Chapter 281: Different Answers

The next day, an unremarkable carriage slowly entered Weinan County, and after a stretch of travel, stopped outside Xianlingfu.

The timing was right; today Chen Yan was about to leave the house.

He saw the person stepping down from the carriage at a glance and felt delighted, "Brother Cheng Qian!"

Indeed, the one getting off the carriage was Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Chen Yan was puzzled why Cheng Qian visited suddenly, but he didn't think further; a friend's arrival naturally made him happy.

However, when his gaze shifted to the person hurrying the carriage, he froze instantly.

Cheng Qian gave Chen Yan a strong look, then lingered beside the carriage, as if waiting for someone to get off.

What the heck!

Chen Yan's face was full of worry, and he already knew who had arrived.

Wushe helped Li Shimin down and stood side by side with Li Junxian behind him.

"Zi An, I have come here, you don't seem very pleased?" Li Shimin said with a half‑smile.

"No, no, how could that be?" Chen Yan jogged over, mocking, "His Majesty's arrival only makes me feel honored, makes my humble abode shine, how could I not be happy?"

"Hmph, you're flattering me again!" Li Shimin glanced at him lightly, "When you were in the Imperial Palace you never flattered me, but now at your house you are flattering me."

Cheng Qian was holding back a laugh beside them.

He seemed quite pleased to watch Chen Yan take a beating.

Chen Yan paid no heed to the undertone in Li Shimin's tone and said with a grin, "If Your Majesty doesn't like it, then I simply won't say it."

Li Shimin: "......"

Cheng Qian: "......"

Wushe and Li Junxian exchanged a warrior‑like glance, not expecting Chen Yan to be so fierce.

Calling oneself "this official" before His Majesty?

What?

You want to go to heaven?

"Are you trying to please me or to anger me?" Li Shimin said, somewhat speechless, but not angry.

He had long become accustomed to Chen Yan's off‑beat demeanor.

Chen Yan: "Of course I'm trying to please Your Majesty, how could I think of angering you?"

"Impossible."

"By the way, Your Majesty, let's not talk outside, come inside, come inside, ha."

Chen Yan stepped aside, inviting Li Shimin into the residence.

However, Li Shimin shook his head, letting out a barely perceptible sigh, "I don't feel like drinking tea, and I am indeed a bit troubled; you and Cheng Qian, accompany me for a walk."

"And also see what you've done with Weinan County these past months."

Hearing that, Chen Yan was momentarily stunned, a few guesses forming in his mind, but he kept a calm face and said, "Since it is Your Majesty's invitation, I have no objection."

Then he summoned a servant and had Li Shimin's carriage parked properly.

The five of them then walked aimlessly.

Li Shimin walked at the front, Cheng Qian and Chen Yan lagged one step behind, and Wushe and Li Junxian were at the rear.

Chen Yan gave Cheng Qian an inquisitive look, and Cheng Qian, seeing this, showed a helpless expression.

It meant he didn't know either.

For a while no one spoke; the four kept following Li Shimin forward, unsure where they were headed.

After a long while, Li Shimin said without turning his head, "Zi An, do you know why I have come to find you today?"

Chen Yan pondered, "Perhaps it's… that chatting with me would make Your Majesty a bit happier?"

"Huh?" Li Shimin was evidently surprised, turning his head, "You actually guessed a bit."

"But you're not entirely correct!"

Li Shimin's tone carried a hint of smile, "Chatting with you, I am indeed often much happier, but more so, I find that each time you can give me a surprise."

"No matter what difficulty I encounter, it seems that when I come to you, it becomes simpler."

"I always can gain much from you; therefore, I came today to find you."

"What difficulty has Your Majesty encountered?" Chen Yan asked.

"Let's not discuss that now," Li Shimin said, closing his mouth, and raised a question, "Since the First Emperor unified the six states, up to now Tang Dynasty stands tall, during which this land has seen countless wars and innumerable heroes and champions."

"There have been far too many people reaching the pinnacle; among them, whom do you most admire?"

For a moment Chen Yan was at a loss, and tentatively said, "Your Majesty is asking which emperor I personally favor?"

Li Shimin nodded, "You may understand it that way."

"Han Gaozu!"

Chen Yan answered without hesitation.

And this answer also gave Cheng Qian and the other two a good scare.

Dad!

They all silently prayed in their hearts that Li Shimin would not get angry.

As they hoped, Li Shimin did not get angry; instead his eyes flashed, and he asked puzzled, "Why Han Gaozu?"

"To know, since the First Emperor unified the six states, there have been several emperors more outstanding than Han Gaozu; why do you especially revere Han Gaozu?"

"I thought you would say the First Emperor, or Han Wudi."

Chen Yan laughed, "Your Majesty, the achievements of the First Emperor and Han Wudi indeed surpass those of Han Gaozu Liu Bang, but Han Gaozu has one quality that far exceeds both the First Emperor and Han Wudi."

"Oh?" Li Shimin showed interest, "What is it?"

"It is his openness!"

As his words fell, Li Shimin halted his steps, turned back and stared at him deeply.

Chen Yan met the emperor's gaze without deference nor arrogance, his eyes never wavering for a moment.

The other three were truly frightened this time.

Especially Wushe, whose heart pounded, fearing that Li Shimin would become enraged because of it.

He was already thinking about how to plead on Chen Yan's behalf later.

Chen Yan's words carried hidden meaning; how could they not understand?

The magnanimity of Han Gaozu refers precisely to a magnanimity toward life and death, doesn't it?

Historical records state that Liu Bang was hit by an arrow while campaigning against the Ying Bu rebellion and became seriously ill.

Empress Lü summoned a famous physician to treat him; the doctor said his illness could be cured. Liu Bang, however, scolded, "I, in plain clothes, wielded a three‑foot sword to seize the world; is this not destiny? Destiny lies in Heaven; even Bian Que would be of no use!"

Thus he rewarded the physician with gold and silk, yet did not allow him to treat the illness.

Chen Yan, isn't that hinting to Li Shimin not to pursue immortality?

"Since the matter of the poison pill, you are the first who dares to speak such words to me."

Li Shimin's gaze was calm, revealing no emotion, "Even the Guanyin Maid never dared to say such words to me. Of course, the Guanyin Maid is not afraid of making me angry; she fears touching a sore spot of mine, so she said nothing, merely staying silently by my side."

Hearing this, Chen Yan relaxed, the great weight in his heart instantly lifted, and with a smile he said, "Then… His Majesty, are you angry?"

"Why be angry?" Li Shimin retorted, "Just because you told the truth?"

"I dare not speculate on the saint's heart," Chen Yan cleared his throat.

"Hmph, you have guessed so little?"

Li Shimin didn't buy it, pointed a finger at the nearby Li Chengqian, "I estimate that if another person asked you the previous question, you would probably give a different answer."

"Since I asked you, you answered Han Gaozu, because of magnanimity."

"Then what if Cheng Qian asks you?"

Huh?

What about my matter?

Li Chengqian was stunned.

"Um......"

Chen Yan remained silent for a long while, then slowly uttered two words.

"Liu Chan!"

Li Shimin: "......."

Li Chengqian: "......"

"......"