LFHYB -Chapter 64 Another Teacher Revises a Book

Xue Daoheng was indeed old, and unlike Gao Jiong and Yuwen Bi, he couldn’t take things lightly. Even with friends keeping him company, he sank into depression and became bedridden.

Li Xuanba was startled.

If he hadn’t “spoiled” things, Xue Daoheng would have died a few years earlier than the historical timeline, right?

Even more shocking to Li Xuanba was that Fang Yanqian, overly worried about Xue Daoheng, cared for his old friend as if he were family. He wasn’t young either, and yet he too became ill from exhaustion.

Fang Yanqian would die before the founding of the Tang Dynasty—but not now. Could it be that he too would die earlier than in history?

Li Xuanba scratched his head, feeling uneasy.

Although Xue Daoheng hadn’t started teaching him yet, Yang Guang had already formalized their master-disciple relationship. Since Xue Daoheng was also the father of Li Xuanba’s friend Xue Shou, Li Xuanba and Li Shimin were supposed to visit him.

Fang Yanqian had fallen ill too, staying in the same room as Xue Daoheng. The two old men could chat, and Li Shimin and Li Xuanba took the opportunity to visit Fang Yanqian as well.

Fang Qiao awkwardly moved into the Xue residence to take care of his sick father.

Xue Daoheng’s wife felt guilty toward Fang Qiao.

Her husband had fallen ill for no reason, dragging down an old friend who had just returned to the capital, and he wouldn’t even allow family members to tend to him, insisting that the friend’s son take care of him instead.

If Xue Daoheng weren’t sick, his wife would have wanted to fight him over it.

“You’re too much, Old Xue!”

The old lady said apologetically, “Xuanling, I really owe you this time.”

Fang Qiao hurriedly replied, “No, no. This is my duty.”

He was a little puzzled why only he was allowed to attend to his father and Uncle Xue.

A few days of nursing later, Fang Qiao understood.

Uncle Xue and his father often whispered complaints about the emperor in private. Uncle Xue’s other sons all held official positions and couldn’t hear such talk, so only he, someone idle at home, could be “poisoned” by it.

Though he officially attended to their illness, the chores were actually handled by servants. Neither Fang Yanqian nor Xue Daoheng were so sick as to be bedridden, so Fang Qiao wasn’t really tired.

He even suspected that his father and Uncle Xue might be faking their illness with all that dramatic behavior.

When Li Xuanba and Li Shimin visited the two old men, they also whispered to each other quietly.

Li Xuanba: [I nearly died of fright. I thought I’d messed everything up.]

Li Shimin patted his chest to calm himself, nodding repeatedly.

Li Xuanba: [I’m so angry. Should I spoil a little for them?]

Li Shimin covered Li Xuanba’s mouth.

Fang Qiao: “…”

Previously, he had been confused when Li Shimin covered Li Xuanba’s mouth while Li Xuanba said nothing. Now he no longer felt confused—he just wanted to cover Li Xuanba’s mouth too.

But at the same time, he was very curious.

While Li Xuanba went to the restroom, Fang Qiao quietly asked Li Shimin, “Li Erlang, what does Li Sanlang want to say?”

Li Shimin revealed an exhaustion beyond his years: “He hasn’t said it yet. I advise you not to be too curious.”

Fang Qiao gave a wry smile: “I know I shouldn’t be curious… but I can’t help it.”

Li Shimin said, “I was the same years ago. Xuanba tormented me for a few years, and now I’ve learned to control my curiosity. I can’t stop you, and even if I tried, I wouldn’t succeed. Go ask Xuanba. Soon your curiosity will be under control. Go ahead.”

Fang Qiao: “…” What do you mean ‘years ago’? How old are you anyway?

Seeing Li Shimin looking so world-weary, Fang Qiao restrained his curiosity and didn’t recklessly rush forward this time.

But Li Shimin got hurt anyway.

Li Xuanba couldn’t resist thinking to himself: [I was going to tell Xue Shou dies young if Teacher Xue loses his will to live from Yang Guang’s suspicion. That way, he’d regain the will to live to see Xue Shou through.]

