Chapter Ten: A Small Gift

To be honest, Li Yuechen’s memory when it comes to sports is quite decent. On the second day, she visited Liu Rengui’s home again, and after practicing the routines all morning, she had nearly memorized them. Liu Rengui, sipping yogurt in the pavilion, nodded repeatedly in approval, “The princess is clever. She will surely become a first-rate master.”

Old Li grinned and performed an irregular salute, “Thank you, Master, for your praise!” Her childish attempt at maturity made Liu Rengui chuckle, his weathered face seeming to regain a touch of youthful spirit.

He was, after all, a general of considerable renown, yet neither his two sons nor grandsons lived up to his expectations; they were neither adept in civil nor military pursuits. At first, he was reluctant to take on the task of teaching the princess martial arts, but after two days and seeing that she was unpretentious, lively, and endearing, he found himself enjoying it. Since he was already an old man, accompanying a young girl in exercise was not a bad way to spend his time.

As he thought this, his mind wandered to his two grandsons. If only… But then he shook his head. With the princess so favored, how could the Liu family ever hope to climb so high?

Had Li Yuechen known his thoughts at that moment, she would likely have stared wide-eyed and shouted, “What nonsense is this? I treat you as my master, and you want me to be your granddaughter-in-law?”

“Your Highness… that’s enough for now. How about some yogurt?” Liu Rengui beckoned.

“Alright!” Old Li, having just finished a set, was lightly sweating. She entered the pavilion, where Xiao He and Eunuch Fu hurried to pour her a bowl of yogurt.

Though they were now master and apprentice, the princess was still the princess; Liu Rengui dared not address her directly as “disciple.”

“Your Highness is wise. Once you are more familiar with it, you need not come every day. When your foundation is strong, you can learn other things. I hope Your Highness will not be impatient.”

“Yes, I understand!” She knew well that martial arts could not be mastered overnight, and, possessing the soul of an adult, she was not in a hurry.

Around noon, Old Li announced her departure. She couldn’t very well freeload meals every day at her master’s home, so seeing the sun rise toward its zenith, she boarded the carriage and returned.

After lunch at Chengxiang Hall, Xiao He came to report, “Your Highness, Eunuch Zhang has arrived.”

“Invite him in!”

Li Yuechen rose quickly from her cushion and hurried to the door. Zhang Chengxin approached, smiling broadly. “Your Highness, His Majesty has just issued a decree to restore the status of the two princesses. He sent me to ask if Your Highness wishes to accompany them.”

Old Li nodded, “I’ll go!”

Xiao He rushed to help her with her shoes, while Eunuch Fu busied himself with preparations.

They made their way to Yeting Palace, found her two sisters, and Zhang Chengxin began reading the imperial edict. Old Li didn’t really catch the details, but the gist was that, since Li Yuechen had spoken of blood ties, the two were released and their titles as princesses restored.

Upon hearing the edict, her sisters first lifted their heads in surprise, looking at Li Yuechen, who stood smiling beside Zhang Chengxin. Then they spoke in unison, “Thank His Majesty!”

From now on, her sisters would remain princesses of the Great Tang, living together in the annex of Chengxiang Hall and spending their days playing with Li Yuechen.

Old Li was delighted, running over to congratulate the two. “Congratulations, sisters.”

“We should thank you, Yuechen!” Princess Xuan Cheng replied with a smile.

After exchanging a few words, Old Li approached Lady Liu of the palace staff, nodded, and said, “Thank you, Lady Liu, for taking care of my sisters these past days. If you ever need my help, I will do my best within my abilities.”

Lady Liu’s face lit up with surprise. “Your Highness is too kind. It was merely my duty!”

With Li Yuechen’s words, she had received a personal favor. As long as she didn’t overstep, minor favors could always be asked.

She then went to Zhang Chengxin’s side. “Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Zhang. Would you care to join us for some yogurt at Chengxiang Hall?”

“Thank you, Your Highness, but I must report back to His Majesty,” Zhang Chengxin replied with a bow.

