Little Sizi came to my house and became the family's darling, and Li Shimin got anxious.

The next morning, Guo Qian started working in the backyard.

He selected a thick strip of sandalwood, measured the dimensions, planed and polished it, and then sanded it twice with sandpaper until the surface was so smooth that there was not a single burr. Only then did he install the copper fasteners and the food bowl hooks, and erect the completed perch in the pavilion.

The myna bird stood on the shelf, tilting its head to examine its new home, then flapped its wings, clearly quite satisfied.

"It looks good," it commented.

Li Yinxun came out of the house, saw the perch, and nodded.

"Okay, that's settled then. Where's Little Red's nest?"

"It was all set up last night. I put pee pads and soft cloths in the kennel, and it slept quite soundly last night."

With everything settled, Li Yinxun began loading things into the car.

Two large bags of modern takeout: braised beef brisket, steamed sea bass, braised pork ribs, poached chicken, garlic vermicelli shrimp, plus four boxes of rice and a can of seaweed and egg drop soup mix.

In addition, there were several boxes of snacks, two bags of fruit, a whole box of juice, and several boxes of bird's nest and skincare products for Empress Zhangsun.

Guo Qian stuffed the last box into the back seat and clapped his hands.

"Let's go."

Upon arriving in the Tang Dynasty, Li Yinxun noticed something different.

The row of low-lying side rooms that used to be in the side hall of the Lizheng Hall are gone.

Instead, a wide and flat passageway extends straight in from the outside of the palace wall, about three zhang wide, enough for two large SUVs to pass side by side.

The road surface has been paved with fresh cement, and there are stone markers on both sides.

Since Li Yinxun and Guo Qian started driving into the palace frequently, it has become a troublesome matter for vehicles to enter and exit the palace gates.

Li Shimin simply demolished the side hall and opened up a road specifically for modern vehicles, leading directly from the palace gate to the front of the Lizheng Hall.

The car stopped in a side hall of the Lizheng Hall. As soon as the car door opened, the little princess jumped out of the back seat.

"Mother!!"

She took off running into the hall, her voice crisp and clear, echoing throughout half of the Taiji Palace.

"Mother, I'm back."

Empress Zhangsun came out of the inner palace almost as soon as she heard the sound, her steps much faster than usual.

As soon as she stepped out the door, the little princess jumped onto her lap, her little hands tightly hugging her legs.

"Mom, I brought back lots of delicious food!"

Empress Zhangsun bent down and scooped her up. "Why are you shouting so loudly? What if you ruin your voice?"

The little princess chuckled, saying nothing, but simply clung to her neck, refusing to let go.

Li Yinxun walked over carrying large and small bags, waving the bags in her hand at Empress Zhangsun.

"Sis, let's get ready to eat."

Empress Zhangsun glanced at the colorful takeout bags and frowned slightly.

"Why did you bring these back on purpose? The imperial kitchen in the palace has plenty of these."

"Sizi said she missed her mother, but also wanted to eat modern food, so I brought them all back."

The little princess nodded repeatedly in Empress Zhangsun's arms, her big eyes blinking.

Empress Zhangsun gave Li Yinxun a reproachful look.

"Just keep spoiling her."

Li Yinxun chuckled and put the bag on the table. "Don't just talk about me. Hurry up and call everyone over. Call your brother-in-law and Lizhi over so we can eat together."

The group didn't have to wait long.

Li Shimin arrived first, followed by Li Chengqian in a wheelchair.

Li Chengqian looked much better than he had a few days ago. He had a thin blanket covering his legs and was pushed into the palace by a eunuch.

Seeing the table full of modern dishes, her eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything. She was simply pushed quietly to the side of the table.

"I was just discussing something with my father when I heard there was something delicious, so I shamelessly came over. Auntie, you don't mind, do you?"

Li Yinxun smiled and shook her head, "I don't mind, it's just that the portion might not be enough, since I didn't expect there to be so many people."

Li Shimin peeked at the dishes on the table and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"It's alright, just having a taste is fine."

As soon as he finished speaking, another series of footsteps came from the entrance of the palace.

Li Yuan has arrived.

He leaned on a cane, followed by two eunuchs, each carrying a food box.

They had obviously prepared their own meals beforehand, and when they arrived and saw the table full of modern dishes, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"Fine!" Li Yuan feigned anger as soon as he entered the room. "You didn't even inform me before you returned to the palace. If Guanyinbi hadn't sent someone to tell me, I probably wouldn't even have been able to drink a bowl of soup today."

