Chapter 32 Modern Parenting
After confirming that Li Shimin, due to his inner turmoil and spite, would not easily set foot in Qixia Garden in the short term, Wang Yi activated the mysterious return mechanism again in the dead of night. Without disturbing anyone, and without leaving any abnormal energy fluctuations, her consciousness and existence quietly withdrew from the late autumn of the fourth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty back to the modern era.
The air in the modern city carried a familiar, slightly smoky smell, yet it gave her a strange sense of relaxation. Her first stop was that top-tier private hospital for a comprehensive and meticulous assessment of her postpartum recovery and fertility.
In the VIP consultation room, a renowned gynecologist in a white coat looked at a stack of test reports in her hand, adjusted her glasses, and said with a hint of surprise and certainty, "Ms. Wang, your body has recovered exceptionally well, it can only be described as... beyond perfect. Your previous pregnancy and childbirth have left no adverse effects, and your uterine environment, ovarian function, and hormone levels are all in excellent condition. From a medical perspective, you are fully capable of having a healthy pregnancy and childbirth again."
Wang Yi took the report, her gaze sweeping over the complex numbers and charts, a calm feeling settling over her. This was within her expectations. In the Tang Dynasty, she had the best environment for postpartum care (nominally quiet rest, but in reality, top-notch care), coupled with her advanced health knowledge and recovery methods, her body was already in excellent condition. The modern, sophisticated testing simply gave her a definite, scientific reassurance.
"Thank you, doctor," she said politely, carefully putting away the report.
After leaving the hospital, Wang Yi went home to get the necessary documents to register her daughter's household registration.
When registering her daughter's household registration, Wang Yi remained unfazed by the blank space in the "father" section and the staff's formulaic yet subtly inquisitive gaze. When asked about her child's name, she answered almost without hesitation, clearly stating:
"Li Lizhi".
When the staff entered the name into the system, they probably just thought it was a rather elegant, slightly classical-sounding girl's name. But Wang Yi knew in her heart what this name carried.
Li Lizhi. Historically, she was the eldest daughter of Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, one of Emperor Taizong's most beloved princesses, a true golden branch and jade leaf. Her name "Lizhi" signifies her beautiful appearance and virtuous character. Historical records state that she was "intelligent and graceful, deeply loved by Emperor Taizong."
Wang Yi's choice of this name for his daughter was not an act of usurpation or fantasy. Rather, it was an extremely complex expression of emotional attachment and... a hidden provocation?
She could never allow the father and daughter to meet again, no matter in any time or space, but she could give her daughter the same name as the daughter he cherished most in history. It was like a code known only to her, an invisible bond connecting two times and two fathers' loves. Whenever she called out "Lizhi," she seemed to feel the deep affection the emperor poured into his beloved daughter in that distant time and space, and it was as if she was being reminded of the glorious era and extraordinary figures from which the other half of this child's bloodline originated.
At the same time, this is also a silent declaration: even without your recognition or bestowal of a name, Li Shimin, my daughter can still have the most noble and beautiful meaning, and will still grow up peacefully in the world I have created for her.
"Little Lizhi, from today onwards, this will be your name." Wang Yi held her exquisitely beautiful daughter in her swaddling clothes, gazing into her eyes that inherited Li Shimin's phoenix-shaped features yet possessed her own cool and aloof charm. She whispered, "Your name comes from a very, very far place, from a... truly remarkable father. Although you may never meet him, your mother will let you know what an excellent bloodline you come from. And your future will be paved by your mother, freer and broader than any princess's."
Xiao Lizhi seemed to understand, and with a soft "ee-yah," she revealed a toothless smile.
Wang Yi smiled too, a smile that held a mother's tenderness, but also a confident assurance of control. The turmoil of the Tang Dynasty had temporarily subsided, and the challenges of modern life were just beginning. But wherever she was, she believed she could handle everything. Her body was ready to embrace new possibilities (another child?), her daughter had a legal identity and name, and as for the worldly criticisms and family estrangement… to her, they were nothing more than background noise.
What she needs to consider now is when and how to "return" to the Tang Dynasty. After all, there's still an unfinished psychological game there, an emperor awaiting her "response," and... much more of the "excitement" and "resources" of that magnificent era waiting for her. With a healthy body and modern preparations, her next "time travel" plan might be bolder and more focused. The story of the Zhenguan era's golden age is far from over for her.