Li Shimin wiped his face, his expression calm and impassive.

Poor me.

Others can cover their ears if they don’t want to hear something, but no matter how he covered his chest, he couldn’t escape his brother’s “surprise attack.”

He really didn’t want to learn of a friend’s untimely death right after making a new friend.

So Li Shimin decided to torment Fang Qiao.

Li Shimin spoke rapidly: “Xuanling, weren’t you curious about what Xuanba wanted to say? He said Xue Shou dies young.”

Caught off guard by a future lord’s backstab, Fang Qiao: “…”

Taking a deep breath, he quietly asked Li Xuanba: “Li Sanlang, why is it always ‘dies young’? Am I going to die young too? Just tell me straight so I don’t keep worrying.”

Li Xuanba shook his head: “No, you’re fine. Oh, and make sure you take good care of your father—try to let him see the day you become a minister.”

Fang Qiao first had a heart attack, then sighed.

He had almost thought that he and his father would die young. But he quickly realized his father was already old enough to fall ill and pass away at any time.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death—this is life. Even though knowing his father’s lifespan in advance was hard to accept, there was nothing he could do.

Fang Qiao said, “Dade, I think I can control my curiosity now.”

He deeply understood the psychological burden Li Xuanba faced in seeing the future.

Some things can be changed, some cannot. These weigh heavily on Li Xuanba’s mind.

If he were confronted with many unchangeable events in the future, he might sink into inescapable anxiety.

Luckily, Li Xuanba had a twin brother to share the burden, and he himself had an open heart. With that in mind, some of Li Xuanba’s mischievous habits were tolerable.

Li Xuanba nodded: “See, listening more helps you become immune. Do you still want to hear…”

Fang Qiao covered his face and walked away.

He was wrong—he still couldn’t accept Li Xuanba’s mischievousness.

Li Xuanba laughed heartily and was caught by the strolling Xue Daoheng, who hit him hard on the head.

Xue Daoheng, angry, scolded: “I’m sick, and you’re my disciple—how can you be laughing like that?”

After knocking on Li Xuanba’s head, Xue Daoheng and Fang Yanqian continued their walk in the courtyard.

Li Xuanba: “……” He was seriously considering whether he should spoil the plot for Xue Daoheng.

Xue Daoheng was old, and he worried that Xue Daoheng couldn’t handle it, so he thought, “Let the son repay the father’s debts; later I’ll find Xue and collect them myself.”

After learning that Xue Daoheng and Fang Yanqian’s “illnesses” were half-true, half-faked, Li Xuanba stopped paying attention to the two old men pretending to be sick.

Every time he went to visit Xue Daoheng, Xue Daoheng would scold him—it was unclear why.

Xue Shou, however, envied Li Xuanba.

Xue Shou had no official position, and he had wanted to come take care of his father, but Xue Daoheng had refused, saying, “You’re too young to handle such matters.”

Li Xuanba and Li Shimin could visit their father freely, but he couldn’t.

Hearing that his father often scolded Li Xuanba, Xue Shou felt a pang of jealousy.

He said to Li Xuanba, “Perhaps because I was adopted, my father is always polite to me and never scolds me. I truly envy how close he is to you, Li San.”

Li Xuanba comforted him: “Don’t worry. Once your father recovers, I’ll find a way to make him close to you as well.”

Xue Shou thought Li Xuanba was joking to console him, so he jokingly replied: “Alright, it’s a promise then.”

Fang Qiao and Li Shimin exchanged expressions that were hard to describe in words.

“Brothers Xue, don’t fall into the trap of Li San / A Xuan!”

Du Ruhui and Changsun Wuji exchanged glances. Previously, only Li Erlang and Li Sanlang had secrets from them, and since the two were brothers, they hadn’t minded.

Now Fang Xuanling also had a secret, and they were “displeased.”

Young people sometimes develop competitiveness over the most trivial things. Du Ruhui and Changsun Wuji’s personalities were never very compatible, so their friendship had always been mild. Now, standing on the “same side,” they decided to dig out the secret that Fang Qiao knew, which brought them closer.

