Chapter 303: Instruction

When Chen Yan finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted with clamor.

Mostly they were calling Chen Yan vulgar and the like.

The officials really didn't expect how Chen Yan could utter something like "your mother" in such a gentle tone.

They still thought Chen Yan had truly come to reason, only to be scolded outright.

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, seeing the lower area getting more chaotic, and barked loudly, "Silence!"

The hall only then fell quiet again.

Li Shimin helplessly glanced at Chen Yan and said, "So this is how you reason, huh?"

Earlier, outside the hall, you kept calling me "old mother" each time; I won't say anything more.

After entering the hall, I thought you knew your limits.

But it turned out you're still this thing.

You're still a scholar, after all.

Of course, Li Shimin wanted to think that way, but he also felt quite pleased inside.

Also, don't imagine the court session to be too solemn; this place was meant for debate.

Sometimes the arguing gets fierce and the insults get harsh; that's normal.

Wei Zheng often does this, and even Du Ruhui has been scolded.

Chen Yan's behavior still isn't too out of line.

"Fine, this matter ends here!" Li Shimin's sharp gaze swept the officials. "Weinan County, from now on, no one may intervene except the Crown Prince."

"If anyone disobeys, dares to bring up Weinan County or stretch their claws into it, don't blame me for being ruthless."

The officials felt a shiver; they understood Li Shimin wasn't joking, he truly intended to act so.

Wang Gui squinted slightly.

Li Shimin seemed to place a bit too much importance on Chen Yan, or rather on Weinan County.

And so, today's regular court ended in a baffling manner.

Stepping out of the hall, Chen Yan was just about to stretch his body when a group of officials immediately surrounded him.

"Lord Chen, long time no see, you're showing more and more edge," Fang Xuanling wore an inexplicable smile.

"But it should be so; a young man needs some edge, otherwise how can he be?"

Chen Yan looked utterly bewildered.

If his gaze was fine, it seemed he could read a hint of… attentiveness? from Fang Xuanling's face.

What's this about?

Little did he know, Fang Xuanling had already seen through it; he previously felt excluded by Li Shimin and his circle, all because of the young man before him.

He wanted to rejoin the circle, and the best way was, of course, to get close to Chen Yan.

"Fine, Brother Fang, no need for more idle talk," Du Ruhui gave Fang Xuanling a tug, then said, "Zi An, the several policies you discussed with His Majesty last time, I still don't understand many parts; you happen to be here today, let's discuss them properly."

Hearing that, Wei Zheng hurried over.

However, because he'd previously had a verbal clash with Chen Yan, he didn't feel comfortable getting too close, so he stayed at the edge of the group.

Besides them were Dai Zhou, Xiao Yu, and Gao Shilian.

A group pulled Chen Yan away from the crowd, each asking him all sorts of questions.

The constant questioning made Chen Yan's head ache.

Looking up, he saw Wei Zheng also standing on the outer rim, ears perked, leaving Chen Yan both laughing and crying.

"Gentlemen, how about we find a place and speak slowly? With all these questions, the youngster can't know which to answer at once."

"Alright!" Xiao Yu immediately said, "Let's go straight to Ganlu Hall to find His Majesty!"

The others' eyes lit up at the suggestion, and they all nodded in agreement.

Then, without further discussion, they dragged Chen Yan away.

Only Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, and Qin Qiong stared blankly as the group departed.

"......"

In the harem, Lizheng Hall.

Empress Changsun focused on altering the wedding dress in her hands, hoping to improve it.

At that moment, Li Lizhi rushed in, saw Empress Changsun, and anxiously asked, "Mother, has Lord Chen… the Marquis of Weinan returned?"

The Empress paused her work, didn't look up, and said, "He has returned, but what does that have to do with you?"

Your sister Gao Yang still hasn't returned.

"Mother!" Li Lizhi stamped her foot, walked over, grabbed the Empress's hand, and cooed, "Please stop teasing your son‑servant; your son‑servant… your son‑servant's relation to him, aren't you clear?"

"You've already sewn a wedding dress for your son‑servant."

"You still know that I am your mother?" the Empress set down her needlework, "Ever since Zi An returned, you've been so reckless; the etiquette I taught you before has been forgotten to the far heavens."

"What kind of words?"

"Mother, your son‑servant knows he was wrong." Li Lizhi swayed her hand, "Your son‑servant just hasn't seen the Marquis of Weinan for a long time, misses him; please forgive your son‑servant."

"You," the Empress said, unable to tolerate her daughter's attitude, "just like this, you'll probably be devoured by Zi An in the future."

"You two sisters, not a single one is reassuring."

"Not at all like me."

"But…" the Empress glanced at her, "Zi An's return to Chang'an is for a proper matter; he's currently discussing important affairs with His Majesty and the ministers in Ganlu Hall, so don't disturb them."

"And the Weinan County side is busy right now; Zi An should be heading back to Weinan County soon."

"Huh?" Li Lizhi heard that and instantly wilted.

Then she seemed to recall something and revived herself.

Empress Changsun immediately knew what her daughter was thinking, and she sternly said, "Mother warns you, Father Emperor is about to issue an edict to marry you off; during this time you are not allowed to go to Weinan County, just stay in the palace and wait to be married, do you understand?"

"Really?" Li Lizhi was overjoyed upon hearing it.

After waiting so long, she finally got this day.

"How could it be fake?" Empress Changsun tapped Li Lizhi's forehead, a faint smile appearing on her face, "In six days, it's a good day; Father Emperor plans to issue the edict then."

"The wedding will be on November 28."

"November 28?" Li Lizhi blinked, calculating the date in her mind; the more she calculated, the more her little expression grew excited.

Seeing this, Empress Changsun felt weary; her daughter's heart had completely thrown itself at Chen Yan, leaving no trace of a maiden's reserve.

After marrying over, won't she suffer a loss?

Empress Changsun planned to properly educate this disappointing daughter.

"Lizhi, come closer; Mother has a few words to say to you."

"Ah?" Li Lizhi was slightly startled, then obediently nodded.

"Mother tells you, after you marry over, you must first talk with Gao Yang, you need to be on the same side, do you understand?" Empress Changsun patiently instructed:

"These men are all crafty, eating what's in the bowl while eyeing what's in the pot; Zi An this brat usually seems unserious, but in fact his heart is even more unserious."

"Now Gao Yang is pregnant, you must keep an eye on Zi An, not let him go out fooling around, understand?"

Li Lizhi: "No way, Mother... he... he isn't that kind of person."

"If he isn't, how do you explain it?" Empress Changsun countered.

Li Lizhi was momentarily speechless.

Empress Changsun continued her patient instruction.

And Li Lizhi, not knowing what she had thought of, her mind had already wandered.

"......"