Chapter 73: Barbecue in the Wild

The place where Li Yuechen and the others were currently located happened to be a tributary of the Luo River. It wasn’t very wide, and the water was quite clear. Looking around, aside from the relatively level official road, most of the land was lush and verdant.

The air in early spring carried the fresh scent of earth, and with the occasional chirping of insects and birdsong, it was easy for one’s mood to lighten and become cheerful.

If there was any inconvenience, it was the soldiers stationed nearby for their protection. These loyal soldiers had encircled the area completely, forming a perimeter of about two hundred meters in diameter. Outside this ring, there were also other people gathered in small groups along both banks of the stream, chatting and preparing to wash their hands. Judging by their fine clothes, it was clear they too hailed from noble families.

Fulai was directing a few young eunuchs to fetch bamboo poles from the carriage, intending to set up a curtain. In this era, whenever people with some wealth or status went out for an excursion, and there were women in the party, it was customary to erect a screen of bamboo poles and cloth to shield the back and sides.

Li Yuechen waved her hand. “No need to bother with that. Let’s keep it as it is.”

“But Your Highness…”

“Even if you shield the back, won’t those across the river still be able to see?” Li Yuechen asked. “Besides, with soldiers everywhere, it’s quite unnecessary.”

Fulai glanced at Princess Xuan and Princess Yiyang.

Princess Yiyang smiled. “Let’s follow Chen’er’s suggestion. I feel the same way.”

Since the eldest sister had spoken, Li Hong, who had wanted to persist, simply shook his head in resignation, smiling as he chided, “Were our parents here, would you still dare to be so bold?”

“Then it would be even less necessary,” Li Xian said, wiping his wet hands as he walked over. “If they were, not an outsider would be found within a whole mile.”

Li Xian took the towel handed to him by a nearby eunuch. “Chen’er has always been this way, never caring if others watch.”

“Ha.” Li Yuechen flicked the water from her hands. “Why should I mind being seen? Wouldn’t that be a waste of such good looks?”

Li Hong sputtered, “Cough! We all know you’re good-looking, but must you boast so?”

“Ha ha ha…” The others burst into laughter.

The two princesses beside them covered their mouths, giggling; Shangguan Wan’er stifled her laughter, her shoulders shaking with the effort.

Li Yuechen directly instructed the servants to start a fire and brought out the prepared chicken, duck, and rabbit for roasting.

Before long, several fires were lit by the riverside, and the marinated meats were set over the flames to roast. As smoke began to rise, many people from across the river and further away looked over in astonishment.

During the Shangsi Festival, few ever roasted meat outdoors. Usually, people brought cured meats, flatbreads, or at most a teapot for brewing tea. To actually barbecue in the wild was unheard of—no one had ever thought of such a thing. In this era, outdoor barbecuing was quite troublesome and required significant preparation.

Seeing the smoke wafting up, many onlookers outside the perimeter stroked their chins and nodded, murmuring that the royal family truly knew how to enjoy themselves.

Yet, they did not see the strange scene at the center of the royal camp. In the eyes of outsiders, it should be the servants tending the fire while the princes and princesses waited to eat. In reality, Li Yuechen was the main cook, with the princes gathered around her, curious and excited, and the two elder sisters watching nearby. The servants had been shooed aside, staring dumbfounded at Fulai, silently asking what to do next.

After all, none of the princes had ever roasted meat themselves; it was a novel experience for them. With their parents absent, there was no need for their usual restraint—they could play freely.

Soon, Li Xian and Li Xian’s faces were smeared with soot from the fire, and after wiping away sweat, their faces became thoroughly blackened. If not for their splendid garments, one might have mistaken them for refugees.

Fulai, experienced as always, had the servants watch and learn, knowing that the princes’ novelty would wear off eventually and the men would have to take over.

Li Hong, for his part, maintained the dignity of the eldest brother—though he tried his hand at roasting, he didn't get too involved. The others were less restrained; Li Lun was even poking at the fire with a stick, almost setting his sleeve alight.

