Chapter Forty-Four: Mahjong and the Tricycle

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Staring at Li Yuechen holding the scroll before them, both Princess Xuancheng and Princess Yiyang wore expressions of disbelief.

“This book… is it something Grandfather ordered us to read?” Princess Yiyang asked.

Li Yuechen nodded. “Anyway, Eunuch Zhang said all of Father’s sons and daughters must read it. Why not read it together? Just in case there’s an inspection one day.”

Princess Xuancheng was still somewhat incredulous, her expression clearly hesitant. “But this…”

“It’s nothing!” Li Yuechen waved her hand dismissively, utterly unconcerned. “I’ve already read it. It’s just a summary of the late emperor’s life experience—nothing remarkable.”

The two elder sisters exchanged glances but reached out to take it. Not for any other reason than that this younger sister had rescued them from the Palace of Restraint, and they trusted Li Yuechen’s words deeply.

…

The next day, Li Yuechen had Xiao He deliver her drawn designs for mahjong tiles to the Bureau of Craftsmen, then decided to go out for a stroll herself.

Originally, her canned goods shop was meant to open in Chang’an, but since she was now in the Eastern Capital, opening here seemed just as well.

Li Yuechen secretly took Shangguan Wan’er to the outside of Anfu Hall. “Wan’er, come, let’s take you outside the palace for a look around.”

“Outside the palace?” Shangguan Wan’er’s eyes lit up with excitement.

After calling Xiao He, the three of them exited through Jingyun Gate, just about to board a carriage.

Seeing Xiao He summon nearly thirty Golden Guards, Li Yuechen waved them off. “All of you go change into civilian clothes. We’re going to the South Market today—don’t frighten the people.”

“Yes!” The captain in charge replied, “Your Highness, please wait a moment!”

With that, they led the others away to change.

Xiao He, a little worried, seemed about to say something, but Li Yuechen, as if already aware of her concerns, interrupted her: “It’s fine. I just don’t want to scare the people.”

After all, with a group of Golden Guards in tow, the common folk would only keep their distance, making it impossible to truly experience the atmosphere.

But in plainclothes, at most people would think them the retinue of some wealthy family and simply step aside, not shrink away in fear.

Luoyang’s South Market was the most bustling in the city, so today Li Yuechen planned to see if she could find a suitable shop there.

Not long after, the Golden Guards returned in civilian garb. Though stripped of their armor, each still carried a broadsword at their side.

“Let’s go!”

With a wave of Li Yuechen’s hand, she, Shangguan Wan’er, and Xiao He boarded the carriage. The captain took the reins and drove.

Inside the carriage, Xiao He admonished Li Yuechen, “Your Highness mustn’t leave the carriage freely once we arrive!”

“All right, you go for me then, how about that?” Li Yuechen replied carelessly—just being able to come out and see was enough for her.

There was no helping it; she was a princess, after all.

And indeed, as soon as they crossed Tianjin Bridge, the liveliness increased noticeably.

The streets bustled with endless streams of people. When a carriage passed, they merely stepped aside without any sign of fear.

Unfortunately, all she could see was the enclosing market walls, so it was impossible to take in the whole city at a glance.

But even so, Li Yuechen felt much more at ease. Truly, one can’t stay indoors all the time—going out is the way to live.

Even if the view was just market walls, at least seeing the Luo River and the diversity of life among the people along the way made her mood much better.

The carriage traveled east along the riverbank, arriving before Anzhong Ward, where it turned into a street.

Though the streets here were a bit narrower, they were still nearly forty meters wide.

In truth, Tang dynasty architecture felt a bit monotonous in style, just as many men’s aesthetic tastes were for things short, tight, and revealing.

Whereas the Tang dynasty’s architectural style was all about being grand, wide, and spacious!

Li Yuechen and Shangguan Wan’er pressed their little heads together at the carriage window, watching the throngs outside.

“It’s so lively!” Shangguan Wan’er exclaimed.

“Of course—it’s much more bustling than the palace,” Li Yuechen laughed. “Xiao He, you should look, too!”

Xiao He shook her head. “No need, Your Highness. You enjoy yourself.”

Before they even entered the South Market, the sounds of hawking and the hum of countless voices could be heard.

