Chapter 335: Heaven

Inside the County Magistrate's office the lights shone brightly, and the warm candlelight dispelled the winter night's chill, also illuminating the weary faces of Li Chunfeng and Xue Li.

The phrase "Welcome home, heroes who have left their hometowns" made the two tremble slightly.

The grievances and hardships that had settled in their hearts were now completely dissolved by this simplest yet weighty sentence, leaving only a warm current welling up to their eyes.

"Mr. Chen, I have brought back the item you asked me to find."

Li Chunfeng's voice was weak; he untied the rope at his waist, opened the small pouch tightly bound there, and took out an ordinary wooden box, handing it to the other person.

Looking at the unremarkable wooden box before him, Chen Yan felt a flood of mixed emotions.

He had once hoped, yet he also knew how difficult it was to obtain this item; even though there was some hope in his heart, he had long prepared for Li Chunfeng's empty‑handed return.

Chen Yan's lips moved slightly as he took the wooden box from Li Chunfeng's hand, did not open it immediately, and said warmly, "You have worked hard, Grand Historian."

He turned his head to the hopeful Xue Li, solemnly promised, "Don't worry; I will definitely fulfill the promise I made to you. Rest well during this period, because next year there may be little time left for you to rest."

Xue Li instantly perked up, standing straight, and exclaimed, "Thank you, Lord Bo!"

"National Teacher, thank you as well this time," Chen Yan added a word of thanks to Yuan Tiangang.

Yuan Tiangang shook his head, "When I went, Brother Li had already found the item you wanted. I merely brought them back, exerting little effort, and cannot accept even a single thank you from Mr. Chen."

Li Chunfeng interjected at this moment, "We are all acquaintances; no need for polite words."

"Mr. Chen, may I ask you a single question: have I now passed your test?"

When those words were spoken, Xue Li and Yuan Tiangang felt a sudden shock in their hearts, first glancing at Li Chunfeng, then shifting their gaze to Chen Yan.

To be honest, Chen Yan was also somewhat surprised at that moment.

"Why do you say that?"

Li Chunfeng gave a wry smile, "Since you told me to find this item, I have had my suspicions."

"I vaguely recall that shortly after I first met you, you looked down on these things, despising the glazed wares, porcelain, and Night‑Shining Pearls that others prized."

"Someone like you, how could you be interested in such items?"

"Even if they hold extraordinary significance."

Chen Yan nodded, patted Li Chunfeng's shoulder, and said, "We'll discuss that later. Prepare yourself and come with me into the palace!"

"...... Good!"

"......"

Four swift horses immediately galloped out of Weinan County, racing nonstop toward Chang'an City.

Although the gates of Chang'an City were closed at that moment, possessing the Imperial Token from Li Shimin allowed the four of them to enter the city unhindered and head straight for the Imperial Palace.

At this time, Li Shimin had just finished his dinner, read for a while, and then, in high spirits, ran over to tease his little daughter.

He truly adored this daughter; she was as obedient and sensible as Xiao Sizi, rarely crying except when hungry.

Empress Changsun sat nearby, knitting little clothes; thanks to the tonic formula Chen Yan prepared, her health had recovered well, and she had begun personally caring for her daughter these past two days.

"Guanyin Maid, look, this little fellow's eyes are truly big, just like Sizi's when she was young."

Li Shimin stretched his finger, playing with his swaddled daughter, appearing in a good mood.

Empress Changsun, hearing this, tilted her head to look and saw that her little daughter, having just finished eating, was staring at Li Shimin with a pair of round, bulging eyes.

She smiled, "Indeed, she looks just like Sizi when she was young; both sisters have big eyes."

"Hmm." Li Shimin withdrew his hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Guanyin Maid, what title should I grant this little fellow?"

"She is already more than half a month old; the matter of a title should be put on the agenda."

Empress Changsun was slightly startled, a thought stirring within her.

Based on her understanding of Li Shimin, asking such a question meant he had already made up his mind in his heart.

Empress Changsun pondered, "Let Er Lang decide this matter; I have no opinion."

"Hmm......"

Li Shimin contemplated, "How about the title Princess of Heng Shan Commandery?"

"Heng Shan?" Empress Changsun's phoenix eyes narrowed, and her brows involuntarily furrowed.

She didn't think the title was bad; rather, it was excellent.

Because the Tang dynasty had a rule that "famous mountains and great rivers should not be altered as titles," generally such prominent names as "Heng Shan" or "Tai Shan" were not used as titles.

Li Shimin broke the norm by granting his little daughter the title Princess of Heng Shan Commandery, which was almost an extreme sign of favor.

It should be noted that when Sizi was first born, she was only given the standard title "Princess of Xihe Commandery."

"Er Lang......"

Empress Changsun tried to persuade Li Shimin to reconsider, for the title was too weighty and required careful thought.

However, before she could finish, she suddenly heard a slightly urgent scurrying sound.

The couple instinctively turned their heads and saw that it was Wushe.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness!"

Wushe hurriedly said, "The Marquis of Weinan, the Grand Historian, and the National Teacher are outside seeking an audience, claiming they have urgent matters for you. I dare not delay; please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin's reprimand that was about to leave his mouth stalled, and he immediately stood up, "Send them to Ganlu Hall; I will go there at once."

Wushe, with a troubled face, said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Weinan and the others are already outside Lizheng Hall. They have your Imperial Token, and no one below dares to block..."

Li Shimin: "......"

His stride halted; he turned his head, full of bewilderment.

Given Chen Yan and Li Chunfeng's dispositions, what matter could have driven them to come here directly at this moment?

"Er Lang!"

Empress Changsun, seeing the stunned Li Shimin, called softly.

He recovered and immediately said, "Send them to the Main Hall!"

"Yes!"

Wushe bowed his body and hurried out again.

Li Shimin followed closely behind.

His Majesty!

Seeing Li Shimin, Chen Yan hurriedly ran over, clutching the wooden box.

Zi An, what happened?

Li Shimin asked bluntly, then waved his hand toward Li Chunfeng and the other two behind him, indicating they need not be overly formal.

Chen Yan didn't hold back; he handed over the wooden box with both hands.

His Majesty, please take a look yourself.

Staring at the unremarkable wooden box before him, Li Shimin's mouth twitched faintly.

But out of trust in Chen Yan, he said nothing and casually opened the unlocked wooden box.

When he saw what was inside, his eyes instantly widened.

Li Shimin's breathing grew rapid; trembling, he reached in and took out the item he had long coveted.

His fingertips brushed the warm, heavy texture; after studying it closely, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he abruptly turned, stepping a few paces to the candlestick.

In the flickering candlelight, he stared intently at the object in his hand, his gaze scorching as if to imprint every engraving upon it.

It... it's it!

This time it won't be wrong; it's real, it's real!

Ordained by Heaven, may it endure forever!