Chapter 43 The Princesses of the Great Tang

To be honest, Li Zhi did not suffer that beating unjustly.

Just planting false accusations against Li Qing was an offense worthy of decapitation if committed by anyone else.

Hearing Li Qing's words of dissuasion, Li Shihmin put Li Zhi down, but still feeling unsatisfied, he slapped him across the back again. "If not for your uncle pleading on your behalf, I would have thrashed your bottom today no matter what!"

Tears streamed down Li Zhi's face.

Do you have any idea how much psychological trauma a slap to the face causes a nine-year-old child?!

Yet there was nothing he could do. After all, the one beating him was his father. As the saying goes, a father beating his son is entirely justified, so even if he felt aggrieved, he had to endure it.

"It seems your father is truly recovered," Li Qing said, looking down at little Chizi.

Li Mingda giggled. Since her father had enough strength to deliver such a fierce beating to the ninth prince, his health must be largely out of danger.

As for the ninth prince? Ha, she hoped he was fine.

Young children are easily placated and have short memories. Once Li Qing produced a handful of small snacks, Li Zhi instantly forgot the burning pain in his backside and came over to share the treats with Li Mingda.

Li Mingda meticulously categorized the snacks, seemingly sorting them by flavor into several distinct piles.

"Chizi is so meticulous. Are you sorting the snacks by flavor?" Li Qing asked with a smile, sitting down beside her.

It seemed that meticulousness was a girl's innate trait. He recalled his top-performing female deskmate back in school, who had a particular fondness for categorizing her class notes and mistake logs into various folders. Li Qing had once tried to emulate her, but gave up after a few days.

He simply lacked that kind of patience.

Li Mingda smiled sweetly and replied to Li Qing, "Not really, Uncle. I'm preparing these for Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, and Eldest Sister... Look, Eldest Brother likes spicy things, so these spicy strips and potato chips are for him; Fourth Brother and Eldest Sister like sweets, so these little pastries are for them; and the rest Chizi will keep for herself."

"Such a thoughtful child..." Li Qing patted her head. It was hard not to love such a well-behaved and sensible child.

Old Li also looked at Li Mingda with reddened eyes. Thinking about it, to have a daughter like this, what more could a husband or father ask for?

Yet, Old Li suddenly blurted out something entirely unexpected to Li Qing.

"Didn't Chizi prepare a share for your father?"

Li Qing, Li Mingda, and Li Zhi all turned simultaneously to look at Li Shihmin.

"Oh, hehe..." Li Mingda smiled shyly, pushing her own pile of snacks toward Li Shihmin.

"Father can eat Chizi's share instead..."

Li Qing slapped a hand over his face, unable to bear the sight. Goodness gracious, Li Shihmin's behavior was comparable to snatching a lollipop from an elementary schooler.

For a moment, Old Li's majestic image of an emperor through the ages crumbled in his mind, replaced entirely by the image of an indulgent, doting father.

Old Li gave a haughty, proud hum. Seeing this, Chizi unwrapped a lollipop and pushed it into Li Shihmin's mouth. Old Li sucked on the lollipop; although his expression remained haughty, his heart was overflowing with sweetness.

Seeing the father and daughter getting along so harmoniously, Li Zhi scurried over and offered one to Li Shihmin, saying, "Father, have one."

Li Shihmin slowly turned his head, his gaze filled with utter disgust.

Li Zhi: ...

The sky is azure blue, paper cranes flutter outside the window...

"Ninth Brother, have one too." Li Mingda unwrapped another lollipop and stuffed it into Li Zhi's mouth.

The power of a sweet daughter is boundless. Bathed in the warmth of his younger sister, Li Zhi instantly forgot about Li Shihmin'