The time was finally set for the afternoon the day after tomorrow. Presumably, everyone would be available then.
As they were talking, some delicate snacks were served.
There was a plate of Flower-Folded Goose Cake, a plate of Purple Dragon Cake, a plate of Crystal Dragon and Phoenix Cake, and a plate of Jade Dew Balls. Li Jingyun picked up a Jade Dew Ball and took a bite. "Father, come with me tomorrow. The cement will be ready."
"Already? It's only been a few days!"
In fact, Li Shimin had known about it for a while. He just pretended to be surprised to humor his daughter.
"Three days have passed! And it needs to cool overnight. We'll see the result tomorrow." Li Jingyun explained to Li Shimin seriously.
Li Shimin smiled and nodded. "Let's go together tomorrow. Hongxuan and the other two of you, it's been troublesome for you to go back and forth every day. There are three mansions in Yongyang Fang. Each of you can have one. And all the imperial farms there will also be yours."
Yongyang Fang was located on the outskirts of Chang'an City, the nearest neighborhood to their villa. There were several imperial farms nearby. Maybe the old farmer they met today was from one of those farms.
It would save a lot of time if they lived in Yongyang Fang.
Li Jingyun cheered and shook Li Shimin's arm playfully. "Great! Father! Hongxuan will have her own mansion!"
Li Mingda also beamed, showing her cute dimples. "I have to think about how to decorate my new mansion!"
"What about me? Thank you, Father!"
Li Yin bowed deeply, his body almost at a ninety-degree angle. He really didn't expect that just for accompanying his two younger sisters for a walk, he would be rewarded with a mansion!
A mansion bestowed by the emperor was different from one bought with his own money or presented by a court official. It carried a much higher status!
"Get up, Yin'er. You've been running around and done a lot of work. Go and see your mother. She misses you." Li Shimin said.
"Yes, Father. I'll take my leave."
Li Yin left happily, already imagining what the mansion bestowed by his father would be like.
It must be spacious, bright, and exquisitely decorated. Otherwise, it wouldn't match his status.
He had to tell his mother about this good news.
However, he had only walked a few steps when he ran into Li Chengqian. Li Yin quickly put away his smile. "Elder brother, why are you out too?"
"It's getting late. Hongxuan and the other girl should go to bed. I didn't want to disturb them. Sixth brother, you're only seven years old and you're moving out of the palace. Do you know what the court officials will say?" Li Chengqian said.
In fact, he had come specifically to talk to Li Yin. This younger brother was intelligent, but he never seemed to focus on the right things.
Today, when he and his father heard that Li Yin had shot and killed a snake with two arrows, he was quite surprised.
This younger brother, whom he had never paid much attention to, actually had such skills?
Once the news spread that his father was bestowing a mansion on Li Yin, especially a mansion so far from the imperial city, it would surely attract gossip.
Li Yin immediately understood the implication and smiled. "Let them say whatever they want. It's always the same old stuff. There's nothing new. I don't care. I'll just live my own life."
Were they going to say that he was naughty and unruly? That he was a hopeless case? Or that he was disliked by his father and not wanted to be seen?
He had heard these words for years. His ears were almost callused!
Why should he care what others said? The mansion was bestowed by his father. What did it matter to them?
Li Chengqian also laughed. This way of thinking was just like that of Concubine Yang. Concubine Yang was from the royal family of the Sui Dynasty. If she really cared about the rumors outside, she would have been driven to death long ago. How could she be living so happily now and have two sons?
"By the way, elder brother, the younger brother of your fiancée's family, Su Gui, is studying in a academy near the villa. He said he wanted to help Hongxuan with the library project. I always feel that he has ulterior motives. We need to be on guard against him." Li Yin's tone changed completely when he mentioned Su Gui.
He no longer had the confident air of "I'm not afraid. Come and get me if you dare" that he had when talking about the imperial mansion.
Li Chengqian was taken aback when he heard the term "elder sister-in-law".
It took him a while to remember that his engagement had been arranged. He was engaged to the eldest daughter of Su Dan of the Su family in Wugong. The imperial selection had only ended yesterday.
The imperial selection seemed like a dream. He still subconsciously felt that he hadn't chosen a crown princess yet.
"Ulterior motives? How old is he? What's going on in that head of yours?" Li Chengqian laughed even louder. His boisterous laughter could be heard throughout the street.
He had never talked to this younger brother much before. He didn't expect him to be so interesting.
Li Yin didn't say anything. If Li Chengqian wasn't going to keep an eye on Su Gui, then he would.
Since their three mansions would be in the same area, he would be able to hear any news.
"Alright, go back to sleep. Don't let your imagination run wild." Li Chengqian walked Li Yin back to the gate of Concubine Yang's palace and watched him enter before leaving.
In the Taihe Hall, Li Shimin was looking at his two daughters with a loving smile as they chattered away about their experiences today.
When they got excited, they waved their hands and danced around.
Li Jingyun started first. "The snake was so long! Sixth brother shot it with one arrow. He was so amazing! Master Zeng's cooking was also great. The turtle and snake soup was so delicious!"
Seeing that Li Shimin didn't say anything, Li Jingyun stood up and stretched out her hands to show how long the snake was. Her short, chubby hands waved desperately.
Li Mingda followed. "Old Master Wang Ji actually drank wine before teaching the students. The whole academy smelled of wine!"
This time, Li Shimin spoke up. "Old Master Wang Ji? Is he the one known as the 'Bachelor of a Dou of Wine'?"
The two little girls nodded together like little chickens pecking at rice.
Li Shimin said, "He loves his wine. When he was an official in the court, he would drink a dou of wine a day, which is how he got that nickname. A man like him is not suitable for officialdom. Being a teacher is not a waste of his knowledge."
"If he's so knowledgeable, why isn't he suitable for officialdom?" Li Mingda asked puzzledly.
Li Jingyun laughed. "Because drinking can cause problems. What if he's drunk when he's assigned a task?"
Li Shimin shook his head and tapped Li Jingyun's nose. "That's not it. The articles he writes after drinking are even better than usual."
His daughter's mind worked fast, but she liked to jump to conclusions. He still had to guide her.
Li Jingyun immediately frowned. If it wasn't because of drinking, then what was it?
Li Mingda was in a similar state. She yawned as she thought. She was getting sleepy. Unlike Li Jingyun, who had slept for half an afternoon in the villa and was still full of energy at this hour.
"Can we think about it tonight and tell you tomorrow?" Li Jingyun said with a smile, trying to bargain with her father.
In fact, she glanced at Wang De, who was guarding outside the hall.
Wang De had been in the palace for many years. There was nothing in the court or the harem that could escape his notice.
She could just ask him tomorrow morning.
Wang De was a very loyal person. As long as they made an agreement not to tell others, he would definitely keep his mouth shut.
"Alright, it's too late. Go to sleep." Li Shimin held one daughter's hand in each hand and led them to the bedroom in the backyard.