Old Li said no more, simply instructing Eunuch Fu to see him off.

Then, hand in hand with her sisters, she walked back to Chengxiang Hall, swinging her feet playfully as if she were on a swing.

Zhang Chengxin and Eunuch Fu, not far behind, glanced back and smiled.

“Well? Was this assignment satisfactory?” Zhang Chengxin asked.

“Oh, indeed!” Eunuch Fu bent slightly, smiling. “Thank you, Grandfather!”

Zhang Chengxin flicked his whisk, wearing an enigmatic smile. “The little princess enjoys great favor. Serve her well, and good days lie ahead!”

“Thanks to Grandfather!” Eunuch Fu replied, reaching into his robe. “Recently, His Majesty bestowed some…”

Before he could finish, Zhang Chengxin pressed his arm with the whisk.

“I thought you were sensible. The little princess treats us servants so well, and you still want to take her money? Are you tired of living, you dog?” Zhang Chengxin growled in a low voice.

Eunuch Fu realized he had made a mistake and quickly apologized, slapping himself soundly. “Yes! Grandfather’s lesson is right! I won’t dare again!”

“Enough. Go back and serve the princess. If I find you deceiving her, I’ll take your miserable life!” Zhang Chengxin waved him off.

Terrified, Eunuch Fu bowed deeply. “I wouldn’t dare!”

“Hmm!” Zhang Chengxin flicked his whisk and returned to report.

…

Perhaps knowing that Old Li was happily playing with her sisters today, neither Li Zhi nor Wu Zetian came to disturb her. That night, at Old Li’s suggestion, both sisters stayed overnight in her hall.

It was a bit out of protocol, but Li Yuechen had done it before. Li Zhi and Wu Zetian didn’t mind, indicating it was no issue.

Since her sisters were freed, Old Li felt she ought to express her gratitude, pondering what gift might please Li Zhi and his wife.

Salt?

It seemed simple, but was actually quite complicated. Even in the palace, the salt was coarse. After arriving, it would be ground with stone wheels, rarely appearing as large grains, but it was still far less refined than the salt of later ages.

To make refined salt like in the future wasn’t difficult: first filter out insoluble impurities with fine cloth, then remove soluble ones with slaked lime and carbon dioxide.

These materials were not hard to come by in this era; the challenge was the process’s complexity and the inability to quickly produce a surprising result.

Moreover, a child of three or four making refined salt… just imagining it would cause an uproar.

Though the powerful minister Changsun Wuji was dead and the aristocratic Guanlong faction had fallen, the Five Surnames Seven Clans still remained. Imperial authority was somewhat concentrated, but not absolute.

If refined salt and gunpowder appeared, it would surely trigger another power struggle between emperor and ministers.

So, she decided to leave it as a thought. Her real intention was simply to give Li Zhi and Wu Zetian a small gift to make them happy, continuing to play the cute, well-behaved child. It should be something delightful but not sensational.

She couldn’t think of anything immediately, but wasn’t in a hurry; there was no urgent promise to fulfill, so she could take her time.

She continued her routine of early to bed, early to rise, and set out for Liu Rengui’s home the next morning to practice, hoping to memorize the routines today.

Riding in the carriage once more, Li Yuechen peered out through the window. The streets of this era felt strange to her: there were no shops along the roadside, only uniform walls, making it look odd.

Though there were plenty of men and women on the street, perhaps because of the escorting guards, none dared to look her way.

Old Li, bored, was about to lower the curtain when she suddenly saw two men, just beginning to grow beards, fighting in the street.

They rolled on the ground, their clothes coated with dust. As they fought, they shouted insults—one called the other a “peasant slave,” the other a “dog bastard.”

Their mouths and fists were equally busy, each pummeling the other.

Dust rose from the ground, and passersby simply walked around them, unfazed. The nearby guards seemed to ignore them as well.

Li Yuechen wasn’t surprised by this phenomenon. After spending so much time in this era, she’d discovered many things previously unknown.

