Chapter Ninety-One: The Real Father's Scheme (Continued)

After finishing Li Zhi’s birthday gift, Li Yuechen still didn’t have time to rest; another task awaited her. Stretching her arms and stifling a yawn as she stepped out from the court, she entered the Hall of Tranquil Blessings to find before her a field of golden rice.

The rice of this era took a bit longer to mature than in future times, but not by much—just a little over a hundred days. Now, the rice heads had all turned golden, and it was nearly time for harvest.

Li Yuechen knew well that even if the experiment succeeded, it couldn’t immediately solve the food shortages in Guanzhong. But at least it gave people hope. Starting next year, if chemical fertilizer could be widely promoted, there would at least be surplus grain in neighboring prefectures for disaster relief.

After sitting down at Linbo Pavilion, Shangguan Wan’er emerged from the inner hall with a bowl of yogurt.

“Your Highness, the rice has all turned golden. Mother said that you should be pleased.”

Li Yuechen smiled, took the yogurt, sipped, and replied with a faint smile, “Strictly speaking, the joy comes after the harvest.”

She then patted Wan’er’s head. “But it doesn’t matter. At this point, unless gods or ghosts interfere, the outcome is clear.”

Shangguan Wan’er took the empty bowl from her hand. “Your Highness is blessed and favored by the Dao; no spirits would dare cause trouble in your domain.”

Li Yuechen laughed and reminded her, “Watch your words! This is the imperial palace, not my own territory.”

“But hasn’t His Majesty already bestowed this place upon you?” Wan’er tilted her head in curiosity.

“You’ll understand in time,” Li Yuechen said, rising and returning to the hall.

Puzzled, Shangguan Wan’er thought for a moment, then glanced at the golden rice and followed her inside.

…

In the Hall of Longevity, Li Zhi, lying on a rocking chair, suddenly opened his eyes. “The rice in the Hall of Tranquil Blessings—shouldn’t it be nearly ready for harvest?”

“It should be within these few days,” Wu Zetian nodded, then turned to ask, “Are you truly going to do this?”

Li Zhi rolled his health ball and smiled. “When did you become so cautious, Meiniang? That’s not your usual way.”

“It’s not that,” Wu Zetian shook her head, as if at a loss for words.

“I know—you worry about Chen’er,” Li Zhi smiled, “Don’t worry. She won’t disappoint us.”

Hearing this, Wu Zetian nodded.

The two rose together and walked toward the Hall of Tranquil Blessings.

As they neared, Zhang Chengxin hurried ahead, arriving first at the entrance and announcing in a sharp voice, “His Majesty arrives—”

Inside, Li Yuechen, who had been practicing calligraphy, was startled by the sudden cry and flung her brush aside. Watching Fulai and Xiaohe rush to greet the visitors, she couldn’t help but complain inwardly: Why do you always come here in person? Can’t you just send someone to call me if you need something?

Of course, all complaints aside, she still got up quickly to greet them.

Outside, Fulai, Xiaohe, and the others had already paid their respects. Her two elder sisters were among them as well.

Li Zhi entered and waved his hand at the bowing crowd. “No need for ceremony.”

Li Yuechen slipped on her wooden clogs and approached the imperial couple. “What brings Father and Mother here today?”

They didn’t mind her lack of formality. Li Zhi even pinched her cheek. “No special orders, just a whim to come and see you.”

“To see me, or the rice?” Li Yuechen laughed.

“You little trickster!” Li Zhi poked her face with a laugh.

Sending the attendants away, Li Yuechen stayed with her sisters to keep the couple company.

The emperor and empress sat in Linbo Pavilion, watching the golden rice with satisfaction.

“In a few days, it will be time to harvest, yes?” Li Zhi asked.

“Yes,” Li Yuechen nodded, “But before the results are in, I hope Father and Mother will keep calm.”

Li Zhi grinned. “It’s already so obvious; what worries can there be?”

“Heh… I just think caution is best,” Li Yuechen replied cheekily.

Li Zhi wasn’t wrong; unless someone came and burned the fields, the results were set. The only unknown was how much the yield had increased, which would have to be calculated after harvest.

Li Zhi turned to his two other daughters. “You’ve watched these days—how do you find the rice?”

Princess Yiyang replied, “With Chen’er’s talent, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Princess Xuancheng bowed her head. “I have never seen rice in the outside world, so I can’t say.”

“Always cooped up in the palace, it’s stifling,” Li Zhi nodded. “In the future, you should go out with Chen’er more often.”

“Yes, Father!”

Li Zhi waved his hand. “Enough, let’s head back.”

He walked off with Wu Zetian beside him. Li Yuechen and her sisters were about to bow in farewell when Li Zhi turned back. “Chen’er, come walk with me.”

“All right.”

Li Yuechen agreed, turning to Fulai and Xiaohe. “You two can go rest.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The two retreated. Li Yuechen walked with her parents toward the Nine Provinces Pond. Zhang Chengxin kept a respectful distance, guessing they wanted a private talk.

Along the way, the emperor and empress chatted idly about scenery and the rice. Li Yuechen understood—life in the palace, reviewing memorials every day, was tedious. A stroll by the pond or a visit to the gardens was entertainment enough.

Yet she was curious—normally, these walks were for the two of them alone. Why bring her today?

But as a dutiful daughter, she walked between them, swinging their hands and answering their questions obediently.

By the time they reached the Glazed Pavilion, the three of them climbed up together.

Li Zhi leaned on the railing, gazing at the shimmering water. Suddenly, he turned. “Chen’er, have the people below lied to you in accounts or other matters recently?”

“Don’t worry, Father!” Li Yuechen puffed her chest out with pride. “I am a princess of the realm—who would dare deceive me?”

