If I traveled back to the Tang Dynasty, all I really wanted to be was a carefree prince.

On the seventh day after the autumn hunt, an imperial edict arrived from Da'an Palace—Emperor Emeritus Li Yuan wanted to host a family banquet and specifically requested that Li Ke bring Li Yin and Consort Yang to attend. Zhang De personally delivered the message, smiling as he said, "The Emperor Emeritus said that it has been a long time since we've had a lively gathering and he wants to see his grandchildren."

After receiving the news, Consort Yang sat in the side hall for quite a while. She had been in the palace for over a decade and had visited the Da'an Palace before, but this was the first time she had been specifically invited to a banquet by the Emperor Emeritus. Li Ke noticed his mother's unease and smiled, "Mother, the Emperor Emeritus is also your elder; you don't need to be so formal." Consort Yang nodded, chose a simple dress to change into, carefully combed her hair, and looked at herself in the bronze mirror again and again before finally leaving with her two sons.

Today, Li Yin wore a newly made blue robe, his hair neatly tied back, a leather belt around his waist, and small boots, exuding a youthful air of heroism. He was eight years old this year, and after spending several months with Li Ke, he had become much more composed, no longer as impetuous as before. Before leaving, he tucked the short knife Qin Qiong had given him into his waistband, then checked it to make sure it was secure.

"Yin'er, today is a family banquet, so don't bring your swords." Consort Yang glanced at him.

"Mother, this is etiquette," Li Yin said solemnly. "Third Brother said that it is a sign of dignity for a prince to carry a sword when he goes out." Consort Yang looked at Li Ke, who smiled and nodded, and she said nothing more.

Inside the Da'an Palace, Li Yuan was in exceptionally good spirits today. He wore a slightly worn black casual robe, his hair neatly combed, and sat at the head of the table. Zhang De served him beside him, the water bubbling on the tea stove. Tables had already been set out in the hall, covered with bright yellow tablecloths, and several plates of fresh fruit and pastries were laid out on them. Li Yuan had abdicated many years ago, and the Da'an Palace was usually quiet and deserted. It was rare for it to be lively today, so he specially ordered the main hall to be cleaned up, even bringing out the orchid he had cultivated for several years in the corner.

Empress Zhangsun had arrived. She wore a light purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and a few simple ornaments on her head. She sat to Li Yuan's right, smiling, slowly sipping her tea. Li Shimin sat to Li Yuan's left, holding a scroll, but unable to concentrate on a single word, occasionally glancing towards the palace entrance. Today, he wore a casual black robe, without a crown or court robes, making him look several years younger than he did in court.

Li Chengqian sat to Li Shimin's left, holding a cup of tea, and was speaking quietly to Li Tai. Li Tai had arrived early today, dressed in a moon-white robe with a jade belt at his waist. He sat there upright, a smile on his face, showing no sign of anything amiss. Li Zhi, a little over two years old, sat next to Li Tai, round and chubby, his little legs dangling from the ground. He held a cloth tiger in his arms, a gift from Li Ke, its head already discolored from drool, but he carried it everywhere he went. Princess Chengyang, just over a year old, was held in her wet nurse's arms, dressed in a small red dress, her hair in two little buns, and was sucking on her fingers. Li Lizhi sat next to Li Zhi, dressed in a pale yellow dress, holding a handkerchief, wiping the drool from the corner of Li Zhi's mouth. Li Zhi squirmed impatiently, and Li Lizhi coaxed him softly, "Ninth Brother, be good, you'll look better when you're clean." Li Zhi ignored her and stretched out his hand towards the door, calling, "Where's Third Brother? Why isn't Third Brother here yet?" Li Lizhi smiled and said, "Third Brother hasn't arrived yet, what's the rush?" Li Zhi pouted and hugged the cloth tiger even tighter.

"His Highness the Prince of Shu has arrived—Consort Yang has arrived—His Sixth Prince has arrived—" The eunuch's announcement came from outside the hall. Li Zhi slid off the chair, clutching the cloth tiger, and staggered towards the hall entrance. "Third Brother! Third Brother!" He was running so fast that he stumbled and almost fell. Li Ke happened to step into the hall, and with quick reflexes, scooped him up and held him in his arms.

"Ninth Brother, you've gotten heavier again," Li Ke said with a laugh, lifting him up. Li Zhi hugged Li Ke's neck, giggling, and rubbed the cloth tiger against Li Ke's face. "Third Brother, hug me! Third Brother, hug me! Third Brother hasn't come in so long, I missed you!" Li Ke supported Li Zhi with one hand and gently patted his back with the other. "Isn't Third Brother here now?"

Li Lizhi also stood up, walked to Li Ke, and greeted him with a smile, "Third Brother." She had grown considerably taller than a few months ago and had become even more dignified. Princess Chengyang, in her wet nurse's arms, saw Li Ke enter, stretched out her two chubby little hands, and babbled. Li Ke went over, switched Li Zhi to his left hand, and gently patted Princess Chengyang's head with his right hand. The little girl immediately quieted down and giggled.

