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

Chapter 15 Afternoon at the Ryougi-den

Tang Dynasty

East Palace

Several days have passed since Xiao Qingyi disappeared without a trace that day.

Li Chengqian sat upright at his desk, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the crystal-clear glass bottle placed in the corner—the baby bottle left behind by Xiao Qingyi. The bottle, cool and lustrous, stood there quietly, like a silent testament, reminding him that their brief and strange encounter was not a dream.

Will that child... come again?

This thought would sometimes quietly surface in his mind. He pulled himself out of his reverie and looked at the other equally novel and carefully stored "gifts" on the table. After a moment's hesitation, he stood up and ordered, "Put these pastries away carefully, and come with me to the Liangyi Hall."

The Great Tang Dynasty... Liangyi Hall

The hall was filled with the subtle fragrance of agarwood and a faint medicinal aroma. The curtains were half-rolled up, and the afternoon sunlight was filtered softly through the windows, quietly spreading across the polished gold-brick floor.

Empress Zhangsun reclined on the couch, a cloth bag behind her. Though her face showed signs of illness, her hair was perfectly styled, adorned only with a simple jade hairpin. Her demeanor remained composed and elegant. Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, knelt on a small stool beside the couch, gently fanning her mother. Her eyes were lowered, and she appeared exceptionally obedient.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

As soon as the eunuch announced the arrival, Li Chengqian entered the hall. He was dressed in casual clothes today, a black round-necked robe that accentuated his tall and straight figure, though a faint weariness from days of busy work lingered between his brows. When his gaze fell upon his mother's pale face, his pace quickened noticeably, his robes fluttering slightly, and in a few steps he reached the bedside, bowing respectfully: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Get up quickly." Empress Zhangsun raised her hand to help you up, her voice gentle but slightly weak. "Come closer, let your mother take a look. Have you been studying late into the night again? There are some dark circles under your eyes."

Li Chengqian stepped forward as instructed and sat down on the embroidered stool brought by the palace servants. Upon hearing this, he subconsciously reached out to touch the corner of his eye, but stopped himself, saying only, "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Your son is well. But what about Mother's illness? What did the imperial physician say today? Has the medicine been taken on time?" His gaze swept over the bowl of brown medicine, which was still half full, on the small table beside the couch, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"These are all old ailments; just let them heal," Empress Zhangsun said lightly, then looked closely at her son, her eyes filled with pity. "My son has become a little thin. Although the affairs of state are heavy, you must take care of yourself." She turned her head slightly and said to Li Lizhi, "Zhi'er, go and bring your elder brother a bowl of warm milk."

"Yes, Mother." Li Lizhi responded and rose, her skirt swirling lightly as she moved. She secretly glanced at her brother, quickly smiled, and then gracefully walked to the side of the hall to give instructions to the palace servants.

"How have your studies been lately? Your father mentioned to me the other day that you have made great progress in your understanding of the Book of Han." Empress Zhangsun took the warm water handed to her by her personal maid, took a sip, and spoke slowly and clearly, with the unique concern of a mother.

"The Grand Tutor's demands are strict, and I dare not slacken my efforts. However, reports of drought in Guanzhong have been frequent recently, causing Your Majesty great concern. In addition to observing the administration, I also feel overwhelmed with worries," Li Chengqian answered truthfully, his tone calm, but a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes when he mentioned the drought. Seeing that his mother was in relatively good spirits, he breathed a slight sigh of relief, then remembered the purpose of his trip and gestured for the palace servants carrying the tray behind him to come forward.

"Your subject recently acquired some exotic items from foreign lands, which I thought might whet your appetite, so I brought them here for Mother and my sisters to try," he said, personally taking down a uniquely shaped glass bottle and several "breads" wrapped in strange transparent substances from a tray covered with brocade.

Empress Zhangsun's gaze fell on the object in her son's hand, a hint of surprise in her eyes. The glass bottle was pure and clear, without any impurities, seemingly even more crystalline than the Persian glass cup treasured in her palace.

