Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Li Shimin patted the eunuch's shoulder and said, "I understand your concerns, but I also have my own considerations. I will be cautious and prudent, so you don't have to worry too much. Okay, okay, don't say any more, I have made up my mind."

The eunuch bowed and said, "Your Majesty cares deeply about the empire. The Tang Dynasty will surely enjoy long-lasting peace and stability. I will serve Your Majesty with all my heart and soul."

Li Shimin smiled with satisfaction and said, "Okay, let's prepare to return to the palace."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Shimin prepared to return to the palace with the wine, steamed dumplings and cakes he had taken from Yu Yu's house.

Although the eunuch was still worried, he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only follow the emperor silently, secretly praying that the emperor would be safe every time he left the palace: "I hope so..."

After Emperor Li Shimin returned to the palace, he went to the residence of the princes and princesses with cakes and steamed dumplings brought back from Yu Yu's house.

When the princes and princesses saw their father coming, they all gathered around him.

"Father, what's the matter?" a little princess asked curiously.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Look what delicious food your father has brought you."

"Wow, it's food!" The princes also became excited.

"Father, what is this?" asked another prince.

"These are the cakes and steamed dumplings that my father brought back from outside the palace. They are the food from Zuixianlou and they are delicious," Li Shimin explained.

"Zuixianlou? Father, what is that place?" The little princess opened her eyes wide, full of curiosity.

"It's a very interesting place outside the palace. There are a lot of delicious food and fun things to do." Li Shimin replied with a smile.

The princes couldn't wait to pick up the cakes and eat them, saying as they ate, "Mmm, so delicious! Father, can you take us there next time?"

Li Shimin looked at the children's happy faces and nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll take you there when I have the chance."

The little princess jumped up happily: "That's great! Thank you, father!"

"However, you must listen carefully to the Grand Tutor before you go," said Li Shimin.

"We certainly will, Father!" the princes and princesses answered in unison.

"Father, are there many delicious foods in Zuixianlou?" a prince asked again.

"Yes, Zuixianlou has many delicious foods that you have never eaten," Li Shimin said patiently to the princes and princesses.

While tasting the cakes and steamed dumplings, the eldest prince said, "What kind of place is Zuixianlou? It's even better than what the imperial kitchen cooks."

Li Shimin smiled and replied, "Zuixianlou is a tavern outside the palace. The food there has a unique flavor."

The eldest prince asked curiously, "Father, how come the food in the tavern outside the palace tastes so good?"

Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "The food at Zuixianlou was also discovered by my father accidentally. The Yuyu family must have a unique secret recipe."

The eldest prince nodded thoughtfully: "The Yuyu family? The tavern is run by someone named Yuyu?"

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Yes, Yuyu can also make tea."

The eldest prince asked again, "Father, are there any other delicious foods in Zuixianlou?"

Li Shimin recalled and said, "Yes, there are many special dishes there, such as the fried pork with chili peppers that my father had tonight. The taste is very unique, spicy and delicious, and it goes very well with rice."

The eldest prince's eyes lit up. "Stir-fried pork with chili peppers? That sounds interesting. Father, could you take us to try it next time?"

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Okay, when there's a suitable opportunity, I'll take you there to experience it. But don't just think about eating, you also need to learn more about the lives of the people."

The eldest prince quickly responded, "I understand, Father. I will study hard and do something for the people in the future."

Li Shimin looked at the eldest prince with satisfaction: "Well, it's good that you have such an idea. Remember, as a prince, you must be responsible and care about the suffering of the people."

The other princes and princesses gathered around and listened to the conversation between their father and eldest brother. They were full of curiosity and yearning for Zuixian Tower.

"Father, we also want to go to Zuixian Tower." The little princess pulled Li Shimin's clothes and said coquettishly.

Li Shimin touched her head and said, "Okay, father will take you to Zuixianlou soon."

"Okay, the emperor has gone back, you can go back too."

The eldest prince bowed and said, "Father, please take care. I will rest now. Father, please also go to bed early and do not tire yourself out."

The little princess ran forward and grabbed the corner of Li Shimin's clothes, and said coquettishly: "Father, will you come to see us tomorrow?"

Li Shimin smiled and touched her head: "Be good, your father will come to see you tomorrow when he is free. Now have a good rest."

The little princess finally let go of his hand and said sweetly, "Father, please go back soon. Remember to dream of me."

The other princes also said in unison: "Father, take care of yourself. Your sons and I respectfully send you off."

Li Shimin smiled and nodded, then turned around and slowly left surrounded by his attendants.

The Second Prince scratched his head and asked with a puzzled look on his face, "When will Father take us out of the palace to Zuixianlou?"

The little princess also echoed, "Yes, yes, I really want to go there soon. The food at Zuixianlou is so delicious."

The eldest prince frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "That's hard to say. The emperor is very busy with government affairs, so we have to wait until he is free. But since the emperor has agreed, he should take us there soon."

The Third Prince's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Then we can try the spicy fried pork that Father mentioned. It sounds so tempting."

The little princess clapped her hands happily and said, "Yes, yes, I want to eat lots of other delicious food and see how lively and fun the Zuixianlou is."

The eldest prince nodded and said, "Well, we must be good and study hard to learn skills, so that father may take us there sooner."

Seeing this, the Second Prince said, "Forget it, let's go back. There were only a few cakes and dumplings, and if everyone gets a little, they'll be gone."

The little princess felt a little disappointed and muttered, "I haven't eaten enough yet. I really want to eat more."

The eldest prince smiled and consoled her, "It's alright, little sister. Father will take us to Zuixianlou to eat our fill. There's bound to be tons of delicious food there."

When the little princess heard this, her eyes lit up and she said happily, "Yes, yes, the food at Zuixianlou is so delicious! I'm going to eat tons of it!"

The Second Prince also nodded in agreement: "Well, let's wait and be obedient and learn our skills well. I believe that the Emperor will take us there soon."

The other princes and princesses responded one after another, and then walked towards their respective residences together.

Li Shimin staggered back to his residence. The drunkenness had already made him feel weak all over. As soon as he lay down on the bed, he fell into a deep sleep.

He slept soundly and deeply, and slept until noon the next day. The sunlight shone through the cracks in the window onto the bed, and finally woke him up...