The gift is ready: a down jacket.

The desk and chair gifted to Li Shimin were delivered to the Hall of Governance together with several feather-stuffed garments, arriving precisely in the afternoon. As a large group of craftsmen carried the golden dragon-carved seat and the matching but even more exquisitely carved desk into the courtyard, everyone except Li Zhi was instantly astonished.

Li Zhi, full of excitement, pulled the hand of Empress Changsun and eagerly explained the benefits of this desk and chair to her, his small mouth chattering incessantly. The empress, listening intently, kept caressing the surface of the desk as he spoke.

After some time, Empress Changsun finally regained her composure and instructed her attendant eunuch, Lai Xing, “Go quickly and inform His Majesty that the gift Zhinu has prepared for him is complete.” Lai Xing accepted the command and departed. Li Zhi then took a feather-stuffed garment from the hands of a skilled craftsman and placed it into the empress’s hands.

Just as Empress Changsun looked at it in confusion, Li Zhi explained, “Mother, with this, you won’t have to suffer from the cold this winter.” The empress, still puzzled, felt the garment in her hands and noticed its surprising lightness. She unfolded it and draped it over her shoulders; soon, warmth surged through her body.

As she removed the garment, amazed, she asked Li Zhi, “What precious material is this made from? How can it be so light and warm?” Li Zhi shook his head and replied, “Mother, the material isn’t precious at all. It’s simply silk stuffed with some duck down.” The empress, incredulous, asked, “Just duck down? It’s that effective? Isn’t it much more comfortable than wearing heavy furs?” Li Zhi responded, “Father and Mother have always advocated frugality. This keeps you warm, is inexpensive, and perfectly fulfills your wishes.”

The empress, deeply moved, scooped Li Zhi up into her arms and asked affectionately, “Tell me, how did you come up with this?” Li Zhi answered, “I discovered it while playing with the chickens and ducks you keep, Mother.” His words startled the empress.

Indeed, to set an example of thrift for the entire harem, she had raised chickens, ducks, geese, and silkworms in the palace. Yet she had never noticed the insulating properties of duck down.

She was stunned that Li Zhi not only discovered this but thought to turn it into clothing.

Just as Empress Changsun was about to inquire further, Li Shimin arrived at the Hall of Governance, accompanied by Zhang Anan and Lai Xing. When he saw the desk and chair set in the center of the courtyard, his eyes immediately lit up, and he strode quickly over.

Li Zhi seized the moment, wriggled free from the empress’s embrace, and led Li Shimin to the dragon seat. As Li Shimin sat down, he immediately sensed something different about this chair. Besides the softness of the seat, backrest, and armrests, what pleased him most was how naturally his feet touched the ground. He felt completely relaxed, the awkward stiffness he usually experienced vanished.

After Li Zhi explained the function of the desk, Li Shimin happily lifted him up, planted a firm kiss on his cheek, and said, “Zhinu, your gift pleases your father greatly. Clearly, you’ve put your heart into it this time.”

Zhang Anan, standing nearby, interjected at just the right moment, “Your Majesty, you may not know that His Highness the Prince of Jin has many other wondrous ideas yet to be realized.” Li Shimin’s interest was piqued. He turned to Zhang Anan, “What other marvels has my son imagined? Tell me quickly.” Seeing Li Zhi had no objection, Zhang Anan proceeded to describe the other furniture designs Li Zhi had conceived.

Before Li Shimin could express his astonishment, Empress Changsun handed him the feather-stuffed garment. She said, “This was also made at Zhinu’s request. It’s light, warm, and inexpensive.” Li Shimin examined the garment curiously, felt its texture, and asked, “What is it stuffed with? It feels much like the seat I’m sitting on.” Li Zhi replied, “Both are filled with duck down.”

Li Shimin, hearing this, asked, “Does duck down really keep you warm?”

Li Zhi nodded, “Of course. In winter, holding them is so cozy!” His words were spoken without much thought, but Li Shimin and Empress Changsun, along with the others present, were struck by surprise. After all, Li Zhi was barely over a year old that winter, and what he said revealed that he had already begun thinking independently at such a young age. Clearly, his talent was even greater than previously displayed.

Before everyone could fully react, Zhang Anan joyfully knelt down and exclaimed, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. The Prince of Jin is blessed with extraordinary talent, no less than Gan Luo or Cao Chong.” The others, realizing the significance, promptly knelt to offer their congratulations to Li Shimin.

Li Zhi, nestled in his father’s arms, secretly glanced at Zhang Anan, thinking: This Chief Zhang seems like a good person. I should find more opportunities to get close to him.

Li Shimin, delighted by the praise, could not contain his happiness. He fondly gazed at Li Zhi and said to Zhang Anan, “Transmit my decree: Let the Directorate of Works try making a batch of winter garments according to the Prince of Jin’s method and distribute them to the frontier soldiers. If they prove effective, then the soldiers of our Great Tang will truly be blessed!” Zhang Anan immediately rose and prepared to depart.

Li Zhi called out, “Chief Zhang, wait. The Imperial Treasury also has designs for shoes and hats. You might want to collect those before visiting the Directorate of Works.” Li Shimin, hearing this, exclaimed with joy, “Excellent! I never imagined my son’s plans would be so thorough. You shall be richly rewarded!”

Li Zhi did not know what reward his father might bestow, but he was nonetheless overjoyed and thanked Li Shimin sincerely. He had no inkling that the reward Li Shimin was about to grant him would not only incite Li Tai’s jealousy but also cause some ministers at court to feel a pang of concern.