Chapter Nine: The Two Sisters

After the formalities were completed, the matter was settled. Li Zhi gladly approved Liu Rengui’s request for retirement, bestowing upon him the title of Champion General. This was a third-rank official post, but it was a sinecure, with no real power and no duties—a standard of treatment for someone retired.

From tomorrow onward, Li Yuechen would ride out of the palace every morning by carriage to Liu Rengui’s house to practice martial arts under his guidance.

Why not train in the palace itself? Because it was simply too troublesome. The front palace housed the two departments of the Secretariat and Chancellery, where officials worked—hardly convenient. As for the rear palace, any man wishing to enter had to undergo complex procedures; places like the Lin De Hall, which often hosted imperial banquets, were strictly off-limits for unaccompanied wandering—violators would be executed on the spot, no questions asked!

Normally, only women or eunuchs could enter the inner palace with relative ease. Even the Crown Prince or other royal sons had to notify in advance if they wished to visit the Empress.

That evening, after returning home, Old Li instructed Eunuch Fu to fetch two oval wooden pieces. He personally drew two cartoonish eyes with a brush, telling Fu to deliver them to the wardrobe department the next day.

Early next morning, Li Yuechen wanted something to fill her stomach. In this era, tea was not yet popular in the north; daily beverages were mostly dairy, such as yogurt. But Old Li, being a northerner, felt awkward without something dry to eat, so he had Eunuch Fu bring a steamed cake, which made things better.

Looking at the sky, the sun was just rising—it was nearly time to depart. After leaving the inner palace with Eunuch Fu, they were surrounded by thirty armored Imperial Guards, each with a saber at their waist.

Outside the Department of Eunuchs stood two tall black horses hitched to the carriage. Li Yuechen walked over. Xiao He boarded first, then lifted her up, with Eunuch Fu following behind.

Once inside, a guard took his seat on the carriage frame and gently urged the horses forward. The pace was slow, and the other guards surrounded the carriage as they moved out.

Old Li felt a surge of excitement; after all, this was her first time leaving the palace since birth. Though born in Luoyang, she was carried all the way to the Ming Palace by her mother, Wu Zetian, with no chance to observe the outside world.

The roads of Chang’an were quite level, though the carriage lacked any shock absorption, making the ride somewhat bumpy.

The Ming Palace lay outside the city. Exiting through Jianfu Gate, they entered the streets of Chang’an proper.

Liu Rengui’s residence was in Yongning Ward. Li Yuechen mused that this wasn’t far from the legendary red-light district of Pingkang Ward—perhaps she’d get a chance to visit someday!

At the thought, the corner of her mouth curled in a subtle smile. Eunuch Fu and Xiao He exchanged glances, both puzzled. The little princess usually smiled adorably, but this smile seemed unusually... sly.

Of course, they would never dare voice such thoughts—doing so would be pure folly.

As soon as they entered Chang’an, Li Yuechen’s ears filled with the city’s many bustling sounds. It wasn’t as noisy as the modern world; after all, there were no street vendors shouting, and the main roads were relatively quiet.

Yet curiosity about Chang’an a thousand years ago gnawed at her. Without hesitation, Old Li stood up, intending to lift the curtain and look outside.

“Your Highness, best not—” Eunuch Fu tried to stop her.

“I’m just looking!” Li Yuechen retorted, swiftly pulling back the curtain.

Even though she was prepared, the scene outside still made her eyes widen in amazement.

My god! The road was incredibly wide!

From this side’s window, it was nearly twenty meters across; she estimated the entire street could be close to forty meters wide! The surface was compacted yellow earth, though visible dust floated in the air.

With armored guards encircling the carriage, pedestrians kept close to the sides. Li Yuechen noticed that no one looked in her direction—whether out of fear or some other reason, she wasn’t sure.

People came and went, dressed in all colors, much like a modern shopping street.

