Lantern Festival
As dusk fell on the Lantern Festival, Wu Zetian personally helped Princess Taiping with her makeup.
She dressed her daughter in a crimson brocade jacket with gold embroidery, specially made by the Imperial Clothing Bureau. The collar was adorned with over a hundred round pearls from the East China Sea, which gleamed warmly in the candlelight.
The little princess is already lovely and adorable, and this outfit makes her look even more like a radiant lucky doll.
(OS: If this were posted on Weibo, #TheMostBeautifulPrincessofTangDynasty# would definitely be trending!)
Li Zhi stood aside, looking at his wife and daughter, his eyes filled with tenderness.
He reached out and smoothed the stray hairs from Taiping's forehead, smiling as he said, "Our Taiping is sure to be the most dazzling young lady in Chang'an today."
The three princes had been waiting outside the palace for a long time.
Li Hong meticulously inspected the workmanship of each lantern to ensure there were no safety hazards.
Li Xian clutched the newly acquired lantern tightly, which was painted with his favorite image of warhorses.
Li Xian chased after the palace maids, asking for sugar paintings, his lips still stained with sugar.
Taiping squirmed excitedly in her mother's arms, her little hand pointing directly at the dazzling lights that were gradually coming on outside the window.
"Taiping wants to see the lanterns?" Li Zhi smiled and took his daughter, letting her ride on his shoulders.
The little princess immediately burst into silvery laughter, her short legs swinging merrily against his chest, the little bells on her pearl-embroidered shoes jingling.
When the imperial carriage arrived outside Chengtian Gate, it saw ten thousand lanterns like a galaxy pouring down, illuminating the entire city of Chang'an as bright as day.
Taiping opened her eyes, which were so similar to those of Wu Zetian, and her small mouth opened into a circle. Suddenly she said clearly, "Bright...so bright..." Her childish voice was filled with amazement.
Wu Zetian met Li Zhi's gaze with delight: (Thinking to herself: With this talent for language, she'd definitely be a natural-born children's TV presenter in modern times!)
The most eye-catching feature is the specially made revolving lantern of the Grand Canal Administration Office—the lantern depicts scenes of grain transport by canal boats, loading and unloading at the docks, and granaries full, which are repeated in a loop by the heat.
When the light shifted to a scene of "granaries full of grain," Taiping suddenly clapped his hands and shouted, "Full! The people are full!" He then patted his own belly.
The accompanying officials were all amazed.
Di Renjie bowed and said, "Your Highness, at only one year old, you are already concerned about the people's livelihood; this is truly a blessing for the Tang Dynasty."
(OS: This lantern festival is practically a Tang Dynasty version of a political achievement report—it's incredibly effective!)
Upon arriving at the newly completed library, Wu Zetian specially had Princess Taiping touch the newly hung plaque inscribed with "Cultivating Virtue and Respecting Culture".
The little princess looked up at the four gilded characters and suddenly said in a childish voice, "Wen...Ming..." Although her pronunciation was not very standard, it was already enough to surprise everyone.
Li Zhi was overjoyed: "Taiping can read now?"
"It's the result of Her Highness teaching the princess to read every day," the wet nurse explained with a smile. "Her Highness has a photographic memory and already recognizes over a hundred characters."
As midnight approached, fireworks lit up the entire city.
Holding Princess Taiping atop the city wall, watching the dazzling lights illuminate the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian whispered, "Taiping, remember this magnificent sight. In the future, you must ensure that these lights illuminate every corner of the Tang Dynasty."
The little princess seemed to understand, but nodded earnestly.
She reached out her small hand and caught a piece of falling firework debris. The glittering glitter sparkled in her palm, as if it carried the starlight of an entire prosperous era.
——
[Mini-drama: The Crown Prince's Responsibility]
(Notes of a Palace Attendant)
Tonight at the lantern festival, His Highness the Crown Prince displayed a level of responsibility beyond his years.
Outside Chengtian Gate, His Highness stayed close to his father and mother, constantly watching the movements of the crowd.
When the Second Prince was nearly separated from the crowd, His Highness pulled him back to his side in time.
As His Highness passed by the canal lanterns, he carefully observed the canal route depicted on the lanterns and even asked Councilor Di a few professional questions.
His Highness smiled with satisfaction when he heard that the tax revenue from the Grand Canal had increased by 50% year-on-year.
What was most touching was that when passing by a bookstore where poor students gathered, His Highness stopped and presented the most diligent student with the imperial lantern he had acquired.
"May you pass the imperial examination with flying colors," said His Highness the Crown Prince, and the scholar was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
On the way back to the palace, His Highness quietly said to me, "Seeing the people living in peace and prosperity makes me realize the hardships our parents endured in governing the country."
Such benevolence is truly a blessing for the nation.
[Mini-Theater: The Lantern Festival Horror]
(Secret files of the Eastern Palace: His Majesty and the Empress must never know about this)
Tonight's lantern festival was fraught with danger; I was so frightened that my official hat almost fell off!
At first, everything was fine, and His Highness the Crown Prince even patiently explained the story of the lanterns to Princess Taiping.
But when they reached the West Market, the Second Prince suddenly disappeared.
I was sweating profusely with anxiety, but His Highness the Crown Prince remained calm and composed: "Don't panic, he must be going to see the foreign merchants' performance."
Sure enough, they found the Second Prince in front of the juggling stall. He was trying to exchange the jade pendant for a monkey that could do somersaults!
His Highness the Crown Prince immediately put on a stern face: "Li Xian, do you know that this jade pendant is enough to buy an entire monkey opera troupe?"
Even more dangerous was that the Third Prince actually followed the old man selling candy figurines for half a street!
Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince had taken precautions and had his guards protect him secretly.
What I admire most is that, after such a chaotic situation, His Highness the Crown Prince was still able to hold Princess Taiping while consulting with Di Renjie about the canal transport.
The princess, however, watched with great interest, smiling throughout, as if she were enjoying a good show.
(I now understand why His Highness the Crown Prince already has white hair at the young age of ten.)
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