The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

Chapter 31 A Glimpse of Beauty at Jin Garden

The Imperial Garden offers a different kind of prosperity.

Compared to the solemnity of the Eastern Palace, this place has a more natural and romantic feel. In the chrysanthemum garden, various famous varieties vie for attention, and the sweet fragrance of peonies lingers faintly in the corridors. The pond below the artificial hill is shallow, and a few red carp sway their tails leisurely, prompting Xiao Qingyi, who is leaning on the railing, to exclaim a series of "Wow!"

Li Lizhi deliberately chose a relatively secluded open space next to the warm pavilion near Princess Jinyang's residence, where she could enjoy the scenery while avoiding the main paths frequently used by the concubines in the harem. She was meticulous and thoughtful, making thorough arrangements.

At this moment, a thick brocade carpet was spread on the open ground, and four children sat in a circle. What attracted their attention was a novel gadget in Xiao Qingyi's backpack—a small metal frog about half the size of a palm, which could hop forward on a smooth surface after being wound up, making a soft "clucking" mechanical sound.

"Look! It jumps by itself!" Xiao Qingyi wound up the spring a few times and placed the little frog on the brocade carpet. The little iron thing painted green immediately bounced forward, its path crooked but lifelike.

"Wow!" Little Silly was immediately captivated, letting out a soft exclamation. Her eyes followed the frog's hopping, and a curious blush rose on her pale face. "It...it really is hopping! Without anyone pushing it!"

Li Zhi (Zhi Nu) reacted quite differently. He almost immediately leaned closer to examine it, his gaze fixed on the hopping frog, his brow furrowed slightly, full of inquiry: "Qingyi, what is this made of? Is it metal? How can it jump by itself when this part is twisted?... " He even waited until the frog stopped, then carefully picked it up, gently weighed it in his hand, and carefully examined the connection point, "There's no tendon pulling it, nor is it powered by water or wind. Where does this continuous bouncing force come from?"

Xiao Qingyi was a little confused by the question. She only knew how to play: "It's... a wind-up frog! You twist it a few times and it jumps! My brother bought it for me, saying it can jump really far!" She generously handed the frog to Li Zhi, "Brother Zhinu, you should try it too!"

Li Zhi took the cool, smooth metal object, carefully examined the fine anti-slip grooves on the frog's back and the keyhole for winding it, then, imitating Qingyi's actions, cautiously wound it a few turns before gently placing it on the ground. Watching the frog he had "driven" begin to hop, the future Emperor Gaozong of Tang's eyes gleamed with childlike wonder, but even more so, with a strong curiosity about the unknown principles. "Exquisite... truly exquisite. Such ingenuity, if only one could fathom its secrets..."

After playing with the frog for a while, the children started sharing snacks again. This time, Xiao Qingyi took out several boxes of children's fruit juice drinks from her seemingly overflowing pink backpack; the straws were already inserted. The boxes were square and printed with bright fruit patterns and cartoon characters.

"This is delicious! It's so sweet!" She handed a box to Si Zi and Li Zhi each, and then picked up a box herself and started slurping it down.

Sizi carefully took a sip, mimicking Li Zhi's expression. The cool, sweet and sour orange flavor made her eyes light up, and she sipped it slowly and deliberately. Li Zhi, on the other hand, was once again engrossed in his research: How could this paper box hold liquid without leaking? What material was this thin tube (straw) made of, so flexible? Why were the patterns and colors so vivid and eye-catching? He gently squeezed the box, feeling the liquid sloshing inside, and then looked at the completely unfamiliar text on the box (expiration date, ingredient list), feeling that everything was beyond his comprehension.

"Qingyi, is this 'juice'... made by directly refining the fruit into this liquid and sealing it? How can it stay cool without ice?" He couldn't help but ask, temporarily putting aside his research on the frog mechanism.

Xiao Qingyi tried to understand, then nodded and shook her head: "It's juice... It can be kept in a box for a long, long time! No need to refrigerate it!" She didn't really understand aseptic packaging and pasteurization, and could only convey the most basic information.

Li Zhi seemed to understand but not quite, but the taste of the juice was indeed novel and delicious, so he temporarily put aside his many questions and enjoyed this rare "exotic" drink.

Only then did Li Zhi remember the gift he had prepared in gratitude. He carefully took out several pastries from an exquisite food box beside him and pushed them in front of Xiao Qingyi, his tone slightly embarrassed but earnest: "Sister Qingyi, thank you for your hospitality last time. Those 'biscuits' and 'jelly' were quite novel in taste. And today, with this fine drink… Sizi and I have nothing to repay you with. These are the Jade Dew Dumplings and Purple Dragon Cake newly made by the Imperial Kitchen today, and this bowl of crispy cheese—I specifically asked them to add extra candied red beans. Please try them and see if you like them?"

The jade dew balls were translucent like condensed dew, the purple dragon cakes were shaped like small coiled dragons, and the cream cheese was as white as jade, adorned with bright red beans. Each item was small and adorable, with an enticing aroma. This was clearly a "return gift" carefully prepared by Li Zhi, taking into account the children's preferences.

Xiao Qingyi's eyes were immediately drawn to the pastries and cheese. She remembered the "strange" taste of the meat she had eaten in the East Palace, and looking at the beautiful food in front of her, she immediately reached out her little hand, picked up the bowl of warm cheese, and scooped a spoonful into her mouth with her little silver spoon.

The rich milky aroma, smooth texture, and sweet red beans... it tastes so much better! She squinted her eyes in satisfaction and nodded vigorously: "Delicious! Thank you, Brother Zhinu!" Then she curiously tried the jade dew dumpling, and its sweet and soft taste made her smile even more happily.

