LFHYB -Chapter 40 A Classic Instant Bond

“Nothing.” Li Xuanba snapped back to attention, his gaze landing on the poetry collection.

Fang Qiao, with a restrained smile, handed the collection to Li Xuanba: “Please, Scholar Li, give your guidance.”

Li Shimin: “No need to be so formal, Brother Fang. My courtesy name is Daxiong, A-Xuan’s is Dade. Just call us by our courtesy names.”

Fang Qiao’s smile stiffened for a moment.

Li Xuanba glanced at his brother, planning to mentally call him out, but after a short pause, upon seeing the title page of the collection, he finally remembered who this “Fang Qiao” really was.

The title page had Fang Qiao’s self-introduction: the Fang family of Qinghe, his father Fang Yanqian, Inspector of Sili, courtesy name… ha, Xuánlíng.

Though the Qinghe Fang family was not one of the “Five Surnames and Seven Clans,” it was a powerful aristocratic family that could marry into the Qinghe Cui family. Many were present in the capital.

After Li Jiancheng married into the elite Yingyang Zheng family, other Shandong clans expressed goodwill toward him. Among the fox-friend companions he drank with, many were from the Qinghe Fang family, whom Li Xuanba had seen often.

Otherwise, upon hearing someone named Fang in the Tang dynasty, his immediate thought would have been, “Is he related to Fang Xuanling?”

Unexpectedly, when he really met Fang Xuanling himself, his memory stalled for dozens of seconds as Fang introduced himself.

However, not many in later generations knew that Fang Xuanling was also called Fang Qiao, so Li Xuanba could already be considered “well-informed.”

Young men of their age usually addressed each other by their courtesy names.

Previously, when Li Shimin and Li Xuanba introduced themselves, they hadn’t mentioned their courtesy names—it was simply out of habit, having forgotten to use them.

But for someone like Fang Qiao, who was approaching thirty, failing to give one’s courtesy name when introducing oneself was a subtle way of saying, “I don’t wish to develop a close relationship with you.”

Obviously, Li Shimin hadn’t caught that nuance.

Now, by introducing his and Li Xuanba’s courtesy names, Li Shimin had effectively put Fang Qiao on the spot.

Li Xuanba had intended to explain Fang Qiao’s thinking to his older brother, but upon realizing that Fang Qiao was the future Chancellor Fang Xuanling, Li Xuanba gave him face—he didn’t embarrass him in front of his future superior.

Fang Qiao silently observed Li Shimin.

Li Shimin was just a child; he surely had no ill intentions, sigh.

Fang Qiao bowed again: “I dare not.”

Li Shimin said, “Dare not what? You hold an official position, and I’m just a child.”

Fang Qiao: “……” Now he felt even more awkward.

Li Xuanba watched with interest as Li Shimin’s “innocence” caught the future Chancellor off guard.

Li Xuanba did not hide his expression. Fang Qiao quickly realized that Li Xuanba was laughing at him.

He looked at Li Shimin, all enthusiasm, and then at Li Xuanba, whose smile carried a depth beyond his years, and his scalp tingled.

Fang Qiao immediately guessed: Li Xuanba must have perceived his reluctance to forge a closer bond, while Li Shimin certainly hadn’t.

Though proud, Fang Qiao knew better than to offend, and quickly said, “Then I shall humbly comply. My courtesy name is Xuanling; young lord, you may address me by my courtesy name as well.”

Li Shimin smiled: “I’ll just call you Brother Fang. I’m still young—calling you by your courtesy name now wouldn’t be very respectful. When I’m older, we can relate as equals.”

Fang Qiao: “……” If this weren’t a child, he would have suspected the person of trying to win him over.

“Pffft.” Li Xuanba couldn’t help laughing.

Li Shimin, puzzled: “A-Xuan, what are you laughing at?”

Li Xuanba said, “I’m naturally always smiling.”

