Chapter Thirty-Four: Li Yuechen’s Will to Survive

In truth, a sand table simulation is ultimately just that—a simulation. No matter how elaborate, it can never fully replicate the realities of actual combat.

Yet even so, Li Zhi delighted in playing with his daughter, and Wu Zetian, watching from the side, found it thoroughly entertaining as well. With a smile, she held a cup of tea, observing the fierce contest between father and daughter.

In the blink of an eye, the afternoon slipped away. Noticing the growing dusk, Li Zhi looked up and stretched his neck.

"What a fascinating thing Chener has made! This ought to be brought before the court for everyone to see. If it proves truly useful, I shall command that sand tables be made to represent all key strategic locations within the realm."

He turned, his face filled with indulgent affection. "Chener, you've accomplished another great deed!"

"Hehe, as long as Father likes it," Li Yuechen replied with a cheerful grin, expressing her filial affection.

Li Zhi and Wu Zetian stayed for dinner with their daughter in the Hall of Fragrant Harmony. They chatted for a while, and after reading the latest chapter of Journey to the West together, finally took their leave. Of course, before departing, Li Zhi instructed Zhang Chengxin to have the sand table brought along.

The following day was not a court day, but Li Zhi nonetheless summoned Liu Rengui, Pei Xingjian, and the other officials renowned for their military prowess to the Purple Palace.

Upon seeing the sand table and hearing Li Zhi explain its use, these ministers—who had themselves commanded armies on the battlefield—instantly grasped its vital strategic significance.

"Hahaha..." Pei Xingjian stroked his beard, laughing. "Lord Liu has taught an excellent disciple!"

"Not at all," Liu Rengui replied modestly, "the princess is naturally gifted—I merely guided her a bit."

Li Zhi smiled proudly. "When I first asked you to take her as your pupil, you looked reluctant. Now do you see how fine Chener has turned out?"

His mood was exceptionally good today, and he began to boast about his daughter—something he had done before, even when Li Yuechen was still a swaddled infant, showing her off to foreign envoys. Now that she was grown, his fondness for her had only deepened.

Liu Rengui, seeing no blame in Li Zhi's words, laughed and bowed. "I was shortsighted back then, Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

While ruler and ministers exchanged jokes, Li Zhi ordered the Ministry of Works to begin crafting sand tables representing all strategic locations in the empire, striving for accuracy and faithful proportions.

...

A few days later, the season of ripe oranges arrived. Li Zhi immediately sent over more than ten catties of oranges for his daughter. The fruit delivered to the palace was, naturally, of the finest quality. Li Yuechen gave one orange each to Fulai, Xiao He, Lady Zheng, and Shangguan Wan'er, then had the rest peeled and made into preserves.

It was not stinginess, but rather a desire to use the best fruit for preserves. If she wanted more, she could simply buy them outside the palace; it was the peak of the season and prices were reasonable.

After finishing another batch of preserves, Li Yuechen looked at the pile of ceramic jars in the corner of the Hall of Fragrant Harmony, nodding in satisfaction. If her experiment succeeded, next year Li Zhi could finally taste lychees.

Having completed the preserves, Li Yuechen took Shangguan Wan'er and her two elder sisters out to play shuttlecock.

The next day was the first of October, the day Li Yuechen went to the Hall of Three Pure Ones to pray for Lady Rongguo's blessing.

At dawn, after practicing yoga with Shangguan Wan'er and her sisters, and going through a martial routine, she donned her Daoist robe and made her way to the temple.

She carefully lit three sticks of incense and began to recite the Scripture of Serenity.

She spent the entire morning chanting, and just as she stepped out at noon, she spotted Fulai waiting outside.

"Lord Fulai, what brings you here today?"

Seeing her emerge, Fulai hurried over, glanced around, then bent low and whispered, "Your Highness, Lord Zhao has passed away in office."

Zhao Renben is dead?

Li Yuechen was startled—especially since he died while still serving. The news was explosive. Li Zhi was likely in a poor mood; Zhao Renben had served for many years, and now died suddenly, which must be painful.

Thinking this, Li Yuechen resolved to offer comfort. "Where are Father and Mother now?"