Since Li Erlang and Li Sanlang could tell Fang Qiao their secret, their friends should be entitled to know as well.

Du Ruhui thought: “They must have thought I knew them later, so they didn’t tell me.”

Changsun Wuji thought: “They must have thought I’m not as mature as Brother Fang, so they didn’t tell me.”

The two of them decided to find a way to uncover the secret that Fang Qiao knew.

Du Ruhui and Changsun Wuji quietly “conspired,” while Xue Shou remained completely in the dark.

One small group had split into several factions. Xue Shou was truly “isolated,” but he had no idea and went about his days happily oblivious.

Li Shimin noticed the undercurrents among his friends and quietly shared them with Li Xuanba.

Li Xuanba asked: “Should I pull them into our prophecy group, or just watch the comedy of their internal strife?”

Li Shimin grinned mischievously: “Telling them the prophecy is funny, watching their internal strife is funny too. Why not watch the internal strife first, then the prophecy? Wouldn’t that be even more amusing?”

Li Xuanba gave his older brother a thumbs-up. In terms of dark humor, he realized he was still the junior and needed to try harder!

Li Shimin clasped his hands behind his back, nodding with restrained pride: “Oh, it’s nothing, nothing… don’t make me sound like a villain.”

Meanwhile, Li Xuanba continued his carefree daily life. At Yang Guang’s court, Xue Daoheng’s illness caused a minor ripple.

The official explanation of Xue Daoheng’s illness was that he had met his old friend Fang Yanqian, drank heavily for several days, and then caught a chill sleeping among the flowers—an ailment reminiscent of the carefree scholars of the Wei and Jin dynasties.

Hearing the cause of Xue Daoheng’s illness, Yang Guang laughed helplessly and said to Su Wei: “I hear you are also Xue Daoheng’s old friend. Does he really not care about his health? At his age, he still lies drunk among flowers?”

Su Wei replied respectfully: “Xue Daoheng drank heavily in his youth and has always been carefree. Even though he is old now, his nature hasn’t changed.” He thought exactly as Gao Zong predicted—His Majesty would ask him about this.

Recalling Gao Zong’s visit, Su Wei felt both angry and guilty.

After arriving in Luoyang, Gao Zong visited his former friends one by one, holding small gatherings.

Although Yang Guang feared Gao Zong, Gao Zong had retired from politics to compile books, and treated him with much more respect than before. Yang Guang, prideful of his own tolerance, did not suspect Gao Zong’s visits. He inquired with his spies and learned that Gao Zong was merely reminiscing about old trivial matters with friends, boasting of his youthful exploits, and would pay no further attention.

The Crown Prince was right—Gao Zong had retired from the court. He had no power or influence, and no one would care if he tried to make connections. His throne was secure; there was no need to worry about this frail old man who had left politics behind.

Su Wei was also an old friend of Gao Zong. Naturally, Gao Zong visited him.

Though feared and disliked by Yang Guang, Su Wei wanted to distance himself from Gao Zong. But since Gao Zong personally came to visit, he could not turn him away and had to receive him politely.

Gao Zong and Su Wei discussed many past events, particularly the period when Su Wei was dismissed for factionalism under the late emperor. Gao Zong remarked: “You are now cautious and reclusive, rarely contacting even old friends—this is very prudent.”

Su Wei sighed: “I’ve learned from past mistakes.”

Gao Zong said: “I acted impulsively in my youth, and only regretted it in old age. Fortunately, Your Majesty’s magnanimity allowed me to retire from court and hide among books.”

Su Wei stroked his beard and nodded: “You retired with foresight and courage; that is great wisdom.”

Gao Zong smiled wryly: “It’s not great wisdom—just seeing through some things.”

He sighed deeply and continued: “When I held high office, I believed friends would be loyal and sincere. Later, when I fell from favor, I realized that simply observing without betraying is already fulfilling one’s duty as a friend. I should have realized this sooner.”

Su Wei wanted to nod again, but suddenly sensed that Gao Zong’s words carried some implication and looked at him suspiciously.

Gao Zong did not pursue the topic. He said: “Xue Xuanqing is old and ill, and wishes to retire as well.”

