Chapter 588: Li Shimin: From now on, she's under your charge

Chen Yan naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony with Li Shimin, simply picking it up and reading it himself.

In fact, this memorial was the result of the interrogation, densely filling several sheets of paper.

In short, the Crown Prince was indeed poisoned by them, but someone in the palace secretly helped, and the Prince of Wei truly knew nothing.

Seeing the final result, Chen Yan felt a huge stone finally lift from his heart.

As long as it has nothing to do with the Prince of Wei, and he doesn't know, there's still room to maneuver.

Once it's out in the open, everyone can still return to how things were.

Otherwise, it would be hard to wrap up; the Prince of Wei likely wouldn't die, but from now on staying in Chang'an would be absolutely impossible.

On a personal level, Chen Yan hopes the Prince of Wei is unaware, merely that his former subordinates acted on their own.

From the bigger picture, Chen Yan would rather this had nothing to do with the Prince of Wei.

Because the Prince of Wei is the most talented person in science he has ever met, a few offhand words from him were enough to actually build a hot air balloon.

As for important things like gunpowder, not to mention the various machines for making silk, they were all made by the Prince of Wei in his spare time.

A living Prince of Wei staying in Chang'an could obviously exert greater influence on the world and posterity.

In this lifetime, Chen Yan doesn't expect the Prince of Wei to invent a steam engine, but as long as he leaves the chance for posterity to produce cannons and firearms, opening a new era.

Then Li Tai's contribution would already surpass that of countless figures in history.

"The interrogation results say they planned to poison the Crown Prince, with someone in the palace secretly cooperating. Who do you think it is?" Li Shimin casually threw out a question.

He casually took the wine Chen Yan had brought, poured himself a cup, and savored it slowly.

"Your Majesty, I really don't know. You ask me; it'd be better to intensify the interrogation of those people."

Chen Yan smiled but dared not answer, for this likely involved the palace's influential noblewomen, an internal matter of Li Shimin's own household.

Li Shimin gave a slight nod, then said: "Alright, no more nonsense—state your main purpose today."

"Um... Your Majesty, what is your opinion of Zheng Guanyin?" Chen Yan hesitated, then finally asked the question.

"You want to protect her?"

Li Shimin said with a half-smile: "This woman is formidable—I never expected her to still have so much residual strength."

"She caused a major uproar in Weinan County, even landing Ke Ming in jail; despite my people investigating for so long with no results, she's actually gotten a lead."

"And you want to protect her?"

Chen Yan had wanted to explain a couple of things, like the consequences of killing Zheng Guanyin, but after carefully reconsidering Li Shimin's words, he paused and nodded firmly.

"Yes, I will protect her—this is my promise to her!"

"She helped me investigate the case; I will protect her and her child's life—this is fair!"

"Actually, I told you earlier: before the Bad People fully infiltrate, your great strength may sometimes be less useful than the enemy's."

"The remnants of the Hidden Crown Prince's forces are not small—I know that—but haven't you been working to disperse and clear them, Your Majesty?"

"These people actually pose no threat, and they have nothing to do with me; I simply want to spare Zheng Guanyin's life."

Having said that, he laughed: "Actually I have a better way to convince you, but since we're not the type to spout grand principles, I'll just speak plainly."

"Keeping Zheng Guanyin alive is more useful than killing her!"

Li Shimin gave no clear answer, lightly tapping his wine cup with his finger, silent as if thinking.

After a long while, he gave Chen Yan a deep look: "Heh, you, Minister Chen, are dead set on protecting her—what can I do?"

"Fine, we won't kill her—but from now on she's under your charge; if she dares to cause trouble again, I'll hold you responsible!"

Chen Yan silently cursed.

Damn it, not killing her then not killing her.

I see you never intended to kill Zheng Guanyin from the start; that last line was your real goal, right?

After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.

With many lice, one doesn't fear the itch; anyway, he already carries plenty of burdens—this is nothing extra.

"And Qingque!"

Li Shimin said calmly: "You're already in charge of Cheng Qian, right? Then Qingque is also entrusted to you!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Well, he had to accept this.

After all, ever since the hot air balloon, this guy has been under his supervision.

That's why, when he initially learned that the poisoning plot against Li Chengqian was linked to the Prince of Wei's faction, he became so angry.

"...... Your Majesty, I seem to be raising your children; I can't possibly be given a Prince Jin as well, can I?"

He said it jokingly, but noticed Li Shimin remained silent, gazing at him darkly.

Chen Yan:???

"No, Your Majesty!" He stood up: "My household already has too many people—I really can't take more."

"Keep the Prince Jin with you and Empress Changsun; without a son to keep you company, it just won't do—this is absolutely out of the question!"

He firmly refused.

Seeing this, Li Shimin abandoned the idea.

"Fine, fine, fine—go away, go away; if you won't agree, then you won't, and I don't even want to give you the Prince Jin to look after."

Having achieved today's purpose, Chen Yan was satisfied.

He just left.

"Then I'll take my leave, enjoy your drink slowly."

Chen Yan said this, performed a proper salute, and then withdrew.

Li Shimin watched his departing direction, saying nothing.

At that moment, behind Ganlu Hall, Empress Changsun suddenly stepped out, sighing softly: "Actually, Zi An is really good with children; if we could send the young slave over, that wouldn't be a bad thing either."

Li Shimin shook his head, "The people in Zi An's household are already quite many, and besides, he's busy now, so there isn't much time to teach the children; basically it's the lovely ones who bring them up."

"Those little rascals, in Zi An's household they're already enough to give him a headache, always making trouble and jokes all day; let the youngster stay with us."

"Zi An has a point—we at least ought to have a son keeping us company."

Empress Changsun gave a slight nod, her gaze toward Li Shimin rather amused.

Li Shimin constantly complains that Xiao Sizi is being overly fussy, saying Chen Yan has spoiled his daughter.

Actually, being overly fussy isn't really bad; if their children can learn even half of what Chen Yan knows, they won't have to worry about anything in the future.

When they were little, happy and joyful—that's how childhood ought to be!

Li Shimin took a sip of wine, suddenly feeling that this fine wine wasn't so tasty anymore, "Guanyin Maid, I won't interfere in the affairs of the inner palace!"

"However, anyone who dares to plot harm against Cheng Qian must pay the price."

Empress Changsun's face sank, "Your servant understands."

"......"