Recalling Xiao Tuanzi's actions that day, he clumsily but carefully inserted a thin reed tube (note: the reed tube was used as a straw) into the bottle before presenting it with both hands: "Your Majesty, please try it. This is called 'lactic acid,' and it is said to be sweet and sour and refreshing."

Empress Zhangsun took it; it was slightly cool to the touch. She took a light sip through the reed tube, and an unprecedented fresh, sweet and sour sensation instantly spread across her tongue, delicate and smooth, with a faint hint of milky fragrance. It even eased the slight dryness in her throat caused by prolonged illness and medication.

Her surprise deepened. She took another small sip, savoring it carefully, before nodding: "It is indeed a novel taste, refreshing and delicious, unlike the usual cloying sweetness of honey water."

Just then, Li Lizhi returned with warm cheese. Seeing the crystal-clear bottle in her mother's hand, she was immediately captivated, her beautiful eyes widening with curiosity: "Brother, what is this? It's so beautiful!"

Li Chengqian made another bottle in the same way and handed it to her: "This stuff is called 'lactic acid,' it has a unique taste, you should try it."

Li Lizhi took it and eagerly took a sip. She immediately exclaimed "Ah!" with a bright smile on her face. "It's so delicious! It's sweet and sour, and it smells wonderful! Mother, don't you think so?" She turned to the Empress, like a child who had received a new toy and was eager to share it.

Empress Zhangsun looked at her daughter's lively appearance, her smile deepening, and even her sickly complexion seemed to dissipate somewhat: "Hmm, it tastes very good. Your elder brother is very thoughtful." She then looked at the few "breads" on the tray, "And what are these?"

"This is called 'bread,' and it can fill your stomach." Li Chengqian picked one up and, imitating the way Xiao Qingyi remembered him, carefully tore open the smooth and tough "outer layer" to reveal the soft and slightly yellow inside. He handed it to his mother and tore one open for his younger sister.

Empress Zhangsun took it; it was exceptionally soft to the touch, with a warm, rustic wheat aroma. She elegantly broke off a small piece and put it in her mouth. The texture was soft and slightly sweet, far more delicate and palatable than the hard, dense flatbreads or steamed buns in the palace. Lately, she had been lacking in appetite, finding it difficult to even eat elaborate dishes. This simple pastry, however, suited her taste perfectly, and before she knew it, she had eaten almost half of it.

Li Lizhi ate with a beaming smile, her cheeks slightly puffed out: "Mmm...delicious! Elder brother, which merchant did you find this from? Do you have any more? Sizi (Princess Jinyang's nickname) will definitely like it too!"

"I obtained this by chance, and there isn't much of it. You can share this with your sisters." Li Chengqian gestured to the palace servants to hand the remaining bread and another bottle of probiotics to Li Lizhi's maid, gently instructing her, "Don't be greedy, and digest it carefully."

"Okay, thank you, brother!" Li Lizhi happily agreed, but her little mind was already planning how to "show off" these novel foods.

The atmosphere in the hall became exceptionally warm and cheerful because of this little incident. Empress Zhangsun asked her son about some trivial matters of his daily life, and Li Lizhi occasionally chimed in, her crisp laughter dispelling the gloom around the sickbed.

Li Chengqian smiled gently, responding patiently, his gaze occasionally lingering on his mother's relaxed brows and his sister's joyful face, a warmth welling up within him. But when his gaze inadvertently swept over the glass bottle, now placed on the table by the Empress, shimmering softly in the palace light, his thoughts drifted for a moment—where was that chubby little girl who had brought these wondrous things, her speech incoherent yet her eyes clear? What kind of place was her so-called "Hua Kingdom"?

As dusk began to fall outside the palace, Li Chengqian rose to take his leave. Empress Zhangsun urged him to take care of himself, and Li Lizhi also reluctantly saw her brother off to the palace gate.

Stepping out of the Liangyi Hall, the evening breeze carried a slight chill. Li Chengqian glanced back at the palace lanterns that were gradually being lit, and the vague emptiness in his heart caused by the strange encounter seemed to be filled somewhat by the warmth he had felt inside the hall.

However, the curiosity and suspense about another time and space, another "home" has quietly taken root and can no longer be easily erased.