Chapter 144: Paving the Way for His Daughter

May 15th marked the release day of the latest edition of the newspaper.

In the three cities, many people gathered around the newsstands, purchasing the newest issue, while children sold copies shouting through the streets and alleys.

This edition carried numerous reports.

For instance, the completion of the Emperor’s anthem composition, which would henceforth be performed at various ceremonies...

There were also news from other provinces and counties, along with some local gossip and trivialities.

The most eagerly awaited content remained the serialized updates of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms; many had been looking forward to this source of joy for the latter half of the month.

Not only common folk, but even the imperial couple, Emperor Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian, were devoted readers of this piece.

Moreover, Li Hong and his elder brothers would ask their younger sister about the plot developments whenever they met.

To these inquiries, Li Yuechen simply replied, “You’ll know when the next issue comes out.”

She wasn’t in the mood to spoil the story for them now; instead, she was instructing Fulai to notify Wang Xiang to introduce some new items to the syrup and canned goods shop this year.

The method of chilling with potassium nitrate had emerged, allowing them to sell some iced yogurt-like treats to children at a lower price, focusing on volume sales.

There were also lollipops, but sugar was still considered a luxury, so they couldn’t be sold too cheaply; their target customers remained the wealthy.

At the same time, Li Yuechen pondered whether to move these shops back to Chang’an at the end of the year or to reopen new ones there.

In Anfu Palace, lying on a mat, she posed the question: “Fulai, what do you think?”

“Your Highness, I believe it’s better to open new shops in Chang’an after moving back. After all, who knows when we might return here again,” Fulai respectfully answered. “Also, the person who handles operations can come along; they will still be useful in Chang’an.”

Li Yuechen nodded. “Very well, then let’s proceed accordingly.”

...

“Ugh...” fanning herself, Li Yuechen entered the hall, muttering, “It’s unbearably hot...”

She sat down casually and, seeing the Su Mountain dessert before Shangguan Wan’er, scooped a spoonful.

Shangguan Wan’er opened her mouth to remind her but saw that she had already eaten it.

Li Yuechen paid no mind, only thinking how genuinely unbearable the heat was.

Wearing a silk undergarment still felt oppressively warm. She was grateful for daily baths; otherwise, she might have broken out in heat rash.

“Do you want to go swimming, Chen’er?” asked Princess Yiyang.

Li Yuechen hesitated; swimming did relieve the heat temporarily, but she couldn’t stay in water every day.

Shaking her head, she summoned a palace maid to fan her.

Recalling her mother’s midday scolding dampened her mood.

At lunch in Renshou Palace, after eating, she accompanied her father in play.

Perhaps due to the heat, Wu Zetian’s temper was more irritable, and she reprimanded her: “Look at you, rushing about in men’s clothes, climbing high places; where is the demeanor of a proper lady?”

Li Yuechen felt resigned. The traditional ruqun (a kind of Hanfu) was not unattractive but cumbersome.

Firstly, it restricted movement; secondly, it was unbearably hot in summer.

Most importantly, girls of this era walked with small steps, emphasizing posture; their legs were hidden under robes, making them seem to glide.

Li Yuechen, however, always strode with long steps, often running and jumping. This was fine when she was younger, but now that she was growing, her mother’s displeasure grew.

Shangguan Wan’er, noticing her impatience, seemed about to ask what was wrong.

Before she could speak, Li Yuechen suddenly sat up, waved her hand decisively: “Fulai, come with me to the Bureau of Garments.”

“Certainly!” Fulai answered promptly and followed her out.

Seeing her sudden departure, Shangguan Wan’er looked confused and glanced at Princesses Yiyang and Xuancheng, who shook their heads in ignorance.

...

At the Bureau of Garments, Li Yuechen wasted no time and requested paper and brush.

“Make me a garment, specifically...” she began.

She felt that, while still young, she could afford a bit of rebellion.

Thanks to the relatively liberal customs of this era, such things rarely enraged her parents too much—at most, a mild scolding.

First, she wanted a sleeveless long vest that fully exposed her arms, skipping the half-sleeved styles.

The current half-arm clothes weren’t tight-fitting; they usually required an inner garment, making the half-sleeves redundant.

Li Yuechen planned a vest that left the arms entirely bare, as the heat was unbearable otherwise.

As for her mother’s insistence on skirts, Li Yuechen firmly refused. Skirts were acceptable for important occasions but not for daily wear, as they hindered activity.

Instead, she sketched a pair of skirt-like trousers with very wide leg openings.

Starting wide at the waist, they flared so much at the ankles that the openings were nearly bigger than the waist.

These pants looked like skirts when standing still, but walking revealed them as trousers.

Such a garment had never appeared in this era; she wondered how her parents would react.

...

The Bureau of Garments worked efficiently; in just three days, they invited her for a fitting.

The vest fit perfectly.

It was made with a bright red base, and once embroidered with gold floral patterns, it would be complete.

She instructed them to proceed with the embroidery and deliver it when done, perfect timing for the scorching June heat.

The only current annoyance was... Li Yuechen glanced down.

Though her growth was moderate, it was obvious that her bust was gradually expanding.

Since sports vests were unrealistic in this world, the only solution was to wrap some gauze around to support herself during physical activities.

She wouldn’t wrap it too tightly, just enough to provide some support, as she truly had no idea how to make undergarments.

...

On another court day, Li Yuechen and Shangguan Wan’er sat in the corridor listening attentively and taking notes.

