Chapter Thirty-Eight: New Year's Day

Li Zhi and his wife increasingly cherished the feeling of having the whole family gathered together, for the atmosphere was truly relaxing. When dining with ministers, most of the time they had to maintain a certain decorum, but in the presence of their children, such restraint was unnecessary, and they could act freely.

Among the children, the two elder sisters born from concubines were still somewhat reserved, though no longer as stiff as before. The brothers had completely let loose, yet none dared to be as bold as Li Yuechen, who would often throw herself onto Li Zhi or Wu Zetian. Although the brothers outwardly protested that such behavior was improper, their expressions betrayed a longing to do the same. Only Li Lun dared to be slightly excessive, while the others refrained from any overt actions.

Even he, however, would not go as far as Li Yuechen, who would climb onto Wu Zetian’s back while speaking, clinging to her neck. Despite such unruly antics, Wu Zetian at most scolded her lightly, never truly rebuking her. Li Zhi simply laughed heartily and praised her for her lively spirit.

As the year drew to a close, every department sought ways to embellish their reports, hoping to please the emperor and lift his mood. Moreover, thanks to Li Yuechen’s canned fruits, the imperial couple could enjoy fresh fruit in the depths of winter, making their spirits all the brighter.

This joyful atmosphere persisted until New Year's Eve. Since Li Zhi had abolished the tradition of hosting ministers that night, the transition into the new year was exceedingly relaxed. Encouraged by Li Yuechen, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian played the game "Eagle Catches Chicks" with their children. As before, Wu Zetian played the mother hen and Li Zhi the eagle. Everyone ran until breathless, and when Li Zhi finally caught all the chicks, he sat down, fanning himself and exclaiming, "What a relief to spend New Year's Eve without the ministers!"

"Indeed," Wu Zetian replied, handing him a cup of hot tea with an expressionless face. "With Chen’er, our little joy-bringer, how could it not be relaxing?"

As he took the cup, Li Zhi pulled her close, sniffed and chuckled, "Oh, what’s this sour scent I detect?"

"Enough!" Wu Zetian tapped his shoulder and struggled symbolically, failing to escape his grasp.

Li Zhi held her tightly, grinning, "Meiniang, are you jealous of Chen’er?"

"Your Majesty, do not overthink it," Wu Zetian replied stiffly.

Watching her demeanor, Li Zhi seemed suddenly to recall the many moments they had shared and leaned over to kiss her cheek. Wu Zetian was startled, eyes wide, turning to look at him in disbelief.

"Chen’er is our daughter. Meiniang, you shouldn’t worry," Li Zhi laughed.

Oh dear! Li Yuechen, witnessing this scene, turned her head away, unable to bear the public display of affection from middle-aged parents.

Of course, Wu Zetian wasn’t truly jealous of her daughter; it was just that women in such moments tend to feel overlooked. Knowing her well, Li Zhi reassured her, and her mood lifted, smile returning to her face.

Thus, the family spent New Year's Eve together in laughter, welcoming the second year of Xianheng.

On the first day of the new year, Li Yuechen had no interest in listening to the ministers' prospects or the foreign envoys' greetings. She maintained her routine: rising early to practice martial arts and then chanting scriptures in the Hall of Three Purities. Her new teeth had already grown halfway in, so her speech was clearer, and her enunciation during the chanting was quite distinct.

After finishing her prayers, Shangguan Wan’er ran over. "It’s New Year's Day, Your Highness. Are you free to play this afternoon?"

Li Yuechen took off her Taoist robe and tossed it to Fulai, smiling as she shook her head. "Perhaps not in the afternoon, but tonight I should be free."

Shangguan Wan’er clasped her hands behind her back, smiling. "Then I’ll wait here for Your Highness."

Seeing her eyes curve with delight, Li Yuechen smiled back. "It’s New Year’s Day; you should spend the afternoon with your mother."

Shangguan Wan’er nodded, stepping back lightly. "I still find it more interesting to be with Your Highness."

Li Yuechen nodded. "I know."

Wasn’t that obvious? She’d invented so many fun things and had a good temperament—if it were boring, that would be odd!

Perhaps Shangguan Wan’er hadn't expected such a straightforward answer, so she was momentarily stunned. She blinked, seeming unsure how to respond.

