Li Jingyun pulled Li Yin along and headed to the piece of land that Chang Sun Wuji had promised her. As she was still young and it was not convenient for her to leave the palace alone, having Li Yin with her made a difference. Her sixth elder brother was a well - known playboy in Chang'an, often wandering around the city.
The carriage passed through one market after another, moving south all the way. Finally, they passed Wanan County. The further they went, the narrower the road became. There was not a single soul in sight. Wild grass was lush, trees provided shade, and the chirping of birds and insects was continuous.
The carriage stopped in front of a wasteland. There was only a dilapidated farmhouse that seemed to have been uninhabited and in disrepair for a long time, surrounded by wastelands.
A dozen or so people were cutting trees and trimming weeds in the small courtyard. When they saw the carriage coming, they all put down their work to greet the visitors.
Li Jingyun had fallen asleep in the carriage. Li Yin carried her out.
"Your Highness..."
A craftsman, out of muscle memory, was about to greet them loudly but was glared at by Li Yin. He swallowed the rest of his words.
"Is this the place Chang Sun Wuji gave us? That old fellow always said he regarded Hongxuan and Sizi as his own daughters. Is this how he does things?" Li Yin looked around and gave such an evaluation.
He was never a respectful and well - behaved person. He was always arrogant and unruly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have killed his chief clerk in a fit of anger later and been punished by Li Shimin.
"Your Highness, please calm down. You can't say such things casually," the craftsman stepped forward again. "My name is Tian. I'm in charge of these fifteen craftsmen."
"Hmm?"
Li Jingyun finally woke up.
When she opened her eyes, she saw a beaming face. The man bowed to her. He was dirty and unkempt, with calloused hands, clearly a hard - working man.
"Brother, put me down," Li Jingyun said shyly. "I'm old enough. Don't carry me anymore."
"How old are you? You're only five. Besides, you'll always be my little sister no matter how old you are."
Li Yin put Li Jingyun down. He wondered why this sweet and soft little sister, who was much shorter than him, always thought she had grown up.
Li Jingyun took a look around the yard. It was really big. Greenery was everywhere, with all kinds of strange - looking trees, some she had seen before and some she hadn't. Standing in the yard was much cooler than outside.
"Your Highnesses, it will take another two or three days to tidy up this place. Why don't you two move to another place first?" Master Tian said.
He was worried that if these two were bitten by a poisonous insect or snake, the lives of his whole family would be in danger.
"Let's go, let's go. Get out first."
Li Yin pulled his sister along, keeping a close eye on her.
Li Jingyun yawned. She thought the place was quite good. At least the ground was flat, and it wasn't far from the imperial city. One could get there in the time it took to take a nap.
"You've been transferred to my princess mansion, so I won't treat you badly. I'll double everyone's monthly pay. There will be rewards during festivals," Li Jingyun waved her little hand, imitating her father.
Master Tian didn't know what to say.
The princess meant well. Normally, if someone got a double - pay raise, they would be overjoyed and quickly express their gratitude.
The problem was, they didn't have a monthly pay at all.
They even had to bring their own food.
"Hongxuan, they don't have a monthly pay. Doubling it is still zero," Li Yin said with a headache and quickly reminded her.
In the later period of the Tang Dynasty, according to the Zu Yong Diao system, the government would hire civilian craftsmen and pay them. But at this time, there was no such thing. They were just free labor.
Li Jingyun scratched her head. What should she do?
"During festivals, when I'm in a good mood, I'll give you more rewards. I'll make up for the previous monthly pay," Li Jingyun finally came up with this idea.
Li Yin was stunned.
Was his sister that rich? Did she have to spend all that money because it was burning a hole in her pocket?
"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!" Master Tian immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
Getting money was much more practical than those fancy imperial edicts. His family had worked for the court for generations, and this was the first time they had seen money!
"Get up. Do any of you have apprentices? Find some broken porcelain pieces and limestone powder. Those who come here will get half of the rewards."
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll obey your order."
This should be the key point of this task.
