LFHYB -Chapter 48 Erlang and Sanlang Obtain Official Status

Li Shimin’s line not only nearly sent Li Xuanba into cardiac arrest—it also made Changsun Sheng want to hit someone.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Li Xuanba quickly stopped his second brother, seeing Changsun Sheng’s expression darken.

Li Shimin suddenly realized, “Oh! I know—you look a bit like Changsun Silang!”

Changsun Wuji couldn’t help snapping, “Li Er, what stupid thing are you saying? She’s my sister! Of course she looks like me!”

Li Shimin had already let go of the Changsun girl and stepped back beside Li Xuanba.

Embarrassed, he said, “I just didn’t think of it right away. Mainly because you’re so childish—you don’t seem like someone who has a sister.”

Changsun Wuji: “…”

His fists clenched.

Changsun Sheng urged, “Enough. Hurry and take your sister away.”

Changsun Wuji finally reacted and quickly took his sister by the hand and led her away.

When Changsun’s little sister was about to leave, she secretly glanced back.

The moment her eyes met Li Shimin’s smiling face, she immediately looked away again. Her cheeks flushed red as she lowered her head, lifting her long, flowing four-panel skirt. Her little short boots showed as she hurried off at a trot.

Because she was running too fast, even the fluffy fur scarf wrapped around her short jacket slipped crooked.

The smile on Li Shimin’s face slowly faded as Changsun’s little sister disappeared.

Then he raised a hand to cover his face and squatted down on the ground.

Li Xuanba asked in confusion, “Brother, what’s wrong with you?”

Changsun Sheng walked up to Li Shimin and looked down at his future son-in-law. “What are you doing?”

Li Shimin, still covering his face, said, “Let me recover for a moment… just a moment…”

Li Xuanba bent over and poked his second brother’s head. “Blushing?”

Li Shimin replied in a barely audible voice, “Mm.”

Li Xuanba straightened up and sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes nearly popping out.

Did I hear that wrong? Or did someone transmigrate into my brother’s body? He’s actually blushing?!

Changsun Sheng had been simmering with anger, but seeing Li Shimin’s shy, awkward expression, the anger somehow dissipated.

He laughed helplessly. “So you can actually feel shy too?”

Li Xuanba nodded hard. Exactly! This is way too weird!

Li Shimin said embarrassedly, “I just didn’t expect Guanyinbi to be so beautiful.”

Changsun Sheng: “……” The smile vanished from his face again.

Li Xuanba took a step back, just in case blood splattered onto him.

At first he was a little surprised that his brother, at this age, would even care about beauty. Then he thought of his own school days.

Yeah… actually, not surprising at all.

Back in kindergarten, little boys and girls would fight over who got to play with the better-looking kid. In the lower grades of elementary school, they’d just learned how to write and were already passing love letters. By third or fourth grade, people in the class were dating. By middle school, angsty youth romance literature was already booming…

Saying children don’t understand these things is just adult arrogance. If adults think back on their own pasts, they’ll realize they had plenty of fantasies too.

And this was the Sui dynasty, where people were usually engaged and married very early.

Changsun Sheng said coldly, “You’re not allowed to tell anyone outside about what happened today.”

Li Shimin stood up, fanning his burning cheeks with his palm while shaking his head so hard it left afterimages. “I won’t, I won’t!”

Changsun Sheng snorted, thinking to himself that he was going to beat Changsun Wuji later today.

Every time Li Shimin came to the residence, Guanyinbi would secretly sneak looks at him—and Changsun Sheng had tacitly allowed it.

Letting them cultivate a bit of feeling before marriage would make Guanyinbi’s life after marrying Li Shimin much more comfortable.

But how could this be allowed to be discovered by Li Shimin? Fortunately, Li Shimin was a good child and had feelings for his daughter. Otherwise, if he had been someone with strict family values, he might have detested Guanyinbi for being improper.

Although Changsun Sheng was irritated that Li Shimin had been “peeping” at his daughter’s beauty, he knew this development was actually better for her. So he forcibly suppressed the urge to grab Li Shimin and beat him up, intending to smooth the matter over.

Once Li Shimin’s overheated brain cooled down a little, he asked curiously, “Why was Guanyinbi here?”

