My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

The early autumn in Chang'an City was filled with a lazy warmth.

As the Tang Dynasty continued to annex surrounding smaller worlds, its dazzling human destiny became as solid as a mountain.

That kind of national strength, like oil being poured on a raging fire, made no villain dare to easily covet the land of China.

Inside the Prince of Qin's residence.

Li Chen was lying listlessly on a rocking chair in the yard.

He tossed a crystal-clear storage ring in his hand and let out a long sigh.

"So boring, so incredibly boring."

"Sigh, I can't live like this anymore."

The Tang Dynasty today is as solid as a rock.

Old Li was comfortably lying down in the harem, accumulating good fortune, while his elder brother, Li Chengqian, was frantically building muscle in the physical cultivation camp.

Even Fang Yi'ai, that blockhead, was completely tamed by Princess Gaoyang, and they secretly talked about love every day.

In the entire city of Chang'an, there wasn't a single thing that would entertain him enough to watch a show or enjoy the gossip.

"No, we need to go out and have some fun."

"Since there's no fun at home, let's go find some fun outside."

Li Chen touched his chin.

A glint of mischievous cunning flashed in those deep eyes.

He stood up and slowly stuffed things into his storage ring.

Several sets of plain-colored casual clothes for changing.

Dozens of kilograms of specially made fairy melon seeds.

There are also a whole bunch of the latest defensive formation scrolls developed by the Tang Dynasty.

Where should we go?

Li Chen stroked his chin, a sly glint in his eyes.

The Tang Dynasty is now a monolithic entity, and there's nothing new or exciting about staying there.

Why not... go and wander around those small worlds on the edge of the Western Buddhist Kingdom's sphere of influence?

Anyway, those bald monks are temporarily hiding in their lair and dare not come out, and that legendary immortal ancestor is still in seclusion.

So, this Prince of Qin of the Tang Dynasty naturally had to make good use of this rare window of opportunity.

I've heard that those remote, small worlds have very unique customs and traditions.

You can also take the opportunity to do some on-site research, go on a "surprise visit" to the back garden of the Buddhist kingdom, relax and explore the area.

It's decided just like that!

Just as Li Chen was enthusiastically taking stock of the contents of his storage ring.

With a "bang".

The courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside.

A little dumpling wearing a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) came running in with her short legs.

Above their heads, a round, fat cat was perched.

"Sixteenth Brother! What are you doing?"

It was accompanied by a clear, childlike voice.

A small pink figure rushed into the yard like a cheerful breeze.

Princess Sizi of Jinyang in the Tang Dynasty had two cute little buns tied in her hair.

Behind her still followed the panting, fat beast "Fatty Four," its body jiggling with fat.

The little girl lay on the stone table, her two big, dark eyes staring curiously at the storage ring in Li Chen's hand.

"I'm so bored, I'm planning to take a long trip and see the world."

Li Chen smiled and rubbed his little sister's fluffy head.

"Going on a long trip?"

Upon hearing the words "going on a long trip," Sizi's eyes instantly lit up like two little stars.

She shoved the cucumber in her hand into the mouth of Fatty Si on her head.

Like a cheerful little sparrow, she pounced forward and clung tightly to Li Chen's leg.

"I want to go too! I want to go too!"

Li Chen's expression turned serious, and he decisively shook his head.

"No, this isn't a sightseeing trip."

Li Chen deliberately put on a stern face and spoke in a very serious tone.

"The place my sixteenth brother is going to is the territory of the Western Buddhist Kingdom."

"That place is full of ferocious bald monks; not only is there no meat to eat, but it's also very dangerous. What if you, little girl, encounter danger there?"

To dissuade his sister from her idea, Li Chen could only describe the Buddhist kingdom as a den of dragons and tigers.

however.

This most beloved little princess of the Tang Dynasty was never one to be easily frightened.

Sizi pouted her pink lips so wide they could hold an oil bottle, and her two little hands defiantly protected Li Chen's thigh.

She shook Li Chen's leg forcefully.

"But Si Zi isn't afraid of danger! I have Fatty Four to protect me! And I'm really fast, I definitely won't hold you back!"

"I want to go! I really want to go!"

The little girl has activated her invincible mode of acting cute.

Her big eyes instantly filled with tears, and she pitifully shook Li Chen's arm.

"That won't work either."

Li Chen didn't back down and poked her chubby cheeks with his finger.

"This trip is to scout out the enemy's situation and enjoy the scenery. I'm taking you with me, Sixteenth Brother, so I'll have to take care of you. Be a good boy and stay in the palace. I'll bring you some good food when I come back."

Hearing this blunt rejection...

Sizi's eyes reddened, and she slowly loosened her grip on his thigh.

