Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

The more Li Yuanying thought about it, the more he felt that he had been wronged. He was forced out of bed early in the morning and was then scolded. Fourth nephew then got him in trouble just for talking to him.

Yuanying has never held back when he’s angry and went straight to look for his older brother to complain. He told His Majesty that his fourth nephew is not good, do not have family love and yelled at him  so loudly in public.

Li Er couldn’t even figure out how to tell off this nasty brother of his, so he just gave him a sideways glance: “If you didn’t annoy him, why would he tell you to shut up?”

“I don’t understand. Lord Brother, you made me come over early in the morning to be scolded. And now you won’t even allow me to talk to people.”

Just now Li Yuanying looked around and found that Li Tai was the most talkative. And so he talked to him. If he knew that Li Tai was so bad, he wouldn’t chat with him. He would instead chat with Zhangsun Wuji next to him and maybe even look at the content of his hand board.

Yuanying never has hesitation when speaking to his older brother and so decided to bring up old accounts: “Last round during Shi Dian when he complained about us sharing food, I should have figured out that he is such a person! “

Li Er hearing him speak with no fear decided to put down his pen and lean back: “What did you and Qingque talk about?”

Li Yuanying told His Majesty his encounter in full and added:  “Isn’t this what Zhou Yan meant, ‘A man’s wealth becomes his own ruin due to other’s greed’?”

His Majesty said lightly, “That’s the truth.” He then looked at Li Yuanying, “You have a lot of treasures and since you understand this statement, why don’t you donate your treasures to the state?”

Hearing this Li Yuanying instantly knew what the Emperor was aiming for so he said angrily, “No wonder Qingque has bad character, like father like son!”

What did you say?!

Li Er couldn’t hold back and reached out to pinch Yuanying’s cheek.

Li Yuanying pulled away in pain and didn’t dare say more nonsense. He only hummed: “I am not a common man, I am the younger brother of the Emperor, who dares to attack my treasure! Besides, mother told me that those treasures are to be used to find me a bride!” He then continue to make up nonsense about why he needed his wealth: “First, my future wife needs to be given lots of betrothal gifts; then the princess is not just a decorative item, she must be treated well with a good life. At least she should be allowed to do whatever she wants. Then, I will have children, both sons and daughters. If I have a son, then that’s easy. Just raise him simply and send him away to figure out his own life. If I have a daughter then it’s more troublesome, I need to give her good things so that she is exposed and won’t be easily deceived by others. Even if she gets deceived by a brat and wants to marry him, I need to prepare a large dowry for her. Must not let anyone look down on my daughter! When I think of this, I am very worried, my wealth is not enough!”

Sounds reasonable to Li Er. This kid! He hasn’t even got married and is already worried about his daughter’s dowry.

“What do you mean by having a son is fine, just send him away to figure out life? If your future sons hear this, they will probably abandon you in old age.” (Li Er)

Li Yuanying answered in disapproval: “So what if he refuse to take care of me? Up to him, I have servants serving me, why do I need him? If he really looks for me everyday, maybe I might even think he’s annoying!”

As for being reduced to nothing, to the point that he can’t even support himself and had to rely on his son, Li Yuanying wouldn’t even entertain such thoughts. If that’s the case, he rather just die!

These are all reasonable justifications. Li Yuanying is after all royalty and had no shortage of servants. He is allowed to do as he wishes, to love his sons or daughter as he likes, no one could say anything about his decisions.

After all, it has always been parents who practise favoritism but children do not have the chance to choose their parents!

Li Er scolded: “Your nonsensical logic are getting worst. I seriously don’t know where you learn them from.”

“No need to learn, just use your brain to think. Just like you, Lord Brother, I think you are just raising Chengqian casually, you only tell him what to do and what not to do. He is an adult that is married and have a son!”

Yuanying was quite inspired and shared his decision with Li Er, “In the future when I have a son, I will follow in the Emperor’s footsteps. Once he is old enough, I’ll pass everything to him to figure out. Life is easy and comfortable for me!”

His Majesty found his brother annoying and was unwilling to listen to him anymore. He waved his hand and told him to go back to study. He had important matters to discuss with Wei Zheng and the others.

Since Yuanying offloaded what was on his mind, he was in a good mood and happily ran off.

His Majesty has been busy all day and it was already dusk when he finished dinner.

He somehow remembered what Li Yuanying said earlier. Thinking about it, his brother is right. He really have been demanding more from Chengqian than caring about him.

Even if Chengqian was the crown prince, father and son should not be so unfamiliar!

Thinking back to when the previous Emperor first abdicated, he was so busy that he could not visit father often. But the Empress still took the children to visit his late father regardless of the weather, rain or shine.

That evening, Li Er did not summon for his confidants to discuss work but instead walked towards the East Palace after dinner.

It seems that something has been up in the East Palace, and dinner is only now being served.

His Majesty told his men not to make known his presence but instead requested to be led to the dining room. Only to hear Chengqian saying to the Crown Princess, “Didn’t I tell you not to wait?”

