"Where is Cui Tian?" Empress Zhangsun's voice rang out clearly. "The Library Pavilion has been newly opened for two hours now. You've seen it. Do you have anything to say?"
Cui Tian stepped forward from the crowd, bowed, and said, "I, your servant girl, admit defeat gracefully."
It took all her strength to utter these words. Admitting defeat in front of so many people was a huge challenge for her.
Cui Tian continued, "The Library Pavilion has a complete variety of books and a rich collection. It's truly a sight that can only be achieved by gathering all the books in the world. I, Cui Tian, am convinced."
She had also thought about finding a book with unclear printing or some unfairness to nitpick, so that she could at least say something and not admit defeat so completely.
But the little princess had really done a thorough job, leaving no loopholes.
No matter how unhappy she was, in the face of the facts, she had to accept it reluctantly.
"Hongxuan, what's your opinion?" Empress Zhangsun took Li Jingyun's hand and said gently.
Li Jingyun was quite happy to be praised, but when she thought that the person praising her was Cui Tian, she always felt a knot in her heart.
The voice of the system rang in her ear: Congratulations to the host. The Library Pavilion has been completed. You have gained 70 points, and the cumulative points are 192.
Great!
She had saved up 150 points!
She could exchange for the elixir for her mother!
It was time for this matter to end.
The Cui family had received the punishment they deserved. Even Cui Tian, who usually held her head high, had bowed her head and admitted defeat.
"Both bamboo paper and movable - type printing have been invented. From now on, everyone can buy books with less money. How about it? Isn't it good news? Cui Tian?" Li Jingyun said with a smile. At first, she was talking to the common people around, but she only looked at Cui Tian when she said the last sentence.
She didn't really understand the complex schemes behind it. She only knew that if the common people could read more books, the noble families would be uncomfortable.
She had learned this truth from her eldest brother in the first two days when the construction of the Library Pavilion started, and she had always remembered it firmly.
"O - of course."
Cui Tian's smile was a bit stiff. Under everyone's gaze, she couldn't just ignore it.
When she looked up, she could see the smiles of those poor scholars. They all looked so confident as if they were sure to succeed in the imperial examination next spring. The more she looked, the colder her heart became.
She wondered if any of the Cui family's children could be promising enough to pass the imperial examination this time.
Seeing that Cui Tian seemed a bit deflated, Li Jingyun knew that her experiment had just succeeded. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Li Yin. Sixth brother was right. To deal with a snake, one had to hit its vital part.
After she said that, the common people praised her one after another. The words of praise were so many that they almost drowned her.
"My daughter has always had great aspirations since childhood. I'm very relieved!" Li Shimin laughed heartily. His daughter was so promising that he felt proud. Then he continued, "The Family Clan Record has been compiled today. The royal family is the first - class noble family, the Zhangsun family, the imperial in - laws, is the second - class, and only then come the Cui family of Boling and the Lu family of Fanyang. Everyone must keep this in mind."
"Yes, we understand."
After Li Shimin said this, he was so happy that he could almost fly.
He had been looking forward to this moment for more than three months. This breath had been stuck in his chest, making him extremely annoyed. Today, he could finally let it out.
Cui Tian's face turned even paler, but for the sake of the Cui family's reputation and image, she had to hold on. Looking back, in the wing - room where she had been before, Cui Gan was drinking cup after cup of wine. There were all kinds of delicious dishes in front of him. Judging from his expression, there should be dancers performing in front of him.
She felt even more depressed. While she was being humiliated in front of the royal family, he was actually enjoying the song and dance?
"Everyone, if you're not in a hurry to go home for dinner, you're welcome to visit the Library Pavilion!" Yan Lide shouted. The common people rushed to get into the Library Pavilion one after another, afraid that there would be too many people and they would be squeezed out.
Suddenly, only the royal family and a few officials were left on the scene.
Cui Tian also left on an excuse. She was eager to argue with Cui Gan.
Tang Jian stepped forward. "Your Majesty, Your Highness. I've prepared a feast at my residence. How about going to my place for lunch before returning to the imperial city? The completion of the Library Pavilion today is a great blessing for our Tang Dynasty. How can we not celebrate it properly?"
"Sure. Yuzhang told me that the scenery of your residence is simple and elegant now. I've been wanting to take a look. The last time I came to your place was three years ago." Li Shimin had the same thought. Since Tang Jian had proposed it first, he just followed the topic and agreed.
Princess Yuzhang was Li Jingyun's elder sister. She got married last year to Tang Shanshi, the son of Tang Jian, the senior official. Up to now, they had been married for less than ten months, and they were still a loving couple.
In Li Jingyun's memory, every time Princess Yuzhang came back to see her after getting married, her catch - phrase had become "Tang Shanshi said this and that" or "My husband did this and that". When someone joked about it, she wasn't angry at all. Instead, she blushed shyly.
"What delicious food is there?"
Li Jingyun shook her head, trying to get rid of all the complicated memories before. All her mind was filled with food.
At the feast later, would there be roast lamb, steamed chicken, and perch slices from Songjiang? Sugar - coated crabs would be good too! As for the soups, just bring two kinds, like black hen egg soup, crescent soup, fish soup, or shrimp soup!
Just thinking about it, she could almost smell the delicious fragrance.
"You'll know when you get there, Princess. There are too many dish names. I really can't remember them all." Tang Jian smiled and started to be mysterious.
After saying that, he pulled out a strong young man from behind him. He looked no more than twenty years old. "This is the young man who echoed Minister Yan just now. This guy was so mysterious and always refused to tell his real name. Now that you've seen His Majesty and Her Highness, you should tell us your name, right?"
"Chen Chuxia pays respects to Your Majesty, Her Highness, and all the princes!"
The young man said as he bowed.
"The youngest son of Cheng Yaojin? How old are you this year? I remember I held you in my arms when you were just born." Li Shimin had good eyesight and a good memory. Even after more than three years, he still remembered who this person was.
Li Jingyun was completely confused. She knew that Uncle Cheng had several sons, but she wasn't familiar with any of them. Let alone this Chen Chuxia.
"Replying to Your Majesty, I'm thirteen years old this year."
Chen Chuxia had only met Li Shimin a few times. Today's event was a bit of a risky move for him. He had concealed his identity and found Tang Jian. Because of his loud voice, quick thinking, and clear speech, he was selected to echo Minister Yan in the crowd to ensure the smooth progress of today's completion ceremony.
He didn't ask for Tang Jian's reward. He only said that he hoped to meet His Majesty after the event. Tang Jian thought this person looked kind - faced on the one hand, and on the other hand, he thought this person might have a good future. It was a good idea to make a good connection, so he brought him here.
Who would have thought that this was actually the son of Cheng Yaojin!
Cheng Yaojin, that rough and straightforward man, could actually have such a smart and resourceful son? Maybe he had inherited it from his mother.
"Your Majesty!" Cheng Yaojin ran out from Tang Jian's residence, reeking of alcohol. He looked very excited. "This is my youngest son! He has a stubborn temper. If he has offended Your Majesty, Her Highness, or any of the princes, I'll apologize on his behalf."
"Get up, get up. Your son did a great job today. Come and have a meal with us." Li Shimin patted Chen Chuxia on the shoulder and smiled.
"Yo - ho! Time to have a meal!"
The adults here all had their own thoughts. Li Jingyun was the only one who was fully focused on the upcoming feast.