Sky Curtain: My Happy Daily Life Exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 75 Watching TV in the Tang Dynasty

"Sizi!"

"Little sister!"

Chengqian and Lizhi quickened their pace, their hearts pounding in their chests.

"Greetings, young master."

The two princes bowed humbly in greeting.

"Your Highnesses, there's no need for such formalities." Lu Chen nodded slightly.

"Little Silly Rhinoceros~~"

Clang!

Old Li Yuan, leaning on his cane, took three steps at a time, almost lifting the cane off the ground.

"Father, please slow down." Li Shimin quickly stepped forward to help him up.

"It's alright, this cane of mine is just for show." Old Li Yuan panted heavily.

"Young master, thank you so much for bringing the rhinoceros back." Li Yuan grasped Lu Chen's hand, his voice trembling.

"Grandpa, please don't be so polite, I'm embarrassed. Sizi is like my own sister. You and Uncle Shimin..."

"They're all my family," Lu Chen said with a smile. Li Yuan's large, warm hand patted his, making him feel a little awkward, as he had never been thanked like this by a stranger before.

"Ha! Yes! We're all family! Let's go! Let's go into the palace!" Li Shimin laughed loudly.

"Congratulations to the Emperor Emeritus! Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

"This is truly a joyous occasion!"

Wei Zheng and Changsun Wuji stepped forward and offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations, young man, on joining our Great Tang Dynasty!"

Cheng Yaojin was even more carefree and easygoing.

Over here, Consort Wei, Consort Yan, Consorts Yang (both the elder and younger), and a host of other concubines had all arrived, each dressed in their finest attire, holding fans as they walked and sized up Lu Chen, the outsider.

Lu Chen was truly amazed by the stunning beauties with high-waisted skirts, elegantly styled hair, peony hairpins, and fair skin. These women were nothing like Empress Zhangsun, who possessed a cool and dignified demeanor.

However, he didn't dare to look closely, because this was a feudal society.

The group entered the hall one after another.

The palace was brightly lit, and the palace lanterns illuminated the carved beams and painted rafters, making them look magnificent.

A huge dining table was already prepared, filled with a dazzling array of delicacies, emitting an enticing aroma. But at this moment, everyone's attention was focused on the jubilant little Sizi and the "magical" items she had brought.

Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun led the baby into the hall, one on each side, with Lu Chen following closely behind.

Li Tai, like a nimble little fish, clung closely to Lu Chen, his eyes almost glued to the square suitcase and waterproof backpack.

Chang Le, Cheng Yang, Cheng Qian, and Li Zhi also took their seats in turn, their eyes curiously falling on the items that Lu Chen had brought.

At the corner of the hall, several important ministers, including Wei Zheng, Changsun Wuji, and Cheng Yaojin, took their seats. Cheng Yaojin rubbed his hands together, looking excited. Changsun Wuji's eyes were still wet with tears. Wei Zheng stroked his beard, scrutinizing everything with piercing eyes.

"Dad! Mom! Look at this!" Little Sizi couldn't wait to pull her precious tablet out of Lu Chen's waterproof backpack.

With a deft swipe of her small hand, the screen lit up instantly, the soft glow standing out brightly in the ancient palace.

"Hiss!" A collective gasp of astonishment echoed through the hall.

The palace maids and eunuchs gasped in surprise, and even the composed Changsun Wuji widened his eyes.

Cheng Yaojin jumped to his feet, pointing at the glowing tablet: "My god! It really is a glowing drawing board! A miracle! A miracle!"

Li Tai was closest and saw it most clearly. He pointed at the cartoon image that might appear on the screen and was so excited that he was incoherent: "It's moving, it's moving, it's moving! The little people in the picture are moving! Father and Mother, look!" His round body almost fell onto the table.

"Pleasant Goat, Beautiful Goat, Lazy Goat!" A childish voice rang out in the hall.

Everyone was stunned.

After a while, people gradually started to speak louder.

"It sounds so good!"

"So beautiful!"

"The visuals are beautiful too!"

Please keep your voices down.

Although Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun had seen it in the sky, they were still incredibly shocked to witness this "divine object" lighting up in their hands.

Li Shimin forced himself to remain calm, but he couldn't hide the surprise in his eyes. Empress Zhangsun looked tenderly at her daughter's excited face and asked softly, "Sizi, is this the moving painting you saw over there?"

"Yes, yes!" Sizi flung the tablet up to her parents, poking the screen with her little finger. "This is Pretty Sheep, this is Happy Sheep! And this is Lazy Sheep~~ I specially brought this chubby girl for you all to see!"

"Thank you, Sizi," Empress Zhangsun said, her eyes instantly reddening as she tightly grasped Li Shimin's hand.

"Good, good, Sizi, you're a good boy." Li Shimin's voice was a little choked. He looked at Lu Chen, his eyes filled with gratitude and even deeper curiosity. "Young Master Lu, this thing—is truly magical."

