Volume 1 Princess Taiping Grows Up Chapter 66: Family Dinner (Part 2)
Li Yuechen lowered his head and looked out the window, estimating that it was almost eight o'clock in the evening.
A large table of dishes has been prepared. I looked at the remaining ingredients and prepared to make some West Lake beef soup.
When it comes to making soup, the imperial chefs here are definitely more experienced, so Li Yuechen waved his hand and called over an imperial chef.
"This soup, I said, you should make it! If you have any ideas, you can just say it directly."
“Yes!”
So then Li Yuechen explained how to make this dish.
"You decide the heat. The ingredients are all here, so make sure it's done."
"Don't worry, Your Highness." This royal chef is responsible for making soup and he is absolutely confident in his skills in this area.
Li Yuechen nodded, picked up the braised carp next to him and placed it in the middle of the round table, with the fish head facing Li Zhi.
Originally, Li Yuechen planned to ask Liu Shenwei for some ingredients to make a braised pork, but eventually gave up.
The main reason is that pigs of this era are raised by eating human feces and serve as toilets.
Therefore, no matter whether it is the royal family or any well-off people, they would not eat pork.
Li Yuechen didn't want to break that taboo. Anyway, if the food problem was solved, she could use feed to feed pigs in the future.
So let’s talk about the braised pork later. This year we have chickens, ducks, cattle and mutton, which is enough.
It didn't take long before the imperial chef opened the lid of the pot and the aroma of the soup filled the air.
Li Yuechen leaned over to take a look and nodded: "Well, keep it warm over low heat, we'll need to serve it again later."
"Yes." The imperial chef agreed and stepped aside.
Then Li Yuechen waved his hand and said, "Grandpa, announce the start of the banquet."
"Okay, open it!"
Li Zhi couldn't wait any longer. After all, just looking at the table full of food made him hungry, not to mention the aroma that filled the room.
Several other children also came over and sat down, waiting for Li Zhi and Wu Zetian to move first.
Zhang Chengxin poured wine for the two of them and several brothers. Li Lun and Li Yuechen, who were still young, could only drink Sanle berry juice.
Li Zhi, who was sitting in the main seat, said: "Today is New Year's Eve. I hope everything will be fine in the coming year."
Wu Zetian also raised her glass and said, "I hope you can wait and things will get better and better next year."
Damn, this is the first time that the couple’s New Year’s greetings have been so down-to-earth… Li Yuechen thought to himself.
Next it was the children's turn to toast. Li Hong did the same as usual, saying a lot of flowery things like wishing the emperor and the country all the best.
The same is true for the other brothers, and the content is essentially similar.
Next it was myself and my two sisters.
Originally, the two older sisters should have spoken first, but Li Yuechen stood up first and started: "I hope that grandpa and mom will be healthy and everything will go well!"
Seeing Li Yuechen say this, the two sisters immediately reacted and wished them all the best, good health and happiness.
Li Zhi was in poor health now, so he was naturally very satisfied to hear such a blessing. He smiled and nodded: "Okay, okay... Come on, let's have a feast!"
After the two men started taking action, Li Yuechen and the other children followed suit.
In fact, Li Xian and others couldn't wait any longer. After drinking a glass of wine, they couldn't wait to pick up the dishes and start eating.
The sight of him eating so voraciously made Wu Zetian frown again, but then she thought that there was no outsider here, so she didn't say anything.
His originally frowned brows gradually relaxed and he picked up the chopsticks to taste these fresh delicacies .
Mmm, it smells so good!
But I have to say that the whole family felt that the meal was extremely enjoyable.
It's not just Li Zhi and others, but also Li Yuechen, who is in charge of cooking.
After eating, I couldn’t help but sigh: “It’s so nice not to have to wash the dishes!”
Li Yuechen has lived alone since she entered high school, but it must be said that although she is not opposed to cooking, she hates washing dishes very much.
So much so that the first thing I did after earning my first money was to buy a dishwasher.
Now it feels even better. As a royal princess, washing dishes has nothing to do with her!
At today's family dinner, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were more relaxed, almost completely dropping their emperor and empress' airs.
Just like an ordinary family, even the couple took the initiative to pick up food for the children!
Not only Li Yuechen liked this kind of atmosphere from the bottom of his heart, but the other brothers and sisters also felt flattered, but after getting used to it, they obviously liked this kind of atmosphere.
