Li Chengqian was dazzled. What he was choosing was not the girls' looks or moral characters, but their family backgrounds. The Cui family had just offended the royal family recently, so the likelihood of Li Chengqian choosing girls from such prominent families decreased significantly.
This row was filled with daughters of meritorious officials. Their fathers included many big shots on the Lingyan Pavilion. Girls raised in such pampered environments would surely not be lacking in looks and figure. At the very least, they were above average.
"Du Jia, the last time I saw you, you were just a little girl. Now you've grown up so much. It shows that Duke Fan has done an excellent job in raising his daughter. What books have you read?" Empress Zhangsun asked with a beaming smile, looking like a kind - hearted neighbor aunt.
Du Jia replied, "I'm fond of military books. I often study military strategies and have quite some insights into battlefield drills."
As soon as this little girl opened her mouth, she sounded full of energy and confidence.
"Good, very good! As the saying goes, a tiger father has no dog - like son. You're just like your father back then!" Li Shimin praised repeatedly. "You must get along well with Third Sister. Do you have any martial arts skills?"
Third Sister here referred to Princess Pingyang, the only princess to be buried with military honors.
"Of course! I'm especially good at wielding a spear. Your Majesty, are you interested in watching?"
"Someone, bring a spear!"
Everyone stepped back, leaving the stage for Du Jia. Don't be deceived by her slightly plump figure. She wielded the spear vigorously and skillfully, winning rounds of applause.
The other contestants were also watching her and cheering her on.
After her performance, Li Chengqian silently shook his head. Such a person should be on the battlefield. Wouldn't it be a waste of talent for her to be his crown princess?
Wang De immediately understood and loudly announced, "Bestow a palace flower to Miss Du of the Du family!"
"Thank Your Majesty, thank Your Highness the Empress."
Receiving a palace flower meant not being selected. It was just a consolation prize.
Du Jia gracefully expressed her gratitude. She never really wanted to be a crown princess anyway. Once she entered the palace walls, it would be hard to be carefree again.
"Next one!"
Liu Renqing stepped forward and bowed politely.
This young lady was dressed in a long light - green dress like that of a beauty from the West Lake. She wore a jasper Ruyi hairpin, looking as delicate as a willow in the breeze, gentle and charming. Her waist was so slender that it seemed it could be held in one's hand. She was a beauty in the traditional sense.
She lowered her head slightly, but actually stole glances at Li Jingyun in the middle of the hall. Li Jingyun was having a great time eating a bowl of imperial yellow queen's rice, almost burying her whole face in the bowl.
This little princess's performance just now was really unforgettable.
Building a grand hall filled with books so that everyone who wanted to read could have access to them!
What a lofty ambition!
As for Du Jia's failure to be selected, most of these girls didn't really want to be a crown princess. It would be a tiring job, and who knew when something bad might happen? The court battles were never - ending.
Du Jia had overdone it. Why did she have to show off her skills? She should have feigned ignorance and hidden her talents.
"I heard that Miss Liu is fond of poetry and songs. Can you compose a poem on the spot?" Empress Zhangsun immediately raised the bar.
Liu Renqing was startled. Why was the difficulty level doubled for her? She quickly declined, "Your Highness the Empress, I've just read a few extra books in my spare time. I definitely can't compose a poem on the spot. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress."
"It's okay, it's okay." Empress Zhangsun shook her head. Wang De followed up, "Bestow a palace flower to Miss Liu of the Liu family!"
"Thank Your Majesty and Your Highness the Empress for your kindness. I'm extremely grateful."
After Liu Renqing stood up again, her smile became more sincere.
Compared to the Crown Prince, she was more interested in the little princess Li Jingyun. She'd rather be a reading companion for the little princess than be a crown princess.
The beauty pageant had been going on for more than two hours, but nothing had been decided. Li Jingyun was full from eating and didn't want to move from her chair.
Finally, it was time for the intermission. Everyone either went to eat or change their clothes. The food on their tables was replaced with a new set. Everyone was eating except Li Jingyun and her sister.
Li Chengqian finally had the chance to ask the question that had been bothering him for a long time. "Hongxuan, what are you going to do about the library? Do you have any ideas?"
Li Jingyun looked up, thought for a while, and then showed a big smile. "I have some ideas for now, but not many. Wait until I take a nap. Maybe I'll get more ideas in my dream."
Was this such a difficult thing? Why did elder brothers and sisters all look so serious?
Should she also take some action?
She wondered how the cement project was going. Had there been any results?
If there weren't enough people, she'd have to recruit more.
"Aye, can you, can you give me some more craftsmen? Also, why don't the craftsmen get paid? What do they eat and drink?" Li Jingyun remembered what Sixth Brother had told her last night and looked at Li Shimin in confusion.
In her eyes, her Aye was the kindest emperor in the world!
How could he deduct the craftsmen's pay?
There must be some inside information she didn't know!
Li Shimin was taken aback. Did this need an explanation? For so many generations of emperors in the previous dynasties, over so many years, which emperor had ever paid the craftsmen?
What did they eat and drink? Of course, their families provided for them.
In the early Tang Dynasty, the equal - field system was implemented. Both men and women would be allocated a certain amount of land. Even if the craftsmen themselves didn't have land, their families should have.
Working for the government was a form of corvée labor. It wasn't until the Song Dynasty that craftsmen were paid.
"Chengqian, take your sister to the Ministry of Works tomorrow to pick a few experienced craftsmen. Hongxuan, from now on, you can assign them tasks."
"Yes, Father, I understand." Li Chengqian replied.
At the same time, Li Shimin began to think. Should he really pay those craftsmen? If so, how much would be appropriate? Could the current national treasury afford this expense?
After some calculations, he found that they couldn't afford it. The Tang Dynasty had only been established for a few years. Everything was in ruins and waiting to be rebuilt. They had just stopped fighting, but the Turks in the north and the Tubo in the southwest were eyeing them covetously. All the money had been used for military pay. How could there be any left?
"You still have half a year. Don't rush her. There's still time." Empress Zhangsun was very protective of her daughter. With just one sentence, she silenced all of Li Chengqian's urging and complaints.
Li Chengqian: …
Li Chengqian: Mother, why wasn't I as favored as my sister when I was a child? You and Father shouldn't treat us differently!
"However, the Cui family has really gone too far this time. Such a large family only sent a concubine - born daughter. It's obvious that they don't want to be in - laws with the royal family, and they look down on the position of the crown princess." Empress Zhangsun changed the topic and talked about Cui Tian. "This Cui Tian is just like her ancestors, stubborn, arrogant, and looking down on everyone."
Li Shimin highly agreed. The influence of the prominent families in the court was deep - rooted and intertwined. Just the Cui family alone was already a headache, not to mention that there were seven or eight such families in the Tang Dynasty. They were closely connected through marriages.
"If what Hongxuan said can really come true this time, it will be a great slap in the face for the Cui family."
A clear and bright female voice came, without any hesitation.
It was Princess Gaoyang, followed by several maids, each holding a bowl of ice cream mountain. The sweet and creamy aroma drifted over from afar.
Originally, Li Jingyun was still whole - heartedly thinking about asking for some pay for the craftsmen. But now, with the ice cream mountain in sight, all she could think about was the delicious food. "Sister Gaoyang! It smells so good! How did you know I was craving ice cream mountain!"
"What do you call this between us sisters? We think alike!" Princess Gaoyang bowed slightly and waved her hand. The maids immediately served the ice cream mountains.
It was extremely hot at this time. How enjoyable it was to have such a cold and delicious bowl of ice cream mountain!