Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

The Lantern Festival in the first year of the Zhenguan era was more lively than in previous years.

Although the palace practiced strict frugality, this did not prevent the people of Chang'an from celebrating the first Lantern Festival of the new dynasty.

According to the custom of the Tang Dynasty, the curfew was lifted on the Lantern Festival, allowing for three consecutive days of celebration.

Although the Taiji Palace has removed many of its palace lanterns after nightfall, making it somewhat quiet, one can still see the bright lights outside the palace walls that seem to burn the entire city of Chang'an.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, in the warm pavilion.

Li Shimin was holding the dossier in his hands, his brows slightly furrowed.

Empress Zhangsun sat to one side, mending loose threads on a small garment by candlelight.

It was Li Chengqian's clothes from last year. The cuffs were a little worn out, and the Empress couldn't bear to throw them away, so she personally sewed auspicious cloud patterns to cover them up.

"Ah Ye—"

Li Chengqian scurried over to Li Shimin's side and skillfully rested his head on his knees.

Li Shimin was initially annoyed by the folding paper, but when he looked down and saw his beloved son, whose face practically screamed "I need your help," his anger immediately subsided by half.

So he immediately put down the file and chuckled as he pinched the tip of Li Chengqian's nose.

"What's up? Finished memorizing your books? Or are you craving something delicious again?"

"Father, you're underestimating Yunu, aren't you?" Li Chengqian pouted in dissatisfaction, then rubbed his lips against Li Shimin's palm. "Yunu wants to know that today is the Lantern Festival, and I heard that the Imperial Guards are not enforcing the law outside, it's very lively..."

"You want to leave the palace?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, feigning sternness. "Palace rules are strict. As the crown prince, how can you risk your life so casually?"

"Father~" Li Chengqian used his trump card, grabbing Li Shimin's arm with his two little hands and shaking it. "Yu Nu is not being playful. Yu Nu is thinking that under Father's rule, the Tang Dynasty is now peaceful and prosperous, and the people live in peace and contentment. As the Crown Prince, Yu Nu is confined to this deep palace wall all day long, hearing only about the world in commemorative documents and seeing only the landscape on maps, which are all illusions."

Li Chengqian straightened up, his small face becoming serious, and spoke eloquently: "Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. Yu Nu wants to see just how prosperous the country that Father and all the uncles fought with their blood is."

"Erlang," Empress Zhangsun put down her needlework, her eyes full of smiles, and gently advised, "Yu Nu is right. This child has been intelligent since childhood, and it is indeed not good to keep him confined in the palace all the time. Besides... I haven't seen the lively atmosphere of Chang'an for a long time."

Even Empress Zhangsun spoke up, so Li Shimin could no longer hold back.

He laughed loudly, scooped up Li Chengqian from the ground, and made him ride on his shoulders—a privilege reserved only for Li Chengqian.

"Very well! Since my son has such a grand ambition, then today your father will act as your guide! The three of us will travel out of the palace incognito and enjoy ourselves with the people!"

……

The night in Chang'an is a flowing river of light, with lanterns like a sea and colorful lanterns like brocade in the market. All kinds of lanterns, such as revolving lanterns, rabbit lanterns, and lotus lanterns, illuminate the night as brightly as day.

The air was filled with the scents of cosmetics, barbecue, the sweetness of candied hawthorn, and the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers.

Li Chengqian had changed into a royal blue outfit, dressed as a wealthy young master. He wore a tiger-head hat, a longevity lock around his neck, and a hand warmer was being handed to him.

He held Li Shimin's hand with his left hand and Empress Zhangsun's hand with his right; his eyes were simply not enough to take it all in.

Li Shimin also changed into casual clothes today, and even specially glued on two small mustaches to avoid being recognized. He only referred to himself as "Second Master Li," who was in the silk business.

"Dad... Dad! Look at that!"

Li Chengqian pointed to a lantern stall ahead and exclaimed excitedly.

It was an inconspicuous little stall, and the stall owner was an old man with gray hair.

The rabbit lantern hanging on the stall wasn't particularly exquisite; the bamboo frame was a bit crooked, and the white paper covering it wasn't of high quality. However, the rabbit's expression was endearing, with its eyes inlaid with two red beans, exuding a rustic charm.

Compared to the luxurious lanterns next to it, inlaid with gold and jade and with glass frames, this rabbit lantern looks pitifully shabby.

But Li Chengqian took a liking to it at first sight.

"Young man, you have a good eye!" The old man smiled broadly, his face crinkling with wrinkles, as he saw a customer. "This rabbit lantern was made by me. It's not worth much, only three coins."

In the early years of the Zhenguan era, when resources were not yet abundant, three coins could buy two flatbreads.

