Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Master’s Secret

Perhaps it was because she felt somewhat displeased in court, and to avoid dwelling on those thoughts, Li Yuechen devoted all her attention to building a snowman. Shangguan Wan’er assisted her, and before long, a plump and endearing snowman stood outside the door of Chengxiang Hall.

Li Yuechen dusted the snow off her gloves, stepped back a couple of paces, hands on her hips, looking triumphant. Shangguan Wan’er, eyes bright as stars, clapped in admiration. “Your Highness is remarkable!”

In this era, snowmen tended to be rather ordinary—everyone tried to mimic human forms, making them thin and upright. But Li Yuechen’s snowman was round and chubby, not lifelike perhaps, but exuding a delightful innocence that appealed to children all the more.

Dark lumps of charcoal formed its eyes, a roll of red paper made a pointed little nose, and a cluster of slender, dried twigs below fashioned a curved smile, rendering the features irresistibly cute. Two wooden sticks were inserted on either side for arms—thus, the first adorable snowman of the future appeared in this world.

Not only Shangguan Wan’er, but Zheng, Xiaohe, Fulai, and others gathered to admire it. The palace maids nearby discussed its charms, noting how it differed from any snowman they had seen.

Li Yuechen turned and smiled, “Come, let’s hold a contest. Follow this model—everyone build a snowman, two to a group. Let’s start!”

The servants had been waiting for this invitation; as soon as the princess spoke, they eagerly began to build snowmen.

Li Yuechen stepped back to the stairs. Gazing at the snow-clad grandeur of the Ming Palace, she mused whether she might fashion a sled and have a couple of dogs pull it for amusement.

As she pondered, she noticed Fulai still standing nearby and asked curiously, “Why don’t you join them?”

Fulai smiled gently, “It’s better I stay by your side, Your Highness. If you need anything, I can bring tea or water.”

Li Yuechen smiled—this one certainly knew how to show loyalty. Clearly, only the most astute could thrive in the palace.

She waved her hand dismissively, “It’s no matter. Grand Eunuch Fu has cared for me since childhood. You work hard every day; a bit of merriment now and then, I won’t report to Father and Mother! If I need you, I’ll call.”

Fulai’s expression showed a flicker of temptation. He asked cautiously, “Then... may I join in?”

Li Yuechen laughed and gestured, “Go ahead!”

Fulai bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness!” He then turned to join the others, happily building snowmen but always keeping a portion of his attention on Li Yuechen in case she needed anything.

After all, play was play, mischief was mischief, but one’s duties must not be forgotten.

They spent the afternoon building snowmen, and as dusk approached, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian themselves came to see. They suggested that tomorrow, snowmen should be built outside the doors of Yan Ying Hall for festive cheer.

Li Yuechen readily agreed, promising to go after her morning exercises.

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Early the next morning, Li Yuechen rose as usual, leading Shangguan Wan’er and her two elder sisters in yoga practice.

After breakfast, she went to the front courtyard for martial training. The snow had already been cleared by the servants, so there was no risk of slipping.

Yet, midway through her practice, Fulai approached hesitantly. Li Yuechen had instructed that unless something urgent arose, she was not to be disturbed during her exercises. Fulai seemed uncertain, his expression unsettled.

With a sharp exhale, Li Yuechen threw a straight punch, paused, took a deep breath, and asked without turning, “What is it?”

Fulai answered respectfully, “Your Highness, someone requests an audience.”

Someone seeks me?

Li Yuechen was puzzled. Fulai’s manner suggested the visitor was not a member of the imperial clan, yet she had no close acquaintances outside.

“Who?”

“The son of Daoist Li, Li Yan,” Fulai replied.

The name filled Li Yuechen with confusion. She was indeed a disciple of Li Chunfeng, but had never met his son. Why had he come?

“Where is he?”

“Outside the Zhaoqing Gate.”

Li Yuechen fell silent, thinking for a couple of seconds, then waved her hand. “Let’s see him, then.”

She made her way to Zhaoqing Gate, where she immediately spotted the middle-aged man in Daoist robes. He appeared about forty, his mature countenance accentuated by a beard. He wore Daoist garb, and beside him stood a wooden chest about knee-high.

