Chapter 509: Just Burn Their Ancestral Hall!

"Across the Tang Dynasty, I ask the world: there isn't a single one that lets me be worry‑free!"

Stepping out of the Imperial Palace, Chen Yan looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh.

Be it the death‑seeking delicate wife at home, or even teaching it myself, from being unable to make a single sentence clear to now the plump little Xiao Sizi as well.

People like Cheng Chu Mo, Wei King Li Tai, Crown Prince Li Chengqian need not even be mentioned; they require his attention all day.

If one goes wrong, these few scoundrels could kill him.

Now even Cheng Yaojin and his seniors have begun to make flamboyant sideways jumps.

Can one still stay in this Tang Dynasty or not?

Chen Yan couldn't help but raise the question in his heart.

"Brother Chen, I think you've taken a turn. If Father Emperor were truly angry, he wouldn't mention this to you, but would punish General Cheng directly. Since he explained it to you, it means Father Emperor is not angry; there is still room to maneuver."

Li Tai said nonchalantly: "Moreover, whatever General Cheng and his men have done might even please Father Emperor. By next year, we can't have Li Jing alone overseeing everything, can we?"

"From what I know of Father Emperor, he might just want you to give General Cheng a subtle reminder; doing it too overtly is not good."

"Don't say it, you really shouldn't say it!"

After hearing Li Tai's words, Chen Yan pondered carefully for a while and found them quite reasonable.

That indeed aligns well with Li Shimin's character.

After thinking, he said helplessly, "Then you go back first; I'll go find Uncle Cheng and tell him, so they don't keep causing trouble."

"Day after day, truly gives no peace of mind!"

"Fine, you go, I'll go stroll outside." Li Tai suddenly thought of something, his mouth corners slightly lifted, revealing a faint pleasant smile.

Chen Yan, seeing his lecherous expression, knew what he was about to do, waved his hand, "Enjoy yourself, and don't get caught by the Wei Wang Consort."

"No, no, absolutely not… Hehe~"

"......"

"Young master, you're here? Please come inside quickly!"

Arriving at the Cheng residence gate, the gatekeeper, seeing Chen Yan arrive, hurried to usher him inside.

"No need, you attend to your duties; I can go in myself." Chen Yan waved his hand, smoothly pushing open the door and stepping into the mansion.

Along the way he met many familiar servants and maids, who all saluted him.

Chen Yan, indifferent, casually approached a servant and asked, "Is Uncle Cheng at home? Where exactly?"

The servant replied, "Returning, Duke of Wei, the Duke is currently in the reception hall, and Duke Wu is also there."

"Duke Wu?" Chen Yan was startled, thought carefully, and realized this was Yuchi Gong.

Now Yuchi Gong and his peers have had their titles changed, from Duke of E to Duke Wu.

"Alright, I understand, you may go down." Chen Yan, without courtesy, after confirming the location, headed straight for the reception hall.

Just then, as he arrived at the reception hall, he encountered a maid bringing dishes.

Chen Yan casually took the two plates, ordered the maid to retreat, then, on his own, propped the door open with his butt.

Inside, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were still pondering why their fight hadn't brought any punishment—whether the offense was minor, or perhaps they struck a noble family, which might have pleased Li Shimin.

Yuchi Gong slammed the table and shouted, "If you ask me, last time we should've beaten up the whole group that defended that Cui guy, and now look, no punishment at all. We've been exerting our old noses for a while, to no avail!"

"When I get home, my wife jokes that I jump up and down like a monkey. Sigh, how unfortunate!"

Cheng Yaojin stroked his chin, saying nothing.

He, unlike Yuchi Gong who sometimes can't wrap his head around things, always feels something is off about this matter.

Regardless of whether they struck someone surnamed Cui, or whether it pleased Li Shimin, after all it happened during court, in front of the entire assembly of civil and military officials.

Even if not demoted or beaten with a board, there should at least be a verbal reprimand, right?

Otherwise, if you beat someone in the court and nothing happens, what will others learn from them later?

Then the court would be in chaos, wouldn't it?

Who would speak reason thereafter?

Everyone would just compare whose fist is bigger!

"Cheng Laohei, say something!" Yuchi Gong urged.

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand impatiently, "Stop the noise, I'm just thinking…"

Mid‑sentence, his peripheral glance finally caught sight of Chen Yan.

"Ah, my heavens, a celestial bodhisattva!" Cheng Yaojin, overjoyed, sprang up and laughed loudly, "Hahaha, great nephew, why didn't you speak up when you arrived? I hadn't even noticed you—tell me what happened!"

"Sit, quickly sit!"

Yuchi Gong was momentarily stunned, then a smile rose on his face, and he casually placed fresh utensils in front of Chen Yan, who had just been seated by Cheng Yaojin.

"Great nephew, you must give us some advice. The method you mentioned last time we both tried, but it seemed useless; His Majesty showed no reaction. What should we do?"

"What to do?" Chen Yan's eye twitched, he inhaled deeply, "If it doesn't kill them, then kill them to death, what else can we do?"

"What does beating someone in front of the entire court count as? Stop hitting people; just run to the Cui family's ancestral hall and burn it down!"

"Hiss~" Yuchi Gong inhaled a cold breath, "When it comes to cruelty, you're the cruel one; we never imagined burning someone's ancestral hall—this is an endless grudge! But I…"

"Alright, alright, you go over there!" Cheng Yaojin immediately cut off Yuchi Gong.

"Didn't you hear Chen Yan speaking sarcastically?"

"You damn really want to go burn it, huh?"

"Great nephew, what's wrong? Did something go wrong?"

There was no point in being tactful with Chen Yan, so Cheng Yaojin simply asked outright.

Chen Yan stared at the two Big Old Blacks before him, truly wanting to curse, but recalling that these two old blacks had long cared for him and always been good to him, he forced himself to hold back.

"...... Uncle Cheng, can you two stop messing around? It's too obvious; that's enough."

"Moreover, it's still about a year until war; we won't mobilize until next winter. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Today I entered the palace; His Majesty already guessed that it was my idea for you all; he gave me a good scolding; even Her Majesty the Empress said a couple of sentences.

Just stay honest for this period; don't let any cattle die at home, and don't cause trouble outside.

Cheng Yaojin: "......"

Yuchi Gong: "......"

"Even...... even Her Majesty the Empress scolded us two, huh?" Yuchi Gong scratched his head embarrassedly, also understood why those two hit someone and didn't get punished.

I guess it's just because they were too obvious, and His Majesty saw through it.

Punishment isn't not coming; it just hasn't arrived!

Cheng Yaojin also felt a bit embarrassed, mainly because he himself had caused trouble, letting Chen Yan get scolded.

As an elder, not only did he not help Chen Yan, but he actually dragged him down, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

"However......" Chen Yan drew out his voice, his eyes sweeping over the two of them, whetting their appetites.

"However what, hurry up and say it." Yuchi Gong, being impatient, urged him anxiously.

Chen Yan said with a smile: "However, regarding your matter, I think it should be settled."

"......"