Chapter 537: Today's Happiness

At first Chen Yan wanted to go back to the Ministry of Revenue, since it was only the second day of his appointment and there were a death‑mountain of tasks.

But because of the two little brats, he had to make a quick trip home first.

Of course, all the way there Chen Yan kept berating the two, "I let you stay in the palace for a while, just stay; why are you in such a hurry to come back?"

"Besides, even if you wanted to come back with me, you shouldn't do it in front of your mother. Her Majesty the Empress treats you so well, yet you act as if she's some villain."

Xiao Sizi whined plaintively, "Mother is great, but she's too strict; she won't let me do anything with my sister, I can't even smack my lips at meals, let alone play. My sister and I are not happy at all."

"Exactly, exactly!" the Chengyang Little Princess nodded vigorously.

Having lived carefree and free under Chen Yan's watch for so long, who could still endure Empress Changsun's discipline?

They aren't disobedient; they've seen something better and it's hard to return to the way things were.

Chen Yan was momentarily at a loss for words, opened his mouth, and could only let out a sigh.

Regarding Empress Changsun, he had said the same thing before.

Empress Changsun is flawless in every respect, but her thinking is overly old‑fashioned, especially when it comes to teaching children, where she insists on strict rules.

"…Fine, today you come back with me, but you must promise that every month you'll return to stay with Her Majesty the Empress for a while. Got it?"

"Mm‑hm," the two little brats nodded eagerly.

After being away from the palace for a long time, they also miss their mother.

Coming back each month to stay for a while suits them perfectly.

Anyway, now that Chen Yan is back in Chang'an, round trips are very convenient.

As for Chen Yan…

Though he outwardly complained about the two, when they left he missed them just as much while at home.

After living together that long, they were almost like his own little sisters; how could he not miss them?

Before long, Chen Yan brought the two little brats back home.

He claimed there was nothing to bring, but actually their maids carried everything, so the two little brats had no worries at all.

So once they arrived at the Duke of Wei's mansion, the two little brats ran off gleefully to play with Xiao Qingyue.

Li Lizhi received the news and hurried over, "You were just appointed yesterday, why are you back so early?"

"And I just saw Sizi and Cheng Yang…"

"Don't bring it up," Chen Yan sighed helplessly, "I went to the harem, and those two little brats kept clamoring to come back with me. There was nothing I could do, so I had to bring them back first."

Li Lizhi's eyebrows twitched after hearing that, "They're being way out of line; I told them to go!"

"Ah, ah, ah, forget it, forget it!"

Seeing Li Lizhi about to go chastise Sizi and Cheng Yang, Chen Yan hurriedly stopped her, "They're just two kids; they don't understand any of that. They just miss us, so they want to come back. I'll go to the Ministry of Revenue later; it won't delay anything."

"Besides, it's only this once; why make the newly returned ones unhappy?"

"Just indulge them," Li Lizhi gave him a withering look.

In her view, her husband is at the most crucial stage of his official career, so everything else must yield; how could he neglect his duties because two younger sisters are being willful?

"You say that, I indulge them, and I indulge you too."

Chen Yan chuckled, "For me, nothing is more important than home; when those two little brats leave, the house loses a lot of fun. Their return is just perfect."

"Yo, our Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue is back?"

At that moment, Gao Yang's familiar tone came from behind, "I heard you made a big splash on the Court today, consecutively handling two Dukes, recommending the Imperial Examination overseer, and even causing the Ministers of Works and Revenue to quarrel over it."

Hearing that, Chen Yan's gaze suddenly deepened as he stared at the graceful figure approaching from behind; after a while he slowly said, "Princess, your information network is quite sharp!"

"The court just adjourned, and you already have news?"

Gao Yang naturally caught the sarcasm in his tone, but she didn't mind at all; instead she took pride, lifting her fair chin, "My connections are far beyond what a little Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue could imagine."

"Also, when you see this Princess, remember to bow!"

Chen Yan: "......"

"What? Want me to kowtow for you?"

Gao Yang paused, seeming to sense something off, and softened her tone, "No need for that."

"Scram, calf, and stop prying about these things with King Wei in the future; those who know understand you're watching me, those who don't will wonder what you're up to."

Gao Yang pursed her lips; today was another day of being scolded, and she dared not retort, fearing an evening reprimand.

She suddenly felt a bit inadequate.

She used to be very assertive.

Li Lizhi was speechless.

"What are you pretending to be?"

"You chickened out in less than three seconds."

"Just jump out unnecessarily."

"Yay, long time no see, the tough‑mouth sister isn't tough‑mouthing anymore~"

At some point, Sizi poked his little head out from a corner, giggled a line, and then bolted.

Gao Yang: "......"

Chen Yan stifled a laugh, "Alright, now that Sizi and Cheng Yang are back, you can go play with them. When Xiao Sui An grows a bit older, you'll have another playmate."

"That's it then, I have other matters to attend to, I'm heading out first; remember to have someone tidy up the two little brats' rooms."

Saying that, he waved to the two and left.

After Chen Yan left, Gao Yang asked gloomily, "Sister, am I being looked down on again?"

"Hmm..." Li Lizhi drew out the tone, "Maybe, since you were made to play with Xiao Sizi and the others… were you really happy playing with them last time?"

"Search the entire mansion for someone."

Gao Yang: "......"

"Sister, if you don't bring this up, we're still good sisters."

Li Lizhi placed a hand on her forehead and turned to ask, "What was that you just said about your husband making a big splash at the Court?"

"What do you mean, the first time you went to the Court you handled two Dukes, provoking the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of Works to quarrel?"

At the mention of it, Gao Yang's eyes lit up instantly, "Sister, let me tell you......"

Just as Li Lizhi tilted her ear to listen, an inexplicable sense of familiarity rose in her heart, and she became alert at once, "Hold on a moment!"

Speaking, she squinted and turned her head around, and indeed saw Sizi with the Chengyang Little Princess, slyly poking out two heads, ears upright to eavesdrop.

"Ah, sister, we've been discovered!"

Sizi, panicked, turned his head, only to find Cheng Yang had already run far away.

The little fellow was dumbfounded.

Just as he was about to step away to escape, Xiao Erduo's ear ached, and he was seized!

"My dear sister, where are you going?"

"...... Haha, my dear big sister, let's discuss, we can make peace......"

"......"