Chapter 418: King of Yue, don

"No, Brother Chen, why?"

Seeing Chen Yan calm down, Li Tai asked plaintively.

I successfully made a hot‑air balloon; it's fine if you don't praise me, but what's with that left thrust that just appeared?

Wouldn't four ropes secure it better?

When the commotion inside quieted, Li Lizhi silently returned with her two younger sisters.

Chen Yan didn't notice them, got up, brushed the dust off himself, and calmly explained, "For anchoring a hot‑air balloon, more ropes aren't better; on the contrary, the more ropes, the more dangerous."

"Because when the number of ropes increases, all kinds of accidents can occur; if you insist on anchoring, a single specially made rope is the best."

"Moreover, you were foolish enough to open the vent at the top of the balloon. Do the current materials support that? Can you control the uncertainties it brings?"

"Flying dozens of stories up, if something goes wrong you'll be shattered to pieces; saying you barely escaped death is no joke."

"We'll explain the detailed principles when we have time; in any case, just know that today's beating wasn't undeserved."

Li Tai: "......"

Li Tai began to doubt his life, thinking he and Li Chengqian were clearly safe—was it really as dangerous as Chen Yan claimed?

"Fourth brother, you… sigh, what can I say about you?" Li Chengqian started to speak but stopped, ultimately saying nothing unkind.

After all, they'd all taken a beating from Chen Yan, and his own resentment had already boiled over.

When Li Chengqian opened his mouth, Li Tai instantly realized something.

"Elder brother, could you grant me a request?"

Li Chengqian wore a dark expression.

Even if I grant you a request, why aren't you up in the sky?

You make me risk my life, and you still want me to grant you something?

"Stop thinking about it, fourth brother; what you did today was indeed too dangerous!"

Li Chengqian, fearing Li Tai's entanglement, hurried away.

"Zi Anxiong, I'll go to Weinan County first and return later!"

Chen Yan's expression turned odd, and Li Lizhi's was similar; the two exchanged glances and each realized something.

Li Tai also guessed, his face ashen as he lay down again.

"......"

Leaving the Research Institute, Li Chengqian quickly mounted his carriage, urging the driver to race back to the Imperial Palace.

He then headed straight for Ganlu Hall, hoping to find Li Shimin.

But unexpectedly, he not only found Li Shimin, but also Empress Changsun.

What surprised him further was that the two were accompanied by a younger sister, dressed as ordinary civilians, clearly about to leave the palace.

"Father Emperor, Mother Empress, what is this…?" Li Chengqian said blankly.

Li Shimin was equally surprised: "Why did you return so quickly?"

Logically, Li Chengqian had worked hard for so long; after finally getting a chance to sneak some rest, why did he return from Weinan County so quickly?

Couldn't he enjoy a full day?

Returning, Father Emperor, after I delivered the imperial edict, the Duke of Wei suggested a modest celebration, inviting some friends to gather; I had originally intended to stay.

"But fourth brother successfully built a hot‑air balloon that can carry people into the sky; I thought its utility was significant, so I wanted to return first to report to Father Emperor."

"What did you say?" Li Shimin, upon hearing it, rushed over.

"Did Tai Er really manage to build the hot‑air balloon that Chen kid talked about?"

"A hot‑air balloon that can carry people into the sky?"

Empress Changsun was similarly surprised, her beautiful eyes curiously watching her son.

Li Chengqian forced a wry smile: "It was indeed built, just yesterday; fourth brother even took me up for a flight once."

"However… the Duke of Wei was very angry, even furious; after coming down, he gave fourth brother a severe beating."

At those words, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun looked at each other, both a bit stunned.

"Cheng Qian, are you saying Zi An beat Tai Er?" Empress Changsun asked hesitantly.

She found it hard to believe Chen Yan would do such a thing.

Considering Li Tai is a prince, a legitimate son, and given Chen Yan's temperament, he wouldn't go as far as to beat Li Tai, right?

Li Chengqian lowered his head, silently saying, "Fourth brother indeed made a hot‑air balloon that can carry people into the sky, but Zi Anxiong said fourth brother's work was poor, even dangerous…"

Before he finished, Li Shimin and his wife had already grasped his meaning.

If they remembered correctly, just now Li Chengqian said Li Tai had also pulled him up!

At the thought of possible accidents, Empress Changsun felt a dizzy wave, her expression turning cold, and she gritted her teeth, "If beating is needed, it should be done!"

"Er Lang, take me there; I, the consort, will strike personally!"

Li Shimin's face turned ashen: "Fine, we're heading that way anyway; fourth brother really is out of line!"

Flying into the sky sounds indeed thrilling at first.

But in an instant, isn't taking off equally dangerous? If it's too high and you fall, will Crown Prince Li Shimin and fourth son still be alive?

Moreover, this is no longer just a family matter; at the thought of losing the Crown Prince and Li Tai, Li Shimin wished he could fly over now and slap Li Tai.

"Cheng Qian, go! Leave the palace with me to Weinan County!"

Li Shimin made a swift decision, taking his wife, son, and daughter to leave the palace.

Li Chengqian watched his parents' suppressed anger and silently mourned for Li Tai.

Li Tai was indeed a bit reckless; this time luck was on his side, they barely escaped death—what about next time?

If an accident occurs, what then?

Will luck continue to favor them?

Li Chengqian wasn't really trying to file a complaint; the matter simply couldn't be kept hidden. Rather than wait for Li Shimin to receive the news himself and then beat Li Tai, he thought it better to speak up first, and the family would close the door and deal with it slowly.

The family acted quickly; under Li Shimin's urging, they reached the Xianlingfu gate before lunch.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun entered with cold faces, and Li Chengqian, cradling his younger sister, followed cautiously behind.

Along the way they encountered the busy Qing'er; Li Shimin asked Li Tai about their whereabouts and then headed straight for Li Tai's residence.

As they approached, they heard a bout of sobbing and wailing.

Empress Changsun felt a heavy weight in her heart.

That was the voice of her fourth daughter‑in‑law.

Li Shimin said nothing and pushed the door open; inside were Chen Yan, Li Lizhi, and Li Tai, while the Princess of Yue was already crying uncontrollably.

When they saw their arrival, everyone present was momentarily stunned, then immediately rose.

"No need for formalities!"

Li Shimin waved his hand and rushed straight toward Li Tai.

Li Tai, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, got up and ran: "Father Emperor, why have you come? Let's talk properly!"

"What are you saying?" Empress Changsun scolded, "Zi An, seize him for me!"

Chen Yan's eyes lit up; he grabbed the fleeing Li Tai, and, under Li Tai's incredulous gaze, pretended to be reluctant: "Prince of Yue, don't blame me! I'm also deeply pained!"

Li Tai: "......"

"......"