Tang people were like this: quick to fight at the slightest disagreement. Charitably, they were passionate; less kindly, just hot-tempered.

Swearing was simple—typically “go die” or “beast”—never involving female relatives.

Of course, in this era, if insults touched a man’s female kin, it would escalate from fists to drawn blades and bloodshed.

Those guards tasked with maintaining order generally didn’t bother intervening, so long as no one brandished a knife and hacked someone in public.

She realized, upon arriving in this era, that even the word “barbarian” was a curse. Thinking back, her legendary mother Wu Zetian once declared in court, “Why not slaughter this barbarian?”—which could be translated as, “Why not kill this beast?”

At this thought, Li Yuechen suddenly burst out laughing, prompting puzzled looks from Xiao He and Eunuch Fu.

“Why does Your Highness laugh?”

Li Yuechen suppressed her laughter and waved her hand, “I just remembered something amusing.”

The two exchanged confused glances, tempted to ask but ultimately refrained.

…

Arriving at Liu Rengui’s home, she practiced all morning and was now fully familiar with the routines.

Liu Rengui told her she need not come every day—just visit every few days to check her progress.

Li Yuechen agreed, and after practicing until noon, returned to the palace.

Suddenly remembering that court was not in session today, she decided to check on Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, greet them, and remind them of her presence.

Inside Yan Ying Hall, she found Li Zhi sitting cross-legged on a couch, his head bristling with silver needles, resembling a hedgehog.

Wu Zetian sat nearby, ready to assist. The imperial physician stood behind Li Zhi, adjusting the needles.

“Chen’er is here,” Li Zhi smiled slightly. “How did your practice go today?”

“I’ve nearly memorized everything,” Li Yuechen replied, sitting beside Wu Zetian. “How is Father? Is he doing well?”

She knew Li Zhi needed regular acupuncture to alleviate his headaches, but as far as she knew, this congenital hereditary illness was difficult to treat even a millennium later, let alone in this era.

She had met the physician, who was said to be a disciple of the medicinal sage Sun Simiao, named Liu Shenwei.

Truth be told, the first time Old Li heard his name, she felt it was comically dramatic.

But then again, many people in this era seemed to have theatrical names; even Li Zhi and Wu Zetian could be considered elderly sufferers of juvenile delusions.

“I’m fine, still in good shape.”

“Father must get better soon. Mother and I worry,” Old Li replied adorably.

Wu Zetian hugged her, stroking her little head.

Liu Shenwei removed the needles one by one and bowed, “Your Majesty, allow me to check your pulse.”

“Very well,” Li Zhi replied, extending his hand.

Watching, Li Yuechen was suddenly struck by inspiration. She’d been pondering what small gift might please the imperial couple, and now she realized there was something perfect—simple, easy to make, and unlikely to cause a stir!

Liu Shenwei finished the pulse check and bowed. “Your Majesty’s recovery has been good. Please maintain a cheerful mood and exercise regularly.”

Li Zhi nodded, and Liu Shenwei withdrew.

Clearly in good spirits, Li Zhi played with Old Li for a while, then called for food and had his daughter eat with him.

After the meal, seeing the pile of memorials on the table, Old Li didn’t linger, simply urging the couple not to overwork before taking her leave.

Leaving Yan Ying Hall, Li Yuechen walked straight out, prompting Eunuch Fu and Xiao He to remind her, “Your Highness, Chengxiang Hall is that way.”

Old Li waved, “Not going home yet. Leaving the palace—heading to the Imperial Music Bureau!”

Hearing the princess was leaving, Eunuch Fu quickly summoned dozens of guards, and they proceeded to the imperial city.

Upon arrival, Li Yuechen ignored everything else and went straight to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

The recently returned physician, Liu Shenwei, had barely sat down when he heard the princess was here and hurried out to greet her.

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Master Liu, you are an elder; no need for formalities,” Li Yuechen replied, lifting her head and blinking. “I simply wish to ask—how is it that you can determine Father’s condition just by feeling his hand?”