"Your Majesty, noble lords and ladies," Xuanzang said calmly, though there was a tinge of melancholy between his brows.
"Master, why do you look so worried? Since you've left the worldly troubles behind, why are you still so melancholy?" Li Shimin had a sharp eye and immediately noticed that Xuanzang was preoccupied.
"Your Majesty has sharp insight. During my travels, I've noticed that the Buddhist scriptures in different places sometimes contain inconsistent or even contradictory records. I'm troubled because I don't know which ones are correct," Xuanzang replied.
He wasn't a monk from this temple. Although he was young, he was already well - known in the Tang Dynasty as a recognized Buddhist scholar. He traveled far and wide to gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist doctrines. This time, he came to the East Chan Ding Temple just to take a short rest, and never expected to meet the royal family who came here to climb for the Double Ninth Festival.
While Li Shimin was discussing Buddhist scriptures with several Buddhist masters, Li Jingyun was completely at a loss. Instead, she was looking at the large expanse of chrysanthemums on the ground, which were in full bloom, colorful and dazzling.
She was calculating in her mind whether they were going to eat Double Ninth cakes later. Were they made from these chrysanthemums? What would they taste like? Would they be sweet?
At this moment, Su Gui rushed over, out of breath. He came to Li Jingyun's side and said, "Princess, the newly made sweaters from yesterday have been brought here. There are twenty of them. The female workers are becoming more and more skillful now."
"Twenty pieces a day? That's much faster than before," Li Jingyun sighed.
They were really amazing. They could start making sweaters proficiently in just a few days. The production would surely increase in the future.
Maybe they could really lower the price before the Beginning of Winter and make sweaters accessible to ordinary people.
"Yes, I've been overseeing the process. The quality is excellent, and the colors and patterns are also very nice," Su Gui said.
He had just rushed over from the new courtyard. He was going to show the sweaters to the nobles and officials again. They couldn't just ask the princes and princesses to take off their sweaters on the spot for everyone to see.
All the sweaters made this time were underwear, the kind to be worn next to the skin.
After everyone had admired the chrysanthemums, they walked towards the Chan Ding Pagoda. This pagoda had six stories, about forty meters high in modern measurement, not as tall as the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Why didn't they climb the Big Wild Goose Pagoda? Because the famous Big Wild Goose Pagoda in later generations hadn't been built yet.
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built during the Yonghui period under the supervision of Master Xuanzang to preserve the scriptures he brought back from India. At this time, Master Xuanzang hadn't even made up his mind to go on the pilgrimage for scriptures.
Li Jingyun was still young and had light feet. She climbed the fastest. The ancient pagoda was exquisitely built, seemingly imbued with the essence of Buddhism everywhere. However, Li Jingyun couldn't understand it. She just thought it was exquisitely beautiful.
She was the first one to reach the top of the pagoda. Looking down from above, the people below looked like tiny dots. There were quite a number of people coming and going. How wonderful it would be if all of them could wear her sweaters!
She had boasted to her father that she would sell ten thousand sweaters.
When everyone climbed up the pagoda, out of breath and about to catch their breath, Su Gui suddenly stepped forward and said, "Everyone, please take a look at the sweaters produced by our new courtyard. Winter is coming, and they are perfect for keeping warm."
With that, he clapped his hands, and immediately several people wearing sweaters walked out. They were of different heights and builds, which amazed and excited the officials, who began to whisper among themselves.
It was the system's idea to invite models. Although it didn't show up often, it would surely lend a helping hand when needed.
Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were sitting in the middle of the crowd, observing the reactions of the officials and the royal family.
This was exactly the reaction they wanted. There was no need to worry about the sales of the sweaters after they were produced.
Su Rui looked at his younger brother, who was beaming with confidence and stealing the show. He didn't know how he felt at that moment. He had hoped that his younger brother would study hard and take the imperial examinations to become an official in the future.
