Chapter 344: Reminder

"What a white tiger......"

Empress Changsun stared at the lazily sprawled Little Goose on the ground, clicking her tongue in amazement; she wanted to go up and pat it, but she was hesitant.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian, seeing this, stepped forward and patted the tiger's head of Little Goose; Little Goose merely gave him a faint glance and then ignored him.

"Mother Empress, it's fine; Little Goose is well‑behaved, you can pat it."

"Little Goose......" Empress Changsun's mouth twitched involuntarily at the name, but seeing Li Chengqian pat it without issue, her courage grew considerably.

She tentatively extended her hand, gently feeling the fur on Little Goose's back, then immediately withdrew it.

Little Goose didn't even open its eyes this time; it was full and too lazy to move.

After all, at home it is often tormented by two little demons, so it has become accustomed.

"How docile," Empress Changsun exclaimed excitedly, patting it again, finding it rather remarkable.

She had heard that Chen Yan brought a white tiger to the court session, which sparked her curiosity and made her come over to see it.

She never imagined that this legendary sacred beast could be so docile.

"Docile......" Li Chengqian, hearing Empress Changsun's assessment and recalling Chen Yan's disdain for Little Goose, was at a loss for how to reply.

Emperor Li Shimin burst out laughing, saying, "Zi An says it's just a little useless thing; even a small dog can snatch food from its mouth, disgracing the white tiger's reputation."

Empress Changsun was startled, instinctively looking at Little Goose's broad paws, finding it hard to imagine that such a growing beast could not even get past a dog.

What a colossal farce.

"Where did this white tiger Zi An find?" Empress Changsun asked, half laughing, half exasperated.

"Well......" Emperor Li Shimin's expression turned odd, "Zi An says it was bought by Gao Yang from a foreign merchant; Gao Yang initially thought it was a little white cat."

Empress Changsun: "......"

After a half‑minute of silence, Empress Changsun said nothing, already at a loss for words.

Bought a cat, only to discover it was a white tiger?

Can you make it any more absurd?

Crown Prince Li Chengqian suddenly said, "Although it sounds unbelievable, I, your son, think this is an inevitable outcome."

"The white tiger's appearance, the Imperial Jade Seal being recovered—doesn't that perfectly prove that Father Emperor is the one of heavenly mandate?"

"How it appeared is irrelevant; what matters is that it indeed appeared and came into Father Emperor's hands."

Hearing this, Empress Changsun felt a bit surprised, but also a sense of relief.

Li Chengqian finally had an insight; his words were beautifully phrased.

Li Shimin would certainly be pleased to hear that.

Sure enough, after hearing Li Chengqian's words, Emperor Li Shimin tried to suppress it, but his mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

No matter how many times such words are spoken, Li Shimin is always delighted.

Because Chen Yan handled this matter so splendidly.

One could say, once the news of the white tiger and the Imperial Jade Seal spreads at today's court session, he will be seen as the one of heavenly mandate, rising from a wise ruler to a true dragon emperor!

Because Chen Yan chose the timing so perfectly, the reasons he gave were even more astonishing.

The simultaneous appearance of the Imperial Jade Seal and the white tiger carries significance far beyond a simple addition; its effect can be described as earth‑shaking.

Li Shimin steadied himself, composed his mood, and asked, "By the way, how are the banquet preparations going?"

Li Chengqian replied immediately, "Rest assured, Father Emperor, everything for the banquet is ready; we can commence as soon as the appointed time arrives."

"Hmm!" Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction.

Then Wushe walked slowly over, "Your Majesty, Cai Duke and others are requesting an audience outside Ganlu Hall, along with the Marquis of Weinan, Lord Yu, and a host of officials......"

"These people are truly impatient," Li Shimin chuckled, "Very well, I'm pleased today; let them see me."

Saying that, he took the Imperial Jade Seal and walked away at a leisurely pace.

"Mother Empress, I shall take my leave now."

Li Chengqian, seeing that Li Shimin had left, found no reason to stay and simply offered to take his leave.

Empress Changsun raised her hand to stop him, softly asking, "How is the Crown Princess's situation?"

"There is a family banquet tonight; can she attend?"

"This......" Li Chengqian considered his wife's situation, hesitated, and said, "Your son thinks there should be no problem; it's just attending a banquet."

Empress Changsun neither affirmed nor denied, reminding, "Cheng Qian, go back now and speak properly with the Crown Princess; under no circumstances force her. This is her first pregnancy; carelessness is unacceptable."

"Very well, I understand."

Li Chengqian realized the Empress was looking out for him and readily agreed.

"Hmm," Empress Changsun gave a light hum, hesitated a moment, and said, "Cheng Qian, there is something I shouldn't have said; after all, you are grown, a hot‑blooded young man, and Mother can understand."

"But......" Empress Changsun was not overly subtle, stating plainly, "You've been seeing many women lately; this has reached your Father Emperor's ears, you should stop."

Li Chengqian was startled, and quickly agreed.

Just as Li Chengqian was about to leave to handle the matter, he was informed that Chen Yan had arrived.

Empress Changsun and Li Chengqian both found it odd; hadn't Chen Yan gone to Ganlu Hall with the ministers?

Why come to this side hall now?

But the two didn't think much and simply let Chen Yan in.

"Zi Anxiong, why are you coming now?"

Li Chengqian, upon seeing Chen Yan, felt pleased; with Li Shimin absent, his words were rather casual.

"Never mind," Chen Yan said with a helpless expression, "Those people have gone mad, treating the Imperial Jade Seal like a peerless beauty. I found it boring, so I came to see Little Goose; after all, it's still a white tiger, and I worry about any issues it might have."

"Roar~"

Little Goose let out a lazy roar, then continued to lie down, pretending to sleep.

The three couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"By the way, Brother Cheng Qian."

Chen Yan suddenly recalled the letters the Crown Princess had exchanged with Li Lizhi half a month ago, thought for a moment, and said tactfully, "I heard you've been quite enthusiastic lately......"

Before he could finish, Empress Changsun couldn't help but laugh.

What a high spirit indeed.

Li Chengqian said gloomily, "Zi Anxiong, I understand; the Empress just told me earlier."

"Huh?" Chen Yan was startled, then smiled, "Had I known, I wouldn't have said it; how presumptuous of me."

Li Chengqian shook his head, "I know you mean well; if it were anyone else, they wouldn't be willing to tell me this."

"It's good that you understand," Chen Yan's expression grew somewhat serious, "Matters like this need a limit; I'm not saying I forbid you from seeking women—after all, you're young, I can understand you."

"But you must not become infatuated with those women, because you're the Crown Prince; every move you make is watched. If you keep this up, someday a woman will appear, from head to toe, inside and out, whose every frown and smile perfectly matches your preferences."

"Even if such a woman doesn't exist, someone will craft one for you and present her before you."

"......"