Chapter 246: Return to Chang'an

Evening, the sun set in the west.

Chen Yan gazed at the fiery clouds on the horizon, staring blankly.

"Young master, what's wrong?" Qing'er asked with concern when she passed by and saw Chen Yan lost in thought.

Last year, Chen Yan sometimes watched the sunrise and sunset like this, as if missing something.

At that time, an indefinable aura surrounded him, clashing with the world around him, a loneliness that tugged at the heart.

But since this year, it was the first time Chen Yan showed such an expression.

"It's nothing, just a bit homesick," Chen Yan said, his tone carrying a hint of relief, as if he had let something go.

"Homesick?" Qing'er tilted her head, probing, "Then why don't we find a chance to go home?"

"The Princess is pregnant, so we can also inform His Majesty and Her Majesty,"

Chen Yan was startled by the words, nodded heavily, "Alright, we'll go home tomorrow!"

At first, the home he referred to wasn't the one in Chang'an, but a home a thousand years later.

The home Qing'er mentioned was the one in Chang'an.

When Chen Yan first crossed over, he tried every means to return home, to the era he knew.

Unfortunately, no matter what Chen Yan did, it was all in vain; he simply couldn't go back.

Chen Yan had given up, become decadent, and for a long time he did nothing, never truly integrating into this era.

Later, Chen Yan developed attachments in this era: Qing'er's steadfast companionship and loyalty, the repeated brotherly calls from Cheng Chumo and his two brothers, and people like Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong who quietly cared for him from behind.

These people were like anchors, fixing him in this era.

Now, he has a wife here, his own flesh and blood; unconsciously, the morning bells and evening drums of Chang'an no longer feel strange, and the local bustling atmosphere actually comforts him more.

The Tang Dynasty… has indeed become his true home.

"......"

"Going home tomorrow?" Qing'er hurriedly asked, "Young master, is the timing too rushed?"

"It's already late today, many things might not be packed in time; how about… leaving the day after tomorrow?"

"No need," Chen Yan said indifferently, "Besides, Bo Mansion has a few servants left; they clean the house daily, so we can move in anytime."

"Moreover, Gao Yang and I are only going back for a few days; there's no need to pack anything, just bring some clothes."

"The library here in Weinan County will be finished soon; I probably won't have time for a while, so let's take this chance to go back and stay a few days."

"Alright," Qing'er, seeing Chen Yan's resolve, said no more and added, "I'll go notify now and start gathering the things to bring."

"Fine, you go."

After Qing'er left, Chen Yan paused for a moment, then found Xiao Shunzi, who had just returned from outside.

"Lord Bo, do you have any orders?" Xiao Shunzi asked hurriedly.

"Go to the Xianlingfu, ask Cheng Chumo and his two companions if they're willing to return to Chang'an tomorrow; if they are, tell Uncle Niu, saying it's my wish."

"If they refuse, come back quickly."

"Alright, got it," Xiao Shunzi immediately agreed.

Afterward, Chen Yan discussed it again with Gao Yang, who had no objections.

Having been away from Chang'an so long, she also missed home a bit.

But because Chen Yan likely had no time, she hadn't mentioned it; now that he himself says to go back, she has no problem with it.

Xiao Sizi, upon learning we were returning to Chang'an, was overjoyed.

Kids, after being away from their parents for so long, surely miss them.

In an instant, a night passed.

The next morning, a row of carriages was parked in front of Xianlingfu; Chen Yan and Gao Yang walked out side by side, finding Cheng Chumo and his two companions already there, waiting beside the carriages.

Another person, unexpected to Chen Yan, also arrived.

"Uncle Niu, why are you here?"

Niu Jinda scowled, "You still have the nerve to ask me why I'm here?"

"Did I ever tell you that Chang'an isn't peaceful now, and told you not to go back, to stay in Weinan County instead?"

Chen Yan asked in surprise, "Uncle Niu, it's been almost three months; it should be fine now, right?"

"Besides, I'm only going back for a few days to tell His Majesty and Her Majesty that my wife is pregnant; even if Chang'an is unstable, what does it have to do with me?"

"How is it not related?" Niu Jinda, his anger untempered, "Did you forget who exposed the Weinan County corruption case back then?"

"Do you think such a matter can be casually reported to His Majesty?"

"Do you realize you've been used as a pawn?"

When those words were spoken, Gao Yang, who had been standing quietly aside, uninterested in their conversation, suddenly lifted his head, a chilling malice flashing in his eyes.

"But neither of them noticed."

Chen Yan fell into contemplation.

He had never paid much attention to it before; when he first discovered it, he was only angry, didn't think much, and later, too lazy to deal with it, he casually handed it over to Li Shimin to trouble.

Now that he thinks about it, there are indeed many unreasonable aspects.

Niu Jinda's words also make sense.

If the new County Magistrate weren't him but someone else, say Ma Zhou.

Even if he uncovered the Weinan County corruption, what could he do?

The best choice would be to turn a blind eye; if he tried to report upward, he might be killed before the report even reached higher.

Unlike Chen Yan, who would readily dispatch the Jinwu Guard to investigate, and that night the information reached Li Shimin's desk.

Chen Yan's face grew solemn as he sensed the complexity of the matter.

Nevertheless, he still didn't change his decision, stating frankly, "Uncle Niu, even so, what can be done?"

"For me, as long as the tumor of Weinan County is removed, that's all; I don't want to handle other affairs—that's for the great figures of the court and for His Majesty to worry about."

"I'm returning to Chang'an today only because my wife and Xiao Sizi miss home; we'll stay a few days and then return quickly."

"You need not be so concerned."

"Niu Jinda's expression was as grim as iron, his tiger‑like eyes fixed on Chen Yan, and finally he sighed."

"Fine, I know you're stubborn; once you decide, not even ten oxen can pull you back."

"Since you're determined to go back, I'll dispatch one hundred palace troops to escort you. Once you reach Chang'an, be cautious; if anything seems off, go straight to Lao Cheng, Lao Qin, and the others."

"Very well." Chen Yan smiled faintly and nodded.

"After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Niu Jinda left, leaving the one hundred palace troops as escort; Chen Yan then helped Gao Yang onto the carriage."

"When everything was ready, Chen Yan said calmly, 'Xue Li, let's go.'"

"'Yes, Lord Bo!' Xue Li flicked the reins, and the carriage slowly set off, heading straight for Chang'an."

"During the journey, Gao Yang recalled what Niu Jinda had said and, without showing any emotion, asked, 'Husband, what did General Niu just mean?'"

"'That corruption case—could there be hidden circumstances?'"

"......"