Chapter 594: Li Chengqian: Please, Your Majesty, Call Me Crown Prince!

Chen Yan suddenly became gloomy.

You say the earlier one won't do?

Must we add a Chen Zaijiu?

Princess Gao Yang instantly sensed his mood and teased, "Chen Zaijiu truly is the Tang Dynasty's number‑one unscrupulous merchant, huh. In my view, your claim of inspiring many scholars is a sham; you actually want to sell that thing called "Three‑Year Imperial Examination, Five‑Year Simulation"!"

"And that which you say was co‑authored with the ministers and many great scholars, isn't that something you yourself concocted?"

"If others are unaware, could it be that I'm unaware?"

"Your petty thoughts, I heard them from afar."

Chen Yan glanced at her sideways, snorted, turned and asked Du Ruhui, "Cai Duke, she says "Three‑Year Imperial Examination, Five‑Year Simulation" was concocted by me alone, that you contributed nothing. Do you approve?"

Du Ruhui pondered briefly, then said gravely, "Princess Gao Yang, if it were something else, I'd just laugh it off as a joke, but this cannot be. Just now Duke of Wei said, I contributed a part to "Three‑Year Imperial Examination, Five‑Year Simulation", it's not solely the Duke of Wei's merit."

"Extremely, extremely!" Fang Xuanling coughed awkwardly, "I also contributed a part…"

"And me…" Wei Zheng raised his hand solemnly, "Princess Gao Yang, if we hadn't contributed, when the Duke of Wei spoke, we would certainly have stepped forward to object."

"Do you see us objecting?"

Gao Yang: "......"

She even laughed in anger.

Just as expected.

These old clods each have a deathly thick skin.

That "Three‑Year Imperial Examination, Five‑Year Simulation" was something she personally saw Chen Yan compile and print.

You contributed not a speck of effort.

They're not even as good as her.

At least when Chen Yan was compiling, she occasionally had time to help grind.

What did you actually do?

But Gao Yang didn't say much, because she probably understood Chen Yan's point: the "Three‑Year Imperial Examination, Five‑Year Simulation" is indeed very useful, its value is high; Chen Yan wants to borrow Du Ruhui's and others' names to raise the book's status and attract more attention.

And Du Ruhui and the others naturally don't mind gaining more credit, so they went along with it.

"Fine, I'm too lazy to deal with you."

Gao Yang gave a casual glance at those below, "The current Imperial Examination results have surprised everyone; the Lai brothers shone brilliantly, and incidentally, even the library's standing has risen several rungs invisibly."

"I suppose you will have far fewer worries from now on, right?"

Fang, Du, and Wei exchanged a knowing smile, saying nothing.

At that moment, Changsun Wuji suddenly stepped out from behind, speaking calmly, "I think the same; now that the Imperial Examination results are out, the hidden currents in the Court will likely subside instantly."

"But once the Court's hidden currents settle, His Majesty's wrath should be vented."

"Don't forget, the Ministry of Works still has many people waiting to be dealt with; with such a flood of successful candidates pouring into the Court… hehe, I already foresee rivers of blood."

Chen Yan smacked his lips and said to Gao Yang, "Alright, that's enough fun for today; you all go keep your Mother Empress company so she doesn't get gloomy. I'll go with a few elders to see His Majesty."

"I suppose His Majesty is waiting for us now."

The ministers all nodded.

Li Lizhi, Gao Yang and others also understood Chen Yan's meaning, and they departed with Sizi and Cheng Yang.

Meanwhile, in Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun were actually chatting leisurely.

Although they already knew the Imperial Examination results, the candidates' feedback was equally important, so they were still waiting for reports from below.

Empress Changsun, holding Lai Ji's exam paper, examined it twice carefully and sighed, "This student, was he truly taught by Zi An?"

"Is he the one Zi An mentioned last time, the one who competed with Cheng Qian for you?"

Li Shimin nodded, "Precisely, it was two brothers, who respectively secured the top two Jinshi positions."

"Even I didn't expect… Zi An trained them for less than a year, and after their families fell, they spent much of their time drifting."

Empress Changsun heard this and laughed lightly, "Er Lang, I originally thought you were already accustomed; Zi An, as always, occasionally gives us some surprises."

"Putting those two brothers aside, the low‑born candidates accounted for over thirty percent, nearly forty percent, in this Imperial Examination selection—a quite good start."

"Regarding the low‑born… I actually already have a mental preparation; the only issue lies with those two brothers…"

"His Majesty, the Crown Prince seeks an audience outside!"

At that moment, Wushe hurried over to report.

Li Shimin: "......"

Well, it seems he already knows what Li Chengqian is up to.

Empress Changsun pursed her lips, "Er Lang, since you have matters to discuss with the Crown Prince, I'll go to the back first."

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his eye, "Now the Crown Prince again?"

Not Cheng Qian?

He covered his forehead, waved his hand gloomily, "Let him in."

A moment later, Li Chengqian entered. Li Shimin gave him no chance to speak or bow, and said directly, "Cheng Qian, you came to see me today—what is it? I plan to convene the ministers shortly to discuss some matters; if it's not important, we can talk later."

Li Chengqian's mind was clear as a mirror; seeing this, he didn't intend to feign politeness, raised his head and said, "Father Emperor, I have come today to request two people; I hope you will grant it."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's face darkened instantly.

If Lai Heng and Lai Ji merely passed the exam, not securing the top two Jinshi spots, then it's fine to give them.

Now they're already so much in the spotlight, and he himself still lacks personnel; the Ministry of Works has a heap of positions waiting for replacements.

You still want?

"I can't give any. Get out quickly, or I'll strike you!"

Li Shimin refused without hesitation!

Li Chengqian straightened his back and said seriously, "Father Emperor, this is not up to you. Lai Heng and Lai Ji are cultivation methods devised by Zi Anxiong, and Zi Anxiong even invited an elderly gentleman from the Yan family to teach them."

"These two brothers owe Zi Anxiong a huge favor! Zi Anxiong has already discussed with your son, and regardless of how these two brothers fare this time, they will be given to me!"

"Therefore, these two men, your son is determined to obtain them!"

"Cheng Qian!" Li Shimin sprang up, glared at Li Chengqian below, "You are being rather presumptuous!"

"These two brothers are now the first and second Jinshi; how can I give them to you?"

"If you leave now, I will consider that you never came today!"

"His Majesty does not agree, your son will not leave today!" Li Chengqian slowly shook his head; even facing Li Shimin's imposing pressure, he did not bend his back, stepping back half a step.

He did not want to let Chen Yan disappoint his mother again.

"His Majesty, your son is the Crown Prince; the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace has no one to employ, and Zi Anxiong has cultivated talent for your son; you letting your son go free is not acceptable!"

"Cheng Qian!!"

Li Chengqian did not retreat, word for word said, "Please, His Majesty, address me as Crown Prince!!"

The moment those words were spoken, Ganlu Hall fell silent.

Wushe was so frightened that he fell to his knees on the ground.

From the shadows, Empress Changsun, listening to the father‑son dialogue, was astonished.

Li Shimin was also stunned.

After a long while, he gave Li Chengqian a few serious looks, then suddenly let out a chuckling laugh.

Empress Changsun, hidden behind, also laughed.

"Good! Very good!"

"Crown Prince, you have courage!"

"......"