---

Seeing Li Yuechen approach in puzzlement, he bowed. “Boundless fortune, greetings to Your Highness.”

Li Yuechen raised her hand. “No need for formalities, Grand Historian Li. What brings you here?”

Li Yan nodded slightly. “My father once said that if ever he departed this world, I should entrust these classics to Your Highness.”

His words made Li Yuechen’s pupils tremble with shock.

What did this mean? Did he know he was about to die?

With confusion, she asked, “Classics? Daoist texts?”

Li Yan shook his head. “My father delighted in studying mathematics and astrology; these are annotated classics of those disciplines.”

Li Yuechen knelt and opened the chest for inspection. Many people passed by, so opening it here dispelled suspicion.

Indeed, the chest was filled with various works: ‘The Mathematical Classic of Five Departments,’ ‘Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art,’ and so on.

Li Yuechen nodded, stood, and signaled Fulai. “Take it inside.”

She then performed a Daoist salute to Li Yan. “Thank you, Grand Historian.”

“My pleasure!” Li Yan returned the gesture. “Then I shall take my leave.”

He turned and departed, not wishing to say another word.

Watching his retreating figure, Li Yuechen was silent for a moment before turning back with Fulai to Chengxiang Hall.

After this incident, Li Yuechen had lost the mood for martial practice and instead sat at her desk, opened the chest, and took out the topmost volume—the Mathematical Classic of Five Departments.

Fulai bowed and withdrew. Li Yuechen glanced up; nearby, Zheng was teaching Shangguan Wan’er to read, both absorbed. Xiaohe was absent, and the maid cleaning the floors paid no attention.

Li Yuechen quickly flipped through several pages, extracting a letter tucked inside.

She had already noticed it while crouched by the chest; Fulai, standing behind her, hadn’t seen. Li Yuechen hadn’t opened it then, acting as if nothing had occurred.

Now, with no one watching, she scanned her surroundings before opening the envelope.

The letter was brief, not even filling a single page. Li Yuechen read it quickly, exhaling in relief when she finished.

She had expected it to say something like, “Well, well! I know you’re a time traveler!” Yet it was not unreasonable, given that Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng’s names still echoed loudly over a millennium later.

But the letter merely said that Li Chunfeng knew his time was near, and since accepting her as his disciple, he trusted she would truly value these classics—thus he entrusted them to her.

Li Yuechen examined the letter front and back, searching for hidden meaning, but found none.

It seemed the words were to be taken at face value.

So, how did he conclude I would treasure these works? Li Yuechen fell into deep thought.

She didn’t know how long she pondered until Shangguan Wan’er’s voice called from beside her, “Your Highness, Your Highness!”

“Hmm?” Li Yuechen returned to herself. “Is something the matter?”

Shangguan Wan’er shook her head. “It’s just that Your Highness seemed lost in thought for some time, so I wondered.”

Li Yuechen smiled and shook her head, then balled the letter in her hand, tossed it with a flick, sending it arcing perfectly into the nearby brazier.

She watched as the paper burned to ash, shook her head lightly, and resolved not to dwell on it.

Whether one can know when their end approaches, she was unsure—but her instincts told her Li Chunfeng must have concealed something. Yet this secret would likely remain forever hidden.

Shangguan Wan’er looked down at the classics left by Li Chunfeng, curious. “Your Highness, what is mathematics?”

“Mathematics…” Li Yuechen mused, “is the language by which we converse with the laws of nature.”

She was no mathematician, but still remembered her primary school teacher’s words: mathematics is the foundation of all science.

She remembered this not out of love for the subject, but because the teacher had been extraordinarily good-looking.

“Is it a kind of Daoist technique?” Shangguan Wan’er asked with wide eyes.

“No, not at all…” Li Yuechen chuckled, rising to her feet. “It is the art of elucidating the profound principles of heaven and earth.”

As for how to handle these books, Li Yuechen had not decided. She had no particular interest in mathematics, and ancient texts written in classical prose were even less appealing.

However…

Suddenly, Li Yuechen thought perhaps she could someday establish an orphanage-like institution, where mathematics would become a core subject.

