Great Tang princess

Chapter 67 Family Dinner

Li Yuechen lowered his head and looked out of the window, guessing that it is almost eight o'clock in the evening.

A large table of dishes on the table has also been finished. After looking at the remaining ingredients, I am going to have a West Lake Beef Soup.

Speaking of making soup, the imperial chefs here must be more experienced, so Li Yuechen beckoned for an imperial chef.

"This soup, Ben Gong said, you can make it! If you have any ideas, you can just say it."

"Here!"

So next, Li Yuechen explained how to make this dish.

"You can figure out how long it will take. The materials are all here, so it must be done."

"Your Highness, don't worry." The imperial chef is in charge of making soup, and he has absolute confidence in his skills.

Li Yuechen nodded, picked up the prepared braised carp and placed it in the middle of the round table, with the fish head pointed at Li Zhi's position.

Originally, Li Yuechen planned to go to Liu Shenwei to find some ingredients to make a meal of braised pork, but in the end he gave up.

The main reason is that pigs in this era grew up eating human feces and served as toilets.

Therefore, no matter whether it is the royal family or the people with good conditions, they will not eat pork.

Li Yuechen didn't want to commit that taboo, anyway, if the food problem was settled, he could use feed to feed the pigs in the future.

So let’s talk about this braised pork later, chicken, duck, beef and sheep are enough this year.

It didn't take long, and as the chef opened the lid of the pot, the aroma of the soup permeated the air.

Li Yuechen leaned over to take a look, and nodded: "Well, let's keep the fire warm, it needs to be refilled later."

"Here." Yu Chu agreed and stepped back.

Then Li Yuechen waved his hand: "Grandpa, let's announce the opening of the banquet."

"Okay, open!"

Li Zhi also couldn't wait a long time ago, after all, such a table of dishes, just by looking at them, would make people feel appetizing, not to mention the smell that filled the room.

Several other children came and sat down one after another, waiting for Li Zhi and Wu Zetian to move first.

Zhang Chengxin poured wine for the two of them and the brothers, while Li Lun and Li Yuechen, who were still young, could only drink Sanle berry juice.

Li Zhi, who was sitting in the main seat, said: "Today's New Year's Eve, look forward to the coming year, everything will be fine."

Wu Zetian also picked up the wine glass: "I hope you wait, and the next year will get better and better."

Damn, this is the first time the couple's New Year's greetings are so down-to-earth... Li Yuechen thought in his heart.

Then it was the children's turn to toast, and Li Hong said a lot of wishes for the emperor and the country, as usual, in a very polite way.

The other brothers are also the same, and the content is essentially the same.

Next is myself and my two sisters.

Originally, the two older sisters were supposed to speak first, but Li Yuechen stood up first and said, "I hope my parents are in good health and everything goes well!"

Seeing what Li Yuechen said, the two sisters immediately reacted, wishing them all well, health and happiness.

Now that Li Zhi is not in good health, he is naturally very satisfied to hear such a wish, and nodded with a smile: "Okay, okay...Come on, let's have a banquet!"

After the two started, Li Yuechen waited for the children to follow suit.

In fact, Li Xian and the others couldn't wait any longer. After drinking a glass of wine, they couldn't wait to pick up vegetables and start eating.

This voracious look made Wu Zetian frowned again, but then he realized that there were no outsiders here, so he didn't say anything.

The frown that was originally frowned also unfolded, and I also picked up the chopsticks to taste these fresh delicacies.

Well, it’s so sweet!

But I have to say that the whole family felt that the meal was very refreshing.

Not only Li Zhi and others, but also Li Yuechen who is in charge of cooking.

After eating, I couldn't help but sigh: "It's so cool not to wash the dishes!"

Li Yuechen has lived alone since she entered high school, but I have to say that although she does not dislike cooking, she really hates washing dishes.

So much so that the first thing I did after earning the first sum of money was to buy a dishwasher.

It's even more enjoyable now, as a royal princess, things like washing dishes have nothing to do with her!
Today, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian made the family banquet even more open, almost completely removing the airs of the emperor and empress.

Just like ordinary people's homes, even the couple took the initiative to bring food for the children!

Not only did Li Yuechen like this kind of atmosphere from the bottom of his heart, although the other brothers and sisters felt flattered, they obviously liked it after getting used to it.

