"I see," Li Jingyun said. She didn't understand what the warlock meant, but she nodded blankly.
"What a troublesome time," Li Shimin said, taking Empress Zhangsun's hand and helping her up. "Your mother has to go back to take her medicine. You two can go and play."
"Okay!" Li Jingyun and Li Mingda replied in unison.
In the back hall of Taihe Hall, Li Jingyun picked up The Book of Songs. After reading just a couple of pages, she started to play with the Huarong Road puzzle beside her. Li Mingda couldn't help but smile.
Li Mingda had also read The Book of Songs. She only knew the verses were beautiful and easy to read, but she didn't understand their true meaning.
The mechanical voice of the system sounded, "Congratulations, host. You've gained 30 points. Your accumulated points are now 122."
Li Jingyun immediately perked up. She sat up straight suddenly, startling Li Mingda beside her.
"What's wrong, Hongxuan?"
"I...!" Finally, she had saved up enough points! She had reached 100 points!
It was enough to exchange for a life - saving pill for Sister Lizhi!
The words on the tip of Li Jingyun's tongue faded back into her stomach.
The fact that Sister Lizhi had health problems was carefully concealed by her and her father. Even her mother and Sister Lizhi herself were unaware.
She couldn't let this secret slip out now!
With just over 20 more points, she could exchange for the pill to save the baby in Sister Lizhi's belly. Maybe she should exchange for both pills together and then come up with a good reason to get Sister Lizhi to take them?
Her mother had said that a woman's pregnancy lasted ten months. It was only the first month, so there was still plenty of time.
But then again, how could she earn the remaining 20 - plus points?
"What are you thinking about?" Li Mingda was intrigued by the constantly changing expressions on her sister's face.
"Sister Lizhi is pregnant. I'm going to be an aunt. What kind of gift should I prepare for the baby?" Li Jingyun said, relieved that she had thought of a quick answer.
"Of course, you should give something precious, like an agate cup with an animal - head handle, a secret - colored porcelain bowl, or a white jade longevity lock. Sister will be happy with anything we give. You don't need to worry about this," Li Mingda explained patiently to her younger sister.
Although they were the baby's elders, they were still young. As long as the gifts weren't too out of line, it didn't matter. Sister Lizhi was the most magnanimous person and wouldn't care about such details. Li Jingyun listened attentively. She really didn't understand these things.
Meanwhile, an uninvited guest arrived at a luxurious mansion in Fengle Fang.
Zhang Liang was boasting to his two adopted sons. "I have a concubine. A blind fortune - teller came a few days ago and said she would become a princess in the future."
"Coincidentally, I saw Uncle's name in a prophecy book a few days ago! Isn't this a sign from heaven?" one of the adopted sons quickly chimed in.
Li Shi, Zhang Liang's wife who was supposed to be under house arrest, came out of the inner room wearing a more alluring dress and makeup. She was holding a cup of milk tea. After taking a sip, she handed it to Zhang Shenji, an adopted son. "Taste this. It cost me 50 coins a cup. It's so sweet it makes me sick."
"What milk tea could be sweeter than you?" Zhang Liang put his arm around Li Shi and laughed heartily.
He seemed to see the dragon throne beckoning to him. He didn't care that Zhang Shenji was drinking from the same cup Li Shi had just used, nor did he care about the flirtatious looks exchanged among them.
So what if he had a few cuckold hats? It didn't matter. He accepted it calmly.
Great men don't sweat the small stuff. To get these people to be loyal to him, what was one woman? There was nothing to care about.
A servant rushed in. "Duke! Duke! His Majesty has just issued an imperial edict! The imperial messenger, Liu Bei, is here! Hurry and go receive the edict!"
"Why would His Majesty issue an edict so late at night?" Li Shi thought of what Princess Xinxing had whispered in her ear this afternoon. Her heart skipped a beat. "Could it be because of my fight with the eldest daughter - in - law?"
The eldest daughter - in - law was Zhang Fengya. She was the eldest in the Zhang family, so she was called that.
"Don't worry. Your husband has made great military contributions to the Tang Dynasty. I just submitted a memorial to plead for you. His Majesty won't touch you and your daughter for my sake. Go and call Zhang Fengya out. We'll receive the edict together."
Zhang Liang stood up. A maid helped him tidy his clothes, and he strode out to receive the edict. His two adopted sons followed closely behind.
Zhang Fengya, who had already gone to bed, was woken up. She stood in the crowd, looking displeased, planning to go back to sleep as soon as possible.
Liu Bei arrived with a team of Qianniu Guards. He held a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand and said with a smile, "Duke Yun, His Majesty has decreed that Zhang Liang, Duke Yun, has privately raised 500 adopted sons, believed in warlocks, and has intentions of rebellion. He has failed to discipline his family. They have disrespected the elders and offended the Empress and several princesses. For these multiple crimes, the Zhang family will be imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. After the case is clarified, they will be executed in the autumn."
After saying that, Liu Bei waved his hand. The Qianniu Guards rushed in and grabbed the Zhang family members. The others rushed in to search the house. They found not only a pile of weapons and armor but also a dragon robe and a forged imperial seal.
"What are you doing? His Majesty would never treat me like this! Put me down! His Majesty must have been misled by you villains and has ignored his loyal subjects!"
Zhang Liang shouted and struggled after being grabbed. He couldn't accept this outcome at all.
He had fought for Li Shimin on the battlefield for so long. Li Shimin had trusted him so much before. How could he be imprisoned without solid evidence?
Liu Bei smiled. "Zhang Liang, do you really think His Majesty didn't know what you've done? He tolerated you again and again because of your past military contributions. But this time is different. Your wife and daughter offended the Empress. His Majesty is extremely angry. You're being punished for all your crimes."
Zhang Fengya couldn't hold back her tears and cried out, "I haven't married the Crown Prince yet. I can't die. I can't go to prison! Let me go!"
Liu Bei was speechless. The Crown Prince and his princess had been married for several months, and their relationship was stable. Why was this woman still dreaming of marrying the Crown Prince?
She probably didn't know that when the Crown Prince was choosing a wife, she boasted that she could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Her scandalous affairs had spread throughout Chang'an. Everyone among the nobles knew about them.
"Hurry up and take them away," Liu Bei waved his hand. The Qianniu Guards quickly took the whole family away.
Even when they were several feet away, their shouts still echoed in the air, making Liu Bei's head ache.
His Majesty had so many capable generals. More than half of the 24 heroes in Lingyan Pavilion were generals. Why was Zhang Liang so different?
He had done so many outrageous things and still deluded himself into thinking he could hide them from His Majesty?