The Little Consort's
Eps. 65: Books
Since becoming the Nobles Empress, the pleasant days Li Anlan no longer had. Every time you finish your job, come back with another task. These few days, he was busy helping Long Ji Man interrogate the bandits. The result was not satisfactory as the bandits did not know what their master's real name was. Throughout the day, Li Anlan had always been in the Palace Justice Department prison with Long Ji Man.
Only today did he get a holiday. The interrogation process was over and the punishment for the bandits had already been handed down. Li Anlan did not want to know what punishment they received, but clearly they were punished severely. Long Ji Man was not a person who was compassionate towards criminals. He was a king who was cold-hearted to his enemies.
The calm atmosphere in Xingyue Palace made Li Anlan more relaxed. He did his usual practice of basking in the morning sun while enjoying the beautiful view of Feiyun Mountain at the end of spring. Feiyun Mountain, made him remember his pleasant days while climbing the mountain. I don't know when he will be able to adventure again. Until now, Long Ji Man had not given him permission to ascend the mountain.
How fun it would be if he could climb the legendary Feiyun Mountain in Dongling Kingdom. The view there must be beautiful. From the peak, Li Anlan was able to see the entire area of the great Dongling Palace, because the location of this palace was right under Feiyun Mountain. He could also look north, to the vast land that was the dominion of the great Dongling Kingdom. If it was night, the stars there would feel closer and more beautiful to look at.
Li Anlan turned on her phone. It's been almost a month and she hasn't played around with it. The battery is full. Li Anlan pressed the gallery app, then she saw a lot of photos that she took. In addition to the faces of the criminals who were chasing him the first time, there are also photos of Xie Roulan, the eunuchs, the guards, and also Long Ji Man that he took secretly.
In order to have something to celebrate, Li Anlan wrote down everything that happened and everything that he experienced since coming to this place in the note application on his phone. The details of each incident were also recorded as clearly as possible. Even the names of the people he met also he wrote down, including the names of Xu Lingshu, Duanmu Shui, Da Lixia, Han Jinxi, and his brother's lover who became someone else's wife.
He rarely writes this much. If told and typed on a computer, the story can reach hundreds of pages. After going through the editing process, maybe the story can be published as a fantasy time travel genre book. He could be a famous writer and be admired by many. His book may be adapted into comics and movies.
Ah, that's just wishful thinking. He was trapped in ancient times and did not yet know how to return. In addition, in this world, Li Anlan had also not found something very memorable, which could be the center or core of the story. It was better for Li Anlan to enjoy her new life here.
Suddenly, he remembered something. Why didn't he just do the opposite? Li Anlan could be the author of a fantasy novel in this world. People from the future along with everything that is there, must be a topic that attracts a lot of attention. People must be curious about everything that exists in the future, in another world unknown to people in this ancient time.
The coffers of money will come to him over and over. According to television dramas, the court ladies and eunuchs tended to be closed off from the outside world. Most can only exit the palace once a year. So, they need reading materials that can satisfy their cravings and reduce saturation while working. People will be willing to pay a lot for a book that can be fun.
New business, thought Li Anlan.
He called Xie Roulan to bring some papers and brushes. The paper is laid out on the study table. Xie Roulan grinded the ink while wondering inwardly. It is not usual for the employer to write on paper. As far as he was concerned, Li Anlan's writing was very ugly. Even Li Anlan herself hated her own writing.
“Mistress, what did you write?”
“You know? The future fantasy genre is the greatest opportunity to make money.”
“Genre? A fantasy? The future? What does it mean?”
“Fantasy is a genre that many people love. J. K. Rowling is able to become a great writer for her magical world fantasy with Harry Potter. Even one part of the Condor Trilogy, The Legend of Condor Heroes by Jin Young has been filmed.”
Xie Roulan really did not understand what his master said. His words were so foreign to the ears. Li Anlan did not really care whether Xie Roulan understood or not. His focus was only on the future world stories he would write. Li Anlan started moving her brush.
Two hours later….
Li Anlan shouted in annoyance. It had been two hours, but there were only two words written on the wide paper. Xie Roulan had been sleepy ever since she knew that her master was more silent than writing. Her employer has no talent at all for being an author. Two hours of precious time was wasted.
Li Anlan rolled up the paper and then threw it away originally. It's useless! Shouts in the heart. Why is writing such a difficult story? In fact, in his brain, Li Anlan had already collected tens of thousands of words that he was about to write, but when faced with ink and paper, all those words disappeared instantly.
Maybe this is the so-called writer’s block that is often experienced by famous writers! Li Anlan even experienced writer’s block before she even wrote down many stories.
