Chapter 503: Hurry Up and Keep Your Wife in Check

"Exchange?"

Zhangsun Wuji stroked his chin, thought for a moment, "That's an interesting term. I know your Zui Xian Lou; it's been steadily expanding, almost becoming the top tavern in Chang'an and the surrounding counties, with huge daily profits. What's more, others can't copy it, so its future looks very promising."

"Even though it's only ten percent, the Zhangsun clan certainly doesn't lose, and it's a legitimate business. Are you really going to exchange with me?"

"A gentleman keeps his word, a swift horse a whip!" Chen Yan said without hesitation: "Since the words have already been spoken, I have no reason to backtrack. Moreover, I might not be at a loss!"

As soon as he spoke, Zhangsun Wuji nodded gladly, while only Li Lizhi rolled her eyes inwardly.

"Let me ask you, Chen Yan, which part of you qualifies as a gentleman?"

"You're just a mushroom, more or less!"

"The kind of mushroom that poisons people when eaten!"

"Fine, then it's settled. In a little while I'll have someone arrange it, and tomorrow we'll send our subordinates to handle it." Zhangsun Wuji, never one to hesitate, immediately made the decision.

"Fine, then I'll trouble the Duke of Qi."

Chen Yan let out a sigh of relief in his heart.

Regarding this, he had thought it over carefully yesterday; perhaps the Zhangsun clan only treats Wangyuelou as a place for amusement, never having uncovered its hidden purpose.

If it were in his own hands, he could give the girls at Wangyuelou a little guidance, providing them a security for old age…

Chen Yan had a premonition that Wangyuelou might give him a considerable surprise.

Even if not, he could still put a little thought into changing some management methods, which he believed would also be fine.

"By the way, last time I told you Wang Gui was about to come down, do you remember?" Zhangsun Wuji asked casually.

Chen Yan gave a light hum, "I remember, but more than one person has told me Wang Gui is coming down; as for the exact reason, I have some guesses. Who does the Duke of Qi think will go up?"

Zhangsun Wuji was surprised; he hadn't expected Chen Yan to suddenly ask him such a question.

After thinking, he said, "It's hard to say. At present, Wei Zheng has the highest probability, but others aren't impossible either. The exact person is unclear; it depends on how His Majesty decides."

"The reason I told you this, and the others who mentioned it, perhaps all think you might be a major factor influencing His Majesty's decision."

"....... Do you mean that His Majesty wants to leave a vacant position for me?" Chen Yan guessed.

"Exactly!" Zhangsun Wuji nodded slightly, "If Wei Zheng ascends, the vacant Secretariat would be yours; that's the most likely scenario!"

"Secondly, if Wang Gui steps down, there is a chance to succeed the prime minister position. One candidate is the 'Director of the Central Secretariat' Wen Yanbo; if he takes Wang Gui's place, it would ensure a smooth transition without greatly affecting the current situation. If His Majesty seeks stability, Wen Yanbo is even more likely."

"The other is the upright and pragmatic Dai Zhou. If he rises, he can also leave you the Ministry of Revenue. Initially, His Majesty never intended for you to go to Weinan County; instead, he wanted you to go directly to the Ministry of Revenue, stay for two years, then transfer Dai Zhou away, leaving you in charge of the Ministry of Revenue."

"Given the current situation, Dai Zhou's ascent is not impossible."

"Is that so?" Chen Yan, after hearing, fell into contemplation.

He had already guessed these things before, but Zhangsun Wuji considered them more comprehensively.

From the official history he knows, Wei Zheng is practically a sure thing.

The original history had him succeeding as the Imperial Attendant.

But now, because of his own appearance, the official history can only serve as a reference.

Nevertheless, Chen Yan still felt in his heart that Wei Zheng's probability was the highest and also the most suitable.

But a vague intuition kept arising in his mind: Li Shimin was about to give him a whole big job!

Becoming Imperial Attendant is absolutely impossible; that can be confirmed.

The only uncertainty is whether I will go to the Secretariat or the Ministry of Revenue…

After thinking carefully, still unable to figure it out, Chen Yan simply gave up caring.

Anyway, once I and Guan Yan go over there, we'll know.

"......"

After leaving the Zhangsun residence, Chen Yan strolled around Chang'an City with Li Lizhi, Sizi, and Chengyang.

At first Li Lizhi was still a bit restrained, every move still bearing the dignity of a princess and a married woman.

But since Sizi shoved a sweet cake into her mouth, and Chen Yan took her to see a few fresh things, the great princess finally broke into a smile and began playing with the two little sisters.

The only thing that made her a bit uncomfortable was that her attire's style differed from the current fashion, being especially elegant and beautiful.

Moreover, her appearance was exceedingly outstanding, and with two delicate little girls beside her, wherever she went drew attention.

"Husband… perhaps we should go back?" Feeling the occasional glances around, Li Lizhi hesitated and spoke.

The previous encounter with horse bandits still left her with lingering fear, always worrying about Chen Yan and the sisters' safety.

"Don't worry, I've prepared in advance." Chen Yan smiled slightly, took a light silk veil from his bosom, and tied it on her himself.

Li Lizhi lifted her hand, gently brushed the veil, and her eyes curved into a crescent: "Thank you, husband!"

The original white robe already made her look ethereal, and now the thin veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of clear eyes, added a touch of hazy beauty.

"Wow, Rhythm Sister looks even prettier!"

Sizi exclaimed at the right moment.

Li Lizhi: "......"

Her smile froze instantly, and she angrily knocked her sister's head.

"What the heck is 'Rhythm Sister'? Has it been so long that she still can't shake that nickname?"

"Hmph! I just misspoke, Rhythm Sister isn't pretty at all; when I grow up, I'll definitely look better than Rhythm Sister!"

Sizi covered her head with her chubby little hand, muttering a little, then quickly pulled Chengyang to hide behind Chen Yan.

"Older brother, you better manage your wife, she keeps hitting me!"

"Can't manage a bit," Chen Yan glanced sideways at her, "Don't you know the heavens are vast, the earth is vast, but the wife is the greatest?"

"If I don't help her beat you, that's fine."

Li Lizhi became even happier, gave Sizi a couple of hums, and for the first time grasped Chen Yan's arm.

"Husband, look, look, there's someone performing tricks over there!"

"Hmm… indeed. How about we go over and ask them if they can do a big transformation, turning Sizi into someone in the palace!"

"!!! Are you serious?"

"Fake! Fake!"

Sizi was so anxious she started jumping, how could they want to send her back to the palace over a disagreement?

Can we still get along happily?

Seeing her little face all scrunched up, Li Lizhi couldn't help but let out a 'puchi' laugh.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on Chen Yan's arm, her gaze swept over her husband's smiling profile, then fell back on the two frolicking sisters.

The long street bustled with noise, yet the autumn breeze carrying a hint of chill made people's hearts feel warm.

At this moment, time was as gentle as honey melting in the palm.

"......"