Two days flashed by in the blink of an eye, and the Double Ninth Festival had arrived.
Just as dawn was breaking, Li Jingyun was yanked out of bed. After a quick makeover, she followed her father and mother to meet the court officials.
Still bleary - eyed, she trailed beside her mother. Around her were either her elder brothers and sisters or high - ranking court officials. Every face was familiar to her.
In Chang'an, the number of pedestrians was nearly half of the usual amount, and even the Zhuque Street seemed deserted.
Li Jingyun's eyes were half - open. It was just a quarter past five. She vaguely remembered that when her eldest brother was selecting a crown princess, she couldn't sleep. It was around this time that she went to wait outside the Zhaoqing Palace to watch the fun.
She couldn't understand now how she had managed to wake up so early back then.
After receiving the bows from everyone, her mother took her hand and they, along with several elder sisters, got into the carriage and headed for the Dong Chanding Temple.
The procession of carriages and horses was vast. As the carriage swayed, Li Jingyun gradually drifted off to sleep, barely hearing what her sisters were saying.
For some reason, her sisters were giggling non - stop. Empress Zhangsun pinched Li Jingyun's ear and said, "Your elder sister Li Lizhi is pregnant. You'll have to make the sweaters you send to her one size bigger in the future."
"Pregnant?!"
This single sentence jolted Li Jingyun awake.
In the carriage, the princesses laughed even louder. Li Lizhi said, "Mother, you're really something. None of the jokes we told could wake her up, but your single sentence did it."
Li Jingyun looked at the smiling Li Lizhi, her heart filled with a complex mix of emotions and a deep sense of bitterness. Sister, she had known about the pregnancy for a long time.
The immortal master had also said that giving birth to this child would be like walking through the gates of hell for her, and she might be in mortal danger.
She just never dared to say it out.
"Hongxuan, on the day the library was completed, you hinted that I might be pregnant. I went to see a doctor that day, but the pregnancy was too early to tell. I just found out yesterday that I've been pregnant for a month. You're going to have a little nephew. How about having the little nephew play with you in the future?" Li Lizhi took Li Jingyun's hand and placed it on her belly.
Seeing Li Jingyun looking absent - minded, she guessed that her sister's mind wasn't fully awake yet, so she took the initiative to start the conversation.
Li Jingyun could feel the sweater under her sister's outer robe. It was fluffy but not prickly.
"Sure, sister!" Li Jingyun looked at her sister and then at the unborn nephew in her belly. She made up her mind that she must earn enough points to save both her sister and the little nephew, just like she had saved her mother!
At this moment, the mechanical voice of the system rang in Li Jingyun's ear: "The sweater and the sweater factory have been introduced. Congratulations to the host for obtaining 50 points. You currently have a total of 92 points."
Li Jingyun started counting on her fingers. With the points from the milk tea, she should be getting closer to redeeming the pill.
"Hongxuan, listen. People outside are praising your library," said Princess Xinxing with a big smile. She pulled the curtain aside a bit, and the voices from outside reached Li Jingyun's ears without any obstruction.
In the carriage, everyone except Li Jingyun was overjoyed.
Li Jingyun leaned over to listen for a while and then sat back. "It's still the same old stuff. Nothing new."
"One person said that thanks to my library, they finally had a place to read. The library was warm and fragrant, the perfect place for reading. He also said that he was going to do well in the imperial examination next spring."
"Another one said that I was kind - hearted and compassionate, like a celestial child descending to the mortal world. If he passed the exam, he would build a shrine for me back in his hometown. Hey? Mother, sister, what's a shrine for the living?" Li Jingyun turned around and asked.
"A shrine for the living is built for a living person to praise their virtues," Empress Zhangsun replied. Her expression looked a bit strange. "But the Tang Code states that one is not allowed to randomly discuss building a shrine for the living. Wutong."
"Yes. I understand, Your Majesty."
A female official who was following beside the carriage immediately went over to give a warning after hearing this.
Li Jingyun secretly lifted the curtain on the other side. The sweet smell of almond candied fruit hit her nose. She whispered, "Muhe, I want some almond jelly. Could you buy me a bowl?"
"Yes, Princess."
Muhe lowered her head and smiled, then went to buy the snack.
The princess was still just a child. Even when going out for the Double Ninth Festival climb, she was thinking about snacks.
When Li Jingyun was happily eating the almond jelly and looked up, she found her sisters still looking at her. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she simply picked up the bowl and said, "Sisters, would you like to try some?"
"No, thanks. You eat. I didn't expect you to be able to get used to the food outside the palace when you're used to the imperial cuisine in the palace," said Princess Gaoyang, covering her mouth and laughing uncontrollably.
"You didn't even think of me! Humph, I'll punish you to send me one more sweater!"
Li Mingda, who was about the same age as Li Jingyun, also joined in teasing her younger sister.
"Don't be angry, Sister Mingda. Hurry up and buy another bowl! I'll send the sweater to you tomorrow, okay?"
"That's better!"
As they chatted and laughed, they soon arrived at the Dong Chanding Temple. Everyone got out of the carriages. Princess Xinxing took Li Jingyun's hand, afraid that her little sister might run off to play.
"By the way, Hongxuan, I'm planning to open two warm tea houses in Chang'an. One in Pingkangfang and the other in Anyifang," said Princess Xinxing with a smile.
Li Jingyun's mind raced. Pingkangfang was a well - known and extremely expensive area in Chang'an where many officials lived, while Anyifang was a residential area for commoners because it was near the city gate.
If the tea house was opened in Anyifang, the price of the milk tea would have to be much lower, or no one would be willing to buy it.
"The one in Anyifang will use the most common ingredients. The taste won't be as good as the one in Pingkangfang, and the price will be 30% lower," Princess Xinxing explained slowly.
She had already chosen the locations, and the training of the shop assistants was almost completed. After a few more days of publicity, the tea houses could open.
She and Princess Gaoyang had a bet. The one whose business made more money would treat the other to a meal.
"Good for you, sister! You're really a business genius!" Li Jingyun felt as if a new world was opening up in front of her.
For the common people, milk tea was a new and inexpensive treat, and they could afford to buy it for daily consumption.
"I think so too. If I win this bet, I'll give you an extra 10% of the profit this month, my little money - making god," Princess Xinxing bent down and whispered in Li Jingyun's ear.
Li Shimin took Empress Zhangsun's hand and walked in front, followed by the princes, princesses, and court officials.
Since Empress Zhangsun recovered from her illness, he had been fond of showing his affection for her.
He wished that Empress Zhangsun could be with him everywhere.
Li Jingyun blended into the crowd and wasn't very noticeable. After all, there were many children of her age.
The group entered the ancient temple. Except for a few monks, there were no pilgrims. The temple had been specially prepared for Li Shimin's family to come for the Double Ninth Festival climb.
The abbot, Master Guanghui, came out to greet them. "Amitabha. Guanghui welcomes all the distinguished guests."
He was an old man in his sixties with white hair and beard. He had an otherworldly air about him. He held a Zen staff, and there was a young monk in his twenties following him.
"This is Xuanzang. He has traveled to many places to study Buddhism and finally came to our Chanding Temple," Master Guanghui introduced.
The young monk also clasped his hands together and bowed.
"Xuanzang? I've heard your name before."