Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

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During an interview with prominent Tang Dynasty ministers: You have known Li Yuanying for a long time. What do you think about his character?

Wei Zheng: Shameless!

Fang Xuanling: Shameless!

Sun Simiao: Shameless!

His Majesty Li Er: My most shameless brother.

Li Yuanying: Continue talking guys! I’m leaving first.

This is a light-hearted novel documenting the adventures (or more accurately ruckus) of Li Yuanying, youngest brother of Emperor Taizhong of Tang Dynasty.

Associated Names
One entry per line
闲唐
Related Series
N/A
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Latest Release

Date Group Release
07/13/25 Shanghai Fantasy c170
07/06/25 Shanghai Fantasy c169
06/16/25 Shanghai Fantasy c168
06/16/25 Shanghai Fantasy c167
06/16/25 Shanghai Fantasy c166
02/01/25 Shanghai Fantasy c165
02/01/25 Shanghai Fantasy c164
02/01/25 Shanghai Fantasy c163
12/29/24 Shanghai Fantasy c162
12/27/24 Shanghai Fantasy c161
12/26/24 Shanghai Fantasy c160
12/25/24 Shanghai Fantasy c159
12/24/24 Shanghai Fantasy c158
10/19/24 Shanghai Fantasy c157
10/13/24 Shanghai Fantasy c156
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16 Reviews sorted by


makenai89
makenai89 rated it
October 12, 2021
Status: extra21
It's a charming story about an alternate world's Tang dynasty. The protagonist is The Prince of Teng, Li Yuanying, who is the youngest brother of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang.

This alternate Li Yuanying (that may or may not be transmigrated person) got a library system that enables him to receive knowledges and stuffs beyond his era. As the result, he leisurely (and shamelessly) changes the world's history.

... more>>
Spoiler

Taizong's sons no longer kill each other. Taizong's eldest son, Li Chengqian, manages to succeed him relatively peacefully and live longer. Li Zhi does not become Emperor Gaozong nor got involved with Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian instead becomes the first female prime minister. Li Yuanying remains politically influential and close to Taizong and Li Chengqian for a lifetime. And so on.

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The novel provides interesting twists for fans of ancient China or anyone who loves alternate history. The author manages to draw lifelike main characters with consistent behavior throughout the story, while maintaining aforementioned characters' original profiles.

Still, it's not perfect. First, erratic pacing (?) causes some events to develop slower and some other quicker in later chapters. Second, there's a bit of "Chinese nationalism" here. I consider it logically suitable for people of THAT ERA, but I understand that it might also offend people from related countries. <<less
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Shimozuki Yue
Shimozuki Yue rated it
April 13, 2022
Status: Completed
I'm not into actual history so I don't know how historically altered this story is.

But just for the MC, I'll give him a solid 5. This fvkng brat is so dmn chaotic, I'm dying with him.

Our MC is OP. Definitely. But you can't feel it as you just want to beat him.

... more>> He's smart on all of his own. If he study well, you could say he's a genius. Plus his golden finger which let him have higher source of knowledge. Also, he's a genius in making money.

But this guy is a huge brat! A chaotic brat! Not an annoying one, just don't mistake it. He is always looking for fun ways to live. He will jump up at any given opportunity. If you dig a hole, he'll actively jump into it.

Spoiler

He doesn't like learning. He can't sit still for a while. But just any kid, he can be taunted.

He was taunted into proving his knowledge so he started learning. He then learn that it could be fun. How? It helps him scold people. He's the kind of person that when he's into it, he's very serious. Oh, also, he likes story very much. Those serious books was complied by him to be children stories. Hahaha.

So there's this one that always scold the emperor. MC went to him to study the books of rites. Because MC realized, within the book of rites are many rules but also many excuses to make you feel bad about your behaviour, and this man was the expert.

There's also this teacher of the crown prince that's always scolding. MC don't like him but them he was suddenly scolded when visiting his nephew. MC at that moment was enlightened. Later, MC went to teach the CP how to write a paper using this to pit people into their thief ship.

It was commented that if these teachers know that MC learn from them how to scold and excuse, they would vomit blood.

(Actually, there's a part where noone wants to teach MC at their mini school because they realised he was getting harder to control.)

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His brother, the emperor, came to throne by killing his brothers. Therefore, he raised him as a show of the emperor's grace. But as this kid grew up, instead of being suspicious, the emperor realized that he's more worried that if he didn't look after this brat, the MC might be chopped off outside. Cause MC really have a knock at offending everyone. MC pitted most of the known ministers in the story ever named to help him at his antics. They all tripped when MC is added to the scene. And MC almost corrupted all his nephew and nieces to run out and play instead of fighting for the throne.

