Chapter 24: Li Shen Wishes to Leave the Palace

It is now the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, and Li Shen has just turned eight. He is still eight years away from coming of age. Historically, Li Shen was supposed to be sent to govern Xiangzhou this year, but Li Shimin has not mentioned it at all. Li Shen dares not ask either. He feels the hope is slim, which would mean spending another six years trapped in the palace. That would surely drive him mad. He has to find a way; even if he cannot be sent to his fief, he must at least move out of the palace.

While he was lost in thought, a maid came to inform him that Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun had arrived and wanted to see him immediately. Li Shen went to the front hall and saw Empress Zhangsun holding Noble Consort Wei’s hand, speaking warmly, while Li Shimin sat in the seat of honor, sipping tea. Li Shen stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Father, Mother."

"Oh, Shen'er is here! Mother came today specifically to thank you. I really owe you, Shen'er. Without you, I might not be here today." Seeing Li Shen, the Empress pulled him close, beaming with joy. Perhaps because he had saved her life, Empress Zhangsun now genuinely doted on him, finding him perfect in every way.

"Your Majesty, please do not be so formal," Noble Consort Wei said politely. "Saving you was simply his duty as a son. Besides, you are blessed by heaven and would have overcome the danger regardless of Shen'er."

"Noble Consort Wei, let us drop the titles. From now on, let us address each other as sisters. My health is poor, and I need your help with the heavy burdens of the inner palace. Let us share the load for Erlang’s sake. Isn't that right, Erlang?" The Empress turned to look at Li Shimin.

"Whatever you decide, Guanyinbi, is fine by me," Li Shimin replied, tacitly agreeing.

Ever since they learned it was Noble Consort Wei who sent Li Shen to save the Empress, both of them had developed a high regard for her character. They recognized her broad-mindedness and kindness, and Li Shimin’s attitude toward this long-legged beauty had improved significantly.

"Thank you, Sister, for your kindness," the Noble Consort replied. Although she was older than the Empress, the latter was the wife while she was a concubine, and concubines had little status in ancient times. It was said that in some dynasties, concubines were treated as gifts or used to entertain guests. To be so honored and granted a share of power made her genuinely happy; after all, what woman in the inner palace did not crave influence?

"Li Shen, where did you get that medicine? Don't tell me it came from another ancient book," Li Shimin asked, turning to his son.

Li Shen scratched his head awkwardly. "Father, would you believe me if I said it really was an ancient book?"

Li Shimin stared at him, speechless.

"Do you take me for a fool? The Imperial Medical Bureau has requested some of the medicine and wants you to teach them its properties. They believe it is a miraculous cure that could save countless lives and wish for you to contribute it to the state."

Li Shen found this amusing. What were these people thinking? He was no saint or savior; such a treasure must remain in his own hands, as he was counting on it to make money. He knew without asking that it was the doctors from the aristocratic clans who had proposed this. They were like parasites, constantly draining the country and the common people.

"Father, this medicine requires a complex, multi-stage process. It takes half a month to produce a single person's dose, and it does not store well. If it expires, it must be destroyed and remade. The production costs are astronomical. The money you rewarded me with, along with the earnings from the Embroidery Bureau, were all poured into the manufacturing, and I only managed to produce ten doses."

"Seven were used for experiments, and one was used for Mother. I have only two left now, kept for emergencies. While production continues, the costs are indeed high. I plan to stop once I reach ten doses. Such expensive medicine is far beyond the reach of ordinary people. Would the imperial doctors be willing to come out and treat the commoners themselves?

"This is not a panacea; it cannot cure every illness, and some people have severe allergic reactions to it. If used improperly, it could be fatal. Therefore, Father, I believe it is best to wait until we can improve the production methods before discussing this further," Li Shen said, blending truth with deception.

"Oh? How much does one dose cost in terms of money and grain?" Li Shimin asked.

"Father, the production process is not guaranteed to succeed. For every twenty samples, only one might turn out well. Then it requires purification—fifty successful samples are needed to produce one dose. That means one thousand samples must be produced to yield a single dose. And that is in the best-case scenario. If it goes poorly, those thousand samples are wasted. So, each dose costs at least a hundred strings of cash." Li Shen bluffed. He didn't care about the details; the point was it was expensive and couldn't be handed over.

