Chapter Ninety-Six: Accounting and Reconciliation

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In fact, Li Yuechen had long anticipated this situation. After all, such an unusual brute strength surely required energy to fuel it. This was not a world of immortals and martial arts; he could not absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so he had to rely on food for sustenance.

His increasing appetite was an expected outcome, but it seemed this matter could no longer be concealed. However, he decided it was fine—if it could not be hidden, then it could not. From the perspective of people in this era, it was probably a sign of good health.

With that thought, he paid no mind to anything else and simply grabbed two pieces of flatbread, sandwiching roasted lamb between them and taking large bites.

This eating posture had one clear effect: the two elder sisters before him were visibly concerned but seemed too embarrassed to ask, so they pretended not to notice and continued eating quietly.

For a moment, an awkward atmosphere settled among the three.

Unable to endure the tension, Li Yuechen set down half-eaten food, took a sip of Sanlejiang, and said with some seriousness, “If either of you has something to say, please speak plainly; otherwise, it makes my eating uncomfortable.”

“Well...” Princess Yiyang’s expression twisted in hesitation, unsure how to respond.

Princess Xuancheng was more straightforward. She nodded and said, “It’s just surprising—Chen’er’s appetite is hardly that of a child. If it were Wan’er, she probably wouldn't eat a quarter as much.”

By now, Princess Xuancheng had a clear understanding of numbers and was even using them as examples.

Li Yuechen smiled faintly. "I... seem to be a bit different physically."

Hearing this, Princess Yiyang suddenly grew anxious. “Different how? Is there some illness?”

“No, no, no, Sister, you misunderstand,” Li Yuechen waved his hand. “It’s just that my strength seems much greater than that of an ordinary person.”

“Oh, speaking of which, last time you lifted Wan’er with one hand!” Princess Xuancheng nodded knowingly.

Princess Yiyang recalled this too but hadn’t taken it seriously. Wan’er was slight and short, and being lifted once didn’t seem unusual.

Princess Xuancheng pondered a moment. “Could it be your strength is even greater than that? Could you lift me?”

Li Yuechen considered it. “With both hands, I should be able to.”

After all, he had tested himself before—he could support his entire body weight on his fingers in a handstand.

The two elder sisters had practiced yoga with him for some time, their physiques well-proportioned—curvy where appropriate, slender where needed, like flat models.

By estimation, their weight should be around ninety jin.

Speaking of weight, Li Yuechen always felt a jin in the Tang dynasty was heavier than in the future, but he had no clear sense of the difference.

“Is that so?” Princess Xuancheng’s interest was piqued. She stuffed the last piece of flatbread into her mouth and stood, waving him over. “Chen’er, come try.”

“Xuancheng, you can’t be serious...” Seeing her acting on impulse, the elder Princess Yiyang couldn’t help but want to scold her.

Before she could speak, Li Yuechen stood and approached Princess Xuancheng. “I’ll give it a try.”

He extended both hands under her arms and then lifted with force.

Xuancheng’s feet immediately left the ground, and she was securely held mid-air!

Li Yuechen’s height reached about her shoulder, and his raised arms perfectly supported her aloft.

“Wow—” Princess Xuancheng gasped in disbelief.

Princess Yiyang’s eyes widened as she instinctively stood and stepped closer.

After about ten seconds, Li Yuechen gently set her down. “That’s about it.”

Princess Yiyang grabbed his arm and examined it. “How can Chen’er have such immense strength?”

“Well, I...” Li Yuechen hesitated.

“Oh, Chen’er is amazing!” Princess Xuancheng suddenly hugged him. “Born with divine strength!”

She seemed ecstatic, speaking while hopping in place.

Many women in the Tang dynasty were rather tomboyish, especially those in the royal family, who seemed to revere strength.

They were not afraid of Li Yuechen’s strange power but rather amazed and excited by it.

Li Yuechen forced a smile. “Perhaps it is because of this that my appetite has grown so much...”

“No harm done. Chen’er should eat more; maybe you’ll become even stronger!” Princess Xuancheng beamed, handing him another piece of flatbread.

“Ah...” Li Yuechen smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

It was best they didn’t overthink it, and he need not bother explaining something he couldn’t clarify.

Just as he was about to continue eating, Fulai returned carrying a bundle of scrolls. “Your Highness, all the documents are here.”

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“Good. Set them down; I’ll look at them later.” Li Yuechen nodded, but his eyes caught a bloodstain on Fulai’s hand. Frowning, he asked, “What happened?”

Following his gaze, Fulai lowered her head and quickly began wiping. “Nothing serious. Just a minor official was rude while we were passing by...”

“Did you fight?” Li Yuechen inquired.

“No,” Fulai shook her head. “I slapped him twice. He didn’t dare cause trouble after that.”

Li Yuechen nodded. “Good.”

He didn’t press further; as long as Fulai wasn’t harmed, that was enough.

Though he usually advised the servants of Anfu Palace not to bully others, as a princess, it was unacceptable for her servants to be mistreated.

...

After the meal, Li Yuechen pulled Princess Xuancheng aside. “Sister, these accounts are too much for one person. Please help me.”

“Alright.” Princess Xuancheng agreed promptly but looked hesitant. “But these are Ministry of Revenue accounts; I...”

“No problem. I have already reported this to Father,” Li Yuechen reassured her.

“Then fine!” Princess Xuancheng nodded confidently and sat at the desk. “Bring ink and brushes!”

Zhengshi nearby responded and came over to grind the ink.

The two sisters sat facing each other, unrolling the scrolls to begin tallying the accounts.

Though Princess Xuancheng’s math was not yet at junior high level, handling these accounts was well within her grasp.

Li Yuechen’s science skills were weak compared to some, but in this era, she was undoubtedly a math master.