When the carriage entered, Li Yuechen and Shangguan Wan’er, crowded at the window, could not help but widen their eyes.

It was too lively!

There were so many people, and the variety of shops lining the street was dazzling—one store after another selling all sorts of goods.

It was almost like the grand malls of the future, overwhelming to the eye.

Seeing a carriage accompanied by armed guards, the surrounding people made way.

At that moment, the carriage suddenly stopped. Shangguan Wan’er lost her balance and bumped heads with Li Yuechen.

“Ouch!”

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Shangguan Wan’er cried out, clutching her head, but quickly turned to Li Yuechen, “Are you all right, Your Highness?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine…” Li Yuechen waved her hand, then knocked on the frame by the door. “What’s going on?”

From outside, the Golden Guard driving the carriage leaned close and lowered his voice. “Your Highness, a child suddenly ran out. I stopped abruptly to avoid hitting him!”

Li Yuechen was startled. “What? Is the child all right?”

“Rest assured, Your Highness, we didn’t hit him.”

“Good, just be careful—don’t injure any pedestrians!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Soon, the carriage started again.

Shangguan Wan’er suddenly pointed out the window. “Your Highness, look, there’s a Buddhist temple here.”

Li Yuechen followed her gaze and then grinned. “Who’d have thought—even inside the market there’s a temple.”

It was only after several years in this era that she realized that, while Taoism held the status of state religion in the Tang, among the people, Buddhism seemed even more popular.

Her own mother, Empress Wu Zetian, and grandmother, Lady Rongguo, were both rather devout.

But that was understandable. First, in this era, entertainment was scarce, so religion was a major spiritual pursuit. Second, with low literacy, ancient people liked to attribute anything inexplicable to the supernatural.

As for religion, Li Yuechen had never been particularly interested. Despite her current identity as a Taoist, it was only a guise to appear obedient.

So, after just a glance, her attention wandered elsewhere.

The South Market was a commercial district, filled with all sorts of people, both local and foreign.

Especially striking were the many blue-eyed, blond-haired merchants, hawking their wares in fluent Tang dialect.

The scents from the street food stalls mingled together—noodles, flatbreads, mutton in broth, assorted pastries—all emitting enticing colors and aromas.

Li Yuechen watched, shaking her head, thinking that with summer approaching, perhaps opening a barbecue stall here would be a hit!

On these bustling streets, patrolling officers called Wu Hou performed the duties of modern city management. If any street vendor encroached too close to a wall, they’d be whipped for violating regulations.

Li Yuechen observed the vibrant street while also searching the shops for a suitable place to open her canned goods store.

But the key issue was that, even if she fancied a shop, whether the owner was willing to sell was another matter.

As a princess, Li Yuechen did not intend to force a sale. For one thing, she came from a civilized society and had no wish to act otherwise. For another, a princess engaging in commerce was already scandalous in this era—if she resorted to coercion, she’d be denounced by the Censorate without end.

Besides, any shop in such a prime location was bound to have strong backing—probably with ties to someone in the court.

On the streets, she also saw obvious playboys, laughing and joking as they shopped for favorite items, their bodyguards eyeing the surroundings with practiced swagger.

By chance, among these young nobles was Liu Guang, the grandson of Liu Rengui.

Catching sight of Li Yuechen in the carriage, he hurried over. “Greetings…”

“Shh!” Behind the window, Li Yuechen raised a finger in a silencing gesture. “I’m just out for a look today—don’t make a fuss!”

Liu Guang nodded in understanding. “Yes, Your Highness!”

He then trotted back to his friends, continuing to joke and shop, though some glanced back curiously, only to be scolded by Liu Guang.

After taking in the customs and atmosphere of the South Market, Li Yuechen decided to return.

As the carriage wobbled back and neared Shangshan Ward, it stopped again.

“Why have we stopped?” Li Yuechen asked from inside.

“Your Highness, there’s a group of young nobles fighting ahead,” the Golden Guard replied quietly.

“A fight?”

Li Yuechen perked up, sensing entertainment, and scrambled to the door, lifting the curtain to get out.

“Your Highness, please don’t get out—what if you’re injured by accident…”

“It’s fine, I’m not going over.”

