Chapter 120: Lai Cao's Request

After the morning court session, Li Yuechen held her parents' hands as they walked back, wondering to herself if this could be considered the Tang Dynasty’s first dating reality show.

It was a pity there were no cameras here; otherwise, she would have recorded this scene to pass down to future generations. At this thought, Li Yuechen suddenly paused, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Since arriving in this era, she had been unable to pursue the extreme sports she once loved. But now, she had suddenly found something she wanted to do.

That was, when she was near death, to leave something in her tomb to show future generations what a real "surprise" was.

First, she would record this matchmaking event hosted by the Emperor, write it on a scroll, and place it inside.

Hmm, she could even consider adding a "doge" meme to the tomb murals and perhaps crafting a model of a desktop computer out of wood. That would surely terrify a group of people.

Thinking of this, Li Yuechen couldn't help but let her smile broaden.

"Chen'er, why the smile?" Li Zhi noticed her looking so happy and couldn't help but ask.

Li Yuechen looked up. "I was just imagining my brothers out on an excursion with a group of their peers. What if two of them take a liking to the same person? Would they start fighting out of jealousy?"

"They are princes; who would dare lay a hand on them?" Empress Wu asked, looking down at her.

"Actually, I hope they do fight," Li Zhi said, shaking his head. "A son of the Tang should, at least once in his life, engage in a real fight!" He nodded to himself as he spoke.

Li Yuechen actually agreed with this theory. A man should fight at least twice in his life: once for himself, and once for a woman. Regardless of the outcome, as long as one throws their own fists, they grow significantly in an instant. After the fight, one can feel that they have gained something new within themselves.

However, in this life, that was no longer her concern. She would just be content being a little princess.

Still, out of curiosity, she looked up and asked, "Father, did you ever fight anyone when you were young?"

Li Zhi smiled. "I was raised by the late Emperor himself. I practiced martial arts, archery, and horsemanship with him. We did spar, yes."

Li Yuechen arched an eyebrow. "Sparring with the late Emperor doesn't count as a real fight, does it?"

"Why not?" Li Zhi asked with a laugh, his expression turning nostalgic. "Being struck by that bamboo rod... it hurt quite a bit."

That was just getting a beating from his old man, she thought, suppressing the urge to retort. Of course, she dared not say that out loud.

Upon returning to the Renshou Palace, Li Zhi personally wrote a letter to Li Hong, summoning him back to participate in the Tang Dynasty's first matchmaking variety show.

Li Hong had no way to refuse his parents' pressure to marry. In this era, the words of a matchmaker carried legal weight. However, compared to the past, he would at least be able to see if he felt a connection with anyone beforehand. Knowing what his future wife looked like was, at the very least, a step toward a more civilized system.

After finishing the letter, Li Zhi thought for a moment. "Chen'er, when you go back, tell Xuancheng and Yiyang to participate as well. They are not so young anymore."

"Alright!" Li Yuechen nodded, then looked up and asked, "But Father, if my two sisters don't find anyone they like, can we not force a marriage?"

Li Zhi looked up. "Why?"

"If they have someone they favor, I naturally wouldn't want to stand in their way. But if they don't, it would be better for them to stay in the palace and play with me than to be forced into a marriage," Li Yuechen replied.

It sounded a bit selfish, but it was for the sake of her sisters' happiness. To Li Yuechen, these arranged marriages were often just compromises born of helplessness. Because the parents decided it, you had to marry that person regardless of your feelings and spend the rest of your life with them. This was no different from suffering; essentially, it was still a form of "Heqin"—a family-level diplomatic tool.

Of course, such marriages weren't without their benefits, namely, a very low divorce rate. Especially in an era of low productivity, divorce meant not having enough to eat; in a time where social norms were rigid, divorce meant being pointed at and gossiped about. Under these circumstances, unless the suffering was truly unbearable, people would choose not to divorce, essentially just making do for a lifetime.

...

After having lunch with her parents at the Renshou Palace and returning to the Anfu Palace, Li Yuechen told her sisters about the matchmaking event. Both of them looked hesitant, as if they had something difficult to say.

"If you sisters have any concerns, please speak freely. I have already told Father that if you do not wish to go, he will not force any marriages," Li Yuechen said.

