Chapter 122: Eldest Brother Has Returned

After dodging for a while, Li Yuechen saw the moment was right and pounced, wrapping his arms tightly around his mother.

“Oh dear, Mother, please don’t be angry. If you hurt your child, who else will truly care for you in the future?” he said with a sweet, endearing smile.

Seeing her daughter’s expression, the mother found it hard to continue scolding her. Resigned, she just poked her forehead lightly with a finger. “You’re quite good at cheering people up, aren’t you?”

“Hehe, as long as Father and Mother are happy, I am happy too,” Li Yuechen replied with a smile.

Seeing the playful exchange between mother and daughter end, Li Zhi stood up from the side. “Yuechen, does this mean that in the future, the Tang Dynasty will never lack ice during summer?”

“In theory, yes. But the current production of saltpeter in the Tang is not very high, so ice cellars will still be necessary. Still, there’s no need to worry too much—this saltpeter can be recovered and reused!”

Li Zhi was surprised. “But it’s dissolved in water. How can it be recovered?”

“It’s not difficult,” Li Yuechen explained briefly. Back in high school, when the chemistry teacher performed this experiment, it had amazed many students as well. “Oh, and by the way, the water soaked with saltpeter is poisonous—do not drink it!”

“No wonder it needs to be prepared with a bowl as a barrier,” Li Zhi nodded in understanding.

Li Yuechen suddenly paused. “With this method, nearly everyone in the Tang Dynasty will be able to afford cold shaved ice during summer.”

“Indeed,” Li Zhi agreed, “a true blessing for the Tang.”

Wu Zetian lowered her head thoughtfully. “Yuechen, perhaps it’s best not to make this method public for now.”

“Alright,” Li Yuechen nodded. “But I plan to sell iced yogurt at the shop, at a low price, so the townspeople can enjoy a cool summer.”

Li Zhi approved. “It’s rare to see you showing such care for the people. Naturally, you may proceed.”

“Also, in a while, the younger generation will go on an outing together. I can grant them some shaved ice to make the trip more enjoyable,” Wu Zetian suggested.

That was a fine idea. With so many young ones present, ample shaved ice could be contributed, and more ice blocks could be distributed this summer as a display of imperial benevolence.

Li Zhi nodded. “Very well, entrust this matter to Zhang Chengxin.”

As Li Zhi’s trusted chief steward, Zhang was reliable with such affairs.

Li Yuechen chipped away at the ice blocks in several bowls, then poured yogurt over them.

After handing a portion to both her parents, she asked, “Why not have Steward Zhang come in and try some? It’s hot outside.”

“Good!” Li Zhi smiled and nodded.

“Steward Zhang, come in!” Li Yuechen called out.

Zhang Chengxin hurried in. “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“It’s rather hot outside. Have some iced yogurt,” Li Yuechen said, cheerfully offering him a bowl.

“Oh, thank you, Your Highness!” Zhang accepted it respectfully with both hands.

Li Zhi then explained how the ice was made and warned, “I entrust this to you. Find trustworthy people. This recipe must not be leaked!”

“Yes! Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my utmost!” Zhang promised promptly.

With some ice left, Li Yuechen prepared a few new portions and had Zhang send them to her two elder sisters.

Then, in the Renshou Hall, she demonstrated how to make ice with saltpeter and explained how to recover it from the water for reuse.

“This method is simple, with no threshold, so secrecy is paramount. We cannot let anyone guess,” Li Yuechen instructed. “Two points to note: first, the water soaked with saltpeter is poisonous and must not be consumed. Second, using copper bowls speeds up ice formation compared to porcelain bowls…”

Having given these instructions, Li Yuechen left the rest to them.

As for whether to top the shaved ice with cheese or fruit juice, she left that to the imperial chefs to ponder.

...

Back at Anfu Palace, Li Yuechen summoned Fulai. “Prepare to increase staff at Wang Xiang’s place for selling shaved ice in summer. The recipe must remain secret for now.”

“Yes!” Fulai replied and immediately set to work.

Just as she sat down, Shangguan Wan’er came over carrying a small bowl of iced yogurt. “Your Highness, today His Majesty granted some iced yogurt. The two young lords shared some with me. Would Your Highness like to try?”

“I just came back from Renshou Hall. You can have it yourself,” Li Yuechen smiled, patting her head teasingly. “But you remembered me, so my kindness hasn’t been in vain.”

Shangguan Wan’er nodded earnestly. “I shall never forget Your Highness!”

“Good,” Li Yuechen smiled.

...

A few days later, Li Yuechen went to the farm as usual to teach the children.

After covering the day’s key points, she let them practice and announced, “Everyone must participate in today’s quiz. Those who answer correctly will be rewarded with a bowl of iced yogurt!”

In this era, yogurt was an affordable common drink for the people, and with saltpeter ice production, the cost was quite low.

Her students had been studying diligently lately and deserved some reward.

The children were earnest, studying not for rewards but to repay Li Yuechen’s kindness in the future.

Since the material was not difficult and they studied hard, even though Li Yuechen gave each a different question, all answered correctly.

“Well done, all of you!” she praised. “Today, you get iced yogurt!”

As she spoke, Fulai brought out the prepared iced yogurt from the carriage to distribute.

Over twenty plainclothes guards stood nearby, forbidding anyone to approach.