After eating most of the dishes on the table, Li Zhi leaned back in his chair, holding a glass of sake in his hand with a satisfied smile on his face.
Looking at the children opposite who were already full and starting to play, Li Zhi smiled and murmured to himself, as if he was talking to his wife: "I have only imagined this scene before, but never thought it could be realized."
Wu Zetian looked down at her wine glass and suddenly smiled: "This is normal for an emperor's family!"
"Alas..." Li Zhi couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, since ancient times, the imperial family has been like this, but if possible, I would also like to change it."
Wu Zetian turned her head and looked at him without saying anything, and the topic between the two was temporarily put on hold.
Perhaps noticing the silence between the two, Li Yuechen jumped off the chair and ran over to throw herself on Li Zhi's lap: "Why didn't Grandpa and Mom say anything?"
"You two are playing around, do I have to join you?" Li Zhi patted her back gently.
Li Yuechen nodded: "I really want to play with Grandpa, but Grandpa and Mom have been busy for a year, so we should take advantage of these few days to have a good rest."
Li Zhi nodded: "Then listen to Chen'er and take a good rest during these days."
Li Yuechen stood up, sat on his lap and gave him a hug: "Well, you should take a good rest these days."
Then he gave his mother a hug and said, "Mom, you should also take a good rest."
Seeing his sister asking for a hug, Li Lun also ran over, opened his arms to Wu Zetian and said, "My child wants one too!"
Li Zhi laughed and opened his arms to pick him up: "Come, let me hold him first!"
After picking him up, she tickled him with her hands, which made Li Lun laugh.
The other sons and daughters were all older and obviously a little embarrassed, but Li Zhi was probably drunk and let go.
He stood up and hugged the other children, including his two illegitimate daughters.
Wu Zetian usually looked majestic, and the children who had been hugged by their father would run over to ask for a hug.
Only Crown Prince Li Hong still maintained the demeanor of a big brother, standing there unmoved.
Li Yuechen ran over and said with a smile: "Don't you want to hug Mom?"
"I... I am a man of seven feet tall, how can I throw myself into my mother's arms like a child..."
"Really? Never mind. I want to ask you, brother, what is the reason if someone blushes and stutters when talking to me?" Li Yuechen suddenly asked.
Li Hong replied subconsciously: "That must be a lie!"
"Then why did you lie just now, brother?"
"When did I lie?" Li Hong asked with his eyes wide open.
Li Yuechen grinned: "Just now, my brother said that I shouldn't throw myself into my mother's arms like a child, but he stuttered and blushed while speaking."
"I... I don't have any?"
"Is there?" Li Yuechen turned his head and asked.
"Yes!" Li Xian, who was eager to watch the fun, was the first to say yes.
When the other brothers saw this, they all nodded to indicate that this was indeed the case.
Li Hong was stunned for a moment, but then he smiled as if relieved and came to Wu Zetian: "Mother, I want to hug you too!"
"Yeah." Wu Zetian nodded with a smile and gave him a gentle hug.
Li Hong was the couple's favorite child. Li Zhi then came over and gave him a hug, and patted him on the back twice to show encouragement.
Seeing Princess Xuancheng and Princess Yiyang looking somewhat embarrassed, Wu Zetian took the initiative to walk over and hugged them both in her arms.
"Whether you hate me or not, I don't want to say much about the previous generation. Now, you are also my daughters." Her voice was not too majestic, but instead carried a hint of tenderness.
Li Yuechen, who was watching this scene, had his eyes flashing, feeling that she was probably trying to win people's hearts by doing this.
But I have to say, the effect is good.
The two sisters had just come out of the Yunting Palace not long ago. Since the death of Concubine Xiao Shufei, only Li Yuechen was kind to them.
Wu Zetian's sudden behavior made them subconsciously feel that "what she said must be true."
But forget it, whether it's just a pretense or a way to win people's hearts, these two sisters will never pose any threat to her in her lifetime.
Since there is no threat, there is no need to worry about any disputes between them.
So even if it's just pretend, at least it's much better than not talking to each other like strangers.
…
The family dinner lasted until midnight, and the children wished Li Zhi and his wife a happy new year and said a few auspicious words.
I guess it's getting late, so I'm about to go back and rest.
On the way back, Li Zhi and his wife walked hand in hand to help digest their food.