Gao Zong, kneeling on the mat, pressed both hands to the ground and bowed deeply.

In Su Wei’s astonishment, Gao Zong rose, left the mat, and took his leave. Without waiting for a response, he departed with a wave of his sleeve.

Just as he had been so respectful a moment ago, now he was equally cold.

Su Wei and Gao Zong were both people seasoned with age and experience. Gao Zong said nothing, yet said everything at once.

Gao Zong did not criticize Su Wei for anything, yet Su Wei’s face was flushed with unease.

He inwardly grumbled—Gao Zong and Xue Daoheng had provoked His Majesty’s wrath, and he himself spent every day on edge, worried about being implicated. These two, instead of reflecting on themselves, actually blamed him for not fulfilling his duties as a friend.

Yet when Yang Guang inquired about Xue Daoheng, Su Wei still helped cover for him in some matters.

Xue Daoheng might truly be ill, but certainly not from catching a chill after drinking. He must have known the emperor’s grievances toward him and allowed his frustration to fester into illness.

If His Majesty were to learn of this, Xue Daoheng would surely be punished, which was why Gao Zong came to visit Su Wei.

Su Wei thought to himself, I hope Xue Daoheng truly retires this time, and doesn’t bring me trouble in the future.

After hearing Su Wei, Yang Guang was convinced that Xue Daoheng was truly old.

So when Xue Daoheng requested retirement again, Yang Guang approved, but did not let him leave the court. Instead, he assigned Xue Daoheng to compile books alongside Gao Zong and Yuwen Bi.

The crown prince’s advice had been heeded.

Such senior ministers could not be fully trusted in active office; but if treated coldly, it would hurt the feelings of other court officials. Better to send them to compile books—far from the center of power, yet still able to utilize their talents.

Yang Guang wanted to do everything perfectly. Once persuaded to compile books, he wanted them to produce an unprecedented work.

He did not fully trust people like Gao Zong, Yuwen Bi, and Xue Daoheng, and even felt uneasy having them nearby. Yet their talents were undeniable, and sending them to compile books suited both him and them.

With the crown prince as a buffer, Yang Guang finally spared another minister he found detestable. He removed Xue Daoheng from his position as Sili Dafu, allowing him to retire and focus on compiling books.

When Xue Daoheng received the imperial edict, a huge weight lifted from his heart.

He hurriedly instructed his elderly wife to sell their property in Luoyang and relocate to Daxing, out of the emperor’s sight.

“Xiaochong, if His Majesty ever grows displeased with you, you should also request to compile books,” Xue Daoheng said to his close friend Fang Yanqian before leaving Luoyang. “Your temperament likely won’t appeal to the emperor either.”

Fang Yanqian replied, “Indeed, my temperament does not suit His Majesty. But my rank is low; he won’t pay me much attention. At most, I might be demoted again. You need not worry, Xuanqing.”

Xue Daoheng sighed. “I am old, my ambitions limited. I only wish to withdraw entirely. But you are still young—you should strive further. If people like you and I all leave the court, this Great Sui…”

Halfway through his sentence, he swallowed the rest, thinking of Yang Guang’s murderous intent.

He felt a pang of emotion. Having narrowly escaped death, he was no longer as reckless as before. Sigh.

At this moment, he felt somewhat relieved regarding Su Wei’s cautious self-preservation.

Everyone is selfish; self-preservation is the first priority. People like Gao Zong and Fang Yanqian, who dare to come forward and warn him, are rare treasures. But if others prioritize their own safety, he cannot blame them.

He had brought danger upon himself; how could he fault anyone else?

Before leaving Luoyang, Xue Daoheng wrote a farewell poem to Su Wei, signaling that he bore no ill will toward Su Wei’s coldness. Old friends, he hoped, could one day drink and chat together again.

He actively sought to ease the tension with Su Wei.

Upon reading Xue Daoheng’s poem, Su Wei drank a cup of cold wine alone, feeling a profound wistfulness.

His resentment over nearly being dragged into Xue Daoheng’s misfortune faded, replaced by nostalgia for their past friendship.

Su Wei replied with a poem, reestablishing their connection.

