Chapter Twelve: Sneaking Out

She cried out excitedly, “Let’s go back quickly!”

“I want to see Mother!”

Li Lizhi seemed to see the ladder to success and ran toward the inner palace, full of excitement.

Such innocent acts could only come from a child.

Li Zhi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “When you can’t figure it out, you’ll see just how amazing I am…”

“You two, come here!” Li Zhi called to the two guards behind him.

“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jin!”

“I have a question: is there a blacksmith’s workshop in the palace? I want to forge a sword!”

“Ah? Well…” The guards found themselves in a predicament.

Weapons in the palace were strictly managed by specialized offices, and every weapon was inscribed with a name to prevent them from being used for assassination.

The weapons used by the princes were managed even more rigorously.

How could a lowly guard know about such things?

He could only reply, “Your Highness, what do you need a weapon for? Without the Emperor’s permission, we wouldn’t dare provide you with one. If anything were to happen…”

“I’m asking if there’s a blacksmith’s workshop, not for your weapons!” Li Zhi interrupted, a bit annoyed.

“We really don’t know, Your Highness…”

“Forget it…” Li Zhi decided to look for it himself.

In any case, he needed a sword suited to himself to practice swordsmanship and for self-defense!

…

Back at Lizheng Hall.

Another bland lunch awaited him.

Li Zhi felt he might gag.

“Mother, can’t you make us something tasty? It’s always soup and boiled meat—this is seriously affecting my growth!” Li Zhi complained bitterly.

As someone from the twenty-first century, he was accustomed to all kinds of delicacies.

Now, in the Tang Dynasty, all he got was bland, salty food. He’d had enough. “I have to change this situation!”

“What would you like to eat, my child? I’ll send someone to fetch it!” his mother asked.

“I want to eat…” Li Zhi thought for a moment, but then gave up. There weren’t even chili peppers or potatoes in this era—what delicacies could there possibly be?

“Sigh, I’ll just make do.”

Faced with a table full of palace dishes, Li Zhi felt like he was taking medicine.

In the Tang Dynasty, these were rare treats. Only Emperor Taizong and the Empress could enjoy such fare.

The ministers and imperial consorts had food that was far less refined.

Li Chengqian, after taking a few big bites, grumbled, “Little brother, you’re so picky! Just eat what’s in front of you. How will you grow up healthy if you’re so fussy?”

This was something the Empress often said.

Now, it was the perfect line for lecturing Li Zhi.

However…

Was Li Zhi so easily lectured?

“Brother, you’re mistaken. According to research, the human body needs a variety of nutrients and vitamins. It’s just like crops in a field—some thrive, some do not, all because of differences in nutrition and soil quality!”

“If you eat whatever you see, your body just absorbs unnecessary things, which does more harm than good!”

Li Zhi spoke confidently.

The others at the table stared at him, completely at a loss.

They had no idea what he was talking about.

Li Chengqian forced an awkward laugh. “Little brother always has his own strange reasoning…”

“No, no, this is called truth!” Li Zhi retorted.

He forced down his meal, thinking, “Changing the food culture of the Tang Dynasty can’t wait! Otherwise, I’ll be eating boiled fish, boiled meat, and boiled everything every day—flavorless enough to suffocate a person!”

…

While no one was watching, Li Zhi stole the Empress’s command token, threatened two young eunuchs, and took them with him to the city gate. He was planning to visit the Duke of Lu’s mansion outside the palace, hoping to resolve the matter of the sword. After all, he had something on Cheng Yaojin, and with his timid nature, Cheng would never dare refuse.

“Halt! Who gave you permission to leave the palace? Show your waist token!” As the carriage approached the palace gate, a group of guards stopped them.

The young eunuch presented the Empress’s command token, stammering, “The Empress sent us on an errand outside the palace. Please let us pass!”

“Yes, of course! Please, sir…” The guards, extremely respectful, stepped aside.

“Giddy-up!”

The carriage rolled out smoothly.

Li Zhi poked his head out and glanced back. “That was close—good thing they didn’t search the carriage!”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. They wouldn’t dare search the Empress’s carriage even if they had ten times the courage. But, what are you planning to do outside the palace? You must return soon—any trouble could be disastrous!” The young eunuchs were deeply anxious.

Smuggling Li Zhi out of the palace was a capital crime.

Any mishap could implicate their families as well.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. When we return, I’ll reward you both!” Li Zhi reassured them.

Reward? Staying alive would be reward enough!

“Giddy-up!”

The carriage picked up speed and soon left the palace grounds.

Arriving at the Duke of Lu’s mansion, it came to a halt.

Li Zhi went up and knocked: “Bang, bang, bang…” Because he was short, he couldn’t reach the door knocker, so he simply started kicking the door.

“Who is it? Who dares kick the door to the Duke’s mansion?” Madam Hua, known for her large feet, stormed out angrily.

But upon seeing the tiny Li Zhi, she was astonished. “Oh my, whose little young master is this? So adorable!”

“Thank you for the compliment!” Li Zhi touched his own face.

He had to admit, he’d looked in the mirror a few days ago—he really was quite cute.

When he grew up, he’d surely win over a flock of girls.

“This is His Highness Prince Jin. Show your respect!” One of the eunuchs stepped forward.

“Prince Jin?” Madam Hua circled Li Zhi several times. “Are you really Prince Jin?”

“Would I lie?” Li Zhi replied.

“Look at this…” The young eunuch produced the Empress’s command token.

This token not only allowed passage out of the palace, but also represented the Empress herself.

In the inner palace, it could even mobilize the forces of all the various palaces and courtyards—true authority.

Though Madam Hua was not well-educated, she recognized the token.

She had visited the Empress in the inner palace before and seen the token several times.

“It really is the young prince… Please, please, come in!” She was a bit flustered, hurrying Li Zhi inside. “Your Highness, why are you here alone? Where is your mother?”

“I snuck out!” Li Zhi replied.

“What?!” Madam Hua was aghast.

Li Zhi made no attempt to hide the truth from her.

Even if he tried, he wouldn’t succeed.

Madam Hua exclaimed, “Your Highness, you stole the Empress’s command token and sneaked out? If Her Majesty finds out, she’ll tan your hide! You’d better go back right now and don’t get me into trouble!”

Li Zhi climbed onto the tea table in the sitting room, sipped his tea leisurely, and ignored her. He looked around and asked, “Where is Uncle Cheng? I need to see him.”

“He’s at the barracks!” Madam Hua, still uneasy, said, “Your Highness, I have some rare fruits and pastries here. Why don’t you have some first, and then I’ll personally escort you back to the palace? How does that sound?”