Li Yinxun chuckled, "My grandfather accompanies Consort Wan to appreciate flowers and enjoy tea every day. How could I, a junior, dare to disturb him?"

Li Yuan's face stiffened slightly for a moment, then he straightened up.

"That's so rude! How can a junior make fun of his or her elders?"

"Yes, yes, I know I was wrong." Li Yinxun stuck out her tongue playfully, looking defiant.

Li Yuan glared at her.

Li Shimin glanced at the table and suddenly spoke.

"A meal without wine is rather bland. Sister, do you have any drinks?"

"Yes." Li Yinxun stood up. "I'll go get it and be right back."

She returned to the modern world, took a bottle of Moutai and two bottles of red wine from the wine cabinet, and then took a whole case of children's juice from the refrigerator. In just five minutes, she reappeared in the Lizheng Hall.

The white wine was given to Guo Qian; the red wine was poured for Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi respectively; the juice was given to the little princess and Chengyang with straws inserted.

Empress Zhangsun picked up her wine glass, held it up to the light, and watched as the deep red wine slowly flowed down the glass. She frowned slightly.

"What kind of wine is this? The color is quite nice."

Li Yinxun took a sip. "Wine, made from grapes, has a low alcohol content, so it's not easy to get drunk, and it also has beauty and skin-nourishing effects."

Now that life is more relaxed, she drinks two glasses with Guo Qian every night before bed.

"Beauty and skincare?" Empress Zhangsun raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Yes, it makes your skin better."

Empress Zhangsun lowered her head, took a sip, nodded slightly, and then took another sip.

Mmm, it tastes good, and it's also good for your complexion.

She decided to have a couple more drinks.

Guo Qian poured himself a cup, the aroma of which filled the air. He didn't drink it right away, but instead poured a cup for Li Shimin first.

Then he stopped.

They didn't pour it for Li Yuan.

Li Yuan waited for three seconds.

I waited another three seconds.

Guo Qian still showed no intention of pouring him a drink.

Li Yuan cleared his throat.

"Cough cough."

Li Shimin turned around upon hearing the sound and asked with concern, "Father, are you feeling unwell?"

"Ahem." Li Yuan emphasized his words, his gaze drifting to the wine bottle in front of Guo Qian.

Guo Qian understood immediately, picked up the wine bottle, walked to Li Yuan, and respectfully poured him a cup.

Li Yuan nodded in satisfaction and was about to pick up his wine cup.

"no!!"

"Grandpa can't drink alcohol!"

The little princess had a serious expression on her face, just like Li Yinxun's tone when she was being educated.

Li Yinxun spoke up from the side, glaring at Guo Qian.

"How can you pour out any kind of alcohol? Grandpa's health isn't good enough for drinking."

Guo Qian shrank back sheepishly.

Li Shimin added timely words of advice, "Father, taking care of your health is the most important thing."

"I just have a sore throat! Who wants to drink? Little Guo has misunderstood," Li Yuan said shamelessly.

"Ah, yes, yes, yes," Guo Qian smoothed things over, "I poured it on my own initiative. Grandpa, you don't need to drink it, just leave it for me."

Li Yuan snorted, pushed the wine cup aside, pretending not to care, but his eyes kept drifting towards the glass of white wine.

Everyone in the hall saw this, but no one exposed it; they all suppressed their laughter and ate their meals with their heads down.

The dishes were delicious, the rice was excellent, and the whole family enjoyed their meal immensely, sitting around a table laden with modern fare.

Li Chengqian sat in his wheelchair with a small bowl in front of him. He picked up food with his chopsticks one by one, eating quietly and contentedly.

These scenes were both unfamiliar and heartwarming to him.

He hadn't seen a family feast like this in a long time since his leg ailment flared up.

Li Shimin put down his chopsticks and patted his belly with satisfaction.

"The dishes of later generations were indeed of superb taste."

Empress Zhangsun wiped her mouth. "It's been so long since I've had this. I've been craving it."

The little princess, holding her bowl, exclaimed, "Liu Lan's is the best!"

Chengyang added, "The fish is delicious too."

Li Lizhi was the least picky; she tried every dish and then gave her final conclusion.

"They're all delicious."

Guo Qian wiped his mouth and looked at Li Shimin.

"Brother-in-law, the grain is in the truck outside."

Li Shimin nodded and stood up.

"Let's go take a look."

Li Chengqian pushed the wheelchair and walked out of the palace gate with Guo Qian.

Li Yuan asked, "Xiao Xun, I'd like to take Consort Wan with me to live in the modern world, is that alright?"

Historically, Consort Wan was buried with Emperor Li Yuan after his death.