Chapter 366: Seeking Land

The four of them pondered Chen Yan's words, and recalling the storm he created today, they suddenly understood.

Come to think of it, slandering isn't actually rare; at least in this Court, people often smear their rivals.

But never before has it been so terrifying—the uproar was enough to pierce the heavens; in less than an hour, Chang'an City and several surrounding counties all knew about it.

Let alone aristocratic families, even Li Shimin would dread such tactics.

Spreading rumors is one thing, but refuting them and breaking one's legs is no joke; especially in this slow‑information age, such a method is truly inescapable.

Thus, naturally, Chen Yan, the instigator, would be feared by everyone.

Since everyone is currently tacitly dealing with the Wei family, once they free up their hands, the target will likely be Chen Yan.

"Husband, how long must we hide in the Imperial Palace?" Li Lizhi worried, "Should I tell Father Emperor and ask him to send more Jinwu Guard to protect us?"

Gao Yang couldn't help laughing, "Sister, haven't you heard the saying that good people don't live long, and calamities linger for a thousand years?"

"With him like that, what's there to worry about?"

Li Lizhi was a bit irritated; she could tolerate Gao Yang elsewhere, but this matter concerns Chen Yan's safety, and she had no patience to continue joking with Gao Yang.

So she finally assumed her sisterly stance and fiercely… glared at her.

Only her warm, peach‑blossom eyes were utterly harmless.

Gao Yang didn't mind; she knew Chen Yan far better than Li Lizhi, understanding that he wouldn't act without certainty, that after dealing with Louzi he'd bring the two sisters back to the palace, and his optimistic demeanor suggested he had a foolproof plan.

Since they've guessed that Chen Yan has a countermeasure, why worry?

Li Chengqian also guessed that, after all Chen Yan had just been chatting with him; how could he seem to sense danger and flee hastily?

"Zi Anxiong, you should already have a way, right?"

"Yes!" Chen Yan admitted, "Aren't we planning to tell your Father Emperor later?"

"Oh~ right, His Majesty has us dine at Lizheng Hall tonight, probably a family banquet, and the Crown Princess may also attend."

"Hm?" Li Chengqian sounded a bit puzzled.

According to Chen Yan's earlier words, they need to give his Father Emperor an explanation tonight, and his Father Emperor couldn't possibly not guess.

Such a major matter shouldn't be discussed behind closed doors by a few people, right?

Why does it sound like Chen Yan is also talking about the Crown Princess and the other women?

Moreover, the location of Lizheng Hall is also off!

Could it really be a family banquet?

Li Chengqian was full of question marks.

Chen Yan guessed his thoughts and said, "Stop guessing wildly; who can read His Majesty's mind?"

"Whatever His Majesty says, we do; why overthink?"

"Fine then." Li Chengqian now seemed more relaxed; if he couldn't figure it out, he wouldn't.

"By the way," Chen Yan recalled, "Brother Cheng Qian, regarding the Wei family's targeting, you must have contributed significantly, right?"

"Ahem…" When the topic came up, Li Chengqian was clearly a bit embarrassed, made a Finger‑tip Universe gesture, "Just a little, really just a little."

"You know, I have many men under my command, many waiting for promotion, and each region is its own niche; such a good opportunity I couldn't miss."

"Alright." Chen Yan laughed, "We've known each other so long, you finally stand up, looking more and more like a Crown Prince."

"However, friendship aside, we need to settle the accounts clearly."

Chen Yan grew serious, and Li Chengqian nodded, "That's appropriate; you're the one who led the charge, so you should take the biggest share."

"Whatever you need, just say it—part of the Wei family's enterprises?"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian was already scheming what to secure for Chen Yan.

Unexpectedly, Chen Yan shook his head, "I don't want enterprises; I only want land—the Wei family's entire land!"

"Enterprises, official posts, etc., I want none of them."

Land?

Honestly, Li Chengqian was baffled, as were Gao Yang, Li Lizhi, and the Crown Princess.

Not to mention Chen Yan himself holds a title, and his actual fief is a rank above his noble title; his family's land is plentiful. For instance, when Gao Yang married, Li Shimin's dowry included a large amount of land, let alone later Li Lizhi, the legitimate daughter.

Although on the surface this land belongs to the two princesses themselves, not to Chen Yan, the Imperial son‑in‑law.

But anyone who knows the inside story knows these lands already bear the Chen surname.

Because this is Li Shimin's way, from another angle, of compensating Chen Yan for his merits, though he received no actual fief.

When Gao Yang married, not counting taxable lands, the farmland alone reached 150 qing, i. e., 15,000 mu; Li Lizhi's dowry was even higher, at 20,000 mu.

Including Chen Yan's own holdings, um… almost 40,000 mu; he certainly doesn't lack land.

"Zi Anxiong, could you reconsider?"

Li Chengqian advised, "You're doing business; the Wei family's enterprises are quite large and would help you a lot. By contrast, land's usefulness to you is minor."

"There will be chances to obtain it later, but missing out on the Wei family's massive profits would be a loss."

"You know this portion of profit is huge, right?" Chen Yan smiled, "When it comes to profit, do you think those acting now will, out of respect for my being first, willingly hand it over to me?"

The sentence instantly silenced everyone.

Indeed, everyone knows this profit is huge, so no one would easily give it up, let alone hand it over to others.

Chen Yan said calmly, "Ten birds in the forest are not as good as one bird in the hand; I can develop the enterprises myself, but missing such a vast tract of land would be a pity."

"My upcoming plan requires massive farmland, so for me, taking land is actually the most stable and suitable choice."

"I'll also bring this up with His Majesty; remember to secure all the Wei family's land for me, so I don't end up with nothing."

Li Chengqian solemnly promised, "Rest assured, this won't happen; I can't speak for other matters, but I guarantee the land will definitely fall into your hands."

"Then there's no problem!" Chen Yan spread his hands, glanced left and right, "Next, let's get ready for the family banquet. Gao Yang and the Crown Princess have travel difficulties, so you'll need to arrange that."

"Easy enough." Li Chengqian agreed in one breath, then summoned people and gave a few orders.

The few of them then chatted idly.

Gao Yang glanced at Li Lizhi beside him, then glanced at the Crown Princess, his hand covering his chest, feeling the thing he kept close to his body, his eyes rolling as he wondered what it was.

While Chen Yan listened to their conversation, his thoughts gradually drifted.....

「...... 」