Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

“Uncle, it’s too late for you to come, but Madam can come.” Xiao Ran also knew that an emperor like Li Shimin would not live in Kaolao Village.

"Will it work?" Li Shimin also knew that this was a good place.

Judging from the state of Empress Xiao and Li Yuan, it's clear that this place is a good place for self-cultivation.

Not only Empress Xiao, but also the legendary physician Sun Simiao were here, though there were fewer people serving them than in the imperial palace.

However, with Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang present, they certainly wouldn't neglect Empress Zhangsun.

"Since the old man is here, let's just say he's here for medical treatment!" Xiao Ran looked at the water. "I don't think anyone will object to that explanation!"

"That's true!" Li Shimin nodded.

"Uncle, do you regret it?" Xiao Ran looked at Li Shimin beside him.

"Do you regret taking this path?" Li Shimin smiled wryly. "I can only say I envy you, lad. I wouldn't say I regret it. Ever since Jinyang more than a decade ago, there has been no turning back."

She sighed softly, her tone devoid of any hesitation, only the clarity that comes with weathering storms: "It's not that I chose a 'life or death' path, it's that the road I chose never left me any room to turn back."

Li Shimin gazed at Li Yuan's figure under the tree in the distance—his father's white hair at the temples was particularly conspicuous in the sunlight, and he had a smile on his lips as he spoke to Sun Simiao, a relaxed demeanor rarely seen in the Chang'an Palace.

He sighed softly to himself. Xiao Ran's question, "Do you regret it?" was like a pebble thrown into a calm pond. The ripples were not of regret, but of a sober reflection on the past.

Where is the question of regret?

The year he raised his army in Jinyang, he followed his father in raising the flag, with a group of brothers crying for food behind him and the chaotic world at the end of the Sui Dynasty in front of him.

At that time, all I could think about was "to bring peace to the land," how could I dare to think about turning back?

Later, as the country gradually settled down, suspicion from the Crown Prince's palace began to creep in like vines.

The eldest brother transferred away the generals of the Prince of Qin's mansion, and the fourth brother told their father that he was hoarding troops and was becoming too powerful, and even refused his request to go to Luoyang to avoid trouble.

He had considered stepping down, but if he did, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui would be dismissed from their posts, Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong would be sent to the frontier, and his brothers who had risked their lives with him would all be accused of "treason."

I remember that time I went to the banquet at the Eastern Palace, and the poison in the wine burned down my throat.

If someone hadn't risked their life to carry him back, he would probably have become a "traitor" on the Crown Prince's case long ago.

Then he understood that this path was long blocked; either he would die, or everyone around him would perish.

Even the Tang Dynasty, which had just stabilized, was about to fall into internal strife again.

He had no choice; it wasn't a matter of life and death, but rather that he had no choice but to take the path of survival.

For the sake of his brothers, for the sake of the country, and to prevent the foundation his father had worked so hard to build from being destroyed in the infighting between brothers.

The float on the surface of the pool bobbed gently, and he snapped out of his thoughts, steadying the fishing rod with his fingertips.

I truly envy Xiao Ran—this kid can fish peacefully in Kaolao Village, without having to worry about court intrigues or the burdens of governing the country.

Could we make him turn back?
He can't go back.

The morning light at Xuanwu Gate that day, the brothers' swords, and his father's eyes are all etched in his heart. It's not that he doesn't feel pain or regret, but if he could do it all over again, he would still make the same choice.

Because at that time, behind him was a bottomless abyss, and in front of him was only a narrow path; if he didn't walk it, he would be smashed to pieces.

The aroma of stewed mutton wafted on the wind, mingled with the laughter of children.

Looking at the lively scene before him, Li Shimin suddenly felt at ease.

The choice made back then was not wrong. At least now, the father can speak peacefully under the tree, and the children can play freely by the pool. The days of the Tang Dynasty are moving towards stability.

This is enough.

What is there to regret?
It was simply a matter of following the path that needed to be followed and taking on the responsibilities that needed to be taken.

The little princess and her friends were eating fruit and pastries while tending to a large pot of stewed mutton.

Many children, like the little princess, also want to eat meat. I ate there once when we were building the house; the lamb and fish dishes Xiao Ran makes are much tastier than anywhere else.

No one questions this.

Not many people know the reason.

"It smells so good!" The little princess swallowed, and the fruit and pastries in her hand no longer smelled good.

"Sizi, wait a minute, you can eat in a minute." Li Ke smiled and rubbed the little princess's head.

"Hmmmm~"

Li Ke, Li Tai, Cheng Chumo, and Qin Huaiyu went to find Li Shimin, Cheng Yaojin, and Qin Qiong.

Beside the grill by the pool, pine wood was burning brightly, flames enveloping the bottom of the whole roasted lamb, turning its body golden red and glistening.

The sheep was just transported from Chang'an this morning; it was very plump and tender.

At this moment, the outer skin was slightly charred, gleaming with an amber color.

Oil droplets rolled down the surface along the grain, dripping onto the pine wood below with a "plop," sending up tiny sparks.

It was also enveloped in a rich, smoky aroma—a fragrance that blended with the richness of the mutton itself and the crispness of pine wood. Before it had even drifted far, it had already drawn people around to turn their heads repeatedly.

The little princess had just finished eating half a piece of candied fruit when her nose caught the aroma first. She grabbed the little girl beside her and turned to run towards the grill.

Her short legs moved quickly, and her skirt swayed along with them.

She ran to the grill, then suddenly stopped, clutching the hem of her clothes with her little hands, her eyes fixed on the roasting lamb.

Even her breathing became lighter—the fat from the sheep was still dripping down, sizzling and crackling as it hit the fire, making her stomach rumble. She couldn't help but swallow, her voice crisp and clear:
"It smells so good!"

A group of children following behind the little princess also gathered around.

Some were standing on tiptoe, others were clinging to the wooden railing next to the grill, all with their little faces upturned and their eyes shining.

A little boy dressed in coarse cloth shorts nudged his friend next to him and whispered, "Does it taste better than the food we ate when we built the house last time?"

The boy nodded vigorously, muttering, "It must smell delicious! Look at that oil, it's so shiny!"

The villager tending the grill was turning the lamb over with a long skewer when he saw the little princess and couldn't help but laugh: "Hurry up! Grill it a little longer, until the skin is charred more, then the meat inside will be tender!"

Princess Yuzhang walked over and said, "It's not quite ready yet, Third Sister Sizi, let's wait a little longer."

"Hmmmm~"

Not to mention children, even adults are craving it.

Several elderly villagers arrived a little late with Zhang Mingde. After looking at the crowd by the pool, they went to find Sun Simiao and Li Yuan.

"Oh, it smells so good! The boiled ones smell good, and the roasted ones smell good too." Zhang Mingde looked at the distance.

"Old village head, come over here!" Sun Simiao called out.

“good good”

Those who weren't originally there, such as Yu Shinan and Kong Yingda, gradually returned.

The main reason was that I heard Li Shimin was also there, so I had to join in the fun.

Xiao Ran gave the fishing rod to Li Tai and ran off to cut roasted mutton for a group of children.

Seeing that Xiao Ran was too busy, Li Ke and Cheng Chumo and the others also helped out.

There are too many children. (End of Chapter)