Chapter 159: Celebrating Sizi's Birthday!

"Minister Li Yi pays his respects to Your Majesty and the Empress. Wishing Your Imperial Majesty..."

"Very well! Enough of that! How are the preparations for the midday meal?"

Li Yi raised his head and swept his gaze around. He saw Empress Changsun looking at him with gentle warmth, which made him feel quite at ease. Li Chengqian and Li Ke also nodded to him with smiles, especially Li Chengqian. Due to his busy schedule lately, it had been a long time since Li Yi last attended his lectures. Judging by his complexion, the Crown Prince was probably feeling unhappy again recently. *Sigh! What a tragic fellow!*

Turning his head, Li Yi looked at Changle. She was gazing at him with delight, her eyes shimmering with unspoken affection; everything was communicated without a word! As for the last one, Li Tai, Li Yi simply did not know what to make of him. Li Tai was a typical petty character, prone to violence, somewhat stubborn, and rather ruthless. These were conclusions Li Yi had drawn based on historical knowledge. Whether accurate or not, even though Li Tai was only thirteen years old and wore a smile as he looked at Li Yi, Li Yi preferred to keep him at a respectful distance! Giving Li Tai a polite, neutral smile, Li Yi replied in a clear voice:

"Your Majesty, the midday meal has been prepared. However, because the dining table is somewhat special, it is best to dine outdoors. Therefore, if Your Majesty pleases..."

Li Er put his hands behind his back. "You rascal, you are always coming up with strange tricks. I must see what delicious food you have concocted! Someone, prepare the carriage for the Rippling Wave Pavilion!"

With that, he took Empress Changsun and led the way out!

Li Yi purposely walked at the very end, while Li Chengqian, Li Ke, and Changle tacitly fell in step behind him!

"Hey! I say, Changle and I finally managed to spend a little time alone, couldn't the two of you show a bit of tact?"

Li Ke shot Li Yi a sidelong glance. "Damn it! The two of you can see each other four times in three days, and you call that 'finally managed'? How can you say that with a straight face? You care more about sex than your friends!"

Li Chengqian did not mind at all. "Brother Yi, after we finish eating, you must come over to my place no matter what. The two of us haven't gathered together in a long time!"

"Alright! Rest assured! Now then! Walk slowly, I won't see you off!"

Li Chengqian and Li Ke paused in surprise, then pointed at Li Yi, laughing in exasperation as they shook their heads and walked away.

Seeing the two leave, Li Yi immediately grabbed Changle's hand. "Hehe, it's finally just the two of us!"

Although Changle was now the head of the association, she still blushed fiercely at Li Yi's shamelessness. "Stop fooling around, we're still in the imperial palace!"

"I know! I just wanted to ask, what day is today? Why did your imperial father summon all of you here?"

"You didn't know? Then why did you prepare the midday meal? Today is Douzi's birthday!"

"What?" Li Yi's eyes widened abruptly. "Your imperial father didn't say a word! When I came into the palace for a council today, he just told me to stay for lunch, and without saying anything else, made me cook! How utterly ungracious of him! Changle, help stall for a moment, I need to go prepare something else!"

Hearing this, Changle immediately grew worried. "Will you be in trouble?"

Li Yi gave her a reassuring smile. "I suppose your imperial father is just playing a joke on me. Your husband here has been extremely well-behaved lately! Don't worry, it'll be fine!"

Changle's face flushed. "Who is my husband? Hurry up and get back!"

"We're already like an old married couple, yet you're still shy! *Cough cough cough!* Don't glare at me! Well then, I'm off!"

...

Li Yi hurried back to the imperial kitchens, thinking as he walked about what to prepare. A birthday cake? There wasn't enough time! Li Yi attached great importance to little Princess Douzi's birthday. He often heard Changle mention that although Douzi had been sickly since childhood, she was extremely well-behaved, and exceptionally filial to Li Er and Empress Changsun. For instance, she often had to drink very bitter medicine. Every time Douzi took it, it would take her a long time—not because she threw tantrums, but because it was so bitter that it had to be sipped slowly. Yet, whenever Empress Changsun or Li Er was by her side, she would gulp down the medicine at the fastest possible speed, solely so that Li Er and Empress Changsun would not worry about her. Because of this, Li Er cherished little Douzi the most. Furthermore, Douzi and Changle shared the closest bond. Therefore, loving the house and its crow, Li Yi also held a deep affection for this little princess.

Frowning in deep thought for a long time, an inspiration suddenly struck him, and he came up with an idea!