Li Yuechen didn’t mind, waving her hand. "Alright, I’m heading to the Hall of Yan Ying. You go accompany your mother."

With that, she beckoned to Fulai outside.

"Your Highness, what can I do for you?" Fulai approached.

Li Yuechen gestured for him to lean in and whispered, "I’ll be in the Hall of Yan Ying all afternoon. No need to follow me. Open a few cans—one each for you, Xiao He, Lady Zheng, and Wan’er. Make sure no one else sees!"

"Yes, Your Highness," Fulai bowed. "Thank you!"

"Bring me two more!" she ordered.

"At once," Fulai replied, fetching two cans and handing them to Li Yuechen.

Taking them, Li Yuechen set off for the Hall of Yan Ying. Outside, she found Zhang Chengxin standing guard.

When he saw her approach, he bowed, "Your Highness, may you have a healthy New Year!"

"Gong Zhang, happy New Year!" Li Yuechen looked around and handed him the two cans.

Zhang Chengxin assumed they were for Li Zhi and Wu Zetian and prepared to follow her inside.

"Gong Zhang, these are for you!"

"For me?" Zhang Chengxin was stunned, then immediately shook his head. "This cannot..."

Li Yuechen gave him a sweet smile. "Just take them, Gong Zhang. You’ve cared for my father all these years."

"But... how can I accept this..." Zhang Chengxin’s eyes reddened, his voice choked. "It is merely my duty..."

"Enough!" Li Yuechen interrupted. "I am a princess! If I give them, you take them!"

Without further discussion, she turned and ran into the Hall of Yan Ying.

Zhang Chengxin watched her go, sniffled, and wiped his tears with his sleeve, carefully storing the cans.

Li Yuechen had barely entered the hall when she heard the sound of a zither within. Entering, she discovered—not a musician from the music bureau—but Li Zhi himself seated at the desk, burning incense and playing.

What was this? Wasn’t it said that only the Ming Emperor indulged in music? When did Li Zhi take up this hobby?

Seeing Li Yuechen standing bewildered at the door, Li Zhi looked up from his playing. "Chen’er, why are you standing there? Come in!"

Li Yuechen walked in with a complicated expression. "I just never thought Father could play the zither."

"Hahaha..." Li Zhi laughed. "Indeed, I’ve never played for you before."

Wu Zetian set down her teacup. "His Majesty has been busy with state affairs for years. It’s been ages since he last played."

"True," Li Zhi nodded thoughtfully. "I feel my hands are rusty now."

Li Yuechen ran forward, bracing herself on the table and hopping over to sit cross-legged beside Wu Zetian. "Father should play more often. A good mood leads to good health!"

This time, Wu Zetian didn’t reprimand her, but nodded in agreement. "Well said. His Majesty should care more for himself."

Hearing this, Li Yuechen quickly stood up to curry favor, giving her mother a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Hehe, it’s rare for Mother to agree with me."

"You little rascal, here you go again!" Wu Zetian feigned annoyance and pushed her away. "Sit properly! Listen quietly!"

"Yes!" Li Yuechen replied, grinning as she leaned softly against her mother's legs.

Wu Zetian glanced down at her, but ultimately said nothing.

Li Zhi, in high spirits, laughed and closed his eyes, gathering his emotions before beginning to play.

The sound of the zither echoed through the Hall of Yan Ying, and Li Yuechen listened attentively. Though she wasn’t particularly artistic and her appreciation of music was average, this piece was stirring, with a strong rhythmic drive that elevated her mood.

She recognized the tune: "The Dance of the Qin King Breaking the Formation," or "Music of the Qin King Breaking the Formation." It was essentially the Tang Dynasty’s national anthem, or military song. During major sacrificial ceremonies, the music bureau would assemble nearly a thousand performers for a grand song and dance.

In essence, it was a large-scale symphony, performed with multiple instruments and accompanied by massive choreography. Played solo on the zither, it was much simplified, yet its rhythm remained pronounced.

It was said that even the choreography was personally directed by Emperor Taizong. Li Yuechen had to admit, Tang emperors were truly gifted.

