Chapter 481: Stop making excuses, I can

Snort snort, he dug for a long time; Li Shimin wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned around, and suddenly realized something was wrong.

Damn! Is this what you call giving me a thrill?

I've been working here for ages, and you just stand there laughing?

Li Shimin flew into a rage, tossed his hoe aside, stomped two steps in a fury, brushed the mud off his shoes, then rushed over and, without a word, gave Chen Yan a blow to the head.

You go satisfy that craving yourself; I can't handle any of it!

Chen Yan touched the back of his head and thought, huh, it doesn't really hurt.

He forced a laugh, "His Majesty, I'm not really looking for a thrill. The original Potato seed was only half a piece; I've harvested several times, re‑planted, and that's how it grew to this size. The craving's long gone."

…Ahem, Li Lizhi, could you have Xiao Shunzi send people over to dig, and also bring a large scale to weigh for His Majesty to see.

Li Lizhi was about to agree when Li Shimin snapped, "You only know how to command me in Changle? Can't you walk yourself?"

Go call them yourself; you're so lazy you don't even look like a person.

Chen Yan: …

Fine, go yourself.

Chen Yan curled his lip; the current Li Shimin was clearly fuming, so it would be better not to tempt fate.

After he left, Li Lizhi said with a half‑laugh, half‑cry, "Father Emperor, the husband isn't lazy; otherwise how could he keep surprising you?"

That Potato was originally only half left, almost rotting; it was the husband who tended it day and night for it to finally sprout.

When the first batch was harvested, the husband did all the watering and irrigation himself, fearing any mistake with the Potato.

Please don't be angry.

Li Shimin opened his mouth slightly, then fell silent.

Empress Changsun smiled, "Li Lizhi, you don't understand; Zi An and your son‑in‑law get along just like Zi An and Gao Yang."

Your husband isn't angry with Zi An; don't worry.

"Hmm!" Li Shimin's expression softened, "I'll give him a light reprimand, not to match him, so he won't bully you at home later."

Li Lizhi rolled her eyes inwardly.

"So he won't bully me later?"—isn't that just because everyone saw you digging Potatoes alone and felt you lost face?

"His Majesty, Zi An achieved a great feat today; he deserves a concrete reward," Empress Changsun whispered as she approached Li Shimin.

Li Shimin fell into thought, habitually stroking his small beard.

Empress Changsun's hint about a concrete reward was already quite explicit.

What does "concrete reward" mean?

Either money or authority.

Chen Yan is already a Duke; the empty titles can't go higher, and he isn't short of money, so it must be authority.

Empress Changsun's meaning was that it was about time to transfer Chen Yan to Chang'an.

Li Shimin was already planning that; with the Potato's emergence, he believed that even a higher post for Chen Yan would draw no objections.

He nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

Then Li Shimin glanced at the bored Princess Gao Yang nearby, thought, "By the way, Qingque? Last time you returned to Chang'an he stayed behind, that was fine; now that I've come with your mother to Weinan County, why hasn't he come?"

"I'm here, Father Emperor, your son is here!"

At that moment Li Tai's voice came from afar; he ran quickly, with Chen Yan and the summoned servants trailing behind.

No doubt Chen Yan called him over.

"Fine, if you're here, get out." Not seeing his son, Li Shimin felt a pang of longing, but now that he saw him, he was annoyed and waved his large hand, sending him to stand aside.

Li Tai: …

Alright, I'll get out then.

He kept silent, hands in his pockets, standing beside his former rival Gao Yang.

"Alright, start digging; I'll watch this heavenly omen with my own eyes!" Li Shimin had Chen Yan's men dig the Potatoes, then plopped himself onto a lounge chair.

Chen Yan quickly ordered Xiao Shunzi to bring over a few stools so Empress Changsun and the others could sit.

Li Shimin stared unblinking at the many servants digging Potatoes, while Li Lizhi whispered with Empress Changsun.

"Mother, Sizi and Chengyang were taken out to play by Chan er and the others; judging by the time, they should be back soon."

Empress Changsun suddenly realized why Chen Yan only summoned Qingque and not Sizi and Chengyang.

"The two kids are doing well here; no wonder they're reluctant to return to the palace." She felt a pang of unease, yet was happy for the two daughters.

The palace is fine, but living there long feels like a cage.

Just like her, she hadn't felt anything after a long stay before, but after going out a few times she constantly wants to keep going out.

Li Lizhi explained, "Sizi and Chengyang don't just play all day; in the morning the husband teaches them knowledge, and they can play only after they finish the assigned homework."

"The husband says they're still young and need a balance of work and rest."

"Hmm." Empress Changsun said warmly, "Regarding Zi An, Mother might doubt other aspects, but when it comes to teaching the children, Mother has absolute confidence."

"Your two younger sisters are being taught well; I'm very satisfied."

Li Lizhi fell silent upon hearing that.

Thinking of that sister who always spoke shockingly, she still didn't know what Empress Changsun was truly satisfied with.

"Your Highness, actually you can be trusted in other aspects as well."

At that moment, Chen Yan shamelessly interjected, "Besides teaching the children, I have many abilities you haven't noticed."

Empress Changsun neither affirmed nor denied, lightly tapping her chin toward Gao Yang and Li Tai, "Look over there."

Chen Yan and Li Lizhi turned their heads and saw Gao Yang and Li Tai, whose faces were already marked with contempt.

Chen Yan's face darkened instantly, "Your Highness, those two are as opposite as water and fire to me, practically enemies; you can't trust them."

Empress Changsun laughed dumbfounded, "Then why, when I came with His Majesty, did you lie comfortably on the same chair with your enemy?"

「I...... 」

「Alright, stop making excuses, this palace can't argue with you. 」

Chen Yan: 「...... 」

Since you can't argue with me, you're not letting me speak at all, right?

Empress Changsun also said: 「Looking at your leisurely appearance, Weinan County probably isn't as busy as before, right? 」

Chen Yan roughly guessed her intention in asking this question, and honestly nodded.

「Then get ready; before this year ends, I intend to let you return to Chang'an. 」Li Shimin suddenly interjected, without turning back, said:

「Weinan County will be left to those few people you recruited; I've observed how they handle affairs, and they are all excellent talents. 」

「Keep them all? 」Chen Yan hesitated a bit.

Last time Du Gou told him about that matter, he thought it was feasible, so he wanted to bring Du Gou and them along.

「...... 」