Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

Chapter 1 – Li Er’s youngest brother

Summer came early on the 13th year of Zhengguan, it was already turning warm by mid-March.  The imperial court is thus busy preparing to leave for Jiucheng Palace to escape the summer heat.

Under the supervision of experts, Taiji palace was built strategically off Feng Shui principles but on low-lying grounds making it hot and humid during summer.
It would be bearable for the able-bodied but for his Majesty Li Er [1] who has toiled all year long with a weaken body, summer in Taiji Palace was unbearable.

In the 13 years that he had ruled, his Majesty occasionally brings the imperial family to Jiucheng Palace to escape summer.
This year’s attendee includes a very special child, his youngest bother Li Yuanying.

At the mention of Li Yuanying, many would scrunch their forehead in disapproval simply because even as a young child he truly is a troublemaker.

Li Yuanying was born on the 4th year of Zhengguan also the 4th year Li Er ascended to the throne as Emperor.

His Majesty is known as Li Er as he is the second child.
And the way he ascended to the throne is infamously known as the XuanWu Gate incident.
On a beautiful sunny morning he ambushed and killed his brothers at XuanWu Gate then requested his bloodied general YuChi JingDe to meet his father for a discussion “Alas it has become like this, what to do?”.
Hearing this, his father had no choice but to make him the crown prince and a few months later stepped down to become Emperor Emeritus.

After spending a few years cleaning up the entire court His Majesty politely invited the Emperor Emeritus who was at that time living in Taiji Palace to move to Da’an Palace.

Da’an Palace was initially called Hongyi Palace and was bestowed to Li Er by the previous emperor.
Life is a cycle, whatever residential you bestowed upon your son will be the same residential you will live in now.

Since stepping down, the former emperor is no longer interested in courtly affairs but has instead fully immersed himself into worldly pleasures.
Li Yuanying was thus born when the former Emperor was of the ripe age of sixty-four.

Like most parents who favoured their youngest child, his majesty was the same.
How much does he favour his son? Even when Li Yuanying pulled his beard, he would proudly brag “Such an intelligent child”.

Li Yuanying hence grew up spoilt.
He has pretty much pulled everyone’s beard from the former emperor to His Majesty Li Er to the ministers of court! Even more outrageous, he once sneakily unbuckled Li Er’s golden belt resulting in it falling off with a loud bang when he arise to toast with his ministers.

All in all, Li Yuanying was truly troublemaker all his life.
Only the former emperor was biased in thinking that he was clever and adorable.

Before his passing, the former emperor wholeheartedly entrusted his precious child to Li Er.
What can his majesty do but to accept? With Li Yuanying being only five he was too young to be given a title and hence his Majesty accepted him into Taiji Palace to be educated together with his own children.

Li Er’s attitude towards children was similar to how one would treat their pets, left to professional help only to be summoned for amusement when they crossed his mind.
Naturally that was how Li Yuanying was also treated.

The children’s reaction towards moving to Jiucheng Palace was out of Li Er’s expectation

First Sizi excitedly approached him.
“Father, can we bring young uncle along?”

Then ChengYang shyly approached him.
“Father, can we bring young uncle along?”

Later, HengShan sweetly approached him.
“Father, can we bring young uncle along?”

Followed by Li Zhi who mustered up all his courage and approached him.
“Father, can we bring young uncle along?”

His Majesty felt that this was unusual.
Given that these children are legitimate children between him and Empress Zhangsun, they were treated more favourably than other prince and princesses and would not be easily persuaded or instructed by others.
Li Er decided to not react outwardly and asked Li Yuanying’s name to be added to the entourage list, ready to observe this younger brother.

As summer arrives, the imperial court packed up their bags and set off for Jiucheng Palace.

Jiucheng Palace was built during the Sui Dynasty and was previously called Renshou Palace.
His Majesty thinks that it’s too wasteful to demolish it entirely and to rebuild a new summer palace hence it was simply refurbished for its intended use.

Following behind His Majesty’s carriage was a carriage filled with young children who were chatting excitedly.
The leader was Li Yuanying aged nine.
Blessed with outstanding features – a handsome face, red lips with pearly white teeth and a pleasing voice clear as spring that always utter pleasantries from it:  

“It was said that Jiucheng Palace was short of water after it was refurbished.
Lord brother and sister-in-law wandered around and found a place that was abnormally humid and poked it with something resulting in spring water emerging.
Lord brother was extremely pleased and asked Wei Zheng to write “Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription” [2] while Ouyang Xun was asked to inscribe it.” (Li yuanying)

“Oh yes, I heard of this! Ouyang’s handwriting is great and we usually practice his characters.” (Prince of Jin – Li Zhi)

Li Zhi is Li Yuanying’s nephew but in re