Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 580 - 578: A Bolt from the Blue

Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "Changle, let’s work together, shall we? Let’s set up a soap workshop, sixty-forty split, how about it? I’ll contribute the secret formula as my share, and you provide the shop and manpower."

Li Lizhi responded enthusiastically, "Sixty for you and forty for me?"

Lin Wanwan said, "Of course, forty for you and sixty for me. My secret formula is the core of the workshop!"

Amidst their debate, Lin Wanwan suddenly felt someone spying from the side. She turned abruptly, only to see Li Shimin, clad in a yellow robe, standing by the screen, having no idea how long he had been listening in on them unnoticed.

Both quickly turned and bowed in respect, and Li Shimin glanced at Lin Wanwan, seeing her kneeling on the ground, head bowed, wearing a bright red and green ruqun, revealing a section of fair skin, making her look exceptionally charming, completely different from the sallow complexion he had seen on her the first time.

Since the first time he had summoned Lin Wanwan, Li Shimin had not seen her again.

Each time Lin Wanwan came to the palace to give a peace pulse to Empress Zhangsun, she walked the route designated for wives of officials entering the palace, naturally, it was impossible to encounter Li Shimin.

But as a king among men, Li Shimin naturally had a phenomenal memory and quickly remembered who the person before him was.

Today, Li Shimin had come because Xiao Chong and the people of Military Equipment Supervision had finally perfected the cannon. After the test firing, its power was astonishing, and he was pleased, so he decided to skip class at Liangyi Palace to share his joy with Zhangsun at Lizheng Hall.

Unexpectedly, he witnessed this mischievous scene from his young daughter, and Li Shimin couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart, smiling as he said, "Rise and be at ease. What are you two discussing?"

Lin Wanwan and Li Lizhi exchanged a furtive glance, and just as the latter was about to speak, Li Shimin interrupted and said, "Let Le’an explain."

Lin Wanwan lowered her gaze and steeled herself to report to Li Shimin the prosperous plan she had just discussed with Li Lizhi.

Li Shimin observed the woman in front of him who had just risen, her face devoid of makeup, yet radiating an indescribable glow. Though her gaze was low, the earlier quick glance was distinctly bold.

Her expression was a beguiling blend of charm and craftiness, making Li Shimin feel an unusual sensation; was this really the Le’an Village Lady he had seen before, looking mature and composed with a complexion pale as wax?

Li Lizhi noticed the slight awe in Li Shimin’s eyes and felt a mild sinking in her heart.

She was on good terms with Lin Wanwan, and that day at the spring banquet hosted by her elder sister, Princess Xiangcheng, she was also present, and after asking her family’s elder sister, she naturally knew about Lin Wanwan and Xiao Chong’s affair. Yet she couldn’t understand why the Xiao Family hadn’t proposed or sent gifts to Lin Wanwan even after more than half a month.

The situation between Lin Wanwan and Xiao Chong, unbeknownst to others, remained inscrutable.

For Xiao Chong’s father, the delay in proposing was a relief for Xiao Kai. He was originally unwilling, but with only one son left, didn’t want to harm the father-son relationship, reluctantly agreed, thus the matter was shelved.

A man like Li Shimin, who relished control over everything, viewed women as mere adornments in life. Empress Zhangsun received his respect, while various concubines were showered with his affection.

Now that he had formed an idea, he naturally voiced his intention to elevate Lin Wanwan into the palace without hesitation.

Historically, Wu Zhaao and Li Shimin’s concubine Xu Hui were brought into the palace by Li Shimin after a decree due to their renowned beauty.

Such matters were trivial for Li Shimin; did he need any reason to elevate a woman? For Wu Zhaao and Xu Hui, being chosen was considered a blessing.

But for Lin Wanwan, it was equivalent to a bolt from the blue!

Lin Wanwan stared at Li Shimin, completely forgetting the palace rule against direct eye contact, as Empress Zhangsun also approached, smiling as she said, "This child, why so stunned? His Majesty commends your exceptional talent and virtue, intends to bring you into the palace, and elevate you to a Standard Fourth Rank Beauty. Aren’t you going to quickly express your gratitude?"