When he was assigned here, Clerk Liu told him that he was lucky to have a chance to get in with the princess. If they could really come up with something new, they would be on their way to promotion and wealth.
"Your Highness, can cement be made from these broken porcelain pieces?" Master Tian was skeptical. In his mind, this was just something the little princess did for fun.
It was understandable that he had never heard of cement, but what were the broken porcelain pieces for?
"Just mix the broken porcelain pieces and clay together and heat them. It's very simple," Li Jingyun said with a smile. "The money will come from my account."
"Yes, Your Highness. I understand."
Hearing Li Jingyun say it was so simple, Master Tian had a general idea in his mind.
It was just the little princess's whim. Even if this thing was made, it would probably just be powder. How could it have the miraculous effect she described? She even said that if it was paved on the road, the carriage wouldn't sink?
The Emperor really doted on the little princess.
Li Yin, who had heard the whole conversation, also wondered if this would really work. It didn't sound very reliable.
But out of his love for his sister, even if they couldn't make anything, he would fully support her.
After giving all the necessary instructions, it was almost dark. Li Yin was worried that if they went back too late, their father would scold them. He took Li Jingyun and left. They had to get back to the imperial city before it got completely dark.
It didn't matter if he stayed out all night. Anyway, everyone thought he was a spoiled and useless person. But Hongxuan couldn't.
They rushed to the imperial city in a hurry. There were many carriages coming and going at the city gate, much busier than usual.
A luxurious carriage stopped in front of an inn on the roadside. First, a maidservant about twelve or thirteen years old got out. She was good - looking and better dressed than ordinary girls. Then she helped out a beautiful woman with a willowy figure and delicate features.
"Second Miss, do you like this inn?" the maidservant asked with a smile.
The mistress was obviously a bit nervous. "I like it. But I'm a bit nervous. I'm going to meet the Emperor tomorrow for such an important event as the selection of the Crown Prince's consort."
"It doesn't matter. With your family background and beauty, Second Miss, don't you worry about not being selected as the Crown Prince's consort?" the maidservant said.
Li Jingyun's carriage slowly passed by them, and the voices of the mistress and the maidservant gradually faded away.
"Sixth brother, who is she? She's so beautiful," Li Jingyun poked Li Yin.
The light was a bit dim, and the nameplate on the inn was not clear. Li Yin squinted and looked carefully several times, then shook his head. "She looks familiar, but I can't remember whose daughter she is. The Crown Prince's consort - selection is really a big deal."
"Sixth brother, what do you mean? Do you also want to get married? I'll go back and tell Father right away. I'll ask him to choose a wife for you too!"
"You little girl!" Li Yin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He was not even ten years old yet. It was not the right age to get married. Moreover, he didn't want to get married at all. It was okay for his mother to manage him on weekdays, but if he got a wife, she would also manage him.
He would probably have even less freedom.
When they got to the palace, Li Jingyun said goodbye to Li Yin and went back to Taihe Hall by herself. She found the hall brightly lit. Li Shimin was talking to Li Chengqian. Li Jingyun quietly slipped in and sat next to Li Chengqian, dozing off with her head bobbing up and down.
Wang De came over with a stewed pork knuckle. The aroma was overwhelming.
Li Jingyun smelled the fragrance and suddenly woke up. She grabbed the pork knuckle and started to eat, with grease running down her mouth.
"Your marriage is a big deal. The Crown Prince's consort should come from a famous family, be of good character and appearance, and be to your liking. The beauty - selection is tomorrow. You should choose carefully then. Among so many noble ladies, there must be someone who catches your eye," Li Shimin said.
"Yes, Father. I understand," Li Chengqian lowered his head. While answering Li Shimin's words, his eyes unconsciously glanced at Li Jingyun. Why did that pork knuckle smell so good?
The pork knuckle was even bigger than Jingyun's face.
Li Jingyun got tired of chewing and looked up to take a break. "Brother, can I go and watch the beauty - selection tomorrow?"
"If you want to go, who can stop you?" Li Chengqian said with a smile. "Eat slowly. Don't choke."
"Don't worry. Hehe."
She would be able to see many beautiful sisters tomorrow!