Li Shimin immediately grabbed Li Xuanba’s cheek: “Really? Smile at me again, brother.”

“Go, go, go.” Li Xuanba slapped his brother’s mischievous hand away.

Li Shimin, still grinning, let go: “We always say studying is boring, but meeting today is fate. A-Xuan, why not host Brother Fang for a gathering at the neighboring tavern… we can also discuss your book printing project? Brother Fang, don’t be deceived by A-Xuan’s age; he’s in charge of the bookstore affairs.”

Li Xuanba rubbed his face: “It’s actually me, you, mother, and third sister all in charge.”

Li Shimin raised his hands and rested them behind his head: “Actually, it’s really you in charge.”

Li Xuanba sighed and said to Fang Qiao: “If you don’t mind, Brother Fang, may we have the honor?”

Fang Qiao: “Young lord, you’re too polite.”

Li Shimin laughed: “I’m a young lord, he’s a young lord, and calling each other like this makes it confusing. How about you call me Li Er, him Li San, or use our courtesy names? You choose.”

Fang Qiao was speechless again. How could this child… be so commanding? But this commanding nature wasn’t unpleasant—just a little overwhelming.

Li Xuanba noticed Fang Qiao’s embarrassment but didn’t help him: “Brother Fang may call me Li Sanlang.”

Li Shimin laughed heartily: “A-Xuan, there you go again. Just how unhappy are you with the name ‘Dade’? Brother Fang, you must call A-Xuan ‘Dade’ so he gets used to it. Once we have courtesy names, we go by them in the world—he’ll have no choice!”

Li Xuanba grumbled: “Fine, fine, Daxiong.”

Li Shimin: “Huh? Call me what?”

Li Xuanba ground his teeth.

Li Shimin tilted his head.

Fang Qiao covered his mouth with his right hand, hiding a smile.

These twin brothers were truly amusing. He thought of his own body and felt a tinge of melancholy.

Li Shimin perceptively noticed Fang Qiao’s gloom: “Brother Fang, is something troubling you?”

Li Xuanba sighed: “Don’t ask. When the relationship is shallow, speaking frankly can make things awkward.”

Li Shimin: “Alright. Brother Fang, sorry for overstepping.”

Fang Qiao waved hastily: “It’s nothing. Just watching the young lords…”

Li Shimin shot a disapproving glance.

Fang Qiao suddenly felt his own shyness was rather ridiculous and laughed: “It’s just that seeing Li Erlang and Li Sanlang makes me regret not having children of my own.”

Li Shimin scratched his head: “Well, I can’t fix that. How about you pat our heads—maybe you’ll get some good fortune? Elders like to do that.”

Li Xuanba was a little shocked.

His older brother, usually proud, was so familiar with Fang Xuanling? Could this be a matter of immediate rapport?

Wait—the historical Tang Taizong also described his first meeting with Fang Xuanling as ‘like old friends at first sight.’ Could that not be mere historical convention but a truthful record?

Li Xuanba felt a solemn respect. A famous historical scene was slowly unfolding before him, epic in scale.

But now, he blocked his older brother from leaning forward to offer his head to Fang Qiao’s hand.

Look at Fang Qiao! So embarrassed his face was red!

“Weren’t we going to the tavern? I’m thirsty.” Li Xuanba said, “Brother Fang, please come along.”

Fang Qiao wanted to escape immediately. He regretted coming to the bookstore.

Fang Qiao had entered officialdom at eighteen via the imperial exams but had wasted the years since.

Some time ago, he had been gravely ill, nearly at death’s door. His wife had stayed by his side and painstakingly nursed him back to health.

After recovering, he shed his former haughty airs, wanting to quickly secure a proper post and provide a comfortable life for his wife.

Observing for a while, he had set his sights on this small bookstore of the Duke of Tang’s household, which had caused a stir in literary circles. He keenly perceived the potential opportunities within—though he might not gain the Duke’s notice, once the literary collection was printed and circulated widely, surely someone would recognize his talent.