Li Xuanba: “……” Did my second brother get his brain fried?

Changsun Sheng’s gaze grew complicated. Was this Li Dashiong picking a fight?

Li Xuanba hurriedly said, “Changsun Fourth Brother and Changsun Little Sister were obviously here to attend lessons.”

Li Shimin: “Huh?”

Li Xuanba seriously spouted nonsense. “Uncle doesn’t come home very often. When he does, he has to teach his children. If Changsun Little Sister were not a girl, she would be sitting together with Changsun Fourth Brother and us, listening to the lesson. But since she’s a girl, she can only listen behind the folding screen, accompanied by Changsun Fourth Brother. It’s the same lesson—if we all listen together, Uncle doesn’t have to teach it twice.”

Li Shimin nodded. “So that’s how it is.”

Changsun Sheng glanced at Li Xuanba. “That’s how it is. Don’t go telling anyone outside.”

Li Shimin immediately puffed out his chest. “Rest assured, Father-in-law!”

Changsun Sheng: “……” You were calling me Uncle and General just now—now you’re already calling me Father-in-law?!

Changsun Sheng’s hands itched terribly.

But for the sake of his daughter’s future happiness, Changsun Sheng swallowed it again.

After Li Shimin and Li Xuanba left, Changsun Sheng immediately went to find trouble with Changsun Wuji.

Just what kind of job have you been doing watching your sister?!

In the carriage on the way back, Li Shimin was distracted for a while, and his face turned red again.

After some time, he patted his burning cheeks and smiled as he asked Li Xuanba, “A-Xuan, Guanyinbi was hiding behind the screen to sneak a look at me, right?”

Li Xuanba rolled a huge eye-roll.

Li Shimin grabbed Li Xuanba’s shoulders and wiggled his eyebrows. “Thanks, little brother. If you hadn’t been quick-witted, I’d probably have been beaten by my future father-in-law.”

Li Xuanba said, “Congratulations on finally getting your brain back.”

Li Shimin straightened up and rubbed his nose awkwardly. “I don’t know what happened either. The moment I saw Guanyinbi, there was this buzz in my ears. Is that love at first sight?”

Li Xuanba replied, “Couldn’t it just be lust at first sight?”

The shy smile on Li Shimin’s face vanished.

He raised his fist, threatening his foul-mouthed little brother.

Li Xuanba scooted his butt away, increasing the distance. “Alright, alright—love at first sight.”

“Hmph.” Li Shimin lowered his fist. “Do you think I’ll be able to see Guanyinbi again?”

Li Xuanba said, “Of course. She’s your already-engaged wife.”

Li Shimin sighed. “You know I mean before we get married.”

Li Xuanba said, “Who knows? Depends on what General Changsun thinks.”

Li Shimin said, “If I suggest to General Changsun that Guanyinbi attend lessons with us, do you think he’d agree? She could just dress in men’s clothes.”

Li Xuanba said seriously, “Brother, before you do that, please let me know in advance so I can pre-order your coffin. What kind of wood do you want?”

Li Shimin: “……”

He raised his fist again. That damned little brother—he was practically beyond saving.

…

Ever since meeting his future wife, Li Shimin had been walking around as if he’d lost his soul, constantly spacing out.

He had actually suggested to Changsun Sheng that Changsun Little Sister attend lessons together with him. As a result, Changsun Sheng dragged him to the training grounds and put him through half a day of martial arts instruction.

But thanks to Li Shimin’s thick skin, even though he didn’t get to see Changsun Little Sister again, the two of them were now exchanging letters every day.

The sheer frequency of their correspondence left Li Xuanba baffled.

What on earth could those two have so much to talk about?

So this was the Great Sui version of being on the phone every day?

Li Yuan teased his second son about it.

Li Shimin said righteously, “Father and Mother were engaged early too. Didn’t Father write letters to Mother back then? Ah, Father, how pitiful you are.”

Li Yuan: “?” What’s pitiful about me?!

He immediately retorted, “Who says I didn’t! Of course I did—I still keep those old letters!”

Lady Dou had been enjoying the show, but didn’t expect the “battle” to spread to her. She immediately grabbed Li Shimin by the lips, pinching them into a duckbill.

“You dare make fun of your parents now?”

