Li Yuanying was the 22nd son of Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty and the younger brother of Emperor Taizong Li Shimin. In June of the 13th year of Zhenguan (AD 639), Li Yuanying was granted the title of Prince Teng, and later moved to Hongzhou (Nanchang) as the governor. It is said that his only achievement was the construction of the "Tengwang Pavilion" on the bank of the Gan River in the west of the city in AD 653. Tengwang Pavilion is famous all over the world because of the "Preface to Tengwang Pavilion" by Wang Bo, a poet of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Yuanying was the youngest son of Li Yuan. During the famous Xuanwumen Incident in history, Li Shimin killed Prince Li Yuanjian and King Qi Li Yuanji and proclaimed himself Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuanying, the king of Teng, was Li Shiming's younger brother. Although he was not seen doing anything during this incident, according to the data, he was arrogant, extravagant and had bad conduct. However, he was proficient in singing and dancing and had great artistic talent.