Chapter Four: The Thirteenth Night of the Young Man

Seemingly sensing Li Yuanba's confusion, Li Shimin stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying: "Fourth brother, you are my biological brother and have made significant contributions to the great Tang dynasty. Tomorrow, you shall accompany me to court, for I shall confer upon you a title of nobility!"

At this point, Xia'er’s gaze dimmed: "It is just that, being of lowly status, I have never been to the Western Inner Court; all of this I have heard from those elder sisters."

Puff!

Crowning a King

Fine, let it be Chang'an City then

"What?" Li Yuanba was stunned; he never expected that a pie would fall from the sky and actually hit him.

Li Yuanba noticed the worry reflected in Li Shimin's eyes and couldn't help but feel ashamed for having harbored negative thoughts about him earlier. He stopped Li Shimin and said: "Second brother, don't worry, I'm fine. I was just happy to hear that I would be granted a title!"

Upon this thought, Li Yuanba instinctively took the delicate, boneless little hand of the young girl and rushed towards the garden

After Yuan Tiangang left, Li Shimin cast a glance at Liu Sanshui

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Liu Sanshui entered with his head bowed, holding a silk cloth with both hands.

Looking around and seeing no one, the bored and slightly pained Li Yuanba did not take Li Shimin's words to heart at all. Letting him take a nap in the Shenlong Hall? This was even more distressing for him than being killed

Li Shimin glanced at Li Yuanba, who was filled with resentment on the stool, and decided to abandon this approach.

Li Shimin looked at Li Yuanba with concern and said, "Fourth brother, what happened to you just now? Is your old ailment acting up again? I will summon Zhang Qiao back immediately..."

Liu Sanshui had been by Li Shimin's side for many years, and naturally understood his intentions. He waved to several young palace maids and said, "You few, all come out with me!"

Upon thinking of https://www.hetushu.com, Li Yuanba could not help but break out in a cold sweat.

Li Shimin pointed to the vast expanse of open land between the city and the Qinling Mountains, saying: "Fourth brother, according to the customs of our Tang Dynasty, royal family members who are granted the title of king will be bestowed a piece of fief. Come and see, choose where you want and how large an area you desire, I can fulfill your wishes!"

Li Shimin and the others looked quite similar to Li Yuanba, truly a wild night with the Thirteen Brothers, how exuberant it was

Xia Er tilted her little head and thought for a moment, suddenly her eyes brightened, and she said: "My lord, in the northern part of the palace city, there is a garden called the Western Inner Garden. The scenery within the palace is mostly that of mountain villages, which is most pleasing in the spring and autumn seasons. In winter, the view of the snow is also quite captivating"

Several young palace maids gracefully bowed to Li Shimin and followed Liu Sanshui out of the grand hall

The silk appeared a tawny color from the back, but upon opening it, the inside revealed a white background with black patterns. Li Yuanba leaned in to take a look and discovered that what appeared on the silk was actually a long scroll of painting. The first thing that caught his eye was the vast Qinling Mountains, followed by a massive city not far from the Qinling.

Fang Xuanling and several others showed a hint of worry on their faces. Just a moment ago, everything was fine; how could it change so suddenly?

Li Shimin saw his brother sitting dazedly on the Hu bed and thought that his old ailment had recurred. He quickly reached out his hand and waved it in front of him, saying: "Fourth brother, Fourth brother... Yuanba..."

The other young palace maids all cast envious glances at Xia'er. There was no helping it; within the imperial palace, the death of a few palace maids or eunuchs was a common occurrence. In the eyes of these young maids, the Fourth Brother mentioned by the Emperor was certain to be granted a title in the future. With such a significant figure backing her, Xia'er might one day escape the confines of the palace, a dream that these maids had longed for.

Consider this: who would be at ease assigning a capricious and inherently powerful monster to local governance? Wouldn't that clearly be a recipe for disaster for the common people?

Creak!

What else can be done? Should we really go for a night with thirteen men? At that time, whether Li Yuanba's memory can be restored is still uncertain, but this body will definitely be beyond repair, as it would mean exhausting one's essence and losing one's life

"Fourth brother, what are you thinking about?" Li Shimin patted Li Yuanba's shoulder and said, "I have matters to attend to, so you should rest well in the hall for now. I will come over at noon to have a meal with you! By the way, take this token; with this token, you can move freely within the palace."

In such a short time, he has come to understand that he can no longer return to the modern era. Since Li Shimin wishes to confer a title upon him, then so be it. He has firmly decided to become a carefree prince, uninterested in affairs of state, seeking only to stroll with birds and flirt with young ladies each day, and that would be enough for him

"Damn it, even if I were possessed by Ximen Qing, it would be impossible to handle thirteen in one night!" Li Yuanba looked at Yuan Tiangang with a face full of resentment, his heart crying out endlessly

Li Yuanba waved his hand dismissively and suddenly pointed at the little palace maid Xia'er, whom he had previously deceived, saying: "Xia'er, accompany me for a stroll!"

However, this is not surprising. Firstly, Li Yuanba is a royal relative, and after Li Yuan, the Tang Emperor, raised his army, he achieved remarkable feats time and again, thus being conferred the title of king is only natural

The path leads to the decree

"Put it on the ground!" Li Shimin glanced at the silk and said.