Fang Qiao’s father, Fang Yanqian, had been demoted to the provinces for offending powerful figures due to his uprightness. Back when he served as Imperial Censor in the capital, he had maintained a somewhat superficial acquaintance with Gao Jiong, who was then the Left Prime Minister.

Fang Qiao was originally proud and unwilling to follow in his father’s footsteps. Moreover, he noticed that Gao Jiong had already lost the emperor’s trust, and getting too close to him might bring trouble.

Now that Gao Jiong had taken a step back, the emperor didn’t seem intent on destroying him completely. Gritting his teeth, Fang Qiao went to see Gao Jiong and requested a recommendation letter, merely asking to have his collected works printed at a bookstore run by Gao Jiong’s students. Gao Jiong readily agreed.

Though Fang Qiao felt awkward and wanted to turn and leave, he gritted his teeth and followed along.

The Second and Third Sons of the Duke of Tang treated him warmly, which was exactly the attention he wanted. He could not allow his nature to make him shy away.

Li Xuanba naturally tucked Fang Qiao’s handwritten collection into his arms.

He had made up his mind: this would be his second “burial offering.”

The first “burial offering” had been his second brother’s homework notebook.

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba took Fang Qiao to the neighboring tea shop.

This tea shop had been secured through connections by Li Zhao and conveniently served as a resting spot during their outings.

Li Zhao was also looking to buy more nearby shops to expand the bookstore’s scale.

Many of the drinks in the tea shop were created by Li Xuanba. The idea of “freely adding milk and sugar” had brought the shop considerable popularity, and other tea shops began to imitate it.

Li Xuanba chose a flower tea with no added ingredients.

Although Li Shimin liked sweet drinks, Li Xuanba had long lectured him about the harms of eating too much sugar, especially since he was changing teeth. Eating too much sugar during that time could lead to a mouthful of rotten teeth.

Li Xuanba even took Li Shimin to the dentist for a whole day, closely observing children with decayed teeth.

Li Shimin had cried his eyes out, then sulked for the rest of the day, refusing to speak to Li Xuanba.

After that, Li Shimin became more restrained in his desire for sweets. He diligently brushed his teeth morning and night, as well as after meals, developing an unusual obsession with dental hygiene.

So now, Li Shimin also chose the same unsweetened, milk-free flower tea as his younger brother.

The flower tea was made from sun-dried osmanthus flowers. Though the water wasn’t sweet, it carried a fragrant floral aroma. Li Shimin sipped a bit, feeling a touch of melancholy. He had already grown accustomed to such plain drinks—when he occasionally had a sweet milk tea, it no longer quenched his thirst.

Seeing Li Shimin and Li Xuanba drinking plain flower tea and calling it “flower tea,” Fang Qiao felt a sense of refinement.

He ordered the same flower tea.

“Like dew from flowers, why isn’t it called flower dew?” Fang Qiao was very fond of osmanthus tea.

Li Shimin replied, “I said the same thing. But A-Xuan says the brewed tea is called flower tea; making flower dew is a more complicated process. A-Xuan is lazy right now and refuses to make it. When he does, I’ll give you a taste, Brother Fang.”

Li Xuanba sighed, “Since you said that, I’ll think about it when I get home.”

Li Shimin laughed, “Think quickly, don’t be lazy.”

Fang Qiao felt a bit envious, “Collecting flowers for dew… that’s truly an elegant pursuit.”

Li Shimin nodded vigorously, “A-Xuan just likes these refined things.”

Li Xuanba said, “Stop flattering me. You two chat; I’ll look at Brother Fang’s collection first.”

Li Shimin immediately leaned over, “I want to see too! Together.”

Li Xuanba was jostled, almost tipping over his cup of tea.

He sighed, showing a pair of inverted triangle “dead fish” eyes, and began reading the collection with his second brother.

Fang Qiao gripped his cup tightly, feeling slightly nervous.