The crown princess  remained silent but grandson Li Xiang replied in a sweet voice: “YaoYao said that family should eat together. Have to wait even if it’s late.” Although Li Xiang is young, his memory is good and he even managed to share a story to Chengqian. “YaoYao also said that one time he forgot and went back very late, YaoYao’s mom waited so long that the food became cold. Since that day, YaoYao is never home late because mummy will be hungry.”

Li Xiang copied Li Yuanying’s words but Li Chengqian understood what he meant.

This son has been playing with young uncle all the time and has grown to become street smart. This statement is obviously to let him know that if he doesn’t come back early, they will starve. He hopes that dad will come back on time every day like Li Yuanying.

Chengqian’s heart softened and he patted Li Xiang’s head: “Okay, daddy promise to never come home late. Even if I’m busy I’ll ask someone to inform.”

Li Xiang happily asked for a hug.

His Majesty was watching this happy scene, but the Crown Princess noticed his arrival and motioned Chengqian to stand up to greet him.

Only then did Li Chengqian who was holding his son on his lap see the Emperor outside looking at them.

Li Chengqian put his son down and led the crown princess to greet the Emperor.

Although Li Er had eaten, he still sat down for a bowl of soup. He then casually asked Li Xiang if he has started to learning how to write.

Li Xiang was a little afraid to approach Li Er at first. After all, whenever he sees the Emperor, he always had a serious face on and often scolded his father!

Seeing grandfather’s expression today, it looks kind and Li Xiang felt that he didn’t seem too fierce and so he was not afraid.

Li Xiang ran to Li Er and sat down: “I’ve been studying, the teacher has taught me. Yaoyao also gave me lots of reading cards! Yaoyao said that when I can recognize all, he will send me new things again!”

Li Er knew that Yuanying had a lot of novel ideas. His children like Sizi has played with them but he didn’t expect his younger brother to give some to his grandson.

His Majesty took Li Xiang to his lap and tested him. Li Xiang responded wisely and was surprisingly smart. He was satisfied.

Li Er was in a good mood and personally fed Li Xiang. Before leaving the East Palace, he said to Li Chengqian: “Xiang’er is not that young anymore, don’t let him stay in the palace all day, let him out to play with the other children. Don’t become estranged from your family just because of work.”

It is rare for father and son to speak so calmly about family life. Although Li Chengqian don’t know why Li Er suddenly came but seeing him close to his grandson, he felt happy.

After His Majesty left, the Crown Princess happily hugged Li Xiang: “Father seems to like Xiang’er very much.”

Li Xiang nodded in agreement.

Li Chengqian patted his son’s head and said, “Xiang’er is smart and cute, of course father likes him. “

….…..

The East Palace finished a pleasant dinner. On Li Yuanying’s side, he went on a walk with Lady Liu to digest dinner.

Lady Liu is a cautious person and will not even walk into the forbidden garden. She only wish to wander around their home after dinner.

When Li Yuanying came back at noon, he just said that nothing happened at court meeting and it was boring. Lady Liu believed it.

But by evening, she heard from someone else that Li Yuanying not only refuted the courtiers but also spoke privately with Prince of Wei Li Tai and was criticized by His Majesty.

“Since when are you friends with Prince Wei again?”

As soon as Yuanying heard it, he knew someone must have shared the new to mother. He disagree and immediately told Lady Liu all about Li Tai’s shortcomings.  “I’m not friends with him, he always complains to the Emperor. He suddenly yelled at me and others found out that we were talking. “

As for the matter of him frequently airing his own grievances to the Emperor, Li Yuanying certainly wouldn’t tell his mom. He thinks his complaints are justified. The Book of Rites clearly states that Friendship cannot always be one sided, not to reciprocate is against etiquette.

So, if Li Tai complaints about him, how can he not retaliate?!

Lady Liu knows that the Emperor favors and is very lenient towards her son. Since no one came to look for her today about his misbehavior she’ll just let it go.

“I don’t understand issues happening outside, I just want you to go out happily and come back happily. Don’t do things you’re not suppose to and don’t hold grudges with anyone.”

Yuanying promised. Since childhood he hasn’t met many who would dared make him unhappy. Whoever dares to make him unhappy, he will make the other person even more unhappy! No fear!

Seeing that his mom still had a worried look, Yuanying quickly shared his conversation with the Emperor with her and told her that he will not spoil his son in the future.

In the future, he will learn from His Majesty and start nurturing his son to take over work as early as possible. When his son grows up, he will immediately throw all the hard work to him. And he will bring mother and his wife to play everywhere.

Of course, if he has a daughter, she’ll come along!

Such a day! How beautiful it would be!

After listening to Li Yuanying, Lady Liu is no longer worry about her son but instead began worrying about her poor future grandson.

Maybe when my grandson is born, I should love him more?

Notes from the author:

Little Prince: Son, these chores will be handed over to you!

Future Boy: ? ? ? ? ?

Little Prince: Don’t blame me, I learned from your second uncle!

His Majesty Li Er: ? ? ? ? ?