Empress Zhangsun sat at the head of the table, watching this scene, her eyes slightly stinging. She wasn't a sentimental person, but seeing these children—hers and Yang Guifei's—without barriers or animosity in the Emperor Emeritus's Da'an Palace, a surge of indescribable joy welled up within her. In this palace, brothers and sisters who could get along like this were few and far between. She and Yang Guifei exchanged a glance, and both smiled.

Li Ke set Li Zhi down, straightened his clothes, and led Yang Guifei and Li Yin to the center of the hall, where he respectfully bowed to Li Yuan. Li Yuan looked at them, his smile deepening. "It's good you've come, it's good you've come. Rise and sit down."

Everyone took their seats. Li Zhi refused to return to his own seat, tugging at Li Ke's sleeve. Li Ke, having no other choice, let him sit beside him, moving his chair closer. Li Zhi immediately reached out his little hand, grabbed Li Ke's sleeve, and sat down contentedly. Li Yin sat on Li Ke's other side, his back ramrod straight, hands on his knees, eyes fixed straight ahead, looking every bit the little adult. Li Yuan looked at his children and grandchildren and nodded. "Today we will only discuss family matters, not state affairs. I have abdicated for many years, and it is rare to have such a lively gathering. I am pleased that you are all here today."

Zhang De chuckled, "Your Majesty, now that everyone's here, why don't we play a few rounds of mahjong? You've been saying you wanted to have a good match with the Prince of Shu when he arrives." Li Yuan slapped his thigh, "Right! Go get the mahjong tiles!" He turned to the others and said, "Ke'er taught me this mahjong, and I'm quite the expert now; none of you can beat me." Li Shimin laughed, "Father plays well; I concede defeat." Li Yuan snorted, "I know you were letting me win. But today, no need to hold back; play seriously."

Zhang De, accompanied by two eunuchs, set up the mahjong table, with a box of dominoes neatly stacked on it. Li Yuan pulled Li Shimin aside: "Shimin, you play." He then looked at Empress Zhangsun, "You play too." He then looked at Yang Guifei, "You play too." Empress Zhangsun smiled: "I know a little, but I'm not very good." Yang Guifei hesitated: "I... haven't learned yet." She glanced at Li Ke, who immediately said: "Mother, I'll teach you."

The four sat around a table. Li Yuan, Li Shimin, and Empress Zhangsun were all skilled players, their movements fluid and graceful as they drew, played, ponged, and konged. Yang Guifei was less adept, so Li Ke stood behind her, one hand supporting himself on the back of the chair, the other pointing out how to read the cards and make choices. Initially, Yang Guifei played slowly, often hesitating for a long time, but Li Yuan didn't urge her, waiting patiently with a smile. Li Shimin occasionally joked, "Father, you're getting impatient." Li Yuan glared at him, "What's wrong with waiting for your wife? I'm happy to."

After a few rounds, Yang Guifei gradually got the hang of it. Li Ke discovered that his mother was actually quite clever, but she hadn't had the opportunity to learn these things before. She memorized the cards quickly and calculated the moves clearly, and soon she was able to keep up with the pace, occasionally even winning a small hand. When she won, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, but then, feeling it was impolite, she quickly covered her mouth. Li Yuan saw this and laughed, "What's wrong with laughing when you win? I'm even louder than you when I win." Then he laughed heartily to himself.

Li Zhi lay down beside Li Ke's legs, reaching out his little hand to grab the cards on the table. Li Ke held his little hand down: "Ninth Brother, don't make trouble." Li Zhi persisted: "I want to play too!" Li Yuan drew a card from the table and handed it to him: "Here, this is yours." Li Zhi took it, and imitating an adult, slammed it on the table, shouting "Pong!" in a childish voice, which made everyone at the table laugh.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai sat to one side drinking tea. Li Chengqian watched Li Ke teaching Yang Guifei how to play cards, a smile playing on his lips. Li Tai held his teacup, his gaze sweeping across the card table, occasionally glancing at Li Ke, his expression calm.

Princess Chengyang woke up in her wet nurse's arms, her bright black eyes looking around. Li Lizhi went over and picked her up, letting her sit on her lap. Princess Chengyang reached for the cards on the table, but Li Lizhi quickly grabbed her little hand: "You can't eat these." Princess Chengyang pouted, but didn't cry.

In the heat of the game, Li Yuan suddenly blurted out, "Ke'er, you've been teaching your mother for so long, and she's learned so quickly. I remember when you were teaching me, you weren't this patient." Li Ke laughed, "Grandfather is naturally gifted; I don't need to teach him much." Li Yuan snorted, "Stop flattering me. I know you're just afraid of me and don't dare say more." Li Ke shook his head, "I'm not afraid of Grandfather; I respect Grandfather." Li Yuan felt a surge of warmth at his words, but he didn't mince words, "Respect? Then last time you got me drunk and made me fall headfirst into a jar of beef, was that respect?" The whole room burst into laughter, and even Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but cover her mouth with her handkerchief.

Li Ke was both amused and exasperated: "Grandfather, that was because you were drunk." Li Yuan waved his hand: "Fine, don't deny it then. I remember it anyway!"