My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

The Seventeenth Night of the Lunar New Year

Li Lizhi stood by the window of her bedroom, gazing at the bright moon outside.

The moonlight and the moonlight of the future are the same.

But the people around me are different now.

"Princess."

The voice of a palace maid came from behind.

Li Lizhi turned around.

"Your Majesty requests your presence."

Li Lizhi's heart tightened slightly.

She nodded, straightened her robes, and followed the palace maid outside.

After passing through a long corridor and past palace lanterns, we finally stopped in front of Empress Zhangsun's bedroom.

The palace maid pushed open the door and stepped aside.

"Please, Your Highness."

Li Lizhi took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Inside the hall, candlelight shone brightly.

Empress Zhangsun sat on the couch, dressed in casual clothes, her hair simply tied up, with a faint smile on her face.

Li Shimin sat beside her, holding a cup of tea in his hand, slowly sipping it.

Upon seeing Li Lizhi enter, both of them looked up at her.

"Lizhi, come and sit down."

Empress Zhangsun gently patted the spot next to her.

Li Lizhi walked over and sat down next to her mother.

She lowered her head, her hands neatly placed on her knees, her heart beating a little fast.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Li Shimin put down his teacup and spoke first.

"How was your day at the inn?"

Li Lizhi nodded: "That's good."

Where is Chen Mo?

"He...he's setting up the scene. Zhu Biao, Fusu, and Liu Ju have all gone to help."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Those lads are certainly eager."

Empress Zhangsun chuckled softly.

Li Lizhi lowered her head, her face slightly flushed.

Li Shimin looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke.

"Beautiful".

Li Lizhi raised her head.

Li Shimin's gaze was complex, containing relief, reluctance, and something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"My daughter is getting married."

His voice was somewhat deep.

Li Lizhi's eyes stung slightly.

"Ah Ye..."

Li Shimin waved his hand, interrupting her.

"Alright, stop getting sentimental. I just... have something I want to tell you."

He paused, seemingly considering his words.

"I've seen Chen Mo. He's a good man, honest and reliable. I feel at ease marrying my daughter to him."

Li Lizhi lowered her head and whispered, "Thank you, Father."

Li Shimin added, "But—if that brat dares to bully you, tell me. I'll take men and attack!"

Li Lizhi couldn't help but laugh.

"Father, you can't get through this."

Li Shimin glared: "What? We can't beat him? I'll just bring more men and castrate that brat!"

"Father," Li Lizhi immediately interrupted him, "you don't want your daughter to be a widow at such a young age, do you?"

Li Shimin was speechless.

Empress Zhangsun laughed so hard her shoulders shook.

Li Shimin coughed lightly and muttered, "I was just saying... is it not allowed to say it...?"

Looking at her father's appearance, Li Lizhi suddenly felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

Her father was the emperor of the world.

But in front of her, he was just a father who couldn't bear to see his daughter get married.

Empress Zhangsun gently took her hand.

"Beautiful".

Li Lizhi turned to her mother.

Empress Zhangsun looked at her with a gentle gaze, like a pool of spring water.

"Your mother also has something she wants to tell you."

Li Lizhi nodded.

Empress Zhangsun was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"After getting married, you should live a good life."

"Chen Mo is a good person, but even good people have tempers. When two people are together, there will inevitably be disagreements. You've been sensible since you were little, so I'm not worried that you'll be willful or reckless. But what I want to tell you is—"

She paused, her gaze becoming serious.

"If you feel wronged, don't bottle it up. Speak up if you need to, argue if you need to. After the argument, life goes on as usual."

Li Lizhi was stunned.

She hadn't expected her mother to say that.

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently: "What? Do you think what your mother said is wrong?"

Li Lizhi shook her head: "No... I just feel..."

"Do you think your mother should have taught you the three obediences and four virtues, and how to be a good wife and mother?"

Li Lizhi remained silent.

Empress Zhangsun sighed softly.

