Chapter 10: I, your subject, and the Marquis of Weinan had a very pleasant talk

Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin carefully examined Chen Yan's written method for making salt, then sighed, "Zi An is right; this method for making salt sounds difficult, but it's actually very simple to carry out."

"With this, I can break the aristocracy's monopoly on salt, and all the people of the world will be able to eat clean, cheap salt."

Having finished speaking, Li Shimin this time did not wait for Empress Changsun's response.

He turned his head in doubt, only to see Empress Changsun staring blankly at a piece of poetry.

"Guanyin Maid, what's wrong?" Li Shimin gently took Empress Changsun's hand.

She then came to herself, worried, "Your Majesty, I was just thinking about the poem Zi An wrote just now."

"Where the Qin and Han dynasties once passed, their countless palaces have turned to dust."

"When they rise, the people suffer; when they fall, the people suffer!"

"Your Majesty... Zi An, one sentence sums up the current state of the people of the world."

At the end, Empress Changsun let out a long sigh.

From the fall of the Great Sui to the rise of the Tang Dynasty, it seems much has changed in this period—oceans turned to mulberry fields, the sun and moon turned, and the world has gone from bearing the surname Yang to bearing the surname Li.

Yet it also seems as if nothing has changed; upon closer examination, the people are still just as bitter.

Li Shimin heard this and fell silent, not knowing what to say.

How could he not understand what Empress Changsun said?

But sometimes he truly is powerless.

Take last year's great drought, for example: Li Shimin, in order to relieve the disaster, almost emptied his own privy purse, resulting in the socks he wears now having holes.

Empress Changsun even led the palace ladies in weaving cloth day and night, advocating frugality.

The people have their own difficulties, and as the Son of Heaven, Li Shimin also has the difficulties of an emperor.

Empress Changsun realized her topic was too heavy, pointed to the method for making salt in Li Shimin's hand, and smiled, "Er Lang, Zi An is a good child."

"He not only has great talent, but also great righteousness."

Bringing this up, Li Shimin suddenly laughed, "Indeed, I never expected that three generations of the Chen family up above were all warriors, yet here he has become a man who can speak eloquently."

"Guanyin Maid, do you think this is strange or not?"

Empress Changsun nodded with a smile, "Since that child has great talent, why don't you, Er Lang, summon him to court as an official?"

"He harbors great righteousness in his heart; surely he would make a good official."

"Besides, he is about to marry Princess Gao Yang soon; from now on he certainly can't remain idle as before."

Li Shimin deeply agreed, "What Guanyin Maid says is reasonable, but... Zi An and Gao Yang still have some contradictions now; wait until you go find Gao Yang and have a good talk with her."

"First settle this matter, then wait for them to marry, and afterward summon Zi An into the court."

When mentioning the contradictions between Chen Yan and Gao Yang, Empress Changsun felt a bit headache.

Princess Gao Yang's mother died early, and from childhood she was brought by her side and educated.

If one were to say who in this world understands Gao Yang the most deeply, there is no doubt it is Empress Changsun.

She knows that this child Gao Yang is somewhat spoiled and has a big temper.

Originally, the decision to marry Gao Yang to Chen Yan was made because Chen Yan's ancestors had great merits but only received the rank of county marquis; Li Shimin and Empress Changsun both felt guilty toward Chen Yan and wanted to compensate him.

Second, because Chen Yan is the descendant of a general, his parents also died early when he was young, making him likewise a fearless young master.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun hoped that after they were together, they could temper each other's temperaments, understand each other, and also tolerate each other.

But what they didn't expect was that the reactions of Gao Yang and Chen Yan would be so great.

The imperial edict bestowing the marriage arrived at Chen Yan's home just the day before yesterday, and the two of them started fighting the next day.

If this is not mediated, who knows what their future days will be like.

Helpless, Empress Changsun had to agree, "Er Lang, don't worry; I'll go find Gao Yang to talk with her later."

"Wait a few days, then I'll call Zi An over, so the two can have a good meal together and get along..."

Before she could finish speaking, a sudden rush of footsteps came from outside.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun turned their heads to see Wushe rushing in with a panicked expression.

"What is so panic-inducing?" Li Shimin frowned slightly.

Wushe has been with him for many years; logically he shouldn't be so clueless, but today he is somewhat abnormal.

Wushe hurriedly knelt, trembling voice: "Your... Your Majesty, the Marquis of Weinan, the Marquis of Weinan and Princess Gao Yang have started fighting again; I, I really dare not stop them."

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun: "......"

The atmosphere in Lizheng Hall fell silent for two moments, then Li Shimin's angry voice rang out: "Trash, quickly bring me there!!"

"Yes, yes!"

Wushe hurriedly rose to lead the way for Li Shimin.

Seeing the two leave, Empress Changsun sighed helplessly, then quickly followed after them.

"......"

"What are you crying for?!"

On the other side, Chen Yan still hadn't stopped, his mouth still cursing.

But unlike before, Princess Gao Yang's crying gradually weakened, then slowly settled into calm.

This frightened Chen Yan badly; the anger in his heart dissipated in an instant, for fear that he might truly have caused Princess Gao Yang some problem.

He turned his head and saw Princess Gao Yang lying on the ground, still lifting her head, with no sign of fainting or the like; Chen Yan then felt much relieved.

As long as she didn't faint, there should be no serious problem.

After all, he still had some restraint in his strike; he couldn't truly have given Princess Gao Yang any problem.

At this moment, feeling Chen Yan stop, Princess Gao Yang blankly turned her head.

Seeing him stare at her, her face turned red all at once, and she asked weakly:

You... you tired?

Chen Yan: "......"

Damn, is Gao Yang stupid?

That sounded weird, like something's off.

Chen Yan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, hastily rose from Princess Gao Yang, then stepped back ten meters.

On the side, Xiang Lan, who had already been anxious to the point of tears, saw this, ran over, helped Gao Yang up, and cried: "Your Highness, are you... are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Gao Yang replied softly, her face red.

Just then, Wushe brought Li Shimin and Empress Changsun walking over quickly.

The two saw that Gao Yang and Chen Yan were far apart, then looked closely at Gao Yang.

Apart from her clothes being a little messy and her cheeks flushed, she didn't look like she'd been hit at all.

Your servant greets Father Emperor, Mother Empress!

Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty, Her Majesty!

When Li Shimin and Empress Changsun arrived, Gao Yang and Xiang Lan immediately bowed.

Li Shimin waved his hand, "No need for formalities."

I heard from Wushe that you just started fighting with the Marquis of Weinan again—is that true?

Hearing that, Princess Gao Yang lowered her head and softly replied, "No... no."

Your servant, I had a delightful conversation with the Marquis of Weinan!

Wushe:???

Xiang Lan:???

Even Chen Yan looked at Gao Yang with a ghost-seeing expression.

No, sis!

Us two?

Had a pleasant chat?

Is this fucking right?

"......"