Chapter 496: Wangyuelou

Chen Yan thinks he's not a professional interrogator, and he has no good investigators under him right now; since the suspect is already caught, there's no need to rush.

Take him back to Chang'an, then find someone to interrogate him slowly.

Besides the leader Wu Guangzu, the Jinwu Guard also captured a few living ones, enough for use.

"Alright, let's go back first."

Chen Yan clapped his hands, got back onto the carriage, and Li Tai and the others, seeing this, also boarded.

Everyone set off again, heading toward Chang'an.

They arrived safely before noon.

"That's not it; why are you still following me?"

Chen Yan saw Li Tai not returning to his own house, and ordered people to move things into his Duke of Wei residence; everyone was stunned.

Fine, when you were in Weinan County you didn't have a good place to stay, so staying at my house was understandable.

But now you've already gone back to Chang'an!

Do you think you still have nowhere to live?

"Ah, Brother Chen, don't worry about those details!" Li Tai let the movers continue, smiling as he clapped Chen on the shoulder and stepped aside, "Regardless of our relationship, staying at your place shouldn't be a problem; moreover, with me there, you're safer, aren't you?"

"Look at the danger we faced today; can you guarantee it won't happen again?"

"So you mean someone in Chang'an is coming to assassinate me, the Duke of Wei?" Chen Yan listened to his twisted reasoning, his face turning dark.

"What's wrong with the Duke of Wei?" Li Tai retorted, "Isn't a duke a person? If a duke is killed, he still dies!"

"I know, I know, your situation is special, probably no one will try to kill you, but as the saying goes, not afraid of ten thousand, only afraid of that one chance!"

He spoke earnestly, as if truly concerned for Chen Yan.

"Also, if you don't think about yourself, you should at least think about my two younger sisters and my niece, right?"

"With me there, your home would be safer, wouldn't it?"

Chen Yan twitched the corner of his eye, fully aware of the nonsense Li Tai was proposing.

"Fine, stay if you want; as long as the Wei Wang Consort agrees, that's enough!"

"Can it work if I disagree?" the Wei Wang Consort's faint voice came, "If I refuse, he might start tinkering with explosives or cannons at home; then I couldn't stop him, and if something goes wrong, perhaps she'll be separated from me by death."

"Staying here with you would actually make me feel even more at ease."

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Tai: "......"

Of course, there's another line the Wei Wang Consort didn't say.

If she didn't live here, how inconvenient it would be to play mahjong with Gao Yang and the others.

"Fine, as long as you're happy, I..."

"Zi Anxiong!"

As Chen Yan spoke, a familiar voice came from afar.

It sounded just like a pitiful child who had been wronged and then saw his own kin.

The two turned their heads and saw Li Chengqian running over, grinning like a fool.

He immediately started poking at him, then asked, "I heard you were ambushed by horse bandits; why do you look like nothing happened?"

Chen Yan's face darkened, "Do you hope I get hurt, or that I'm fine?"

"I of course hope you're fine," Li Chengqian said sincerely, "We're half‑brothers, and we married both our sisters to your elder brother‑in‑law; how could I wish you harm?"

His words were truly heartfelt, as if he really worried about him.

Then, after a pause as if recalling something, he grabbed Chen Yan's hand and solemnly said, "By the way, Zi Anxiong, the 'Unimpeded' you gave me last time was quite useful; I've been feeling a bit unwell lately, could you give me some more?"

Heh... "No, don't even think about it; you ate the last batch, it's gone forever!"

Just kidding, your damn abacus beads have smashed onto my face; how could I give you any?

"Is that so?"

Li Chengqian was disappointed; he really wanted another pack of Unimpeded, to let Chen Yan run like the wind!

He shook his head, a hint of meaning in his expression, "If there's none, then none. You've been in Weinan County for almost two years; now that you've finally returned, we should celebrate. Come, I'll treat you to a drink!"

Chen Yan seemed to receive some signal; his tiger‑like frame shivered, he pursed his lips, and gave a firm nod.

"Since it's an invitation from His Highness the Crown Prince, I shall gladly accept!"

Beside them, Li Tai glanced at Chen Yan, then at Li Chengqian, squinted, and lowered his voice, "You two, if you don't take me along, something you don't want might happen."

"......"

Hahaha, Li Lizhi, I'm going out with the Crown Prince and Qingque; you don't need to wait for me to eat.

Right, right, Yu'er, I haven't seen the Crown Prince in ages; today I'll take the chance to chat, you all go ahead with your work!

Second sisters, younger sister, we'll leave first!

The three slung arms over each other's shoulders, each leaving a word, then laughed and walked away.

If Gao Yang were here, there would be some doubt now, but unfortunately Gao Yang had to tend to his child, and after getting home he left with his daughter, leaving only the Wei Wang Consort and Li Lizhi outside.

The two women didn't think much and kept directing the movers to shift things.

On the other side, the three, once away from the Duke of Wei's residence, quickened their steps, heading straight for Pingkang Lane!

Damn it, I haven't been here for almost two years; the girls probably forgot about me, so today I must drink heartily!

Indeed, indeed, I haven't been here for ages. Li Chengqian rubbed his hands, eyes sparkling!

Li Tai said nothing, but his smile stretched to his ears.

Hey, Young Master Chen, and Young Master Li, you three haven't been here for two years, giving the girls something to talk about.

As they arrived at the familiar building, Lao Bo warmly greeted them.

Chen Yan, Li Chengqian, and Cheng Chu Mo, the three brothers, had once been Wangyuelou's most honored, most generous, and least demanding guests!

Cut the nonsense! As per tradition, bring the wine and dishes, and have the finest girls ready!

Chen Yan waved his hand, and, familiar with the routine, followed Li Chengqian, who was leading Li Tai, to the best spot on the third floor.

Here, it's literally a tiered hierarchy— the highest floor, and if your status isn't noble enough, you can't even come up!

The three sat down at a spot with a full view of the floor below, and immediately young, beautiful girls brought fine wine and dishes. Right after, Li Tai and Li Chengqian each put an arm around a girl and chatted happily.

Chen Yan, however, didn't do that; he merely had two girls massage his shoulders and loosen his legs.

Wangyuelou, in order to receive these two—Chen Yan and Li Chengqian—spared no effort, arranging all kinds of dazzling, delightful programs.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai watched, eyes unblinking, while Chen Yan seemed to lose interest more and more.

"Zi Anxiong, what's wrong with you? Weren't you the most enthusiastic before? Why do you seem uninterested today?" Li Chengqian noticed this and asked doubtfully.

"No, I'm just thinking about something......"

"......"