Little Sizi came to my house and became the family's darling, and Li Shimin got anxious.

Only then did the group notice a large box where Sizi and Chengyang had appeared.

"Ah! There are still big melons!" Little Sizi's crisp voice rang out.

She was sticking her little bottom out, trying hard to lift the big, round, green melon out, her face turning red from straining.

Chengyang quickly went over to help, and the two sisters rolled the watermelon out with a few quick, laborious movements.

The watermelon sat on the smooth floor tiles, its green skin adorned with dark stripes, round and heavy-looking.

"This is it!" Little Si patted the melon, making a thumping sound. "It's so sweet! My sister said to cut it in seven pieces!"

Empress Zhangsun curiously moved closer, carefully examining the fruit she had never seen before: "This appearance is quite peculiar, green skin and red flesh? Is that really so?"

"Really, really!" Little Sizi nodded vigorously. "I'm so happy! So sweet, but I don't have a son yet!"

"No seeds?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow. "What fruit in the world is seedless?"

"The fairy sister doesn't have any melons there," Princess Chengyang explained softly. "She calls this 'watermelon,' and it's a great way to cool down and quench your thirst."

Li Shimin straightened up and called out to those outside the hall, "Zhang Anan."

Zhang Anan, the eunuch who had been waiting outside the palace, immediately bowed and entered: "Your Majesty."

"Bring me a knife," Li Shimin said, pointing to the watermelon on the ground. "And bring me a few jade plates as well."

"Here you are."

Zhang Anan quickly retrieved a small knife and several jade plates, and respectfully placed them aside.

Li Shimin didn't do it himself, but instead looked at Xiao Sizi: "Sizi, how do we cut this melon?"

Little Si blinked, trying hard to recall how Li Yinxun cut the watermelon.

"Open horizontally!" she gestured, "to cut it into individual slices!"

"Horizontal?" Li Shimin picked up the knife, gestured with it, and felt that this way of cutting was a bit strange.

In the Tang Dynasty, melons were mostly cut vertically.

But he did as instructed, aimed the blade at the middle of the watermelon, and cut down hard.

A crisp "snap" sounded.

The blade pierced the green skin, revealing the red flesh inside, with juice seeping out from the cut.

Li Shimin applied more force and split the watermelon in two.

Bright red flesh, jet black seeds—

No, there really are no seeds.

Only uniform, sandy red flesh, so juicy it's almost dripping.

A sweet fragrance, mixed with a faint mist, spread throughout the hall.

Empress Zhangsun took a gentle sniff, her eyes brightening slightly: "This fragrance is quite refreshing."

Li Shimin placed half of the watermelon on a jade plate, and following Xiao Sizi's gestures, cut the half into crescent-shaped slices.

With its red flesh and green skin, the striking color contrast is pleasing to the eye.

Little Sizi couldn't wait any longer and grabbed a tooth, holding it to Empress Zhangsun's lips: "Mother, you go first!"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and took a small bite from her daughter's hand.

The melon pulp melts in your mouth, and the sweet juice instantly fills your mouth. The cool sensation dispels the stuffiness in the hall.

Her eyes widened slightly, she chewed slowly a few times, and then looked at Li Shimin: "Second Brother, you should try it, it's truly...unprecedented."

Li Shimin himself picked up a tooth and took a big bite.

Juicy, sweet but not cloying, with a soft and sandy texture.

Most importantly, there are no annoying seeds, so you can eat it in big bites and enjoy it to your heart's content.

He finished the whole slice of watermelon in a few bites, leaving only a thin strip of green rind in his hand.

"How is it?" Empress Zhangsun asked.

Li Shimin did not answer immediately, but instead picked up another tooth, carefully examined the cross-section, took another bite, and savored it.

"Sweet and refreshing, juicy and delicious, truly an extraordinary fruit." Li Shimin put down the melon rind. "Chengyang, is this melon common in the fairyland?"

Since Sizi's speech was still somewhat unclear, Li Shimin simply asked Princess Chengyang.

Princess Chengyang was eating elegantly, completely unlike Xiao Sizi whose face was covered in juice.

Hearing the question, he nodded: "I saw a lot in the store, this watermelon is 35 yuan."

"35 yuan? Is that 35 wen?"

Princess Chengyang shook her head in confusion, "I don't know, my sister uses different money than we in the Tang Dynasty."

All she knew was that her sister used that phone to beep once, and then the boss gave them the things.

Li Shimin nodded, his gaze deepening.

Such a thing might not be a rare treasure in the fairy realm, but rather an ordinary object.

Empress Zhangsun stopped after taking a couple of bites. She was frail and dared not eat too much raw or cold food, but she still had a satisfied smile on her face: "This melon is really good. Sizi is so thoughtful to bring it back for Father and Mother to try."

"I took care of it with my sister!" Little Sizi didn't forget to show off to Chengyang.

Li Shimin put down the last bit of watermelon rind in his hand and looked at the watermelon that was still half full.

"Zhang Anan".

"This servant is here."

Li Shimin pointed to the remaining watermelons: "Send these to Qingque so he can also taste this novelty."

Zhang Anan bowed: "Yes."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun added gently, "Don't forget Gao Ming."

Li Shimin paused for a moment and nodded: "Yes, send a copy to Gaoming and Zhinu as well."

Zhang Anan accepted the order, carefully rearranged the remaining watermelons on the jade plate, and carried them away.

Little Sizi watched the watermelon being taken away, feeling a little reluctant, but she didn't make a fuss; she just licked the juice off her lips.

She ran to the big box next to the car and said, "Dad, I want to play with the car."

Having learned from his previous experience opening the milk crate, Li Shimin quickly pulled out the cart this time.

A uniquely shaped four-wheeled cart instantly caught the attention of Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi.

It's a lump of iron, all pink, with four wheels standing steadily. Its sleek design makes it look like something from another world.

Li Shimin patted the cart: "This... is this the cart that could run by itself?"

Princess Chengyang whispered, "Father, the fairy sister said this is a children's car, specially for little kids to play with."

"Another toy for children..." Li Shimin frowned slightly. "Without horses, how can it run?"

Just as Chengyang was about to speak, the little princess interrupted him, "Second sister, look after me."

Then the little princess climbed into the car and pressed the switch.

With a soft "beep," the two round eyes in front of the car suddenly lit up with white light.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun both took a small step back.

"It's lit up!" Empress Zhangsun exclaimed softly.

Little Sizi laughed triumphantly, "Little Yi, Little Yi, forward!"

"Forward command received. Initiating."

The car made a slight humming sound, its four wheels started spinning in place, and then it glided smoothly forward.

There were no horses, no oxen, and not even anyone to push them.

It started moving on its own, moving steadily on the smooth floor tiles, turning smoothly and naturally, almost without making a sound.