Seeing that his snacks had been accepted, Li Zhi smiled shyly but happily. Si Zi pushed her own portion of purple dragon cake over and said softly, "Qingyi, please eat more. I can't eat much."

The four children shared a jumping iron frog and sweet juice, as well as exquisite palace pastries. Sunlight filtered through the sparse shadows of the trees, dappling the brocade carpet and illuminating their carefree smiling faces.

Li Lizhi sat on a stone bench a little further away, watching this heartwarming scene with a gentle smile on her lips. This tranquil scene temporarily soothed the lingering anxiety in her heart caused by Qingyi's origins.

Happy times fly by. As the sun gradually sets in the west, the sky is tinged with orange and golden hues of sunset, and the palace servants begin to quietly light the palace lanterns under the eaves. A cool breeze also arrives.

Li Lizhi stood up, walked to the children, and said softly, "It's getting late, and the wind is picking up. Sizi, you should go back to take your medicine. Zhinu, you should go back to your quarters to study. Yiyi," she bent down and gently tidied Xiao Qingyi's hair and clothes, which had been ruffled while playing, "Your Crown Prince must be getting impatient. Shall I take you back to the East Palace?"

Although Xiao Sizi was reluctant, she obediently nodded. Xiao Qingyi, having eaten and played to her heart's content, also stood up obediently and took the hand that Li Lizhi extended.

The group walked slowly along the pebble-paved flower path towards the East Palace. Palace maids and eunuchs followed quietly behind, carrying lanterns. The palace garden in the twilight lacked some of the daytime brightness, but gained a sense of depth and tranquility.

Just as they were about to leave the Imperial Garden and turn into the passageway leading to the East Palace, several brighter and more elaborate palace lanterns appeared at the corner ahead, followed by a group of people.

The woman at the head of the group was dressed in simple, elegant clothes, but the fabric and embroidery exuded understated luxury. Her posture was dignified, and her steps were composed. In the deepening twilight and flickering lamplight, her face appeared somewhat blurred, but her overall demeanor and the awe-inspiring presence of the palace servants around her were enough to reveal her status.

It was Empress Zhangsun of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Lizhi's heart tightened suddenly, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on Xiao Qingyi's hand, her steps faltering slightly. In a flash, she quickly released her grip, gently pulling Xiao Qingyi behind her, then stepped forward and respectfully curtsied, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Li Zhi, Si Zi, and a group of palace servants behind him hurriedly bowed.

Empress Zhangsun's gaze swept gently over her children, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes when she saw her youngest daughter, Sizi, whose complexion seemed better than usual. But when her gaze fell on Xiao Qingyi, who was intentionally or unintentionally hidden behind Li Lizhi and was staring at her with wide eyes, her clothes and appearance completely different from all the other children in the palace, her gentle gaze naturally carried a hint of scrutiny and doubt.

"Rise, all of you." Empress Zhangsun's voice was clear and steady. "Lizhi, Zhinu, are you playing with Sizi in the garden? Is Sizi tired?"

"Your Majesty, we just sat for a while near the warm pavilion. Si Zi is alright, and we were just about to send her back," Li Lizhi replied respectfully, composing herself.

Si Zi replied softly, "Mother, I am not tired."

Empress Zhangsun nodded, but her gaze drifted back to behind Li Lizhi: "This child is... she looks unfamiliar. Which noble family's young lady is she? Why is she still in the palace at this hour?" Her question sounded casual, but it was perfectly tactful.

Li Lizhi's heart pounded even faster. She took a deep breath, maintaining a polite smile, and stepped aside slightly to make room for Xiao Qingyi, speaking as naturally as possible: "Your Majesty, this is... the descendant of an old friend of Brother Chengqian. There has been a temporary change in their family situation, and they asked Brother Chengqian to look after them for a few days. Brother Chengqian is busy with state affairs, so he asked me to take them along to keep Sizi and the others company."

Xiao Qingyi listened, and although she didn't quite understand what "descendant of an old friend" meant, she felt that it was right when she heard "Brother Chengqian" and "playmate". So she gave the beautiful and gentle "aunt" a sweet and innocent smile.

However, Empress Zhangsun was no ordinary woman. Li Lizhi's momentary stiffness and overly fluent reply might have fooled others, but it couldn't escape her notice. Moreover, the little girl's attire... was far too peculiar.

Empress Zhangsun's gaze lingered for a moment on Xiao Qingyi's bright yellow jumpsuit embroidered with strange flat-beaked ducks, then swept over the oddly shaped pink bag on her back, and finally landed on Li Lizhi's face.

She didn't immediately expose him, nor did she press for details. Only a faint, thoughtful sharpness flickered deep within her gentle gaze. She nodded slightly, as if accepting the explanation: "I see. Since the Crown Prince has made arrangements, Lizhi, please take good care of her. However, palace rules cannot be disregarded. It's getting late; it would be best to send the young lady back to the East Palace as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Li Lizhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.

"Sizi must be tired, go back and rest early. Zhinu, don't be too playful and miss your studies," Empress Zhangsun instructed again, then signaled the entourage to continue.

Just as Li Lizhi thought the crisis was over and was preparing to lead the children in a respectful farewell, Empress Zhangsun, who had already taken a few steps, seemed to suddenly remember something. She paused slightly, turned halfway to the side, and her gaze once again fell precisely on Xiao Qingyi, who was clutching the hem of Li Lizhi's clothes. Her tone remained gentle, as if it were just a casual remark:

"By the way, this young lady's clothes are quite unique and interesting. I wonder... where they're from?"

As dusk settled, the glow of the palace lanterns under the eaves danced gently in Empress Zhangsun's calm, serene eyes.

Li Lizhi's heart, which had just settled back into place, was suddenly jolted into her throat by those words.