Chapter 112: Disguised Departure from the Palace

In the blink of an eye, the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month had arrived.

In this city with a curfew, this day was eagerly anticipated by all the people.

From the moment they woke up, everyone began decorating with lanterns and festive ornaments, looking forward to the night.

This day was also a Taoist festival, so after finishing yoga in the morning, Li Yuechen donned his Taoist robe and went to chant scriptures.

By the time he finished chanting, it was nearly time for lunch.

Since it was nearby, Li Yuechen didn’t even take off his robe and headed straight to the Renshou Hall to see what his parents had prepared for the meal.

Upon entering, he saw several dishes laid out on the table, their fragrant aromas filling the palace hall.

However, only his mother, Wu Zetian, was eating; his father, Li Zhi, lay in a rocking chair with his eyes closed, pretending to be dead.

Even when Li Yuechen entered, Li Zhi merely opened his eyes a slit to glance at him before continuing to lie still.

If it weren’t for the health ball spinning quietly in his hand, one might have thought he was no longer alive.

Curious, Li Yuechen approached his mother and asked softly, “Father, why are you like this?”

“Today is the Lantern Festival, and he wanted to take you all out of the palace incognito, but I disapproved. So he’s acting like this,” Wu Zetian explained expressionlessly as she ate.

Hearing this, Li Yuechen shook his head with a smile and gently went to his father’s side. “Father, don’t be angry. Come sit down and eat.”

“I won’t eat. I have no appetite,” Li Zhi replied, turning his head away.

Seeing his stubbornness, Li Yuechen couldn’t help but laugh. These two were truly amusing—almost at death’s door and still quarrelling like children.

“All right, Father, come and eat. Mother, I’ll persuade him.”

Saying this, Li Yuechen grabbed his father’s arm and pulled him up.

Li Zhi, initially intending to cooperate, suddenly relaxed his body, curious to see if his daughter’s legendary strength could lift him.

Li Yuechen sensed this and smiled helplessly. Without hesitation, she firmly grasped his arms and effortlessly pulled his upper body upright.

Feeling the power from his daughter’s hands, Li Zhi broke into a broad smile. “Who would have thought that though my body is weak, my daughter is born with divine strength?”

“The child inherits Father’s wisdom and Mother’s good health,” Li Yuechen replied with a smile.

Wu Zetian, sitting at the table, turned her head and asked, “So, does that mean I lack wisdom?”

“Impossible! Mother is a rare woman of wisdom, beauty, and talent all in one!” Li Yuechen answered.

“Hmph, your flattery skills are improving by the day!”

Though she said this, the slight upturn at the corner of her mouth betrayed her secret delight.

Li Yuechen knew well that women loved compliments, even if they knew the flattery was just to please them.

Li Zhi cheerfully sat at the table, and Li Yuechen went to her mother’s side again. “Mother, Father’s concern is understandable, but I think not only Father should go out, Mother should as well.”

“You know our status well enough. What if danger befalls us outside the palace?” Wu Zetian scolded, glaring.

Li Yuechen didn’t know how to respond to that. Although they were emperor and empress inside the palace, in this era without photographs, who outside would recognize them?

“Mother, you misunderstand,” Li Yuechen explained gently as she sat beside her, “Father and Mother have lived deep within the palace for so long; it must feel stifling. Moreover, news of the common people comes only through reports. Why not take this chance to go out in disguise and see the flourishing Tang Dynasty with your own eyes?”

Li Zhi nodded in agreement. “Yes, that makes sense.”

Wu Zetian suddenly turned to him sharply. “Youngling, don’t indulge her! This is a serious matter; how can it be decided so lightly?”

Though she might not win other arguments, in matters like this, as a wife, she had the courage to face Li Zhi head-on.

Often, Li Zhi was left speechless when she confronted him on such issues.

Knowing he was in the wrong, Li Zhi scratched his beard and turned away, sulking.

Leaning on her mother, Li Yuechen smiled pleadingly. “Mother, I understand your concern for safety, but the imperial guards around Father are no ordinary men. There’s no need to worry.”