Lu Zhaolin, listening in, received two bowls and smiled warmly as he and his wife thanked Li Yuechen before savoring the treat.

After thanking Li Yuechen, the children ran off to share the yogurt with their parents, their faces lighting up with joy over the simple delight.

Seeing their smiles, Li Yuechen felt a surge of accomplishment.

...

On April 28th, the day of Grain Full,

Though the Crown Prince’s carriage traveled light, it still took over half a month to return to the Eastern Capital.

Having received advance notice, Li Yuechen informed her parents and rode her carriage ten li out of the city to meet him early.

After stopping, she still could not see the Crown Prince’s carriage.

She stepped out and leaned against the door frame, closing her eyes to rest.

Soon, Fulai alerted her, “Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s carriage is in sight.”

Li Yuechen opened her eyes and stood, looking ahead.

On the narrow official road, a ceremonial guard marched slowly forward, cavalry with banners leading, followed by the East Palace’s six banners protecting a luxurious carriage.

Though Li Hong did not know his sister awaited outside the city, the troops had seen her carriage.

Today, Li Yuechen had the guards in full armor rather than plainclothes, to make identification easier and avoid tedious identity checks.

Though the armor was hot in this weather, each guard was rewarded with iced yogurt.

The East Palace’s six banners were divided into three units: Chaosheng Army, Lvben Army, and Zhidao Army, also called Left and Right Guards, Left and Right Commanders, and Left and Right Path Clearers.

The Chaosheng Army, leading the way, saw the armored guards and signaled the rear to slow down. The leader galloped forward quickly.

Approaching, he was startled to see the young girl in red on the carriage and quickly dismounted to salute. “Greetings, Princess.”

“Please, no need,” Li Yuechen jumped down. “Have the troops stop. I will ride in my elder brother’s carriage.”

“Yes!” the soldier responded, quickly remounting and ordering the formation to halt.

Li Yuechen jogged to Li Hong’s carriage and stopped just before it when she heard him cough and ask, “Why the stop?”

“Brother! I came to meet you!” she called, climbing aboard and about to lift the curtain.

But before she could see him clearly, he shouted sharply, “Get out!”

“Huh?” Li Yuechen was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“Cough, cough…” Li Hong coughed heavily. “I am ill. If you come in, you might get infected!”

People in this era had some understanding of contagious diseases but not fully clear.

After explaining, Li Hong coughed again.

Li Yuechen frowned. It wasn’t a common cold—the harsh, metallic sound of his cough was concerning.

She asked cautiously, “Could it be a cold?”

“No, cough… no… you mustn’t… come in,” he wheezed.

Listening to the cough from inside, Li Yuechen nodded. “Alright, I won’t come in. Brother, you continue your journey.”

She jumped down. Li Hong’s eunuch attendant, Lü Sheng, reached out to support her, but she grabbed his wrist.

“When did he start coughing?” she asked.

“Your Highness, since the end of last year—nearly five months now,” Lü Sheng whispered.

“Five months…” Li Yuechen knit her brows. “Has anyone else shown the same symptoms?”

“None so far,” Lü Sheng replied.

Li Yuechen waved her hand and returned to her carriage.

“Your Highness?” Fulai was puzzled by her sudden return and dark expression.

“Return to the palace first.”

Without another word, Li Yuechen climbed into her carriage.

Fulai nodded and ordered the guards to turn back.

Inside, Fulai kept stealing glances at Li Yuechen, curious about her mood.

Leaning back, her face gloomy, Li Yuechen pondered Li Hong’s illness.

It wasn’t a cold; the metallic friction sound suggested pneumonia.

Pneumonia often spread easily, so she had asked if others showed symptoms.

Since none did, perhaps his pneumonia was non-contagious.

This was only a hypothesis, not a certainty.

Either way, it was troubling.

In an era without antibiotics, such a disease was usually fatal.

One could only hope for a miracle or spontaneous recovery—otherwise, it was a death sentence.

Fear crept into Li Yuechen’s eyes. She did not want to lose her elder brother.

But she had no idea how to extract penicillin or similar medicines.

For other remedies, she had some rough ideas to guide researchers.

But for this, she knew only the name and that it came from green plums—how to extract it remained a mystery.

Fulai watched her in silence, hesitant to disturb her thoughts.

The carriage returned to the palace and stopped inside the imperial city.

Li Yuechen stepped out and approached the Crown Prince’s carriage, concern etched on her face.

Li Hong emerged, pale, and seeing her worried expression, waved weakly.

“Yuechen, stay back. You’re still young. If you catch this…”

Li Yuechen smiled and stepped forward. “It’s fine. Since no one around you is ill, I won’t be either.”

This was no gamble. She knew her own body well.

Though only eight, her innate strength surpassed that of most adults, and her immunity was naturally robust.

Since none near Li Hong were infected, she felt safe.

Besides, not all pneumonia cases were contagious—it depended on the situation.

The constant coughing had drained Li Hong’s strength. As he stepped down, his legs weakened.

Li Yuechen hurried forward, steadying him, then helped him walk into Renshou Hall.

“It’s not that bad…” Li Hong smiled weakly. “I can still make the journey.”

Li Yuechen, as if not hearing, kept supporting him.

At this moment, she thought that perhaps her brother’s time was short and resolved to cherish the moments left.

She did not voice this thought but smiled gently. “It’s fine. Yuechen will take you to see Father and Mother.”