But truth be told, Li Yuechen had hoped to see the city, to spot beauties, but now felt a bit disappointed. The street was wide, but lined with vermilion ward walls, and as for the beauties...

To say whether they were beautiful or not was beside the point—they looked rather frightening. Their faces were powdered ghostly white, with conspicuous rouge on their cheeks, resembling dolls from horror films.

It was winter, so everyone was wrapped up tightly, men and women alike. The scenery she wished to see was nowhere in sight.

Feeling rather bored, Li Yuechen let down the curtain and sat back to await the carriage’s halt.

After some time, the carriage slowed noticeably. After a few turns, it stopped completely.

A guard’s voice came from outside: “Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”

“Yes.”

Li Yuechen replied, Eunuch Fu was first to disembark, then Xiao He followed and lifted her down.

Looking up, they were at the entrance to a residence. There was no plaque above the door, just two lances placed on either side.

Liu Rengui, dressed in plain clothes, was already waiting at the door. Seeing her arrive, he bowed deeply, “Greetings, Princess!”

Li Yuechen hurried over to help him up, “Master, how can you salute your apprentice? There’s no need for such ceremony in the future!”

“Your Highness is of noble birth—rituals must not be neglected...”

“Enough, Master!” Old Li quickly interrupted, “Let’s go inside.”

“Very well, very well...” Liu Rengui seemed surprised at the princess’s familiarity, but moved aside promptly, “Please, Your Highness!”

Inside, Old Li curiously looked around. The residence was sizable, though not as grand as imagined.

From observation, it was divided into front, central, and rear halls. Beside the rear hall was a garden with an artificial pond and a rockery.

Near the rear hall, a stone-paved area held several stone locks of varying sizes and weapons like lances. This must be the equivalent of a training ground.

In the pavilion at the garden’s center, Liu Rengui turned to say, “The princess is still young; her body has not yet matured. We must start with the basics.”

Li Yuechen nodded obediently, “I’ll follow Master’s instructions!”

As a professional daredevil and extreme athlete, Old Li was familiar with training, but martial arts were a mystery, so she did whatever Liu Rengui told her.

Seeing the princess not only obedient but without any airs, Liu Rengui nodded and began to formally teach her routines in the training ground.

He explained that routines strengthen one’s foundation, preparing the body for future practice.

Li Yuechen was still too young to use weapons or weighted equipment.

Old Li didn’t mind; martial arts training was a means to exercise, as long as it was effective.

At noon, she ate at Liu Rengui’s house and continued training in the afternoon.

To his surprise, the princess never complained of fatigue, though she broke a light sweat, she persisted steadily. Her expression showed no impatience, earning the old general’s respect.

After a meal and some rest, she drank a cup of yogurt and resumed practice.

By three or four in the afternoon, the day’s training was finished.

Li Yuechen respectfully took her leave and boarded the carriage back to the palace.

The carriage returned to the Department of Eunuchs, where she disembarked and casually asked a nearby eunuch if Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were busy. Learning they were, she didn't disturb them.

Back at Chengxiang Hall, Xiao He immediately boiled water to help the princess bathe, while Eunuch Fu ran to the wardrobe department to fetch the custom-made bear onesie ordered the day before.

After a comfortable bath, drying off and changing, she saw Eunuch Fu had brought the onesie.

She picked it up, feeling that sleeping in it would surely be suffocating—it was made of genuine fur, with an oily sheen that lent it a touch less cuteness but more realism.

She tried it on and, to her surprise, it was very warm! Especially with the hood and the two fluffy round ears paired with the cartoon eyes painted on the wooden pieces, it really had a cute look.

Wearing it, she saw Eunuch Fu and Xiao He stifling laughter, their shoulders shaking.

Their reaction confirmed the effect she wanted; after all, it was just to amuse Li Zhi and Wu Zetian—no need for anything else, as long as it worked.

After dinner, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian asked Zhang Chengxin if the princess had returned.

