Li Shimin Feels a Headache for His Younger Brother

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In the mansion of the Duke of Tang in Jinyang, a pair of twin brothers resided. The elder brother, Li Shimin, was physically robust and excelled in martial arts, while the younger, Li Xuanba, had been consuming medicines from the time he was born. It was often said that twins shared a mysterious telepathic link. Li Shimin, the second son of the Duke, confirmed these rumors to be true.

After several moments of shock caused by the astonishing words originating from Li Xuanba’s mind, Li Shimin decided to confront his twin. “Xuan, do you know that each time you focus your mind, I can hear your thoughts? Can you possibly stop doing so? I prefer not to listen.” Li Xuanba, known far and wide as the fragile son who was always under the weather retorted, “No. If you’re dissatisfied, you can talk as well.” Li Shimin, though physically healthy but mentally not as robust as Li Xuanba, tried with all his might to conjure a mental expression, only managing to squeeze out a single character after turning a shade of purple. “Ah!!!!!!!” This left Li Xuanba almost laughing himself into convulsions.

In his previous life, Li Xuanba worked as an editor for a historical marketing account. He had specialized in trolling Li Shimin to gain traffic. However, after overworking himself to death one night, he was reborn as the fragile twin brother of Li Shimin, a character from a historical fiction novel famous for a bravery akin to that of Xiang Yu, but in reality died of illness at the age of sixteen. Li Xuanba thought, “Oh ho, this is retribution.” Regardless, he decided to go with the flow, even telling his brother, “Hey, if you want any spoilers, I’ll tell you!” Li Shimin, exasperated, retorted, “I don’t want to hear anything!!”

Years later, Li Shimin was adorned in dragon robes, his hands stained with fresh blood. Li Xuanba, frail as ever, was still alive. One day, after Li Xuanba fell onto the ground pretending to faint after an argument with Wei Zheng, Li Shimin hoisted his brother onto his back and set off running, just like when they were children. “Hahaha, brother, you should have seen how twisted old Wei’s face was!” Li Xuanba laughed. “Shut up!” replied Li Shimin. “Congratulations, brother. You can finally say two words, hehe.” Once again, Li Shimin displayed a grimace of annoyance, carrying his bothersome brother forward with each step.

Footnote:

This is a story that the author enjoys writing, filled with palace intrigue, sibling rivalry, and acts of patricide. It’s an alternative history, filled with many unfounded rumors and private settings. The dialogs and appellations are more modernized instead of being authentic to the Tang Dynasty. The main characters are far from perfect: Li Shimin has his flaws as a feudal emperor; Li Xuanba is even less of a good person, his main priority being his own well-being. Updates are daily. If any changes, an announcement will be made.

Decorative Tags: Court Nobility, Time Travel, Daily Life, Spoilers, Ensemble Cast

Search Keywords: Protagonist: Li Xuanba, Li Shimin | Side Characters: Many people from the Sui and Tang dynasties | Others:

One-line Summary: Li Shimin: Brother, I beg you to shut up!

Guiding Thought: Water can carry a boat; it can also capsize a boat.

Associated Names
One entry per line
李世民为弟弟心声头疼中
李世民為弟弟劇透頭疼中
Related Series
N/A
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Latest Release

Date Group Release
01/28/26 WTNovels c26
01/27/26 WTNovels c25
01/26/26 WTNovels c24
01/25/26 WTNovels c23
01/24/26 WTNovels c22
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01/16/26 WTNovels c14
01/15/26 WTNovels c13
01/14/26 WTNovels c12
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6 Reviews sorted by


Kall_
Kall_ rated it
December 24, 2023
Status: c154
It's a story about MC who reincarnated/ transmigrated to ancient times and become the sickly twin brother of the Emperor Taizong of Tang who died young. Though it was still the Sui Dynasty, and Duke of Tang haven't rebell yet.

Knowing that he'll die young. He planned and did many things for his brother who will become the emperor in the future to have a smooth journey.

He also wants to be remembered in history and made a name for himself before he died.

Searching talent everywhere and let them serve under his... more>> brother. There are many people who serve Emperor Taizong in history. MC never deliberately meet them but it is probably fate that they send themselves to the door early.

MC save a few ministers who was going to get killed because of the Sui Emperor cannot tolerate advice and being admonish.

