Chapter 136: The Fundamental Difference Between Chen Yan and Changsun Wujie

At the moment his words fell, Empress Changsun's smile slowly faded, and her gaze sank as she stared at Chen Yan.

He faced Empress Changsun with a calm expression, feeling no fault in what he said.

He had previously said that someone had already achieved this highest feat, and indeed he was not wrong.

Wasn't Zhao Gao of the Qin dynasty calling a deer a horse right before Hu Hai?

In the original history, even if Changsun Wujie could not reach Zhao Gao's level, it could still be said he was not far off.

Thus he ended up being exiled and forced to commit suicide.

The fundamental reason was that the Changsun family was overly favored, causing later emperors to be unable to restrain Changsun Wujie, allowing his ambition to grow.

Beside them, Li Lizhi watched Empress Changsun's sinking expression, and her heart rose high.

She had assumed the highest honor for civil officials was certainly positive, but she didn't expect that Chen Yan's so‑called highest honor for civil officials was 'calling a deer a horse'!

That is no honor at all; it is a capital crime!

Moreover, Chen Yan said it in front of Empress Changsun, referring to her brother.

If Empress Changsun gets angry, what will be done to punish Chen Yan?

Li Lizhi hurriedly said to Empress Changsun, "Mother, Chen..."

"Enough!" Empress Changsun gave her a cool glance, stopping her from continuing.

Li Lizhi rarely saw Empress Changsun show such an expression, and she was frightened into silence on the spot.

Then Empress Changsun looked at Chen Yan, her voice growing cold, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I do, Her Majesty," Chen Yan replied calmly.

"Then do you know that the Duke of Qi grew up alongside His Majesty, sharing a bond like brothers? At the time of Xuanwu Gate, the Duke of Qi faced the risk of execution yet still stood with His Majesty through thick and thin."

"And now, you tell me the Duke of Qi would become another Zhao Gao?"

Empress Changsun sneered, "Earlier you said you couldn't achieve that so‑called highest honor, yet you immediately plan to marry Gao Yang, later marry Li Lizhi, and even call the Crown Prince a brother."

"In the future, you may become the Imperial son‑in‑law of the Crown Princess, the most trusted favorite of the next Tang Dynasty emperor."

"Why do you claim you cannot attain the highest honor of a civil official?"

Chen Yan sighed, "Her Majesty, you're angry!"

Empress Changsun choked, irritated, "When did I get angry?"

"Her Majesty, whether I'm angry or not, you know it in your heart," Chen Yan said evenly:

"If you're angry, it means you believe it."

"As the mother of a nation, you are flawless in every respect, and I truly admire that about you."

After speaking, he smiled and continued, "I recall you once said we are family, so I won't beat around the bush about certain matters."

"You could have refuted me when I said the Duke of Qi could later call a deer a horse, dismissed it as a jest, laughed it off, and even listed the Duke of Qi's achievements and how he faithfully assisted His Majesty day after day."

"Yet you insisted the Duke of Qi is like a brother to His Majesty, then compared me to the Duke of Qi, dragging the conversation onto me and forcing me to anxiously prove my innocence."

"Doesn't that precisely prove you believe it, realizing the scenario I described could actually occur?"

There was another sentence Chen Yan did not utter.

It means Empress Changsun probably wasn't angry at all.

His initial compliment was essentially a veiled reference to Empress Changsun being a competent empress.

If she is a competent empress, why would she become so easily angered and wear her thoughts on her face?

That is truly inappropriate.

Empress Changsun stared at him for a moment and said, "Then why do you think the Duke of Qi could become another Zhao Gao, while you cannot?"

Chen Yan cleared his throat and whispered, "Maybe because I like to collect a few Death‑exemption Gold Medals in my spare time."

That brainless remark, once heard by Empress Changsun, suddenly made sense to her.

When others earn merit, most ambitious people think of promotion, while some prefer to avoid officialdom, seeking instead money and land to pass down to their descendants.

And what about Chen Yan?

He is extremely death‑afraid; despite his many achievements, he only cares about acquiring a few Death‑exemption Gold Medals and scoffs at promotion.

Although he is close with the Crown Prince, he never considered using the Crown Prince to further his aims, instead thinking of Li Chengqian as a friend.

Why can't Chen Yan call a deer a horse?

Because he has no desire for power, only wanting a few more Death‑exemption Gold Medals for a sense of security.

Hmm... perhaps also with the suspicion of using them as weapons.

But Changsun Wujie is different.

Having been siblings for years, Empress Changsun knows this elder brother too well.

Changsun Wujie's goal is to make the Changsun family a new aristocratic house.

Achieving that inevitably requires power.

At present, with Li Shimin still on the throne, Changsun Wujie dares not overstep, and she even speaks up for him on some matters.

But what if Li Shimin abdicates and Li Chengqian ascends the throne?

Empress Changsun recalled Li Chengqian's usual respect for Changsun Wujie and fell silent.

Li Lizhi, seeing this, quietly reached out, tugged Chen Yan's sleeve, her eyes full of worry.

Fearing Empress Changsun's blame.

Chen Yan gave her a reassuring look, indicating all was well.

Frankly, before saying these words, he had carefully considered whether to speak.

Because speaking this could truly provoke Empress Changsun, posing an unnecessary risk.

But in the end he decided to say it.

One, out of respect for Li Lizhi; two, because Empress Changsun has always been kind to him.

Never mind whether Empress Changsun's kindness toward him has other reasons; at least, her long-standing concern cannot be feigned.

Even if it's the matter that his own daughter must marry him, the other side still intends to support.

And Changsun Wujie is Empress Changsun's own older brother; if something were to happen to him, Empress Changsun would surely feel distressed.

If he only needed to say a few words, give a slight reminder, he could change all of this; Chen Yan thinks it would be worth it.

Furthermore, he also expressed his attitude to Empress Changsun, telling her what kind of person he is.

It may seem insignificant now, but perhaps in the future it will cause Empress Changsun and Li Shimin to alter their opinion of him somewhat.

Time flowed slowly; Empress Changsun never spoke again, merely sitting quietly with her eyes closed, unknown what she was thinking.

Chen Yan, on the other hand, looked relaxed, chatting and laughing with Li Lizhi, as if Empress Changsun didn't exist.

Li Lizhi, after her initial worry, seeing that Empress Changsun paid no attention to them, gradually relaxed.

Just as they were chatting idly, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted.

Li Shimin poked his head out, saw Li Lizhi and Chen Yan sitting together, while Empress Changsun sat on the other side, and let out a cold snort.

"Are you chatting happily?"

"..."