Chapter 517: Li Yuan in a Good Mood

"Gao Yang, has Xiao Sui An fallen asleep? Let me hold him."

When Chen Yan left, Li Shimin's family sat down; Empress Changsun, fearing an awkward silence, asked Gao Yang beside her.

"No," Gao Yang said with a motherly softness on his face, "When this little one was under half a year old, she ate all day and slept all day, slept and ate; as she gradually grew, she became more spirited."

"But she's quite well‑behaved, doesn't cry much, just likes to stare around with her eyes wide."

"Come, Xiao Sui An, let Grandmother hold you."

She said this while gently handing Xiao Sui An to Empress Changsun, who took her and instantly met the child's innocent, clear gaze, and immediately smiled.

"Indeed, this little runt doesn't cry or make a fuss, and isn't shy at all."

"Unlike Heng Shan, who is very shy, only I and your Father Emperor, and the lady official in charge of her, can hold her; anyone else cries at the slightest contact."

Li Yuan was quickly drawn in, stretching his head and watching eagerly.

At his age, he truly had no resistance to little children; the more he looked, the more fascinated he became.

"Guanyin Maid, let me hold him too; today is only the second time I've seen Xiao Sui An."

Empress Changsun smiled lightly and nodded, personally walking over to hand Xiao Sui An to Li Yuan to hold.

Those present only then understood Empress Changsun's intention and instantly felt a solemn respect.

Truly, one couldn't help but admire; Empress Changsun had grasped Li Yuan's thoughts tightly.

She guessed that at Li Yuan's age he liked children, so as soon as she sat down she began the conversation with Xiao Sui An.

Here it is?

The topic opened up instantly.

A soft, warm bundle entered his heart; Li Yuan lowered his head and saw the little baby's rosy cheeks and bright eyes, quietly looking at him.

"Good, good, good, what a fine child, Sui An, Sui An, may you have peace year after year. Beneath this ordinary name lie the simple and sincere wishes of little Zi An and little Gao Yang."

Li Yuan's smile never ceased; the negative emotions that had been suppressed for a long time were now largely released.

At that moment, the Xiao Sui An in his arms suddenly moved; a tiny hand lifted unconsciously and brushed in the air, just touching Li Yuan's dangling beard.

She neither cried nor fussed, only grasped that strand of white beard and gave it a gentle tug.

Li Yuan was first startled, then laughed loudly, "Look, this little hand is quite strong."

Li Shimin, anxious beside him, tried to find a line to start a conversation with Li Yuan, but nothing came out.

Yet the next moment brought an unexpected turn; Li Yuan proactively said to him, "Er Lang, I recall Heng Shan is a few months older than Xiao Sui An, so now she should barely be able to walk on the ground, right?"

Li Shimin understood and quickly said, "Father Emperor, it is my fault; it's been so long I haven't taken Heng Shan to visit you a few times. From now on I promise to often bring Heng Shan and Sizi and the others to keep you company, so you may enjoy family happiness."

"Hmph!" Li Yuan snorted lightly, "As long as you understand, I don't want you to lavish me with exotic delicacies every day, nor bring so‑called treasures or fine wine each time you visit. I just want to see a few little ones often enough."

"...... By the way," Li Yuan turned his head and looked around, "Isn't Sizi recuperating at little Zi An's home?"

"Why is there no sign of anyone?"

Hearing this, Li Lizhi stepped forward to explain, "Your Majesty may not know, Sizi's health has improved a lot now. My husband says even if Sizi stayed here continuously it would be fine, but if it lasts too long, mother will miss her, so after consulting Sizi's wishes, we first let her return to the palace for a while."

Sizi, who was not present:???

"You consulted my opinion?"

"I see," Li Yuan realized, giving Li Shimin a slightly displeased glare, "Then why didn't you bring Sizi when you came today?"

"Zi An has dutifully nursed Sizi, turning a skinny, skeletal child into the plump one she is now, and has taught her various principles as if she were his own daughter. Today, Zi An and Guan, can they not bring her over?"

Li Shimin was taken aback, "No, Father Emperor, this truly isn't my fault. Sizi and Cheng Yang asked the maid early this morning to bring them here, even earlier than I and the Guanyin Maid arrived."

"They've arrived?" Li Yuan asked in surprise, "Then why is no one seen?"

Gao Yang opened his mouth slightly, waved to Xiang Lan behind him, signaling her to come over, then whispered, "Go check the back kitchen; if those two little ones are there, bring them over."

Everyone: "......"

Li Lizhi said awkwardly, "My husband's philosophy on teaching children differs from ours; he says we shouldn't suppress a child's nature—let them learn when it's time to learn, play when it's time to play. Sizi is actually quite sensible now, though sometimes rather mischievous."

"Your husband is right!"

Li Yuan nodded in agreement, then added, "I know a bit about the illness 'Qi disease'; I vaguely recall discussing it with Sun Simiao long ago—he said Qi disease truly cannot be cured, and Zi An said the same thing."

"Guanyin Maid, you and Sizi must be especially careful. Because of your status, you can only convalesce in the palace, but Sizi is still young; if possible, she should still be sent regularly to Zi An's place for care."

"Cultivating a strong body in childhood is more important than anything; otherwise, a disease rooted early becomes harder to treat later."

"At the very least, when I saw Sizi two years ago, she was almost a different person from the Sizi now."

"I understand," Empress Changsun replied with a smile, "When Zi An sent Sizi back, he discussed this with me; his suggestion was for her to stay in the palace for a month, then reside at his residence for a while."

"Since you have decided, I will say no more," Li Yuan sighed lightly, reluctantly handing the Xiao Sui An in his arms to Gao Yang.

"I am old, and I don't know how many good days I have left; if you have nothing else, feel free to visit me occasionally."

"Hehe... in this regard, Zi An cares far more than you all. Back in Weinan County, whenever he returned to Chang'an, he would always find time to accompany me for fishing and chat."

Everyone's hearts tightened at his words; Li Shimin was about to speak when Li Yuan added, "As for other matters, I don't wish to interfere; Er Lang is far better than I was back then."

"The only point..."

His expression darkened, his tone turning serious, "Er Lang, regarding what happened to Cheng Qian, I have heard; from now on, do not..."

Upon mentioning it, everyone else dared not speak.

Li Shimin's face was similarly grim as he clasped his hands and said, "Please, Father Emperor, rest assured. What happened to Cheng Qian was unexpected; even Zi An said this tactic..."