Chapter 396: Being a bit wild, isn

In the blink of an eye five days passed, and Chen Yan received a letter from Li Chengqian.

From the wording of the letter it was clear that he was very happy, because the Crown Princess had given birth to a big chubby boy for him.

This made Chen Yan a bit envious, but when he thought of Princess Gao Yang, his envy vanished.

"It's fine, it's fine, what's wrong with a big chubby boy?"

"When my daughter is born I'll definitely come find you to show her off!"

Chen Yan clenched his fist, recalling that after he had sent the Lai brothers away he hadn't gone to check on them, so he headed out to the Mediation Office.

Along the way, he occasionally heard the common folk talk about the recent actions of the county office.

In short, Chen Yan's crackdown on crime and evil was a gratifying thing for the people, and most of what he heard were positive comments.

The reputation of the county office, as well as Chen Yan's own prestige, have been rising in Weinan County.

He plans to bring Li Chengqian over in a couple of days to open a Money Shop; this plan has been on hold for a long time for various reasons, and now he must speed up.

Soon after, Chen Yan arrived at the Mediation Office and found Qin Huaidao, who was watching soldiers train, and asked, "Lao Qin, how are those two scholars I sent over last time?"

"Um… uh…" Qin Huaidao scratched his head, looking a bit uneasy, and after choosing his words said, "They're still alive."

Chen Yan:???

Still alive? What the heck is that?

"No, Lao Qin, I only let you scare them, not make you do anything else. Those two are scholars, don't ruin them."

"No, no!" Qin Huaidao waved his hands repeatedly, "I know the Lai brothers; back then their father showed gratitude to my father, so we guys have it under control."

"You say you have it under control, yet you tell me they're still alive?" Chen Yan said with a dark face.

"Then I have no choice," Qin Huaidao said helplessly, spreading his hands, "Big Black and Little Black are addicted to being teachers; whenever the Lai brothers try to slack off, those two torment them in turn."

"Their bodies seem fine, but from their eyes I feel they're a bit dead."

Chen Yan: "......"

He couldn't help but cover his face.

Seeing ghosts is a bit dead; can you horse riders be a bit more reliable?

"Don't ask me, I'm not responsible for teaching them," Qin Huaidao said. "Why don't you go check yourself? Anyway, I think there's nothing wrong; Big Black and Little Black are still reliable."

"Alright, let's go."

Chen Yan had no objection, and followed Qin Huaidao into the place where the Lai brothers were studying.

At that moment the two stared with wide eyes, reciting their texts, their expressions intensely focused.

Because they were so focused, they didn't notice anyone entering.

But Cheng Chumo instantly saw him and withdrew the knife he had perched on Lai Heng's neck.

"Old Chen, you're here?"

"The two students you sent over aren't bad; they're about three points like me in intellect, maybe they have a chance in this year's Imperial Examination."

"Tsk!" Yu Chi Bao Lin sneered, "Don't give me that smug look, and you actually claim their intellect is three points like you?"

"It should be two points like me, not three!"

"Hey, you Yu Chi little black…" Cheng Chumo was about to speak, but noticed Lai Heng breathing heavily, constantly giving Chen Yan signals, and Lai Ji was doing the same.

He immediately tapped the knife in his hand on the table and asked, "What are you two doing? Have you memorized today's lesson?"

"Are you trying to have me pull out the cleaver again?"

At the mention of the word 'cleaver', the two brothers shivered and dutifully resumed reciting.

Chen Yan: "......"

He cleared his throat, "It's fine, keep teaching. I'm just here to take a look at you two; I won't hold you up, I'll leave now."

Having said that, he grabbed Qin Huaidao and left.

Only the Lai brothers were left, their faces full of despair.

How to put it, Cheng Chumo and Yu Chi Bao Lin indeed knew what they were doing and didn't do anything to them, but even without laying a hand, they have plenty of terrifying tricks!

Pressing a cleaver onto your head and forcing you to recite—are you scared?

And they even pull out a set of palace eunuch cleansing tools, called the 'Worry‑Free Knife'. Waving it at you every day, ask if you're scared?

They even train them using soldier‑training methods; the brothers have been thoroughly tormented during this period.

Nevertheless, the results are quite impressive: with Chen Yan's provision of three years of Imperial Examination preparation, five years of simulations, plus the ability to flag unknowns, once they meet Cheng Chumo's and Yu Chi Bao Lin's requirements they can consult an elder from the Yan family that Chen Yan invited.

In just a few short days, the two made remarkable progress, pain and joy intertwined.

"Still riding around daydreaming? Quickly recite for the young master!"

"......"

After coming out, Chen Yan asked Qin Huaidao in detail what Cheng Chumo and the others had done to the Lai brothers; after receiving a detailed answer he immediately felt relieved.

After chatting a few words with Qin Huaidao, he was about to go home when Qin Huaidao suddenly grabbed him.

"Um… Old Chen, I have a question for you."

Chen Yan looked at the fidgeting Qin Huaidao and asked oddly, "What question?"

"It's… back then, you and Princess Gao Yang and Princess Changle, um, were there any intimate…?"

"Like what?" Chen Yan forced a laugh.

"Like… a kiss or something."

"Isn't that perfectly normal?" Chen Yan, assuming Qin Huaidao wanted to do something naughty with his newly betrothed fiancée, replied confidently, "Being a bit wild, isn't taking a couple bites perfectly normal?"

"We're married, so what's the issue?"

"... right!" Though Chen Yan's words were a bit shocking, Qin Huaidao listened as if to celestial music, "Being a bit wild, isn't taking a couple bites perfectly normal? Then why does Old Deng forbid it! He protects the little chick like a mother, now he won't even let me see them."

"That's really over the line!"

"When he gets old and leans on his cane, I'll have to bag him!"

Chen Yan's face twitched, he shut his mouth and said nothing, and kept walking forward.

"Hey, Old Chen, where are you off to?"

"What are you..."

Watching Chen Yan sprint away, Qin Huaidao was puzzled.

"What's up?"

Chen Yan ran out of the Negotiation Office, feeling uneasy and no longer daring to involve himself in the matter.

Otherwise, if Yuchi Gong found out, he might have to bring him along when beating Qin Huaidao.

"What a shame, Lao Qin—if it were a girl from another family I'd definitely find a way for you, but who can blame that she's from the Yu Chi Family?"

Chen Yan muttered to himself, shook his head, and went home.

However, just as he got home, he happened to see Li Lizhi and the Princess of Yue, who had just returned from Chang'an.

"Back already?" Chen Yan called out.

"Yes, I'm back," Li Lizhi said, her mood a tangled mix of grievance, resentment, shame, anger, and the pleasure of reunion—five flavors tangled, which she couldn't even articulate.

The Princess of Yue, perceptive as ever, said a few words to Chen Yan and then left with her son.

Chen Yan watched Li Lizhi's downcast, hesitant expression and let out a soft sigh inwardly.

He stepped forward, said nothing more, extended his arm, and gently pulled her into his embrace.

Li Lizhi struggled symbolically twice, then fell still, quietly leaning against his familiar chest, feeling the reassuring warmth.