Sky Curtain: My Happy Daily Life Exposed by Xiao Sizi

Chapter 79 Returning to the Lu Family in Chang'an, the Little Princess Goes to the Street!

As soon as the imperial eunuch finished speaking, Lu Chen and Lu Heng exchanged a glance and simultaneously put down their work.

Cheng Yaojin laughed and patted Lu Chen on the back: "Young master, go quickly! Don't keep His Majesty waiting. Leave this to me and the Imperial Medical Bureau!"

The two changed into new clothes, thoroughly sprayed themselves with alcohol, and put on new masks before following the eunuch toward the palace.

On Suzaku Avenue, the people spontaneously made way for them, their eyes filled with gratitude; some even bowed in respect.

"Young master! Physician Lu!"

"Please have a plum!"

"I have apricots here!"

Many people took the fruit out of the basket.

"No, no! Thank you everyone!"

Lu Chen and Lu Heng waved their hands.

But the enthusiastic people kept throwing all sorts of fruits, cucumbers, and vegetables onto the vehicle.

The grandfather and grandson were almost knocked unconscious by the impact.

As Lu Chen held the warm jade pendant in his arms, a warm current that seemed to transcend a thousand years surged in his heart.

Inside the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin sat high on the throne, while the other stood in front of the hall, with Empress Zhangsun and Crown Prince Li Chengqian standing beside him.

Upon seeing the two enter the hall and pay their respects, Li Shimin quickly stepped forward, personally helped Lu Heng up, and then solemnly nodded to Lu Chen: "You two have worked hard. I and all the people are grateful for your contributions."

Lu Heng bowed and said, "This is my duty, and I dare not claim credit. The epidemic is now under control, thanks entirely to Your Majesty's coordination, the cooperation of all officials, and—Heaven's blessing upon the Tang Dynasty." As he spoke, he looked at Lu Chen with gentle eyes.

Li Shimin smiled slightly and gestured for the eunuchs to bring the rewards: in addition to the gold, silk, and plaques that had already been announced, there were also two scrolls of "Medical Ethics Passed Down Through Generations," written by himself—one bestowed upon Lu Heng to be hung in the Lu family ancestral hall; the other, sealed in a specially made brocade box, was given to Lu Chen. "This calligraphy is a gift to your family in this life. May the Lu family's medical spirit continue forever."

Lu Chen solemnly accepted the box, his fingertips tracing the delicate patterns on its surface, as if touching a living piece of history. He took a deep breath and said loudly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This junior will certainly carry this sentiment and ambition back to my era and pass it on."

A moment later, Li Shimin clapped his hands, and the eunuchs brought up the gifts for Lu Chen and Lu Heng.

"Wow!" Outside the canopy, pairs of eyes lit up.

Several boxes of bright orange gold ingots were neatly stacked in boxes lined with red silk, gleaming brightly.

The colorful brocades also complemented each other, shining brightly.

"We're rich! We're rich!"

"With these treasures, the Lu family will be set for life for generations to come!"

"What are you saying! The hearts of these two young gentlemen are a hundred times more precious than gold!"

"Exactly! Young Master Lu's merits are immeasurable!"

Over here, Lu Chen and Lu Heng felt dizzy looking at all the gold and brocade, but they both remained calm.

"Guo guo guo guo! You're so cute!" Little Sizi ran in from outside and buried her head in Lu Chen's arms like a little cannonball.

"Sizi, slow down," Empress Zhangsun advised from the side.

"You little rascal, don't hurt your brother." Li Shimin smiled slightly. "I say, young master, now that you've acknowledged the ancestor, why don't you go back to the Lu family's old residence with Physician Lu today and meet your family?"

"Very well. That's exactly what I was thinking."

If Li Shimin hadn't mentioned it, Lu Chen would have forgotten about it.

"Brother! I want to go too! Grandpa, please let me go with you." Little Sizi hugged her brother's leg while looking at her grandfather.

Li Shimin looked at the little girl clinging to Lu Chen's leg, her face upturned with hopeful eyes, and found it hard to refuse her soft and sweet request.

He stroked his beard, a helpless yet indulgent smile appearing on his dignified face.

"You little rascal," Li Shimin gently tapped the little ox's nose, "Alright, alright, go if you want. But..."

He turned to Empress Zhangsun and said, "Guanyinbi, send several capable people with you. There should be a full complement of nannies, palace maids, and guards. Make sure to protect the little one well."

"Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured." Empress Zhangsun responded gently and immediately beckoned to the eunuchs to make the arrangements.

Upon hearing that his grandfather had agreed, Little Sizi cheered immediately, his little face beaming with joy, and he hugged Lu Chen's leg even tighter: "Brother! We can get fat together now!"

Lu Chen looked down at the enthusiastic little "bullet," feeling both warm and curious. He crouched down and gently patted the little rascal's back: "Okay, let's go 'home' together."

"However, you must listen to your brother and wear a mask the entire way. You can't take it off," Lu Chen warned seriously.

"Okay! I'll remember!" Little Si nodded repeatedly, like a little bell.

Lu Heng watched this heartwarming yet somewhat surreal scene from the side, stroking his beard and smiling, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor and Empress again: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave."

"Go then, and have a good reunion." Li Shimin nodded, and Empress Zhangsun smiled as she watched them go.

The eunuchs had already carefully loaded the heavy gifts—several chests of glittering gold chains and brightly colored brocades—onto the carriage.

Lu Chen carefully held the brocade box containing the imperial gift "Passing Down Medical Ethics" in his arms, while Lu Heng carefully put away the one bestowed upon the Lu family ancestral hall.

Little Sizi put on a large pink mask, excitedly took Lu Chen's hand, and, surrounded by palace servants, the group slowly walked out of the solemn Taiji Hall.

Stepping onto Suzaku Avenue again, the scene was even more vibrant than when I arrived.

The people not only recognized the "young master" who had just made a great contribution and Physician Lu, but were also surprised to see the little princess being carefully protected by the palace servants, sitting in the carriage, and looking out the window.

"Look! It's Her Highness the Little Princess!"

"The young master is with the princess!"

"Oh my, this is truly a blessing from heaven! The Lu family is bringing glory to its name!"

The crowd's murmurs grew louder, and their eyes, besides gratitude, held even greater awe and envy.

The people threw even more fruits and vegetables at the carriages, and the palace servants had to carefully stop some of the overly enthusiastic "missiles".

Little Sizi curiously peered out the car window at the lively scene outside, her big eyes sparkling.

"Hahaha... The kite is so much fun... Throw more..." Little Sizi laughed heartily, waving his little hand at the window.

Seeing how happy the little princess was, the people threw even more enthusiastically.

Lu Chen felt the texture of the brocade box in his arms, listened to the bustling voices outside the carriage and the clear laughter of Xiao Sizi beside him, and unconsciously stroked the warm jade pendant with his fingertips.

A strange sense of belonging that transcends time and space, intertwined with a heavy sense of responsibility, spread through his heart.

He was about to step into not only the old residence of the Lu family from the Tang Dynasty, but also into a living, breathing part of history that was connected to him by blood.

Amidst the spontaneous cheers and clearing of the crowd, the carriage smoothly drove towards the Lu family's old residence, which carries the family's thousand-year heritage.