The little girl took two steps back, hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks in anger.

"snort!"

She snorted loudly and stomped her little foot hard on the bluestone slab.

"Sixteenth Brother is bad! Sixteenth Brother is a big bad guy!"

"If you don't take Sizi with you, Sizi will never talk to you again!"

After saying that, she didn't even turn her head and ran out of the yard with her short legs.

He was running and shouting loudly all the while.

"I'm going to the palace to find the Empress Dowager! I'm going to tell her you sneaked out to play by yourself, and let her be the judge!"

"I'm going to tell Mother that Sixteenth Brother is going to go out and cause trouble again behind everyone's back!"

"Meow..."

Fatty Four glanced at the heartless Li Chen, then at his little master who had run away.

With a helpless cry, it quickly strode after him on its four short legs.

Watching the two figures disappear angrily, Li Chen shrugged helplessly.

"This little girl's temper is getting worse and worse."

Li Chen shook his head and chuckled, not taking the threat to heart at all.

Should we go to the Empress Dowager to complain?

The Empress Dowager has always doted on Si Zi the most, how could she possibly bear to let her go on an adventure with her to the perilous Buddhist kingdom?

If you go and file a complaint, aren't you just walking into a trap?

however.

Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

A faint scent of sandalwood wafted through the hall.

Empress Zhangsun was leaning against a soft couch, holding a Buddhist scripture in her hand, her expression gentle and serene.

Suddenly, a series of chaotic footsteps came from outside the hall.

Immediately following was a long, drawn-out baby voice.

"Mother Empress—"

The last syllable of her voice still carried a very obvious sobbing tone.

Empress Zhangsun had just put down the scriptures in her hand.

A chubby little pink bundle of flesh, like a small cannonball, pierced straight into her arms.

"Oh dear, what's wrong with my steed?"

Empress Zhangsun quickly reached out and hugged her daughter, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Who has displeased Her Highness the Eldest Princess of our Great Tang Dynasty?"

Sizi buried her little face in her mother's arms, sobbing intermittently.

His shoulders were shrugging, and he looked extremely aggrieved.

"It's the sixteenth brother!"

The little girl looked up, her beautiful big eyes filled with tears, and her voice was choked with sobs.

"Sixteenth Brother is a big bad guy! He's going to sneak out to play behind Sizi's back!"

Empress Zhangsun took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the yellow tears on her daughter's cheeks.

She was amused by her daughter's appearance and coaxed her gently.

"Your sixteenth brother stays in the Prince's mansion all day long. Perhaps he's bored and wants to go to Chang'an for a stroll. If you want to go, your mother will send someone to escort you to him."

"We're not going to Chang'an!"

The little girl was so anxious that she stomped her feet and made a big circle with her two little hands.

"Sixteenth Brother said he's going to a very, very far place! He said he's going to some small world in the Western Buddhist Kingdom to relax!"

"He also said there were a lot of fierce-looking bald monks there, and it wasn't safe, so he refused to take me there."

"Mother, Sixteenth Brother definitely wants to go eat delicious food and see fun things by himself! He won't take Sizi with him!"

As she finished speaking, the little girl pouted, and tears started falling again.

Fatty Four also meowed at the right moment, seemingly echoing his owner's complaint.

After listening to Si Zi's embellished and tearful "accusation".

Empress Zhangsun, who had been smiling, instantly lost her smile.

The hand holding the teacup paused slightly.

The crisp sound of porcelain clinking was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall.

She didn't simply nip Si Zi's idea in the bud as Li Chen had expected.

He didn't even say anything to scold Sizi for his nonsense.

in contrast.

Empress Zhangsun gently helped Sizi up from her arms, a deep worry flashing across her eyes.

Then, her brows furrowed tightly.

Although the Tang Dynasty is currently at its peak, the Western Buddhist Kingdom is, after all, the enemy's stronghold, with unfathomable depths.

She would be at ease if Chen'er went with strong people.

But this child actually planned to sneak over there quietly by himself?

No matter how high his cultivation level or how many tricks he has up his sleeve.

Venturing alone into enemy territory is no child's play.

"Mother?"

Si Zi sensed the unusual atmosphere and cautiously tugged at Empress Zhangsun's sleeve.

Empress Zhangsun came to her senses.

She reached out and rubbed her daughter's head, then took a deep breath.

"Someone come here."

Empress Zhangsun put down her teacup, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Send word that the King of Qin must enter the palace immediately."

Inside the Lizheng Hall, the atmosphere became slightly solemn.

Empress Zhangsun gazed at the autumn scenery outside the palace, her eyes deep and her tone calm.

"I want to ask him face to face what he's planning to do on this long trip."