Li Hong had intended to scold him, but Li Yuechen smeared his face with her sooty fingers, instantly turning him into a dappled cat.

“Ha ha ha…” Li Xian and Li Xian laughed heartily, the two elder sisters stifling their laughter.

“Insolence!” Li Hong shouted, feigning anger. “Chen’er, how can you be so unruly?”

Li Yuechen grinned. “We’re siblings—what need for formality?” And as she spoke, she smeared his face again.

At that, Li Hong was truly provoked. Without a word, he crouched down, rubbed his hands in the ashes, and lunged for Li Yuechen. She made as if to run but, after a moment’s thought, let herself be caught.

Seizing his chance, Li Hong rubbed his sooty hands all over her cheeks. “Now you can see what it’s like!”

In an instant, Li Yuechen’s fair face was blackened too. Instead of anger, she burst out laughing, reached out to smear Li Hong again, and darted away.

Li Hong gave chase. Li Yuechen ran to Li Lun and, catching him off guard, smeared his face too.

“You—!”

Li Lun, who was about the same age as her, wasted no time in retaliating, reaching for her with sooty hands.

Li Yuechen hurried off. “Second Brother, help me!”

“Coming!” Li Xian called, lunging at Li Hong with his own sooty hands, not forgetting to smear Li Xian as well.

In a flash, nearly everyone had joined the fray, creating utter chaos.

Princess Yiyang, seeing their antics, glanced around anxiously, worried about being seen by outsiders. But the soldiers’ perimeter was wide enough that, though those across the river could tell some horseplay was afoot, they couldn’t see clearly. And in any case, no one dared stare for long; at most, they glanced up at the noise before minding their own business.

Still, she stopped Li Yuechen as she ran by, bending down with a gentle smile. “Chen’er, we are still outside the palace, so perhaps—”

Before she could finish, Li Yuechen reached up and swiped both sisters’ faces with soot.

“Ha ha ha!” Li Yuechen laughed. “If we’re out to play, we must enjoy ourselves!”

“Chen’er, you—!”

Both sisters joined the melee.

Nearby, Fulai and the others looked on awkwardly, unsure if they should watch. Xiao He glanced around and whispered to Fulai, “Perhaps we should extend the perimeter a bit more…”

Fulai nodded in agreement and was about to act when he saw Li Yuechen and the others stop by the riverside. Li Xian and the two sisters squatted to wash their faces, while Li Yuechen sat on the ground, giggling, and Li Hong and the others crouched nearby, catching their breath.

Though no one spoke, when they looked at each other, they couldn’t help but laugh again. Somehow, the distance between the siblings had grown much smaller.

Li Yuechen knew when to stop. After washing up with the others, she returned to check the roasting meat.

The meat was now a golden brown, fat dripping into the fire with a satisfying sizzle. As Li Yuechen sprinkled on spices, a savory fragrance filled the air.

Suddenly, a soldier approached and bowed. “Your Highnesses, there is a visitor who requests an audience. He calls himself Liu Huang…”

“Let him in,” Li Yuechen said with a smile. “He’s arrived at just the right time.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The soldier departed and soon returned with a young man dressed in light green, patterned silk.

Liu Huang was only six years older than Li Yuechen, so they were nearly peers.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highnesses!” Liu Huang bowed respectfully.

“No need for formality,” Li Hong replied with a smile. “You’re Chen’er’s senior apprentice brother. Among friends, there’s no need for ceremony.”

“Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Li Yuechen beckoned him over. “Come, smell this—doesn’t it make your mouth water? Have a taste in a moment. If you like it, I’ll send some to our master as well.”

“Gladly!” Liu Huang agreed happily. The aroma had tempted him the moment he arrived, and he was eager to try it.

After a little more roasting, Li Yuechen declared it ready.

Li Hong’s attendants drew their knives and sliced the meat, offering it to the princes and princesses.

When everyone had their share, Li Yuechen grabbed a succulent chicken leg and called, “Wan’er, here!”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Shangguan Wan’er took the drumstick, delighted.

Li Yuechen handed another drumstick to Liu Huang, then took a duck leg for herself.

