Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 80 A five-courtyard house!
As the group waited anxiously, Empress Zhangsun's condition did not worsen.

It even recovered faster than when it first flared up.

Empress Zhangsun has a hereditary disease, and given the long time it has passed, a complete cure is unrealistic.

However, it can still provide relief when the illness flares up.

Empress Zhangsun took these medicines for the first time, and the effects were surprisingly good.

"Mother, how are you feeling?" Li Lizhi asked, holding Empress Zhangsun's hand.

"I don't feel as bad as before, and I'm not coughing anymore," Empress Zhangsun said with delight.

It was a gamble that paid off.

"The medicine is effective." Li Shimin was extremely excited.

"The places that hurt a lot before don't hurt as much now. I'm a little sleepy and want to rest." Empress Zhangsun was still very weak, but she was better than before.

"Alright, alright, Empress, you should rest well and not speak." Li Shimin gently helped Empress Zhangsun lie down.

That's how we got through it.

Li Shimin picked up the remaining medicine and looked at it. According to the dosage Xiao Ran had given him, this medicine could only be used three times.

Now there are two more.

Li Shimin and Li Lizhi both wanted to ask Xiao Ran for more, and were willing to pay a high price.

But I just can't bring myself to say it now.

These medicines have amazing effects; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them priceless treasures.

The prescription given by the imperial physician had never been so effective.

Li Shimin, Li Lizhi, Princess Yuzhang, and several others left the palace.

"Father, what should we do about the young master's kindness?" Li Lizhi asked Li Shimin.

If it had no effect, that would be fine, but the effect was surprisingly good, so it wouldn't be right not to say something.

"I'll think about it!" I definitely can't treat Xiao Ran unfairly, so that I can ask for help again in the future.

If I don't act ethically this time, I might never have another chance.

Li Shimin was an emperor; he couldn't possibly be petty.

Especially regarding Empress Zhangsun's affairs.

"Give them official titles?" Li Lizhi suggested.

“Xiao Ran is not interested in being an official now, and it seems he is not suitable.” Li Shimin shook his head. “As for titles, he already has the lower ones, and the higher titles require military merits. It would be inappropriate to give him a title because of the medicine matter.”

Wei Zheng and his group disagreed, and Empress Zhangsun would not agree either.

The only way to make up for Xiao Ran's situation is to find other ways.

“Father, the young master is currently building a house, but there isn’t one in Chang’an yet. We could provide him with a house or a shop in the West Market or East Market. These would make it easier for him to establish himself in Chang’an in the future. We don’t necessarily need to give him money; we’ve already given him plenty of pastries, silks, and satins,” Princess Yuzhang said, expressing her thoughts.

"Hmm, Sixth Sister's suggestion is good. Lizhi, go and take a look, choose a suitable one, and send the land deed to Xiao Ran." Li Shimin wanted to complete the transfer of ownership, so he directly notified Xiao Ran.

It was as if the property certificate was directly delivered to Xiao Ran.

That way you're unlikely to be rejected.

"Yes, Father, I'll go prepare!"

In the sixth year of the Zhenguan era, the regulations for residential buildings in Chang'an were strictly hierarchical.

According to the "Tang Liudian" and the "Yingshanling", the number of rooms, depth and decoration of officials' residences were limited according to their rank. Those who exceeded these limits would be punished with caning for minor offenses and criminal charges for serious offenses.

Although Xiao Ran held the title of county baron of the fifth rank, his status was still that of a commoner. Moreover, in the early years of the Zhenguan era, it was strictly forbidden that "the bestowal of a residence, carriage, clothing, marriage, and funeral should be prohibited if they are not in accordance with the rank of the official." Therefore, the bestowal of a residence had to be within the regulations to show the emperor's favor and not to invite impeachment from censors.

Officials of the fifth rank and above may have their main halls with no more than five bays and nine rafters, and the gatehouses at both ends of the halls and porches may have no more than five bays and five rafters. They may be decorated with hip roofs, hanging fish ornaments, etc., but double-arched caissons are prohibited.

Xiao Ran's title of county baron corresponds to the fifth rank, and theoretically he can obtain a three-courtyard residence: the front courtyard is for the gatehouse and servants' quarters, the middle courtyard is for the main hall to receive guests, and the back courtyard is for living quarters. The main hall has five rooms and nine bays, which conforms to the custom that "the residence of an official should not have more than five rooms and nine bays."

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang left the Lizheng Hall. Princess Yuzhang said, "Sister, the young master's title is fifth rank, and he's given a three-courtyard house?"

"Such a great favor, three visits are not enough. We must also consider the future! Three visits alone cannot show the Emperor's boundless grace. Although the medicine is only a gift to Mother, Mother is the Empress, the mother of the nation. This cannot be considered a private matter and should be rewarded extra."

Princess Yuzhang nodded. "Hmm, that makes sense. Seven courtyards are a bit too many. How about five courtyards and two more shops?"

"That's it!" Li Lizhi thought Princess Yuzhang's suggestion was good. Achieving the political goal of "treating talented people with courtesy" within the framework of regulations was a win-win solution.

Now that it's decided, we need to go and choose.

The specific procedures are handled by the people in the palace; the transfer of ownership with royal background is very quick.

No one would mess with the royal family.

The next day, Empress Zhangsun took the medicine again.

With their conditions roughly the same, the two little princesses returned to the Lizheng Hall.

"Mother~" The little princess rushed into Empress Zhangsun's arms upon seeing her.

Take out a rock candy and give it to Empress Zhangsun, something the little princess really likes.

I myself am reluctant to eat it.

"Mother~ What's wrong with you~" The little princess looked up at her old mother.

"Mother is alright!" Empress Zhangsun smiled kindly.

The little princess frowned, mimicking Empress Zhangsun, "Then why is Mother like this~"

The little princess made Empress Zhangsun laugh, "You little rascal!"

"Mommy~ Shall we go find Little Nangjun, okay?~ And play with Third Sister and Little Blackie~"

"Hee hee~"

The little princess now loves to go to Kaolao Village.

"I haven't been back long, so I can't go too often, or the young master won't like Sizi anymore!"

The little princess is too young to understand other principles, so this is all I can say.

"Hmmmm~"

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang also returned to Lizheng Hall.

"Auntie!"

Empress Zhangsun nodded and gestured for the two to sit down.

Princess Yuzhang then took out the previous photos.

"Huh?" Li Lizhi was taken aback. "When did you get it? How come I didn't know?"

Princess Yuzhang never spoke of it.

“My fifth uncle brought this back before, but you were in a hurry to see the medicine, so I didn’t have time to see it and I didn’t tell you.” Princess Yuzhang handed the thick envelope to Empress Zhangsun.

There are many people, including Empress Zhangsun and several princesses, and many photos of them.

Especially the two little princesses, who made up half of them.

Empress Zhangsun opened the envelope, and the first photo was of the little princess, smiling happily.

The little princess certainly had a great time in Kaolao Village.

Empress Zhangsun also laughed.

"Hehe~ I love you~" the little princess said proudly.

"The majority of them are in the style of Buddhist chanting." Princess Yuzhang had already finished reading them.

“This is me,” Princess Chengyang said.

The photos of the two little princesses are still kept by Empress Zhangsun.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang each took one of the items and kept it themselves.

Xiao Ran also has some, but they are all group photos.

After the photos were sorted, Li Lizhi took out the house deed. "Mother, Father said that the medicine we gave to the young master was a great help."

Empress Zhangsun took it and looked at it; it was a five-courtyard house with two shops.

The deed is ready, and the house now belongs to Xiao Ran, though Xiao Ran doesn't know it.

(End of this chapter)