Chapter 47: The Big Data Investigation

The next morning, after finishing her practice, Li Yuechen dashed off to the Bureau of Wardrobe.

A palace maid, around forty years old, listened to Li Yuechen's explanation and pondered for a moment. "Is Your Highness referring to the white layered flower?"

"Do you have a specimen?" Li Yuechen asked.

The maid shook her head. "The item Your Highness mentioned—some households plant it for ornamental purposes, but it's not yet the blooming season..."

Li Yuechen, still uneasy, inquired, "Is this white layered flower similar to what I described?"

The maid nodded gently. "It is about eighty percent similar."

"Very well, when it blooms, bring it to me," Li Yuechen instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Li Yuechen then handed over her own drawing for undergarment design. "Make this with some soft fabric."

After examining the design, the palace maid nodded. "This style is simple and not difficult to make. May I ask, Your Highness, is it meant to be worn next to the skin?"

"Yes, you may choose the material as you see fit," Li Yuechen nodded.

After all, she had never studied fashion design and didn't know which fabrics were best for intimate wear—such professional matters should be left to professionals.

She added, "There is no rush. You may use more materials for research and comparison."

"Understood!"

Once matters here were settled, Li Yuechen left the Bureau of Wardrobe, her mind pondering what other intimate items could be researched.

But thinking about it, she felt somewhat helpless. She was just an extreme sports athlete—when it came to play, no one was more daring than her. But regarding these chemical products... much of her high school and university knowledge had been returned to the teachers.

Underwear was easy enough, but bras were troublesome. She'd heard there was wire in women's bras, but didn't know the specifics. Perhaps later, she could let the senior tailors at the Bureau of Wardrobe experiment.

...

In the afternoon, after a session of reading and calligraphy, she went to the Palace of Benevolent Longevity.

Inside, she found a pile of memorials on the desk, but no one in sight. Nearby, Li Zhi lounged on a rocking chair, swirling health balls in his hand, looking thoroughly content.

"Chen'er, you're here! Come, keep me company," Li Zhi beckoned.

Li Yuechen jogged over, propped herself on the table, spun half a turn, and sat cross-legged. "Why is it only you here today, Father?"

"Meiniang has gone to the Palace of Literary Thought. What, you don't want to stay with me?" Li Zhi smiled.

"How could that be? Father is the best!" Li Yuechen laughed.

The Palace of Literary Thought belonged to the outer palace, so presumably the visitors were not allowed into the inner palace.

Li Yuechen didn't dwell on it and stayed to play around with Li Zhi.

"How is your health lately, Father?"

Li Zhi nodded. "As long as I keep calm and my mood is good, there are hardly any recurrences."

He sighed. "Yet sometimes I wonder—I've always believed myself a wise ruler, so why has Heaven sent such punishment..."

His voice carried a hint of helplessness, as though lamenting the unfairness of fate.

Li Yuechen saw the loneliness flicker in his eyes as he spoke. After a brief silence, she suddenly grinned. "Father, you are the emperor; Heaven would not punish you. It's merely heredity."

"Heredity?" Li Zhi had never heard such a term. "What does it mean?"

Li Yuechen thought a moment and decided to explain. "If ancestors suffered from certain ailments, they might be passed to the next generation. I call it... congenital inheritance."

Li Zhi fell into thought. He recalled that his mother, Empress Zhangsun, had always been frail. But then he shook his head. "The Empress did have ailments, but the late Emperor..."

Li Yuechen felt helpless—ancient people always assumed lineage came only from the father. She'd thought they were feigning ignorance, but in reality, the notion was deeply ingrained.

"Father, do not think the maternal line has no influence. Human bloodline comes from both parents, not just the father," she said.

Li Zhi became intrigued. "Is there evidence for this, Chen'er?"

Li Yuechen pointed to her own face. "If everything came from the father, I should look like you, Father. But in fact, I resemble Mother more, don't I?"

---

"That is true," Li Zhi nodded, finding the topic increasingly interesting.

Among his children, Li Hong and Li Xian looked a bit like Li Zhi, while Li Xian, Li Lun, and Li Yuechen all resembled Wu Zetian more.

Li Yuechen continued, "Everyone in the world is the same—some resemble their father, some their mother, and some neither. This proves bloodline comes from both parents."

She dared to speak thus because Li Zhi was not a rigid emperor and could accept new ideas. Had he been more conservative, she wouldn't have spoken so freely.

Li Zhi contemplated, then laughed. "Makes sense! My judgment is indeed sound!"

"What do you mean?" Li Yuechen was puzzled.

"Nothing, go on," Li Zhi replied calmly, unfazed by his slip.

Li Yuechen wondered if she should explain blood types but decided against it—the concept would be too shocking for ancient people's worldview, with unpredictable consequences.

So she changed the subject. "Actually, this matter can be verified."

"How so?"

"Father could order the Imperial Medical Bureau to conduct a large-scale inquiry among the people of Eastern Capital, investigating whether those in poor health have parents or grandparents with similar symptoms. That would prove my point."

Li Zhi smiled appreciatively. "You seem quite confident about this?"

"Ninety percent!" Li Yuechen smiled sweetly.

Li Zhi thought for a moment. "Very well. I will send the Imperial Medical Bureau to handle it. Is there a solution for this?"

"Not at present," Li Yuechen shook her head. "But it will likely lessen with each generation, eventually curing itself."

Li Zhi sighed. "So, my illness cannot be cured?"

"No need for disappointment, Father. As long as you keep calm, it hasn't recurred, has it?" Li Yuechen reached out and gave him a hug. "If you don't think about it, if you stay calm, it's as if it doesn't exist."

Li Zhi laughed and patted her back. "You certainly know how to comfort me."

