vstars Chapter 263 The Sizi has a spirit doll shop in Kyoto.
Chapter 263 The Sizi has a spirit doll shop in Kyoto.
"A graceful young woman of thirteen or so, like a budding cardamom flower in early February." Si Zi wrote these two lines of poetry in oracle bone script on Xuan paper. Whoever obtains Si Zi's healthy meal formula is like obtaining the flesh of Tang Sanzang, gaining immortality like Si Zi at 13 years old…
"Princess, through diligent study, unearthed a treasure trove of bird delicacies among the yellowed pages of ancient books!" Xiao Yao told Zhi Nu.
Si Zi teased, "Brother, I've noticed that Xiao Yao really likes to tattle on things to Zhi Nu. Does that mean he likes you or what?"
"Haha, she just likes to stick to me... Tell me what delicious food she's invented?"
In the modern era, Zhen Xiaosi collected some ancient books and discovered that many dishes were prepared in detail. By simply following the descriptions and trying to replicate them, and cleverly adjusting the proportions of ingredients to significantly reduce the greasiness, delicious dishes that fit modern health concepts were freshly made. This makes one marvel at the hidden wisdom and health-preserving methods of the ancients.
Back then, people followed the natural rhythms, planting in spring, cultivating in summer, harvesting in autumn, and storing in winter. Their diet emphasized seasonal ingredients, resonating with the rhythms of nature. Without overly complicated processing or the interference of additives, simple and unpretentious cooking preserved the most authentic nutrients of the food.
Daily travel relied mainly on walking or horse-drawn carriages, allowing the body to maintain vitality through moderate exercise. This ancient lifestyle, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern life and unhealthy habits, is like a clear spring, pure and pristine, undoubtedly healthier and worthy of careful appreciation and emulation.
Zhen Zong simply discovered some business opportunities.
In the palace, the prince said, "The food isn't urgent, my doll is more important!" He then handed the poem to the young servant girl.
The heroes of Wagang Army gathered, including Zhai Rang, Li Mi, and Xu Shiji.
The late Sui and early Tang dynasties witnessed dramatic changes, and heroes from humble backgrounds were recorded in history.
"Is Sizi writing Uncle Ji's name?"
Sizi didn't answer, but asked, "Our father must have many children, right? I checked, there are more than 35 with official positions..."
"Hmm? How did you find out about Sizi?"
"Other princesses count sheep when they have insomnia, but I don't. I'll just count my dad's kids!"
"Haha, Sizi, Father indeed has many children. There are thirty-five registered children, including fourteen princes and an astonishing twenty-one princesses."
Sizi asked again, "Your father has no shortage of children, so why does he only dote on me? Oh dear, what about my little servant?"
Zhen Xiaosi recalled the scene when she first transmigrated into the body of Princess Jinyang. She knew that the reasons behind Jinyang's exclusive enjoyment of this love, which she had personally experienced, had indeed attracted the attention of these historical commentators! But no one knew the truth…
“My dear brother, you may seem like a sweet little kitten on the surface, but you’re actually a clever little king!”
"Sizi, you're talking nonsense again."
"Brother, I'm here to snag a bargain!" Si Zi looked at this guy with a smug smile. This seemingly soft and cute young man was only just over twenty years old, yet he had already taken the throne of "Young Master Huang"!
"Honey, I'm going to be separated from you and Father when I turn twelve. Waaaaah, I really don't want to face it!!"
"Sizi, Father and Brother will definitely find a way. Don't listen to the Imperial Observatory's nonsense..." Zhinu still wanted to give Sizi the happiest life. "Don't just think about a twelfth birthday present. You'll have one every year, and every day will be Children's Day!"
Sizi smiled, "Brother, there are still a few years left. Baby, you have to cheer up. Besides cherishing the warmth, there is also sweetness, heartwarming moments, and comfort, all of which are given to you by your family. You also want the countryside, delicious food, beautiful scenery, and the little moments made up of your dolls!"
"Give all the good stuff to Sizi!"
