Chapter 117: Will Gao Yang Rescue Me?

Balancing a bowl of water is actually easy if it's in an ordinary household.

But is Fang Xuanling an ordinary family?

As a Duke trusted by His Majesty, after Fang Xuanling passes away there must be an heir to inherit his title.

And this heir, barring any surprise, will certainly be Fang Xuanling's eldest son, Fang Yizhi.

Perhaps, in Fang Xuanling's view, since the eldest son is destined to inherit the title, even if the younger son isn't very clever and is fated to achieve little, he is still his son.

The eldest son already has the family estate, so the younger son can't have nothing, can he?

Fang Xuanling isn't the only one sharing this thought; Du Ruhui and even Du Gou think the same.

The future second son of Du Ruhui, Du He, initially married Princess Chengyang.

By then Du Ruhui had already passed away, making it hard to tell whether Du Gou contributed to that marriage or if it was meant to compensate his brother Du He.

Returning to the original topic, the reason Chen Yan suddenly brought up Fang Xuanling and Fang Yiai is, isn't it a reference to Li Yuan's family affairs?

Li Yuan naturally understood his implication and also voiced his original thought.

It was the desire to balance a bowl of water.

It's true that the realm was conquered by Li Shimin, but Li Jiancheng is the legitimate eldest son, Li Shimin's older brother.

Since ancient times, the idea that the eldest son inherits the family estate has been deeply rooted, so from that perspective, Li Yuan appointing Li Jiancheng as Crown Prince was indeed correct.

But he overlooked Li Jiancheng's abilities and his fear of Li Shimin, and also didn't consider whether Li Shimin's brothers would obey.

It ultimately culminated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

After hearing Chen Yan's words, Li Yuan was stunned in place for a while, and after some time he said, "But Fang Xuanling holds a high position, and his connections far exceed those of a single princess."

"Even if Fang Yizhi marries a princess, it's merely adding embroidery to brocade."

Chen Yan shook his head, "Your Majesty, you still don't see clearly; Lord Fang is already advanced in age, he fought the realm alongside His Majesty in his youth, and with the many daily duties he has, it's hard to say how much longer he can live."

"Once this man dies, the past bonds will naturally drift away with the wind."

"Fang Xuanling can indeed shelter Fang Yizhi for a time, using his connections to help Fang Yizhi grow, but who can say how long that period will be?"

"If he can marry a princess, he becomes His Majesty's son‑in‑law, the brother‑in‑law of the next Tang Dynasty emperor; with that status, even without the princess's connections, Fang Yizhi can go much farther."

"Then…," Li Yuan retorted, "Should Fang Yiai get nothing at all?"

"He is also Fang Xuanling's son, after all."

"Marrying a princess, at least, would grant him a peaceful life…"

"On what basis does Fang Yiai obtain it?" Chen Yan said lightly, "Aside from being a legitimate son, does Fang Yiai have any outstanding qualities?"

"He has no learning, no great ambition; what good is marrying a princess?"

"As for a lifelong peace, that's even more baseless."

"Putting aside Fang Xuanling's ties with the Imperial Family, just saying that Fang Yizhi certainly cannot neglect his younger brother, while Fang Yiai could live happily all his life, comfortably becoming a second‑generation aristocrat."

"I have said before that forcibly balancing this bowl will only cause Fang Yizhi to lose many opportunities, and Fang Yiai, besides gaining a beautiful wife, will obtain nothing else."

The words fell, and the surroundings instantly fell into silence.

Li Yuan held Xiao Sizi, his gaze filled with complex emotions.

Chen Yan still clutched his fishing rod, quietly playing the fisherman destined to catch no fish.

And Xiao Sizi leaned against Li Yuan's chest, his big dark eyes looking at Chen Yan, then at Li Yuan, pouting slightly.

"Alas~"

After an unknown amount of time, Li Yuan let out a heavy sigh, turned his head, smiled and said, "You brat is indeed bold; aren't you afraid that I or Li Shimin will punish you?"

Chen Yan heard this, and a great weight lifted from his heart.

Honestly, he had indeed been a bit worried about Li Yuan blaming him.

But when Li Yuan said that, he knew Li Yuan wasn't angry.

He then spoke much more casually, "Not to hide from Your Majesty, I have calculated; there are about fifteen days left before my marriage to Gao Yang."

"You and His Majesty should not be punishing me at this time."

Li Yuan laughed, interested, and said, "Then what after you and Gao Yang are married?"

"That brings up the one hundred eight advantages of marrying a princess," Chen Yan said solemnly. "We've just married; there's no reason to seize one's own son‑in‑law for punishment."

"Moreover, even if I were seized by you and His Majesty for punishment, how could Gao Yang stand it?"

"She would definitely rescue me!"

Li Yuan: "......"

His words left the over‑sixty‑year‑old Li Yuan speechless.

From a certain perspective, his words actually seemed to make sense.

Li Yuan, too lazy to banter with Chen Yan, calmly asked, "So you also think that I was wrong back then?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan immediately took the Death‑exemption Gold Medal from his bosom, wiped it, and then replied, "Do you, Your Majesty, still think you were right?"

Li Yuan twitched the corner of his eye, finding it amusing, "Alright, put that thing away. Considering your graceful appearance, I won't blame you."

Chen Yan, being very obedient, put away his weapon.

"You're bold; you say what others dare not. So I want to ask you, where do you think I acted wrongly?"

All these years, Li Yuan has harbored a lingering grievance over the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

He has tried to confide in others, but they either defend him or say nothing at all.

Now, finally, a bold young man appears who dares to say he was wrong.

Li Yuan, of course, wants to hear others' views on the past matter.

Chen Yan pondered briefly, "To know exactly where you erred, we must first understand why that situation arose in the first place."

Li Yuan nodded slightly, indicating him to continue.

Having received consent, Chen Yan no longer hesitated, and slowly began, "First, the realm was carved out blade by blade by the current His Majesty and his band of brothers."

"During this period, far too many people sacrificed themselves, forever falling on the battlefield."

"Among those who perished, there are not lacking the relatives and friends of many of today's generals and meritorious officials."

"But after the realm was subdued, they not only failed to receive the proper treatment, but, because of various factors, were constantly targeted by the Eastern Palace."

"Retired Emperor, you say, will they be convinced? Will they have no objections in their hearts?"

"......"