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It was not that she didn’t wish to promote it widely, but in this era, the power of the aristocratic clans was still formidable.

To spread a discipline, their consent was essential.

The influence of the noble families was so vast that not even the imperial clan could easily contend with them. Li Zhi and Wu Zetian had labored for years to advance the imperial examination system and suppress the clans, but progress was minimal.

The fundamental reason was that in this age, education was a luxury—ordinary people simply couldn’t afford it.

This was not a problem solved by developing printing; the crux was that common folk had to worry daily about their harvest, leaving no energy for study.

Simply put, there wasn’t enough food; hunger was always a threat. In such circumstances, lowering costs was futile—even if books were free, few could spare the time or strength to read.

Li Yuechen strolled idly to the hall’s entrance, gazing at the nearly-noontime sun outside and murmured,

“Master, you’ve truly left me a daunting riddle… The road ahead is long and arduous.”

At noon, after lunch, the princesses of Xuancheng and Yiyang came by, asking if Li Yuechen had any plans for fun.

“Let’s skip play today.” Li Yuechen smiled and waved. “Fulai, summon my brothers. Let’s all go to Yan Ying Hall and build snowmen for Father and Mother!”

“Certainly!” Fulai replied, turning to notify the princes.

Li Yuechen opened a can in Chengxiang Hall and shared it with her sisters before setting out for Yan Ying Hall.

When she arrived, her four brothers were already there.

“Yuechen, you called us here, yet you yourself are late?” her eldest brother Li Hong feigned sternness.

“I lost track of time for a moment and came late. Please don’t be angry, brothers. Afterwards, I’ll give each of you a can as apology!” Li Yuechen said, grinning.

“What’s this?” Li Xian tilted his head. “A single can to make amends?”

Li Yuechen looked up. “What do you propose, second brother?”

“Two cans!” Li Xian replied.

Li Hong’s face darkened; he turned and scolded quietly, “Nonsense! Taking advantage of your little sister—have you no shame?”

Li Xian looked aggrieved. “Why blame me? Yuechen was late after all…”

Third brother Li Xian intervened to smooth things over. “Don’t be upset, big brother. Today isn’t a formal occasion; being late is no issue.”

“Right!” Li Lun nodded in agreement.

With all three brothers saying so, Li Hong could hardly object.

He didn’t actually mind; as the eldest, he simply felt obliged to show some authority. Yet he wasn’t stern by nature, and before this sister, his dignity evaporated.

He could only sigh and tap her forehead. “Next time, be more mindful!”

“Yes—” Li Yuechen replied with mock seriousness, bowing, “Now, let’s build snowmen for Father and Mother.”

The princes, joining together for such an activity for the first time, followed Li Yuechen, curious and excited.

It wasn’t a difficult task; soon they got the hang of it and began working as planned.

The servants brought fresh snow, and the siblings built snowmen steadily.

By midafternoon, when Li Zhi and Wu Zetian came to inspect, they found that either side of Yan Ying Hall was lined with some twenty snowmen—arrayed like soldiers in formation, neat and orderly.

“My, that’s quite a number!” Li Zhi laughed, twirling his health ball in his hand. “Come in for some tea, don’t tire yourselves out.”

“All plump and white—very festive indeed,” Wu Zetian smiled.

The children bowed respectfully; only Li Yuechen ran up the steps, sliding across the floor to bump into Wu Zetian’s arms.

Li Yuechen’s height wasn’t yet enough to embrace her mother’s waist, so she hugged her legs instead and looked up. “Do you like them, Mother?”

Wu Zetian looked down. “If you could be as quiet as these snowmen, I’d like you even more.”

Li Yuechen hadn’t time to reply before Li Zhi swept her up in his arms. “It’s fine, she’s still young; lively is better!”

Seeing her husband spoil their daughter again, Wu Zetian sighed, rolled her eyes, and turned away.

Li Zhi smiled, beckoning the other children, “Come in for tea and warm yourselves!”

With that, he carried Li Yuechen inside.

Her brothers and sisters followed, all smiling, into Yan Ying Hall.