Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 627 - 625: A Narrow Escape

In the afternoon, inside the Liangyi Palace of Taiji Palace, Li Shimin was listening to the investigation report from the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

"So, Lin Le’an also visited Princess Consort Yang’s palace the day before, what did she go there for?" Li Shimin asked lightly.

Li Shimin had a deep impression of this woman who did not recognize his stature, after all, she was the first woman who dared to say no to him.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice replied, "According to the palace maids in Princess Consort Yang’s palace, it was to deliver the newly released soap from Soap and Music Workshop to Princess Consort Yang."

"What is special about this act?"

"Originally there was nothing special, but I checked the departure records from the palace that day. Among all the external noble women entering the palace, only Village Lady Le’an had no departure record."

Li Shimin’s eyebrows slightly frowned, "Is there such a thing? Can the reason be found out?"

"Perhaps the palace gate guards were negligent, I also checked the departure records at the Yanxi Palace gate, Lin Le’an’s carriage left at the time of Shen that day. And after leaving the palace that day, Lin Le’an went into the mountains to gather herbs with the Divine Doctor Sun, I have consulted the Divine Doctor Sun and obtained his affirmative reply."

Li Shimin looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, knowing he definitely still had more to say.

Sure enough, he continued, "I also interrogated the palace maid responsible for receiving Lin Le’an and learned that Lin Le’an had a stomach ache that day and had left her sight briefly, which seemed slightly suspicious."

Li Shimin furrowed his brows, "Do you think that Princess Consort Yang’s encounter with evil could be related to Lin Le’an?"

"I dare not assert such a claim, but entering the palace unannounced does breach palace regulations."

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, saying, "Lin Le’an was raised by a strange person from the mountains; it is understandable that she is unfamiliar with the rules. This matter is now known to me. Is there any progress on the whereabouts of the mysterious creature?"

"I am ashamed to say no progress has been made. Regarding the yellow talisman that left scorch marks, I have had a specialist inspect it; the craftsmanship is exquisite, yet it is not produced by any bookstore or workshop in Beijing, its origin remains a mystery."

Li Shimin felt a bit displeased; such a large mysterious creature appearing in the palace is a constant risk unless it is controlled. But the eerie nature of such beings is ultimately different from humans, so it is inappropriate to be overly harsh on the investigating personnel. After pausing, he said, "Continue the investigation. If there are no further matters, you may leave."

"Understood!"

Not long after the Minister of the Ministry of Justice withdrew, Li Shimin finished handling his current affairs and went to Zhangsun’s palace in Lizheng Hall to rest.

While there, the issue of Lin Wanwan being lax in rules came up, and Zhangsun said, "Le’an was raised in the wild mountains, innocent and lively, so it’s natural for her to be somewhat lax in rules and etiquette. However, now that she has become the prospective granddaughter-in-law of Duke Song Mansion, she should learn the rules, I’ll have a female officer teach her."

Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun and smiled, "Guanyin, you seem fond of Lin Le’an, don’t you?"

Only mentioning teaching etiquette, and omitting punishment for violating palace regulations, showed some inclination to protect.

External noblewomen are all under the Empress’s jurisdiction; if she doesn’t punish, Li Shimin naturally won’t overstep his bounds.

Moreover, Lin Wanwan is ultimately from the Song family and is a disciple of old Master Sun, pursuing the matter further is unproductive: "Let her take a look at Princess Consort Yang’s illness."

"Understood."

Since Lin Wanwan was detained in the palace the last time, she eventually left due to Xiao Chong’s marriage proposal, but she has been very cautious about such events ever since.

Every time she entered the palace to ask for Zhangsun’s peace pulse, she dressed maturely, with very heavy-shaded foundation applied to make her face yellow.

Every day she acted as though it might be the day she would encounter Li Shimin, and she handled herself with utmost care.

To shorten the time spent in the palace, she spent time daily learning from those few maids bestowed by the palace, practicing her etiquettes meticulously, never relaxing by playing mahjong with Li Changle anymore.

Better short pain than long pain, she’d rather act properly for an hour than relax in the Imperial Palace for two.

Mahjong had become very popular in the harem, even Li Yuan, having retired and idle, just spent time playing with the palace maids, had become interested in it.

But Lin Wanwan, the "inventor", had lost interest in it.

Moreover, now she had Soap and Music Workshop, she was tied with Princess Changle in interests, no longer needing to play mahjong to bond.

Emotions are virtual, interests are real.

As long as the Soap and Music Workshop’s profits did not falter, their relationship would not deteriorate.

Indeed, along with the palace sending a Chief Praise Officer to teach etiquette, Lin Wanwan received a letter from Li Lizhi, learning the entire course of events.

Upon hearing that the other side managed to find records of palace exits and she was close to being exposed, Lin Wanwan broke out in a cold sweat.

"Fortunately, old Master Sun covered for me, alas, next time, I need to be more careful," Lin Wanwan murmured to herself, wiping her sweat.

As for the female officer sent by the palace, Lin Wanwan was not worried.

Once someone reaches her territory, she wouldn’t fear handling a woman deeply oppressed by circumstances!

The person who came was none other than Chen Dianzan, the one who had lectured Lin Wanwan on rules and etiquette when she first came to the palace to meet Li Shimin.

An old acquaintance, Lin Wanwan was even less worried.

Indeed, it was so, how many people can withstand the temptations of sweet words and flattery?

With good food, good drink, and the erosion of gold and silver, no female officer could resist. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Chen Dianzan, having served in the palace for years, rose step by step from a palace maid to the position of Chief Praise Officer, now nearing thirty years old, still trapped in the palace.

The Emperor had released palace maids several times, but she hadn’t been selected; if not for this matter, she might have died of old age in the palace, never able to leave.

Now able to leave the palace, leave Chang’an City to the countryside manor, she couldn’t be more thrilled.

For a female officer eager to climb the ranks, leaving the palace is naturally not ideal, but for Chen Dianzan, who had no hope of promotion, it was a heaven-sent joy.

Especially since the environment here at Lin Wanwan is so good, with lush greenery, birdsong, and floral scents, full of wild, free atmosphere.

She naturally had to teach rules diligently, but not too harshly, everything followed the pace of Manor Master Village Lady Le’an.

Lin Wanwan learned, but was rather laid-back, to make the best use of resources, she directly assigned Chen Dianzan to young Qingyu.

The little one is a bona fide Tang Dynasty native; learning some upper-class etiquette and rules from Tang Dynasty couldn’t hurt.

If she grows up not pursuing freedom, not thinking about attracting a husband, and is willing to marry into a wealthy family, so be it.

As for the matter of treating Princess Consort Yang, Lin Wanwan accepted the decree, naturally she would make a show of it.

Actually, the soul-loss illness of Princess Consort Yang due to fright had been cured by old Master Sun through acupuncture, Lin Wanwan was merely supplementary conditioning.

Having been sick and a bit insane, Princess Consort Yang lost her former arrogance and appeared spiritless, pleasing Lin Wanwan.

Lin Wanwan instantly did not regret causing the whole monstrous event, although she was nearly implicated, in the end, it was thrilling but safe.

Except when she saw the palace maid implicated in the matter, punished, and branded on the forehead, she felt somewhat guilty.

Thinking again of Shangguan Wan’er’s mistake, and the branding by Wu Zetian on her forehead, thus causing her to invent a new maquillage style, so she herself hired a modern professional makeup artist to replicate it, then went to see Li Lizhi, indeed piquing her interest.

Quickly within the palace, this new makeup style became popular, even allowing those few palace maids with damaged faces to cover up through the maquillage.