Who would have thought that this young guy had joined Princess Chengyang's camp at such a young age and seemed to be doing quite well. The elders in the family mostly praised him when they mentioned him.
At this time, Censor Zheng Min stepped forward again and said, "Who is this young man? Is he the confidant of Princess Chengyang? Princess, why did you choose such a young and inexperienced person to handle the matter of sweaters? The matter of sweaters concerns the warmth of countless people in winter. How could it be taken lightly?"
"Young and inexperienced?" Li Jingyun was stunned. She pointed at herself and said, "I'm only five years old, and he's older than me."
Where did this guy come from? Why couldn't she remember seeing this face before?
She had just climbed six stories of stairs. How could this guy still have the energy to question her?
"Your Highness is a rare talent, far superior to this unknown young man!" Censor Zheng Min looked as if he was ready to sacrifice his life. It seemed that if Li Jingyun didn't agree with him, she would be going against the will of the people.
"This is my wife's younger brother, Su Gui," Li Chengqian couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to say.
Censor Zheng Min seemed to be completely taken aback.
He looked at Su Gui carefully and then at Su Rui beside Li Chengqian. They did look somewhat alike.
So they were siblings?
Censor Zheng Min hesitated for a moment and decided to continue arguing. "Even so, Your Majesty, Your Highness, I still have a question. I wonder if the princess could answer it for me."
"Go ahead," Li Shimin said expressionlessly, and he even felt like laughing.
Wasn't the incident of the Boling Cui family enough to wake up these noble families like the Five Surnames and Seven Clans? Why did they still rush head - on into trouble?
"Princess, we've already seen the sweaters in the court the day before yesterday. Why do you need to show them again?"
Zheng Min also sensed something was wrong, but he still forced himself to speak.
He was from a noble and well - respected family. What could a low - ranking censor do? His salary was even less than the cost of one meal in a high - class restaurant.
He was doing this for the well - being of the common people.
"Because there's new news today. A blouse costs thirty coins, and a pair of narrow - legged trousers costs thirty - five coins. The price will drop further when the production increases. The sweater shop will open in ten days. Everyone can come and buy then," Li Jingyun said.
She was quite satisfied with herself for speaking so clearly and logically.
If it weren't for the previous experiences, she might have had to write a note and peek at it while speaking.
She looked up in the direction of her father and mother, straightened her chest proudly, expecting their praise.
Unexpectedly, there was a round of applause and discussions in the audience.
Zheng Min's face turned red and then pale. He was so ashamed that he had to lower his head deeply.
Wasn't this a huge embarrassment for him?
He had asked in the court the day before whether the princess's sweaters would be too expensive for the common people to afford. He never expected to get an answer so soon.
The princess had set the price at thirty coins. What did this mean?
At this time, a dou of the best rice cost only fifteen coins, and the cheaper ones were even less. Two dou of rice could buy a sweater. The price was quite reasonable.
How dare she set the price like this? Even the high - end clothing shops charged more for a piece of clothing! Wasn't she afraid of losing all her capital?
After the applause died down, Li Shimin looked at his little daughter with admiration in his eyes and said with a smile, "Hongxuan, you've done an excellent job. Your father and mother are very proud of you."
"Princess Chengyang has the well - being of the world in mind. She has a pure heart. Having such a princess is a blessing for our Tang Dynasty and our people," Changsun Wuji followed suit and heaped praises on Li Jingyun without restraint.
"Having Princess Chengyang is truly a blessing for our Tang Dynasty!"
All the officials stood up and saluted in unison.
Even the silent Master Guanghui and Master Xuanzang, who were accompanying them, joined in.
Being praised so openly by so many people, Li Jingyun felt a bit shy. She instinctively wanted to hide in someone's arms, and then she burrowed into the arms of her eldest sister - in - law, Su Rui, who was closest to her.
Su Rui was smiling indulgently and gently stroked the hair on Li Jingyun's forehead.