My subjects are too rebellious!

As time passed, Qin Chuan sat on a large rock with several exquisite fishing rods and a small bucket beside him. He patiently explained the essentials of fishing to the princes.

How to choose the right bait, how to control the strength of the fishing rod, and how to observe the movement of the water surface to determine whether the fish is hooked.

The princes sat around their father and listened with great interest.

Qin Chuan smiled and said to the princes: "Watch out, fishing is like governing a country, it requires patience, wisdom and a little bit of luck. Whether the fish will take the bait or not depends on whether you can stay calm and understand the language of the water."

The eldest prince Qin Mu nodded seriously: "Father is right, I understand, governing a country is like fishing, we must not rush for quick success."

The second prince Qin Tao interrupted mischievously: "But father, if the fish don't bite, will we starve to death?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone laughed softly. Qin Chuan couldn't help laughing: "Haha, you are worried, kid. Don't worry, with your mother and the ladies here, we won't starve."

At this time, laughter and joy were also heard from the concubines.

Wu Zetian held a fan in her hand, gently fanning the charcoal fire, and said to Yang Yuhuan beside her: "Yuhuan, your cooking skills are getting better and better. The aroma of the barbecue can be smelled from a long distance away."

Yang Yuhuan smiled shyly: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I only know a little bit, but how can I compare with your exquisite cooking skills?"

Su Daji joked, "Hey, stop flattering each other. Look at this fish. It's roasted golden and crispy. My mouth is watering."

Shangguan Wan'er smiled and shook her head: "Sister Daji is still so impatient. Don't be impatient. Everyone will have a share soon."

Liu Rushi said gently: "Speaking of which, fishing and barbecue are a perfect match, one is active and the other is quiet, they complement each other."

Li Shishi came over singing and dancing gracefully: "Yes, with such beautiful scenery and delicious food, how can there be no singing and dancing to liven up the atmosphere? I am willing to present a song for your majesty and the ladies."

As Li Shishi's singing rang out, the entire lotus pond seemed to be shrouded in a dreamy atmosphere.

The princes also looked over here from time to time. The scene was very comfortable and warm with laughter and joy.

..........

Su Daji winked at Shangguan Wan'er and said, "Sister Wan'er, I have read your new poem. It is so full of talent and it is breathtaking."

Liu Rushi stroked the barbecue in her hand and said tenderly, "Speaking of lotus, I am reminded of a poem, 'Straight inside and outside, without vines or branches', which is the most appropriate to describe the sisters in our harem."

Wu Zetian smiled when she heard this: "Sister Rushi is really thoughtful. The purity of the lotus is indeed consistent with the character of the women in our harem. However, we must be more capable of assisting His Majesty and managing the harem. This is the true 'internal connection and external integrity'."

Yang Yuhuan held a cup of tea in her hand and took a sip: "The Queen is right. Although we are in the harem, we must continue to learn and improve ourselves so that we can better share the worries of His Majesty."

Li Shishi put down her instrument and joined the conversation: "Yes, we all have our own talents and strengths. If we can learn from each other and make progress together, we will surely make the harem more harmonious and beautiful."

As the barbecue on the charcoal fire gradually exudes an enticing aroma, the entire lotus pond is filled with the mouth-watering smell.

Wu Zetian looked at the delicious food that was ready, nodded with satisfaction, then stood up and called out in her gentle voice: "Your Majesty, children, the barbecue is ready, come and taste it!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Chuan put down the fishing rod in his hand, looked at Wu Zetian with a smile, his eyes full of doting.

He was about to get up when he was tightly entangled by two little princesses, Qin Xi and Qin Jin.

Their little faces were filled with anticipation and coquettish expressions, and they said in unison: "Father, Father, we want to eat the grilled squid you made yourself! Your grilled squid is the most delicious, no one can compare to it!"

Qin Chuan laughed out loud at the cute looks of his daughters. He bent down and picked up Qin Xi, then gently patted Qin Jin's head and said lovingly, "Okay, okay, father will grill squid for you right now, so you can taste father's cooking skills."

As he spoke, Qin Chuan walked to the grill and picked out two fresh squids from the ingredients carefully prepared by the concubines.

He handled the squid skillfully and chatted with the children who gathered around him while grilling it. The air was filled with the warmth of fatherly love and the aroma of food.

Seeing this, Empress Wu Zetian and the concubines couldn't help but smile gently.

They know that for Qin Chuan, no matter how busy or tired he is, the children's smiles and requests will always be his greatest motivation.

He carefully flipped the squid on the grill, ensuring that each side was evenly heated and exuded an enticing aroma.

He said in his charming voice: "Look at you two greedy little cats, your mouths are almost crooked with greed, right?"

Upon hearing this, the little princesses smiled even more brightly. They snuggled up to their father, enjoying this unique love.

Although the princes standing by also longed to taste the squid grilled by their father, due to face and rules, they just stood by silently, with envy and desire in their eyes.

Qin Chuan is so smart, how could he not see what the princes are thinking?

He smiled slightly, and while continuing to grill the squid for the little princesses, he whispered a few words to Zhang Rang beside him, asking them to prepare more ingredients and a grill.