Li Xuanba quietly pulled Li Zhiyun a little farther away, so the “blood” wouldn’t splatter onto them.

Li Zhiyun hugged Third Brother around the waist and whispered, “Second Brother looks really happy.”

Li Xuanba nodded.

With a look of longing, Li Zhiyun said, “Is it really that happy to see your fiancée? I want a fiancée too!”

Li Xuanba: “…”

Even though Li Zhiyun had lowered his voice, the room wasn’t big. The elders all heard him.

Lady Wan immediately covered her eyes with a handkerchief and sighed. “Second Young Master, hold it in a little. Even Xiao Wu wants to get engaged now.”

Li Yuan and Lady Dou both burst out laughing.

Rubbing the spot on his lips that his mother had pinched, Li Shimin said, “It’s fine—let him think about it! The earlier you start thinking about it, the sooner you’ll get engaged! Being engaged is wonderful!”

The three elders in the room were laughing so hard they could barely stand.

Li Shimin once again displayed his thick-skinned nature: go ahead and laugh—I won’t be embarrassed at all!

Li Xuanba was so mortified on his behalf he felt like digging out a whole palace with his toes.

His secondhand embarrassment was acting up again.

That silly child Li Zhiyun didn’t understand a thing and was actually laughing along.

Lady Dou said, “You’ll soon be out of mourning, and Guanyinbi will be able to go out as well. Since you like your future wife so much, I’ll swallow my pride and go ask Lady Gao to let Guanyinbi come over and visit occasionally.”

Li Shimin’s eyes lit up. He jumped off the couch and kept bowing to Lady Dou. “Thank you, Mother! You’re the best! You’re the one who loves me most!”

Lady Dou laughed. “Since I’m creating this opportunity for you, you’d better take good care of Guanyinbi.”

Li Shimin patted his chest. “Of course!”

Li Yuan coughed and said, “So Mother is the best—what about Father?”

Li Shimin replied disdainfully, “Father should first find a wife for A-Xuan.”

Li Yuan: “……”

Pretending to be angry, Li Yuan said, “You little rascal—come here!”

“Hmph.” Li Shimin swaggered over and made a face at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan pinched his son’s cheek but couldn’t bring himself to smack this disrespectful brat.

Then he said to Li Xuanba, “Don’t worry. Your father already has someone in mind. I’ll find you a wife even better than Second Brother’s!”

Li Shimin said unhappily, “Impossible. My Guanyinbi is the best.”

Li Yuan laughed. “She’s the best to you. But Third Son will also have someone who’s the best for him—just like your mother is the best for me.”

Lady Dou froze for a moment, then fanned her cheeks with her handkerchief and turned her head aside.

Li Zhiyun, still holding onto Li Xuanba’s waist, glanced at Lady Dou, then secretly looked at his own birth mother, who was still smiling, before burying his face into Li Xuanba’s back.

Li Shimin said, “Father’s right—it was my mistake. A-Xuan, don’t lose heart.”

Li Xuanba’s face went dark.

Lose heart about what? You’re the one obsessed with romance—don’t assume everyone else is the same!

No one is jealous of you. No one!

But Li Shimin firmly believed everyone should envy him.

He even went to show off to Fang Qiao, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wuji.

Men of any age refuse to be outdone in this sort of thing.

Changsun Wuji at least was just stubborn, but Fang Qiao and Du Ruhui were already married.

When it came to bragging about one’s wife, Fang Qiao would not lose. He immediately began talking about how good his wife was to him—and as he talked, his eyes turned red.

“I’ve let my wife down,” Fang Qiao said with reddened eyes. “She’s suffered so much because of me.”

Who would have thought that a bout of boasting would actually make Fang Qiao cry? Li Shimin hurried to comfort him and shot Li Xuanba a look, signaling him to do something.

Li Xuanba said, “If Brother Fang doesn’t mind, I can try to help you petition His Majesty for an official post. It’s just that the Sui court isn’t an easy place to survive.”

Fang Qiao sighed deeply. “I know. With my temperament, I’m afraid that once I enter officialdom, I’ll invite disaster.”

Du Ruhui said, “With our status, even if we do get posts, we’d probably just be sent out as county magistrates. We might as well not take office at all.”