"They were just in the Hall of Extended Excellence, but now..."

Before Fulai could finish, Li Yuechen was already sprinting off.

Fulai paused, then quickly gave chase.

After years of training, Li Yuechen could run such distances without breaking a sweat. She sped to the Hall of Extended Excellence, found it empty, and then headed to the Purple Palace.

Entering through the side passage from the rear, she saw Li Zhi and Wu Zetian walking side by side.

Li Zhi's expression was subdued, but he managed a smile. "Chener, what brings you here?"

"I heard Lord Zhao passed away, and worried Father might be too saddened," Li Yuechen explained.

---

Seeing his daughter still in her Daoist robe, Li Zhi knelt and lifted her into his arms. "It's alright. Though I grieve, as long as Chener is with me, I won't let it affect my health."

"I'm glad you're well, Father," Li Yuechen comforted him.

Zhao Renben wasn't as close to Li Zhi as Li Ji, so although his passing brought sorrow, it wasn't overwhelming. Nonetheless, Li Zhi decreed three days of mourning as a mark of respect.

At the court meeting on the fifteenth of October, Li Yuechen attended as well.

The people from counties affected by drought had already migrated to other regions, but inevitably, some perished of hunger along the way.

At this session, Li Zhi announced two measures.

First, all official titles were restored to their traditional forms: the Eastern Secretariat returned to the Department of State Affairs, the Western Secretariat to the Central Secretariat, and the Six Ministries resumed their original names.

Second, for those under fifteen in drought-stricken regions who could not survive, they could be adopted and serve their adoptive families—but were not to be treated as slaves and remained free citizens.

Once the disaster ended, families could repay their guardians for expenses and return to their original homes.

Behind the screen, leaning against the wall, Li Yuechen sighed helplessly. It was not an ideal solution, but it was the only possible one. In this era, natural calamities were nearly insurmountable; simply ensuring most people did not starve was a feat.

A sense of powerlessness washed over her—such limitations of the age could not be changed by one person.

Ultimately, facing natural disasters, there was only one answer: wealth and strength for the nation and its people.

Only then could they resist such calamities.

Li Yuechen raised her gaze slightly, looking at Li Zhi on the Dragon Throne and Wu Zetian behind the beaded curtain.

Did she have any way to make them heed her advice?

Alas, it was only a thought. No matter how favored she was, she remained a child. She could offer suggestions, but whether they were adopted depended on the emperor's will.

Nor did she dare stand out—after all, behind that curtain sat the future Empress.

Why did Li Yuechen feign innocence and act cute every day? To show them she posed no threat, and to ensure their attention never fell on her.

With court matters so uninspiring, Li Yuechen left before Li Zhi finished.

...

November arrived, the weather deep into autumn and winter approaching.

Li Yuechen continued her disciplined routine, exercising every day, something everyone in the Hall of Fragrant Harmony had grown accustomed to.

The only change was that the Princesses of Xuancheng and Yiyang, perhaps because of daily yoga with Li Yuechen, had become increasingly graceful.

Not just in figure, but in bearing as well.

At first, practicing yoga with Li Yuechen was a way to pass idle time, but now they were earnest and dedicated each morning.

Witnessing the "scent of truth" rule at work in her sisters, Li Yuechen found it amusing.

After yoga, as she prepared to go out for further practice, Fulai suddenly entered. "Your Highnesses, an imperial command!"

The three princesses quickly stood and listened.

Fulai bowed toward the Hall of Extended Excellence and announced, "His Majesty says, as the weather turns cold, he longs for hotpot. Tonight, the family will gather in the Hall of Extended Excellence!"

Li Yuechen nearly burst out laughing—the decree was so plain-spoken, so familiar.

Clearly, Li Zhi had come to appreciate the joy of family gatherings.

That evening, Li Yuechen and her two sisters arrived early at the hall.

Their brothers were already there. Li Hong bowed to the Princesses of Xuancheng and Yiyang.

Li Yuechen had always disliked such solemn etiquette among family. As he bowed, she leaped onto his back.

"Elder brother, it's been so long! Did you miss me?"

"Ouch!"

