Chapter 18: Luring Xiao Sizi Home

Xiao Sizi fell asleep, and with Chen Yan's words, everyone present voluntarily withdrew.

Only the two maids Dongxue and Biyun remained to attend to Xiao Sizi.

Everyone walked out of Fenyang Pavilion, and Princess Gao Yang's maid Xiang Lan prepared to close the door.

Chen Yan saw this and frowned slightly, saying, "Don't close the door; open all doors and windows to let fresh air circulate, which will aid the little princess's recovery."

Xiang Lan was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded and said, "Yes, Lord Bo!"

Then Xiang Lan went to open the doors and windows; Chen Yan no longer paid her attention, but turned to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, the little princess's constitution is too weak; it will likely take a long time to nurse her back to health, so stop giving her the previous medicine—I will personally prepare medicine for her from now on."

Li Shimin, hearing this, curiously asked, "Zi An, the medicine you mentioned—is it the contents of that porcelain bottle of yours?"

Chen Yan took out the porcelain bottle that he had not put back in the medicine box and handed it to Empress Changsun, saying, "I've heard that Her Majesty the Empress also suffers from a respiratory ailment; you might try this medicine of mine—it could work wonders."

Three times a day, three drops each time will suffice.

Gazing at the white porcelain bottle before her, Empress Changsun took it and then inquired about Sizi's condition: "Zi An, we'll discuss palace matters later—what exactly is Xiao Sizi's current state?"

"Is she now safe and sound?"

"How should we nurture her health going forward?"

Compared to herself, she was obviously more concerned about Xiao Sizi's situation.

However, no one noticed that Li Chunfeng, upon Empress Changsun receiving the porcelain bottle, suddenly changed expression, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

Then he stared fixedly at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan failed to notice Li Chunfeng's oddness, thought for a moment, and replied, "Based on the little princess's condition just now, as long as we wait for her to wake up and then give her another dose of my medicine, there should be no serious problem."

"As for how to nurture her health..."

When the words reached his lips, Chen Yan didn't know how to say them.

During the Tang Dynasty, basically all food was boiled together in a pot, and even tea was brewed with a heap of strange ingredients.

Even the Imperial Palace's Shangshi Bureau was no exception.

Regardless of whether such food tastes good or not, it is certainly greasy and unsuitable for Xiao Sizi to eat.

Moreover, the Imperial Palace is filled with palaces and pavilions, inhabited by too many palace maids and eunuchs, making the air and atmosphere unsuitable for recuperation.

Seeing his hesitation, Li Shimin patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Zi An, say whatever you have to say; I and the Empress will not blame you!"

"Yes, Zi An, say whatever you have; I believe you." Empress Changsun also spoke.

After hearing this, Chen Yan no longer hesitated and spoke frankly: "Your Majesty, Her Majesty, to nurture the little princess's health well, there are many things to pay attention to—not only diet, but also lodging, which requires particular care."

"Furthermore, the Imperial Palace is unsuitable for the little princess's recuperation; therefore, if Your Majesty and Her Majesty are willing to trust my words, could we allow the little princess to temporarily reside at my home, with me personally caring for her?"

Chen Yan's proposal was not a spur-of-the-moment idea; he had contemplated it since seeing Xiao Sizi.

There was no helping it—Xiao Sizi was simply too adorable and well-behaved, making one's heart ache.

With such a sensible and cute little milk bun, who wouldn't want to coax her home?

Moreover, Chen Yan was not lying; everything he said was true.

Given Xiao Sizi's current physical condition, letting him personally care for her is the best choice.

"No......" Li Shimin almost rejected the proposal without even thinking.

Leaving safety concerns aside for now, Xiao Sizi is his heart's treasure; whenever he has free time, he comes to Fenyang Pavilion to play with Xiao Sizi.

How could he bear to let Xiao Sizi leave him and live elsewhere?

However, upon thinking of the pain Xiao Sizi endures during her attacks, together with Li Chunfeng's earlier words, Li Shimin found himself unable to utter the following remarks.

Empress Changsun fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Zi An, must it be this way?"

"Although she is reluctant to part with her daughter deep down, Empress Changsun would rather not see Sizi's condition worsen and die in the prime of her youth."

"Rather than keep Xiao Sizi by her side and endure the torment of illness, Empress Changsun would prefer to send Sizi to Chen Yan's place for recuperation."