Princess Yiyang smiled, pulled her into a hug, and patted her back. "It is not really something difficult to say. It is just that I haven't considered such matters for a long time, so it feels a bit strange to be suddenly faced with it."

Princess Xuancheng, standing beside them, nodded and pulled both of them into a hug. "I feel that it would be nice to keep playing with Chen'er forever. Marriage... I have truly never considered it."

Li Yuechen gave a warm smile and gently stroked her sisters' cheeks. "It is fine. Just treat it as going out to play. If you find someone you like, let me know. If not, it doesn't matter! Anyway, I will never marry; I will stay with you two sisters forever!"

Princess Xuancheng pressed her forehead against hers and rubbed it, then looked up to scold her. "Don't talk nonsense. How can you not marry?"

"I already told you, I am too outstanding! None of them are worthy of me!" Li Yuechen laughed with a proud expression.

"Yes, Chen'er is the best!" Princess Yiyang hugged her tightly against her chest.

Hmm... very resilient!

After horsing around with her sisters for a while, Li Yuechen sat at the desk. "Wan'er, help me grind some ink!"

"Does Your Highness intend to write an essay? Let me do it for you," Shangguan Wan'er said, running over to help.

Li Yuechen shook her head. "I must write this letter to my eldest brother myself!"

This letter was quite different from the serious tone Li Zhi used. She wrote it with the attitude of someone waiting to watch a spectacle, telling Li Hong to hurry back for the matchmaking, and mentioning a few interesting things that had happened recently.

...

The next day, Li Yuechen left the imperial city and boarded a carriage, intending to check on the progress of the papermaking project at Jixian Ward.

Before she could even board, she was stopped by Li Xian. "Wait, Yuechen."

"Second Brother? You finally decided to step out today?" Li Yuechen said with a smile, sitting on the carriage frame. "Are you looking for your little sister because you want to play mahjong?"

Li Xian looked helpless. "Mahjong can wait. I heard news that Mother and Father intend for us to go on an excursion—what is that about?"

Li Yuechen paused. "It is exactly what you heard."

Seeing her little sister sitting so casually on the carriage frame with one leg swinging back and forth, Li Xian couldn't help but arch his eyebrows. "I heard that you were the one who suggested this!"

"I did. Is there a problem with that?" Li Yuechen asked.

"It is not that, it is just..." Li Xian's expression was complex. "Going on an excursion with a bunch of men and women... it feels a bit awkward!"

Li Yuechen frowned. "Awkward? Why?"

Li Xian shook his head. "I just feel... I am not familiar with them, and we don't usually interact. To suddenly go play together, this..."

Oh my, I have been his sister for eight years, and only today do I realize you are a social phobic... Li Yuechen thought to herself.

Of course, it wasn't exactly social phobia; Li Xian could be quite lively with people he knew well. So, to be precise, "introverted" was a better description.

Li Yuechen stood up and squatted on the carriage frame so she was at eye level with Li Xian. She patted his shoulder earnestly. "Second Brother, this is an opportunity I carefully prepared for you; don't waste it! If you see someone you like, tell Mother and Father. They will arrange the marriage, and it will be settled. Otherwise, if they arrange a marriage with someone you have never met, you won't know what she looks like until the wedding is over!"

Hearing this, Li Xian nodded, agreeing that it made sense.

"Alright, then I really should thank you, Yuechen."

"We are siblings; why talk of thanks?" Li Yuechen said with a sincere look. "From the bottom of my heart, I want Mother, Father, and all my brothers and sisters to be happy!"

Her tone was very genuine, and Li Xian nodded. "I hope you are happy, too, Yuechen! Alright, I won't hold you up. I am going to notify Third Brother and discuss this with him."

"Alright, take your time, Brother!" Li Yuechen nodded.

After sending Li Xian off, Li Yuechen entered the carriage and headed to Jixian Ward.

Since meeting Li Yuechen last time, the recruited workers had begun designing the various pieces of equipment for the papermaking workshop. They also had Du Laoer give them lessons during this time so they could understand the specific processes.