Oh, did I say he's the king of the children? Yes, he is. Even when he got older, he's still the king. He was being serious with his seniority as the uncle. Even if most of them are older than him, he's still the leader! The uncle!

Later, the ministers thought that the emperor was using the MC as a gunman, since he can really stir trouble when put outside. In fact, the emperor and the crown prince was just so familiar with his brain hole that they know which hole to dig.

But don't look at MC always being chaotic. He have the most pure heart. Everyone says he was lucky to be born at the right time, but it's not like MC was naive. In fact, there's many things he knew but just didn't let it affect him. He really look after his nephew and nieces. He took them to play and support them. The many times his nieces run off, they went to look for him and he supported them. When the Crown prince was disheartened due to bias, he would always help him figure it out. MC is just very playful, it's kind of hard to notice that he's been protecting these nieces and nephew.

He promised many things, and he delivered them all.

Want a summer palace for his brother emperor? What the treasury have no money? That's ok! Let all noble family around donate! (Yeah he pitted not only the ministers but also all upper class family)

He also built roads, boats, and ports. He said to his brother emperor that it's for him but the emperor said it's for MC playing. Later, they learn to toss MC from place to place. Let him play and built things. Anyway, they don't have money and MC didn't mind exchanging money for playing.

I definitely love the dynamic of these two brothers. There's so much development between their relationship that also affected the development of both characters.

Spoiler

When young, MC said that the emperor have many royal brother, but he only want to be his brother's younger brother. (He called him directly by name.)

And the emperor, when MC was already older, activity let him have loyal guards. So that if one day, he become suspicious, angry and muddle headed, MC would have someone to help him run away. So that after, he can still look for his younger brother and not just look regretfully at a cold coffin. (Whenever the two fight, MC always said that he would set sail to the sea and run away from home.)

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srrrahim
srrrahim rated it
April 17, 2022
Status: Completed
It is complete in ch 220, and I will soon read the extra chapters [I really love this novel, and feel really reluctant to end it : (]

I never expected this novel to be THAT good!!

I really love MC. He looks like a carefree lawless child, but he is actually really smart, kind, protective towards his own people and family. He is soft hearted, and kind, but never let anyone bully him or his people

I love Dai Ting (his loyal subordinate who always with his since he is a... more>> toddler. He is so beautiful and loyal towards MC. He is also the most ruthless and manipulative. He can stir up a lot of trouble according to mc's request. He can get whatever mc's want from outside the country, represent it to him, and will bring awe to every people. Even mc's brother emperor think that this guy is too dangerous and want to get rid of him, and afraid that his brother can't control this hunting wolf, but MC can see through it and try to prevent it in every single opportunity. Well, his brother's emperor won't really killed Dai Ting because he know that hiss little brother will definitely hate him if he really dare to do it)

Dai Ting is not loyal to the court, nor to the emperor, he is only loyal to Li Yuanying.

I love every single character that author's wrote. Every twist that author's make, every little interaction between each characters, , etc.. I love all of that <<less
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Kaylee
Kaylee rated it
September 7, 2022
Status: Completed
Finished this a while ago. This was a fresh idea for me to read (not anymore because I read another one pretty identical with this one, even the same dynasty and emperor. It made me confused to differentiate them lol). The difference was that this one might be CP Free imo. There's romance but it's very insignificant to the story and it could not be there yet you wont miss for it.

MC was a person from that era and time through and through. He wasnt transmigrated, rebirth, reborn or reincarnated.... more>> He only had a magical library system inside him that helped him to understand some difficult stuff not yet invented/recognized so MC could do something out of norm to help the system itself. Although the presence of such high intelligence would be forgotten by the time the story went to a nice flow.

I only felt this was a lazy, innocent, likeable, afraid to lose connection and prone to loneliness young man. MC was written in annoying tone for me but I liked him and couldnt stop reading this!

Maybe because he was raised by his brother, the emperor, and the emperor also willingly treated him like he was his own son. So MC felt a certain closeness and I think he really considered the emperor as the only relative (all those nephews/nieces were of different generation) and truthfully wanted to make the effort for his brother to enjoy the things he invented. MC only ever opened himself to his brother and I think he only cried in front of him too. And the emperor also trusted and put his brother more important than the others. They actually acted like parent-son imo. Only a child would say he wanted to run from home/parents and they still had the love hate relationship. <<less
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hereforyou
hereforyou rated it
December 6, 2022
Status: c75
The MC is literally the personification of chaotic good. It's lovely to read about a big imperial family with minimal scheming and lots of laughter. Fun & light-hearted but with some underlying narratives about family, equality and history which I found incredibly enjoyable. Would definitely recommend it (especially if you need to cleanse your palate after a few brain-dead imperial harem novels).
4 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Tragically Rad
Tragically Rad rated it
June 28, 2022
Status: Completed
Definitely recommend. The characters and story are interesting and fun. MC is a pure hearted brat in the best way. He is constantly causing trouble that brings positive change. He infects the way the people around him to be inspired think outside the box.
3 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Simsim
Simsim rated it
January 8, 2025
Status: c220
MC and Emperor are the soul of this novel!!