After eating a table full of dishes, Li Zhi leaned back in his chair, holding a glass of sake in his hand, with a satisfied smile on his face.

Looking at the full-fledged children on the opposite side who started to fight, Li Zhi smiled and muttered to himself in a low voice, as if he was saying to his wife: "I have only fantasized about this scene before, but I have never seen it before." Never thought it would be possible.”

Wu Zetian looked down at his wine glass, and suddenly smiled: "The emperor's house is really normal!"

"Oh..." Li Zhi couldn't help but sighed, "Yes, since ancient times, the emperor's house has been like this, but if it is possible, I would like to change it."

Wu Zetian turned his head and glanced at him, but did not speak, and the topic between the two was put on hold for the time being.

Perhaps noticing the silence of the two, Li Yuechen jumped off the chair and ran over to Li Zhi's lap: "Why didn't you say a word?"

"You two are fighting, do I still want to accompany you?" Li Zhi patted her on the back lightly.

Li Yuechen nodded: "The child actually wants to play with grandpa, but grandpa and mother have been busy for a year, so they should take advantage of these few days to have a good rest."

Li Zhi nodded: "Then listen to Chen'er, and take a good rest these days."

Li Yuechen got up, sat on his lap and gave him a hug: "Well, you should have a good rest these days."

Then I gave my mother a hug: "My mother should also rest well."

Seeing his sister begging for a hug here, Li Lun also ran over, opened his arms to Wu Zetian and said, "I want a baby too!"

Li Zhi laughed, and directly opened his arms to hug him: "Come on, let me give you a hug first!"

After hugging him, he even scratched his itch with his hand, which made Li Lun laugh for a while.

The other sons and daughters were all old, and they were obviously a little embarrassed, but Li Zhi probably got drunk, so he let go.

He stood up and hugged the other children, as did the two concubines' daughters.

Wu Zetian always looked majestic, and the children who had been hugged by their father all ran there to beg for hugs.

Only Prince Li Hong still maintained the appearance of a big brother, standing in place unmoved.

Li Yuechen ran over and said with a smile, "Don't tell me the eldest brother doesn't want to hug Auntie?"

"I... I am a handsome seven-foot boy, how can I throw myself into A Niang's arms like a child..."

"Really? Forget it, I want to ask brother, what is the reason why someone blushes and stutters when talking to me?" Li Yuechen asked suddenly.

Li Hong replied subconsciously: "That must be a lie!"

"Then why did brother lie just now?"

"When did Brother Wei lie?" Li Hong asked with staring eyes.

Li Yuechen grinned: "Brother Cai said just now that you can't throw yourself into A Niang's arms like a child, but he stuttered and blushed."

"I... how can I have it?"

"Is there?" Li Yuechen turned his head and asked.

"Yes!" Li Xian was the first one to say yes, as he didn't think it was a big deal to watch the excitement.

When the other brothers saw it, they all nodded and said that it was true.

Li Hong was stunned for a moment, but he smiled as if relieved, and came to Wu Zetian: "Mother, I want to hug you too!"

"Yes." Wu Zetian nodded with a smile, and gave him a gentle hug.

Li Hong was the couple's favorite child, and then Li Zhi also came over and gave him a hug, and patted him on the back twice as a sign of encouragement.

Seeing Princess Xuancheng and Princess Yiyang who were a little embarrassed, Wu Zetian took the initiative to come over and hug them both in his arms.

"Whether you hate me or not, I don't want to talk too much about the previous generation. Now, you are also my daughters." Her voice was not too majestic, but with a hint of tenderness.

Li Yuechen's eyes flickered when he saw this scene, and felt that she was probably trying to buy people's hearts by doing this.

But I have to say, it works well.

Not long after the two elder sisters came out of Yeting Palace, only Li Yuechen has been kind to them since the death of Concubine Xiao Shu.

Wu Zetian's sudden performance made them subconsciously feel that "what she should say is true".

But forget it, whether it is pretending or buying people's hearts.Anyway, these two sisters will never be able to pose any threat to her in their lifetime.

Since there is no threat, there is no need to worry about any disputes between them.

So even if it is pretended, at least it is much better than not talking to each other like strangers.

……

The family banquet lasted until Zishi, and the children wished Li Zhi and his wife a happy new year and said a few auspicious words.

Guessing it was getting late, I was almost ready to go back to rest.

On the way back, Li Zhi and his wife walked hand in hand to digest food.

