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"Sizi, you're asleep, don't worry."

Fearing that Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang might be worried, Xiao Ran sent the two of them into the room to check.

The little girl's condition is still different from usual, but it's clear that she's much better.

"It's much better than before." Li Lizhi gently pulled the blanket up.

So I didn't bother the little girl.

Whenever something happened, Li Lizhi would write to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun as soon as possible.

But not this time.

They were afraid that Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun would worry too much.

I plan to write back once the little princess is almost fully recovered.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang went about their own business.

Xiao Ran spent most of his time watching from inside the room.

Li Yuan, Empress Xiao, Sun Simiao, Zhang Jinhe, Zhang Erya, and Xiao Yu will also go to visit.

It's true that the three little girls are usually quite mischievous, but they're not annoying; everyone likes them.

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya were unaware, but the others knew the little princess's true identity.

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the schoolhouse, falling on the empty seat between Third Sister and Princess Chengyang, the place where the princess usually sat.

Half a sesame seed cake, which the little princess had hidden away to share after class, was still on the table. Now it lay there all alone, like a pitiful little thing with no one to keep her company.

Third Sister held a pen in her hand, but didn't write a single word on the paper for a long time, her eyes always drifting towards the empty seat.

She remembered that when she left home that morning, Si Zi had tiptoed and stuffed his handkerchief into her hands, saying that she should take it to the school to wipe her hands.

I remember on the way to school, the little princess followed behind Xiao Hei, skipping and hopping, humming off-key nursery rhymes.

But now, the seat is empty, and Xiao Hei left sometime ago; he must have gone to keep the little princess company.

Even the wind in the school seemed quieter than usual. Without the little princess's soft voice, she couldn't even listen to the teacher's saying, "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good."

San Niang couldn't help but wonder: Is Si Zi still being burned?

Did you take your medicine obediently?
Will she cry again and want her little prince to hold her?
These thoughts crawled in her mind like tiny insects, making her grip on the pen tighten.

Princess Chengyang wasn't much better off; she opened her textbook but looked out the window.

There was still a red string stuck to it, which Sizi had hung up while playing yesterday. It was picked from the peach tree in the yard, and Sizi said she wanted to "put a little decoration on the window."

During class, the two of them would secretly pass small stones under the table. Si Zi would give her round stones she had picked up, saying, "They look like candy."

After class, the three of them would chase after Xiao Hei together. Si Zi couldn't run fast, so she would always tug at her clothes and shout, "Wait for me~".

But today, no pebbles were handed to her, no little hands tugged at her clothes, and even when the bell rang, she didn't stand up immediately as usual, but just sat there staring blankly at the empty seat.

She was afraid that asking her husband "When will Sizi come back?" would bother him, so she could only think to herself over and over again: Sizi needs to get better soon, I'm still waiting to go with her to see the tomatoes blooming in the vegetable garden.

Neither of them spoke, yet they shared the same thought.

The empty seat wasn't just missing one person; it also meant the absence of the usual lively atmosphere of the three of them together, the absence of Sizi's chattering laughter, and the comfort of having each other's company.

The three little girls have been playing together for a long time. They are not blood brothers and sisters, but they are closer than many blood sisters.

Sizi is the youngest, and they always try to protect her. Now that Sizi is sick and not by their side, they feel like a piece of their hearts is missing, empty and they can't concentrate on their textbooks.

After Wang Ji finished speaking, he looked up and saw that the two of them were lost in thought, but he didn't scold them much.

When he took Sizi back in the morning, he also saw the little girl's face flushed red, and knew that the two children were concerned about their companion.

He simply tapped the blackboard lightly to remind Third Sister and Princess Chengyang not to get distracted.

It's almost noon, time to go back for lunch.

Normally, the three little maids would wait for Wang Ji to come with them, but this time, Third Sister and Princess Chengyang ran off ahead of time and didn't wait for him.

I want to go back to see the little princess.

Wang Ji smiled helplessly, said nothing, and quickened his pace.

"Where's Sizi?" Third Sister asked as she entered the courtyard.

"Sister, where is Sizi?" Princess Chengyang asked.

“Sizi is still sleeping in the young master’s room!” Li Lizhi pointed.

You can visit other places; Xiao Ran's room is special, as both Third Sister and Princess Chengyang know about it.

Even the three little girls who are usually playful and like to play hide-and-seek never go to Xiao Ran's room.

Li Lizhi had told her two younger sisters about it, and Zhang Erya had also told her third sister about it many times.

"Go check on it, just don't disturb Sizi," Xiao Ran said with a smile.

It's clear that the sisters have a deep bond.

They all care about the little princess.

Princess Chengyang and Third Sister entered Xiao Ran's room and approached the bed.