These people were not slaves, but commoners. Because the workplace was outside the city, Li Yuechen not only had to provide their breakfast and lunch but also pay them wages! Originally, she should have provided dinner and lodging, but considering the location chosen by Fu Lai wasn't very far, and they only needed to work four hours a day, they could easily return before the city gates closed at night.

If worse came to worst, she could just arrange a carriage to shuttle them back and forth to save time; that wouldn't cost much.

Upon arriving at Jixian Ward, the workers bowed in unison. Li Yuechen waved for them to continue, listened in for a while, and nodded, feeling quite satisfied.

Du Laoer was literate and generally had a higher level of education than the others, so his lectures were logical, fluent, and easy to understand.

As Li Yuechen listened, Lai Cao stood respectfully by her side. Lai Cao had changed a lot compared to before; he was no longer in rags, and his cyan-green round-collared robe was clean and tidy. Standing behind Li Yuechen, his chest was puffed out, and he might as well have had the word "proud" written on his face.

Shortly after, Li Yuechen entered the office. After sitting down, she inquired about the soap shipments and checked the account books. Satisfied, she prepared to leave.

Lai Cao suddenly spoke up. "Please, wait a moment."

He then took out a small wooden box and placed it gently on the table next to Li Yuechen, smiling. "A small token of my appreciation, I hope Your Highness will accept it."

Li Yuechen looked puzzled and glanced at Fu Lai. Fu Lai reached out and gently opened the box. Inside were three gold coins, each the size of a one-yuan coin. They were of high quality, and one could faintly discern a portrait on them.

Clearly, this was currency, but not of the Tang Dynasty; it had likely flowed into the Tang via the Silk Road from foreign merchants. Since it was gold, it didn't really matter whose face was engraved on it.

Lai Cao was responsible for contacting foreign merchants, so it was normal for him to acquire such things. From the craftsmanship, the metal smelting technology of whichever country this was from was not inferior to the Tang's. While the portrait wasn't very clear, the basic outline and features were visible, though it was slightly less refined than the calligraphy on the Kaiyuan Tongbao coins.

Li Yuechen looked at him and arched an eyebrow. "What is it? Do you have a favor to ask of me?"

Lai Cao bowed and smiled. "It is not a major matter. It is just that this old man wishes to take two concubines, and this..."

Listening to his hesitant rambling, Li Yuechen finally understood. To put it bluntly, he found his wife old and ugly, didn't want her anymore, and intended to divorce her.

Logically, if he wanted to divorce, he could, but since he was bringing it to her, there were clearly some complications. Upon reflection, Li Yuechen understood the reason.

"Is it the 'Three Un-divorceables'?" Li Yuechen asked.

The Tang Code had specific provisions regarding marriage laws, known as the "Seven Grounds for Divorce" and the "Three Un-divorceables."

Unfilial behavior, barrenness, talkativeness, adultery, jealousy, theft, and chronic illness were the seven grounds on which a husband could divorce his wife. Barrenness specifically referred to not producing a son by the age of fifty, and chronic illness meant major disabilities like deafness or blindness.

However, there were also the three cases protecting women: if the wife had no family to return to, if she had observed the three-year mourning period for her husband's parents, or if the couple had been poor when married and had since become wealthy. In these three cases, a husband was not allowed to divorce his wife. Adultery and chronic illness were not protected by these clauses.

Seeing the expression on Lai Cao's face, she knew exactly what was going on. Li Yuechen nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and asked, "Let me ask you, which of the three protections does your wife fall under?"

Perhaps not noticing the change in her mood, Lai Cao replied, "All three."

"And did she commit any of the seven grounds for divorce?"

Lai Cao shook his head. "No!"

Seeing him answer so righteously, Li Yuechen couldn't help but laugh, picking up the yogurt on the table to take a sip. Lai Cao didn't know why she was laughing; he assumed she had agreed to help and laughed along with her.

Li Yuechen put down the cup, licked her lips, nodded with an expression of "admiration," and gave him a thumbs up. "Ruthless!"

"Hehe, Your Highness is too kind!" Lai Cao bowed and performed a salute.

Li Yuechen turned to look at Fu Lai, her face expressionless. "Throw him out, break both his legs! And make sure you throw him far away!"