Despite her usual fondness for play, Shangguan Wan’er showed a serious attitude when working, which drew Li Yuechen’s attention.

She recorded the ministers’ reports, later organizing them at the newspaper office.

After the ministers finished, Emperor Li Zhi, twirling a health ball in his hands, mentioned his desire to restore Changsun Wuji’s official rank.

Li Yuechen looked up, thinking it was indeed time.

After all, Changsun Wuji had never truly rebelled. Now that time had passed and politics stabilized, restoring his rank would improve the emperor’s reputation.

She tapped her head, realizing her thoughts had grown complex after spending so much time with the emperor. She had once been so straightforward...

The next day, when Li Yuechen went to pay respects, Shangguan Wan’er brought the compiled content for the next issue.

“Wan’er greets the emperor and empress!” After bowing, she presented the designed newspaper, “This is the content for release on June 1st. Please review, Your Majesties!”

Her manners were impeccable, her expression serious, though her voice still bore the unmistakable tone of youth.

Li Zhi took the paper, put on the single-lens glasses made by his daughter, and nodded approvingly: “As expected of the one recommended by Chen’er, very good!”

He handed the paper to Wu Zetian for her inspection.

Shangguan Wan’er’s writing was excellent; even in vernacular, it was neat and elegant.

She subtly praised the emperor and empress within the text, truly embodying Li Yuechen’s teachings.

Both approved the content for publication, and Shangguan Wan’er received much praise.

After Li Yuechen and Shangguan Wan’er left, Li Zhi smiled and remarked, “This young woman will be of great use in the future!”

Wu Zetian nodded with a smile, “Perhaps spending time with Chen’er has influenced her. If well utilized, she could become Chen’er’s right hand.”

“Looks like I should find an opportunity to pave the way for Chen’er’s future,” Li Zhi said with a laugh.

Wu Zetian, knowing her husband well, replied immediately, “I have some thoughts on this matter...”

...

On June 1st, the new issue was released.

The emperor restored Changsun Wuji’s rank, allowing his descendants to inherit it, ordering him to be reburied and interred alongside the Zhao mausoleum.

Minister of Agriculture Liu Ziha, under the leadership of the emperor and empress, along with Princess Taiping, would conduct experiments next year to increase rice yields.

One by one, these court affairs spread to the populace through the newspaper.

In the eastern capital’s teahouses and taverns, discussing the news had become routine.

Even in brothels, literati often held a newspaper in hand, drinking and debating politics with friends.

The hostess of the gathering would applaud at apt moments, signaling agreement with insightful analyses.

...

Meanwhile, at the first court assembly of June, the empress formally presented a series of proposals aimed at national prosperity and strengthening the people:

- Encourage farming and sericulture; reduce taxes and labor duties;

- Exempt labor duties in Chang’an and previous disaster-stricken areas;

- Cease military conscription, governing through moral education;

- Reduce costs and labor for public works;

- Expand open channels for public opinion;

- Curb gluttony;

- Require all officials below prince rank to study the Tao Te Ching, with annual imperial exams including the Filial Classic and Analects;

- No retroactive investigation of those previously granted official positions before the first full moon;

- Promote capable officials who have served long but remain in lower ranks;

- Appropriately increase salaries for capital officials of eighth rank and above.

Li Yuechen, listening from behind the curtain, nodded approvingly; these ten suggestions were quite sound.

Overall, they aimed to enrich the nation, empower the people, utilize talent wisely, and win over officials.

Truly befitting a future empress—her methods were impressive. How much was her own thought and how much was her father’s influence remained uncertain.

Unexpectedly, Wu Zetian followed with two more proposals.

First, even if the father was alive and the mother deceased, one should mourn the mother with full grief for three years.

Traditionally, mourning for a parent lasted one year; this elevated the mother’s status equal to that of the father.

The last proposal emphasized female education—not allowing women to take imperial exams immediately but permitting them to try lower-ranking positions.

With these two added, twelve proposals were presented in court.

Li Yuechen was surprised, looking toward her mother behind the curtain.

These last two clearly aimed to elevate women’s social status.

Her surprise quickly faded; as empress, such suggestions were reasonable.

The imagined court conflict did not erupt, perhaps because Li Yuechen herself stood as a living example.

Or because the empress did not directly propose women’s participation in imperial exams, opposition voices were mild and did not escalate.

Aside from a few symbolic protests from the censorate, most remained silent.

Mainly because these events would surely appear in the next newspaper issue.

If they opposed now, they would become enemies of all women.

They had learned the power of the press and were willing to yield on non-core issues.

Also, it was clear the emperor was frail, the empress healthy, and Crown Prince Li Hong obedient.

In time, the empress’s influence would grow, possibly ruling as regent.

Showing her respect now was a strategic move for the future.

Seated on the dragon throne, Li Zhi smiled, praised the twelve proposals, and declared his approval.

Li Yuechen, still behind the curtain, felt as if the spirit of Emperor Taizong burned fiercely in her mother’s mind.

These twelve proposals resonated deeply with the principles in "Emperor’s Model," perhaps distilled from its essence.

Regardless, they would not only improve the nation but, in some ways, advance civilization itself.

When the next edition announced these reforms, her prestige among the people would surely rise considerably.

Of course, many conservative men would likely hate her even more—much like when Li Yuechen had introduced a teacher for the Wu family.

Thinking of this, a slight smile appeared on Li Yuechen’s face.