Lu Chen smiled and explained, "Your Majesty, this is called a tablet computer. It can store picture books and videos, and it can also play—well, animated pictures. It's a little gadget that the little princess uses to pass the time."

Just then, Sizi pulled out the bag of rainbow candies she had found in the sofa cushions from the side pocket of her backpack. The colorful little round candies glistened under the light, like tiny gems.

"Mommy! This is candy for the phoenix! It's so sweet!" She held up the candy bag, her little face full of seriousness as she remembered how the phoenix protected her from lightning. "My husband said we won't ride the flying bird anymore, so let's eat this candy ourselves, okay?"

"Rainbow candy?" Empress Zhangsun took the candy she had never seen before. It was wrapped in hard plastic, and the candy inside was so brightly colored that it seemed otherworldly. She looked at Lu Chen with some hesitation.

Lu Chen quickly said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this is a kind of candy. It tastes sweet and sour, and the little princess likes it very much. The ingredients are safe and it is edible." He pointed to the notch in the packaging.

Sizi couldn't wait any longer. Her little hands deftly tore open the packaging, pouring out a few colorful candies into her palm. She popped one into her mouth first, her eyes crinkling with happiness: "Yay—sweet and sour! So good!" Then she stood on tiptoe and held her little hand to Empress Zhangsun's lips: "Mother, you can have some too!"

Empress Zhangsun, seeing the expectant look in her daughter's eyes, couldn't bear to refuse and carefully picked up a red candy and put it in her mouth.

Suddenly, a rich, fruity acidity melted on her tongue, followed by sweetness. This unprecedentedly intense flavor made her eyes widen slightly.

Li Shimin also curiously tried one. His brows furrowed at first, then relaxed, his expression quite peculiar.

"Hey! Bring out this sweet noodle too!" Si Zi hadn't forgotten her chocolate dry noodles and tugged at Lu Chen's sleeve.

Lu Chen smiled and took out the already opened bag of chocolate-flavored instant noodles from his backpack. The brightly colored packaging with modern lettering and the crooked, brown-powder-covered noodles inside once again elicited a murmur of surprise.

"These are curved noodles! They're sweet!" Si Zi picked up a small piece of noodles, stuffed it into her mouth, and chewed happily, with chocolate powder still stuck to the corners of her mouth.

The little guy generously pushed the bag towards his older siblings: "Big sister! Qingque brother! You guys too!"

Li Tai couldn't contain himself any longer. He was the first to reach out and grab a handful, eagerly stuffing it into his mouth. "Mmm!!" His eyes lit up instantly. The crispy texture and the slightly bitter cocoa flavor were an unprecedented delight for him. "Delicious! Father and Mother, this noodle is so crispy and sweet! It's even better than candied fruit!"

He mumbled incoherently and grabbed another handful.

Chang Le, Cheng Yang, Cheng Qian, and Li Zhi also curiously took a little to taste.

Chang Le and Cheng Yang accepted this sweet and crispy snack well, chewing it in small bites with expressions of novelty.

Chengqian and Lizhi found this sweet and salty pancake, which they ate dry, to be quite novel.

Cheng Yaojin, watching from below, was practically drooling. He couldn't help but shout, "Your Majesty! Your Highness! That sweet noodle dish—could Old Cheng have a taste too?"

Li Shimin watched his children and ministers react to the exotic snacks, especially Li Tai's ravenous eating, and felt both amused and moved.

He waved his hand and said, "Cheng Zhijie, don't be in a hurry. Everyone here today can see and taste the novelties that Lu Xiaolang brought."

He turned to Lu Chen, his gaze intense: "Young Master Lu, these items, and the contents of your box—would you be so kind as to broaden the horizons of us, the rulers and ministers of the Great Tang? I am truly curious about the miraculous power that allowed you to 'step back into the Great Tang,' and the various wonders you brought! Tonight's banquet is not for delicacies, but for the 'otherworldly tales' you and Si Zi have brought back!"

As Li Shimin finished speaking, everyone in the hall turned their attention to Chang Le, who was chewing dry noodles and curiously studying the tablet.

Li Tai, his eyes shining as he stared at the suitcase; Wei Zheng and Changsun Wuji, trying to remain serious but with inquisitive looks in their eyes; and Cheng Yaojin, who had been sitting still for a long time, all focused their attention on Lu Chen and the luggage he brought, filled with boundless curiosity and anticipation.

The atmosphere inside the hall shifted instantly from the warmth of reunion to an intense curiosity and excitement about exploring an unknown alien civilization.

Looking at the faces in front of him, filled with curiosity (or simply a desire to eat), especially Li Shimin's unquestionable imperial gaze and the urging eyes of the little Sizi beside him, who was saying "Brother, hurry up and let Father see," Lu Chen knew that he couldn't avoid this "Exhibition of Otherworldly Items."

He smiled slightly and readily replied, "That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask. If Your Majesty and the others are interested, I will certainly..."

1. Demonstration and explanation.

As he spoke, he reached for the most eye-catching bulging suitcase.

Upon seeing this, Li Tai was so excited he almost jumped off the mat.