Really annoying!
The voice outside Xingyue Palace suddenly broke the silence. Xiao Biqi entered along with several eunuchs carrying various stacks of books. When the eunuch saw the executioner-like Li Anlan, he hesitated. But the duty of his king was more important than the doubt in his heart. Xiao Biqi ventured to get closer.
“Why are you bothering me, little eunuch?” li Anlan asked furiously.
“Mistress, Your Majesty asked you to study these books.”
“For what?”
“Your Majesty would like the Madam to make and compile a question for the Royal Examination in one more month.”
“Can't your king let me rest for a day? Whahuh? I'm the one who has to make up the matter for the exam? Hahahaha.
“He thinks I'm a teacher or a principal?” li Anlan asked himself.
“Mistress, you should just accept Your Majesty's orders, rather than continue to waste energy by writing like this,” proposed Xie Roulan.
Perhaps Li Anlan's proposal was acceptable. Instead of him continuing to struggle with writing that never came to be, he better read a book and make a problem. Li Anlan once again wanted to test himself, whether he was still smart or not. It has been more than half a year that he did not study on campus and just laze around in this world.
Li Anlan then told Xiao Biqi's subordinates to store the books brought from the Royal Library at a table not far away. The thick books numbered ten pieces of different types and contents. There are those who discuss statecraft, military, politics, law, economics, administration, staffing, and others.
One by one the thick books were opened and read. Before reading any further, Li Anlan looked for reading glasses that happened to be tucked away in her mountaineering gear first. I don't know when he put his reading glasses in his bag. As he remembered, the glasses were last used one year ago when he still often came to campus.
Li Anlan was completely unaware that since earlier, Long Ji Man had been standing in front of the door of Xingyue Palace while fixedly staring at him who was focusing on reading. Long Ji Man had actually come with Xiao Biqi, just waiting outside for Li Anlan not to argue with him, all of you seeing the woman's reaction when given a task like this. But, Long Ji Man couldn't bear to not look at his Royal Empress. Thus, when Xiao Biqi finished his duties, Long Ji Man told him to return to Xingyue Palace with his subordinates.
The figure of Li Anlan who was reading a book while wearing glasses made the woman seem like a colossal genius from another world. The combination of clothing, hair decoration, and traditional style with modern glasses looks so perfect and gives a different impression. Anyone who saw it would definitely be drowned out by a completely different charm.
“Huang An,” call Long Ji Man.
Li Anlan was immediately startled, completely unaware that the king was in his palace. Long Ji Man walked up to him, then stood next to him.
“Your Majesty, are you here?”
“I happen to pass.”
It seemed, the nickname of the most clever king of quibbles was perfect for Long Ji Man. The reason for such a cliche was already Li Anlan had witnessed in various royal dramas and movies. Say just passing, in fact always staring fixed. What is spoken by the mouth is more contrary to what is in the heart.
“What theme do you want for the exam this time?” ask Li Anlan.
“Whatever should use a theme?”
“Ya although not mandatory. Optional only.”
“You'll decide. Provided the main topic is not separated from the ten contents of this book.”
“Your Majesty, I am not a professor or a Professor. I can't solve it myself,” lamented Li Anlan. Reading ten thick books containing classical teaching with ancient letters could not be done by an ordinary human like Li Anlan. Perhaps, even the philologists of the world could not solve it without a team.
“Try you to write one question on this paper.”
Li Anlan received the paper that Long Ji Man had proffered. He moved his brush, then started writing questions based on what he had read earlier. Long Ji Man, who was standing beside Li Anlan coughed as he looked at the result of his wife's writing. He had no idea that Li Anlan's writing was that bad. For an adult size, it was the ugliest writing Long Ji Man had ever seen.
“Ehm... K-you can't write well?”
“I'm not used to writing with ink and brushes. I prefer to type and use ballpoint.”
He said another strange word. Long Ji Man grabbed Li Anlan's hand, then moved his hand to form a neat little writing. Li Anlan's hand moved in the direction of Long Ji Man's hand. The touch is soft and smooth. The ink that is scratched is not too thick and not too thin.
“Your Highness, are you good at calligraphy huh? Your writing is great!”
“A king should not have flaws, even in terms of writing.
“You are indeed a perfectionist king.”
Long Ji Man did not reply. The man then sat down in front of Li Anlan. Long Ji Man grabbed a military-themed book, then read it slowly. The book had already been read dozens of times, so its contents had actually been memorized out of the head. The goal was just to see how far Li Anlan could hold out with the thick books, all while spending his free time after returning from the palace court this morning.
...***...