Chapter 493: Farewell and Blessings

The next day, Li Tai wore a wretched expression as he watched several women cheerfully ordering the servants to move things.

Since they were to return to Chang'an, Chen Yan naturally couldn't leave Li Tai here.

Otherwise, given his current condition, Chen Yan truly feared he might die someday.

So he had long forced Li Tai to come back to Chang'an with him.

At first he refused, insisting on staying in Weinan County, but after getting a mixed double‑takedown from Chen Yan and the Wei Wang Consort, and with Chen Yan promising to rebuild a research institute for him in Chang'an, he finally agreed.

Conversely, the Wei Wang Consort laughed so hard her mouth nearly couldn't close.

Ever since learning they were returning, losing money to Gao Yang at mahjong makes her happy.

Li Lizhi feels similarly; after all, returning to Chang'an lets her frequently visit the palace to see Empress Changsun and her younger brother.

Only Gao Yang and a few youngsters aren't very pleased; they actually prefer life in Weinan County.

Especially Sizi and Cheng Yang; in their eyes, Weinan County is far better than Chang'an.

"Alright, stop wearing that sour face." Chen Yan patted Li Tai's shoulder. "Going back to Chang'an is actually fine; we just need to wait a while, then we'll rebuild an even bigger, better research institute, right?"

"We're not short on money, so we might as well use this chance to rest a bit."

"Staying cooped up in the research institute forever doesn't work; sometimes stepping out, relaxing, might spark an insight and lead to better ideas."

"You're the only one not short on money, right?" Li Tai retorted. "I may have a fief, but Father Emperor reclaimed a lot last time; I'm not as wealthy as you."

Chen Yan was speechless.

Li Tai was formerly Prince of Yue, later reassigned as Wei King; his rank seemed higher, but many actual benefits were stripped away.

Now he's just a prince with a nice‑sounding title.

The only consolation is that despite the cuts, his treatment is still a notch above other princes.

"Don't say things that undermine unity," Chen Yan said sternly. "Rebuilding the research institute won't require you to spend money; just take care of your own household, and you needn't worry about anything else."

"Oh, right, my coronation banquet is about to begin; remember to bring plenty of gifts, don't be stingy."

Li Tai: "......"

"Alright, alright, I really admire you."

He waved his hands helplessly; Chen Yan would have to damn remind himself eight hundred times a day, fearing he wouldn't bring proper gifts.

"I'm not lacking those three melons and two dates, right?"

"Husband, it's ready, we can set off!"

Li Lizhi walked over, smiling.

Chen Yan glanced around; nearly twenty carriages were loaded, not only with his own belongings but also Li Tai's.

"Alright, let's go!"

He took Li Lizhi's hand, said something to Li Tai, then went to the carriage ahead, where Gao Yang was waiting there holding his daughter.

The three boarded the carriage; outside, driver Xiao Shunzi asked, "Young master, everything's ready—shall we set off for Chang'an now?"

"Hmm, now…" Chen Yan was about to answer when he suddenly heard the sound of more than one carriage approaching.

He lifted the curtain to look carefully, muttering, "Looks like Du Gou and the others."

"Brother Chen!"

He guessed correctly; one carriage from that convoy came over and stopped beside him, with Du Gou and his wife and children inside.

Du Gou seemed excited, "Let's go back together; Brother Fang is also coming."

Chen Yan looked back, indeed spotting Fang Yizhi's family carriage, and nodded, "Alright, let's go together!"

The two chatted a bit more, then Chen Yan let Xiao Shunzi drive.

"Departure!"

With Xiao Shunzi's loud shout, the three convoys gradually set off.

Chen Yan gave one last look at the Xianlingfu with its doors shut, then lowered the carriage curtain.

The three laughed and chatted inside the carriage, occasionally teasing the daughter; everyone seemed in good spirits.

Only a short while after departing, Xiao Shunzi suddenly said, "Young master, there seems to be something outside."

"Something?"

Chen Yan, puzzled, lifted the curtain again and saw crowds of commoners packed densely along both sides of the road.

There were gray‑haired elders, bewildered children peering out, sturdy men, and plain peasant women.

Each wore clean clothes they usually wouldn't bother to put on, silently watching the carriage procession, none speaking.

The once‑noisy street now only echoed the rumble of wheels on the ground.

"What are they…"

Li Lizhi, somewhat uncertain, said, "Bidding farewell to their husband?"

Chen Yan felt a swirl of emotions; in fact, he had hardly ever shown himself before the common folk—his first official appearance was on the day the Money Shop opened.

Calling it official was far from formal.

Yet the locals never resented it; they even voluntarily defended him, saying his absence meant he was doing real work for the county.

"I feel ashamed…"

He spoke from the heart, unable to name the feeling at that moment.

Gao Yang, holding his peeking daughter, whispered, "It's overwhelming, not less than the awe when Father Emperor received tributes from myriad nations."

"Both… gave me different feelings."

"But…" Li Lizhi hesitated, "How do the commoners know we're leaving today?"

Gao Yang: "It must be the day Father Emperor's edict was issued; many were at the county office then."

Li Lizhi didn't fully agree in her heart, but she didn't refute Gao Yang.

On the day the edict was read, indeed many were present, yet it never mentioned when Chen Yan would return to Chang'an; that was their own decision, and the commoners shouldn't have known.

"It doesn't matter now."

Chen Yan said softly, making Li Lizhi stop her inquisitive thoughts.

Gazing at the throngs of commoners lining the road, his heart agreed.

Indeed, it doesn't matter now!

"......"

At the city gate, for the final stretch out of Weinan County, Chen Yan ordered the carriage to stop.

He stepped out and got off the carriage.

Facing the crowd of commoners, he shouted loudly: "Remember, my name is Chen Yan! If the county office ever becomes a malignant tumor, causing you injustice, you may come to the Duke of Wei's residence in Chang'an to find me!"

"When that time comes, whether soaring to the azure heavens or descending to the yellow springs, I will also uphold justice for you!"

The commoners were excited, yet they restrained the urge to speak, watching the county magistrate lord climb back onto the carriage and seeing him off.

These commoners had never read books nor understood great principles; they only knew that a young county magistrate had been newly appointed here, bringing them a better life.

Now this young county magistrate is about to leave.

He must return to Chang'an to take a higher, greater post.

The plain commoners cannot utter graceful words of thanks, nor present fitting gifts; they can only express their gratitude with a silent, wordless farewell.

This is a farewell, also a blessing.

Bidding farewell to this county magistrate, who, though absurdly young, has fed and clothed them.

Blessing this young county magistrate of celestial background......

May you ride the winds all the way!

"......."