Their friendship seemed to return to what it had been.

Probably.

…

After Gao Zong submitted his interim manuscript to Yang Guang, he did not linger and soon returned to Daxing.

After recovering from illness, Yuwen Bi also began planning to move.

Though his family home was in Luoyang and he had initially not wanted to leave, seeing Xue Daoheng relocate to Daxing, he carefully reconsidered and resolved to leave his lifelong home.

Avoiding the emperor’s gaze and protecting one’s family were of utmost importance.

Gao Zong, Yuwen Bi, and Xue Daoheng all left Luoyang one after another. Before departing, they left abundant assignments for Li Shimin and Li Xuanba.

Seeing this, Li Yuan said to his second and third sons, “It’s a pity you are still young and cannot be away from your parents. Otherwise, you should return to Daxing and continue your studies under these three esteemed teachers.”

Li Shimin said, “I am no longer young. I can return to Chang’an now!”

Li Yuan frowned. “What? You actually want to leave Father and Mother?”

Li Shimin complained, “Father, you brought it up first. You’re so childish.”

Li Yuan lightly tapped Li Shimin’s head and asked Li Xuanba, “Do you also wish to leave Luoyang to continue your studies?”

Li Xuanba replied, “I still have tasks assigned by His Majesty and cannot leave. If I am to return to Daxing, it must be next year at the earliest. I only worry that my second brother will miss Father and Mother too much, secretly crying under the covers.”

Li Yuan laughed heartily at Li Shimin: “See, it’s still Dade who understands you.”

Li Shimin folded his arms and lifted his chin: “I absolutely will not cry. Besides, if I truly miss Father and Mother, I’ll return to Luoyang to see them.”

Li Shimin and Li Xuanba insisted they could stay in Daxing alone, yet Li Yuan only sighed, showing no intention of sending the boys there.

They were still young and unmarried; Li Yuan did not believe they could live independently.

Li Shimin quietly complained to Li Xuanba: “Clearly it’s Father who cannot live without us, yet she claims we cannot live without her.”

Li Xuanba nodded, sighing inwardly. Li Yuan truly cherished them now and could not bear separation.

After learning from letters about Li Yuan’s joking suggestion to let Li Shimin and Li Xuanba live alone in Daxing, Gao Zong and Yuwen Bi were both furious.

Studying could be done through correspondence. Both Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were very smart; they didn’t need daily lessons, only periodic checks of their homework.

Young children should stay with their parents. If Li Yuan really left Li Shimin and Li Xuanba alone in Daxing City, Gao Yong and Yuwen Bi would surely make the trip to Luoyang personally and give the unkind Li Yuan a severe scolding.

…

After Xue Daoheng left for Daxing City, Xue Shou remained in Luoyang.

Legally, he was only Xue Daoheng’s nephew. Even though his adoptive parents had passed away, he still had to manage their household affairs.

Having just reunited with his parents, and now left alone in Luoyang after they went to Daxing, Xue Shou had been feeling quite depressed.

Fortunately, he had like-minded friends to keep him company, easing the gloom in his heart.

Because Fang Yanqian held an official post in the court, wherever Yang Guang went, Fang Yanqian had to follow. Fang Qiao needed to take care of his father, so he naturally stayed in Luoyang.

He went to Daxing once to bring his wife back, and temporarily settled in Luoyang.

Seeing his friends gathered in Luoyang, Du Ruhui also had his wife move there for a short stay.

Soon after, Changsun Sheng brought Lady Gao and their young daughter to live with him, leaving only his older son, who had already taken office, in Daxing. Changsun Wuji could also remain in Luoyang for a long stay.

The friends often went out together in Luoyang and made some companions for drinking and entertainment, enjoying themselves greatly.

After accompanying Li Shimin on a few outings, Li Xuanba grew lazy and stopped socializing, staying at home alone just as he had in Daxing.

After several attempts to persuade him, Li Shimin found that Li Xuanba began faking illness, and he had no choice but to give up.

Du Ruhui joked with Li Xuanba: “Looks like you’re tired of us.”

Li Xuanba replied seriously, “Whoever disturbs my rest, I’m tired of them.”

