Chapter 318: When Hungry, He'll Pick Up Trash to Eat

What did you say to the Prince of Yue?

Leaving the Great Peace Palace, Gao Yang eagerly asked.

Since the Prince of Yue left with a grim expression, even thinking with your toes you could tell their conversation wasn't pleasant.

Nothing much, just telling me to support him, saying if I like his sister, after success he'll marry her to me.

Chen Yan spoke solemnly, and as soon as he opened his mouth, Gao Yang angrily gave him a hard thump.

Marry off all his sisters to you? How could you not be daydreaming?

Can't you be serious?

What's not serious about me?" Chen Yan hummed, "I'm just telling the truth."

Really, older brother?

Sizi's eyes sparkled as she looked expectantly at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan's forehead showed a few black lines: "Little brat, what are you thinking about all day?"

I'll punish you by doubling your homework when you go back.

Sizi widened her eyes, finding it hard to believe these words came from the older brother who used to dote on her.

Double the homework?

Isn't that trying to take her little life?

No, no, no!

Sizi shook her head vigorously, trying every trick—coquettishness, pouting, anger—she pulled out all the stops.

But Chen Yan's mind was made up; he simply ignored her.

This provoked the little one into a bout of crying and fussing.

Gao Yang stood aside, unable to contain his amusement: 'Look at you, besides corrupting kids, what else can you do?'

Chen Yan felt a bit depressed; he had only been joking, never expecting Sizi to take it seriously.

He immediately changed the subject: 'Actually, I didn't say anything to the Prince of Yue; he probably wanted me to stay out of the struggle with the Crown Prince, but I analyzed his current situation with him at length.'

As soon as Chen Yan said that, Gao Yang suddenly understood.

So, the Prince of Yue wants you to abandon supporting the Crown Prince, and you want him to give up the contention?

You two are quite interesting.

What's interesting about it?" Chen Yan pouted, "The Prince of Yue was never possible anyway, and I didn't fool him."

Besides, he came to advise me; can't I turn around and advise him?

I don't see what there is to fight over; wouldn't it be better to live leisurely every day?

Moreover, the Prince of Yue is a talent; if he could let go and spend some time with me, there might be unexpected surprises.

You're not him, so of course you can't understand his thoughts." Gao Yang snorted at Chen Yan's words.

Since ancient times, haven't there been few bloodbaths caused by that position?

Right!

Chen Yan recalled something and teased: 'The Prince of Yue seems not to like you much; he keeps talking about giving face to Changle and Sizi, never mentioning you at all.'

It seems your face isn't worth a penny in his eyes.

Gao Yang's face stiffened, and she snorted coldly: 'He's just a miser; all I did was tear his clothes—why hold a grudge so long?'

And saying my face isn't worth anything to him, as if his face were valuable to me.

Yo yo yo, you're sucking up to the princess again." Chen Yan teased, "Look at you, so desperate for face, I can't bear to expose you."

What are you saying?" Gao Yang flared up.

The two adults and two children tussled and played, laughing all the way.

However, not long after they left the Great Peace Palace, an old familiar friend came looking for them.

Your servant greets the two princesses, Marquis of Weinan.

Wushe, as usual, bowed slightly, extended his hand, and made a gesturing invitation: 'His Majesty and Her Majesty summon you; please, the two princesses and Lord Bo, follow this servant.'

Alright, let's go.

Since someone was sent to invite them, Chen Yan naturally couldn't refuse and followed Wushe.

Along the way, Chen Yan occasionally chatted with Wushe before bringing up the main matter.

Lord Wushe, how has His Majesty been lately?

Wushe, not missing Chen Yan's meaning, whispered: 'There was a period when he felt terrible, fainted several times, but lately he's improved a lot; His Majesty can endure it.'

Hearing this, Chen Yan couldn't help but lament Li Shimin's willpower.

He really bore it through.

He knows all too well how painful that condition's attacks are; surely Li Shimin has suffered greatly.

'Lord Bo, may I ask one more question: when will His Majesty's condition fully improve?'

Wushe asked in a voice only Chen Yan could hear.

It's not his fault for asking; rather, when Li Shimin's condition flares up it's terrifying, having scared him half to death several times, so he's genuinely worried.

Chen Yan thought and said: 'It shouldn't take too long, after all His Majesty hasn't taken many toxic elixirs—you said his condition has improved a lot, didn't you?'

I think either His Majesty's willpower is increasing, or the cause is receding.

Either way, it's good news, so you don't need to worry.

With me around, I guarantee nothing major will happen!

By the end of his speech, Chen Yan's expression turned somewhat unnatural.

The Li Shimin family is truly something else—clearly he's a transmigrator with modern medical knowledge, yet he ends up with this whole clan.

The ailments they've conjured are ones he can't cure, leaving him somewhat lacking in confidence.

Fortunately, it's not too late; otherwise, he could not guarantee that he wouldn't let the two lose their lives.

Behind, Sizi, who was being led by Gao Yang, stared at Chen Yan's back ahead, her eyes shifting as she wondered what mischief she was plotting.

「....... 」

Lizheng Hall.

The reason Empress Changsun's belly kept growing was that Li Shimin, having just finished handling court affairs, mostly stayed by her side.

So both of them were there at this moment.

When Wushe brought the three in, Empress Changsun was very happy.

"Zi An, Gao Yang, you're here! Come, come sit."

Empress Changsun hadn't seen her two daughters in a long time, her gaze continually shifting between Gao Yang and Sizi.

Chen Yan and Gao Yang hadn't even had a chance to speak when Sizi suddenly toddled over on her short legs.

"Mother, mother, Sizi misses you!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun's eye sockets reddened a little: "Sizi, mother misses you too."

"Come up quickly, let mother see if Sizi has grown taller."

"I've grown taller!" Sizi behaved very obediently, clambering onto the soft couch with a soft, sweet voice: "Mother, I've been listening to older brother over there, oh~"

"I never bother older brother; when hungry I'll pick up trash to eat, when it rains I'll hide myself, and even if older brother punishes Sizi, Sizi will obediently comply."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces froze.

Chen Yan went numb.

My goodness, little lady, you're trying to kill me with this!

Damn it, when hungry they'll eat trash, when it rains they'll hide!

If you keep screwing me over like this, I'll really have to eat trash.

Afterward, two deadly gazes were directed at Chen Yan.

"....... Can I have a chance to explain?"

「....... 」