Wu Zetian turned her head. “Not worry? That’s easy to say! What about the last time you were attacked?”

“That wasn’t an assassination, but a kidnapping attempt,” Li Yuechen corrected. “They didn’t dare harm a single hair on my head. They only wanted to capture me to intimidate and extract the soap formula.”

“Kidnapping… easier said than done!”

“Besides, I’m skilled and didn’t let them catch me,” Li Yuechen said. “After that incident, they definitely won’t dare try again. So it’s safe for you both to go out in disguise.”

“…That still won’t do!” Wu Zetian insisted. “If the Censorate finds out, they’ll surely berate your elder brother mercilessly!”

After all, Li Zhi’s health was fragile. If they enraged him, they might actually provoke a serious illness—or worse, he might lash out.

An emperor attacking someone was one thing, but worsening his illness and being labeled a tyrant was another.

Li Yuechen persisted. “Don’t worry. If they dare insult Father, I’ll bring a few brothers to teach them a lesson! Besides, the two of you going out in disguise and mingling with the people will be seen as a good deed!”

Li Zhi turned back and nodded. “Yes, that sounds reasonable.”

Wu Zetian frowned, silent for a few seconds before speaking hesitantly, “But what if…”

“Don’t say ‘what if.’ Everything will be fine,” Li Yuechen interrupted timely. “This plan was made just today and won’t be leaked. No one will know that you two are going out in disguise tonight.”

Hearing this, Wu Zetian was somewhat tempted.

Glancing at Li Zhi’s expectant expression, she finally nodded. “Very well… we shall go out and see for ourselves.”

“Hooray!” Li Yuechen raised her arms in triumph and then leaned over to plant a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “Mother, you’re magnificent!”

She then ran over to Li Zhi and raised her hand.

Li Zhi understood immediately and gave a high five to his daughter.

He then waved to summon Zhang Chengxin. “Inform Xian’er and the others: tonight we go out in disguise. Come dressed plainly at dusk.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Zhang Chengxin replied and promptly sent his trusted subordinates to deliver the message.

“Yuechen, also invite Yiyang and Xuancheng. Come to dinner at dusk, then we’ll go out together,” Li Zhi announced.

“Understood. I’ll go at once,” Li Yuechen replied and bowed to take her leave.

She executed a backflip out of the Renshou Hall and swiftly hopped toward the Anfu Hall.

Inside, Li Zhi finally began to eat heartily, while Wu Zetian chuckled, “I thought Your Majesty might actually resist eating today!”

“Enough, don’t mock me,” Li Zhi laughed as he offered her some fish. “Here, try the fish.”

Looking at the carp on her plate, Wu Zetian joked, “How can the Emperor of Tang lead by example and disregard the curfew?”

“I’ve thought the curfew was unreasonable since childhood. Didn’t the previous Sui dynasty allow eating mutton?” Li Zhi grumbled, then bit into the fish.

Chewing, he added, “One day, I will abolish this curfew! Such delicious food cannot be forbidden.”

Wu Zetian smiled and nodded. “Indeed. Whether it’s fish sashimi or Yuechen’s braised style, different methods, but both exquisite in taste.”

…

Just as Li Yuechen returned to Anfu Hall, Shangguan Wan’er hurried over. “Your Highness, shall we go roller skating again?”

“You’ve already learned, haven’t you?” Li Yuechen asked as she removed her shoes. “You can go play on your own.”

“But I want to learn your jumps…” Shangguan Wan’er said quietly, lowering her head.

Li Yuechen raised an eyebrow. “Oh, I didn’t expect you to be so bold… I’ll teach you next time. Not today—I have to accompany Father out in disguise tonight.”

“All right then…” Shangguan Wan’er looked a little disappointed. “I’ll ask you next time.”

“Good girl!” Li Yuechen patted her head and went to tell her two elder sisters about the evening plans.

To be honest, this was the first time going out in disguise; the two sisters were quite excited, asking what to wear.