Du Ruhui laughed and stopped trying to persuade him to go out.

Now, the group only met every few days, and only then would Li Xuanba be invited along.

Although Li Shimin was still young, his frequent interactions with the children of noble families quickly earned him a good reputation in Luoyang.

Originally, Li Xuanba’s reputation had been higher than Li Shimin’s, but because he rarely went out, his fame gradually waned. When people in Luoyang talked about Li Xuanba’s frailty, they no longer envied or were jealous of the favor he had received from Yang Guang.

Yang Guang had summoned Li Xuanba to the palace several times to write lyrics and listen to music with him. After Li Xuanba genuinely fell ill a few times, Yang Guang stopped calling on him frequently.

He sighed to Empress Xiao, “Dade excels at everything, but his health worries me. If he were stronger, I would definitely keep him in the palace to be raised here.”

Empress Xiao agreed wholeheartedly.

Though Li Xuanba usually treated others coldly, he could charm both her and the emperor with every word. Having such a child nearby would be a source of joy.

It was a pity about Li Xuanba’s health.

Yang Guang’s comments on Li Xuanba somehow got out.

As the words circulated, their meaning was distorted. Outsiders began to spread rumors that the emperor had learned from the court physicians that Li Xuanba’s life was short.

Lady Dou was furious and felt her chest tighten and head ache.

When Li Xuanba heard this, he shook his head, reassuring his mother not to worry.

Those people were simply jealous and speaking maliciously. He was perfectly fine now; even his illnesses were just minor fevers and headaches, nothing serious. Using these small ailments to refuse unnecessary social obligations—and, in particular, not having to frequently go to the palace to please the emperor and empress—was actually a good thing.

“If I went to the palace too often, I would truly shorten my life,” Li Xuanba complained to his mother. “Mother, you don’t know how hard it is to serve the emperor.”

Lady Dou laughed: “I know. You’ve worked hard, Dade.”

Li Xuanba replied, “It’s not hard. You’re the one who works hard.”

He was sincere; he truly felt for his mother’s efforts.

After arriving in Luoyang, Lady Dou not only had to care for the household, but also had to help Li Yuan with social obligations.

Because Yang Guang was extremely suspicious, Lady Dou advised Li Yuan not to interact frequently with others. When necessary, she would help him maintain friendships in her capacity as a female family member.

Li Yuan loved making friends. When he was young, he made friends regardless of their status. Although he now valued rank, his love for festivities and grandeur had not changed. Even knowing Yang Guang’s suspicions, he did not wish to heed Lady Dou’s advice to shut the doors to guests.

Lady Dou persuaded him many times. Only after Xue Daoheng left for his scholarship did Li Yuan reluctantly restrain himself a little.

To ease Li Yuan’s mind, Lady Dou carefully managed every relationship, necessary or not, spending much effort.

When Lady Dou took charge, Lady Wan could not overstep her authority. She could, however, help with household chores. Concubine Zheng managed Li Jiancheng’s rear courtyard, which should have reduced Lady Dou’s burden.

But Lady Wan and Concubine Zheng had conflicts, which increased Lady Dou’s domestic responsibilities.

This time, the conflict had nothing to do with Li Jiancheng; it involved Li Yuanji and Li Zhiyun.

Li Yuanji and Li Zhiyun were the same age. After formally starting classes, they naturally studied under the same teacher.

Li Yuanji had trouble focusing and progressed slowly; Li Zhiyun, having been taught by Li Shimin and Li Xuanba from a young age to copy large characters, had long developed excellent study habits, putting him far ahead of Li Yuanji.

Lady Wan had learned caution from the elderly Lady Dugu. She did not request Li Yuan to arrange a separate tutor for Li Zhiyun, but privately tutored him herself.

Still, Li Yuanji complained that Li Zhiyun caused him to be reprimanded by the teacher, and ended up fighting with him.

During the fight, Li Yuanji insulted both Li Zhiyun and Lady Wan, claiming that Concubine Zheng had taught him to do so.

Lady Wan was furious and amused at the same time.

“You’re both concubines like me; what are you acting proud about?”