Chapter 1: Trans-temporal Dual Transmigration!
The seventh year of the zhenguan era!
Summer in Chang'an, the sunlight was like fire, scorching the entire city.
Even the wind carried a scalding temperature, unable to disperse the oppressive heat on the streets.
Flowers, plants, and trees swayed sluggishly, and the city was enveloped in a silence brought on by the heat, with an unbearable stuffiness permeating everywhere.
Lizheng Hall
Princess Sizi, nearly two years old, was dressed in a light and thin plain silk short jacket.
She was playing happily on the grass under the shade of the trees.
The silk fabric was soft and breathable, embroidered with delicate continuous pearl patterns in light pink silk thread.
The collar and cuffs were finely edged with goose-yellow silk, adding a touch of playfulness.
Below, she wore a moon-white thin gauze pleated skirt, with lively butterflies embroidered at the hem, appearing and disappearing as she moved.
A silk ribbon of the same color was tied around her waist, from which a small jade pendant hung, gently swaying with her movements.
Her hair was styled in twin buns, each adorned with a small pearl hairpin, both refreshing and befitting the Royal Family's nobility.
“Butterfly~”
“Hehe~”
“Wait for me~”
The Little Princess chased the butterfly tirelessly.
Not far away, a pavilion stood quietly, embraced by lush green trees.
Inside the pavilion, Empress Zhangsun sat gracefully on a stone stool, her posture elegant and refined.
Her face was like blooming flowers in spring, with a gentle and loving expression in her eyes, which were like clear autumn waters, sparkling with every glance.
She wore a moon-white Shu brocade palace dress, the fabric soft, gently rising and falling with her movements.
The hem of her dress was embroidered with intricate silver threads, outlining several ethereal cloud patterns.
Under the sunlight, it radiated a soft luster, exuding noble elegance in its simplicity.
Her left hand gently held an ancient book, while her right hand held a round fan, fanning rhythmically.
The round fan had a bamboo frame, and on its cicada-wing-thin silk surface, a delicate landscape painting was depicted, with a few strokes of ink outlining endless poetic charm.
Empress Zhangsun's gaze occasionally drifted over the fan, falling upon Princess Sizi, who was playing and laughing not far away.
Even with several palace maids meticulously attending to her, Empress Zhangsun's concern and worry remained undiminished.
Her brows furrowed slightly, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up, a pure expression of a Mother's love and concern for her daughter.
Before long, the Little Princess had a lot of sweat on her face.
She felt a little tired, mainly due to the stuffy heat.
The Little Princess no longer chased the butterflies; instead, she picked a small flower from the grass.
“Hehe~” She ran happily towards the pavilion with her short legs.
“Mother~ I’m back~”
Empress Zhangsun looked up, a loving smile on her face, “Sizi, slow down.”
Xiang Cao, the Little Princess's personal palace maid, quickly followed, afraid the Little Princess might fall.
The Little Princess waved her small hands, “Hehe~ Mother~”
“Here’s a flower for you~”
“Good, good, good!” Empress Zhangsun placed the ancient book on the stone table and gently opened her arms.
The Little Princess immediately threw herself into her Mother's embrace.
Seeing the beads of sweat on the Little Princess's forehead, Empress Zhangsun took out a handkerchief and gently wiped them away.
“The weather is hot, how about not running anymore?” Empress Zhangsun's tone was full of doting affection.
“Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm~”
The Little Princess also happily agreed to her Mother.
The Little Princess stood up and walked behind her Mother.
She stood on her tiptoes, wanting to put the flower in Empress Zhangsun's hair.
Empress Zhangsun did not spoil the fun and tilted her head to cooperate with the Little Princess.
“Hehe~” The Little Princess was also happy, “Mother is so pretty~”
“Sizi is so capable.”
The Little Princess sat in Empress Zhangsun's arms and tugged at her own clothes.
She wanted to take them off, “Mother, I’m hot~”
Empress Zhangsun picked up the round fan and gently fanned the Little Princess, “You won't be hot after resting for a bit, Mother will fan Sizi.”
“Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm~”
The Little Princess in Empress Zhangsun's arms was still restless.
Children are just like that.
She pointed to the distance, “Mother, look at the butterflies~”
“Wow~”
“So many butterflies~”
“Yes, many colorful butterflies,” Empress Zhangsun smiled.
“Mother~ Are the butterflies hot?” The Little Princess's big, watery eyes stared intently at the butterflies in the distance.
“Butterflies can fan themselves, so they shouldn't be hot.”
“Wow~ How amazing~”
The Little Princess tilted her head, her eyes wide and round, curiously observing the flying butterflies.
Her tender little index finger was in her mouth, her tiny cheeks puffed in and out, and a little drool slightly overflowed from between her fingers, shimmering in the sunlight.
Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the stone path in the courtyard.
Princess Changle Li Lizhi walked gracefully, holding the hand of Princess Chengyang, who was over three years old.
Princess Changle, at thirteen years old, was already a graceful and elegant young lady.
Her skin was like congealed cream, her face like a full moon, and her eyes were like clear springs, revealing intelligence and cleverness, her features strikingly similar to Empress Zhangsun's.
She wore a light blue Qixiong Ruqun, with exquisite flowing cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, gently swaying with her steps.
A light silk painting was wrapped around her slender arm, gently fluttering with the breeze, like clouds in the sky.
It added a touch of otherworldly etherealness to her, as if she were a fairy who had mistakenly entered the mortal world.
A true embodiment of natural beauty, her name perfectly matched her person.
“Sizi!” Princess Chengyang waved her small hand.
Hearing the sound, the Little Princess looked up, her face filled with joy.
“It’s Second Sister~”
Princess Chengyang let go of Li Lizhi's hand and quickly ran to the pavilion, going to Empress Zhangsun's side.
“Mother!”
“Hmm.” Empress Zhangsun held Princess Chengyang in her arms.
Princess Sizi was the youngest and always stayed with Empress Zhangsun.
Princess Chengyang was a little older and also spent much of her time in Lizheng Hall.
However, she also spent some time with Princess Changle Li Lizhi at Fengyang Pavilion in the Princess's Residence.
After all, Lizheng Hall was Empress Zhangsun's bedchamber, and Li Shimin also slept in Lizheng Hall most of the time.
Once they were a little older, they could move out.
“Mother, is Sizi being good?” Li Lizhi sat down opposite Empress Zhangsun.
“I’m good~” The Little Princess answered earnestly, “I’m very good~”
After speaking, the Little Princess leaned next to Li Lizhi, “Sister, look~”
Li Lizhi was also amused by her young sister.
As the legitimate eldest daughter, Princess Changle Li Lizhi's words and actions showed a maturity and steadiness unbefitting her age.
She slightly turned her body and raised her hand to tidy the stray hairs on her sister's forehead, her every movement exuding elegance and composure.
She was very much like Empress Zhangsun, gentle yet dignified.
The Little Princess pulled Princess Chengyang, “Second Sister~ Let’s go play~”
“The sun is strong now, don't go outside,” Li Lizhi reminded her.
“Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm~” The Little Princess pulled Princess Chengyang into the Inner Palace.
Shuying and Xiang Cao, the personal palace maids of Princess Chengyang and Princess Sizi, quickly followed.
Li Lizhi was worried and gestured for Yu Shu, her own personal palace maid, to follow as well.
Her two younger sisters were small, and she was afraid they might fall or get hurt.
21st century, ancient city, Jialejia Supermarket.
Xiao Ran looked at the operating situation, scratching his head in frustration.
Two and a half years of hard work, he started preparing even before graduating.