Chapter Twenty-Five: Joys of the Mortal World

Li Zhi and his wife led Li Yuechen out of the Xuanzheng Hall through the back door. Upon returning to the Yanying Hall, they ordered tea to be prepared.

Li Zhi settled into a folding chair, leaning back, stretching his legs out to ease his body. Having been seated on the dragon throne since dawn, he now felt a dull ache in his back and waist. He even considered altering the throne, perhaps adding a backrest.

Seeing the concertina manuscript in Li Yuechen’s hands, he reached out and took it. “Is this the latest chapter of Journey to the West?”

“Yes…” Li Yuechen was still immersed in the lesson she had received, not quite recovered.

Books with turning pages were rare in this era; most were scrolls and concertina manuscripts, the latter being the same kind officials used for memorials—one could flip them page by page or unfold them into a long strip. The Golden Mirror Li Yuechen had read as a child was in this form as well.

“At last, it’s written. I’ve waited bitterly for days,” Li Zhi said, opening the manuscript and reading.

Reading was, of course, faster than writing. In no time, he finished, but his expression betrayed a hint of dissatisfaction.

Li Yuechen knew why: she had clumsily altered quite a bit of content. After all, the original featured many scenes of seductive temptation—hardly appropriate for a child to write. So she had forcibly cut or changed many sections; Pigsy’s glimpse of the spider spirits bathing was glossed over, and many flirtatious scenes replaced with dialogue to pad the word count.

Li Zhi instinctively sensed something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it; he only felt the quality had slipped this chapter.

Once he finished, Li Zhi handed the manuscript to Wu Zetian, then resumed playing with his health balls.

“Chen’er has rendered a great service; whatever reward you desire, just speak!” Li Zhi lounged back, spinning his health balls, looking every bit the dignified patriarch.

What I truly want is for you not to be suspicious of me!

Though she thought this, Li Yuechen maintained her adorable demeanor. “I do not wish for rewards, only that father and mother accompany me in play.”

Li Zhi nodded. “Very well, tomorrow, Meiniang and I shall forgo all governance and devote the day to playing with Chen’er!”

“Your Majesty spoils her again!” Wu Zetian chided from the side.

“One day is nothing!” Li Zhi waved his hand dismissively. He was deeply fond of this daughter; taking a day off to play with her was of no consequence.

But Li Yuechen had to play the part of a sensible child, so she shook her head. “Father need not go so far; I must practice in the morning. Only accompany me in the afternoon, please.”

“Persistent, excellent! Truly worthy of being my daughter!” Li Zhi patted her head.

Wu Zetian, behind them, tapped her forehead twice. Well, it seems now their daughter’s every word is praiseworthy.

“Meiniang too, after reviewing memorials in the morning, shall join Chen’er in play for the afternoon!” Li Zhi issued his order with authority.

“Very well, I shall obey!” Wu Zetian nodded, helpless.

…

Once outside the Yanying Hall, Li Yuechen breathed a sigh of relief. Her persona had survived; no suspicion, and all was well.

She waved her hand. “Fu Gonggong, go to the Imperial Workshop and have them deliver several round, thin discs by noon tomorrow—copper or iron will do.”

Fu Gonggong looked puzzled. “Does Your Highness have any specific requirements?”

“The size of a copper coin, with a hole in the center,” Li Yuechen replied. “And fetch some hemp cloth and a handful of chicken feathers.”

What she intended to make was simple—a shuttlecock.

This era already had shuttlecocks, though no one played them in the palace. And they were more akin to beanbags than shuttlecocks.

Fu went off to carry out the order, and Li Yuechen returned to Chengxiang Hall.

There, Madam Zheng was teaching Shangguan Wan’er to write. Li Yuechen calmed herself and joined in.

Looking at Shangguan Wan’er’s writing, then her own, Li Yuechen mused, “Should I learn this style of calligraphy as well?”

Zheng looked up. “Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but it’s best not to change your calligraphic style suddenly.”

“Would it be like the parable of the man from Handan, learning to walk and forgetting his own gait?” Li Yuechen asked.

