Chapter 167: The Emperor Wants to Read It Too

Li Zhi's life in Chang'an seemed quite carefree, yet it was filled with quiet constraints.

His current purpose was not to act as an idle prince lingering in Chang'an, but to accomplish substantive deeds. Right now, under the guise of protecting him, Li Shimin had effectively placed him under virtual house arrest within the city. Fortunately, he was free to roam various quarters of Chang'an, and movement remained relatively convenient.

"Your Highness the Prince of Jin, the clubhouses within Chang'an can truly be described as raking in a thousand pieces of gold every single day."

"The 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress' dance alone has drawn countless eager spectators. Many are unsatisfied after seeing it once and wish to witness it repeatedly. Had it not been for your strict instruction to limit performances to three shows a day, it would easily have brought in tens of millions of coins by now."

Only after inspecting the clubhouse himself did Li Zhi truly understand why Chang'an was known as a city of gold. Doing business in Chang'an was remarkably easy as long as one had the proper channels and something genuinely captivating.

Li Zhi gazed at the chests of gold that had been carried over and placed before him. Using ordinary Kaiyuan Tongbao coins to measure his wealth was no longer sufficient. Even silver would not suffice. Gold had now become the standard unit of conversion. The several large chests filled to the brim with gold before his eyes brought home the astonishing profitability of his enterprise.

"Your Highness, should we perhaps increase the number of performances for the 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress'?"

Witnessing the massive profits generated by the dance, the clubhouse management naturally desired to add more showtimes.

Li Zhi flatly rejected the idea. "Not only will we not increase the performances, we will reduce them. We shall perform it only once a day, and strictly for ten days each month."

His words left the clubhouse staff entirely bewildered. Why on earth would anyone reduce the showtimes of something so immensely lucrative?

Li Zhi explained, "Rarity commands value. From now on, all opportunities to watch the 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress' must be acquired through bidding, and we shall host no more than three guests at a time."

"Furthermore, we must prevent spies from local brothels and pleasure houses from sneaking in to steal our methods. We must strictly vet the background and origins of every guest who comes to watch, ensuring no malicious individuals slip through."

The core of Li Zhi's business strategy was, in fact, hunger marketing. If the dance were performed too frequently for too many people, it would lose its profitability. The key now was to accentuate a sense of mystery and exclusivity. The number of people longing to watch must forever exceed the number of people able to see it.

This realization had dawned upon him after learning that some patrons had returned to watch the performance more than once. Perhaps he had been staging a few too many shows previously, which had led to that phenomenon.

...

Inside the imperial palace.

Li Shimin had also caught wind of the commotion surrounding the 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress'. He harbored a personal desire to visit the clubhouse and witness it for himself. Yet, as the sovereign who ruled over all under heaven, he naturally could not visit such establishments casually. Moreover, he felt somewhat embarrassed to express this desire directly to Li Zhi.

Consequently, Li Shimin specifically summoned Zhangsun Wuji, intimating that the latter should make the necessary arrangements on his behalf.

"Does Your Majesty intend to participate in the bidding under a private alias? And should we inform His Highness the Prince of Jin of your intended visit?" Before setting out to execute the task, Zhangsun Wuji sought to clarify the emperor's precise intentions.

Li Shimin sighed, "It would be best if he remains unaware, though it matters little if he finds out. I merely wish to see what this 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress'—which has become the talk of the capital—is truly all about."

Zhangsun Wuji wisely kept to himself the fact that while the dancers nominally wore feathered garments, the attire was in reality so diaphanous as to appear almost naked. Because the dance steps were feather-light and possessed an irresistible allure for men, countless individuals were desperate to catch a glimpse.

"Right, you should also mention that other matter to him, so he may mentally prepare himself."

What Li Shimin referred to was the original purpose behind summoning Li Zhi back to the capital—a matter he had yet to reveal to his son.

...

Zhangsun Wuji sought out Li Zhi in person, stating that he wished to arrange a private performance of the 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress' for a distinguished guest.

"Since my uncle has come in person, could it be that this guest wishing to see the performance cannot easily visit the clubhouse? Must we arrange an alternative venue for the show?"

Upon hearing Zhangsun Wuji's words, Li Zhi instantly deduced that his old man was the one who wanted to watch. Without exposing the truth, he intentionally offered to facilitate the viewing experience for Li Shimin.

Zhangsun Wuji smiled placatingly, "It would indeed be best if it could be performed at a private manor. Do not misunderstand; I merely wish to entertain a few colleagues."

Uncle and nephew exchanged a knowing glance and smiled. Everything was understood without the need for further words.

"I shall have it arranged for you right away, Uncle," Li Zhi readily agreed. Regardless of Li Shimin's underlying motives for wanting to see the dance, Li Zhi intended to cooperate fully.

Zhangsun Wuji was immensely pleased. By successfully executing this task for Li Shimin once more, he secured his standing. If Li Shimin continued to involve him in such private indulgences, it boded very well for him. It signified that the emperor regarded him as his most trusted confidant.

Zhangsun Wuji smiled and added, "There is also another matter I must convey to Your Highness. His Majesty's true purpose in summoning you back to the capital this time is to settle a marriage for you at the earliest opportunity."

Hearing this, Li Zhi's expression froze into an awkward smile. How old was he, exactly? Was it really time to talk about marriage already? Surely they weren't going to pair him up with some "elder sister" a decade his senior? Wouldn't that be the height of injustice?

"At my age... isn't this a bit too hasty?" Li Zhi voiced his dilemma directly. His established persona was that of a mischievous child; why was he suddenly expected to start a family?

Just at that moment, Li Zhi heard a voice chime inside his head. He had unexpectedly triggered a side quest from the system.

"Complete a marriage within half a month."

What kind of mischief was the system playing at now? What did completing a marriage even entail? Li Zhi felt a strong urge to curse aloud. Given his current age and identity, if he truly had to "complete" a marriage, did that mean consummating the union as well? The crucial question was: could he possibly accomplish such a feat?

Unaware of the tumultuous mental storm raging within Li Zhi, Zhangsun Wuji simply smiled and explained, "His Majesty's intention is to secure a match for you early on, ideally forging an alliance with a prominent court family so that you will have powerful backing."

Li Zhi was left somewhat speechless. This felt altogether too absurd. Yet, upon reflection, Li Shimin's reasoning seemed sound. Having his son forge kinship ties with influential court officials through marriage at an early age would cement a remarkably solid alliance.

Li Zhi mused inwardly, "In history, my ultimate snow-white princess was Wu Meiniang. At present, Wu Meiniang should be about four years older than me, but she is still just a sallow-faced girl."

A sudden realization struck him. At this point, Wu Meiniang should not yet have entered the imperial palace, which meant she had not yet been defiled by his old man. He had previously pondered the question of Wu Meiniang, though he had not yet acted upon it.

That woman... was extremely dangerous. Whether or not he should forcefully intervene and insert himself into her story was another perplexing dilemma weighing on his mind.

"Your Highness, I am merely conveying His Majesty's words to make you aware of the matter. As for the specific candidate for your marriage, His Majesty did not reveal any details."

"Perhaps the bride shall even be chosen from my own clan," Zhangsun Wuji chuckled. He had spoken precisely as instructed by Li Shimin; the exact details of the marriage alliance remained unknown to him as well.