"A hundred strings of cash? That is indeed unaffordable for the common people. Let it be, then," Li Shimin said with disappointment.

"Do not worry, Father. I am working hard to improve the process. There will surely come a day when ordinary people can afford it," Li Shen promised.

"Shen'er, your father has rewarded you, but I have not. What would you like? Tell Mother, and I shall grant it to you," Empress Zhangsun asked.

"Mother, I wish to leave the palace. I have never been outside since I was born." Li Shen had already considered his plan for revenge; he needed to be outside the palace to act effectively.

"Absolutely not. You are still too young. Wait a few more years," Li Shimin refused flatly.

"Father, how can I improve the medicine if I cannot leave the palace to source materials? I am doing this for the sake of the world!" Li Shen argued.

"What 'sake of the world'? You can have the purchasing manager handle the materials," Li Shimin remained unmoved.

"Then when can I leave the palace?" Li Shen asked.

"When you come of age," Li Shimin replied.

"You can't be serious! That’s another six years. I might as well just go to my fief," Li Shen muttered.

Seeing his crestfallen look, Li Shimin relented. "Very well. I will allow you to leave the palace twice a month with your guards, provided you return by dusk."

"Thank you, Father!" Li Shen said happily.

"Father, there is one more thing. I shouldn't say it, but it concerns Mother's health, and I must speak," Li Shen said, looking conflicted.

"Go on, let me hear it," Li Shimin said.

"Father, although Mother has recovered, she has just survived a major illness, and her vitality cannot be restored by medicine alone. She must maintain light exercise to strengthen her body. Most importantly, Mother has already borne you seven children. Childbirth is the greatest drain on a woman's vitality. I implore you to cherish Mother and not allow her to conceive again. Otherwise, it may cost her her life," Li Shen said bluntly.

Li Shimin was embarrassed by the remark, and Empress Zhangsun blushed. Noble Consort Wei was stunned—how could such a young child be so bold as to speak openly about matters between husband and wife?

"Ahem, rest assured, I will take note of that," Li Shimin coughed awkwardly.

After chatting for a while longer, Li Shimin and the Empress departed, leaving Li Shen to prepare for his trip outside the palace the following day.

The next day, Li Shen set out with his maids, Lanyuer, Dongmei, and Chunxiang, along with the eunuch Shitou and two guards assigned by Li Shimin. He had no specific plan other than to look around. He had been a transmigrator for two years and had yet to see the legendary, prosperous Chang'an City of the Zhenguan era.

He could hardly contain his excitement. Before leaving, he had done his research: the most bustling places in Chang'an were the East and West Markets. The East Market was the district for the nobility, filled with luxury goods and high-end merchandise, while the West Market was for commoners and foreign merchants traveling the Silk Road.

Li Shen’s destination today was the East Market. Little Shitou had already gathered information: the Cui family’s primary businesses were salt, tea, liquor, silk, and porcelain. Li Shen wanted to inspect the Cui family’s tavern. Salt was strictly regulated and could not be sold freely, he hadn't yet experimented with the tea leaves he knew how to stir-fry, and he had no source for silk. Only liquor was available, and it was said to be one of the Cui family’s main sources of income.

Li Shen wanted to see what their liquor was like; to win a hundred battles, one must know the enemy. The East Market was not far from the palace and was where the high officials resided, so it had the best security in Chang'an. As he walked, he saw a crowd gathered ahead, with faint sounds of arguing. Curious that someone would dare to cause trouble in the East Market—given the powerful backing one would need—he had his guards part the crowd so he could see.

On the ground lay five or six men in ordinary clothing. Nearby, a man stood confronting five or six others dressed in the uniforms of the Jinwu Guards, their swords already drawn. The man was tall—Li Shen estimated over two meters—and powerfully built. He had a square face, large ears, a straight nose, and bright red lips. Li Shen was intrigued; who was this man daring to stand up to the Jinwu Guards? Looking at his attire, he did not appear to be from a wealthy family.