My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Although he was a martial artist, he knew that releasing his internal energy could at most shatter or knock the cup away.

Such a technique of holding a teacup and floating steadily in mid-air is definitely a celestial magic that transcends the realm of martial arts!

"Drink it. It won't taste good when it's cold." Li Chen withdrew his finger.

Cheng Yaojin was so frightened that he hurriedly caught the cup of tea, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

"A god... he's a living god!"

He screamed wildly in his heart, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Li Chen had completely changed from probing to utter awe.

"Alright, we've had our tea, let's get down to business."

Li Chen tapped the table with his fingers, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"I want to have hot pot tonight. But I'm missing one crucial main dish."

Cheng Yaojin was a very shrewd man. Upon hearing this, he immediately patted his chest and assured him, "Whatever the immortal wishes to eat, just tell me! Even if it's dragon meat from heaven, I, Old Cheng, will find a way to get it for you!"

"Forget about dragon meat, just get some beef."

Li Chen looked at him with a half-smile, "I heard that the oxen at your Cheng family's mansion often suffer from various mental illnesses, such as depression or suicidal thoughts, and then accidentally fall into wells and drown, or break their legs?"

Cheng Yaojin was taken aback for a moment, then burst into a hearty laugh, understanding the unspoken message.

"I understand! I, Old Cheng, understand perfectly!"

Cheng Yaojin slapped his thigh and shouted, "Sixteenth Prince, you know what? This morning, a big yellow ox on my estate, unable to get used to the dry grass in winter, became depressed and ran headfirst into the millstone and died!"

"Rest assured, I guarantee I will personally deliver the finest cuts of beef shank and tripe to your residence before evening!"

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

……

That evening.

In the pavilion in the backyard of the Qin Prince's mansion, the windproof curtains on all four sides were lowered, and several huge braziers were lit inside, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

In the center of the round table, a brass hot pot with two separate compartments was bubbling away.

On one side is a bright red broth, thick with Sichuan peppercorns and chili peppers, while on the other side is a clear broth bubbling with various precious medicinal herbs and old hen. The irresistible aroma wafts out through the cracks, enough to whet anyone's appetite.

The table was covered with the finest beef that Cheng Yaojin had sent.

Thinly sliced ​​marbled beef, crisp and tender tripe, and handmade beef balls—a dazzling array of dishes.

Li Chen had just finished mixing a bowl of sesame paste and was about to pick up his chopsticks.

"It smells so good! I could smell it from two streets away!"

Accompanied by a hearty laugh that sounded incredibly familiar.

Li Shimin, dressed in casual clothes, accompanied by Empress Zhangsun, carrying the baby Sizi in her arms, and followed by Princess Changle, entered the pavilion in a grand and familiar manner.

Li Chen's face darkened when he saw the family with their children in tow.

"Old Deng, do you have a dog's nose? My pot just boiled, and you arrived at the perfect moment? Did you plant a spy in my palace?!"

Li Shimin, without any hesitation, pulled out a chair and sat down. He then picked up a pair of chopsticks, grabbed a large slice of marbled beef, and threw it into the hot pot of chili oil.

"Nonsense. Am I the kind of person who would send people to spy on his own son?"

Li Shimin, staring at the meat in the pot, said shamelessly, "I've been reviewing memorials all day, it's been exhausting. I brought your mother and sisters out for a stroll, and we just happened to be passing by, so can't we come in and ask for a drink of water?"

Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth and chuckled softly, not exposing the emperor's lie.

Little Sizi had already climbed onto his special high chair, banging his little wooden chopsticks loudly, "Sixteenth Brother! Sizi wants meat! Spicy meat!"

Princess Chang Le sat obediently next to Li Chen, helping everyone serve the dishes and cook the meat.

Hot pot, a dish brimming with the warmth and vibrancy of everyday life, instantly bridges the gap between everyone.

Amidst the rising steam, the royal hot pot feast was enjoyed in great enthusiasm.

Li Shimin was sweating profusely from the spiciness, but he kept saying how satisfying it was. Little Sizi, while hissing and sucking in the cool air, frantically stuffed meat into his mouth.

Just when we were halfway through eating the hot pot.

The plate of premium beef tripe on the table had only one, the largest piece, left.

Li Chen reacted swiftly, his chopsticks flashing out like lightning to firmly grasp the piece of tripe, preparing to drag it into his own bowl.

"Snapped!"

A pair of gold-inlaid ivory chopsticks suddenly appeared from the side and precisely clamped the other end of the tripe!

Li Chen raised his head and glared angrily at Li Shimin, who was sitting opposite him.

"Old Deng, let go! I grabbed it first!"

Li Shimin didn't back down at all. He subtly tightened his grip on his wrist and glared back, retorting, "Nonsense! I clearly set my sights on it first! The whole world belongs to me, and you, as my son, dare to fight me for a piece of tripe? What kind of behavior is this!"

"Don't try to intimidate me with your power!"

Li Chen increased the force in his hand, and Niu Baiye was pulled straight in mid-air, about to be torn apart.

"This beef was brought here by Cheng Yaojin! I made the broth! I cut the meat! You're just here to freeload, what right do you have to fight me for the last piece of meat!"

"I don't care! I am the Emperor! I am going to eat this tripe today!"

"So what if he's the emperor? Does that give him the right to be unreasonable and forcibly take a man's hotpot? Let go!"

"Let go!"

Father and son glared at each other, neither willing to back down an inch, and their chopsticks engaged in a fierce tug-of-war in mid-air. The tension was so intense that it even overpowered the spicy aroma of the hot pot.

"Alright!"

At this tense moment...

A pair of warm, smooth hands reached out.

Empress Zhangsun, holding a pair of wooden chopsticks, swiftly and decisively flicked them at the center of their confrontation.

"Clatter".

The piece of tripe, which had almost been torn apart by five horses, drew a graceful arc in the air and landed precisely in the sesame oil dish in front of Xiao Sizi.

Empress Zhangsun put on a stern face, displaying the majesty of the mother of the Tang Dynasty, and made a domineering declaration.

"What's all the noise about! Even eating can't shut you up!"