A palace maid walked around Empress Zhangsun and said with surprise, "Your Majesty, this dress fits you perfectly, as if it were made with a ruler!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, not only does this dress fit well, it's also very beautiful. The phoenix on the chest matches you so well!" another palace maid chimed in, also astonished. "And the overall red, with the phoenix, makes you look exceptionally elegant!"
It wasn't just them. Empress Zhangsun herself felt it as soon as she put on the dress. It was incredibly well-fitting, loose where it needed to be and snug where it should be, accentuating her figure to perfection. However, seeing her pronounced curves, she hesitated. Was it truly proper to wear it out like this? Would it be too undignified?
"Never mind," she decided. "There are no outsiders anyway. Isn't my beauty meant for the Emperor? I doubt that county magistrate would dare to say anything."
With her mind made up, Empress Zhangsun walked out of the side hall and approached the Emperor.
Li Er's eyes were practically glued to Empress Zhangsun.
"Magnificent! Truly magnificent! Whose craftsmanship is this? Minister Liu, please tell me quickly!"
Li Er was stunned by Empress Zhangsun, who was dressed in the qipao.
"She's too beautiful!"
Wearing this qipao, Empress Zhangsun appeared exceptionally dignified, beautiful, elegant, yet still commanding!
Her empress-like demeanor was fully displayed!
Little did they know, the size of this dress was what would be called "one size fits all" in later generations.
What is "one size fits all"? It's a size that suits most people.
Empress Zhangsun, having followed Li Er on his campaigns, had no excess fat on her body, which was why the dress fit her so perfectly.
And as for the embroidery technique of later generations, while it couldn't replicate those special techniques, they forgot that this was the Tang Dynasty!
Those peak embroidery techniques that computers couldn't replace would only appear in the Song and Ming dynasties!
"Replying to Your Majesty, it's not that your subordinate didn't want to say, but that person wished to remain anonymous. He only said that he heard Her Majesty the Empress, in order to save expenses in the palace, lived frugally and couldn't even afford a new dress. He said that for the sake of the common people, the Empress had made sacrifices. However, as Her Majesty would inevitably receive envoys from foreign lands in the future, and for the sake of the Tang Dynasty's prestige and Her Majesty's dignity, he specially presented this dress."
Since Fang Er did not wish for his name to be revealed, Liu Dacheng could only organize what Fang Er had said, which was considered the truth and did not deceive the Emperor.
Empress Zhangsun, already virtuous, had her eyes reddened upon hearing Liu Dacheng's words. She never imagined that there were citizens under the Tang Dynasty who cared about her so deeply. At that moment, she felt that all her efforts in the past were worth it!
Seeing her like this, Li Er felt an indescribable guilt. He had been so focused on state affairs that he never considered that his wife, to support him, was unwilling to even make a new dress for herself.
"Guanyin, it is I who have failed you. You have suffered much over the years!"
Li Er took Empress Zhangsun's hand and said guiltily.
"Your Majesty, there is no need for this. It is my honor to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens!" Empress Zhangsun wiped away her tears and continued, "It's just that I never imagined anyone would care so much about my attire to present such a magnificent dress."
"This person must possess noble character. Perhaps they did not wish to be misunderstood as seeking personal gain. If that is the case, you may keep it. When we eventually discover who it is, we shall reward him then," Li Er said, gently caressing Empress Zhangsun's eyes.
Then, he turned to Liu Dacheng, who was standing at the door, and said, "Minister Liu, I shall accept this dress on behalf of the Empress. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, your subordinate did not come for a reward. It is just that it has not rained for the past three months, and many crops outside the city have withered. Your subordinate worries about the autumn harvest and that the people will be unable to survive!" Liu Dacheng knelt on the ground and said with a cry.
Li Er frowned. This was indeed a problem. Moreover, some people in court had already mentioned it yesterday. However, the national treasury was empty and unable to provide disaster relief. Even military provisions were barely supplied, and he could not think of a good solution.
"What does Your Majesty think should be done?" Li Er asked solemnly.
"I request Your Majesty to reduce or exempt taxes in the affected areas and to raise funds and grain for disaster relief!" Liu Dacheng's head struck the ground with thuds.
"Minister, you may withdraw first. We shall discuss this matter at court tomorrow. As for the merit of presenting the dress, it shall be considered along with other contributions once the disaster is alleviated." Li Er had lost the mood to bestow rewards and waved him away.
Liu Dacheng slowly retreated from the Eastern Palace and returned to the county office in disappointment. He had hoped to leverage the Emperor's good mood to get some money and grain, but he returned empty-handed.
In the Eastern Palace, Empress Zhangsun's joy from receiving the precious garment was extinguished by the drought. She had seen too many great droughts and famines, the scenes of starving people filling the land, enough to cause nightmares at night.
"Your Majesty, what should we do? These are all citizens of our Great Tang. Are we to simply watch them die powerlessly?" Empress Zhangsun felt immense sorrow and asked Li Er.
"Guanyin, be at ease. Tomorrow, I will discuss this thoroughly with Wuji and the others to see if we can scrape together some money and grain." Li Er could only comfort her from the side.
"Then, I shall take my leave. I wish to copy some scriptures to pray for the people." After speaking, Empress Zhangsun bowed to Li Er and returned to her room. She changed out of the qipao and put back on her simple robes.
The next morning, Fang Er, accompanied by Xiao Qing and Zhuzi, went to Yunmen Township. He hadn't paid close attention yesterday, but looking today, he saw that the crops by the roadside had curled leaves, and some were already withered.
Upon arriving at the estate, three elderly men stood before the entrance of the Ma family's residence. Seeing Fang Er approach, one of the elders said, "We heard from the bailiffs that this young master has purchased the Ma family's property. We implore you, young master, to save the old and young of this entire village!" With that, he knelt down.
Fang Er was startled. This old man had white hair and a face full of wrinkles, appearing to be at least fifty or sixty years old. How could he accept such a bow! He quickly dismounted and pulled the old man up.
"Elder, what are you doing? Fang cannot accept your bow!"
"Young Master Fang, please save the old and young of this entire village. It hasn't rained for three months, and the crops in the fields are about to fail. If this continues, our families will run out of food! We beg Young Master Fang to show mercy and lend us some grain, would you?" The old man grasped Fang Er's arm pleadingly.
"Elder, please don't do this. Let's go into the courtyard to talk. Xiao Qing, go and get some tea. It's so hot, don't let the elders suffer from heatstroke." After speaking, Fang Er led the old man into the courtyard.