Not long after, a new grill was set up and Qin Chuan personally started grilling squid for the princes and concubines.

He has a very skillful technique, and every flip and every sprinkle of ingredients is just right.

The princes and concubines gathered around, watching with anticipation, their hearts filled with happiness.

When strings of golden and crispy grilled squid were delivered to them one by one, a satisfied smile appeared on everyone's face.

The princes tasted the squid grilled by their father, and the desire and envy in their hearts were finally satisfied.

........

The family is having a great time together and the picture is warm and beautiful.

In this small world beside the lotus pond, there is no majesty and constraints of imperial power, only the warmth and joy of family affection.

Qin Chuan sat together with the concubines, princes, and princesses, tasting delicious food and sharing each other's joy and fun. The laughter and conversation intertwined together, forming a moving family melody.

The little princesses snuggled up to their father, sometimes acting coquettishly and sometimes playing around. Their innocence added endless fun to the party.

The princes showed their growth and maturity. They not only learned respect and humility, but also understood how to cherish this hard-earned family time.

Because they are family.

..........

Haha, finally! This novel is like my procrastinating cat, and it has finally lazily turned its "last page" (although it may not realize it yet).

And at this moment, I am standing at the door of "Completion", holding a "thank you fan" in my hand, ready to send a cool "wind of gratitude" to every reader passing by!

Dear readers, do you know that without you, this novel of mine would probably just be a "self-congratulatory book", gathering dust on my bookshelf and occasionally sneezing at the dust?

But with you guys, it's like magic.

Dear readers, every comment, every like, and every recommendation from you is a great encouragement and affirmation to me.

I know that my writing style is still immature, and the story may have many shortcomings and flaws, and too many imperfections.

Whenever it’s late at night and I’m alone facing the words on the screen, doubts about my own abilities always creep in.

But it is every time you read, every message you leave, and every encouraging look (even though it is through the screen) that is like warm sunshine penetrating the clouds and illuminating my way forward.

Your tolerance and understanding give me the courage to keep picking up the pen, even though the road ahead is long and unknown.

Here, I would like to say thank you to every reader who has given me support and encouragement! Thank you for your perseverance and for taking the time to read my works, which may not be mature enough.

Please believe that I will turn this gratitude into motivation, continue to study hard, and constantly improve my writing skills.

In the days to come, no matter what the weather, I will always carry my love and awe for literature with me, and strive to create more and better works to repay your kindness.

Thank you again, I hope our story can meet in a more perfect way one day in the future.

...

Here, I would like to say thank you to the readers who have always supported me in the most sincere and straightforward words.

Before writing this book, my mind was full of longing for political intrigues and I felt that I could handle those complex political struggles and human entanglements.

But when I actually started writing, I found myself like a toddler, so small and powerless in the face of the vast ocean of knowledge.

I admit that my knowledge is far from enough.

Every time I try to depict the intricacies in depth, I feel powerless.

I realized that writing about political intrigues well is not as simple as making up a few stories. It requires a deep insight into human nature, a comprehensive understanding of history, and a keen perception of politics.

And these are what I need to continue learning and accumulating.

So, I started buying books, reading books, and looking up information like crazy. Sometimes, I would even stay up late to read history books to verify the authenticity of a plot, just to find that little clue that could support my writing.

This process is really hard, but every time I think of you silently supporting me behind the scenes, I feel that it is all worth it.

I know that my works still have many shortcomings. Maybe the writing is not fluent enough, the plot is not compact enough, and the characters are not three-dimensional enough.

But please believe me, these are the necessary steps in my growth.

I will accept every criticism with an open mind and correct every mistake seriously, because I know that only by continuous improvement can I write better works to repay your kindness.

So, thank you again for your support.

It is your encouragement and support that gives me the courage to move forward.

It is your expectations and tolerance that give me the motivation to constantly challenge myself.

Please believe that I will always maintain this sincerity and enthusiasm, and strive to write more touching stories, so that you can feel my growth and progress in the process of reading. Thank you!

Finally, I want to confess to you a concern that is hidden in my heart.

In this book, there are many shining figures in history.

Such as Lü Zhi's wisdom and tenacity, Sima Yi's depth and complexity, Yue Fei's loyalty and heroic spirit...

They are like shining stars, but, unfortunately, I have not been able to describe their charm in detail.

This is not out of contempt or neglect, but comes from the awe and uneasiness deep in my heart.

Whenever I try to touch these historical figures, I feel as if I am standing in front of the torrent of history and feel its heavy weight.

I am afraid that my writing skills are not enough to depict their profound inner world.

I am afraid that my understanding is too one-sided and unable to restore their true and complex personalities.

I am even more afraid that due to my own negligence or improper handling, these characters will lose their original brilliance in my heart and in your eyes.

Therefore, I chose to be cautious and leave blank space.

Everyone has his or her own Lu Zhi, Sima Yi, Yue Fei, etc. in his or her hearts... They may be different from the records in history books, but they are equally vivid and moving.

Please forgive my shortcomings in this regard.

Finally, thanks again to all the readers! Thank you!