Chapter 475: Remembrance

On the carriage back to Weinan County, Li Lizhi and Gao Yang wore the new skirts Chen Yan made, and their moods were visibly much better than usual.

Of course, Chen Yan was also pleased.

At least their current attire matched his taste better and looked pleasing.

The three chatted and laughed, and before they knew it they had arrived at Weinan County.

As they passed the massive library, Chen Yan looked through the carriage curtain at the three large characters on the plaque, and for a moment felt dazed.

In fact, whether making clothes for Li Lizhi and the others or naming that building that attracted scholars worldwide as a library, it was his subconscious reminiscence of the era he once lived in.

Chen Yan knew he could never return, not only because he was separated from that era by a thousand years, but also because he now possessed things here he could not give up.

So he could only use this method to give this place a trace of what he was familiar with.

Even if it was just an ill‑fitting name or a skirt that was novel and beautiful to Li Lizhi and the others.

To Chen Yan, however, these things were an indelible mark.

Gao Yang seemed to notice his gaze, lifted the carriage curtain, followed his line of sight, and then complained, "I've always thought the name of your library isn't great; it would be better called the Book‑Storage Pavilion or the Ten‑Thousand‑Books Hall. 'Library' sounds odd."

"Gao Yang…" Li Lizhi tugged Gao Yang's sleeve and signaled with her eyes for her to stop.

She could see that Chen Yan seemed to be reminiscing about something, his eyes holding emotions she couldn't read.

At that moment, she inexplicably felt that her husband, who always appeared carefree and unrestrained yet proud to the core, was somehow… vulnerable?

Chen Yan sighed, detached from his emotions, and looked at Gao Yang, "Are you looking for a beating again?"

Gao Yang raised an eyebrow, ready to argue.

Li Lizhi hurriedly stopped her, not letting her speak.

Are you trying to argue with Chen Yan?

I'm even embarrassed to expose you!

Please don't be so stubborn, or else I'll have to suffer with you tonight.

Li Lizhi suddenly began to understand the former Xiang Lan; when Gao Yang knows she can't win yet still insists on kicking Chen Yan's front gate, perhaps she feels the same way?

"Sister, why won't you let me speak?" Gao Yang pulled away Li Lizhi's hand covering her mouth, a bit dissatisfied, "Did you see how arrogant he is?"

"I only said his name choice was poor, is that really a big deal?"

"Why the hostility? Acting as if I'm scared of him."

"Right, you're not scared." Li Lizhi was speechless, so she continued, "But he knows medicine and brews his own pills; can the two of us endure his constant meddling?"

"Don't be so stubborn; can we wait a couple of days?"

Gao Yang: "......"

Chen Yan: "......"

"I…" Gao Yang paused, gave a cold snort, "Fine, I'll spare you the trouble and not spar with him."

Chen Yan let out a 'heh', too lazy to reply, and shouted outside, "Xiao Shunzi, drop me off at the Xianlya gate; you take the two ladies back first."

"Alright, got it." Xiao Shunzi replied loudly.

"Husband, come back early." Li Lizhi naturally didn't stop Chen Yan from heading to the Xianlya, and whispered a reminder.

"Okay, I'll remember." Chen Yan smiled, nodded, then looked at Gao Yang.

If nothing goes wrong, that shrew will speak out of turn again.

"Don't die out there, or we'll have to retrieve your corpse."

As expected, that familiar feeling surged instantly.

This time Chen Yan didn't argue with Gao Yang; he got off the carriage upon reaching the Xianlya.

Not sure if it was coincidence, but he happened to meet Xu Lianyue just as she stepped out.

Seeing him, she was clearly stunned for a moment, then bowed awkwardly, "County Magistrate."

"Hmm, is Du Gou and the others here? Come with me inside for a look." Chen Yan nodded, stepped past her, and walked straight in.

Speaking of it, he wasn't soul‑transmigration but could be called embryo‑transmigration, and only after later awakening his innate wisdom; yet some notions from his past life profoundly influenced his childhood self, so he could mingle with Xu Lianyue, a merchant's daughter, without any aversion.

Moreover, if it weren't so, Qing'er would have long been completely taken by him.

As for the maid beside Cheng Chu Mo and the others, they had essentially taken her long ago.

Arriving at the place where Du Gou handled official affairs, Chen Yan entered with Xu Lianyue, pushing the door open.

Du Gou looked up at the sound, saw his arrival, and stood up happily, "Brother Chen, you're back?"

"Yeah, I'm back."

Not sure why, but upon arriving here Chen Yan felt unusually tired, grabbed a chair and leaned back, lazily saying, "The trip back to Chang'an was barely smooth; many unexpected events occurred, but the outcome was decent."

"How's the Xianlya been lately? Why haven't we seen Ma Zhou and the others?"

"They went out." Du Gou habitually took out tea ware and leaves, ordered someone to fetch hot water, and then sat beside Chen Yan.

"As for the Xianlya and Ma Zhou…" Du Gou paused, then smiled, "Weinan County is currently developing rapidly, but since we have long‑planned it, we just follow the plan, and with sufficient manpower we're not very busy."

"They've all gone outside, either to scout locations or to the more remote villages below, personally checking whether any land remains unregistered."

"At present, Miss Xu is probably the busiest."

Chen Yan glanced thoughtfully at Xu Lianyue, who was finding a seat, stroked his chin and mused, "Find someone, see if there's talent in this area; future trade matters can't always rest on her alone, someone must share the burden."

"Moreover, I've already reached a preliminary cooperation with the aristocratic families; Xu Lianyue's next focus will be negotiating with them."

"If all goes well, we can, through the aristocratic families, sell silk, white sugar, white wax and other goods beyond the Tang Dynasty, earning greater profit."

Cooperating with the aristocratic families…

Du Gou's face showed a strange expression.

"Are you serious?"

Chen Yan twitched the corner of his mouth, "It's not about whether I'm serious; it's whether the aristocratic families are. Anyway, I've agreed."

"The world thrives on profit; there are no eternal enemies."

"Weinan County has interests they cannot ignore, but they cannot use forceful means; cooperation is the best pretext."

"Everyone just takes what they need, relying on their own abilities."

"I understand." Du Gou suddenly understood.

Although he's not very good at doing business, he understands this kind of scheming all too well.

Chen Yan said a few simple sentences, and he almost understood what was going on.

"By the way, how's the Money Shop?"

"......"