to speak a word.

Li Yuan sat down heavily, surprisingly wiping away his own tears.

“What the hell kind of ridiculous situation is this?!”