With that, Li Yuechen stepped outside the carriage, with Shangguan Wan’er following.

Who would dare harm her? Not likely. As for these playboys—was there anyone in all of Luoyang, in all of the empire, more privileged than her? Did they even know what a true second-generation royal was?

She thought so but didn’t jump down. Instead, she stood behind the Golden Guard captain atop the carriage, peering ahead.

She saw a dozen or so young men brawling in the street, all unarmed, just throwing punches.

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Among them was Liu Guang, whom she’d just seen. He was now being pinned down and beaten by two opponents.

The other side, too, were richly dressed—no doubt sons of high officials.

The bodyguards were fighting too, but their scuffle looked more like slow-motion wrestling, clearly just for show, to make it seem they were involved.

A number of patrol officers stood by, watching. When playboys fought, they dared not intervene unless things got out of hand.

This scene almost made Li Yuechen burst out laughing—the bodyguards’ performance was surprisingly professional.

Shangguan Wan’er sidled closer and whispered, “Your Highness, why are they fighting?”

“Oh, men have endless reasons to throw punches,” Li Yuechen replied. Then she patted the Golden Guard captain’s shoulder. “Sir, I’ll bet you ten coins Liu Guang will win.”

“…”

The captain blinked, at a loss—was the princess really betting with him?

“Well, do you take the bet?” Li Yuechen asked again.

“All right, I’ll bet,” the captain nodded, still puzzled as to why the princess was suddenly gambling.

Li Yuechen did have the money—she’d never spent any of the Kaiyuan coins Lady Rongguo gave her; they were all in savings.

Shangguan Wan’er, curious, leaned over and whispered, “Your Highness, how can you be sure he’ll win?”

Li Yuechen smiled and turned her head, bringing her face close to hers.

Perhaps not expecting this, Shangguan Wan’er instinctively tried to retreat, but with her back against the carriage frame, she had nowhere to go.

Li Yuechen’s face was now just ten centimeters away.

“Your… Your Highness…”

“I don’t know either!” Li Yuechen, not hearing her mosquito-like voice, simply laughed. “He’s my master’s grandson—got to support him regardless!”

With that, she drew back and stood beside the captain, continuing to watch the fight.

Soon, the outcome was clear—Liu Guang’s group was defeated, all sprawled on the ground.

Li Yuechen cheerfully handed ten coins to the captain. “Back to the palace!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The carriage set off again, but on the way back, Shangguan Wan’er kept her head lowered, silent.

Li Yuechen, curious, leaned over. “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

“I’m fine, Your Highness…” Shangguan Wan’er replied softly, shaking her head.

Seeing her cheeks slightly flushed, Li Yuechen was briefly taken aback—could it be she’d just teased her?

But she quickly dismissed the thought. Shangguan Wan’er was only seven—no way she’d think like that.

It must have been something else, so Li Yuechen didn’t ask further.

…

About seven or eight days later, the Bureau of Craftsmen sent word that the mahjong set and tricycle Li Yuechen requested were completed and had been delivered outside the palace.

Li Yuechen had Xiao He and two palace maids fetch them.

She inspected the tricycle first, but then opened the box with the mahjong tiles.

As expected of the Bureau’s master craftsmen—though the tiles were merely carved wood, the workmanship was exquisite, giving them a refined appearance.

The surfaces were perfectly polished and seemed to be coated with wax or oil, making them smooth to the touch with no roughness.

Li Yuechen was very satisfied with the set, nodding as she then moved on to check the tricycle.

The frame was iron, and to reduce weight, the wheels were made in the style of later generations, supported by iron rods.

It was a pity that rubber didn’t exist yet, so the wheels couldn’t match those of the future.

Still, after a few pedals, it moved smoothly, without any issues.

There was even a rack behind the seat for carrying things—like the set of mahjong tiles.

Seeing Shangguan Wan’er watching in amazement, Li Yuechen hopped off and beckoned her over. “Come, give it a try!”

Shangguan Wan’er shook her head. “This is Your Highness’s…”

“Enough, just play! I need to inspect it anyway,” Li Yuechen waved her hand.

At this, Shangguan Wan’er finally bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Highness!”