Receiving an Official Appointment The Empress Falls Ill

Prince Jin, Li Zhi, inherited wisdom and virtue from a young age, possessing both moral integrity and talent. His filial piety was commendable, his intelligence remarkable, and he showed a keen aptitude for understanding the nature of things.

Recently, he devised a new style of winter clothing for the soldiers of the Great Tang, relieving them from the bitter cold of winter—a great fortune for the royal family and a blessing for the nation.

Now, Prince Jin, Li Zhi, is appointed as the Governor of Fu Prefecture, granted authority as Grand Commander, with joint command over Xia, Sheng, North Pacify, North Ning, and North Kai, as well as military affairs in Fu, Fang, Yan, and Dan Prefectures, and bestowed with an estate of ten thousand households.

Because he is still very young, he is permitted to remain in the palace to continue his studies while holding office remotely.

When Zhang Anan loudly read Li Zhi’s latest appointment at the court meeting a few days later, nearly every minister was shocked.

After all, Li Zhi was not yet three years old, yet the privileges he enjoyed were no less than those of the older princes.

Everyone understood clearly that, judging from the current situation, Li Zhi’s importance in Emperor Taizong’s heart was likely no less than that of Prince Yue, Li Tai.

This caused the ministers to feel a wave of anxiety and confusion, uncertain about the Emperor’s true intentions.

At the same time, they all instinctively made the same decision: henceforth, they must pay closer attention to this young prince.

Li Zhi himself learned of the appointment only in the afternoon, recognizing it as the reward his father had promised him.

He was delighted, yet also wondered what else he might do to further solidify his position in Emperor Taizong’s eyes.

He was still very young; due to his limited experience, it was impossible for him to make achievements in fields he had yet to encounter.

Thus, he needed to continually broaden his horizons, for only things he had personally seen could he speak about with authority.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered his earlier instructions to Liu An regarding the establishment of a furniture workshop.

He quickly summoned Liu An and asked, “How is the preparation for the furniture workshop I asked you to set up a few days ago?”

Liu An replied respectfully, “Your Highness, the workshop grounds are ready, and the manager is a renowned carpenter from Zheng Village outside Chang’an, named Zheng De.”

Li Zhi asked, “How is the recruitment of other craftsmen?”

Liu An replied, “Your Highness, there are already about ten carpenters in the workshop. Zheng De’s family alone has four members, father and sons.”

Li Zhi nodded after hearing Liu An’s response. “So, all that remains is for me to provide the designs, and they can begin production?”

Liu An answered, “There are still some shortages of wood, but if Your Highness is eager, production can indeed commence.”

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi turned and took a stack of drawings from a nearby low table.

As he handed the drawings to Liu An, he said, “Each of these is marked with its intended use. Have Zheng De select materials according to purpose, so as to meet the needs of various customers.”

Liu An took the drawings and replied, “I will arrange it at once, and strive to have these pieces appear in Chang’an as soon as possible.”

He was about to leave when Li Zhi suddenly stopped him. “Find people in Chang’an to collect curious objects for me, especially those whose purpose is unclear. I am quite intrigued by such things.”

Liu An was somewhat bewildered by Li Zhi’s request, but recalling the prince’s innovations in furniture and clothing, he understood.

He thought perhaps it was precisely Li Zhi’s curiosity that enabled him to come up with ideas others could not.

After Liu An left, Li Zhi began to feel bored once more.

His daily schedule required only half a day of study; the rest of the time he practiced calligraphy or accompanied Empress Zhangsun, who was once again expecting, as they strolled through the gardens.

Because he couldn’t connect with the other young princes and princesses in the palace, the other children no longer sought him out for play.

Li Zhi did not wish to waste his days, so he began to seriously consider what new knowledge he might pursue.

Just then, a faint cough and wheezing reached his ears. He listened carefully and immediately recognized the sound as coming from Empress Zhangsun’s chamber.

Without another thought, Li Zhi rushed over.

Inside, he found Empress Zhangsun seated in pain upon a newly crafted brocade stool, while two palace maids anxiously helped her breathe easier.

Seeing this, Li Zhi quickly relieved one of the maids, moving behind Empress Zhangsun to massage her back.

Empress Zhangsun, seeing Li Zhi so attentive, felt comforted in her heart.

She coughed softly and said, “Zhinu, you are truly your mother’s good child. I have not loved you in vain.”

She finished speaking and couldn’t help but cough several more times.

Li Zhi continued to help her breathe and said, “Mother, your cough is so severe—have you summoned the imperial physician?”

One of the maids softly replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness, the imperial physician will arrive shortly.”

Empress Zhangsun interjected, “Really, there’s no need for such alarm. This illness comes upon me several times each year—I am quite used to it.”

Li Zhi suddenly remembered that, according to history, Empress Zhangsun died young from respiratory illness.

Moreover, Emperor Taizong’s own life was not long; he passed away in his early fifties.

At this thought, Li Zhi was overwhelmed by a deep sense of reluctance. Not only was it due to the affection Emperor Taizong and his wife showed him, but also a lingering guilt toward his parents from his previous life.

A wave of sadness surged from his chest, and his eyes quickly brimmed with tears.

A nearby maid, seeing this, gasped in surprise and immediately asked, “Your Highness, why are you crying?”

Empress Zhangsun, hearing the maid, turned and gently embraced Li Zhi. “Zhinu, are you worried about your mother? Your mother truly is all right.”

Li Zhi leaned against Empress Zhangsun’s arms, crying as he said, “Mother, I wish to learn medicine, so that I may always be by your side and care for your health.”

Empress Zhangsun smiled with deep affection upon hearing his words.

She gently stroked his head and said, “Silly child, your mother’s health is tended by the imperial physicians. There’s no need for you to worry.”

Li Zhi shook his head. “The imperial physicians cannot always be by your side. No one can care for you as closely as I can.”

Though his words warmed her heart, Empress Zhangsun did not truly wish for Li Zhi to pursue medicine.

Just as she was about to gently persuade him to give up the idea, the voice of Laixing was heard from outside the door: “Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Sun Huipu has arrived for consultation…”