Chapter 381: You Sit at the Same Table with Fang Xuanling

The Shangyuan Festival, also called the Lantern Festival, has been an important holiday on this land since ancient times.

Even though the sky is already shrouded in night, Chang'an City is ablaze with lights, bright as day, its bustle comparable to the New Year.

For a scene like this, children who live in the palace year‑round such as Sizi, Princess Chengyang, and Li Zhi simply cannot refuse.

In a short while, the three kids become dazzled, tugging Empress Changsun and their older sister, quarrelling over what to see and what to play with.

Li Shimin, Chen Yan, and Li Chengqian and Li Tai follow behind, trying to stay clear of the crowd.

Chen Yan can vaguely sense many unseen gazes patrolling around them, while Li Junxian, dressed as an ordinary guard, keeps a neither too close nor too distant distance from them.

Chen Yan has no doubt that if danger were to arise now, many people nearby could instantly draw a knife and rush in.

He can't help but think, if an accident happened today, wouldn't they be wiped out in a single wave?

Just entertaining that thought makes Chen Yan himself amused.

If they were all wiped out today, that would be truly funny.

"What are you thinking?" Li Shimin turned his head.

"I was wondering if we're being too relaxed; if possible, I'd rather we find a tall building, so we can enjoy the night view and stay safe," Chen Yan said calmly.

Two dark lines appeared on Li Shimin's forehead, "I… I barely managed to come out, don't ruin it."

"Also, I've already made thorough preparations, guaranteeing your lad's life stays unharmed."

"Fine then." Chen Yan was indifferent; after all, he was just offering a suggestion, whether Li Shimin accepted it was his own business.

The group walked and chatted, soon arriving at the riverbank, the spot where common folk release Kongming lanterns to entrust their beautiful wishes.

Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi took a few children to play, while Li Shimin and the other men found a secluded, open spot.

Looking down at Li Lizhi who had bought a few Kongming lanterns, then squatting patiently to teach her younger brother and sister how to open and release them, Li Shimin smiled, "Zi An, you've been married to Lizhi for a while; when will you have a child with her?"

"In about two years," Chen Yan replied softly, "Gao Yang's baby is due this year, and since this year is crucial, I don't want a child for now."

"What does this year's importance have to do with you wanting a child?" Li Shimin sneered, "As if you'd actually take care of a child."

"Fine, I'm too lazy to keep talking; just remember, the Chen family is still waiting for your lone sprout to branch out."

At that moment, Li Chengqian laughed, "Father Emperor doesn't know, Zi Anxiong isn't unwilling to have a child; he's just pining for his own wife. Gao Yang endured too much hardship during pregnancy, making Zi Anxiong feel heartbroken."

"Is that so?" Li Shimin was first surprised, then nodded, "That does fit your lad's temperament."

"He may seem reckless and always at odds with his own wife, but in fact he thinks of her every moment."

"In your lad's words, that would be… hmm, tsundere?"

The moment that was said, Li Chengqian and Li Tai burst into laughter; Chen Yan's face couldn't stay serious, he stuck his neck out and said, "What tsundere? I simply don't really like children, and besides I'm so young that waiting two more years wouldn't matter."

"Mm, exactly!" Li Shimin's mouth twitched upward, "You don't like children, yet you despise Sizi and that little girl in your house called Qing Yue."

"You hate them so much that at home you play childish games with them, seeing who can shape a kitten out of mud better."

"You really dislike them a lot."

Chen Yan: "......"

"Ha!" Li Tai perked up, teasing, "Brother Chen, I didn't expect you still have a hobby of playing with mud?"

"More than that," Li Chengqian laughed heartily, "He plays so filthy, once when he was drunk he…"

"Hey!" Chen Yan couldn't hold back, quickly stopped him, "I'm at least someone of some standing; at least have some dignity!"

It would have been fine not to say it, but once said, the three all displayed contemptuous looks.

Do you think Chen Yan cares about face?

Better to believe Gao Yang's gentleness.

"No, are you here to see the lanterns or to have fun at my expense?" Chen Yan said, furious.

"Both, both." Li Shimin said, looking satisfied, finally seeing the kid get a taste of his own medicine.

He pointed at the three children playing with Li Lizhi and her mother below, and said, "You and Lizhi will have a child in two years; I won't stop you, after all you're a healer and have your own considerations."

"But you love children; we can all see that, otherwise you wouldn't be so kind to Sizi, even to a servant's child."

"Your father and uncle's greatest wish in life was to see you grow up, start a family, and ideally have many children to carry on the lineage."

Li Shimin paused, then whispered, "Don't you already have a maid named Qing'er? Both Lizhi and Gao Yang have one as well; if you try hard, after all the child will be cared for by servants, and other people's children are ultimately theirs, where is the benefit for yourself?"

Chen Yan was startled and said in astonishment, "Your Majesty, Lizhi and Gao Yang are your own daughters, aren't they?"

"Gao Yang is one thing, but Lizhi hasn't had a child yet; if she doesn't, and the maid beside her does, wouldn't she be eager with me?"

"Look at your meager ambition!" Li Shimin sneered, "From now on, just eat with Fang Xuanling at the same table, and stop being so timid."

Chen Yan: "......"

No, both of them are your own daughters; is it really appropriate for you to say that?

However, Chen Yan was mistaken, because in Li Shimin's eyes, a maid's role is exactly this.

It's not just Chen Yan; other imperial son‑in‑laws are the same—otherwise, why would a princess bring a young beautiful maid when she marries out?

If a princess doesn't want to share the bed, she lets the maid take her place; even some dominant princesses who don't want children use the maid instead.

"Fine, let's not talk about this any more."

Li Shimin gazed at the growing number of Kongming lanterns in the night sky, like stars lit by the mortal world.

He suddenly let out a soft sigh, as if muttering to himself, yet also asking the young men beside him, "If killing one innocent could save ten thousand innocents, would you kill or not?"

When the question was raised, Li Chengqian and Li Tai both furrowed their brows, seemingly pondering the deeper meaning behind Li Shimin's words.

Chen Yan quietly poked Li Chengqian's waist point from below, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Kill!" Li Chengqian blurted out.

Li Tai, standing nearby, saw the small gesture, but only gave a faint smile. Nowadays, he no longer cares about such things.

Li Shimin turned around, his gaze landing on Li Chengqian, "Why? Explain your reasoning."

"......"