Chapter 345: The Death‑Seeking Little Wife and the Kidney‑Weak Young Master

All day long, Chen Yan could say he hadn't rested his feet; after finally attending the grand court session, he quickly went on to an important minister's banquet.

When night fell, there was still a family banquet.

When Chen Yan received Li Lizhi and Gao Yang, who had rushed over with Sizi, he was already numb, too exhausted to move.

"Brother, what's wrong with you~"

Little Sizi's small face was full of concern as she tiptoed and hugged him.

"It's nothing, brother; I'm just wondering if we could retire and return home a few hundred months early from your Father Emperor."

Chen Yan lifted her up, speaking earnestly: "I'm getting old, my body is weak, I really can't endure the strain. After resigning, I'll take you two sisters to a scenic hidden valley to live in seclusion. What do you think?"

"Why only take the two sisters and not me?"

Sizi blinked her big eyes and asked.

"Why bring you along?" Chen Yan pursed his lips. "Your two sisters are my wives, of course I have to take them. You little ungrateful one should stay in the Imperial Palace."

"Hmph!"

Sizi pursed her lips and said, "Then I won't let the Father Emperor let you resign; I'll work you to death, old man!"

Chen Yan: "......"

"Pfft~"

Gao Yang, hearing the big‑small conversation, couldn't hold back and laughed.

Li Lizhi also wanted to laugh, but seeing the fatigue in Chen Yan's brows, she felt a pang of sympathy and couldn't smile.

"Alright, Sizi, your brother's been exhausted all day; get down from his back quickly."

She walked over, lifted Sizi from Chen Yan's arms, and in a gentle voice, with a hint of concern, asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Chen Yan perked up, showing a smile. "It's only been a couple of days of exhaustion; we can just endure it."

"After the family banquet, we'll head straight home to rest."

Gao Yang clicked his tongue: "I once heard the Crown Prince complain about how tiring New Year's Day was; seeing you like this, I somewhat understand now."

"How about this: since my sister and I are already married girls, later we can just find an inconspicuous spot and wait out the banquet."

"I recall you used to do this often before, didn't you?"

Chen Yan's eyes lit up the moment he heard that.

But then he hesitated, "Is this okay?"

"With both of your statuses, can we still blend in?"

"Why wouldn't it work?" Gao Yang's eyes showed a hint of teasing. "Although my sister and I have high status, your status is low. As the saying goes, 'marry the chicken, follow the chicken; marry the dog, follow the dog.' Wherever you sit, my sister and I will naturally sit there too."

"No problem!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Why does that sound so off?

Are you truly looking out for me, or despising my low status?

Li Lizhi pressed her lips together and, unusually, echoed Gao Yang: "I think Gao Yang is right; since the husband is tired, later we can just find any seat and sit."

"Even though it's a family banquet, there will likely be many guests, so probably few will notice us."

"Besides... I'm also tired of the old life and don't want to engage in superficial politeness with these people."

When she said that, both Chen Yan and Gao Yang were stunned, apparently not expecting Li Lizhi to say such a thing.

But neither of them said much, and the family proceeded at an unhurried pace toward the banquet venue.

Since it was decided, Chen Yan naturally kept his word, quickly handing the hot‑potato Sizi to Empress Changsun's female official, then taking Li Lizhi and Gao Yang to a corner by a pillar.

It was unobtrusive, and when tired one could lean against the pillar to rest—simply perfect.

"Sister, see? I told you he was experienced; he immediately found such a good spot."

Gao Yang was overjoyed; indeed Chen Yan's movements were so smooth, as if fearing someone would snatch the seat.

Li Lizhi couldn't help but laugh, "Since it's just a family banquet, there aren't that many rules; otherwise all seats would be pre‑assigned, and the husband wouldn't be able to choose."

The banquet hadn't officially started, and no one was watching this side, so Chen Yan leaned against the pillar, lazily saying, "That may be so, but look—everyone still consciously sits according to their status, don't they?"

"If you find it embarrassing, you can just sit up there yourself; otherwise when the banquet starts, you won't be able to get up there."

"Tsk!" Gao Yang sneered, "Why do we need a seat to prove ourselves?"

"Besides, when have I ever cared about others' opinions?"

"Moreover..." Gao Yang glanced sideways at him, "You have no proper bearing day or night—no posture when sitting or standing. My face was already ruined by you, missing only this little thing."

"Hmm, you have a standing presence, you have a sitting presence," Chen Yan retorted sarcastically. "You give me a long face all day long, okay?"

"My death‑seeking little wife!"

"You......!" Gao Yang, upon hearing it, was so furious his head seemed to smoke, but given the circumstances he held back, gritted his teeth and threw a punch at his waist.

"It's you, you bastard, tarnishing my reputation—what a damn 'death‑seeking little wife,' how awful!"

Li Lizhi's eyes curved with amusement; she found it funny.

"Death‑seeking little wife" is a nickname Chen Yan gave him; Li Lizhi had asked about its origin, and Chen Yan explained that Gao Yang used to raise his voice at night so loudly that it could be heard a thousand li away, like a fierce ghost demanding death.

Since then, Chen Yan has teased Gao Yang with it many times, and sometimes Sizi would overhear.

That little brat is also a big mouth; after learning it, he would vividly tell others.

Thus the title "death‑seeking little wife" became cemented.

"You still know it's unpleasant?"

Chen Yan gave her a withering look, "I'm too lazy to even mention you!"

"After getting pregnant she became more honest, but your mouth hasn't changed at all; the words that were fine become twisted when you say them."

"That might be the legendary saying that a dog's mouth can't spit out ivory."

Gao Yang inhaled deeply, his phoenix‑like eyes narrowing, and in a sarcastic tone said, "At least I'm still better than you, right?"

"Lord Spring‑Autumn... oh, no! It's the Kidney‑Weak Young Master!"

Chen Yan's face turned green in an instant.

"What the heck are you talking about?"

"Who's kidney‑weak?"

Gao Yang: "Who it is, everyone knows in their heart; this nickname wasn't given by me, it's universally recognized. Don't you agree?"

"Hehe..."

A burst of laughter like silver bells rang out, and Li Lizhi finally couldn't hold it back, laughing out loud.

Do you remember the spring‑autumn folding fan Chen Yan loved so much?

One time, Gao Yang couldn't stand Chen Yan's constantly flamboyant demeanor, so he secretly swapped the fan.

Then, when Chen Yan took the fan out to show off, the moment he opened it—

What a guy!

The four bold characters "Kidney‑Weak Young Master" were printed brightly on it!

It almost made Du Gou and the others die laughing.

From then on, Chen Yan also acquired the nickname "Kidney‑Weak Young Master."

So Li Lizhi doesn't dare to offend these two at all.

Because when these two set a trap, they're truly inhuman.

All the scheming was directed at their own married couple.

"......"