Chapter 146: Your Majesty, I

While Li Shimin and Chen Yan were chatting nonsense, Empress Changsun's attention partially shifted outside, and she discovered that the glass white tiger had already been sold by Li Baiye for 250,000 coins.

Next, a glass vermilion bird was taken by Lu Chengqing.

Finally, a cloud‑soaring azure dragon was brought up, Empress Changsun opened her mouth slightly, but in the end said little.

By now the auction, she roughly estimated that the revenue was about one million guan.

To be honest, this figure far exceeded what the couple had expected.

In their original expectation, as long as the auction made a profit of 300,000 guan, Li Shimin could squeeze out more grain from the regions, which would be enough to build flood‑control works.

But they didn't expect that the aristocratic families were so crazy about these glass sacred beasts, willing to spend tens of thousands of guan just to obtain them.

Cui Minggan even spent 460,000 coins on that glass black tortoise.

If they knew these items were merely forged by Chen Yan from sand, with production costs not even as high as hiring a craftsman, what expression should they make?

Thinking this far, Empress Changsun couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

Then she suddenly recalled that she had always wanted the Changsun family to become the aristocratic Changsun Wujie, and was at a loss for words.

"You were willing to become an official but didn't say so early, causing His Majesty to expend so much effort, going around such a big circle to persuade you!" Li Shimin glared angrily.

No joke, he was truly angry.

Thinking about how he had just, to get Chen Yan an office, even threatened Li Lizhi's marriage, and went around such a big circle.

In the end, he blurted out that he never said he was unwilling to become an official.

"Alright, alright, you are the one Heaven sent to torment His Majesty, aren't you?"

Chen Yan, feeling aggrieved, said: "You are really wronging me; you already said that if I don't become an official you won't let me marry Li Lizhi, so what can I do?"

"I am just a commoner, not a great scholar of the age nor a heroic man; it's truly hard to pass the beauty test."

"Moreover, it was you who went around the circle first, and you never gave me a chance to explain."

"Since you raised the issue, what else can I do but answer?"

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun: "......"

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, "Fine, fine, let's let it go this time."

"Now I ask you, after you finish marrying Gao Yang, are you willing to serve as an official in the court?"

"You really say that." Chen Yan puffed out his chest, speaking earnestly: "His Majesty, I truly want to advance so much; please let me become an official."

Li Shimin: "......"

It turns out, when a person is speechless, they really do laugh.

"What the heck, you say you want to advance so much."

"You damn it just covet His Majesty's precious daughter's body."

Seeing Li Shimin's speechless expression, Empress Changsun truly found it amusing.

She always felt that the interaction between Chen Yan and Li Shimin was very interesting.

"The ruler is not like a ruler, the minister is not like a minister."

"Calling them father‑in‑law and son‑in‑law, it seems to miss the point slightly."

"Clearly Li Shimin was on the verge of anger many times, yet he never blamed Chen Yan."

"Even when Chen Yan uttered some treasonous words, Li Shimin never minded."

"This special way of getting along was just like Li Shimin and Changsun Wujie over a decade ago."

"Faintly, Empress Changsun seemed to understand why Chen Yan could be so special, and unconsciously, he had occupied an extremely important place in Li Shimin's heart."

"Even when the other side provoked his two daughters cradled in his palm, it was only a symbolic objection."

"The emperor, while enjoying supreme power,"

"also bears a loneliness that others cannot comprehend."

"......"

"Er Lang, the auction should be ending soon, we must leave."

While Li Shimin and Chen Yan were bantering back and forth, she promptly reminded them.

Li Shimin was slightly startled, then realized that the glass azure dragon had already been bid up to 200,000 guan by Wang Gui.

With such glass items appearing consecutively, 200,000 guan was already a very high price; perhaps the aristocratic families began to sense something amiss.

The competition was clearly not as fierce as the first time.

If the last glass azure dragon were sold, the auction would naturally draw to a close.

By then, many people were expected to leave, and he and Empress Changsun would slip out of the palace secretly, not wanting to be seen.

"Now leaving is the best opportunity."

"Alright, then let's go."

Li Shimin immediately stood up, preparing to leave.

He was very satisfied with today's gains, not only having watched a good drama but also having gotten answers to the previous questions.

Li Lizhi's marriage matter was also nearly decided.

"It's time to return to the palace."

He rose, and Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi naturally followed.

Seeing this, Chen Yan hurried to open the door for them, seeing them off.

However, as he went downstairs toward the back door, he ran into Xiao Shunzi, who had been waiting there all along.

Upon seeing them, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying: "The younger one pays respects to His Majesty, Empress, and His/Her Highness of Chang Le."

Li Shimin glanced at him lightly and said calmly: "I have heard of you; your preparation for this auction is decent, far better than that one who only sits at home issuing orders."

"...... Uh."

Xiao Shunzi wouldn't dare to take that remark, and for a moment was at a loss.

Chen Yan, as if he hadn't heard Li Shimin's words, casually asked, "Xiao Shunzi, are you waiting for me here for a reason?"

Xiao Shunzi, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly replied, "Lord Bo, it's like this: today's auction revenue was somewhat beyond my expectations."

"Were the guards we prepared in advance a bit insufficient......"

The revenue exceeding one million strings truly startled Xiao Shunzi.

He had thought that the auction Chen Yan arranged for him could earn a lot of money, but hadn't expected it to earn so much.

Facing the imminent cash of a million strings, he was truly worried about any mishap.

Hearing that, Chen Yan didn't even think, and shifted his gaze to Li Shimin.

That look seemed to say, "I can't handle this; you should do it yourself."

"No problem." Li Shimin waved his hand grandly, "What did you plan to do before, and what will you do afterward."

"I, for my part, want to see who dares to scheme for this money."

Xiao Shunzi was clever; she inferred something from Li Shimin's words, so she didn't ask further, bowed and said, "Then I will take my leave for now."

"Hmm, you may go."

Li Shimin replied, and walked forward with Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi.

As Chen Yan passed Xiao Shunzi, he reminded, "This money is of great importance; be sure no mistakes occur."

"Ah, Lord Bo, I understand."

"Very well, you may go; after it's over, have Miss Youlan wait for me at Weinan Bo Fu."

Leaving a remark, Chen Yan followed the three.

As they reached the outside and waited for Li Shimin's family of three to board the carriage, he just wanted to follow.

But Li Shimin grabbed his shoulder and pushed him down.

"What are you doing?"

Chen Yan, looking bewildered, said, "I'm getting on the carriage."

"What the hell are you getting on a carriage for? Do you intend to go back to the Imperial Palace with me? Return to your Weinan Bo Fu."

Chen Yan: "......"

"......"