Chapter 1: Girl, Give Me a Smile

Li Yi slowly opened his eyes, his head still spinning as if he were drunk. In the hazy blur before him, he saw on a nearby wall a piece of calligraphy in a flying white script—words that seemed somehow familiar: “If I have a healer, this life is enough!” The inscription was clear: "Imperial Hand, Fourth Year of the Zhenguan Era!"

A jolt of shock gripped Li Yi’s heart.

“This is... the fourth year of Zhenguan in the Great Tang?” The words escaped his lips, yet there was no one else in the room to answer him.

He pressed his fingers to his temples and rose from the bed, standing alone in the room and taking in the classical arrangements with a sense of bewilderment. Directly in front of the bed stood a slim-legged table of red sandalwood, upon which lay brushes, ink, and paper. Beneath the table was a crescent-shaped low stool. Aside from these, there was only the calligraphy on the wall.

At a glance, the room seemed clean and uncluttered, yet it exuded an air of opulence and nobility—this was Li Yi’s first impression. Judging from the layout and furnishings, he was certain he was now in the Tang dynasty, for such splendid décor was a hallmark of the Zhenguan period.

“Have I truly crossed into the Tang dynasty?” His eyes darted about in doubt as he pushed open the redwood door.

Just outside waited a maid in blue, who hurried to meet him. She scanned him up and down, her face marked with worry and fear as she called softly, “Young Master, you’re awake...”

“Young Master?” Li Yi frowned, puzzled.

At that instant, a torrent of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind like a floodgate bursting open. Li Yi, styled Bo’an, twenty-eight years of age, was the son born late in life to Li Jing, Minister of War, and the famed Lady Hongfu. From childhood, he was gifted, mastering both the civil and martial arts under his parents’ guidance. Yet his temperament was unruly, bearing all the habits of a spoiled noble’s son, for which he was often scolded by Li Jing. But every time Lady Hongfu appeared, Li Jing would be forced to let the matter drop. Clearly, Lady Hongfu doted on him with a mother’s fierce affection, leaving even Li Jing helpless.

After a moment’s work, Li Yi finally sorted through his new life’s memories.

“But why have I crossed over so inexplicably?”

Li Yi was still baffled. He vaguely recalled being drunk, then falling asleep, only to awaken as the third son of the Li family in the Tang dynasty. As he searched his memories, it struck him: in his previous life, as an avid student of Tang history, he had once prayed in a temple, wishing one day to experience life in the Tang. Never did he imagine such a fantastical wish would come true—nor that he would be reborn as Li Jing and Lady Hongfu’s cherished son, the third young master of the Li family.

Strange! Miraculous! Unbelievable! Li Yi could only describe it with these words.

“Well, since I’m here, I might as well make the best of it. Now that my dream has come true, I’ll live well in this glorious Tang. As for Li Bo’an... you may rest easy. I’ll look after your parents for you,” he resolved, comforted by the thought that, having been alone in his past life, there was nothing to hold him back.

In that moment, Li Yi felt as though the memories of his past and present lives had fully merged. What’s more, he noticed a newfound strength throughout his body; even his vision had become razor-sharp, able to see a hundred paces without strain. This, at least, was an unexpected surprise. It seemed the soul of the former Li Yi had found its peace.

“What are you saying, Young Master?” The maid, seeing him lost in thought and quietly laughing to himself, asked curiously. Her large, blue-green eyes blinked nervously, her head lowered as if bracing for trouble.

Li Yi snapped out of his reverie at her question. “Oh, nothing...” He glanced at the maid, Yue’er, whose delicate beauty and slender waist caught his eye, and he smiled faintly. Taking a deep breath, he gazed at the brilliant autumn day, his heart filled with contentment.

“Great Tang, I, Li Yi, have arrived...”

Steadying himself, Li Yi now fully inhabited the role of a wayward noble son. Placing his hands behind his back, he strolled forward, leaned in with a rakish air, and teasingly lifted Yue’er’s chin. “Miss, give your master a smile!”

Yue’er stared at him in surprise, her eyes wide, her heart suddenly fluttering, her cheeks suffused with blush.

Clearly, Li Yi now knew she was no ordinary maid, but rather his personal attendant—in plain terms, a concubine meant to serve him at night. Yet, having trained with Lady Hongfu, the former Li Yi had never favored her, treating her with cold indifference and forbidding her from entering his chambers. So she had always waited outside his door, rain or shine.

Thus, when Li Yi’s demeanor changed so abruptly, Yue’er found it hard to adjust. Her bright gaze fixed on him, she dared not smile without permission.

“What, you won’t obey?” Li Yi frowned, feigning anger.

“No, Young Master, I dare not,” Yue’er replied anxiously, twisting her hands. “Young Master has never liked me to smile, so I dared not.”

Li Yi sighed. Truly, feudal society could ruin a person. A casual remark from the former Li Yi had left Yue’er so cowed, she dared not even smile in his presence.

“From now on, don’t keep a straight face. You look better when you smile—it makes me happy,” Li Yi said, leaning in to meet her blue-green eyes.

Instantly, Yue’er’s cheeks flushed even deeper, as red as ripe apples on Mount Fuji.

“Yes, Young Master. I’ll remember,” she nodded, stepping back nervously. She blinked again, then mustered a shy, uneasy smile for him.

With her lovely dimples and radiant face, she was as beautiful as the moon in the sky, and Li Yi nearly lost himself in admiration.

“That’s more like it. Remember to smile often, all right? Now, lead the way. Let’s take a walk around the manor.”

“Yes, Young Master.” Yue’er almost replied with a blank expression, but recalling Li Yi’s earlier words, she broke into a charming, innocent smile—pure and captivating.

“Good, keep it that way!” Seeing Yue’er finally relax, Li Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

After touring the Minister’s residence, Li Yi gained a general understanding of the place. The manor was not large, nor overly adorned, reflecting Li Jing’s preference for frugality. However, Li Yi’s own chamber was surprisingly spacious compared to the rest, which left him astonished.

“It seems Lady Hongfu truly doted on her son beyond measure!” Li Yi shook his head, smiling wryly.

Now that he had taken over another’s life, was this not an enormous stroke of fortune?