Zheng nodded cautiously. “Exactly.”

Li Yuechen nodded. “I just feel this style seems discordant with the Tang Dynasty…”

“Most scripts are rounded, Your Highness’s strokes are fierce and sharp, there is indeed a marked difference,” Zheng replied.

“No matter, both father and mother have seen it already. No need to change!” Li Yuechen shook her head in resignation.

Changing a habit is difficult; besides, Li Zhi and his wife had seen her writing before. A sudden change might arouse suspicion.

“I actually like Your Highness’s style very much!” Shangguan Wan’er chimed in.

“Quiet! How dare you speak so casually to Her Highness—”

Li Yuechen smiled. “It’s fine, children’s words are innocent. But Wan’er, so long as it’s just me, it’s alright; never act this way in front of others.”

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“Yes, I shall remember!” Shangguan Wan’er answered.

Madam Zheng’s eyes flickered twice. It seemed Her Highness was fond of her daughter. Could it be that dream from years ago was meant for her?

…

At dusk, Fu Gonggong finally returned.

As the light dimmed, Li Yuechen set down her brush and looked up. “Why so late?”

“Your Highness, the craftsmen said there was no need to wait until noon tomorrow—they could finish today, so I waited,” Fu replied, opening his hand to reveal a handful of chicken feathers and five flattened copper discs. “Are these as Your Highness requested?”

Li Yuechen took them and examined them. “Yes, they should do. Bring a copper coin.”

With the copper coin, Li Yuechen wrapped it in hemp cloth, threaded the cloth ends through the copper discs, then bound the chicken feathers to the cloth with string.

Weighing it in her hand, she felt it seemed right, though a test was needed.

“What is this, Your Highness?” Shangguan Wan’er asked with curiosity.

Li Yuechen beckoned her. “Follow me outside and you’ll see!”

She shrugged off her wide outer robe, handing it to Xiao He, revealing a short tunic beneath.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t—what if you catch cold—”

“It’ll be hot soon enough!”

Before the words had faded, Li Yuechen had darted into the courtyard.

Wearing a long trailing robe was a hassle for playing shuttlecock; getting it dirty was minor, since she didn’t do the washing. The real risk was tripping and injuring herself.

Shangguan Wan’er, curious, followed her. Fu Gonggong and Xiao He watched with interest.

Li Yuechen ignored them, tossed the shuttlecock lightly into the air, and as it fell, kicked it up.

The shuttlecock rose and fell, and Li Yuechen kicked it again, over and over.

Fu Gonggong and the others suddenly understood how it was played.

But that was not all. As the shuttlecock soared again, Li Yuechen turned slightly, lifting her right leg from the outside to kick it once more.

Then, alternating inside and outside kicks, left and right legs in turn.

Shangguan Wan’er, amused, grinned and jumped twice in place, then clapped for her.

Li Yuechen smiled back. “Catch!”

As she spoke, the shuttlecock traced a parabola in the air, flying toward Shangguan Wan’er.

Wan’er instinctively raised her leg and managed to kick it, though the direction was off, sending it straight up and down.

“A bit gentler,” Li Yuechen advised.

Wan’er, unable to reply, watched as the shuttlecock fell, took a big step, and kicked it again.

This time, it flew toward Li Yuechen, though a bit high.

Li Yuechen jumped, caught it with her hand, then kicked it back.

Wan’er missed the catch; the shuttlecock grazed her sleeve and dropped.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, I’m so clumsy…”

“No matter, pick it up and continue!” Li Yuechen laughed. “You’re doing well already!”

When Madam Zheng had finished tidying the desk and came out, she saw the princess and her daughter playing shuttlecock in the courtyard, back and forth.

Her daughter, sweating profusely, forehead hair plastered to her skin, skirt marked with dusty spots. Yet her eyes showed no fatigue, her face radiant with a smile never seen before.

Behind the two children, the sunset clouds cast their faces in a warm orange glow.

…

The next morning, Shangguan Wan’er, in a fresh long skirt, wore an uneasy expression.