Li Xuanba shook his head. “Brother Du, that’s not right. You and Brother Fang both have great futures—you’ll surely rise to the heights of the court. By then, you won’t even be able to see how the common people live.”

Li Shimin said, “A-Xuan is right. A county magistrate manages one county, a prefect one prefecture, and a chancellor the whole realm. In the end it’s all the same. If there’s a chance to serve as a county magistrate, it’s still worth going to gain experience.”

Du Ruhui frowned. Coming from the prestigious Du clan of Jingzhao, he wasn’t that grounded and felt some resistance to what they were saying.

Fang Qiao said, “If I get another chance to be a county magistrate, I’ll definitely take it.”

Li Xuanba said, “If you’re willing, leave the rest to me.”

After being implicated in Prince of Han Yang Liang’s rebellion, Fang Qiao had never held office again. But Li Xuanba had already latched onto Yuwen Shu’s network—so long as there was money, arranging a county magistrate post for Fang Qiao would be easy.

Although Fang Qiao was extremely capable in history and might not have needed much tempering, more experience could only benefit him. Since Fang Qiao wanted to enter officialdom, Li Xuanba generously put up the money to help.

Li Xuanba asked, “Brother Du, do you want to become an official?”

Du Ruhui replied, “I don’t wish to leave the capital.”

Li Xuanba said, “Then forget it. If you’re not leaving the capital, how about helping me write some things instead? I want to hide my identity and write some novels and storybooks.”

Du Ruhui was puzzled. “Why?”

Li Xuanba said, “I’ve noticed that most books in this world are written for people who can already read well. But moral education has to start from nothing—ordinary people who know few characters should also have a chance to learn the principles found in books.
Novels and storybooks are simple and easy to understand, and the common people love them. But the quality of their authors is uneven—many just write sensational and shocking stories that corrupt social morals. My body isn’t suited for holding a real official post anyway, so I might as well do this. It can be considered a career.”

Du Ruhui laughed. “So it’s for the common people? Interesting. I’m in.”

Li Xuanba cupped his hands. “Then thank you, Brother Du. How about the two of us compete to see whose books sell better?”

Du Ruhui said, “What’s there to compete about? But since Scholar Li says so, let’s compete. What’s the prize?”

Li Xuanba replied, “The prize is that the loser writes a poem praising the winner. How about that?”

Du Ruhui burst out laughing. “Good! That’s a great prize! I’ll be waiting for Scholar Li to write me a poem!”

Li Xuanba smiled. I’m waiting to piggyback on your reputation and get into future textbooks. But first you need to write poems worthy of textbooks.

He was already planning to go find Luo Binwang once Luo Binwang was born and have him write poems and rhapsodies for him.

It was a pity Li Bai and Du Fu lived too far away from his era. Otherwise, if he sponsored those two, wouldn’t the Poet Immortal and Poet Sage gladly write ten or eight poems for him?

Li Xuanba glanced at his second brother.

Li Shimin frowned. “What does that look mean? Why do I feel you’re being unfriendly?”

Li Xuanba: [I am being unfriendly.]

Li Shimin: “???”

Li Xuanba sighed in his heart: [If my brother were a genius who excelled at poetry and prose, would I need to mooch off others? My brother is so useless.]

Li Shimin: “……”

Though he had no idea what his younger brother was thinking, wasn’t it just about finding people to write poems for him? Once I have the ability, I’ll bring all the greatest scholars in the world before my brother—he can make anyone write for him!

Once again, Li Shimin’s ambition was stirred.

Before long, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba finished their mourning period.

Before that, Concubine Zheng had given birth to a full-term daughter.

The girl was healthy, and the whole Duke of Tang’s household was delighted. Li Jiancheng was also very fond of his first child.

Only Concubine Zheng forced a smile.

She desperately wanted to give birth to a son before Li Jiancheng’s lawful wife entered the household. This wasn’t about fighting for succession—it was because the life of a concubine’s son was easier when there was no legitimate eldest son yet. Before the legitimate heir grew up, the concubine’s sons enjoyed far more resources than they would afterward.

If she wanted to secure her footing in the Duke of Tang’s residence and not worry about being neglected once she aged, the best course was to bear a son before the legitimate heir was born.