Li Shimin was about to take out his money when he froze.

He was in a hurry to leave, and he was traveling incognito, so he didn't actually have any of those small silver or copper coins on him.

He touched his waist, where a priceless jade pendant hung.

We can't just trade this for it, can we?

Just then, Empress Zhangsun smiled, took out an exquisite purse from her sleeve, took out a few copper coins, and handed them to the old man: "Old man, keep the change."

Li Shimin touched his nose somewhat awkwardly and said in a low voice, "My wife is indeed very thoughtful."

Li Chengqian took the rabbit lantern and held it in his hand, shaking it with obvious delight.

The warm yellow candlelight shone through the white paper onto his rosy little face, making it look especially cozy.

"Father, look!" Li Chengqian proudly held up the lantern, "Doesn't this rabbit look like a bluebird? It's round and chubby, and it's so greedy!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun pictured Li Tai's plump figure and couldn't help but exchange a smile.

"So alike! So alike!" Li Shimin patted Li Chengqian's head, his eyes incredibly gentle. "If you like it, your father will take you out to buy it every year from now on."

"Pinky promise!" Li Chengqian extended his little finger.

Li Shimin was taken aback for a moment, then stretched out his rough, large hand and hooked it with the tender little finger: "Okay, pinky promise. A king's word is his bond."

The three of them strolled along the moat with the flow of people.

This is where river lanterns are released. Many lotus-shaped lanterns are already floating on the river, slowly drifting eastward with the current, like a silver river on earth.

"Father, Mother, let's set one off too!"

Li Chengqian bought a paper lantern shaped like a small boat.

He squatted on the stone steps by the river and carefully lit the wick with a tinderbox.

The flickering flames illuminated his focused expression.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun stood behind him, quietly watching the small figure from behind.

The river wind was quite strong, and Li Shimin instinctively spread out his cloak to shield his wife and children from the wind.

After a long while, Li Chengqian slowly opened his eyes and gently pushed the small boat lantern into the water.

Watching the small boat sway and drift away, he stood up and dusted off his knees.

"What did Yu Nu wish for?" Li Shimin asked curiously. Although he knew that wishes would not come true if spoken aloud, he couldn't help but want to know what was going on in the child's little head.

"Yu Nu made three wishes."

Li Chengqian held up one finger: "My first wish is that our Great Tang Dynasty will enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests, and that the people will no longer have to worry about famine. Even if Father and Mother in the palace were to be more frugal, I, Yu Nu, would be willing, as long as everyone in the world has food to eat."

Li Shimin felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"And your second wish?" Empress Zhangsun asked softly.

Li Chengqian held up a second finger, his voice lower but more resolute: "My second wish is that Mother's illness will be cured soon, that she will live a long and healthy life, and that she will always be with Father and Yunu. Yunu has heard that the divine physician Sun Simiao is traveling around; Yunu will definitely send someone to find him and he will surely be able to cure Mother's illness!"

Empress Zhangsun trembled, and tears finally welled up in her eyes.

Her breathing disorder was a chronic condition; every winter she would experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. The imperial physicians all said it was something she had inherited from her mother's womb and could only be managed by rest.

She never showed her pain in front of her child, but she never expected that the child would see it all and remember it.

"And the third one?" Li Shimin's voice was a little hoarse. He suppressed the stinging in his eyes and gripped Empress Zhangsun's shoulder tightly with his large hand.

Li Chengqian looked at Li Shimin and a bright smile appeared on his lips. The smile was pure and flawless, as if it could melt the snow on a winter's day.

"My third wish is that Father will no longer have headaches, and that Father will not have to work so hard."

"Father is first and foremost Yunu's father, and also Mother's husband. Yunu only wants Father to be happy and not always frowning."

"Yu Nu will grow up quickly and help Father write memorials and govern the world. If anyone dares to anger Father, Yu Nu will be the first to object!"

Even though Li Shimin was a decisive and ruthless general, and even though he was a cunning emperor, at this moment, he was just an old father who was deeply moved by his son.

Isn't this all he's asking for?

He had a secure and prosperous empire, a virtuous wife and filial children, and now he had it all.

Li Shimin suddenly squatted down and pulled Li Chengqian into a tight embrace.

"Dad, your beard is poking me."

"Hahaha! That's exactly what I wanted to do, you little rascal!"

Li Shimin burst into laughter through his tears, picked up Li Chengqian, and carried him on his shoulders as he strode towards the dimly lit area.

"Come on! There's a sugar figurine vendor up ahead; I'll buy you the biggest one!"

"Dad, I want a big tiger!"

"Alright! If my son wants it, I'll pluck the moon from the sky for you!"