Chapter 384: Abducted Two More

The next day, Chen Yan early in the morning took Li Lizhi, Gao Yang, and Sizi by carriage to Weinan County.

Having been away for so long, he urgently needed to return to check on Weinan County's development.

But just as he left, Li Tai with dark circles under his eyes excitedly ran over.

"Older brother, where is Chen Yan? I have something to discuss with him."

Li Chengqian gazed at his brother, who once competed with him for the throne and had become like this, his face showing a strange expression: "Zi Anxiong just left and has already returned to Weinan County."

"What?!" Li Tai was stunned.

"Returned to Weinan County?"

Li Chengqian nodded, "Yeah, Zi Anxiong can't stay here forever; he has his own things to do."

"But... but I." Li Tai was incoherent, his face flushed with excitement, unable to speak clearly.

The reason his hot air balloon's progress is so fast is entirely thanks to Chen Yan's guidance; now that Chen Yan has left and returned to Weinan County, what will he do from now on?

Weinan County isn't far from Chang'an, but it's still a hassle—how could coming to the Eastern Palace be convenient?

"No way, I have to find him!"

Li Tai hesitated only a moment before making a decision, then greeted Li Chengqian and hurried off.

Li Chengqian opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.

He shook his head, not thinking much, assuming Li Tai was going to look for Chen Yan.

But he never expected Li Tai to rush straight to Lizheng Hall where Empress Changsun was, calling, "Mother Empress, Mother Empress!"

Before he even arrived, his shouting had already been heard inside.

Empress Changsun was somewhat surprised that Li Tai had come to see her today.

Lately this son doesn't know what's gotten into him—reportedly he spends all day at home playing with silk, as if possessed.

"Tai'er, what's wrong?"

Seeing Li Tai come running in, out of breath, Empress Changsun asked gently.

Li Tai caught his breath and firmly said, "Mother Empress, I want to go to Weinan County."

"Go to Weinan County?" Empress Changsun grew more puzzled, "If you want to go, just go—no one's stopping you."

"No!" Li Tai realized his words were wrong and hurriedly said, "Mother Empress, I mean I want to move to Weinan County. Father Emperor is currently attending court; I hope you'll tell him later—I'm about to set off."

Empress Changsun: "......"

Li Tai's words left Empress Changsun dumbfounded.

To Weinan County?

So urgent, leaving right away?

"Tai'er..." Empress Changsun hesitated, "Why do you want to move to Weinan County? Is it because of Zi An?"

"If that's the case, I won't stop you, but aren't you being a bit too hasty?"

"If you're leaving now, what about your wife and children?"

"I..." Li Tai was about to say let them follow later while he went ahead, but then thought that wasn't good and realized he was indeed too hasty.

After thinking, he said, "Then wait a bit; I'll bring them along later, and have the servants take the other things."

Empress Changsun was speechless—this is still being hasty, isn't it?

"Tai'er, I heard you've bought a lot of silk lately; can you tell me what you're planning to make?" She was patient, patting the spot beside her to signal Li Tai to sit down, wanting to know what he's been up to and why he's in such a rush.

"Mother Empress, it's like this..."

When he brought up this matter, Li Tai instantly became excited, chattering to Empress Changsun about Chen Yan's idea and his own current achievements.

"Mother Empress, Chen Yan is right—I've already made a Kongming lantern that can lift a rabbit into the sky; someday I'll make a hot air balloon that can lift a person." Li Tai exclaimed passionately, "Mother Empress, Chen Yan said this is a leap of the ages, meaning humanity can gradually come to understand and conquer the sky."

"If I succeed, I will surely leave a deep mark in the history books."

Empress Changsun listened with great interest; for them, the idea of flying people into the sky is something nobody would not be interested in.

Moreover, this idea was proposed by Chen Yan, and his own son has already made a Kongming lantern that can lift a rabbit—so it's not impossible that he'll later make a hot air balloon that can lift a person.

Of course, she thought further than Li Tai; if they succeeded, could such a so-called hot air balloon be used to great effect in future wars?

Empress Changsun pondered, "I can see you're quite fond of this sort of thing, and Zi An indeed has wild ideas in this area. I don't object to you living in Weinan County, but don't neglect your wife and children because of your hot air balloon research, and don't hinder Zi An's development of Weinan County. If possible, remember to bring Xin'er back to visit from time to time."

Li Tai was overjoyed, "I thank you, Mother Empress."

"Mother Empress, if that's the case, I'll head back first."

Seeing his impatient look, Empress Changsun rubbed her forehead and waved, "Go on!"

"All right!"

After he left, Empress Changsun turned her head, and Senior Lady Shen Shurong stepped forward.

"How have the Prince of Yue and the Crown Prince been lately?"

"Your Highness, the Prince of Yue and the Crown Prince have been in frequent contact; according to news from the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince often sits and chats with the Prince of Yue and the Marquis of Weinan." Shen Shurong replied respectfully.

Empress Changsun felt relieved, and even more convinced that her earlier decision was correct.

She actually doesn't care what Chen Yan does with Li Tai; as long as Chen Yan eases the tension between Li Tai and Li Chengqian, she doesn't expect them to be as close as they were in childhood—at least they shouldn't fight to the point of bloodshed, be able to communicate normally, and have some brotherly affection.

"Mom!"

The Chengyang Little Princess came running over.

Empress Changsun slightly bent down, stroking her daughter's head and softly asked, "Cheng Yang, do you have something to tell Mom?"

The Chengyang Little Princess nodded vigorously, "Mom, can I go to Weinan County together with my older brother?"

"Sizi said there's lots of fun stuff over there, and my brother-in-law will teach lots of interesting things—I want to go too."

Empress Changsun: "......"

She actually really wanted to say no, because she's already been tricked into losing two biological daughters and a son, plus an adopted daughter—if she lets Cheng Yang go too, will she even survive?

But faced with her daughter's expectation practically spilling from her eyes, Empress Changsun couldn't bring herself to refuse.

She hesitated for a long time, recalling the knowledge Chen Yan had taught Sizi, and gritted her teeth saying, "Mother personally agrees to let you go play with your imperial older brother for a while, but you must get Father's approval for this, understand?"

Princess Chengyang's eyes lit up, "Really? Thank you, Mother!"

Empress Changsun laughed and cried, "You're thanking already? Father may not necessarily agree to let you go."

"Don't worry, Mother, Father will definitely agree!"

Princess Chengyang felt confident, her eyes rolling around, already thinking about using the method Sizi taught her to deal with Li Shimin.

For this, she had secretly practiced for a long time.

"......"