Chapter 155

In the conversation a few days ago with Chen Yan, Empress Changsun repeated it almost word for word, completely telling Li Shimin.

This move will undoubtedly completely ruin Changsun Wuji's ambitions.

But she had no other choice.

Whether as Empress or as his younger sister, she did not want to continue watching Changsun Wuji go astray.

Pointing to a deer and calling it a horse is merely a well-known anecdote; strictly speaking, although Zhao Gao, who achieved this, held office, he was ultimately a eunuch, unable to fully represent civil officials yet best able to get to the heart of the matter.

That is to hollow out imperial authority.

Looking back before the Tang Dynasty, flipping through history, those who could achieve similar feats include, for example, Wang Mang.

Starting from the status of an external relative, he gradually grasped power; through auspicious signs of the abdication he manufactured public opinion, eventually usurping the Han and founding a new dynasty.

Likewise, Cao Cao holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords follows the same principle.

But many more are failures.

Dou Xian, Dong Zhuo, and Sima Yi all fell at this step.

Being frank with Li Shimin, even though it crushed Changsun Wuji's ambition, how could it not also be saving his life?

At least for now, Changsun Wuji has not taken any outrageous action; he only mentioned his idea in private to Empress Changsun.

After Empress Changsun finished speaking, she said no more; this matter, she herself is also at fault.

Knowing full well that her elder brother had this idea, she never once told Li Shimin.

Before, she even had the thought of helping Changsun Wuji a hand.

Now thinking about it, helping him is hardly not harming him.

Empress Changsun let out a long sigh, 'Er Lang, I feel ashamed before you.'

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin lightly patted her hand to comfort her, then sighed, 'The two words "family ties" are simple to say, yet they are something a person can never sever in a lifetime.'

'This stems from the bond of blood; even if bones are broken, the sinews remain connected.'

'What Zi An says is indeed reasonable, but he is not truly an immortal descended to the mortal world, nor does he have the abilities of a Grand Historian to see future heavenly secrets.'

'All of this is merely Zi An's personal speculation.'

'Guanyin Maid, don't overthink; just peacefully nurture the pregnancy.'

Upon hearing these words, Empress Changsun showed a relieved smile.

Li Shimin's meaning is quite clear: he is saying that no matter what, she is still Changsun Wuji's younger sister, and it is proper to consider her elder brother.

Regarding this, Li Shimin expressed understanding and did not blame her.

At the same time, saying these are Chen Yan's personal speculations shows that he will not act against Changsun Wuji.

Rather than saying let her rest assured and nurture the pregnancy, it's more like letting her be at ease, for Li Shimin will handle everything properly.

The worries that had been piling up in her heart for many days were suddenly resolved; Empress Changsun appeared much more relaxed, her former smile returning.

'Er Lang, there must be quite a few things happening lately, right?'

'The Duke of Dai is about to return victorious to the court; having returned from a great victory, this should be celebrated throughout the realm.'

'The flood control project needs to be expedited, after all we don't know when the heavy rain will come.'

'Moreover... the last time you said you had ideas regarding Zi An's arrangement, you also said you wanted to keep it secret; now that Zi An has already married Gao Yang, surely you can tell me, your servant, about it?'

She did not mention Li Lizhi's marriage.

After all, Chen Yan only just got married yesterday; no matter what, it's not appropriate to be this rushed; we need some time to ease things.

Surely we can't have him take Gao Yang as his wife one moment and then issue an edict the next to marry Changle to him, can we?

Everyone understands this implicitly.

Since Li Shimin has agreed, he will naturally not go back on his word.

'Hahaha, Guanyin Maid, you're not wrong; although there have been many matters lately, I am delighted to handle court affairs, which are three-tenths faster than before.'

Upon mentioning this, Li Shimin's mood was excellent.

To be honest, this should be the happiest period since he ascended the throne.

His little daughter's health is gradually improving, his wife's condition is under control, his trusted ministers have pulled back from the brink of death, and after a while they will be able to return to court.

Moreover, the shame from the Wei River agreement has been completely swept away, and it even swindled the aristocratic clans out of a huge sum of money.

Apart from our own precious daughter being a bit rebellious, all these matters are indeed good things.

Li Shimin would be unhappy otherwise.

'As for Zi An's arrangement...'

'......'

After two days of leisure, Chen Yan could be said to be both in pain and happy.

Gao Yang is damn it acting like a lunatic; even if you treat her gently, she still isn't pleased.

One must stand up and pedal.

'Really not a fuel-efficient vehicle,' Chen Yan couldn't help but remark, then immediately gulped down the decoction Qing'er had prepared.

Fortunately he has the prescription passed down from his grandfather in a previous life; otherwise how could he endure?

Qing'er beside him was speechless.

She really can't understand how Gao Yang and Chen Yan get along, except for the day they were newlyweds, which was fine.

The day after they returned from memorializing his Chen parents, this couple started fighting again.

Indeed, they started fighting again.

The reason was actually that Chen Yan gave Xiao Sizi a side dish, but didn't give Gao Yang any.

The couple then argued right there, faces red and necks thick, and before long they started fighting.

Qing'er and Xiang Lan really don't understand.

What are you being so stubborn for?

You, a princess raised in luxury, what do you have to fight with Chen Yan, a scion of a military family?

Isn't that just actively seeking suffering?

Since she's already married over, no one stops the couple when they fight; everyone pretends not to see, letting the two masters wreak havoc inside the Bo Mansion.

Of course, these are secondary.

What baffles Qing'er and Xiang Lan even more is that these two are fighting even when they share a room.

Who could possibly understand that?

Although they don't know how other couples behave when sharing a room, they're certainly not going to be like these two.

They're truly a pair of born enemies.

Seeing Qing'er's strange glance, Chen Yan snapped, "What are you thinking in your head?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"...... Uh." Qing'er gave an embarrassed laugh, "No, no, I wasn't thinking anything."

Chen Yan's eyes widened, "Well, Qing'er, you dare to hide it from me, huh?"

"I always feel you're thinking something bad—come on, confess!"

Qing'er: "......"

She hesitated a moment, then timidly said, "Servant only feels that you and the Princess are very... loving..."

Chen Yan: "......"

Well, after fighting so many times, we still sleep together at night—how could we not be loving?

That's not wrong to say.

Qing'er thought that to herself.

Chen Yan pursed his lips; actually, there was nothing he could do.

He seems to have gotten cross with Gao Yang, even though everyone has mutually accepted each other's presence, and their feelings are similarly deepening.

But the two just can't stand the sight of each other.

They always want to get into a fight.

At first Chen Yan thought this situation would change after marriage, but instead it got worse.

Perhaps that old Daoist Li Chunfeng wasn't wrong after all—they are a match made by fate.

Destined to entangle with each other for life.

He gave a helpless smile, just about to say something, when Xue Li suddenly came running up.

"Lord Bo, several eunuchs have arrived, bringing an imperial edict—please go take a look."

"......"