Chapter 172: What Grudge Do You Actually Hold Against the Noble Family?

No, since it's Chen Xiao Biedi, shouldn't he be with Princess Gao Yang?

How could it be Princess Changle?

Cheng Yaojin was momentarily at a loss.

Then he grew lazy to think about it.

He thought it was just Chen Yan entering the palace and coincidentally meeting Li Lizhi, nothing worth caring about.

"This kid, about to take office, finally knows to come to me," Li Shimin said with a laughing scold, waving his hand: "Summon them."

"Yes, His Majesty," Wushe respectfully retreated.

Soon, Chen Yan and Li Lizhi, carrying Xiao Sizi, walked over.

"Ah ye, mother." Xiao Sizi, upon seeing Li Shimin and his wife, ran over with his legs flailing.

"I, your servant, pay my respects to His Majesty, Empress, uh... and my dear great nephew."

Li Lizhi was about to speak, but was cut off by Chen Yan's words.

Cheng Yaojin's eyes widened, "Who are you calling great nephew?"

"You perverse Tiangang thing, long time no see, are you itching for mischief?"

Chen Yan wore an innocent expression, "But it was you who originally admitted that I was your great nephew."

"If you insist on calling me that, what can I do?"

"I'm also helpless, suddenly having an extra nephew of such age for no reason."

Cheng Yaojin: "......"

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun didn't pay attention to what they said at all; her whole mind was on her daughter, "Sizi, quickly, let mother have a look."

"Hmm, a bit chubbier."

She cradled Sizi with one hand, examined him carefully, smiling brightly.

"Sister Chengyang." Xiao Sizi obediently called out again.

Princess Chengyang was overjoyed; she hadn't seen her little sister for a long time.

"Sizi, why did you come back? Mother said you went to convalesce; are you better now?"

Li Shimin looked at his daughter's rosy face, felt even better, and waved to Chen Yan and Li Lizhi, "Li Lizhi, Zi An, you've arrived just in time; sit down and have something to eat together."

"Zhi Jie just returned; he was just discussing the sale of fine salt with me earlier."

Chen Yan was not surprised.

After all, Cheng Yaojin had been sent by Li Shimin last month to guard a salt mine; now that he's back, he must have refined a lot of fine salt and reported back.

The two sat down; Li Shimin summoned a eunuch to bring them bowls and chopsticks, and Chen Yan began, "His Majesty, I have come today also to discuss some matters with you."

"Oh?" Li Shimin: "Is it about Weinan County?"

"Indeed it is one of them; I also wish to ask His Majesty and Her Majesty whether I may take Xiao Sizi away......"

Take Xiao Sizi away.

Li Shimin and his wife were startled, instinctively looking at Sizi, who was chattering with Princess Chengyang.

"You... hey, take him; just bring Gao Yang and Xiao Sizi back once a month." Li Shimin made the decision.

Empress Changsun opened her mouth at his words, but seeing Xiao Sizi's round face and vigorous demeanor, she ultimately said nothing.

Reluctant to let go, Xiao Sizi's illness cannot be cured, only slowly nurtured.

The Imperial Palace is unsuitable for convalescence; keeping Xiao Sizi there would only harm her.

Now the lively Xiao Sizi, compared with the sickly Xiao Sizi of March, proves that letting Chen Yan take her away is the best choice.

"......"

Sensing the atmosphere was off, Chen Yan quickly changed the subject, "By the way, His Majesty, regarding the request I mentioned last time, will you agree?"

Beside them, Cheng Yaojin's hand holding a wine bowl paused slightly, a hint of thought flashing in his eyes, then he took a sip of wine and listened silently.

Li Shimin snapped back from the Sizi matter, pondered briefly, and said, "I can grant the request you mentioned."

"But..." He stared intently at Chen Yan, his body leaning slightly forward, a non‑angry yet imposing aura bearing down.

"I don't care what you intend—whether altering Weinan County's taxes or redefining regulations, if someone blocks your way, I won't mind you killing them—but you must give me a promise."

"Do not harm the common folk of Weinan County, do not incite massive civil unrest; if possible, guarantee that Weinan County can develop smoothly according to your design."

"Understood?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan did not hesitate, immediately replying, "His Majesty, rest assured, I am not that reckless youngster who lacks restraint."

"My and Your starting point is to benefit the people of the world; I will not rush into sweeping reforms, but will proceed gradually and give you a satisfactory answer."

Li Shimin recalled the operation that had once imprisoned Chen Yan in Dali Temple Prison, nodded in agreement, "Hmm, you youngster works flawlessly; I am still at ease."

Chen Yan: "Since Weinan County is right next to Chang'an, you will surely keep an eye on its situation; if you think I overstep, just issue an order to stop me."

"As long as you understand, that's fine," Li Shimin said cheerfully, "The reason I originally chose Weinan County was because it lies beside Chang'an."

"You youngster, don't get cocky; if you fail, I will send Li Lizhi to punish you."

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Lizhi: "......"

"Punish me?"

Chen Yan's gaze looked rather odd.

"Surely this isn't a reward?"

"Alright, that's settled," Li Shimin gestured, "Zhi Jie bring back ten thousand jin of fine salt; I plan to sell it in Chang'an City soon at a price slightly above labor cost. When production rises, we'll gradually expand it throughout the Tang Dynasty. What do you think?"

Regarding the salt sale, Li Shimin had already decided, and had Empress Changsun and Cheng Yaojin's support.

The reason he asked Chen Yan is that he is the one who presented the method of making salt; now that he's here, they simply wanted his opinion.

He had assumed Chen Yan would agree, or at least offer some suggestion, but he didn't expect Chen Yan to shake his head and say, "I think it's improper."

"Improper?" Li Shimin furrowed his brow, glanced at the yet‑silent Empress Changsun and Cheng Yaojin, and asked, "Why do you think it's improper?"

Chen Yan explained, "His Majesty, Chang'an is the political hub of the Tang Dynasty, where merchants gather, wealth abounds across the realm, and it serves as the Tang's economic center."

"To be honest, the people of Chang'an are not eager to eat this fine salt."

"I think, rather than that, we should seize this chance and use the fine salt we've just mined to trap the noble families again."

?

Li Shimin and his wife, along with Li Lizhi, stared at him in astonishment, their faces full of question marks.

No, big brother!

Do you hold any grudge against the noble families?

Whatever you do, you're always plotting against the noble families.

Who among us actually regards the noble families as a thorn in the eye, a splinter in the flesh?

Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi, mother and daughter, silently held a moment of silence for the noble families.

They knew that once Chen Yan said that, it meant the noble families were in for more trouble.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yaojin kept pondering the "again" that Chen Yan used.

Why use "again"?

Could it be that this isn't the first time you've trapped the noble families?

Li Shimin swallowed a mouthful of saliva and politely said, "Son‑in‑law, be honest with me: why are you so obsessed with trapping the noble families?"

"Do you have any grudge against them?"

"......"