Being a woman, Li Yuechen rarely attended major ceremonies, but the combined sound of hundreds of instruments could be heard across half of Chang'an. Watching Li Zhi play solo now felt special—not noisy, but intimate, like listening to music with headphones while lying in bed.

Before the tune finished, her siblings arrived. Seeing Li Zhi at the zither, they didn’t dare interrupt, but silently bowed and remained still.

Li Zhi seemed immersed in the music, eyes closed, oblivious to their presence. Wu Zetian silently waved her hand, releasing them from formalities, and they each took a seat.

Fragrant blue smoke rose slowly from the lion-shaped incense burner, drifting in time with the music.

The performance lasted only about ten minutes. When it ended, Li Yuechen was the first to applaud, followed by the others, filling the hall with applause.

Li Zhi seemed a bit embarrassed before his family, raising his hands to signal that was enough.

"Since everyone is here for New Year's Day, let’s have tea together!" Li Zhi invited them to brew tea.

Of course, there was more than just tea—there were various pastries whose names Li Yuechen couldn’t recall. They were beautifully shaped, like little flowers.

As for the taste—well, that was subjective. For someone who had sampled the world’s delicacies over a millennium later, they were unimpressive. But being with family, relaxation and happiness were paramount, and both were achieved. The flavor of the snacks hardly mattered.

That night, Li Yuechen had just returned to the Hall of Chengxiang. Standing at the entrance, shoes still on, Shangguan Wan’er came running.

"Your Highness, shall we play shuttlecock?"

Li Yuechen glanced at the sun, long set, and shook her head. "Not at night. It’s bad for the eyes."

"What else can we play?" Shangguan Wan’er asked.

"Hmm..." Li Yuechen pondered. "How about rope skipping?"

"Rope skipping" referred to jumping rope, a low-cost game in this era.

Shangguan Wan’er seemed puzzled. "Does Your Highness wish to compete with me?"

"It’s just a game. Why must it be a contest? Can’t we play together?" Li Yuechen smiled, beckoning Fulai to fetch a rope.

"How can we play together?" Shangguan Wan’er didn’t understand.

At this time, rope skipping was only played solo; it hadn’t yet diversified as in later times.

Li Yuechen smiled mysteriously, saying nothing.

Soon, Fulai brought the rope. The palace ropes were far superior to common ones, at least they had handles on both ends.

Li Yuechen tested its length, found it suitable, and beckoned Shangguan Wan’er. "Come here!"

Still puzzled, Shangguan Wan’er approached.

Seeing her confusion, Li Yuechen smiled. "Closer!"

Shangguan Wan’er took another step.

Li Yuechen sighed, stepped forward herself, grabbed Wan’er’s hand, and pulled her closer.

Suddenly brought face to face with Li Yuechen, Shangguan Wan’er was a bit uncomfortable, instinctively wanting to retreat.

"Don’t move!" Li Yuechen warned, and she stopped.

Now, only a few fists apart, even at night one could count each other’s eyebrows.

Li Yuechen was half a head taller. Seeing Shangguan Wan’er’s nervousness, she patted her on the head. "I’ll swing the rope; we jump together. Understand?"

Shangguan Wan’er glanced up, hurriedly nodded. "Understood!"

"Ready... jump!"

Li Yuechen swung her arms, sending the rope around.

Shangguan Wan’er, perhaps caught off guard, missed the timing and stumbled.

"Forgive me, Your Highness, I..." she stammered.

"No worries, let’s try again," Li Yuechen interrupted, swinging the rope once more.

This time, Shangguan Wan’er jumped with her, clearing one turn, though stumbled on the second.

"Good!" Li Yuechen praised. "Now keep jumping continuously!"

"Yes!"

With the rope moving, the two began to jump in rhythm. Shangguan Wan’er quickly found her stride and didn’t falter.

"Excellent! Keep it up!" Li Yuechen encouraged. "Time to speed up!"

Gradually increasing the pace, Shangguan Wan’er kept up, fully entering the rhythm.

She became increasingly excited, soon forgetting her earlier embarrassment, her face lit with a smile.

Before long, both were sweating, faces flushed, and sat together on the steps to rest.

Shangguan Wan’er turned her head gently, gazing at Li Yuechen beside her. Her bright eyes, under the moonlight, seemed to shimmer with silver.