The kiss on the observatory was like an eternal mark, deeply etched in the hearts of the Emperor and Empress.
When they returned to Kunning Palace from that ultimate romance and tenderness, it was already late at night.
Xiao Che had thought that after such a passionate night, the two would fall asleep in each other's arms. However, Lin Wanwan seemed to have been injected with inexhaustible energy, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with an unprecedented, almost excited light.
"Your Majesty, please rest. Your concubine... has a sudden inspiration."
She left with this abrupt and unrelated remark and headed straight for the study, forgetting even to change out of her nightgown.
Xiao Che was somewhat amused and exasperated, but he didn't stop her. He knew that his Empress, with her almost demonic intelligence, was probably brewing something earth-shattering right now. He didn't disturb her, but simply instructed the palace servants to prepare hot tea and snacks, while he himself took a book and waited quietly for her in the bedchamber.
The study in Kunning Palace was brightly lit.
On the huge desk, a sheet of snow-white Xuan paper, as tall as a person, was spread out.
Lin Wanwan held a charcoal pencil, leaning over the paper and sketching rapidly. Her expression was extremely focused, and her eyes, which were usually smiling or aloof, now seemed to be burning with two flames, full of creative passion.
On the observatory, Xiao Che's invitation to "make it the way we all like" and his heartfelt confession of "owning your empire" completely ignited the passion for building a modern soul within her.
She needs to respond to him.
Instead of using the same sweet words, she responded to his supreme trust and love with a concrete, tangible blueprint.
She wanted to bring their shared "home" to life.
At first, she only drew a rough outline of the capital, marking the locations of the palace, several main roads, and the moat. But as her thoughts unfolded, the urban planning concepts of the 21st century surged forth from her mind like a flood bursting its banks.
The development of ancient cities was mostly organic, chaotic, and riddled with bugs. But in the eyes of this former modern-day office worker, these bugs were a vast treasure trove waiting to be optimized!
“The sewage system is fundamental.” She muttered to herself as she drew parallel dotted lines along the main streets with a charcoal pencil, marking the manholes and main sewage outlets at their intersections.
"Only with underground pipe networks can we solve the fundamental problems of sewage overflow and flooding during the rainy season. People's livelihood must start from the ground up."
Then, she shifted her focus and began to carry out sweeping "operations" on the layout of the city.
“The commercial area and the residential area must be separated.” She circled Yong’an Ward and Anle Ward, which Xiao Che had complained about, separated them with thick lines, and wrote next to them: “The commercial area is set up along the main road to facilitate the transportation of goods and the gathering and dispersal of people. The residential area is set up deep inside the ward, providing a quiet place in the midst of the hustle and bustle.”
Following the ideas of later generations, she even reserved a blank area in the center of several densely populated residential areas, marking it as "public green space/activity square." She envisioned that future residents of Beijing would also have a place where they could leisurely stroll after meals and where their children could play.
When she drew the moat surrounding the capital, she remembered what Xiao Che had said about the river being silted up. Instead of simply labeling it "dredging," she drew a wide green belt on both banks of the moat.
“Ring Park.” She wrote these four words on the blueprint. “It can beautify the environment, serve as a buffer zone during floods, and provide citizens with a huge recreational space—a triple benefit!”
Her thinking became increasingly expansive, and the lines she drew became increasingly bold.
She planned four large distribution markets in the four directions of the city (east, west, south, and north), connected them with dotted lines, and marked them as "public transportation (horse-drawn carriage) stations".
"Establishing public carriages on fixed routes would not only facilitate people's travel, but also promote commerce and increase tax revenue... Perfect!"
Time flew by under her pen. When she finished the last stroke, straightened up, and let out a long sigh of relief, the sky outside the window was already turning a pale white.
On the Xuan paper in front of her, a brand new capital city had already sprung up on the paper.
This blueprint wasn't drawn with great detail; in fact, it was somewhat hastily done. But the concept it contained was enough to overturn everyone's understanding of this era. It was no longer a naturally growing, chaotic ancient capital, but the prototype of a modern city with scientific zoning, well-developed infrastructure, and a people-centered approach!
This is a "blueprint" from the future.
When Lin Wanwan returned to her bedchamber with the still-scented blueprint, filled with the excitement of presenting a treasure, she found that Xiao Che was still awake. He was simply leaning against the soft couch, the book slipping from his hands, his head nodding, clearly having fallen asleep while waiting.
Lin Wan felt a warmth in her heart and walked over quietly.
However, the moment she approached, Xiao Che abruptly opened his eyes. The wariness and sharpness flashing in his eyes sent a chill down Lin Wanwan's spine. She then remembered that he was, after all, an emperor who had grown up amidst swords and shadows, and even in his sleep, he maintained a basic level of vigilance.
When he saw that it was her, the sharpness in Xiao Che's eyes instantly faded, turning into gentleness.
"Finished drawing?" He rubbed his eyes, his voice slightly hoarse from just waking up.
"Hmm!" Lin Wanwan slowly unfolded the huge blueprint on the carpet in front of him as if presenting a treasure.
When Xiao Che's gaze fell on the drawing filled with strange lines, symbols, and unfamiliar terms, his initially sleepy expression froze instantly.
He suddenly stood up, not bothering to put on his shoes, and walked barefoot to the carpet. He squatted down and began to examine it carefully.
"This is... the sewage system?" He pointed to the dotted lines that stretched throughout the city, his voice filled with surprise.
"Is this a separation of commercial and residential areas?" He looked at the clearly defined blocks, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.
"Ring Park... Public Transportation..."
He pronounced the unfamiliar words one by one, and with each word he pronounced, the light in his eyes grew brighter.
He may not understand those complex modern terms, but as the supreme ruler of an empire, with his wisdom, he saw at a glance the immense value and revolutionary ideas behind the plan!
He was completely absorbed in it, like a thirsty traveler who had discovered an oasis he had never seen before. This blueprint opened a door to a new world for him, allowing him to see a future he had never imagined, yet desperately longed for.
He finally understood that his scattered, intuitive "complaints" on the observatory last night had been systematized and scientifically transformed into a practical solution by his queen!
After a long, long time, Xiao Che slowly raised his head, his gaze towards Lin Wanwan filled with unprecedented shock and fervor.
He knew that his queen had given him the most precious gift from the future. This gift was more exciting to him than any mountain of gold or sea of silver.
He excitedly grabbed Lin Wanwan's hand, pointing to the blueprint that represented her entire night's hard work, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"Does this picture... have a name?"
He felt that such a blueprint, which was enough to usher in a new era, must have a name worthy of it.
Looking at his entranced expression, Lin Wanwan felt a surge of satisfaction and accomplishment. This was true friendship, this was kindred spirits. He understood her thoughts.
She thought for a moment, picked up the brush on the desk, dipped it in ink, and walked to the corner of the drawing.
She didn't write any grand or imposing name; she simply picked up her pen and slowly wrote three delicate yet powerful characters.
Xiao Che leaned closer to look and read it aloud softly.
"Chang'an Lane..."
He pondered those three words, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.
Lin Wanwan explained with a smile, her voice soft yet full of anticipation for the future:
"It is derived from the idea that 'long-term peace and stability are achieved through benevolence and harmony in the neighborhood.'"
For lasting peace and stability, benevolence is the foundation of a beautiful community.
Xiao Che repeated these eight words over and over, then looked at the groundbreaking blueprint before him and the woman beside him who brought him endless surprises. He felt a surge of pride and joy.
A brand new era belonging to the two of them will begin with this blueprint.
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