The Tang Dynasty in the Sand Table: Starting by Feeding a Small Rhinoceros

The cold white light of the desk lamp shone on the table, and Li Mo had already uncapped the pen.

He quickly reviewed Empress Zhangsun's actions during the day in his mind. That woman was too clever, and too cautious. Her letter and the golden bell were ostensibly expressions of gratitude, but in reality, they were all tests of the Immortal Venerable's attitude and boundaries.

If I don't give a clear response this time, the Lizheng Hall's probing will never end.

More importantly, the issue of Princess Sizi's consumption of sweets must be addressed. Historically, Princess Jinyang was frail and sickly, and the pure industrial saccharin in lollipops would definitely not be good for a child's digestive system if consumed in excess.

"We need to set some rules."

Li Mo turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the table. He casually picked up the empty carton of Want Want milk that he hadn't finished last night, and then flattened the transparent lollipop wrapper he had peeled off, placing it side by side on top of the paper as a reference.

Draw the most realistic, simple sketch. Once Empress Zhangsun compares the real object with the drawing, the meaning will naturally become clear.

Li Mo lowered his wrist and sketched on the white paper with a black marker.

Draw the left side first.

A few bold lines outline a square box with a smiling little man wearing a hat drawn on it—this is Want Want Milk.

Draw the middle section next.

A thin stick topped with a round ball, with several diagonal lines drawn around it to indicate shine—this is a lollipop.

Next, draw the right side.

He drew three lollipops together in one go, just like before. Then, Li Mo switched to a red marker and drew a large, eye-catching red X that took up a quarter of the paper, right above the three lollipops!

"One carton of milk, one candy. Too much, get a cross."

Li Mo put down his pen, picked up the paper, and blew on the still-wet ink. He was very satisfied with his masterpiece.

This picture requires no prior knowledge of classical Chinese, nor does it require the old men of the Imperial Medical Academy to quote classical texts. Anyone with a normal IQ can understand its meaning simply by looking at the picture and interpreting it.

He glanced at the time; it was already late at night in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Mo placed the finished A4 paper beside him, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

The next morning.

The door to the side hall of Lizheng Hall had just been pushed open a crack, and before the morning light could illuminate the golden bricks, the sky darkened again.

It was a familiar, unsettling sense of oppression.

Empress Zhangsun had just finished washing and dressing, and hadn't even had time to put on her outer cloak when she suddenly turned around, her gaze piercing like lightning as she looked out the window.

A huge sheet of white paper, carrying the force of thunder yet remaining silent, pierced through the clouds and landed steadily in the side hall.

It landed precisely on top of the reply letter from Chengxintang left by Empress Zhangsun yesterday, and the small golden bell.

Empress Zhangsun strode forward, her steps so hurried that she didn't even have time to smooth out the hem of her skirt.

What does it mean that the paper is pressing down on the old letter?

A thunderbolt flashed through her mind: The Immortal Venerable saw it! The Immortal Venerable saw her gratitude, but instead of taking the item away, he gave her the most direct response with this second piece of paper!

"The Celestial Venerable can see our every move, but the rules of the Celestial Realm forbid us from taking things from the mortal world." Empress Changsun silently made a decision in her heart.

She lifted the edge of the huge white paper, and her eyes were immediately drawn to the black and red patterns on it.

There are no words.

It's all paintings.

"Qinglan! Bring over the box of immortal dew and the magical artifacts from the offering table immediately!" Empress Zhangsun's voice was filled with undisguised urgency.

Qinglan dared not delay, carrying the sandalwood box, and ran over to place the items in a row in front of the bed.

Empress Zhangsun laid the painting flat on the couch, allowing the real object and the painting to form the most direct contrast.

"Wow!"

Little Sizi, who had been rubbing her eyes, immediately perked up when she saw the drawing on the paper. She rushed over barefoot and accurately placed her little hand on the round ball with a stick in the center.

"Mother! This is Honghong's candy!"

Sizi then pointed to the square box on the left: "This is the little red box that holds the sweet drink!"

A child's innocent remark can be like a sharp sword, instantly cleaving through the complex suspicions and awe in the adult world.

Empress Zhangsun's eyes narrowed, confirming the object in the painting.

On the left is milk, and in the middle is a candy.

What exactly do those three candies on the right, and that shocking big red X above, mean?

"Lady Shangyi, Imperial Physician Wang," Empress Zhangsun said without turning around, her voice as cold as ice, "examine this carefully. No one is to leave this palace until this diagram is deciphered."

The lady-in-waiting and the imperial physician Wang stood three steps away, staring intently at the picture, their minds racing.

This is much safer than recognizing words. At least there's physical evidence to support guessing the picture.

The head lady-in-waiting spoke first, pointing to the pattern on the square box, her tone certain: "Your Majesty, look, next to this box of celestial dew, there's a painted magical artifact. This must be a sign from the Celestial Venerable that these two items are a matching gift."

Following her words, Physician Wang's gaze fell on the red cross on the right.

He recalled the princess's reaction over the past two days: after finishing one candy each day, she would always stare longingly at the box, wanting to eat a second one.

His professional instincts as a royal physician allowed him to instantly grasp the key point.

"Your Majesty!" The imperial physician's voice suddenly rose, his hands trembling, "This humble servant dares to speculate! There are three sticks of fairy candy drawn on the right side, but they are sealed off by a cross of vermilion blades. Considering the princess's lavish diet these past few days..."

He swallowed hard, steeling his resolve: "This is no ordinary painting! This is a celestial rule! It's the Celestial Venerable warning us that while the celestial candy is delicious, the princess must not eat too much! One a day is the limit; if she desires three, she will be breaking a taboo!"

boom!

These words echoed through the side hall, causing everyone to pause for a second.

Empress Zhangsun suddenly turned her head to look at Physician Wang, then turned back to look at the painting.

On the left, one milk and one sugar is the standard combination. On the right, more sugar is represented by a large "X".

A perfectly logical framework. Impeccable correspondences.

She reached out and pressed her palm heavily against the edge of the paper, her eyes revealing a chilling clarity and awe.

"What a magnificent set of heavenly rules!"

Empress Zhangsun murmured softly, her voice echoing throughout the hall.

"Not only did the Celestial Venerable bestow blessings from heaven, but he also used his divine eyes to clearly see how much the rhinoceros ate and drank each day!"

All the palace servants bowed their heads in unison, their backs taut like a fully drawn bowstring.

Being watched.

At this moment, everyone in the Hall of Establishing Governance truly understood what it meant to be watched over by the gods. The Immortal Venerable's eyes could see even the princess's indulgence in eating an extra piece of candy!