Concubine Zheng counted the days and quietly encouraged herself.

It’s fine, it’s fine. There are still several years. I’ll definitely manage it.

Li Jiancheng also completed his mourning period and was now allowed to share a bed.

Because Concubine Zheng was in confinement after childbirth, she immediately sent one of her carefully prepared maidservants to Li Jiancheng’s bed. The speed of her action made Lady Dou sigh repeatedly.

In truth, Lady Dou had not intended to add anyone to Li Jiancheng’s quarters. He was still young, and too many women around him was not a good thing.

But seeing how anxious Concubine Zheng was, Lady Dou said nothing more.

They were all women who had gone through pregnancy and childbirth—Lady Dou knew how tense Concubine Zheng must be. Concubine Zheng’s peace of mind was the most important thing right now.

Still, Lady Dou warned Li Jiancheng not to indulge too much in his harem and to care more for Concubine Zheng and their daughter.

“You’re still young. Don’t be addicted to women—it will harm your health in the future,” she said.

To be fair, Li Jiancheng actually did well in this regard.

Compared to women, what he was really addicted to was hunting and drinking.

Like father, like son—Li Yuan’s love of hunting and alcohol had been completely inherited by his children.

As soon as the mourning period ended, Li Jiancheng went hunting. He even found an excuse to go to a distant hunting ground and stayed away from home for several days.

Lady Dou scolded Li Yuan, saying it was all because he had set such a bad example.

Li Xuanba secretly nodded in agreement.

That was true. In the future, Second Brother would also be obsessed with hunting. None of the Li brothers disliked it.

Only Li Yuanji’s style was different. Li Jiancheng and Second Brother liked hunting wild beasts—Li Yuanji treated people as prey.

Thinking about how Li Yuanji appeared more and more obedient on the surface while becoming increasingly cruel and violent inside, Li Xuanba felt puzzled.

Is this little brother’s antisocial personality really something he was born with?

Mother would have a lot of headaches over him in the future. Sigh.

Li Xuanba quietly warned Li Zhiyun to stay away from Li Yuanji.

Though Li Zhiyun looked slow, he wasn’t stupid. Children were very sensitive, and he had long noticed that Li Yuanji’s temperament was bad. Even without the warning, he didn’t like playing with Li Yuanji.

When the mourning period ended, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were both nine years old.

In the second month, the two boys put on their spring clothes and went to Luoyang to have an audience with the emperor.

Seeing how spirited his two nephews were, Yang Guang was in a very good mood. He not only rewarded them with gold and silver, but also granted them low-ranking honorary posts.

From then on, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba both held the rank of Fengcheng Commandant (奉诚尉), a ninth-rank honorary office—higher than the cong-ninth-rank Feathered Cavalry Commandant Fang Qiao once held.

Yang Guang said to them, “You two are still young, so for now you will serve as Fengcheng Commandants. When you grow a bit older, I will promote you to sixth-rank Jianjie Commandants. If you wish to advance further and become ‘Grand Masters,’ that will depend on your own efforts.”

After Emperor Yang Guang reformed the system of honorary ranks, all officials from Junior Fifth Rank upward were called “Dafu” (Great Masters). Junior Fifth Rank was specifically titled “Court-Diffusing Grand Master” (Chaosan Dafu), which could only be awarded to someone who had established merit for the dynasty.

That was how it was supposed to work, anyway.

In reality, what counted as “merit” depended entirely on the emperor’s mood.

Li Shimin said, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. I’ll definitely render great service for you in the future. Hmph! After A-Xuan became a xiucai, people outside are actually saying I’m not as good as him. I’ll show them who the real big brother is!”

Li Xuanba had been preparing a whole bellyful of flattering words for Yang Guang, but after hearing his second brother say this, he didn’t even feel like saying them anymore.

He glanced at Li Shimin and said, “If you’re jealous of me, then go take the xiucai exam yourself.”

Li Shimin declared, “No! Twins are meant to be one civil and one military! You’ve already become a scholar—next it’s my turn to be a general!”

Yang Guang teased, “Fine ambition! Li Yuan, does your son take after you?”

Li Yuan replied helplessly, “Your Majesty, of course my son’s ambition is to learn from me.”