"I must still work hard, seize the moment, and 'give up'!"
"Oh? What are you holding onto? What are you exercising for? I'll help you!"
"I want lots and lots of dolls that can serve the Tang Dynasty!!"
"A doll?"
"Yes, for the sake of Bingduo Jiangguang! For the sake of Baowei Zhuguo! For the sake of Baowei Renmin!!" Sizi, who was making this vow, already had a little idea in mind. She felt that although her father Li Shimin was the emperor, his life was still very difficult and he had a lot to worry about. She wanted to help her father do something for the Tang Dynasty.
She never expected that before the end of the year, she would be able to lend a helping hand to her father and brother!
Aye and Guoguo will never know that in her dream world, Sizi met Little Nangjun. This Little Nangjun was originally surnamed Xu, but was later bestowed with the royal surname… Li. Sizi liked to call him "Pork Tenderloin" brother…
Zhi Nu doted on his younger sister Si Zi and always granted her every wish. Now, Si Zi was pouting and said she wanted some cute dolls, so Zhi Nu immediately summoned the most skilled tailors in the palace and had them design some for his sister.
The tailors worked tirelessly, quickly creating various rag dolls such as chubby rabbits, little monkeys, and big lions, all according to Si Zi's ideas. Among them, a little wolf doll stood out.
The little wolf cub, clad in armor, with its bright eyes and unique design, was instantly adored by Si Zi. She held it close, unwilling to let go. Even passing princesses wanted one, and princes and noblemen alike desired one…
The news spread quickly throughout the palace, and nobles flocked to buy it. The little wolf doll unexpectedly became a hot item in the palace. Even though Si Zi asked A Ye to use all the tailors, the supply still couldn't meet the demand.
Sizi wanted to open a shop to sell cloth dolls to the people, and her brother Zhinu began to fully support her, arranging several royal-level shops in Chang'an. After the opening, the wolf doll inspired by Xu Shiji, a famous general in the early Tang Dynasty, became popular again. Local people lined up to buy it, and people from other places asked others to buy it for them... It was Sizi's unique design that set off a cloth doll craze in the early Tang Dynasty.
In fact, in the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era, Princess Jinyang, also known as Sizi, fell ill with a cold. Her father, Emperor Taizong, was deeply worried and, following the advice of Zhinu, ordered the Shaofu Jian (Imperial Household Department) to dispatch all the skilled craftsmen from the five workshops, which was still insufficient. Therefore, he selected twenty-four master needleworkers from the Yeting Ju (Imperial Palace Bureau) to attend to the princess. The Shaofu Jian was an official agency in the Tang Dynasty responsible for various crafts and skills, while the Yeting Ju was an institution that managed needlework in the palace.
Unexpectedly, at the princess's sickbed, the carefully selected skilled craftsmen used the little idea in Sizi's mind to perfectly solve the princess's heart disease. When the doll was born, it achieved the effect of "healing the soul with the doll", which led to the legend of Sizi opening an embroidery workshop in the two capitals!
Si Zi's workshop specializes in making spirit dolls. They are made from the finest seven-colored cotton of India for the body and skin, with Persian gold-threaded velvet used for the lines, and further adorned with Shu embroidery necklaces and Wu silk armbands. A single doll costs between three hundred and one string of cash, ten times more expensive than ordinary cloth dolls. Since its popularity in the two capitals during the Yonghui era, by the Kaiyuan era, its annual revenue had reached a staggering 130,000 strings of cash, and this year it has grown even more… Now that this craft has entered the Central Plains… it has only caused numerous problems with piracy, but it has solved the court's thorny issue of reputation.
Zhen Xiaosi only knew that there were indeed stories of princesses creating art while ill in the Tang Dynasty, such as Princess Anle making the Hundred Birds Skirt while ill. However, she never expected that after traveling to the Tang Dynasty, she would be able to use "using a couple to heal the soul," unintentionally coinciding with the Tang Dynasty's custom of the common origin of witchcraft and medicine...