“That’s not so certain…” Li Zhi smiled. “I am the emperor, yet plenty of people try to fool me.”

Hearing this, Li Yuechen fell silent. Is he crazy? Why is he telling me this? Does he want advice?

Li Zhi didn’t seem to mind whether she listened, continuing, “I know you’re kind and treat your subordinates well, but remember: to govern people, you must balance favor and authority. Don’t show only kindness…”

Hearing her father’s lecture, Li Yuechen couldn’t help but glance at her mother. Wu Zetian seemed unconcerned, her attention fixed on the water as though something there absorbed her.

“And you must learn to recognize and wisely employ talents, be flexible, maintain balance. No matter your feelings, you must conceal them…”

As her father’s words became increasingly pointed, Li Yuechen furrowed her brow, wanting to interrupt but unsure how.

After about ten minutes, perhaps due to thirst, Li Zhi finally paused, licking his lips. Seeing his daughter’s puzzled expression, he smiled. “Why that look?”

Li Yuechen shifted her gaze. “Father… I’m confused.”

“Speak your mind,” Li Zhi gestured.

“You had me study the ‘Emperor’s Paradigm,’ and now you teach me the arts of rule. What are you two planning?”

After some thought, Li Yuechen voiced her doubts. Today’s events felt too strange—almost as if Li Zhi intended to pass the throne to her. But what had she done? Her only real achievement was fertilizer. Could that really make him break tradition for her sake? She didn’t believe it. Coupled with the recent lessons, the couple’s attitude toward her left her at a loss.

So she decided not to hide her thoughts and asked directly.

Her view was simple: just say what you want—if you mean to kill me, at least let me die knowing why.

The couple exchanged glances and laughed together.

Li Zhi didn’t answer directly but waved to Zhang Chengxin. “Bring some yogurt and call Hong’er over.”

“At once, Your Majesty!”

Zhang Chengxin obeyed and left.

In less than five minutes, a palace maid arrived with a tray of yogurt. As she prepared to pour, Li Zhi waved her away. “Leave us.”

The maid bowed and withdrew.

Seeing her parents seated at the table, Li Yuechen poured three cups of yogurt and sat beside her father, waiting for his answer.

After a sip, Li Zhi turned to her. “Chen’er, if I named you crown prince, what would you do?”

Li Yuechen nearly fainted. Surely she’d misheard?

But both her parents regarded her seriously, awaiting her answer.

After a brief silence, Li Yuechen suddenly embraced her father, pressing her forehead to his. “You don’t have a fever,” she muttered.

Li Zhi chuckled and pushed her away. “No joking—I'm serious.”

“Truly?” Li Yuechen sat down. “How could a woman become crown prince?”

“Don’t worry about that. Just say what you would do,” Li Zhi waved dismissively.

Li Yuechen bowed. “I beg Father’s permission to refuse.”

“Why?”

“If I become crown prince, it means I’d one day be emperor, correct?”

Li Zhi nodded.

“But what good is being emperor?” Li Yuechen countered. “Let’s not speak of distant times—just look at the late emperor: up before the chickens, to bed after the dogs, worn out by endless affairs, his hair turned white with worry. And you, Father, even with Mother’s help, still rise before the chickens and rest after the dogs, exhausted by state business, your hair graying from stress.”

She propped her chin in her hands, a look of woe on her face. “If I became emperor, I, too, would rise before chickens and sleep after dogs, and—”

“Enough!” Wu Zetian interrupted. “Get to the point.”

“Uh…” Chastened, Li Yuechen scratched her head. “Being emperor is too exhausting; I don’t want it!”

Li Zhi’s smile didn’t change. “Chen’er, don’t play dumb with me. Surely you know the power of the throne.”

“So what if I do?” Li Yuechen sipped her yogurt. “The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. In that position, one must govern; a single misstep means eternal infamy! As a princess, even if I idle my days away, I feel no guilt. But as emperor, if I rule well, that’s my duty; fail and, a thousand years later, all will call me a fool… Why bother?”

Hearing this, the couple exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

Li Zhi raised his yogurt. “For one so young, you truly see things clearly.”

“I’d say she simply lacks ambition,” Wu Zetian added, though her smile showed she agreed with her husband.

Li Yuechen didn’t bother to explain, leaning against the railing with her yogurt, clearly intent on shirking all responsibility.

Before long, Li Hong entered with Zhang Chengxin behind him.

He bowed to his parents, then turned to Li Yuechen. “Yuechen, how can you be so undignified before Father and Mother?”

“That’s exactly why I’m undignified here,” Li Yuechen waved him off.

“You—”

Li Zhi laughed, waving his hand. “Enough, Hong’er. I called you here to discuss something.”

“Whatever Father commands.” Li Hong bowed.

“Sit down,” Li Zhi gestured. “I plan to have Chen’er take office at court. What do you think?”

“Hm?” Both Li Hong and Li Yuechen looked up, catching each other’s bewildered gaze.

Li Hong had no idea what had just occurred, while Li Yuechen was even more confused. Just moments ago, they’d asked if she wanted to be crown prince and she refused—now they wanted her to take office? What madness was this?

“Father, how can a woman serve at court?” Li Yuechen protested. “Besides, I am foolish and—”

Li Zhi cut her off. “I will judge your abilities myself!”

“But—”

“What you said earlier was right: in that position, one must govern,” Li Zhi smiled. “If you take office, you will surely serve Tang with all your heart!”

“No—”

“Exactly!” Wu Zetian chimed in. “Chen’er, the greater the power, the greater the responsibility. With such a sense of duty, His Majesty can rest easy!”

Watching the couple echo each other, Li Yuechen felt she’d been outmaneuvered yet again.

In fact, today's events seemed anything but spontaneous—this must have been planned for some time.

Which meant… she’d been caught in their scheme long before she ever realized.