Li Yuechen beckoned her to eat and asked, “You’ve had this look since practice—didn’t sleep well?”

Wan’er shook her head. “Mother scolded me for dirtying my skirt yesterday…”

“So that’s it, I didn’t consider thoroughly enough…” Li Yuechen smiled. “Never mind, let’s eat!”

She broke off half a flatbread for her.

Every morning, after yoga, Li Yuechen ate just a couple bites, then drank some millet porridge before going to practice.

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Wan’er, having been scolded, looked pitiable and adorable.

The morning proceeded as usual for everyone.

After lunch, Li Zhi brought Wu Zetian to Chengxiang Hall to fulfill yesterday’s promise of playing with their daughter.

Not only did they come themselves, but the four brothers were summoned as well.

Along with the two sisters who lived in Chengxiang Hall, the whole family in the capital was gathered.

Li Zhi spun his health balls, smiling. “How shall we play, Chen’er?”

“Everyone, please gather up your skirts first!” Li Yuechen laughed.

Li Hong, behind, raised his hem and asked, “Is Chen’er going to play cuju? But there aren’t enough players…”

“Not cuju! Just follow me!”

Li Yuechen led them to the courtyard and had them stand in a large circle.

She took out the shuttlecock and explained the rules.

Li Zhi and the others had never seen such a thing; whatever she said, they followed.

After the introduction, Li Yuechen began, kicking twice, then passing to Li Zhi.

His eyesight was poor, seeing only a blur flying toward him. Still, in his youth he was skilled in archery and horsemanship, so his reflexes weren’t slow.

He kicked accurately, though the direction was off.

Li Xian stepped forward, kicked it to Wu Zetian.

Though now Empress, as former captain of the palace women’s polo team, her skills were still sharp.

She kicked the shuttlecock back as Li Yuechen had shown.

Thus began a merry family game of shuttlecock.

At first, the shuttlecock often fell to the ground, but as they adapted, it happened less and less.

Li Yuechen demonstrated various tricks—kicking with the knee or chest, continuing the play, or fancy moves like minor and major flower rolls.

The happiest was Li Zhi. Seeing the shuttlecock coming high, he tried to imitate Li Yuechen, jumping to head it for flair.

But misjudging the distance, he missed with his forehead, letting the shuttlecock land on his hair bun!

The feathers tangled with his hair, hanging there.

The eunuchs and maids immediately diverted their gaze—some looked up, some down, some even toward the Taiye Pool.

Only Li Yuechen laughed heartily. “Ha ha ha… Father, don’t move, let big brother help take it off.”

Wu Zetian, beside him, covered her mouth, clearly delighted to see Li Zhi embarrassed.

Li Zhi didn’t mind, took it off, shook his head. “Again!”

…

After about an hour, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian withdrew, sitting on chairs nearby, sipping tea as they watched the children play.

“Age is catching up…” Li Zhi shook his head.

Wu Zetian smiled. “To last over an hour, Your Majesty is still vigorous.”

Li Zhi only smiled and shook his head.

Watching the sweaty, happy children, his expression showed deep contentment.

Twisting his health balls, Li Zhi remarked, “This scene—truly, I have never experienced such a thing in all my life…”

Wu Zetian paused. “Isn’t it happening now? Be happy today, Your Majesty, don’t dwell on unhappy things.”

Li Zhi’s sentiment was understandable. Since childhood, his only close sibling was Sizi.

His other brothers—eldest brother Li Chengqian rebelled, fourth brother Li Tai often scared him. The concubines’ sons, he rarely saw, let alone played with.

“Only after Chen’er was born did I truly understand what ‘a hall full of children and grandchildren’ means…” Li Zhi smiled, raising his teacup for a sip.

Wu Zetian laughed. “Doesn’t this show Your Majesty’s good fortune? To see your hall full, to enjoy the joys of the human world…”

While playing shuttlecock with her siblings, Li Yuechen kept an eye on Li Zhi and Wu Zetian.

From their satisfied and contented expressions, it was clear—her efforts today had been a resounding success.

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