Sui Emperor suspicious mind is really terrible.

MC butterfly wings effect made the 'history' slowly changing a bit. He wants the Tang dynasty later on his brother's descendants to last longer

MC and his brother interaction is so funny. Sometimes Li Erlang didn't want to hear so he close his ear. But MC was talking to him with telepathy. The interaction with other also good, the plot was good.

Anyway, It is a good read. I'm not into ancient time theme. But the summary draw me in so I give it a try for a few chapter out of bored but who would have thought I would read it to the end and it's a novel that is still ongoing :') which I would never step in before.

There's a translation team translating this novel which I feel grateful that many people will read this good novel. <<less
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makenai89
makenai89 rated it
January 18, 2024
Status: --
It's really, really good. One of the best alternate history novels in my reading list.

It has strong characterization, fluid dialogues, proper settings, and very relatable. You will laugh, cry, and feel twisted along as the MC goes on his journey from a sickly kid in the backyard into a famous strategist that frighten kings on sight.

I recommend it with 5 stars+++. 180 chapters read, and I'm enthusiastically waiting for more.

As the story is still ongoing, I would like to say to the author and translator: Jiayou!
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Sherlocked
Sherlocked rated it
March 28, 2026
Status: Completed
Honestly it started off quite well and it was a ride for most of the book (~200 chapters). But later it was so draggy that I had to force myself to finish it. Still a journey. If one needs to compare, while I do like the twins bond (sarcasm and schadenfreude mostly), the QSH book was much better. Maybe it's because I read them in succession and feel this way. Simply speaking, the beginning and the middle were exemplary while towards the end, it slows and feels rather repetitive. Would... more>> still recommend it though (it has its pros and cons). <<less
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aml.1908
aml.1908 rated it
October 22, 2025
Status: Completed
Amazing, epic, funny, family feels; thats this story.

I loved the relationship between the twins and how it never really changed even as they got older. I love how Li Shimin always tries to stop the MC from talking about the future.

The plot was also amazing and suspensful. We get to see the downfall of the Sui dynasty, the chaos thereafter and the rise of the Tang dynasty.

I love so many characters here. Teachers, Friends, Family.

The world was also convincing and just epic, honestly.

Just read this, please.
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greenHills
greenHills rated it
June 26, 2025
Status: c228
Basically, it's more of a serious historical fiction novel than you'd expect from the summary, lmao. Admittedly, it's perhaps not as rigorous as classic historical fiction, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

The time-travel element and the summary kind of make you expect a casual face-slapping novel of the "he went back in time and invented the steam engine and predicted everything so his side insta-won" variety, but it's not that at all. Alternate history is a more accurate descriptor; with Li Xuanba being a time-traveller with modern knowledge (and an OP memory),... more>> the author tries to speculate on how he would affect Li Shimin's rise to the throne and the establishment of the Tang dynasty. Although the language is modern, most of the settings and major characters are pulled from history, albeit with more speculation on/exaggeration regarding some of their personalities/how they were as youths/other such details that wouldn't necessarily have been preserved in books. The author also generally explains the context behind details like certain noble families snubbing others, making it easier to grasp the dynamics. In some cases, the author even explicitly states their historical sources (either in-text or as a footnote), so as far as alt history time-travel webnovels go, this one has made a pretty serious effort to adhere to history. But it's not dry. Considering that this seems to be a full retelling/butterfly effect version of Li Shimin's life from childhood to ascending the throne, and that, in itself, spans the abrupt fall of the Sui dynasty to the rise of the Tang, this novel has been quite digestible. Despite the number of characters that show up, IMO the author manages the cast well enough to make everyone leave an impression and to make it reasonably easy to remember who's who. <<less
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Chisaki
Chisaki rated it
March 15, 2024
Status: c189
I didn't have many expectations because I had no idea who the historical figures were, but now it's become one of my favorite transmigration novels of all time!! I won't talk much about the premise since the other two reviewers have already done so.. I just want to say that this is a really heartwarming story about connections, dreams, ambitions, and the good in people, even in a chaotic world. There are a lot of characters, but each one is so unique and wonderful in their own way. My two... more>> favorites are Prince Zhao and Prince Jian :') <<less
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