The cold moonlight shone in the magnificent palace, making the faint shadows of the two of them stretch infinitely.

Li Zhi looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, his expression was a little emotional.

"At the beginning, I served the late emperor before his sickbed. The late emperor once said that he regretted the matter of Xuanwumen. What I regret is not the matter itself, but the retribution that also appeared on the elder brother and the fourth brother..."

Wu Zetian saw him suddenly talking about this topic, and for a moment she didn't know how to continue.

But after thinking about it, he still tentatively replied: "You don't need to think too much, the late emperor was in danger at the beginning, and the arrow was already on the line... If he didn't move at that time, I'm afraid he would be the hidden prince today."

"I know." Li Zhi nodded, "But you and I have personally experienced the matter of the elder brother's rebellion... To be honest, when the first emperor appointed me as the prince, he knew that I would not kill the elder brother and the fourth brother."

"Yes." Wu Zetian nodded.

"Hong'er is kind-hearted and soft-tempered. A few years ago, I was worried that this would happen to the next generation, but now... there is nothing to worry about."

Speaking of this, Li Zhi suddenly laughed.

"But because of Chen'er?" Wu Zetian asked with a smile.

Li Zhi nodded: "With Chen'er here, I feel at ease."

Wu Zetian nodded in agreement.

My little daughter is not a ghost, and the relationship with her brother is really harmonious.

Of course Wu Zetian, who has a sharp eye, can see this point.

With her mediating, even if there are conflicts between the brothers in the future, at least one life will be saved.

At the same time, she thought that Liu Rengui was asked to test Chen'er last year, not only because she wanted her to assist the emperor in the future, but also for this purpose.

……

The next day was the first day of the new year. Although there was a court meeting on this day, there was no news to listen to. It was basically the congratulations from the ministers and foreign envoys who would bring some gifts to pay tribute.

This day should be the most comfortable court meeting for the emperor, even the Yushitai would not criticize the emperor on this day, instead, it would be picky.

As soon as she woke up in the morning, Xiao He had already come in to help her get dressed.

"Your Highness, Happy New Year!"

"Well, happy new year!"

When we came to the hall, the two sisters and Shangguan Wan'er had already come. After saying happy new year to each other, we started practicing yoga.

There was no news about today's court meeting, and Li Yuechen didn't bother to go, so he put on his Taoist robe and chanted scriptures.

After reading the scriptures all morning, I was ready to go to the New Year banquet at noon.

Because the banquet with the ministers on the evening of the New Year's Eve was cancelled, it was changed to noon on the first day of the New Year.

After hurriedly changing clothes, I walked to Qianyuan Hall, just in time, and I was not late.

There is nothing to say about today's banquet, just eat it.

However, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, who sat on the top, obviously had no appetite.

After all, I only ate Li Yuechen's stir-fried dishes yesterday, and the freshness hasn't passed yet, so I still want to eat some.

But now the imperial chef hasn't learned it yet, so he can only bear to eat these usual delicacies.

Seeing the unhappy faces of the emperor and empress, the officials below made eye contact with each other and asked each other what happened.

The answer they got was also blank, and they didn't know each other.

It was obviously supposed to be the happiest meal of the Chinese New Year, but I was a little scared to eat it, and I don't know why.

Li Yuechen could probably guess it, but she didn't say anything, she just ate the mutton sandwich in front of her.

……

After finally finishing their meal, seeing that the emperor hadn't had any seizures, all the officials were relieved.

The next seven days will be a long vacation, whether it is the emperor or officials, they can take a good rest.

In Li Yuechen's mind, he was thinking of making something simple to play during the Chinese New Year, after all, entertainment is scarce in this era.

But after thinking about it, I didn't think of anything that could be made during the holiday.

Many things in the future may seem simple, but there is a huge industrial system behind them.

It is true that the craftsmen of this era are very powerful, but the efficiency of hand rubbing is still 180,000 blocks lower than that of industry.

But if you think about it carefully, it depends on something.

Now I am also a woman, if I think about it from a woman's point of view, something that can arouse the hearts of girls should be popular, right?

But when it comes to girlishness, it happens to be Li Yuechen's weakness.

Forget it, I'd better go back and take Shangguan Wan'er and her two older sisters to play with wooden figurines, at least it's easy.

If it doesn't work, I can bring a few brothers to play together, so it's just a way to pass the time.

(End of this chapter)