On the evening of July 12th, the setting sun was sinking in the west, and the sky was ablaze with colorful clouds.
The temperature had dropped significantly compared to the scorching afternoon, and there were more people on the streets than during the heat.
The construction of the library was nearly half - completed. No one now thought that Li Jingyun's plan to build the library was just a child's nonsense. Everyone was looking forward to its completion, hoping to benefit from it.
Maybe, thanks to this library, someone in their family would be able to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi!
Li Jingyun pulled Princess Gaoyang's hand and walked out of the ice - cream shop. She was holding a freshly made ice - cream dessert and eating it with relish.
A group of guards was following them at a distance.
"Sister, the ice - cream in your shop seems even more delicious, and there are more and more varieties. This time, it's even topped with rose juice. It smells so fragrant that I can hardly bear to eat it," Li Jingyun looked up and smiled sweetly.
Although she said so, she didn't hold back on eating. Last time, she had eaten too much cold food and had a stomachache for two days. Her father had since restricted her to one bowl of ice - cream a day.
So she had deliberately come up with this set of flattery, hoping to please Princess Gaoyang and break the "one - bowl - a - day" rule.
"All your sweet talk won't work. If you eat too much, your little belly will hurt again. Then I'll get scolded by Father. Just bear with it," Princess Gaoyang was quite happy with her younger sister's words. The corners of her mouth involuntarily curled up, and as she spoke, she even bent down to touch Li Jingyun's belly.
But she could tell right from wrong. If she let Hongxuan (Li Jingyun) eat one more bowl, she'd have to endure her father's scolding for an extra quarter of an hour. It wasn't worth it.
"Alright," Li Jingyun pouted, unhappy but helpless.
The two walked towards the library. By the time they got near it, Li Jingyun still hadn't finished her ice - cream.
A luxurious and spacious carriage was parked near the library. With the help of her maid, a tall and stunning - looking woman stepped out. Judging from her attire and the carriage, she must be from a wealthy family.
Li Jingyun sneaked around to take a look at the emblem on the carriage and was shocked to find that it was the Cui family's.
Taking a closer look, this woman looked very familiar. It seemed to be Cui Tian!
Since the Cui family was punished by her father, Cui Gan was demoted, Cui Xian was executed, and Cui Tian was punished to copy the "Mengqiu". Except for Cui Renshi, who had been busy with the library project in Henan, she hadn't seen any other members of the Cui family.
Why did she come out now?
"Cui Tian? What's she doing here?" Princess Gaoyang also noticed this and pulled Li Jingyun into the opposite tavern to see what Cui Tian was up to.
At first, Cui Tian said nothing. She just walked around the library. Liu Zhubu, who was in charge of guarding the workers building the library, couldn't sit still. What on earth was this woman up to?
Ordinary people who came to the library would at most take a few looks, ask how many floors it would have and how many books it could hold, and then leave. For a young lady like her to come and watch the construction in the evening? It just didn't seem right.
"Madam, is there something wrong with our library? Why have you been looking for so long without saying a word?" Liu Zhubu couldn't help but go and ask directly.
Cui Tian scanned Liu Zhubu up and down, looking disdainful. "Who are you? How dare you interfere with my business?"
"Who am I? I'm the Zhubu of the Jiangzuojian, appointed by Minister Yan to oversee the construction of the library. You're really something. I haven't even asked who you are and what your purpose is here?" Liu Zhubu had originally wanted to talk nicely, but seeing her attitude, he knew he had to be tougher.
So he directly mentioned Yan Lide. Originally, Yan Lide was only in charge of the Jiangzuojian, responsible for the construction of palaces in the imperial city. Later, he also served as the Minister of the Ministry of Works, so the construction outside Chang'an City was also under his jurisdiction.
The Minister of the Ministry of Works was half a rank higher than the Chief Carpenter, so everyone always called him Minister Yan.