"Her Majesty, this is the best choice." Chen Yan said earnestly, "If it weren't because you are the Empress, I would want you to come to my place for recuperation as well."

Li Shimin:!!!

"No, this is absolutely not allowed!"

Compared to his earlier hesitation, Li Shimin this time refused especially firmly, "You may take Xiao Sizi away, but Guanyin Maid is absolutely not allowed!"

Chen Yan instantly laughed.

He had just said that on purpose; he never actually intended to take the Empress away.

People's personalities all tend to favor compromise and mediation.

For example, if you say, "This room is too dark; I want to open the windows."

Everyone would certainly not allow it.

But if you propose tearing off the roof, they would be willing to compromise and agree to open the windows.

Now, Xiao Sizi is undoubtedly that window, and Empress Changsun is the roof.

Chen Yan can take Xiao Sizi away, for Xiao Sizi is merely a two-year-old princess; taking her poses no issue.

But Empress Changsun is the mother of the state, and moreover Li Shimin's spiritual harbor.

How could Li Shimin possibly allow him to take the Empress away?

Chen Yan laughed, "Your Majesty, rest assured—the Bo Mansion is right in Chang'an, only a quarter-hour's journey from the Imperial Palace."

"Even if Xiao Sizi misses you, she can return to the palace at any time to visit. When Your Majesty and Her Majesty have leisure, you can also come to my place to see Xiao Sizi, can't you?"

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun remained silent, evidently still somewhat hesitant.

Behind them, the ever-quietly-listening Princess Gao Yang rolled her eyes, unsure what scheme she was hatching, and actually began to advise Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, your subject feels that the Marquis of Weinan speaks sense; we have all seen Xiao Sizi's condition today, and if we do not nurse her properly, it will likely become worse later."

"The Marquis of Weinan possesses superb medical skill and is confident in helping Xiao Sizi regain her health; even if we are reluctant, we cannot delay her recuperation."

Having said this, Princess Gao Yang raised her eyebrows at Chen Yan, then added, "Furthermore, your subject will be marrying into the Bo Mansion next month; at that time, your subject will help care for Xiao Sizi well and can also bring her back to the palace frequently to visit Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

Li Shimin and his wife's expressions eased; after careful consideration, what was said seemed not wrong.

Chen Yan's residence isn't far either; later, if he misses Xiao Sizi, he can easily go visit her.

It's just a single outing from the palace.

Anyway, he often used to sneak out of the palace with Empress Changsun for fun.

Besides, Princess Gao Yang is about to marry over there soon; she promised to take good care of Xiao Sizi, often bringing her back to the palace—what is there to worry about?

"Well..." Li Shimin said wistfully, "I will order people to move the belongings over. When Xiao Sizi wakes up, I and the Empress will go with you to have a look."

Although a decision has been made, Li Shimin still wants to bring Empress Changsun to the Bo Mansion to have a look, so he can set his mind completely at ease.

Chen Yan nodded and said, "If that's the case, I'll first take Qing'er back home to make preparations, and await Your Majesty and the Empress's arrival."

"Wait a moment!" Li Shimin suddenly called out to Chen Yan, solemnly saying, "Zi An, earlier you offered the salt‑making method, yet you never asked Me for a reward."

"This time you saved My Princess Jinyang; no matter what, you must accept a reward."

"Just tell Me what you need, and I'll grant it."

Hearing this, Chen Yan suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, smiling sheepishly and not knowing how to speak.

Seeing this, Empress Changsun laughed, "Zi An, if you want anything, just tell Me; we'll soon be one family, so there's nothing to be shy about."

Li Shimin laughed heartily, "Exactly, the Guanyin Maid is right—speak, Zi An, what do you want?"

Chen Yan gave a hehe smile, "Your Majesty, this is because You told me to speak."

"Fine, I let you speak—speak boldly without hesitation."

Even Princess Gao Yang showed some interest, curious to know what Chen Yan actually wants.

It's surprising that even someone as daring as Chen Yan, whom she dares to challenge, has become like this.

Chen Yan gave an embarrassed cough, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I want a Death‑exemption Gold Medal."

Li Shimin: "..."

Empress Changsun: "..."

Princess Gao Yang: Σ(°△°|||)︴

"..."