The little princess was sleeping soundly.

As if sensing something, the little princess slowly opened her eyes.

"Sizi!"

"Sizi is awake!" Third Sister said, holding the little princess's hand.

"Second Sister~ Third Mother~" the little princess called out.

"Sizi, it's time to eat. Get up and eat, okay?" Princess Chengyang felt very sad.

"Mmm, mmm~" the little princess sat up, "Seven meals~"

The little princess is a little hungry now.

Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi also entered the room.

"Little Nangjun~ Big Sister~"

"Hmm, Sizi, are you still feeling unwell?" Xiao Ran leaned closer to the bedside.

"Just a little bit~" the little princess stretched out her tiny hands, "Little Nangjun, give me a hug~"

Xiao Ran picked up the little princess, "Okay!"

Li Lizhi reached out and touched the little princess's forehead. "It's not hot anymore!"

"That should be about right. Alright, Third Sister, Fanyin, go eat!" Xiao Ran and the others walked out of the room.

Princess Yuzhang, Zhang Erya, and the others also prepared lunch.

Li Tai and Li Ke also knew that the little princess was not feeling well, so they both came to ask her about it.

Cheng Tiehuan, who used to be reluctant to do housework and delicate tasks, is now very efficient at it.

Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang were both doing it, so there was no reason for Cheng Tiehuan to be idle.

Cheng Tiehuan was quite happy with Xiao Ran.

“With Sizi here, Fanyin and Sanniang are in completely different states.” Wang Ji picked up his chopsticks and smiled.

"It should be almost done. Sizi looks much better," Sun Simiao said.

"Let's see after your afternoon nap. If it's about time, then go to class!" Xiao Ran looked at the little princess. "Sizi, okay?"

"Hmmmm~"

Zhang Erya picked up a piece of fatty meat for the little princess, saying, "Sizi, eat this."

"Again~" The little princess likes fatty meat, and everyone else knows that too.

After finishing her meal, the little princess did not return to Xiao Ran's room.

Instead, he slept on the kang (heated brick bed) in the living room with Princess Chengyang and Third Sister.

Princess Chengyang and Third Sister are not the only ones who like to stick together and don't want to be separated; the little princess is the same way.

The little princess likes Xiao Ran, but the companionship of peers is also essential.

After the three little ones fell asleep, Li Lizhi came over to check on them again.

With Empress Zhangsun absent, Li Lizhi was like an elder sister to her mother.

The two little princesses both loved and feared their eldest sister.

Li Lizhi is very nice, but also very serious.

Seeing that the little princess had almost recovered, Li Lizhi said, "Write home and tell them." "Yes, it would be good to tell them." Xiao Ran nodded.

After Li Lizhi finished writing, she gave the letter to Li Wu.

Now that the little princess is almost fully recovered, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun are not worried and will not come to see her immediately.

Based on the situation this morning, I estimate they'll come over to take a look.

Otherwise, I wouldn't feel at ease, as the little princess is a bit too young.

After their lunch break, the three little girls woke up around the same time.

Princess Chengyang reached out and touched the little princess's forehead. "Sizi, are you all better?"

Third Sister on the other side also reached out and touched it.

When she's sleeping, and when she's in class, the little princess is always in the middle.

"It's not hot anymore!" Third Sister said.

"Hehe~" the little princess laughed, "Mmm, mmm~ I don't feel bad anymore~"

Princess Chengyang and Third Sister also laughed.

Hearing the laughter, Li Lizhi and Zhang Erya entered the living room. Li Lizhi said, "Sizi, go to class!"

"Hmmmm~"

The little princess was also happy to go; she found going to school quite interesting when she wasn't feeling unwell.

Xiao Ran had some pastries prepared. "Sizi, take these to the school and share them with the others."

The three little girls eat these pastries every day, so they don't find them special.

But others can't eat these; they are pastries made by the imperial chefs in the palace, and can't be bought in Chang'an.

Although Li Lizhi and the others didn't go back, Li Wu would usually bring back something when he sent messages.

Empress Zhangsun mostly prepared pastries and such.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun would not come empty-handed either.

We have so many pastries at home that we can't finish them all.

To prevent other children in the village from missing class, a bell is rung just before afternoon classes begin.

Two sticks of incense were burned in advance, and upon hearing this bell, one could go to school.

This bell isn't just for telling the time to children, it's for telling the time to everyone else.

The place became lively again after the children returned.

Of the several great scholars who came before, Yu Shinan and Chu Liang were the only ones who stayed for a long time; the others had to go back from time to time.

Kong Yingda was a very busy man, and he couldn't delay the task assigned by Li Shimin.