"Humph, I'm just a woman. I'm just taking a casual look. What could I do? Who would have thought that a lowly Zhubu like you would be so rude!"
The Zhubu of the Jiangzuojian? A low - ranking ninth - grade official? A person who wouldn't even be allowed to sit at the table in the Cui family. How could she take him seriously?
With just a few words, Cui Tian completely distanced herself from any suspicion.
Her tone made it seem as if Liu Zhubu had said something wrong, which could deceive a few passers - by who didn't know the truth.
"Fine, fine, fine. Just taking a casual look? I'll just follow you. Let's see what you can find," Liu Zhubu thought of Li Jingyun and immediately straightened his back.
It was true that he was a ninth - grade official, but he was backed by Princess Chengyang, the most beloved daughter of the current emperor!
Moreover, the library project was of great importance, and there were so many people watching. He had to be more assertive.
"You?" Cui Tian didn't expect this little Zhubu to talk to her like this. Her face turned red with anger. If the Cui family hadn't specifically emphasized not to curse, she might have started swearing.
Then she noticed the two plaques in front of the library, engraved with countless names. The left plaque had the names of high - ranking officials, and the name of Cui Renshi of the Cui family was clearly on it. The right plaque had the names of commoners, names like Lu Da and Ma Er.
"What do these plaques mean?"
Liu Zhubu looked at the plaques and burst out laughing. "Madam, have you been staying at home for a long time? You don't even know this? The names on this plaque are those of high - ranking court officials. They voluntarily donated all their books for copying and then placed in this library."
"As for this one, these are the names of the workers behind me. They built the library, so they deserve to be remembered."
He said it proudly, but to Cui Tian, it sounded like a joke.
Cui Tian carefully counted the names on the left plaque. Almost all the court officials were on it. "Each family's collection of books is their treasure. How could they be willing to donate all of them? Isn't this a joke?"
"Cui Tian! Your words are going too far!" A familiar voice came from not far away.
Hearing this, Cui Tian quickly looked behind her and found Li Jingyun standing with Princess Gaoyang. She took two steps back nervously.
She hadn't been out of the house for a long time. She didn't expect that when she came to the library out of curiosity, she would run into Li Jingyun!
When Li Jingyun had made a bet with her and said she was going to build a library, she had thought it was just boasting. How could a little girl like Li Jingyun build a library? But now it seemed that it wasn't impossible.
Li Jingyun said, "Why not? When there are role models, others will naturally be willing to follow suit!"
She knew everything about the library like the back of her hand, especially something as important as this.
This idea was proposed by her sixth brother, who had really impressed their father. Their father had allowed him to do whatever he wanted as long as he didn't bully the common people and could decide whether to go to the Hongwen Academy or not.
"Greetings, Your Highnesses. The library will be completed in a month, and then the books can be put in," Liu Zhubu quickened his steps and came over to salute and report.
"Get up, Liu Zhubu," Li Jingyun said.
Princess Gaoyang teased, "It seems that the thirty - time copying of the 'Mengqiu' last time had no effect on the young lady of the Cui family. Why doesn't she still know how to behave?"
"Thirty times of punishment isn't enough? Does Princess Gaoyang still want to punish me?"
Cui Tian's personality hadn't changed. She stuck out her neck and dared to argue with the princess.
Li Jingyun had improved. She wasn't so angry that she blushed and wanted to cry when she heard this. She just felt really annoyed.
Princess Gaoyang, with more experience, took her younger sister's hand to comfort her and said coldly, "Liu Zhubu, you must send people to guard this place well. Anyone who tries to set fire, flood the place, or take any other underhanded actions should be arrested and sent to jail!"
"Yes, Your Highness. I understand!"
Everyone looked at Cui Tian. The mention of jail successfully stirred up Cui Tian's painful memories. Her useless younger brother was still in jail and would be beheaded in a few days.
Scared, Cui Tian hurriedly left.
The sisters Li Jingyun and Princess Gaoyang gave a few more instructions and then returned to the palace.