Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 587 - 585: Discussing the Shop Business

Today is another day to enter the palace and check the pulse of Empress Zhangsun. Lin Wanwan changed into a scholar’s robe made of blue-gray cotton-linen, simply styled her hair into a Daoist bun, and took a carriage into the palace.

In the Great Tang, it was not unusual for women to favor men’s clothing. Lin Wanwan’s attire did not draw much attention or side glances from palace staff.

Upon entering the palace, Lin Wanwan was informed by the palace maid Cheng Xiang that today Elder Sun was also in the palace to check the Emperor’s pulse and would take a look at Empress Zhangsun as well.

"Oh, then let’s hurry, we can still have a chance to meet the elder."

Speaking of which, Elder Sun rarely stayed at his home in Guangde Square and was not regularly on duty in the palace, often traveling to Qinling to gather herbs and taste various plants. Therefore, Lin Wanwan, despite being in Chang’an for so long, had yet to visit him.

The calling card sent to the Sun Mansion in Guangde Square had not received a reply, but today they met again in the palace.

Lin Wanwan’s mood improved significantly, and she walked to Lizheng Hall with noticeably lighter steps.

In Chang’an City, there were few people Lin Wanwan truly liked; Elder Sun was definitely one of them.

After being granted permission to enter Lizheng Hall, Elder Sun had already taken the pulse and was packing up his medical box to leave. Empress Zhangsun beckoned her over and said, "Le’an, come here. Today Daoist Sun is also here, and I was just telling him about the prenatal education plan you devised for me."

Lin Wanwan gave an awkward smile, saluted Sun Simiao, and then chuckled, "Elder, there’s nothing amiss with my prenatal education plan, is there?"

Sun Simiao looked at Lin Wanwan and said, "One can tell it is your handiwork, quite good, you’ve improved a bit."

After a few pleasantries, Empress Zhangsun instructed Lin Wanwan to see off Daoist Sun.

Even the Li Tang Imperial Family showed much respect to highly revered Daoists like Sun Simiao.

Lin Wanwan followed behind Sun Simiao, carrying his medicine box, and said cheerfully, "Elder, since I came to Chang’an, I haven’t had the chance to gather herbs with you. When will you take me along and teach me?"

To be able to learn hands-on from a renowned physician at close quarters was a chance not easily obtained even with money.

Sun Simiao replied, "Young one, if you’re truly willing to work hard, I won’t be stingy in teaching you."

After a pause, he continued, "In your Barefoot Doctor Manual, I saw mention of alcohol being used for disinfection. What are these things? Has your master ever mentioned them to you?"

This question had puzzled Elder Sun for quite a while and he finally couldn’t resist asking today.

Lin Wanwan hesitated but refrained from speaking directly in the palace, "My master mentioned it briefly, and I’m thinking of discussing it further with you when there’s a chance."

Sun Simiao realized that Lin Wanwan, in the palace, had learned to be cautious, unlike the carefree, easygoing girl he met in Qiantang.

Serving an emperor is like serving a tiger; who finds it easy in the palace?

Thinking of this, Sun Simiao sighed slightly and turned to say, "Visit me at Guangde Square in two days, and I’ll teach you a breathing technique. Look at you, out of breath after just a few steps."

Lin Wanwan replied happily, "Yes! I’ll definitely come in two days!"

After seeing Sun Simiao off, Lin Wanwan returned to the side hall where Empress Zhangsun customarily rested in Lizheng Hall and began her usual session of persuasion.

In fact, Lin Wanwan had bought a bottle of Belli massage oil from the modern era for Empress Zhangsun to prevent stretch marks, intending to teach her how to massage her abdomen. However, after experiencing a close call with a fortune plan for Princess Changle that almost implicated herself, Lin Wanwan’s perspective changed.

She had to submit the massage oil for inspection by the Pharmacy Bureau and the Medical Bureau. If it didn’t pass, she would be held accountable. Why trouble herself?

The less you do, the fewer mistakes you make. It’s none of her business if Empress Zhangsun develops stretch marks during pregnancy, is it?

This virtuous Empress’s graciousness to Lin Wanwan was merely to punish her with a night of kneeling after failing to win her husband’s request to take Lin Wanwan as a concubine.

It’s hard for Lin Wanwan not to harbor resentment, even if Zhangsun did not strictly supervise her.

However, throughout this incident, there was a pervasive sense of their royal entitlement to manipulate Lin Wanwan at will, as if she should be grateful for not being punished more severely.

Sorry, she couldn’t manage that.

Therefore, Lin Wanwan avoided taking real action whenever possible, relying instead on her tongue to persuade.

Besides, she wasn’t fabricating these prenatal theories. She had intentionally bought several books on pregnancy precautions and was simply sharing knowledge gleaned from centuries-later merchants and medical wisdom.

After another prenatal lesson, Lin Wanwan left Lizheng Hall, eager to exit the palace.

Yet, as soon as she stepped out of Lizheng Hall’s gates, she was stopped by Princess Changle’s maid, who invited her to go to Princess Changle’s chamber to wait and play mahjong together later.

Lin Wanwan had no desire to stay in the palace any longer and found a random excuse to leave. After all, Li Lizhi was still girlish in nature and wouldn’t make things difficult for her, unlike her parents, who were much more challenging.

At this moment, Li Lizhi emerged from the back door of Liangyi Palace, excitedly rushed towards Lin Wanwan, and secretly pulled her towards her own chambers while whispering, "Guess what I just heard?"

Lin Wanwan wasn’t the slightest bit curious about palace affairs and immediately waved her hand, saying, "Princess, please don’t tell me, there are things I dare not listen to."

As Li Shimin’s most beloved legitimate firstborn daughter, Li Lizhi could enter and leave the Liangyi Palace, listening to her father discussing national affairs with ministers, but Lin Wanwan certainly couldn’t.

Li Lizhi didn’t mind Lin Wanwan’s attitude and still excitedly revealed the secret, "Wanwan, it’s your fiancé who returned. It seems he’s presented something remarkable to Ah Ye for a reward. Besides Minister Du, Wei Shizhong, and others, the ministers of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue were also summoned into the hall, so I came out."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanwan formally replied, "Is that so? Serving the country is his duty."

Li Lizhi didn’t care about Lin Wanwan’s official response and pulled her into her chambers.

In fact, she usually didn’t talk to Lin Wanwan about such matters. Perhaps today, because Lin Wanwan was recently punished, Li Lizhi wanted to lighten the mood by picking a relatively unimportant topic that happened to be related to Lin Wanwan.

Despite Li Lizhi’s young age, being royal-bred, she was just as astute as Lin Wanwan.

Compared to her, Lin Wanwan had aged in vain.

Today, Li Lizhi invited Lin Wanwan to her chamber not merely to play mahjong, but mainly to discuss the soap workshop.

The two had been chatting enthusiastically about it when Li Shimin interrupted them, so they had to pick it up again. Even the Emperor’s daughter needed money!

Upon hearing Li Lizhi had swiftly secured a shop in East Market, Lin Wanwan immediately perked up to engage in strategizing the next steps with Li Lizhi.

Having been thoroughly frightened because of this, Lin Wanwan was even more determined to shield herself behind Princess Changle and properly get the soap workshop up and running. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Only a business that brings in a steady stream of gold could soothe Lin Wanwan’s startled heart.