That is indeed a position above all others, and in the future, in the entire Tang Dynasty, who would he still fear

Yuan Tiangang departed with great nonchalance, unafraid of Li Shimin. After all, this old diviner was all alone; at worst, he could abandon his meager existence and sacrifice his life. Eighteen years later, he would return as a fine diviner once again

Haha, no problem! Today, I, your elder brother, will take you for a stroll around the Western Inner Courtyard! Li Yuanba does not care about anyone's lowly status; he is now officially on duty, and who would dare to resist "as if I were personally present"?

Upon seeing Li Yuanba about to leave the grand hall, I hurriedly paid my respects

However, Li Yuanba does not think this way now. It is important to note that he still possesses the mindset of a modern person. Having just arrived in the Tang Dynasty, he has already gained significant advantages, and yet he is to be conferred the title of king!

Li Yuanba originally wanted to ask why it was only the territory surrounding Chang'an, but upon recalling the accounts of Li Yuanba's temperament in unofficial histories, he felt relieved.

"No!" Liu Sanshui responded, reaching out to grasp the two corners of the silk, shaking his hand to fling it away.

At this moment, only the two brothers Li Shimin remain in the Dragon Hall, along with four loyal ministers of the Tang Dynasty, including Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui

When he stood up from the wooden stool, intending to see off Li Shimin and the others, he found that the five of them had already left the main hall on their own

Xia Er slightly opened her cherry-like lips in surprise, then softly uttered an 'mm', and stood behind Li Yuanba

Li Yuanba looked at these few people with some confusion, thinking to himself: "Why aren't these old brothers going out? What are they doing standing here?"

As he spoke, Li Shimin was about to call Liu Sanshui

Having finally arrived in the great Tang dynasty, Li Yuanba, a modern historian, had his heart set on venturing beyond the Divine Dragon Hall, eager to personally explore the ancient and grand Tang imperial palace

Li Yuanba thought to himself that this was indeed a valuable treasure, and he casually tucked the gold medal from the *illustrated* book into his bosom

Zhi Yang?" Upon hearing this name, Li Yuanba nodded thoughtfully and mused, "It seems that I truly have a connection with this place!"

Leading the little girl through the grand courtyard of the imperial city, Li Yuanba gazed at the uniform high walls, yellow tiles, and the white snow covering the rooftops. His earlier excitement had now subsided, and he asked the girl behind him, "Xia'er, are there any beautiful sights in this imperial city?"

It is important to note that the nobility system of the Tang Dynasty was extremely strict, with nine ranks of nobility ranging from the lowest level of the fifth rank, known as "County Lord," to the highest rank of the first rank, known as "King." The disparities during this period were vast. Not to mention being "enfeoffed as a king," even an individual without a title wishing to advance to the rank of "County Lord" would find it impossible throughout their lifetime without exceptional contributions

Du Ruhui lowered his head to take a glance and smiled, saying: "Your Majesty, this is Zhiyang. Since it is a newly promoted county position, it has not yet been marked."

Li Yuanba was taken aback, thinking to himself: "What the heck, what is going on? Is it the case that no one cares about fighting in this imperial palace? This won't do, I must go see the commotion!"

Who is this person before us? He is none other than the ruthless figure behind the "Xuanwu Gate Incident." Consider Prince Yin, Li Jiancheng, and King Qi, Li Yuanji; are they not full-blooded brothers of Li Shimin? Yet, they were still exterminated along with their entire family

Yuan Tiangang nonchalantly brushed off the slightly damp Daoist robe with a light sweep, saying: "What do you think? I wonder what Your Majesty's thoughts are on this matter"

Li Yuanba did not think that much; he simply found the young girl very beautiful. Even if he couldn't raise her into a complete loli, wouldn't it still be pleasing to the eye to look at her?

Li Yuanba's gaze wandered over the topographic map, and suddenly his eyes lit up. He pointed to a location that had both mountains and water, surrounded by several villages, and said, "Second brother, this is the place I want!"

Thus, he waved his hand and said: "Yuan Tiangang, this time you have escaped a calamity! However, if Yuan Ba appears in any further situations, be careful, for I will take your head! Now, step back!"

However, just when he was still feeling pleased with himself, he suddenly realized that something was amiss

"Ah? What is it, Second Brother?" When Li Shimin called him for the fifth time, Li Yuanba suddenly jolted awake.

Pushing open the palace door and stepping outside, Li Yuanba was about to walk out when several young palace maids approached, each carrying a delicate tray.

Hmm, Keming, which county is this? Why is there no label?" Li Shimin glanced at the location pointed out by Li Yuanba and turned to look at Du Ruhui

Sitting on the wooden stool, Li Yuanba had just lifted the teacup to take a sip of water when he heard this statement, and without leaving a drop, he sprayed it all out, which happened to land on the lower part of Master Yuan's robe, feeling as if he had wet his pants.

After only a quarter of an hour, Li Yuanba arrived at the entrance of the Western Inner Courtyard with Xia'er. They had not yet entered the palace grounds when suddenly a cacophony of shouting, mixed with the sounds of punches and kicks, erupted from within the courtyard

After comforting the little girl for a few moments, Li Yuanba quickly led Xia'er through the imperial city courtyard. Whenever they encountered patrolling guards or sentinels, he would simply declare "As if I were personally present," and they would all immediately kneel in unison, chanting long live the emperor.

Ah? Li Shimin was somewhat taken aback, but then he burst into hearty laughter: "Hahaha, good! It is indeed a reason to be happy! Sanshui, bring in the topographic map of Chang'an that I just asked you to retrieve!"

Li Yuanba gazed at the golden token in his hand, noticing that the back was engraved with a fierce golden dragon, while the front displayed the four characters "As if I were personally present" in regular script