Li Yuechen had no clue about this—just don’t wear anything that would reveal their royal status.

As for the rest, it didn’t matter much—silk robes to appear as nobility were fine.

Women, however, seemed naturally particular about dressing up. The afternoon was spent almost half an hour just helping her sisters pick outfits.

But to Li Yuechen, they were all beautiful; the clothes made little difference.

She couldn’t understand the fuss over choosing one dress or another.

At last, dusk came. The three of them went to Renshou Hall to have dinner with Li Zhi and Wu Zetian.

Several elder brothers, including Li Xian, arrived as well, all dressed in luxurious silk garments with fur cloaks over their shoulders.

After exchanging greetings, Li Xian quietly approached. “Yuechen, why does Father want to go out in disguise today?”

The other two brothers looked on curiously, sharing the same question.

“Perhaps it’s the boredom of living deep in the palace for so long,” Li Yuechen smiled. “Going out to see the world is good for relaxing. Brothers should go out when free, but try not to reveal your identities!”

Chatting, they entered Renshou Hall where Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were ready.

Li Zhi had taken off his dragon robe and worn a black collarless robe; Wu Zetian donned a bright red ruqun.

They cloaked themselves in fur capes for warmth and style.

The only downside was that, as royals, they couldn’t eat freely outside, so they had to eat well inside before heading out.

After dinner, the group set off.

Though called a disguised outing, the party was quite large—eight people: the couple and six children.

Zhang Chengxin naturally stayed close, and nearly a hundred imperial guards in plain clothes surrounded them.

Once outside the imperial city, most guards blended into the crowd, less conspicuous.

Li Zhi and the others wore expensive silk and jade belts, so ordinary people kept their distance.

That night, the Eastern Capital was brighter than usual, with every household hanging lanterns made of bamboo or wood high above.

Market streets displayed lanterns shaped like various animals on racks, lighting the roads like street lamps.

Countless floating river lanterns drifted on the Luo River’s surface, their flames flickering with the water’s rhythm.

Outside was far noisier than the palace, bustling and lively. Despite the crowd making way, blessings, chatter, and bargaining filled the air.

Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, used to quiet, initially felt uneasy in this environment.

But soon they smiled softly, growing accustomed.

Li Zhi nodded appreciatively, experiencing firsthand the prosperity of his Tang Dynasty.

Perhaps from lack of outings, Wu Zetian held his hand tightly, as if afraid to lose him.

Li Zhi grasped hers, their fingers entwined as they strolled slowly.

People nearby looked up in surprise but quickly lowered their heads and stepped aside.

On the streets, hand-holding couples were rare—usually only siblings or parents with children.

Even spouses walked side by side rather than hand in hand.

Yet where people gather, someone must lead, and where there is a leader, others tend to follow.

Behind Li Zhi’s family, a young couple exchanged glances. The wife smiled shyly, seeming embarrassed.

The husband was braver, reaching out to hold her hand, their fingers interlocking.

Li Zhi’s family walked at a leisurely pace. Though curious about the street sights, the brothers stayed close, chatting about these novelties.

Ahead, a group wearing ghost masks hopped along. Seeing the plainclothes imperial guards with long knives, they tactfully stepped aside.

Li Yuechen glanced back and saw many couples already holding hands, strolling among the crowd.

People married young these days, and the wives were mostly young.

Though Tang women were often described as tomboyish, being led by their husbands’ hands in public still made them blush, their lips curved in sweet smiles.

Unable to resist the allure of these new things, Li Xian and Li Lun bought masks from the roadside and wore them on the side of their heads, showing off to Li Yuechen.

Li Yuechen immediately turned away. “You two are mocking Father and Mother!”

“Cough!” Li Xian choked. “Yuechen, don’t say that! We wanted to ask if you wanted one as well and were going to buy you one!”

“Oh? Really?” Li Yuechen puffed her cheeks, thinking. “Then I suppose I misunderstood you, brothers!”

Li Zhi laughed broadly from behind, and Wu Zetian covered her mouth, giggling softly.