Chapter 565: It Absolutely Can't Be a Sheep!

Lantern Festival has been an important holiday throughout the Central Plains since ancient times.

Whenever this day arrives, Chang'an City is lit up, and even the curfew is postponed so the people can enjoy the festival.

Chen Yan also brings his whole family out for a long‑awaited stroll.

Since returning to Chang'an, he has been busy, leaving in the morning and not returning home until night falls.

Therefore Chen Yan wants to use this chance to spend quality time with his family.

Even Prince of Wei Li Tai came out of the research institute, bringing the Wei Wang Consort and his son to join him.

Only, this fellow talks a lot, chattering nonstop.

"Zi Anxiong, look at how weak their sky lanterns are; in my opinion, we should bring our hot‑air balloon over so the people of Chang'an can see what truly counts as high‑class!"

"What do you think?"

"What do I think?" Chen Yan stops, expressionless, and says, "I think it's fine. When everyone is lighting sky lanterns by the river to pray, you sit in the hot‑air balloon and shout, 'Look, this is high‑class; your lanterns are weak!'"

Li Tai: "......"

The Wei Wang Consort giggles, Li Lizhi sighs, glances at Li Tai, tugs Chen Yan's sleeve, "Husband, please look after Xiao Sui An; Gao Yang and I will take Sizi and the others to release a few sky lanterns."

"Alright." Chen Yan nods lightly and agrees.

Gao Yang, who had been eager to slip away, hands his daughter to his father, then runs off merrily holding Xiao Sizi.

The Wei Wang Consort no longer pays attention to Li Tai, and follows with her son.

"Zi Anxiong, look over there… it seems to be the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."

Suddenly Li Tai appears to notice something and points a finger.

Chen Yan looks in the direction Li Tai indicated and sees Li Chengqian with the Crown Princess, enthusiastically waving at him.

"Great, now everyone's here." He smiles faintly and waves, signaling Li Chengqian to come over.

The couple soon arrives before them, and Li Chengqian cheerfully says, "Zi Anxiong, isn't it quite a coincidence that we happened to meet amid the crowd?"

Chen Yan raises an eyebrow and says, "Actually I'm surprised; you managed to come out today and even brought… wife and children. How come? Not afraid of danger?"

Li Chengqian twitches the corner of his mouth, recalling the painful days when his intestines nearly came out, and says, "If you don't bring that up, we're still good brothers."

The Crown Princess smiles, "Husband, Prince of Wei, Duke of Wei, I just saw Li Lizhi and the others, seems they're releasing sky lanterns. You keep talking; I'll join the fun."

Li Chengqian waves his hand, indicating she may do as she wishes.

In an instant, only the three of them remain on the riverbank steps.

"I vaguely recall that on this day last year, we were here just like your Ah Ye, and he asked us a very interesting question." Chen Yan brings up the matter, his tone rather nostalgic:

"Unnoticed, another year has passed."

Li Chengqian laughs, "Time always flies; a year passes in an instant. We haven't really changed, but you are different now."

"A year ago you were a junior County Magistrate; now you're stamping your feet, a figure who makes the whole Tang Dynasty tremble."

"Don't bring that up." Chen Yan says gloomily, "Before I could sleep until whenever I wanted; now I must rise each day for the morning court, and after it I have to return to the Ministry of Revenue to handle paperwork."

"I've hardly beaten Gao Yang lately; life has lost a lot of fun."

Li Tai: "......"

Li Chengqian: "......"

"Let's not mention that." Chen Yan shakes his head and sighs, "After today's Lantern Festival, the next most important matter is the Imperial Examination."

"On New Year's Day family banquet, I told your Father Emperor that this year's Imperial Examination is of great significance, not merely a talent selection."

"Cheng Qian brother, the opportunity I secured for you, you must grasp it well!"

When he said the last sentence, a hint of intriguing expression appeared in Chen Yan's eyes.

Li Chengqian is startled, "Zi Anxiong, what do you mean? Regarding the Imperial Examination, isn't Father Emperor the focal point? I should only be a supporting leaf."

Li Tai interjects, "If I'm not mistaken, he wants you to pay more attention, see if you can uncover a few talents."

"You, though high‑ranking, actually don't have a strong cadre."

"Even though I haven't followed court affairs for a long time, I can guess your influence at court isn't strong."

Li Chengqian furrows his brow, hesitates, "This… is probably inappropriate, right?"

"Inappropriate? Nonsense!"

Chen Yan, bitter as iron that won't become steel, "That's why His Majesty sometimes looked down on you before. You handle state affairs, even regency, without issue; not exceptionally good, but enough to be called decent."

"But that's all there is!"

"Did you forget? Your Father Emperor once told you that being a capable conservator‑type ruler would already satisfy him."

"As the eldest son of the Heavenly Khagan, you are a conservator‑type ruler; although His Majesty says he's satisfied, isn't there some disappointment in his heart?"

"You need to toughen up, quickly build your own cadre, gradually seize control of the court, strengthen your influence, and when the throne changes, you'll be able to sit firmly on it!"

"Not like now, where you attend court like an invisible nobody; if His Majesty doesn't call you out, you can't say a word. What kind of Crown Prince is that?"

When those words fell, Li Chengqian and Li Tai instantly panicked, looking around, fearing others might overhear.

If these words spread and are used by schemers, who knows what impact they'll cause.

After all, those words are almost treasonous!

The current young sovereign, and you're urging the Crown Prince to build his own cadre—what are you trying to do?

Chen Yan, seeing this, feels a bit disappointed; Li Chengqian's ability is certainly enough, but he lacks a bit of boldness.

It's not yet the future where he'll be forced to 'Ask His Majesty to call Li Chengqian the Crown Prince.'

"Cheng Qian brother, you've missed many chances; this time listen to me. I'll point out two people; keep an eye on them. If they fail the exam, you can quietly bring them into the Eastern Palace; if they pass, find a way to bring them under your command."

"At worst you clash with His Majesty a bit; I believe he'll at most appear angry, while inside he'll be quite pleased."

Chen Yan's surprising words again left Li Chengqian stunned.

"Zi Anxiong… is this really okay?"

Li Chengqian stared blankly.

Chen Yan glanced at him and said lightly, "An heir to a dynasty can be cruel, can be heartless, even can have no bottom line!"

"But it must never be a sheep!"

"Just like the former Prince Fusu, if you say that when he was sent to the frontier he immediately rose in rebellion, would the First Emperor Yingzheng be more angry or more pleased?"

……