Taken by surprise, Li Hong nearly toppled over. He steadied himself and lifted her legs, afraid she might fall.

"You! Aren't you going to greet your brothers properly?"

Li Yuechen clung to his neck, laughing. "Why should family be so formal?"

---

"It’s etiquette! How can you call it unfamiliar?" Li Hong pretended to scold her.

"Is that so?" Li Yuechen turned to her other brothers. "Do you agree with me?"

Second brother Li Xian grabbed Li Xian’s neck and nodded. "I agree! Elder brother, family shouldn’t be so distant!"

Fourth brother Li Lun said nothing but nodded as well.

All of them liked their little sister, and whether they truly agreed or not, they sided with her outwardly.

Li Yuechen jumped down from Li Hong’s back, bouncing on the steps. "So I propose that from now on, when we meet, let’s not be so formal!"

Li Hong laughed at her commanding manner. "But what about when we see Father and Mother?"

"Of course, we should pay respects to them, but honestly, I find these rules troublesome," Li Yuechen said, feigning distress.

Li Xian thought for a moment. "Little sister is right, but as children of the royal family, we must set an example..."

Li Hong nodded. "Yes."

"But you all really agree with me, don’t you?" Li Yuechen smiled. "You only say otherwise because you fear being scolded by Father and Mother!"

Her brothers blushed, especially Li Xian, caught out by her words.

He lifted his chin, a little defiant. "Aren’t you afraid of them, then?"

"I’m not," Li Yuechen said, hands on her hips, looking proud.

Li Xian glanced at the two figures emerging behind Li Yuechen and, with a smile, raised his voice. "Since you’re not afraid, why not share your opinion of Mother’s flaws?"

"Why not?"

Li Yuechen knew he was trying to trap her. Children’s ears are keener than adults’, and she already heard the deliberately muted footsteps behind her.

So, she waved her hand. "Mother’s greatest flaw is having none at all! Just like Father—they are both flawless and unmatched in this world!"

"Pfft..."

Li Hong couldn’t help laughing.

"Ha ha ha..." The other brothers and sisters bent double, unable to restrain their laughter.

Laughing so freely in front of the emperor and empress was hardly proper, but they simply couldn’t hold back.

Even Zhang Chengxin at the door bit his lip, struggling not to laugh, his face red from the effort.

Li Zhi walked over, laughing, and patted Li Yuechen’s head. "I thought Chener would offer some astounding advice, but I didn’t expect such high praise!"

Wu Zetian, trying to suppress her smile, put on a stern face. "Hmph! Such flattery at your age—where did you learn it?"

Li Yuechen, grinning, ran to her and hugged her waist. "Everything I say comes from the heart, not flattery! Mother’s comment will break my heart!"

"Oh? Then show me what a broken heart looks like!" Wu Zetian said, arching an eyebrow.

Li Yuechen grabbed her hand and shook it. "It’s a family gathering, Mother—don’t make things hard for me!"

Wu Zetian withdrew her hand and tapped Li Yuechen’s forehead. "Enough! Don’t try that with me!"

Seeing the other princes and princesses still unable to stop laughing, Wu Zetian’s face fell. "What? Can’t you all control yourselves?"

Seeing her stern expression, the brothers and sisters forced themselves to stop, though their shoulders still shook.

"Ha ha ha..." Only Li Zhi kept laughing, waving them inside. "Enough, enough. Chener is right—family should be joyful together!"

"Exactly!" Li Yuechen nodded vigorously.

"His Majesty spoils her," Wu Zetian smiled helplessly.

"Father, look! Mother’s smile is lovelier than her serious face, isn’t it?" Li Yuechen winked at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi nodded, still smiling. "Yes! Meiniang should smile more!"

"Indeed!" Li Yuechen agreed. "That’s the true bearing of the world’s greatest beauty!"

Then, widening her eyes, she added, "I’m second, of course!"

"Pfft..."

Even Wu Zetian couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter.

The atmosphere instantly lightened, and the children laughed again.

Li Zhi waved a hand, his face aching from smiling. "Enough! Come in—let’s eat hotpot!"

He led the way into the Hall of Extended Excellence, and in the end, none of the children paid their respects to him or Wu Zetian after all...