I have never read such a heartwarming ancient novel in a long time. It was humorous with political intrigue. But the cherry on the cake is definitely the lovely relationship between the family. All characters are realistic, who have their own strengths and flaws.

Will definitely write a long review after a while.

But 100℅ recommended.

10/10 for Plot

10/10 for characters

10/10 for story

10/10 for comedic politics
2 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
elliepot
elliepot rated it
November 22, 2024
Status: c140
ughh the MC is soooooo ADORABLE, the tandem between him and his brother emperor is to die for.

The emperor probably won’t admit it but his favorite out of all the kids is probably his lil bro which is relatable though. Li yuanying just triggers one’s cuteness aggression and you can’t help but want to put him in your pocket and protect him. I love that everything he does truly reflects his age, he’s mischievous and defiant but at the same time kind and compassionate. He doesn’t have big ambitions and... more>> just TRULY wants to live his life leisurely, it’s just that the people around him have bad intentions.

Basically the whole story is our MC trying to escape his doting brother emperor’s clutches with some side drama because some officials like to overthink and scheme for their own greed. I find it amazing that his brother emperor never let what other people say change his relationship with the MC. Their interactions are also hilarious, it reflects how close they are.

Plus in an era full of misogynists, even at his young age he wasn’t afraid to voice his beliefs that women also have the right to education and believe that they could even do better than men. SLAY

Definitely recommend <<less
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daoist_of_heavenly_thunder
daoist_of_heavenly_thunder rated it
June 25, 2025
Status: c166
A delightfully light-hearted, historical fiction comedy. The antics of Li Yuanying and his little friends are funny and cute, and ... more>>
Spoiler

it seems to be developing appropriately as he and they grow up into a kingdom-building, self improvement as they start using their utter disregard for the rules for good!

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, not fake at all. Just lying in wait for more chapters to snatch up (read). <<less
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
TrashRaccoon rated it
June 11, 2025
Status: c165
Loved it. The MC here is so funny and witty, sweet and caring, yet at the same time stubborn and has the funniest brain circuits... I’ll have to come back to finish it when more chapters come out. Very good portrayal of women as well!
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Jessy_m
Jessy_m rated it
October 14, 2023
Status: Completed
I love the story; it's a slice of life novel with lots of sweetness. My only regret is that there wasn't enough biography in the extras for most of the side characters and the MC himself. I would have loved it if modern people read some of MC's letters or diaries and were shocked by how shameless he is.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
FarihaAhmed29
FarihaAhmed29 rated it
July 20, 2022
Status: Completed
❤️❤️❤️❤️ great story, love the ML.

Love the way he interacted with each other.

Also love the way everyone had their own happy endings. ❤️❤️❤️
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Kagehina
Kagehina rated it
June 29, 2022
Status: c55
I think overall, I really like how relaxing the storyline was and the comedy made me laughed several times.

The only complaint that I have is that the MC never really grew up. I was curious about how the MC would handle political matters once he was older, but that basically never happened.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
Eskinos
Eskinos rated it
June 26, 2022
Status: c40
It's so good!!!

I wasn't aware he was changing the course of history untill I read another review and I'm 40 chapters in.

I read a bit about the history of those guys on wikipedia, but the changes the protagonist makes are so subtle (while he himself is just a normal human from those times) and the plot progresses so slowly, that the reader isn't aware of the history being changed.
1 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
inkslinger
inkslinger rated it
September 18, 2023
Status: c118
I have read the translated ver til 110 then continued on mtl until 118 but stopped because it was so hard to read. 😔 Anyways, the story is so cute and wholesome. The MC is really a smart person yet so adorable and mischievous (that's what makes the story fun and charming). I love the interactions he has with his nieces and nephews and his lord brother ALSO his teachers. It's just so funny seeing him bickering with them and left them speechless bcs of his logic.
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Pandaisy06
Pandaisy06
February 28, 2023
Status: c89
The MC is unique, michevious and adorable. I really love his relationship with his brother, the emperor, and his nieces and nephews.
0 Likes · Like Permalink | Report
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