Hearing she had, and intending to pay respects but refrained seeing they were busy, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian decided to go over.

Usually, by the time the couple finished their work, Li Yuechen was already asleep. Tonight, since it was still early, they planned to visit.

Inside Chengxiang Hall, Old Li had just finished a set of yoga when she heard Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were coming. She quickly put on the bear onesie and sent Eunuch Fu to keep watch outside.

Soon enough, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian arrived. Upon entering, Xiao He bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty, Your Ladyship—”

“No need for ceremony,” Li Zhi waved his hand, “Where is Chen’er?”

Xiao He glanced toward the side door, saying, “I haven’t seen her...”

Actually, Li Yuechen had instructed Xiao He to do this; Li Zhi’s health was poor, and a surprise might trigger heart trouble—best to be cautious!

Seeing Xiao He’s manner, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian caught on, proceeding as if nothing was amiss.

Just as they stepped inside, Old Li suddenly leapt out, arms wide, and shouted in a cute childish voice, “Awoo—!”

Li Zhi, well prepared, wasn’t startled. Turning to look, he and Wu Zetian burst out laughing.

He reached out and picked her up, “Oh? Where has this little bear cub come from?”

Li Yuechen squirmed gently, still crying, “Awoo—!”

Seeing her antics, Li Zhi laughed heartily, carrying her into the hall.

Wu Zetian, covering her face, chuckled as well, finding the outfit amusing and novel.

Inside, Li Zhi sat on the couch, then removed her hood, revealing a face flushed and sweating from the heat.

“Oh my!” Old Li exclaimed, sticking out her tongue, then affectionately greeted, “Greetings, Father and Mother!”

As she spoke, she began unfastening the buttons—it was truly hot inside.

“Chen’er, was your martial arts training tiring today?”

“Not at all! Chen’er will protect Father and Mother one day!”

Li Zhi patted her head and turned, “So clever and mischievous, just like a little rhinoceros!”

Wu Zetian added, “Your Majesty, don’t spoil her too much!”

Though she said this, her smile betrayed her delight and affection for her daughter.

This was exactly the effect Old Li wanted—acting as a cute and obedient baby so her parents wouldn’t doubt her, letting everyone mind their own business without interference.

She had no interest in being emperor, especially in front of the future Empress; she had to behave impeccably.

To live happily as a princess, eating and idling away her days, would be enough—she must avoid getting entangled in any strange affairs.

With an adult’s soul, Old Li was skilled at cheering people up. Being a happy little mascot was just fine.

After taking off the bear onesie, Old Li went to play with Wu Zetian.

Li Zhi asked, “Chen’er, at today’s banquet, you were asked what reward you wanted—have you decided?”

Old Li, sprawled on Wu Zetian’s lap, paused, then nodded, “I have. I hope Father will allow the two sisters from Yeting Palace to return.”

Li Zhi showed no displeasure. Instead, he stroked her head and asked, “Why?”

Old Li slid off Wu Zetian’s lap, blinking her large eyes, “Chen’er doesn’t know what fault the sisters committed, just that they’re Father’s daughters. We’re all family. Father and Mother are busy, so I hope they can keep me company.”

This was the carefully considered reason Li Yuechen chose—not for anything else, just wanting companions.

Hearing this, Li Zhi looked at Wu Zetian, who nodded gently.

Li Zhi smiled, “Very well. Tomorrow, they’ll be released, restored to princess status, and will play with Chen’er!”

Li Yuechen immediately pounced on him, planting a kiss on his cheek, “Thank you, Father.”

Not forgetting her mother, she turned and kissed Wu Zetian as well, “Thank you, Mother!”

The couple laughed, and continued to play with her.

That night, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian stayed in Chengxiang Hall, sleeping beside their daughter.

The next morning, the two rose early, moving gently so as not to wake Li Yuechen, who slept until sunrise. After washing up, she set off once more for Liu Rengui’s house to practice.