Therefore, when the modern family storm was stirred up because of her having a child out of wedlock, Wang Yi felt only a cold disgust and disdain. Her parents' traditional accusations and family gossip were utterly insignificant compared to the betrayals, schemes, and life-or-death threats she had personally experienced. She was no longer the girl who needed family approval or feared worldly judgment. Her confidence stemmed from the billions she had built with her own hands, and even more so from the ultimate secret that allowed her to travel through time and acquire "legendary genes" at any time.
She decisively cut ties, moved into an absolutely private and safe residence, and built high walls with money and the law to completely isolate herself from the noise of irrelevant people.
The name "Li Lizhi" is not only a beautiful meaning, but also a hidden mark, a symbol that only she understands, connecting that great era with the best genetic source. She even thought with a hint of cold mockery: if Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty knew that he had a daughter who had been lost for a thousand years and inherited his best bloodline, named "Lizhi," what would he think?
Holding Xiao Lizhi in his arms, looking into her phoenix eyes that resembled those of Li Shimin, Wang Yi's gaze was firm and full of strength.
“My darling, the blood of the strongest in the seventh century flows in your veins. And your mother will build you a future kingdom that is freer and more powerful than any Tang Dynasty princess. Those schemes, those conflicts, those so-called families... none of them deserve to be a burden to you.”
In the blink of an eye, Wang Yi has been back in the modern world for almost a year.
The fingerprint lock emitted a soft "beep," and the heavy bulletproof door slid open silently. Wang Yi stepped into a penthouse apartment, nearly a thousand square meters high, nestled in the city's clouds. There wasn't a sound to be heard; a constant temperature and humidity system maintained the most comfortable environment, and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the dazzling yet distant city skyline. This was her absolute domain, a secure fortress built with money and cutting-edge technology.
She completely shielded herself from the family storm within this fortress. Her father's missed calls, his angry and disappointed messages, the flickering, dubious "concern" and veiled insults in the family group chat—she simply glanced at them expressionlessly, then switched them to "Do Not Disturb." She hired the best legal team and prepared a comprehensive trust and asset segregation plan in advance, ensuring that even in the worst-case scenario (such as her own unexpected death in the Tang Dynasty), the assets under her daughter Xiaoli's name would grow safely and independently, never flowing back into that disgusting "family" black hole.
The nanny and childcare team are professionals who have undergone rigorous background checks and psychological evaluations, and have signed exorbitant confidentiality agreements. They are only responsible for taking care of Xiaoli's daily life and early education, and never ask a single question about the woman's background, the child's father, or her occasional "long periods of seclusion."
Under the care of a professional team, Xiao Lizhi grew up healthy and intelligent. Her eyebrows and eyes increasingly resembled Li Shimin's features, especially when she focused on looking at people; that natural, distant, yet sharp insight sometimes made Wang Yi momentarily lose his senses.
She hired the best early childhood education experts for her daughter. The courses weren't just play; they integrated multilingual learning, logical thinking training, and even basic financial concepts. She wasn't raising a pampered little princess, but a qualified successor who could take over and even expand her business empire. Li Lizhi—the name carries not only a hidden historical connection, but also a heavy expectation and a ruthless plan.
Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, gazing at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face, Wang Yi would feel a complex mix of emotions. This child was the most direct yet fragile link between her and the man who stood at the pinnacle of power a thousand years ago. She had given her the best genes (in her opinion), and she would give her the most abundant resources and the most rigorous training. But that ordinary, familial warmth… Wang Yi wasn't sure if she could give it, or if she was even willing to give too much. Emotions were her weakness, something she had learned to shield herself from first as she struggled to survive in this world.
He had spent enough time with his daughter, and if he stayed any longer, he was afraid he would miss the Tang Dynasty. Although he loved his daughter, he wouldn't only have one. According to the advice of parenting experts, if you want to have more children, the age gap between them should not be too big. It is best to have the second child before the first child has the ability to think independently, so that the child will be born into an environment with siblings and will not have a big reaction.
Wang Yi placed the medical report she received from the top private hospital on the huge black walnut table in her study. She reviewed it word by word, as if examining a crucial business due diligence report.
"Excellent ovarian reserve, AMH level in the top 10% of her age group..."
"The uterine environment is free of any adhesions or abnormalities, and the endometrial thickness and morphology are perfect..."
"All six hormone levels are balanced, with no signs of polycystic ovary syndrome or other endocrine disorders..."