The cold moonlight sprinkled on the magnificent palace, making the faint shadows of the two people infinitely longer.
Li Zhi looked up at the crescent moon in the sky with a somewhat emotional expression.
"When I was serving the late emperor at his sickbed, he once said that he regretted the incident at Xuanwu Gate. What he regretted was not the incident itself, but the retribution that also happened to my eldest brother and fourth brother..."
When Wu Zetian saw him suddenly bring up this topic, she didn't know how to continue for a moment.
But after thinking about it, he still tentatively replied: "Chinu, don't think too much. At that time, the late emperor was in danger and the arrow was already on the string... If I hadn't acted at that time, I would probably be the hidden prince today."
"I know." Li Zhi nodded, "But you and I both experienced our eldest brother's rebellion... To be honest, the late emperor made me the crown prince because he knew I would not kill my eldest brother and fourth brother."
"Yes." Wu Zetian nodded.
"Hong'er is kind-hearted and gentle. A few years ago, I was worried that the same thing would happen to the next generation, but now... I don't have to worry about it anymore."
Having said this, Li Zhi suddenly laughed.
"Is it because of Chen'er?" Wu Zetian asked with a smile.
Li Zhi nodded: "With Chen'er here, I feel at ease."
Wu Zetian nodded in agreement.
Not only is my little daughter clever, but she also has a very harmonious relationship with her brothers.
Of course, the insightful Wu Zetian could see this.
With her mediating, even if there are conflicts between the brothers in the future, at least one life will be saved.
At the same time, she thought that letting Liu Rengui test Chen'er last year was probably not only to let her assist the emperor in the future, but also to some extent with this purpose.
…
The next day is the first day of the new year. Although there is a court meeting on this day, there is no news to hear. Basically, there are congratulations from ministers and foreign envoys bringing some gifts to pay tribute.
This day should be the most comfortable court meeting for the emperor. Even the Censorate would not criticize the emperor on this day. Instead, they would only say good things about him.
As soon as she woke up in the morning, Xiaohe came in to help her put on her clothes.
"Your Highness, Happy New Year!"
"Well, Happy New Year!"
When we arrived at the hall, my two sisters and Shangguan Wan'er were already there. After saying Happy New Year to each other, we started practicing yoga.
There was no news in today's court meeting, and Li Yuechen was too lazy to go, so he just put on his Taoist robe and went to chant scriptures.
After reciting sutras for the whole morning, I prepared to attend the New Year's banquet at noon.
Because the banquet with the ministers on New Year’s Eve was cancelled, it was moved to noon on New Year’s Day.
After changing clothes in a hurry, he walked towards Qianyuan Hall and just arrived in time.
There's nothing much to say about today's banquet, just eat.
However, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, who were sitting at the top, obviously had no appetite.
After all, I had just eaten Li Yuechen’s cooking yesterday, and the novelty has not yet worn off, so naturally I want to eat some more.
But the royal chef hasn’t learned how to cook it yet, so he can only endure and eat these everyday delicacies.
Seeing that the emperor and the queen looked unhappy, the ministers below exchanged glances with each other and asked each other what had happened.
The answer they got was also a look of confusion, and neither of them knew the answer.
This should have been the happiest meal of the New Year, but I felt a little scared while eating it, and I don’t know why.
Li Yuechen could probably guess it, but she said nothing and just ate the mutton sandwich in front of her.
…
After finally finishing the meal, the ministers heaved a sigh of relief when they saw that the emperor had not lost his temper.
Next is a seven-day long holiday, during which both the emperor and the officials can have a good rest.
Li Yuechen was thinking about making something simple to play with during the New Year, after all, there was a severe lack of entertainment in this era.
But after thinking about it, I couldn’t think of anything fun that I could make during the holidays.
Many things in the future may seem simple, but there is a huge industrial system supporting them.
It is true that the craftsmen of this era were very capable, but the efficiency of hand rubbing is still far behind that of industrial production.
But if you think about it carefully, it depends on what you are looking for.
Now I am a woman myself. If I think from a woman's perspective, things that can arouse a girl's heart should be popular, right?
But when it comes to girlishness, that happens to be Li Yuechen's weakness.
Forget it, I'd better go back and take Shangguan Wan'er and my two sisters to play "Statue". At least it's simple.
If all else fails, you can get a few friends to play together and just kill time.
