Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

Li Chengqian stood up abruptly and bowed to Li Gang:

"Grand Tutor, I have important matters to attend to. Today's lesson is over."

After saying this, Li Chengqian, without waiting for Li Gang's agreement, got up and hurriedly ran out.

After they came out, Li Chengqian instructed Xiao Shunzi:

"Go to Da'an Palace and tell Grandfather that I want to invite him to listen to music at Zuixianlou."

Xiao Shunzi was taken aback when he heard Li Chengqian's order:

"Your Highness, but the Drunken Immortal Pavilion has already been booked by Lord Changsun, how could you...?"

Li Chengqian chuckled mischievously:

"A private event? I refuse to believe that anyone from the Changsun family would dare to stop the reigning Empress."

After saying that, Li Chengqian ran wildly toward the Lizheng Hall.

When Li Chengqian was almost at the entrance of the Lizheng Hall, he suddenly stopped.

Li Chengqian wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He then rubbed his face, feigning innocence, and walked into the Lizheng Hall.

"Mother, Mother."

Li Chengqian started shouting as soon as he entered the door.

Empress Zhangsun was sitting on the couch, thinking about her eldest brother's affairs. When she heard the call, she looked up at her eldest son who was walking towards her.

"Gao Ming, why are you here again? What happened?"

Empress Zhangsun waved to Li Chengqian with a puzzled look. When Li Chengqian came closer, she reached out and touched his head.

"Didn't you go back to do your homework? Why did you come back?"

"Mother, I have heard that an unparalleled delicacy has appeared outside the palace."

Li Chengqian raised his head, his eyes sparkling, swallowed, and continued speaking.

"I heard it was just introduced from the Western Regions. Your Majesty, I would like to invite you to try it with me."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun gently tapped Li Chengqian's forehead with her finger.

"Nonsense! I am the Empress of the Great Tang Dynasty. How can I leave the palace to go to a tavern or restaurant at will?"

If you want to eat it, just have the people in the Imperial Kitchen learn how to make it.

"The Imperial Kitchen can't replicate that taste."

Li Chengqian's lips twitched, and his eyes reddened instantly.

"Your subject has been being watched by Grand Tutor Li Gang to memorize texts every day lately, and I haven't even had time to go out and catch my breath."

I've finally heard about something new and exciting, but even my mother doesn't want to go with me...

"It's been so long since I've gone for a walk alone with Mother."

As he spoke, tears welled up in Li Chengqian's eyes and fell down his cheeks.

Empress Zhangsun's weakness was instantly exploited.

Seeing her son's aggrieved look, Empress Zhangsun's heart softened instantly.

Since Li Shimin ascended the throne, she indeed spent much less time with Li Chengqian.

In addition, she had just learned that her older brother was actually trying to sow discord between her two sons.

This left her with a simmering anger.

Going out for some fresh air is not a bad idea.

"Alright, how old are you? Stop crying!"

Empress Zhangsun sighed helplessly.

"Fine, fine, I'll grant your wish this time. Go change into some casual clothes and don't make a fuss."

"Mother is the best."

Li Chengqian cheered and ran out.

Half an hour later, a carriage slowly drove out of the imperial city.

Inside the carriage, Empress Zhangsun changed into a simple and elegant ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), shedding her imperial majesty and resembling the mistress of an ordinary wealthy family.

She lifted the curtains to glance at the street scene outside, then turned to look at Li Chengqian, who was filling up his water bottle across the street, and asked:

"Gao Ming, you still haven't told me what kind of unparalleled delicacies the Drunken Immortal Pavilion sells that's worth the trip?"

Li Chengqian put down his teacup, leaned closer mysteriously, and said:

"Mother, this is no ordinary delicacy; I've heard it's called 'Big Melon'."

"A big surprise?"

Empress Zhangsun was stunned upon hearing this.

"What kind of melon is so rare?"

"I'm not entirely sure either, but I assure you, Mother, you'll be quite surprised when you see it."

Li Chengqian patted his small chest and assured him.

"This melon is not only big, but it's also guaranteed to be ripe. One bite will leave you wanting more for days."

Empress Zhangsun was amused by his serious demeanor and did not press him further.

I just assumed it was because the child was greedy.

The carriage passed through the bustling East Market and finally stopped at the street corner where Zuixianlou was located.

Li Chengqian was the first to jump off the carriage and turned to help Changsun Wugou.

Just as Changsun Wugou stepped off the vehicle, she was stunned by what she saw.

A very high-class carriage was parked at the entrance of Zuixianlou, pulled by four fine horses of pure Western Region color.

Beside the carriage stood an old man, his hands behind his back, looking around.

"Father...Father Emperor?"

Empress Zhangsun muttered to herself unconsciously.

The old man was none other than the current retired emperor, Li Yuan.

When Li Yuan saw Li Chengqian arrive, he burst into laughter and walked over.

Since the Xuanwu Gate Incident, his rebellious son has hardly come to see him more than a few times.

Only his eldest grandson would occasionally come over to talk to him.

He even gave himself a deck of cards.

He taught himself how to play Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game).

"Brilliant! You little rascal, suddenly summoning your grandfather, do you have some mischievous idea up your sleeve?"

Empress Zhangsun hurriedly stepped forward and curtsied.

"Your daughter-in-law greets Your Majesty."

Li Yuan waved his hand and said:

"No need, no need. I'm traveling incognito today, so let's skip the formalities."

"Guanyinbi, you were dragged out by this little brat too?"

At this moment, Empress Zhangsun's heart was filled with turbulent waves.

She originally thought she was just accompanying her son out to try something new, but how did she end up inviting the Emperor Emeritus?

It should be noted that Li Yuan had a great deal of resentment towards Li Shimin over the years.

He also didn't give his daughter-in-law a very kind look.

Empress Zhangsun suddenly turned her head to look at Li Chengqian. She suddenly felt that today's meal was not so simple.

Li Chengqian pretended not to see his mother's gaze and ran up to hug Li Yuan's arm.

"Grandpa, today I'm offering you a rare melon."

Not only is it delicious, but it's also very beautiful; I think it will bring you joy for a whole year.

I guarantee you've never eaten anything this delicious in your life.

"Oh? Is it really that amazing?"

Li Yuan's curiosity was instantly piqued.

"Let's go in and take a look."

"I refuse to believe there's anything I haven't eaten."

The three of them had just reached the entrance of Zuixianlou, and before they could even go inside, they saw two people blocking the entrance.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

The man on the left looked Li Chengqian and the other two up and down and asked.

Upon seeing this, Li Yuan frowned.

For so many years, apart from his own rebellious son, no one in Chang'an has dared to be so disrespectful to him.

"I'm here to eat. What? Is this restaurant closed?"

The man on the left sneered:

"Old man, you're blind as a bat."

Didn't you see the sign hanging outside? My husband has booked the entire Zuixianlou restaurant today.

No unauthorized personnel are allowed inside. Get out of here!

Li Chengqian watched this scene with amusement.

Even a fool could tell whose people were blocking the way.

Just say this melon is delicious.

Hasn't it already begun?