Da Tang Xiao Si Zi: I have a little pouch-like boy.

"Mmm, mmm~ It's Pan Xie and Big Shrimp, they're so cute~~"

The little princess nodded with a smile, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at her father and mother.

I hope they eat it while it's hot; such a good thing should be shared with everyone.

"Why are these crabs and prawns so big? Where did they come from?"

Li Shimin was no stranger to crabs and shrimp; he had traveled and fought throughout most of the Tang Dynasty in the first half of his life, so his experience was naturally extraordinary.

He had never seen crabs and shrimp this big before.

"Yes, Sizi, tell your mother, where did you get this?"

Empress Zhangsun also became curious. In the past, the crabs she and Li Shimin ate were all river crabs, which were not large but very delicious.

But I've never seen one this size before.

How did a little girl like Sizi manage to get her hands on such a rare item?

The little princess was stumped by her parents' question, her eyes darting around.

After a while, she tilted her head and said, "I don't know~~ Big shrimp and prawns are both sea creatures, they're so cold. Father and Mother, you two hurry up and get cold, it won't be good to get cold."

As agreed, she kept her and Li Qin's secret and did not betray Xiao Nangjun.

However, the origins of crabs and prawns were clearly explained: they are animals that only exist in the sea.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Things from the sea, these are rare finds.

It's important to understand that there are thousands of miles between Chang'an and the seaside, and transporting these things here would be extremely costly.

At the very least, to ensure that the shrimp and crabs are edible, they must be kept fresh.

It is estimated that of the thousands transported from the coast, only one or two might survive.

It's even possible that they all died and rotted on the way.

Seeing that Sizi was unwilling to tell the truth, Li Shimin also played a trick and pretended to be happy, saying:

"Father has received Sizi's filial piety. Come, my good daughter, eat with Father and Mother."

Sizi nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes, I only have a little bit, I'm already full~"

Sure enough, Li Shimin thought to himself, the little girl had already eaten.

Empress Zhangsun looked tenderly at her youngest daughter and took over the conversation, asking, "Has Sizi already eaten crabs and prawns?"

"Mmm~" The little princess was completely unaware that her parents were trying to trick her into revealing information, and answered honestly.

"But I can still have a little more." Looking at the shrimp and crab in the takeout box, he couldn't help but lick his lips.

I think I can still eat a little.

"Where did Sizi eat? And who did she eat with?" Empress Zhangsun asked casually.

While appreciating the deliciousness of the shrimp and crab, Sizi subconsciously said, "It's at Xiao Nang Jun's house, Xiao Nang Jun feeds Wo Qi."

It's Little Nangjun again!!

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun exchanged another glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

If the previous claim that this "young master" was merely a figment of Si Zi's imagination, and that the medicine on his palm was accidentally scratched, it would fit Li Chunfeng's explanation.

Then these things nowadays are simply unacceptable!

"Where is the young master's home? Does Sizi know how to get there?" Empress Zhangsun continued to ask.

"Hmm~" Just as she was about to nod, Xiao Sizi immediately realized what was going on, blinked, tilted her head, and started to pretend to be stupid.

"I don't know how~"

Li Shimin: "..."

Empress Changsun: “…”

This little girl isn't easy to fool.

They even resorted to trickery, pretending to be stupid.

"Father, Mother, hurry up and finish your prayers, or else I'll be gone, and then it won't be good to finish my prayers!"

The little princess was a bit anxious. She ran up to Li Shimin and hurriedly tried to open the box.

She was simply too weak to budge the tightly sealed plastic lid; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open it.

Li Shimin couldn't stand it anymore, so he opened all the boxes according to her instructions.

"I'll teach you seven things~" Upon seeing the box open, Sizi took the initiative to become a little teacher.

He pulled Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun to sit together and began to instruct them on how to peel crabs and eat shrimp.

"That's how it is, you have to dip it in light soy sauce~ That's how it's done~"

"Hehe, Mother, is it alright?"

"Hmm, it is indeed sweet and delicious, a rare delicacy. Sizi, you should have a shrimp tail too."

"Mmm~ Ugh~"

"Ah-yes~ Is Pan Xie sweet?"

"Sweet~ I'm so happy to be able to eat the delicious food that Si Zi brought today!"

"Hehe, I'm very happy too!"

The family of three ate happily, completely unaware of the torment Li Qin was enduring on the other side.

While Si Zi continued to teach Li Shimin how to dismantle a crab, Empress Zhangsun discreetly left the Lizheng Hall and summoned Si Zi's personal maid, Qingzhu.

"Where did Sizi go this afternoon? Who did she meet? Who made the things she brought?"

The three questions were a deliberate attempt to find out who this "Little Nangjun" was, starting with Qingzhu.

Qingzhu was a little confused by the question, and lowered her head to answer honestly: "Reporting to the Empress, Her Highness did not go out today and stayed in her bedchamber. As for where those things came from, this servant does not know. I only know that the princess already had these in her hand when she came out of the inner palace."

"You've been staying in the bedchamber the whole time? You weren't with Si Zi?" Empress Zhangsun was not satisfied with Qingzhu's answer, and her expression gradually became stern.

Qingzhu knelt down with a thud, her heart filled with fear.

"Not long after returning from the Lizheng Hall, His Highness woke up once. We heard the noise and went in to check, but there was no one there."

"However, His Highness said he wanted to sleep a little longer and asked us all to leave. We dared not disobey, so we all withdrew."

"only……"

"But what?" Hearing Qingzhu hesitate, Changsun's eyes instantly sharpened.

Qingzhu was startled by the sudden aura and quickly added, "But Her Highness was full of energy at the time, and didn't seem to want to continue sleeping. Perhaps something happened during that time, but we were all outside the palace and had no idea..."

"I will question every palace maid and eunuch on duty about this matter. If it is as you say, you will be fine. But if you dare to deceive me, don't blame me for enforcing the palace rules!"

"This servant dares not. Your Majesty can send someone to inquire immediately. There are witnesses to all of Qingzhu's words and deeds."

Seeing her certainty, Changsun did not press further. She waved her hand and said, "Get up. From this moment on, keep a close watch on Sizi, even if it's in secret. I need to know all of my daughter's movements. If you discover anything unusual, send someone to report immediately."

"Here."

After briefly understanding the situation, Changsun returned to the Lizheng Hall.

Seeing the father and daughter sitting at the innermost part laughing heartily, a slight smile appeared on the lips of this wise empress throughout the ages.

I wish time could stand still at this moment.