Lin Wanwan reacted, her face turning pale.

Damn it! Li Er, this bastard! Saying he’ll take a concubine right in front of his wife, expecting people to gratefully thank him! 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Thank you, my foot! She offered his daughter a prosperous plan for mutual benefit, and this was how he repaid her!

Lin Wanwan felt a surge of anger gathering in her heart, seemingly ready to explode the next moment, but she glimpsed Li Lizhi’s worried look and suddenly realized she couldn’t confront him forcefully. She must soften her stance, soften her stance!

She lowered her head, softly exhaled the air from her chest, then without further hesitation, solemnly bowed and said, "This humble servant-girl is dull and incapable, unfit for such an important role, unworthy to serve at His Majesty’s side, and humbly begs His Majesty’s forgiveness."

She couldn’t cite any other reason. Claiming to wait beside her unwed husband was useless because Great Tang encouraged widows to remarry, especially her supposed "widowed waiting brides."

Bringing Xiao Chong into the conversation as a shield wasn’t an option either. Despite having already declined Xiao Chong, even if she hadn’t, and had privately pledged her life to him, she couldn’t drag him into trouble under these circumstances.

Under imperial power, what argument holds ground?

Back when Wu Zetian aimed to eliminate barriers to her ascension to the throne, even the beloved Taiping Princess was disposable. She killed Taiping’s beloved Xue Shao and ordered the execution of Wu Youji’s wife, forming a political marriage between Taiping and Wu Youji to pave the way for her grand ambitions.

For the Empress, women without power or influence were mere ants.

And that was an empress; the person before her was a male emperor.

But Lin Wanwan trapped in the palace as Li Shimin’s minor concubine was absolutely impossible; she’d rather "die" in Great Tang and stealthily return to modern times, never appearing openly again than compromise.

Some matters can be relented, others can’t under any circumstances.

But if she acted thus, Qingyu and the people of Lin Family Manor might...

She could only hope Li Shimin wasn’t so unaware. After all, he was among the great emperors of ancient times.

The information Lin Wanwan had accessed indicated that even in Great Tang, the empire needed to govern by law, the Emperor couldn’t casually exterminate clans as he wished.

Li Shimin seemed unprepared to face opposition to his decree, his expression swiftly changing from surprise to gloom.

He said nothing, and the air inside the palace became stiflingly oppressive.

Throughout his life, there was never a woman he desired that he couldn’t have. He’d heard too many "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace," seen too much elation.

For Lin Wanwan’s lack of appreciation, he felt furious.

As a revered emperor, how could any woman dare refuse him?

At that moment, Li Shimin coldly said, "Le’an outstepped by wearing princess garments, violating palace rules. Hand her over to Guanyin Maid for punishment."

He finished, flung his sleeves, and left.

Lin Wanwan glanced down at her own attire, it was just dirty from play with Li Lizhi earlier, the latter had taken her to the palace to change.

Always retaining a modern mindset, Lin Wanwan never perceived herself as inferior to Li Lizhi.

Li Lizhi, naive and romantic, needn’t learn many palace rules, naturally hadn’t considered so much. The well-developed maiden Li Lizhi, though young, had a build similar to Lin Wanwan’s, thus the attire was also quite fitting.

She offered her the clothes, and she naturally changed into them, unexpectedly becoming Li Shimin’s excuse for reprimanding her.

Empress Zhangsun observed Lin Wanwan, slumped to the ground, yet still wearing stubborn defiance on her face, and sighed, "Wanwan, why are you doing this?"

Lin Wanwan lowered her head, not wanting to explain anything. The more explanations, the worse it gets, and silence would serve her best. She gambled on Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun’s capacity to tolerate others!

Li Lizhi’s face underwent several changes, quietly withdrew from the hall, darted back to her palace, and scribbled a note instructing her trusted palace maid by her side, "Find a way to deliver it to Duke Song Mansion’s Xiao Mingfu."