Seeing the little princess return with Xiao Hei, Zhang Jinnian and the other children gathered around.

The little princess is the class beauty and the darling of the students at school.

She is widely recognized as the most lovable person.

A group of children surrounded the little princess and asked her about her illness. The little princess said that she was no longer feeling unwell.

They even took out the pastries that Xiao Ran had prepared and distributed them to the others.

There used to be instances of older people bullying younger people.

Without needing many teachers to intervene, the little princess will uphold justice.

The little princess has a very special status.

Zhang Jinnian is considered quite senior, and he's also a follower, always blindly following the little princess's lead.

Everyone received pastries; the little princess did not forget Yu Shinan and Chu Liang.

"Sir~ here you go~" The little princess walked up to Yu Shinan.

"Hehe, good, good, is Sizi feeling any better?" Yu Shinan rubbed the little princess's head.

"Okay~ I don't feel bad anymore~"

"Okay, that's good, that's good..."

Princess Chengyang and Third Sister waited outside, but did not enter the room where Yu Shinan and Chu Chuliang were.

The empty rooms next to the teachers' offices are where the teachers usually rest.

After the little princess left, Chu Liang looked at the sesame seed cake in his hand. "A royal pastry!"

Yu Shinan nodded, recognizing him as well.

Previously, no one knew that Li Shimin had abandoned his two sons and several princesses in this village.

Chu Liang held the crumbly sesame cake, his fingertips still stained with icing sugar, and looked at the little princess surrounded by children outside the door. A gentle smile spread across his eyes as he turned to Yu Shinan and said:
“Sizi looks so young, but he is very bright and clear-headed. He is just like Wu Niang when she was a child. They are both children with extraordinary talents.”

"Fifth Sister is more stable and has more of the thoughtfulness of an elder sister, while Sizi has more of the purity of a child, but the 'kindness' in their bones is the same."

Yu Shinan also liked the little princess; she was very endearing.

Watching the little princess being spun around by the little princess of Chengyang, Chu Liang couldn't help but laugh, "They say 'like mother, like daughter,' and Your Highness's character has truly been passed down to your children."

"When this girl grows up, she will probably become a princess who will make His Majesty worry-free and be respected by the court officials. Together with Fifth Sister, she will become one of the two beautiful stories of the Tang Dynasty."

Yu Shinan nodded, recalling Empress Zhangsun, whom he had met in the palace years ago. She often shared her jewelry with the orphaned girls in the palace and always thought of others' needs when things happened, without the slightest bit of the arrogance of a noble lady.

Looking at the little princess now, although she is young, she has the same temperament: she is not arrogant because she is spoiled, and she treats everyone sincerely.

After attending a class, Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi strolled to the school and asked Chu Liang, who was teaching the class, about the little princess's condition.

With the return of the little princess, Princess Chengyang and Third Sister have also recovered.

The little princess is doing well now and is in good spirits.

Now, Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang have far fewer classes, practically none at all.

Previously, we needed to help share the burden so that Wang Ji wouldn't be too tired. Now that Yu Shinan, Chu Liang, and several great scholars are here, we don't need Li Lizhi or Princess Yuzhang anymore.

The two of them didn't stop, but strolled over to the pool.

Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi are getting closer and closer and their relationship is quite harmonious.

"Fifth Sister, is it Madam Shi who's here?" Xiao Ran pointed to the other side, where a carriage was approaching.

Li Lizhi turned her head and looked, "No, this is not my grandparents' carriage."

Xiao Ran was unfamiliar with these things, but Li Lizhi knew them at a glance.

The specifications of a carriage reflected social status and served as a symbol of identity.

"Who is that?"

Li Lizhi shook her head, "I don't know her. I've never seen her before. She must be here to see the young master too."

The carriage must be of a high standard to be able to come to Kaolao Village; it's unlikely that anyone else would be able to.

Zhang Jinhe's family didn't have a horse-drawn carriage either.

People who own horse-drawn carriages are usually of high social status.

The carriage stopped not far from Xiao Ran and his companion, and a middle-aged man got off.

Xiao Ran was certain he hadn't seen him before, but Li Lizhi recognized him and quickly walked over, "Uncle Yan!"

"Fifth Sister!"

It was Yan Liben who arrived.

Yan Liben had also inquired about the situation here and knew the appropriate way to address him.

"Young master, this is Uncle Yan Liben," Li Lizhi introduced to Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran recognized the name, "Uncle Yan!"

He's another remarkable person.

The foremost painter of the early Tang Dynasty, his portrait paintings are probably the best.

“Young master!” Yan Liben looked at Xiao Ran.

Another small head popped out from inside the carriage—a little girl about the same age as Third Sister.

They looked at Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi with curiosity. (End of Chapter)