Chapter 383: Just Wait, There Will Be a Day You Regret

The bustling Lantern Festival has passed, and Chang'an City has returned to its former state; some people walk hurriedly, some are busy with their tasks, and amid the clamor are the marks of people striving to live.

However, five days later, a piece of news shattered the calm like a falling meteor, causing the whole of Chang'an City and the surrounding counties to erupt in a frenzy.

When Li Shimin resolved to act, pulling out the large sum of money he had saved during this period, and with Chen Yan's technical support, the first issue of the Tang Dynasty Daily was officially released.

Aside from some entertainment pieces, the most important news was that the Imperial Examination would be held again this year, and the final exam would be overseen personally by the Son of Heaven, Li Shimin.

Countless scholars awaiting the Imperial Examination instantly boiled with excitement; what does the Son of Heaven personally serving as the final examiner mean?

It means that if one passes this year's Imperial Examination, one could even be called a disciple of the Son of Heaven, and the future would be boundless.

Isn't that exactly what they have been dreaming of?

Through the spread among countless scholars and a series of prior preparations, the Tang Dynasty Daily achieved considerable success; in Chang'an City alone it sold over ten thousand copies in a single day. Li Shimin and Wei Zheng were so excited they could not stop grinning, promptly ordering additional prints, vowing to spread the Tang Dynasty Daily nationwide starting from Chang'an City.

Meanwhile, Chen Yan spent the whole day wandering around, and returned to the Eastern Palace after night fell.

At that moment, Li Chengqian was still handling state affairs; seeing him return, he fell silent for a few breaths and said, "Ready to go back?"

"Hmm." Chen Yan nodded. "It's time to go back. The Tang Dynasty Daily is doing exceptionally well; I'm sure all eyes outside are now drawn to your Father Emperor and Wei Zheng. Weinan County needs to accelerate development this year, so I must leave."

"Ah." Li Chengqian felt reluctant in his heart.

Honestly, Chen Yan gave Li Chengqian an unparalleled sense of security; with Chen Yan by his side, Li Chengqian felt that even if the sky fell, Chen Yan would hold it up and protect him.

Aside from state matters, whenever he faced a problem he didn't understand, Chen Yan could always pinpoint it incisively and teach him how to solve it from a perspective he had never considered.

Sometimes Li Chengqian even thought that being like Liu Chan wasn't so bad.

But he also knew that Chen Yan would eventually leave; he himself needed to grow, and Chen Yan needed to continue proving the policies he proposed.

"When do we set off?" Li Chengqian suppressed his reluctance and asked with a smile.

"Tomorrow, try to make it quick; some plans have already been delayed and can't be postponed any longer," Chen Yan replied.

"Ah, what a pity, the thing you promised me hasn't been fulfilled yet."

Li Chengqian sighed.

Chen Yan was startled, and after understanding what Li Chengqian meant, said cheerfully, "That's easy. Whenever you have time to come to Weinan County, I'll make sure everything is arranged crystal‑clear for you."

Li Chengqian met his gaze, and the two of them chuckled together.

"By the way!" Chen Yan recalled something. "Don't forget those four wealthy merchants I'm associated with; they worked diligently last year and deserve a little reward."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it later," Li Chengqian nodded.

Chen Yan waved his hand, "That's it then, I'll head back first."

Having said that, he turned and walked toward the Tongwen Hall.

On the way, he saw Li Lizhi building a small snowman with Sizi; Chen Yan stopped to watch for a moment, then left silently.

"Sister, Brother seems to have left."

Sizi blinked and looked toward the direction Chen Yan had gone, a hint of disappointment on the little face.

"What, isn't it good enough that Sister plays with you?" Li Lizhi tapped Sizi's forehead and added, "You must really need Brother to play with you, right?"

"Hmph." Sizi shook its head, "Doesn't Sister also want Brother to play with you?"

"You still have the nerve to talk about me."

"What does a little brat like you know?" Li Lizhi scolded, "Sister is an adult now; why would she need Brother to keep her company?"

"Only you, always clinging to Brother all day."

The little fellow turned his head, his big eyes full of contempt, "Sister, I'm a child, that's true, but I'm not stupid. You keep staring at Brother as if his eyes were yours; you clearly want Brother to spend time with you, yet you pretend to be mature and never bother him."

"Look at Sister Gao Yang; in ten days she's said more to Brother than you have, and she's spent far more time together with him."

Sizi, acting like a little adult, shook his head and sighed, "Fine, it's because you're my Sister. If you agree to a condition, I can help you so you can spend a little more time with Brother each day."

Li Lizhi: "......"

"I think you're looking for a fight!" she tapped Sizi's head. "You're so young and misbehaving, copying Brother's bad habits. As for me and Brother, do you still need to nag?"

Sizi covered the spot Li Lizhi had just tapped, muttering discontentedly, "Do you know what that's called?"

"Clinging to pride while suffering in life!"

She clapped her hands, eyes narrowed, and said, "Today you ignore me, tomorrow I'll make you out of my league."

"Just wait, there will be a day you'll regret."

"You still dare stare at me!" Li Lizhi, angry, grabbed the little fellow by the back of the collar, ready to give a lesson.

"No, no, no, Sister, I'm wrong!"

"...... Ah, it hurts!"

Inside the Tongwen Hall, candlelight flickered gently; Chen Yan and Gao Yang nestled together, and even the shadows on the floor appeared unusually warm and soft.

If an outsider saw this scene, it would be hard to imagine such a tender moment occurring between Chen Yan and Gao Yang, a married couple.

He habitually stroked Gao Yang's belly, feeling the movements of the life within.

"Sigh, so mischievous and active, probably a little stinker."

Gao Yang smiled lightly, "A stinky kid isn't bad? All those elders of yours hope it's a stinky kid."

"They are they, I am I." Chen Yan pursed his lips. "Personally I'd prefer a girl; they say a daughter is a father's lover from a past life, and I want a little lover."

?

Gao Yang forcefully brushed Chen Yan's hand away, "What nonsense about a lover? I've never heard such a saying."

"Or perhaps…" she lifted her head, eyes unkind, "you want a real lover."

"If I have it, I'll take it." Chen Yan laughed. "If it's offered for free, why wouldn't I want it?"

"Fine, you!" Gao Yang, furious, gave him an elbow. "You shameless bastard finally showed yourself, huh?"

"I said I've never heard that phrase; turns out it's your genuine thought."

"All day long you just know how to anger me. Just wait; someday I'll be driven to death by your anger!"

Chen Yan laughed lightly as he endured Gao Yang's painless, non‑itchy patting, waited until she huffed and turned her head, leaned in, and in a slightly amused tone said, "Do you know what I love most?"

"What?" Gao Yang didn't want to answer him, but couldn't help being curious.

"The first character I just said!"

"…Heh, you've passed the test!"

"......"