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

The palace maid handed the prepared milk bottle to Xiao Qingyi. She excitedly took it with both hands, but then let out a soft "Ya!" and released it—

"It's so hot! I can't drink it..." She pouted, looking longingly at the milk bottle that was so close to her, as if facing the farthest distance in the world.

( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )

Looking at that scrunched-up little face, Li Chengqian unconsciously softened his voice: "Let it cool down a bit before using it."

The gentleness that unconsciously emanated, and the subtle air of nobility that it exuded, made Xiao Qingyi feel somewhat familiar.

"Grandma," she blinked, then suddenly said, "the mud looks like poop."

Her father, Li Qi, as the head of the group, usually possessed an air of authority, but at home he was a complete doting father to his daughter. At this moment, Li Chengqian's dignified yet caring expression inexplicably overlapped with that of her father, making Xiao Qingyi feel a sense of closeness.

"Oh, right!" She suddenly remembered something, turned around and rummaged through her little schoolbag, "I brought you some really delicious things!"

She tiptoed and placed the small breads and lactic acid bacteria drinks she had carefully prepared the night before onto Li Chengqian's desk, then grabbed a few lollipops and ran over to Du He.

"Uncle," she said, handing it over, her little face beaming with "I'm very generous," "Even though you're a little clumsy, I don't mind. Here, have a lollipop!"

Du He: ...

"Candy?" He took the small stick wrapped in exquisite colored paper, his heart filled with surprise. With his background, he had seen many rare treasures, but he had never seen such crystal-clear packaging, and the patterns printed on it were so lifelike that it could be described as a masterpiece.

Li Chengqian picked up the small bread from the table. The transparent wrapping material resembled glass but wasn't quite. Inside, a yellowish, fluffy, cloud-like substance—was it food? He examined it for a moment, finally finding the seal, and gently tore it open—

A warm, wheaty aroma mixed with a subtle sweetness wafts over.

He cautiously took a small bite, and the soft, fluffy texture melted between his lips and teeth, carrying a subtle sweetness—a taste he had never experienced before.

On the other side, Xiao Qingyi had already kindly helped Du He unwrap the candy wrapper and stuffed the round candy ball into his mouth. Instantly, a burst of fruity aromas and sweetness exploded on his tongue, and Du He was completely stunned.

This sweetness... is completely different from the thickness of honey and the simplicity of maltose. It is rich in layers yet refreshing and pleasant, so delicious that you don't want to swallow it. In the Tang Dynasty, sweetness was a luxury, but this little piece of candy seemed to concentrate the essence of hundreds of fresh fruits.

While he was engrossed in this unprecedented taste experience, his eyes couldn't help but dart towards the bread in Li Chengqian's hand.

Seeing this, Xiao Qingyi hurriedly ran back to the table, skillfully inserted a straw for Li Chengqian, and handed him the lactic acid bacteria drink: "Grandpa, eat slowly and drink some of this lactic acid drink, it's delicious!"

Li Chengqian took it and took a small sip. It was sweet and sour, refreshing and thirst-quenching, even more delicious than the honey water in the palace.

"How is it? Delicious, right?" Xiao Qingyi leaned over the table, her eyes full of anticipation.

"It's acceptable." Li Chengqian nodded. To be fair, such delicious snacks and drinks were indeed rare in the Tang Dynasty at that time.

"If our ancestor likes it, I'll bring it to you often from now on!"

"No need," Li Chengqian replied calmly. The child's origins were unknown, and getting too involved would not be wise. As the crown prince, he wouldn't need to be troubled by such trivial desires.

Du He, who was standing to the side, had already quietly moved to the edge of the table. Li Chengqian caught a glimpse of his hand reaching out for another small bread on the table, and slapped it away expressionlessly.

He didn't want to cause any more trouble, but since he had already accepted them, he might as well keep them, perhaps... so that his mother and sisters could also have a taste.

Xiao Qingyi tilted her head in confusion.

"Why? Why don't you want the delicious food?" She couldn't understand. "Did our ancestors prefer to eat that awful food rather than have me bring them something good?"

"I have food to eat. As for satisfying my appetite, a little taste is enough."

Du He's inner thoughts: Oh right, right, then give me that one on the table.

Xiao Qingyi was even more confused. How could someone dislike delicious food but accept unpalatable food?

"So... what our ancestors meant was that no matter how bad the food was, the mud would still eat it, right?" She seemed to understand something. "Then, did the uncle who cooked it do it on purpose, or was it because he didn't know how to cook well?"

"If he's clearly good at cooking, why doesn't he?"

"Or is it..." Her eyes widened, and she came to a startling conclusion, "Our ancestor just liked to eat bad food, so Uncle deliberately made it that way?"

Li Chengqian: "..."

He felt as if an arrow had silently pierced his heart.

What do you mean he likes to eat bad food? In this little dumpling's mind, he's such a strange person?

He does not have such a fetish.

How can I explain this to her? She might not understand if I explain, but if I don't explain, this misunderstanding will probably never be cleared up.

"...Perhaps the Imperial Kitchen has been negligent lately." After a moment of silence, he chose to gently shift the blame to the Imperial Kitchen. In any case, they were in charge of all the meals in the palace, so it wasn't entirely unfair.

Du He listened to this conversation between the two, who were so different from each other, and tried her best to purse her lips, her shoulders trembling slightly.

It's a pity that there are only a few of those "lollipop" treats left, otherwise my family could have had a taste. Since they're so rare, I'll keep them for myself.

But this child's ideas are truly... peculiar. He actually thinks His Highness the Crown Prince has a particular fondness for unpalatable food.

He quietly licked the unmelted candy ball in his mouth, the sweetness spreading, and together with the amusing scene before him, it became the most vivid moment in the Eastern Palace today.