Seeing the two absorbed in numbers, Lady Shangguan Wan’er wanted to help but knew her math skills were limited—only at around second or third grade—so she worried about slowing them down.

Princess Yiyang gently patted Wan’er’s head. “Alright, let’s not disturb them. How about we play chess?”

Wan’er seemed reluctant to leave but understood she could not contribute, so she nodded. “Okay.”

Zhengshi smiled at the scene.

She had initially thought bullying was inevitable for her daughter after entering the palace but was fortunate to have this princess.

Thus, Wan’er had enjoyed a relatively normal childhood here, at least free from mistreatment, able to grow like any little girl.

Li Yuechen and Princess Xuancheng tallied accounts from noon until around five in the afternoon.

Looking up at the sun, Li Yuechen stretched his neck. “Sister, let’s stop for today.”

Princess Xuancheng didn’t seem tired and chuckled, shaking her head. “I can keep going.”

Li Yuechen advised, “It’s better to rest your eyes; the light is fading.”

“Alright, then rest.” Princess Xuancheng nodded.

In just half a day, they had completed nearly half the accounts. Li Yuechen now had a rough understanding of the Ministry of Revenue’s situation.

The accounts were not very clear; record-keeping in this era was rather complicated.

There were many missing entries, but the amounts were small, suggesting no large-scale embezzlement.

Occasional minor discrepancies were inevitable.

This did not mean the officials were particularly honest; many were nobles who didn’t need money, so they had little incentive to steal.

For example, Minister Wei Xuantong came from the powerful Wei family of Julu. Though not as prestigious as the most elite clans, his family was well-established.

As long as he didn’t lead by example, subordinates dared not go too far.

As for petty theft, Li Yuechen had no energy to concern herself.

The emperor assigned her to the Ministry not to fight corruption but to find ways to increase grain production.

Regarding finances, she was merely an accountant.

Li Yuechen understood this well and planned to finish the remaining accounts tomorrow before reporting to Li Zhi.

Her primary focus was, of course, on agricultural issues.

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Two days later, Li Yuechen compiled the tallied accounts into a memorial and personally delivered it to Renshou Hall.

“Father, I’ve finished the accounts,” she said cheerfully, waving the memorial.

Li Zhi looked up. “Hmm, less than ten days on the job and you’ve sorted such a massive sum? Let me see.”

He took the memorial, put on his glasses, and began reading.

Empress Wu Zetian appeared interested and stood behind him, resting her arms on the back of his chair to read along.

Upon opening the memorial, the couple’s expressions turned peculiar.

It was mainly because Li Yuechen’s format was unlike anything they had seen, written entirely in vernacular language, which felt awkward to them.

Naturally, Li Yuechen had used a project report style from over a thousand years in the future, vastly different from the era’s conventions.

Fortunately, the language was concise and clear, making it easy to understand.

The entire document was under a hundred words, practically readable at a glance.

Li Zhi nodded slightly. “Not bad, not bad... It seems Chen’er’s method is quite efficient!”

Wu Zetian looked up. “Chen’er, how about promoting this method?”

“Perhaps someday, but I’m not in the mood to teach them now,” Li Yuechen said, taking a few sips from Li Zhi’s tea cup before refilling it.

After chatting with the couple briefly, Li Yuechen left.

Li Zhi toyed with the memorial, a smile lingering on his face. “Meiniang, do you think Chen’er truly is a reincarnated immortal?”

“Quite possible!” Wu Zetian nodded. “Youthful prodigies aren’t rare, but one this young producing such results—if not innate knowledge, I don’t believe it.”

“To have such a daughter is truly my blessing,” Li Zhi smiled, sipping tea.

...

After delivering the memorial, Li Yuechen had Fulai bring the bundle of scrolls to the Ministry of Revenue.

All six ministries were located within the imperial city, roughly the same size as Anfu Palace, with the main hall having two floors.

The first floor and side halls served as offices for staff; the second floor housed senior officials’ chambers.

The Ministry’s workers were as busy as usual. When they saw Li Yuechen enter, none immediately reacted.

She wore a bright red round-collared robe and black trousers, her jet-black hair tied high with a red ribbon.

Her delicate face still bore a touch of youthful innocence, with bright eyes revealing a calm composure far beyond a child’s.

Such a place normally would not admit women, let alone a little girl.

But then they all recovered and stood respectfully. “Greetings, Princess!”

“No need for such formality!” Li Yuechen raised her hand. “You are all important members of the Tang dynasty. No need for stiff manners.”

Saying this, she took a step toward the stairs but paused after the first step.

She extended a thumb toward the scrolls in Fulai’s hands. “Whoever is responsible for these accounts, come see me as soon as possible.”

After speaking, she turned and continued upstairs. Fulai glanced at the clerks below and followed.

At the top of the stairs, Wei Xuantong awaited. Seeing Li Yuechen, he quickly bowed. “Your servant greets Princess.”

“No need,” Li Yuechen raised her hand. “This is the Ministry of Revenue; Minister Wei need not be so formal.”

“Not at all, Princess...” Wei Xuantong appeared very proper in etiquette, but in such a place, it was clearly a slight.

However, Li Yuechen was genuinely too lazy to waste time on this matter and smiled sweetly. “Minister Wei, you manage countless affairs daily. It’s best not to waste time here.”

To this lifelong old-fashioned man, Li Yuechen had no patience for words—the idea of a woman official was unacceptable to him regardless of ability.

So she declared they would each do their own work without bothering one another.

Of course, deep down Li Yuechen understood him; since ancient times, this had been the way things were. Suddenly, with the emperor’s reforms, everyone found themselves in an unfamiliar environment, naturally uncomfortable.

But understanding had limits—if he dared to be disrespectful, she wouldn’t hesitate to assert her princess authority.