chsdbacks Chapter 19 Xiao Qingyi's Loving Bento Box
Chapter 19 Xiao Qingyi's Loving Bento Box
The slight sense of relief that Li Chengqian had just felt—that "this child isn't too stupid"—was shattered the next second by the "silly rabbit's" follow-up remarks.
"Our ancestors' family was so pitiful, the rabbit meat they made must have been...not very tasty!" Little Qingyi nodded her little head seriously, as if making a very solemn conclusion, "We can't waste food, so we won't eat rabbit meat today, we'll save it for next time!"
Li Chengqian: "…………"
He knew it.
He shouldn't have had any unrealistic expectations about the child's brain circuits.
Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi nearly lost her composure. She pressed her lips together tightly, barely managing to suppress the urge to laugh. As the most dignified Princess Chang Le of the Tang Dynasty, years of court upbringing had allowed her to maintain a facade of calm, though the smile in her eyes was impossible to hide.
This feeling... is truly bittersweet.
She looked down at the strangely logical little one in her arms and couldn't understand how this child could think that her elder brother, the crown prince who was second only to the emperor, was "pitiful." How could he be associated with the word "pitiful"?
However, the word "Meatball" reminded Xiao Qingyi. She suddenly squirmed in Li Lizhi's arms: "Pretty Jiejie, quickly put me down! I remember, I brought a gift!"
Gift?
Li Chengqian's somewhat depressed mood was slightly relieved by these two words.
It's good that this little ingrate still has some memory. But... what kind of gift could a four-year-old possibly give? He found a strange sense of anticipation that even made him laugh.
He quickly suppressed this unbecoming "restlessness." What extraordinary things could a mere child possibly give? But considering her good intentions (if that's the case), he would accept whatever she brought.
Under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. As the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, what's wrong with him accepting a gift from a little child?
As soon as Xiao Qingyi's feet touched the ground, she ran "tap tap tap" to the square "iron box" she had brought, then ran back "tap tap tap" carrying it, presenting it to Li Chengqian like a treasure: "Grandpa, this food was made by my Uncle Li, it's especially—delicious! Your family... um, you probably haven't eaten such delicious food before, have you? You have to try it!"
As she spoke, she picked up another identical box from the side, stood on tiptoe, and handed it to Li Lizhi: "Luckily I was smart enough to bring an extra one! It looks nice, you should try some too!"
Hearing that soft, slightly proud voice, Li Lizhi felt her heart melt. She took the box with a smile, then glanced at her brother with a clear meaning: Look, what a thoughtful child.
Li Chengqian stared speechlessly at the little boy before him, whose eyes were filled with pity (?) and expectation, feeling utterly exhausted. Shouldn't this child's eyes be examined by the imperial physician?
And he! Is! Absolutely! Not! Pitiful!
"Grandpa, aren't you going to eat?" Little Qingyi urged him, her big eyes practically overflowing with anticipation as she saw that he wasn't moving.
Li Chengqian's attention then fell on the strange "lunchbox" on the table. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and the material seemed to be iron, but the surface was smooth, warm to the touch, and the paint was even, indicating extremely fine craftsmanship. He examined the mechanism on the lid, and gently twisted it—with a slight "click," the lid actually loosened.
Li Lizhi, standing beside him, followed his example and curiously opened the box in her hand. A warm, moist steam, accompanied by an indescribable aroma of food, instantly rose from the box.
Li Lizhi's eyes widened slightly, her face showing surprise. The box was sealed so tightly, yet the food inside was still warm? This design was truly ingenious.
She lifted the lid completely, revealing the food inside. The colors were vibrant, the dishes were well-matched, and the rich aroma of the food immediately filled the hall. It was quite different from the aroma of the palace cuisine, carrying a more...homely and lively flavor.
"You guys have to try it! It's really delicious! I brought this from my home!" Little Qingyi urged excitedly from the side, her big round eyes filled with the pride and anticipation of successfully presenting a treasure.
"This...you brought it from your own home?" Li Lizhi looked at the ingeniously designed "insulated lunchbox" in her hand with disbelief, her questions deepening. Doesn't the Crown Prince's child live in the Eastern Palace? And this lunchbox is so cleverly designed, I wonder which skilled craftsman made it? It can keep the food so warm and the aroma intact.
She and Li Chengqian exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and inquiry in each other's eyes. It seemed that what this child brought was more than just "delicious food".