Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 568 - 566: Too Much Detail Is Also a Flaw

When Lin Wanwan mentioned Xiao Xi, she couldn’t help but sigh. This was the largest separatist warlord in the Southern Region at the end of the Sui Dynasty, with influence extending west to the Three Gorges, south to Jiaozhi (modern Vietnam), and north to the Han River. During his reign, he gained the affection of the people in the territories he governed.

In the end, Xiao Xi surrendered to Li Tang to spare the people from the devastation of war, even persuading over a hundred thousand reinforcements that came later to surrender as well. Unfortunately, he was killed by Li Yuan, who broke his word.

To be honest, Lin Wanwan doesn’t like Tang Gaozu Li Yuan at all. Although she understands the harsh reality of political struggles, Li Yuan’s actions of killing Dou Jiande and Xiao Xi were excessive.

The surrender of these two was beneficial to Li Tang and the people, yet Li Yuan still insisted on killing them. He even killed Liu Wenjing, who had two Death Exemption Tokens issued by himself, showing no tolerance at all. It’s no wonder that he raised someone like Li Shimin, who mercilessly killed his own brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Li Shimin achieved the governance of the Zhenguan era, and his pardoning of ministers cleansed his reputation, whereas Li Yuan only had a failed future.

"Unexpectedly, you were Xiao Xi’s palace maids. I truly have a connection with the Lanling Xiao lineage," sighed Lin Wanwan.

Upon hearing Lin Wanwan mention Xiao Xi, the three palace maids all had a change in their complexion, looking sorrowful as they bowed their heads.

Lin Wanwan was somewhat surprised.

Perhaps Xiao Xi was an admirable ruler in their hearts, favored by the people, and even after being killed for so many years, there were still palace maids who remembered him.

No wonder Li Yuan felt compelled to go back on his word and kill him—such a former ruler who had won the people’s hearts, no new ruler could tolerate him.

But such slaughter of surrendering adversaries by Li Yuan also chilled his followers’ hearts. Surrender only to rebel, eventually stabilized only after Li Shimin came to power.

Li Shimin was undoubtedly a military and political genius, a king among men. In terms of political ability, he rivaled Zhangsun Wuji, and in terms of military capability, he could compete with Military God Li Jing.

A person of such capability had no path but to find a way to ascend as Emperor, or else he faced a dead end.

After ruminating, Lin Wanwan continued questioning the remaining two.

One of the oldest-looking women in the group replied, "I was born into the Cui Family of Boling."

Lin Wanwan was taken aback, one of the two Cuis, indeed!

In the Clan Records compiled from Zhenguan Year Six to Year Twelve, the Shandong Cui Family ranked first, infuriating Li Shimin. He ordered the records to be revised, demanding Li Tang be first and Cui Family third, etc.

How could a woman of such birth end up a slave in the Imperial Court? Couldn’t the Cui Family protect her?

It was Lin Wanwan’s assumption, really. Within a family, there are external and internal conflicts, those who are exceedingly wealthy and those who are impoverished.

This Cui woman offered little explanation, just said, "In the battles for interests, I am just a sacrificial pawn."

Lin Wanwan asked in surprise, "Have you studied books? Can you read and write?"

The Cui woman replied quietly, "Yes, I studied at the family’s private school for a few years in my youth."

This is the greatest difference between ordinary people and aristocratic families. Knowledge is a weapon; having it means there’s a chance for revival. Even if a family descendant falls, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

Take Xiao Xi himself, impoverished and alone in youth, how did he survive? By selling books. And how did he rise? Through birth and knowledge.

Lin Wanwan furrowed her brows. Though a slave who could read and write was naturally much better than an ordinary maid and could elevate the cultural level of her estate, such a slave might also bring risks due to complex backgrounds.

"I am someone who enjoys tranquility and dislike conflicts. Don’t expect me to clear your name," she said.

The Cui woman hurriedly bowed, saying, "I never fantasize, leaving the Imperial Court is already fortunate. If Village Lady doesn’t mind, I’m willing to serve in the Lin Family for life, by your side."

"It’s best that you recognize reality," Lin Wanwan said, turning to Yun Shang, "Assign her to little Qingyu since she can read and write."

"Yes," Yun Shang replied with a complicated glance at the Cui woman, thinking she was a formidable opponent in the back house.

The noble-born woman before her eventually degraded into servitude; this was indeed a capricious world.

Knowledge is extremely precious in this world, in Yun Shang’s homeland of Silla, only nobles had the privilege to study. Families like theirs have never had the opportunity.

The little bit Yun Shang could do now was thanks to Lin Wanwan’s personal efforts in literacy classes, merely recognizing a few characters and learning relatively simple Arabic numerals and the multiplication table.

Meanwhile, as Lin Wanwan interrogated the slaves about their origins, Li Shimin and Zhangsun were discussing her in the palace.

"Guanyin maid, what do you think of that Lin Family woman?"

Zhangsun pondered, "On the surface, nothing seems suspicious. When I asked about her childhood experiences, she answered fluently. She spoke with great spirit about her teachers and seniors, yet, precisely because of this, I find her even more puzzling. Brother, do you think her origins are truly merely those of a recluse?"

Li Shimin smiled, "Lin’s speech is somewhat hollow; her narration of childhood experiences seems as if it were just yesterday, which is incredibly unreasonable. No one remembers mundane details so vividly. Yet, she seems honest and naive, making me curious why her masters would indeed send her into the world."

Zhangsun chuckled, "Perhaps because retaining that innocence makes her more trustworthy. A person with a simple mind poses no threat."

Li Shimin mused for a moment, then with a domineering look, declared, "My empire already shows signs of a prosperous era. Whatever those reclusive families choose—be it truly avoiding the world or holding out—they will ultimately come under my control."

"You, brother, treat people sincerely; love the people as your children naturally wins the hearts of the world," Empress Zhangsun gazed at Li Shimin with admiration.

Li Shimin lowered his head smiling, pressing his ear to Zhangsun’s belly, chuckled, "Let me hear, is the little one disturbing you today?"

Empress Zhangsun gently caressed Li Shimin, smiling sweetly, "Brother, today Lin also checked my pulse, saying this child will be a princess."

Li Shimin’s eyes lit up instantly, "She has that skill? Then I’ll have a lovely little daughter? That’s wonderful!"

After a brief pause, he continued, "Right, Lin submitted medical texts and studied under Elder Sun, much better than ordinary female doctors. Guanyin maid, I shall decree that she regularly checks your pulse for safety during this pregnancy."

Empress Zhangsun also shared this intention and nodded naturally.

"Lin’s temperament suits me very well, Lizhi likes her tremendously, too. But after all, she’s from a renowned family; becoming a female doctor seems an injustice," he remarked.

Li Shimin dismissed the concern, "She isn’t like other female doctors from official slave backgrounds. She’s not for them to consider, just being in your palace suffices."

If Lin Wanwan knew she had inadvertently woven herself into the palace because of a casual display of modern knowledge to shift marriage proposal topics, she would probably be filled with regret.

Anyway, once Lin Wanwan stepped into Chang’an territory, certain matters were beyond her control.