Having traveled the world in her previous life, Li Yuechen was more used to hugs than handshakes. A hug bridges the distance between people; among family, it brings warmth.

Father and daughter embraced, making the atmosphere in the Palace of Benevolent Longevity even cozier.

Just as she prepared to continue playing, footsteps sounded outside.

Turning her head, she saw her mother, Wu Zetian, returning—not alone, but with someone following.

The man, about five foot nine, was handsome and looked to be just over twenty, though he was already growing a beard.

He entered and immediately bowed, hands pressed to his forehead. "This humble subject greets Your Majesty! Greets..."

He paused, looking to Wu Zetian.

"This is my youngest daughter, Taiping," Wu Zetian introduced.

"Greetings, Princess!" he continued to bow.

Li Yuechen felt helpless. Why not introduce her by name? Using the Daoist title hardly seemed appropriate.

Li Zhi smiled, swirling his health balls. "Fengxian is family, no need for formalities!"

Fengxian?

Li Yuechen was taken aback, then looked the man over. He was thin, somewhat dark-skinned, and didn't seem particularly formidable.

Wu Zetian sat behind the desk. "Chen'er, this is my nephew, Wu Chengsi. You should call him Cousin."

"Oh." Li Yuechen hopped off the table and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Cousin."

"No, no, Princess, please don't," Wu Chengsi replied, backing away.

Wu Zetian waved her hand. "It's enough that you've met. Go rest for a couple of days; I'll summon you again soon."

"Understood! This humble subject takes his leave!"

Wu Chengsi bowed, retreated three steps, then turned and left.

Watching him depart so respectfully, Li Yuechen wondered why her mother had suddenly called a Wu family member back to the capital.

She quickly understood: with Helan Minzhi gone, there was no one else to use.

Wu Zetian's position was awkward. Though she ruled from behind the curtain, most officials were dissatisfied, so many things were done in name only.

---

Thus, using family became the only option.

Otherwise, if the officials didn't do their job, she'd lose face in front of Li Zhi. If Li Zhi's hypertension flared up, it would be even more troublesome. Thinking about it, it seemed there was no other way.

Li Yuechen couldn't help but shake her head—what a difficult situation!

Wu Zetian continued to review memorials at her desk. After Li Yuechen handed her a cup of tea, she played around with Li Zhi until dusk before leaving.

After his daughter left, Li Zhi swirled his health balls. "Today, Chen'er explained a theory about my illness, and I find it reasonable."

"Oh?" Wu Zetian turned, curious. "When did that girl take an interest in medicine?"

Li Zhi shook his head. "Chen'er says bloodline comes from both father and mother; people are the result of their parents' combined blood..."

He explained Li Yuechen's theory.

Wu Zetian listened quietly, then nodded thoughtfully. "It does sound plausible. Why not verify it as Chen'er suggested? Truth will reveal itself!"

Li Zhi nodded. "Someone, summon Liu Shenwei!"

...

Half a month passed in a blink; the weather was unbearably hot.

Li Yuechen, up early for practice, found herself with nothing to do. Realizing today was court day, she rode her tricycle to the hall to listen to the news.

She snuck behind the screen; Li Zhi and Wu Zetian glanced at her but did nothing special.

As usual, Li Yuechen leaned against the wall behind the screen and began listening.

The news had been calm lately, but thankfully, the drought seemed to ease this year, with rain in many places.

Hearing this good news, Li Yuechen smiled—if the weather was favorable, fewer people would starve.

After the news, Li Yuechen was about to leave when Li Zhi suddenly spoke. "Since the ministers have no further petitions, I have something to discuss. Please listen."

"Recently, I dispatched the Imperial Medical Bureau to conduct a survey among the populace," Li Zhi began.

Li Yuechen, behind the screen, was surprised—they really did it.

Li Zhi continued, "The purpose was to investigate whether parental illness might be passed to offspring. The findings confirm this..."

As soon as he finished, the officials began discussing noisily.

Some wondered why the Emperor conducted such a survey, others considered its significance.

Li Zhi seemed not to hear their chatter, raising his voice. "However!"

Hearing there was more to say, the ministers quieted instantly.

"The survey revealed something else—something that makes me uneasy!" Li Zhi's face was solemn.

The ministers looked up, curious about what had so alarmed the Emperor.

Li Zhi surveyed the hall. "The results show that among those born frail, those with mental deficiencies, and those who die young... more than eighty-five percent had parents who were cousins!"

With that, the hall erupted in chaos, like a quarry, everyone shouting at once.

Behind the screen, Li Yuechen was stunned. She hadn't expected even this to be uncovered—the wisdom of the ancients was indeed remarkable, quick to grasp the essence.

Li Zhi waited silently for the uproar to subside.

Zhang Wenguan, the Imperial Secretariat, was first to step forward, raising his ceremonial tablet. "Your Majesty, does this mean that if cousins marry, their offspring are more likely to be mentally deficient or die young? This should be announced to the whole realm, and cousin marriage prohibited by law!"

Li Zhi nodded. "What do the ministers think?"

Le Yanwei, the Grand Censor, instinctively wanted to object, but after opening his mouth, said nothing.

The survey results were already terrifying—if even just Luoyang's data was so alarming, then all of Tang...

He shivered, thinking of his granddaughter, already betrothed to her cousin, with the betrothal gifts sent. If this was true... he dared not imagine further, resolving to cancel the engagement and find another husband.

Seeing no one speak, Li Zhi nodded. "Then immediately announce this to the realm! From now on, blood relatives within two... no, three generations may not marry. Add this to the 'Tang Code.'"

His authoritative voice echoed through the hall.

The ministers responded in unison, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Zhi glanced back, seeing his youngest daughter behind the screen, smiling sweetly, hands above her head in a heart gesture for him.