Chapter 29: Xiao Sizi Doesn't Want to Go Home

Inside the main hall, everyone stood stunned in place, and only the bubbling sound of the hot pot could be heard.

A line worthy of being passed down for millennia... just handed out so casually?

And the purpose was merely to let Li Chengqian compare it with the Prince of Yue?

The crowd fell silent.

Poetry isn't about quantity; if you write poorly, even a thousand or ten thousand verses are useless.

Earlier everyone thought Chen Yan was speaking recklessly, but now that this Invitation to Wine has been presented, no one doubts him any longer.

"Young master!"

Qing'er was the first to regain her senses; seeing Chen Yan lying on the floor, she panicked instantly.

She hurried forward to check, found Chen Yan unharmed, merely fast asleep, then gently patted his chest and let out a long sigh.

But then Qing'er remembered the Emperor and Empress were present, and she bowed anxiously, saying:

"His... His Majesty, forgive us; the young master acted improperly after drinking, it was not intentional!"

Li Shimin said nothing, simply stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly walked up to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian's drunkenness had largely faded; recalling earlier words, cold sweat streamed down, and a bitter taste rose in his throat.

"Ah... Father Emperor, your son..."

"I grant you three days of rest," Li Shimin suddenly spoke, looking at the Crown Prince he had placed great hopes on, his voice slightly softened.

"Take the Crown Princess out for a walk!"

After speaking, Li Shimin flicked his sleeve and strode out of the main hall.

Li Chengqian looked bewildered, not understanding what his Father Emperor meant.

"Cheng Qian,"

Empress Changsun walked over holding Xiao Sizi, and Li Chengqian hurriedly replied, "Mother, Father Emperor this...?"

He truly couldn't read Li Shimin's mind.

Logically, uttering such an almost treasonous statement would, even if not stripping him of the Crown Prince title,

certainly invite a punishment.

So why now grant him three days off and let him take the Crown Princess out for a walk?

Empress Changsun said gently, "No need to worry; enjoy three days out, everything will be taken care of by Mother."

After a pause, her tone suddenly grew stern, "Cheng Qian, you must understand the meaning of your name, and also understand that you, Father, have never thought of replacing the Crown Prince!!"

For some reason, when Li Chengqian heard this, a sour feeling rose in his heart, and his eyes reddened slightly.

With a trembling voice he said, "Yes, Mother, your son remembers!"

Empress Changsun nodded approvingly, then set down Xiao Sizi, gently stroked Li Chengqian's head, and said, "Also, whenever something troubles you, don't keep it inside; remember to tell Mother, understand?"

"You are not only the Crown Prince, you are also Mother's child."

Li Chengqian choked back words, lowered his head so Mother wouldn't have to raise her hand.

Since becoming Crown Prince, he had gone far too long without experiencing such straightforward love from his parents.

Empress Changsun smiled, slowly squatted down, facing her daughter, "Sizi, do you want to stay here with your brother‑in‑law for a few days?"

"I want, I want, I really want to stay here with brother‑in‑law~"

Empress Changsun was taken aback, a bit at a loss.

She had thought she would have to persuade Sizi with many words to make her stay, but unexpectedly Sizi seemed eager to stay already.

Empress Changsun curiously asked, "Sizi, why do you want to stay with your brother‑in‑law?"

"Don't you know? If you stay here, you'll be unable to see Father and Mother for a while."

"Because sister gave me… Mother, it's truly wonderful… I want…"

Earlier, Chen Yan firmly let her eat meat, causing Xiao Sizi's affection for him to skyrocket.

Sizi wished she could live here forever, so she could eat delicious meat every day.

As for not seeing Father and Mother, Sizi said it was a minor issue.

After all, in the Imperial Palace, Father and Mother are busy daily, and chances to meet are few.

They also have to drink those terrible medicines and eat unappetizing meals every day.

This place is better; not only no bitter medicine, but also meat to eat.

Xiao Sizi absolutely doesn't want to go back.

"Mother, please hurry… take good care of us~"

Xiao Sizi feared Mother would change her mind and not let her stay, so she even urged Empress Changsun.

This made Empress Changsun and the two Princesses burst into a dumbfounded laugh.

Since Sizi doesn't object to staying here, Empress Changsun felt much relieved, called in the two maids who had been outside Sizi, and ordered: "From now on you will stay here to look after Sizi; everything follows the Marquis of Weinan."

"If anything arises, report to the palace promptly, understand?"

Bi Yun and Dong Xue, upon hearing, quickly assured, "Yes, Mother, we will take good care of the little princess."

When they arrived, Empress Changsun had already instructed them, even giving them an Imperial Token that allows free entry to the Imperial Palace.

So the two were already mentally prepared.

This was no surprise.

"Hmm, very good." Empress Changsun nodded slightly, then said to Qing'er, "I recall your name is Qing'er, right? Since Zi An is already drunk, please take care of Xiao Sizi for now."

Qing'er replied, "Mother, rest assured; the young master has already arranged for us to be ready, there will be no problem."

Xiao Sizi, being very clever, knew she now had to follow Qing'er, so she trotted on her short legs, sprinted to Qing'er's side, and clung to her thigh.

"Mother, I want to take a nap~ you hurry…"

Empress Changsun: "......"

Li Lizhi could only laugh when she heard it.

Earlier, they were still worried that Sizi couldn't accept being separated from his parents, and they even spoke very cautiously, lest the clever Sizi discover it.

They didn't expect reality to differ from their imagination by so much.

Sizi could hardly be said to be unable to accept leaving his parents; judging by her expression, she could barely accept being separated from Chen Yan.

The Empress Dowager, aware that children are sensitive, said little, ordered someone to fetch the heavily drunk Li Tai, and then left the room with the two princesses and Li Chengqian.

Not long after they went out, Princess Gao Yang involuntarily turned her head, gazing at Chen Yan lying on the ground, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She never imagined that Chen Yan could have such poetic talent.

Even though he was clearly heavily drunk, he could still produce such immortal lines, and afterward he wore an utterly indifferent expression, waving his hand to send the person away.

Princess Gao Yang's fingertips unconsciously twisted her sleeve, and an inexplicable ripple stirred in her heart.

She had originally thought Chen Yan was merely a dissipated playboy, possessing only a good-looking face and no other virtues.

But now, she suddenly realized that beneath Chen Yan's dashing exterior lies a talent and reckless brilliance that others would find impossible to attain in a lifetime.

Princess Gao Yang's lips curled slightly upward, and she murmured softly, "Chen Yan, this princess wants to see how many more secrets you still keep!"