"Overall physical function assessment: Equivalent to the level of a healthy 30-year-old woman..."
The technical jargon and data in the report were crystal clear to her. With meticulous care at the Tang Dynasty (despite the risks), and confirmation from top-tier modern medicine, her body, this "precision instrument," was ready to perform its "core mission" once again.
She rang the bell to summon her personal health manager, a serious-looking but undeniably professional middle-aged woman.
"Based on this report, develop a three-month intensive conditioning plan." Wang Yi's voice was calm, leaving no room for negotiation. "The goal is to push the body to its theoretical peak for this age, with a focus on enhancing the success rate of conception and the ability to cope during pregnancy. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental well-being will all be managed quantitatively. I need to see detailed weekly data comparisons."
"Yes, Mr. Wang." The health manager accepted the copy of the report without any objection.
Her body was her asset, the foundation for carrying out subsequent plans. She had to ensure that this "instrument" was in perfect condition before the next "time travel mission."
In the study, besides business documents, there was a huge corkboard. Nailed to it weren't stock charts or merger timelines, but rather a jumble of seemingly disorganized information:
This is a timeline of events during the Zhenguan era, excerpted from the Old Book of Tang, the New Book of Tang, and the Zizhi Tongjian.
She drew a simplified version of the Tang Dynasty Chang'an Palace map from memory, highlighting the relative locations of Qixia Garden, Liangyi Hall, Lizheng Hall, and Da'an Palace, as well as possible weak points in the defenses (based on historical records and her observations and speculations).
Several relationship diagrams filled with psychological terms and arrows, with "Li Shimin" at the center, radiating outwards keywords such as "Li Yuan's curse," "ethical pressure," "admiration for the strong," "sense of defeat," "testing with resentment," and "potential guilt." Next to them are key points of coping strategies marked in small print, such as "using stillness to control movement," "releasing subtle signals at the right time," and "guiding them to persuade themselves."
A separate list outlines the items she plans to secretly bring or manage to smuggle into the Tang Dynasty when she plans to "return" next time: highly effective antibiotics (disguised as elixirs), high-energy concentrated nutrients (disguised as overseas secret medicines), encrypted memos of several key historical events (miniature storage devices, physically isolated), and... a state-of-the-art, high-precision ovulation monitor (a completely secure way to hide and use it must be found).
Wang Yi stood before the corkboard, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the name "Li Shimin." She knew that the other person was currently trapped in a psychological impasse they were destined to experience—cowardly because of Li Yuan's curse, and frustrated and resentful because of her "calmness." This state, seemingly distant, was actually sensitive, like a taut bowstring.
“Timing…” she murmured to herself. Going back and giving in too early might not be effective if he was still sulking; giving in too late might be more costly if he was disheartened or distracted by other things. She had to choose a moment when his inner turmoil reached a peak, when his desire to “confirm” her feelings outweighed any other concerns.
She needs to design a scenario and initial stance for her "return." She can't be too proactive, or all her efforts will be wasted, making him feel she's finally "yielding"; nor can she be too passive, or she might miss the window of opportunity. Ideally, she should create a seemingly accidental but actually inevitable encounter, or have some kind of "accident" or "need" that compels him to pay attention to her again, and in this attention, rediscover her value and... that irresistible attraction.
"The body is ready, the target status has been analyzed, and the strategy has been roughly formulated." Wang Yi took a step back, crossed his arms, and examined his "battle plan board." There was no tenderness or affection in his eyes, only the calmness and sharpness of a top strategist.
This "game" spanning millennia has long since shed its romantic veneer, revealing its core pragmatic considerations: acquiring the best genes, ensuring the absolute safety of herself and her offspring, and, where possible, maximizing the use of historical information gaps to gain benefits (whether material or intangible resources). Li Shimin is the most crucial link in her plan, a charming yet extremely dangerous "collaborator" and "gene provider."
She glanced at the countdown on the electronic calendar on the table—it was her estimated time for the next "window of opportunity."
"Soon." She turned off the study light, leaving only the neon lights of the city outside the window illuminating her sharply defined profile. "Li Shimin, we... will meet again soon. This time, I hope you can understand things better. After all, my time and patience are also limited."
Behind her limited patience lies the ultimate confidence that allows her to withdraw at any time and return to the modern world to manage her multi-billion dollar empire. This confidence is the true source of her ability to so calmly scheme against a once-great emperor.
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