With a plan in mind, Li Yi began to order the servants to make preparations. In just the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, Li Yi was finished! Picking up the finished creation, he made some inquiries and learned that all the other dishes had just been delivered to the Rippling Wave Pavilion, meaning the timing was just right.

Carrying the delicacy, Li Yi rushed over at top speed!

Before long, Li Yi arrived at the Rippling Wave Pavilion and found that everything was ready—they were simply waiting for him!

Li Yi trotted over hastily!

"You stinky brat, we were just waiting for you! What took you so long?"

"Hehe, wasn't I busy preparing a birthday gift for the little princess?"

Li Er raised an eyebrow. "Ha, as expected, you found out anyway. I knew a little matter like this couldn't stump you! Very well, consider yourself pardoned. I won't hold you accountable for sleeping in the Wanchun Hall!"

Li Yi's feet tripped, and he almost fell flat on his face. So that was what it was about! This old Li Er was truly petty! Wasn't it just taking a nap in your palace? Did he have to dwell on it?

However, he failed to notice that Empress Changsun, Li Chengqian, Li Ke, Li Tai, and Changle were all staring at him in astonishment. Sleeping in the Wanchun Hall? Such audacity was simply boundless! If they knew that Li Yi had even fallen asleep during morning court sessions, heaven knows what they would think!

"Alright! Stop standing there like a pillar! Bring the food forward, I want to see what you've prepared for my Douzi!"

Li Yi hurriedly carried the round metal bowl forward!

Li Er scooped up little Douzi into his arms. "Come, Douzi, let's see what good thing this rascal has prepared for you!"

Douzi was already five years old and knew who Li Yi was, so she said in a milky, childish voice, "Imperial Father, I'm sure Douzi will love the gift Brother Li has prepared!"

Hearing Douzi's words, Li Yi beamed with joy. Look at that, she could even speak so sweetly; it was truly worth preparing a gift for her!

Li Er glanced at Li Yi, smiled, and then removed the lid from the bowl!

The others also hurriedly looked over and saw a golden-yellow cake-like substance inside, adorned with a pattern made from a milky-white substance on top!

Everyone looked at Li Yi in puzzlement. Li Yi smiled, stepped forward, and explained, "Uncle Li, Your Majesty, this food is called steamed egg custard. It is made by adding water to eggs and steaming them, and the smiley face on top is arranged using longevity peaches! The blessing of this dish is to wish the little princess that, just like this bowl of egg custard, she may always wear a joyful smile every day. The longevity peaches also symbolize the wish for the little princess to enjoy eternal good health and a long life of a hundred years!"

"Splendid! Excellent! Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, Li Er burst into hearty laughter. He truly had not expected that something Li Yi had thrown together on the spur of the moment would be filled with such deep thought. A joyful smile every day, good health, and longevity—these were the finest blessings one could offer a child, especially a child like little Douzi who had been frail and sickly since youth!

Empress Changsun also nodded at Li Yi with satisfaction. Douzi was her biological daughter, whom she naturally cherished even more, so she was exceedingly pleased with Li Yi's thoughtfulness!

Li Chengqian and Li Ke secretly gave him a thumbs-up, their faces full of admiration. Li Tai did not say much, merely joining in the happiness without any other hidden motives.

Changle gazed at Li Yi with eyes full of affection, making Li Yi's heart instantly blaze with warmth!

Li Er: "Douzi, how is it? Do you like it?"

Douzi hurriedly smiled and said, "I like it, Douzi likes it very much! Thank you, Brother Li!"

Li Yi quickly replied, "You're welcome. Hehe, Princess, you should eat while it's hot! Egg custard doesn't taste good once it gets cold!"

"Okay!"

Li Er smilingly scooped some out for Douzi, while Li Zhi on the side also chimed in demanding some. Li Er did not get annoyed and served them each a portion. The portion of egg custard was small to begin with, so the others were in no rush and waited for the two little ones to finish eating first.

Before long, the bowl of egg custard was scraped clean. At that moment, the sharp-eyed Li Ke suddenly let out a cry of surprise!

Following his gaze, everyone looked down and discovered a line of words at the bottom of the bowl—*Happy Birthday!*

Everyone looked at Li Yi in sheer amazement. They had never imagined there would be such an easter egg hidden at the bottom of the bowl. For a simple bowl of steamed eggs, Li Yi had truly exhausted every ounce of ingenuity!

Li Er nodded approvingly. "Lad, you put real thought into this!"