Chapter 2: Hey, two phoenixes, let's see who gets anxious first

No, Chu Mo brother, you couldn't be joking with me, could you?

What nonsense is this about leaving an heir for the Chen family? I'm still alive and well!

Chen Yan hurriedly grabbed the wooden fence, wanting to find out what was going on.

You see, Chen Yan's background is anything but ordinary—his two uncles both died in battle while following Li Shimin to conquer the realm.

His father even sacrificed himself during the Xuanwu Gate Incident to protect Empress Changsun and Li Chengqian of the Qin Prince's mansion.

If Li Shimin hadn't seen that he had no parents, granting him too high a title would have drawn too much attention; otherwise he would surely have been made a Commandery Prince.

With such merit, as long as he didn't rebel, Li Shimin would never have him executed.

Now, looking at Cheng Chumo's attitude, it seems his life is in danger.

Cheng Chumo explained, "Zi An brother, I don't know the exact situation either; my father told me to bring Qing'er over."

I think...

Having said that, Cheng Chumo shook his head, let out a long sigh, and fell silent.

"Impossible!" Chen Yan protested, "I haven't rebelled—I only slapped Princess Gao Yang. His Majesty wouldn't kill me for that."

As a transmigrator brought over by the Great Yun, he knows what kind of emperor Li Shimin is.

Saying he's a paragon among emperors is not an exaggeration.

Even when Wei Zheng criticized him that way, he didn't kill Wei Zheng.

Although I did slap Princess Gao Yang, I kept it within bounds—I didn't hit her in the face, and I didn't strike hard.

Besides, the imperial edict of marriage has been issued; everyone in Chang'an knows I'm to marry Princess Gao Yang.

At this critical juncture, if Li Shimin were to kill me, how could he justify it to the world?

Cheng Chumo hesitated a moment, then said, "We don't really know if it's true, but since my father arranged it this way, he must have his reasons."

My father wouldn't harm you, would he?

Upon hearing that, Chen Yan didn't know how to rebut.

Because his father was closest with Cheng Yaojin and Niu Jinda, after his father's death Cheng Yaojin often looked after him, treating him like a own nephew.

Cheng Yaojin certainly had no reason to harm him.

"Young master... what are we to do?" Qing'er, standing aside, had already burst into tears.

She had been an orphan since childhood; during the flight from disaster, she was taken in by the late mother of Chen Yan.

Although nominally Chen Yan's maid, he treated her almost like a sister.

If Chen Yan were really beheaded, she truly wouldn't know how to go on living.

"Don't panic!" Chen Yan reflected for a long time, then said, "The incident of me slapping Princess Gao Yang happened three days ago; if His Majesty were to kill me, it would have been right when he first learned of it."

Because that's when he would certainly be angriest.

Now that so much time has passed, His Majesty's anger must have long faded—there's no way he'd kill me.

Besides, even if His Majesty wanted to kill me, Chancellor Bo Bo and Empress Changsun would never agree.

I reckon His Majesty is just teaming up with Chancellor Bo Bo to scare me; he certainly doesn't intend to do anything to me.

"Huh?" Qing'er's crying stopped, her eyes brimming with tears as she asked, "Really?"

"Absolutely!" Chen Yan declared, "If I were truly to be beheaded, the one coming would surely not be Chu Mo brother but Chancellor Bo Bo!"

Hearing this, Cheng Chumo thought Chen Yan made sense, but he still worried, "Zi An brother, what if you guessed wrong?"

Or you should first secure an heir for the Chen family.

At those words, Qing'er's face flushed instantly.

Although she had braced herself beforehand, when facing Chen Yan she still couldn't help feeling shy, her small hand hesitantly clutching her skirt.

"Young master... I, I am willing."

Chen Yan: "......"

You're willing? What nonsense!

So you all think I'm doomed to die, huh?

But......

Chen Yan reconsidered, also afraid he might have guessed wrong—after all, it concerned his own life, so he couldn't be careless.

After a moment's contemplation, Chen Yan said, "Chu Mo brother, please go fetch me paper and brush."

Cheng Chumo grew anxious, "Zi An brother, what time is this? Stop thinking about writing a letter to the lass from Pingkang Ward—continuing the family line is urgent!"

Chen Yan: "......"

What nonsense is this? What kind of talk is this? Am I someone who can't tell priorities?

I need paper and brush for important business—not to write a letter to the lass from Pingkang Ward.

Cheng Chumo looked at him doubtfully: "Really?"

Truly, it couldn't be more true!

All right then, I'll go now.

After saying that, Cheng Chumo hurried out.

Chen Yan immediately said to Qing'er, "Qing'er, come over a bit—I have something to tell you."

Oh oh.

Qing'er didn't dare delay, quickly bringing her head close, as Chen Yan whispered his instructions in her ear.

Not long after, Cheng Chumo returned with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone; Chen Yan wasted no time, writing a letter at top speed, folding it, and solemnly handing it to Cheng Chumo.

Chu Mo brother, please deliver this letter to Chancellor Bo Bo for him to pass on to His Majesty.

Cheng Chumo gave his close brother a deep look, took the letter, and nodded firmly in agreement.

Chen Yan then told Qing'er, "You must remember my instructions; if you encounter any difficulty, go to Chu Mo brother—he'll help you."

I remembered, young master!

Qing'er's tears flowed again, Chen Yan gently wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye, and comforted: "Don't worry, as long as you do as I say, the young master will definitely be fine."

You all go!

Seeing off the reluctant Qing'er, Chen Yan sat back down on the small wooden bed of the straw mat.

Not knowing what he thought of, Chen Yan suddenly laughed, muttering: "Er Feng, Er Feng, this time let's see who gets anxious first!"

Taiji Palace, inside Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin, smiling happily, took Empress Changsun's hand, "Guanyin Maid, today I had Zhijie order Cheng Chumo to take Chen Yan's maid to the Dali Temple Prison, so that he could leave an heir for the Chen family."

What do you say, what expression does he have now?

Empress Changsun said helplessly, "Your Majesty, Chen Yan is still just a child, aren't you afraid of scaring him?"

"Hmph, that's exactly why I want to scare him!" Li Shimin snorted coldly, "Who let him have such gall, daring to hit my Princess Gao Yang?"

He dares to hit Princess Gao Yang before marriage; if he were married, wouldn't he dare to hit even me?

Empress Changsun found it somewhat amusing, "Your Majesty, but it was Princess Gao Yang who first slammed the Bo Mansion's gate, who first scolded him, and even first struck him; you can't just let him stand there and take hits from Princess Gao Yang without fighting back, can you?"

There's no such principle in the world.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin let out a slight sigh, "How could I not know that Princess Gao Yang was at fault first?"

But I'm just angry; I've never hit Princess Gao Yang even though she's grown up this big.

At that moment, Li Shimin's personal attendant Wushe walked in bowing, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Su sent a letter, heard to be written by the Marquis of Weinan in prison."

Oh?

Li Shimin laughed loudly, "Guanyin Maid, it seems this brat knows fear, he's already written a letter begging for mercy!"