As for the rabbit, Li Hong and the others had already divided it among themselves, so she let them be.

“I never thought roast meat could be so delicious!” Li Xian praised between bites.

Of course, Li Yuechen thought to herself, with so many strong spices, how could it not be tasty?

In reality, the flavor was quite ordinary, but for these royals, accustomed to rare delicacies, a meal like this was novel and naturally seemed delicious.

Liu Huang nodded in agreement. “Your Highness’s cooking is truly magical!”

Li Yuechen smiled. “Next time, I’ll cook for our master at his house.”

“I thank Your Highness in advance. My grandfather will be delighted.”

After the meal and some more conversation, it was time to return to the palace.

Liu Huang, who had come on horseback, took his leave and rode off to rejoin his friends.

The carriages swayed gently as they made their way back, guarded by soldiers. Perhaps because they were well fed, the two elder sisters and Shangguan Wan’er all seemed drowsy.

Li Yuechen, still full of energy, felt the gentle rocking of the carriage and wondered whether she might invent a four-wheeled carriage.

When she’d been in Europe, such carriages were mainly used as taxis. Compared to two-wheeled ones, four-wheeled carriages were far more stable and could carry more.

It seemed that in China, four-wheeled carriages hadn’t been developed until the Qing dynasty. Li Yuechen could guess why: Europe’s terrain was mostly flat, while China’s roads were rough, with endless mountains and valleys. Both road conditions and wheels posed a problem.

Of course, the biggest issue was steering. In this era, four-wheeled carts were used for hauling heavy loads, but the design was simple—just mounting four wheels on a frame. Turning required brute force, which was a hassle.

Li Yuechen had ridden in such carriages herself. Solving this problem would be easy. But even if she built one, it would be limited to city use; the roads outside were simply too poor.

Glancing at her two dozing sisters, then at Shangguan Wan’er, Li Yuechen resolved to give it a try. Many inventions were dismissed as useless when first created, but that was no reason not to try.

If she could really build a four-wheeled carriage, someone would eventually find a way to overcome the remaining obstacles.

But making one would take more than she alone could manage. She’d need the support of the Craftsmen’s Directorate and a great deal of material. She’d have to mention it to Li Zhi—after all, if the emperor made a request, nothing was impossible.

It was settled: she would ask her father Li Zhi to have one built for his own use. Once made, the high officials and nobles would surely want them too. She might even make a fortune!

And at the same time, she’d be advancing technological progress in ways unseen… How marvelous was that!

As the convoy entered the palace, the carriage came to a gentle stop. Li Yuechen lightly patted her sisters. “Sisters, wake up.”

“Hmm?” Princess Yiyang opened her eyes. “We’re back at the palace?”

“Yes, we’re home.” Li Yuechen nodded, then turned, saying, “Xiao He, take Wan’er back first. The rest of us need to pay our respects to Father and Mother.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Xiao He replied.

Li Yuechen jumped from the carriage, and with her sisters and four elder brothers, made her way to the Hall of Benevolent Longevity.

Inside, Li Zhi looked up from his desk with a smile. “You’re back? Perfect timing. Let’s have some tea.”

After the children saluted, they gathered around the table. Only Li Yuechen propped herself on the armrest of Li Zhi’s rocking chair, draping an arm over his shoulder. “Father and Mother, it’s a pity you couldn’t join us today.”

“And why do you say so? Was there some auspicious sign?” Li Zhi, clearly in good spirits, joked.

“No sign, but the roast meat was exceptionally delicious.” Li Yuechen’s eyes curved in a smile.

Seeing her so happy, Li Zhi pulled her onto his lap. “Is that so? Then why didn’t you bring some back?”

“The journey was long, and it would’ve been cold by the time we arrived. How could I let you eat that?” Li Yuechen replied earnestly, eyes wide. “But don’t worry, Father. My brothers ate extra on your behalf, tasting it for you!”

“Pfft…” Li Hong, sipping his tea, choked and coughed.

Li Zhi and Wu Zetian both burst out laughing, clearly delighted by her antics.