The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

Chapter 63 The Aftermath of Salt Production

Lizheng Hall Warm Pavilion.

Empress Zhangsun was combing Xiao Qingyi's hair. The little girl had just returned from Li Chengqian's place and was chattering away about her day—hot cocoa, her brother Prince Wei, the little jade rabbit…

"Auntie," she suddenly asked, "why did Brother Wei Wang and Brother Crown Prince quarrel?"

Empress Zhangsun paused, then said softly, "Because they've grown up and have their own ideas."

"Can't we just talk about it properly?"

"Sometimes, adults aren't as honest as children." Empress Zhangsun hugged her. "Yiyi did very well today. She didn't take sides, didn't interfere, and only wanted what was best for her brothers—that's what a little sister should do."

Xiao Qing leaned against Empress Zhangsun's chest and whispered, "Yiyi actually knows... that Brother Wei seems to dislike how powerful Brother Crown Prince is..."

These words startled Empress Zhangsun. A four-year-old child could see through such things?

"Yiyi," she looked earnestly at the little girl, "don't tell these things to anyone else, okay?"

"Okay." Xiao Qingyi nodded. "I'll only tell Auntie."

Outside the window, the autumn moon is full again.

Empress Zhangsun gazed at the moonlight, her mind filled with countless thoughts. Chengqian's changes, Qingque's probing, the aristocratic families' observations, and this miraculous child... This autumn seemed more complicated than in previous years.

early october

News of the great success of Quanzhou's salt production officially spread throughout the government and the public.

Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) highly praised the method in court and ordered it to be compiled into a book and distributed to all coastal prefectures and counties. At the same time, he reduced the salt tax in Quanzhou by 30% to reward the pilot program.

After the court session, several scions of prominent families gathered at Cui Yan's residence.

"Your Highness's move was brilliant." Wang Zhao toyed with the ancient bronze seal in his hand. "The method of salt production has existed since ancient times, but to improve it to this extent is truly remarkable."

"I heard that the craftsmen from the Eastern Palace experimented dozens of times in Quanzhou." Cui Zhili flipped through the book without looking up. "They adjusted the slope of the salt lake seven or eight times."

"Diligence is a good thing." Cui Yan put down his teacup. "But... have you all ever considered where the Crown Prince's 'ingenious ideas' actually come from?"

Everyone fell silent.

"In my Cui family library, there are no fewer than ten thousand volumes of agricultural and industrial miscellaneous notes," Cui Yan said slowly, "but I have never seen such a systematic method of improvement. It's as if... someone has condensed hundreds of years of experience into a book and directly passed it on."

"Brother Cui means..."

"I didn't mean anything by it," Cui Yan smiled. "I just feel that this Crown Prince might truly have a great opportunity. Our noble families have enjoyed generations of glory not because we are complacent and stagnant, but because we are pragmatic and follow the trend."

He looked out the window: "Pass down the message that the young members of the clan should associate more with the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince truly possesses extraordinary talent, the Cui clan is willing to serve as pillars of the nation."

These words represent the attitude of at least a portion of the five surnames and seven noble families.

When the news reached the Prince of Wei's residence, Li Tai stood by the window, remaining silent for a long time.

The advisor whispered, "Your Highness, what about the Cui family..."

"Understood." Li Tai waved his hand.

He walked to his desk, spread out the paper, and tried to write something, but couldn't put pen to paper for a long time. Finally, he took out the little jade rabbit from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

The jade rabbit glowed with a warm light under the candlelight.

He recalled the child's clear eyes in the rain that day, and the words, "Brother King Wei is a good person."

Perhaps... he really should change his path.

Friday afternoon, Sunflower Kindergarten.

Little Qingyi, carrying her little schoolbag and holding her mother's hand, exclaimed with bright, sparkling eyes, "Mommy, look! That's Qingyi's drawing!"

The kindergarten corridor was covered with children's drawings. Xiao Qingyi's drawing was in the middle—she drew three little people with crayons, one wearing a yellow dress (Sister Lizhi), one wearing a green dress (Sister Sizi), and one wearing a blue dress, with the word "Yiyi" written crookedly next to her.

"It's beautifully drawn." Ye Yi'er squatted down. "Yiyi drew all the Tang Dynasty ladies?"

"Yes!" Xiao Qingyi nodded vigorously. "Yiyi promised to tell the older girls stories from kindergarten, and to draw their stories for the other children!"

She pointed to the words on the painting: "These are the new words Yiyi learned! Teacher Zhang taught them!"

Looking at her daughter's excited little face, Ye Yi'er felt a surge of tenderness in her heart. For the past month, Yi Yi had truly been trying to adapt to kindergarten and balance her two worlds.

"Mommy," Qingyi whispered, "Yiyi wants to bring Rabbit to kindergarten next week...is that okay?"

"Of course." Ye Yier patted her head. "Rabbit will stay with Yiyi."

On the way home, Xiao Qingyi hugged the jade rabbit paperweight and whispered, "Rabbit, Yiyi is very happy today. Brother Wei Wang doesn't seem to be frowning anymore, Brother Crown Prince's salt was a success, and Yiyi's painting has been pasted on the wall..."

She fell asleep while she was talking.

Looking at her sleeping daughter's face in the rearview mirror, Ye Yier whispered to her husband, "Li Qi, our daughter... is truly remarkable."

"Yes," Li Qi smiled.

Outside the car window, the autumn sun was shining brightly.

In another time and space, in the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian received a reply from the modern era.

At the end of the letter, Li Qi wrote:

"...Knowledge is like light, shining where it should shine; benevolence is like a spring, nourishing where it should nourish. Your Highness, by using it wisely, you are best protecting Yiyi and both eras."

"Furthermore, Yi Yi has gradually adapted to school, and her paintings have been praised by her teachers. She always says that she wants to share everything she has learned and painted with Your Highness."

Though we are far apart, our hearts are connected. Take care.

Li Chengqian put down the letter and looked out the window.

The autumn sky was clear and cloudless.

He recalled Yiyi's words that day: "Brother Crown Prince, Yiyi has two homes, one here and one in the Tang Dynasty. Yiyi loves them both."

Perhaps, this is fate.