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

Empress Zhangsun stared at the glistening roast goose on the plate for a long while before softly remarking, "This dish... truly belongs only in heaven."

The little princess clumsily picked up a piece of goose meat and held it to Li Yinxun's mouth, saying, "I'll feed Auntie Qi."

The little princess is such a sweetheart. Li Yinxun ate it in one bite and looked at the little princess with a smug look.

Not to be outdone, the little princess stuffed a whole piece of goose breast into her mouth, but unfortunately her mouth was too small; she could fit it in, but couldn't chew it.

"Waaaaaah X﹏X"

Li Yinxun smiled and took it out for her, "Eat slowly."

The little princess snorted, but didn't get angry as she smelled the fragrance.

While chewing, she said, "Sister, Mother, it's almost time! It's so good to be here!"

Li Lizhi and Empress Zhangsun ate very politely, not even looking up when they heard this, and continued eating silently.

Li Yinxun didn't really like eating it. Modern people don't lack oil and fat, so for Li Yinxun, roast goose was a bit greasy.

I called over a farm waiter and ordered four glasses of plum juice.

The plum juice here isn't made from plum powder diluted with water; it's homemade plum sauce made by the owner using hot water.

Li Yinxun ate the prawns while peeling them for the little princess.

Perhaps sensing that Li Yinxun didn't like chicken and roast goose, Li Lizhi and Empress Zhangsun only ate one shrimp to taste it before leaving it untouched.

Soon, the plum juice was served.

"This is plum juice. I really like it. You should try some." Li Yinxun held up a glass, ready to feed the little princess.

"It's sweet and delicious." The little princess waved her greasy hands back and forth.

After dinner, Li Yinxun took them for a walk in the farm.

When they reached an open area enclosed by a net, the little princess could no longer walk.

In the open space, a dozen plump free-range chickens were pecking at the ground and running around.

A rooster held its head high, its feathers glossy, looking exceptionally proud.

The little princess stared intently at the rooster.

"A rooster!"

She broke free from Empress Zhangsun's hand and rushed over with her short legs.

Empress Zhangsun couldn't stop him in time and cried out, "Sizi! Come back! This is improper—"

The word "统" was stuck in my throat and wouldn't come out.

The little princess had already pounced on her.

With its short legs, it ran wobbly, its arms outstretched, like a clumsy little eagle.

The rooster crowed and dodged away, causing her to miss her target, fall, get up, and continue the chase.

These were specially raised by the farm for city kids to experience, so they're fairly clean.

Li Yinxun took a few photos before saying to Empress Zhangsun, "Sister, let the children play. It's alright. This place is for relaxation."

"Children shouldn't be raised too delicately, or they'll easily get sick."

Empress Zhangsun stood outside the net, watching her daughter inside, who had no princess-like demeanor and was chasing chickens like an ordinary farm child.

"You're right. I only wish for Sizi to be happy and carefree forever."

After saying that, he followed Li Yinxun's example and raised his phone to take a picture of the little princess.

Looking at the photo of Sizi on her phone, Empress Zhangsun thought to herself, "If I bring her back to the Tang Dynasty, Erlang will surely be very happy to see Sizi so joyful."

……

Datang.

"Ananda!"

"Your Majesty, this servant is here!"

"What about the news from the Lizheng Hall? How is it going there?" Li Shimin asked anxiously.

It's one thing that Sizi, a mere child, didn't come back to report the news, but Guanyinbi and Lizhi also wouldn't let Li Yinxun, that little girl, come back to take him to see the modern world.

He's so angry!

"Your Majesty, there's been no news of the Empress. I've sent people to keep watch, and they'll inform Your Majesty immediately if there's any news..."

Li Shimin sighed, "Oh dear, I'm so worried! It's been two days, and they haven't sent me a single message or come back."

"Your Majesty need not worry, Her Majesty is blessed with good fortune."

"It's been so long, how can I not be anxious?"

"Go and bring me all the delicacies that the prince brought back!"

Hmph, if he doesn't come back, he'll eat all the good food.

……

Leaving the chicken coop, I passed by a plum grove.

The branches were laden with fruit, some purplish-red, some greenish-yellow, hanging heavily.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of fruit, mixed with the scent of sun-dried leaves.

Li Yinxun looked up, and without saying a word, she quickly climbed up the tree, reaching a height of more than two meters, and straddled a thick branch.

All three of them were stunned.

This orchard is open to diners for a visit. As long as you don't maliciously damage the fruit trees, the farm won't interfere with whether you climb a tree or not.

The little princess's eyes widened, and she bounced around on the spot, shouting, "I want one too! I want one too!"

Empress Zhangsun sternly forbade it, saying, "No, Sizi, climbing trees is too dangerous. Your mother will worry."

Li Yinxun pointed to the tree next to her, "Sister, there's a short branch over there. You can sit there and play with Sizi."

Empress Zhangsun glanced at it and realized it was indeed not high; even if she fell, she wouldn't get hurt.

"Okay, Sisi, let me carry you over there to sit for a bit. We won't climb the tree, okay?"

The little princess is easily satisfied, "Okay, okay..."

Sitting on a tree branch, the little princess happily swung her legs.

"Hehehe, Mommy's grown taller!"

"then!"

Li Lizhi reached out and caught it.

She looked down at the fruit in her hand; it was plump and round.

He looked up at Li Yinxun in the tree.

Li Yinxun sat on a tree branch, her legs swinging casually, her hair a mess from the wind.

She had a plum in her mouth and another in her hand, and she gestured downwards with her chin.

"This one's sweeter, want some?"

"want."

A red plum fell into her hand.

Li Lizhi looked at the carefree, radiant smile on Li Yinxun's face.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light on her.

She lived...as freely as the wind in the forest.

A strange, indescribable emotion welled up in Li Lizhi's heart.

It's a little sour, a little astringent, but mostly... I'm envious.

A kind of envy she had never felt before, a longing for another way of life.

She took a bite of the plum in her hand.

Very sweet.

Return journey.

As dusk settled, the sky was ablaze with a vast expanse of orange-red.

Sizi was fast asleep in the back seat, her little face pressed against Empress Zhangsun's leg, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, as if she was still chasing a rooster in her dream.

Empress Zhangsun leaned back in her chair, gazing out the window, the setting sun casting a warm glow on her face.

Li Lizhi sat on the other side, her gaze fixed on the rearview mirror.

In the mirror, Li Yinxun was focused on driving, her profile illuminated by the blue light of the dashboard, her expression calm.

Li Lizhi looked lost in thought, and no one knew what she was thinking.

Back in the city center, Li Yin first took them home before returning the car.

"Oh no!" Li Lizhi suddenly looked at Empress Zhangsun. "Mother, we haven't contacted Father for three days."

Empress Zhangsun patted Li Lizhi on the shoulder, "It's alright, don't worry. Your father has already come to check that I'm fine, so he'll understand that it's inconvenient for us to be in the hospital."