"Those things are for outsiders to see. In real life, there aren't that many rules."

She looked at her daughter with eyes full of love.

"All I want is for you to be happy. Nothing else matters."

Li Lizhi's eyes reddened.

"Mother..."

Empress Zhangsun pulled her into her arms and gently patted her back.

"Silly girl, why are you crying? This is a joyous occasion."

Li Lizhi buried her face in her mother's arms and did not say a word.

Li Shimin watched from the side, his eyes also becoming a little sore.

He coughed lightly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and tried to hide his emotions.

Empress Zhangsun released Li Lizhi and took out a small box from her sleeve.

"Here, take this."

Li Lizhi took the box and opened it—

Inside was a pair of jade bracelets.

It is of excellent quality, smooth and lustrous like jade, and gleams softly in candlelight.

"This was given to me by your maternal grandmother," Empress Zhangsun said softly. "I've kept it, thinking of giving it to you on your wedding day."

Li Lizhi looked at the pair of jade bracelets, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

"Mother..."

Empress Zhangsun gently took her hand, closed the box, and placed it in her hand.

"Keep this safe. You can give it to your daughter later."

Li Lizhi nodded vigorously.

Li Shimin, who was watching from the side, finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Alright, alright, stop crying. If you keep crying, I'll start crying too."

Li Lizhi couldn't help but laugh, wiping away tears as she laughed.

Empress Zhangsun smiled, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently wiped away her tears.

The candlelight inside the hall flickered gently, casting the shadows of the family of three onto the wall, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Li Shimin remained silent for a while, then suddenly spoke.

"Beautiful".

Li Lizhi looked at him.

Li Shimin's gaze was very serious.

"When you go over there, come back and visit often."

"Your mother will miss you. I will miss you too."

"And Little Sizi, bring her back often in the future, otherwise I'm afraid she'll become estranged from me if we don't see each other often."

Li Lizhi nodded: "Father, don't worry, your daughter will."

Li Shimin nodded and took another sip of tea.

Empress Zhangsun paused for a moment and then said, "If you have children in the future, remember to bring them back for your mother to see."

Li Lizhi's face flushed red.

"Mother!"

Empress Zhangsun laughed, a mischievous laugh.

"What? Still shy? You're about to get married."

Li Lizhi lowered her head, her face flushed red as if it were about to bleed.

Li Shimin laughed as well, a very happy laugh.

The atmosphere inside the hall finally relaxed.

Li Lizhi looked up at the smiles on her parents' faces and a strange feeling welled up inside her.

There was reluctance, emotion, happiness, and a touch of—

She knew that from now on, she had two homes.

One is here, in Chang'an City, at the Taiji Palace.

One is there, at the Time Inn, beside Chen Mo.

She gently grasped the pair of jade bracelets and said to herself in her heart—

Be happy.

You must be happy.

Empress Zhangsun looked at her and gently patted her hand.

"Alright, it's getting late, go back and rest. We have to get up early tomorrow."

Li Lizhi nodded and stood up.

She walked to the door and suddenly turned back.

"Father, Mother."

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun looked at her.

Li Lizhi smiled, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Thank you.

After saying that, she pushed open the door and went out.

The moonlight fell on her, stretching her slender shadow long and thin.

Empress Zhangsun gazed at that retreating figure, her eyes slightly reddening.

Li Shimin walked over and gently put his arm around her shoulder.

"Alright, stop crying. A daughter's marriage is a joyous occasion."

Empress Zhangsun leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "I know. It's just... I can't bear to part with you."

Li Shimin remained silent for a while.

"I can't bear to part with him either."

"Fortunately, we can go see Chen Mo anytime!"

Li Shimin looked at Empress Zhangsun.

"Guanyinbi, when Gaoming is able to shoulder great responsibilities later, let's go to the future and buy a courtyard there to live a peaceful life, how about that?"

Empress Zhangsun did not hesitate.

"Wherever Your Majesty goes... I will go..."