Yang Guang laughed loudly. “Since you say so, do you dare go to the Turks?”

Li Yuan immediately clasped his hands. “Your servant is willing to die wrapped in horsehide for Your Majesty!”

Yang Guang shook his head with a smile. “No need to die just yet. I’ll give you a military post first so you can get used to it.”

With that, he ordered a eunuch to bring out an edict that had long been prepared, appointing Li Yuan as Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Guards (Weiwei Shaoqing).

Li Yuan was overjoyed.

Although Weiwei Shaoqing was, like his former post Palace Attendant Supervisor (Dianzhong Shaojian), a Junior Fourth Rank position, it was far more powerful. It was the second-in-command of the Court of Imperial Guards, in charge of court ceremonial guards, palace troops, weapons, and the emperor’s movements—responsible for the emperor’s protection. It was truly a post for the emperor’s most trusted confidants, and a perfect springboard to independently commanding troops outside the capital.

If Li Yuan could maintain the emperor’s trust, his next step would be an external military posting, where he could accumulate merit toward becoming a general.

Li Yuan thanked him repeatedly. His string of flattery delighted Yang Guang so much that he even raised Li Jiancheng’s honorary rank by one level. Li Jiancheng’s rank returned to Full Fifth Rank, and the title of “ying” (a noble wife’s secondary status) was finally restored to Concubine Zheng.

After returning to his Luoyang residence, Li Yuan immediately sent Yang Guang the hunting falcons and hounds he had prepared long ago.

Yang Guang said to Yuwen Shu, “Li Yuan is becoming more and more loyal to me.”

Yuwen Shu replied, “It seems the Duke of Tang was always loyal to Your Majesty—he was just young and hot-blooded. After the old madam passed away, he finally matured.”

Yang Guang sighed. “Perhaps so.”

Thinking of the treasures Li Xuanba had sent him, Yuwen Shu casually added, “Now that the Duke of Tang has Your Majesty’s favor, Li Third Young Master’s marriage probably won’t trouble him anymore.”

Yang Guang was curious. “Dade’s marriage? He is indeed of an age to be thinking about it, but with the Duke of Tang’s family status, how could his match still trouble Li Yuan?”

Yuwen Shu said, “Li Third Young Master is too frail. There are rumors outside that he won’t live past his coming-of-age. So even decent families are unwilling to marry into his line.”

Yang Guang frowned. “Rumors? How could the Duke of Tang’s household allow such rumors to spread?” He immediately sensed a conspiracy.

Yuwen Shu said, “Li Third Young Master is deeply favored by Your Majesty. He must have attracted much jealousy. There are many loose tongues, and the Duke of Tang’s household can’t control everything.”

Yang Guang snorted coldly. “They know Li Third Young Master is loved by me, yet they still obstruct his marriage. I say they’re not dissatisfied with the Duke of Tang—they’re dissatisfied with me!”

“They would never dare be dissatisfied with Your Majesty,” Yuwen Shu said. “It’s just that Li Third Young Master draws envy. Please don’t overthink it.”

After stirring things up a little, Yuwen Shu left in great satisfaction.

Li Xuanba had only wanted to secure a county magistrate post for a friend—but as the mighty Left Guard Grand General and Duke of Xu, Yuwen Shu would hardly demean himself by handing out a county office for a bribe. Today’s few words were simply him doing Li Xuanba, a junior he thought highly of, a favor.

Yuwen Shu felt some regret that his family had no suitable daughters or granddaughters. Li Xuanba might be sickly, but his temperament was uncannily like his own. His three sons were each foolish in their own way and nothing like him. If only Li Xuanba could become his half-son-in-law…

“Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-choo!”

Li Xuanba sneezed three times in a row, a chill running down his back. He shuddered violently for quite a while.

Li Shimin asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Did you catch a chill?”

Li Xuanba tried to answer, but more sneezes cut him off.

“Su-suddenly cold…” Li Xuanba hugged his arms and trembled. “A brazier!”

Li Shimin sighed. “It’s already the second month—there aren’t any braziers left. Wait here, I’ll try to find one.”

He first wrapped Li Xuanba in an outer robe, then went rummaging through boxes and cabinets looking for a brazier that had already been put away.