Chapter 629: Chen Yan: Huh? Am I About to Die?

"Sir, what would you like for lunch today? I'll get it for you."

Inside Dali Temple Prison, Pei Guang came to the cell where Chen Yan was locked up and said to Chen Yan, who was lying on the bed sleeping soundly.

Don't ask why there's a bed; the answer is that Dali Temple Prison has recently started to care for the inmates, so they've equipped them with beds and bedding.

"Ah…." Chen Yan turned over and casually said, "Just make something random today. Go to that Zui Xian Lou and bring me a hot pot; that'll do. Lately my mouth feels like a bird has gone sour."

Pei Guang: "......"

Fine, for this Sir, eating a hot pot from Zui Xian Lou is truly just a casual bite.

The key is that this Sir wants to eat, and there actually is a way to get it in.

Pei Guang didn't mind; he just needed to report Chen Yan's request upward, and someone above would arrange it.

"Alright, please wait a moment; I'll inform the higher‑ups."

Then Pei Guang reported Chen Yan's request upward, and came back: "Sir, something big happened in the Court today; are you aware?"

Hearing that, Chen Yan finally opened his eyes, but instead of speaking immediately, he stared at the excited Pei Guang for a couple of breaths before slowly asking, "What happened?"

"I heard the higher‑ups mention casually that today your subordinate Han Zhongliang made Xiao Da Ren cough up blood."

"He collapsed publicly in the Tai Ji Dian and was said to have been carried out by the imperial physician."

Chen Yan was stunned, a hint of surprise appearing on his face.

Pei Guang's so‑called "casual" hearing of the higher‑ups—whether that "casual" was intentional… let's set that aside for now.

Han Zhongliang made Xiao Yu cough up blood?

He also collapsed and died? Carried out of the Tai Ji Dian by the imperial physician?

Why does he doubt it so much?

I even pulled out a slab brick, gave Xiao Yu two big bruises, his eye sockets took a heavy hammer, and I didn't see Xiao Yu cough blood.

"Sir, you just don't believe it?"

Seeing his expression, Pei Guang's eyes lit up, clearly unable to hold back gossip.

Chen Yan said silently, "Tell me specifically, what exactly happened?"

"What happened… I don't know the details; the higher‑ups said that Ministerial Attendant Han and Lord Xiao had a disagreement, they argued, and Xiao seemed to disagree with Han's view. Then Han said, 'When your parents were still alive, did you ever protect them like this?'"

"That made Xiao Da Ren cough up blood directly!"

At this point, Pei Guang grew more excited, speeding up: "Sir, I'm not exaggerating; the higher‑ups spoke with solid evidence, and I don't think it's false."

"You have such a fierce general under your command?"

Chen Yan: "......"

After pondering Pei Guang's words carefully, he wore a strange expression, suppressing a smile, and said, "Then what do you think?"

"After all, I'm the Minister of Revenue; how can I have no capable people under me?"

"I'm not bragging, but for someone like Han Zhongliang, my Ministry can find at least nine, a full nine!"

"Damn, for a weakling like Xiao Yu, my Ministry could rotate troops and make him cough blood five times!"

"I… huh?"

While Chen Yan was speaking, his peripheral vision caught a familiar face: "General Chai, what wind brings you here?"

At that moment, Pei Guang finally noticed someone approaching, and he no longer spoke as casually as before; he quickly bowed and stepped back.

Chai Shao glared at him irritably, pulled a document from his sleeve and waved it: "Did you write this?"

Chen Yan rose from the bed, went to the cell door, glanced at the document in Chai Shao's hand, and laughed, "General Chai, you really dug this up again."

"It seems His Majesty intends to send you to Luoyang."

"That's a fine assignment; if you accomplish it, it'll be another great merit."

"Then congratulations, General Chai."

"I thank you," Chai Shao gritted his teeth, "I only earned such merit once in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era; now I'm being sent again—do you have some grievance against me?"

"Heaven's conscience!" Chen Yan raised both hands, "This has nothing to do with me; I'm locked up here, how could I control the Court?"

"Moreover, this must be His Majesty's decision; it's not something I can influence."

He truly can't influence it, but he could make a small conjecture, letting Wei Zheng and others suggest reasonably; that should be fine, right?

Chai Shao, too lazy to chat, sat directly at the cell door, spread the document open, and said, "No nonsense, tell me if there's any trap in here?"

Chen Yan smiled, then spoke seriously, "To be frank, I've already written everything inside; just do your own part."

"The rest… others will handle it."

Chai Shao caught Chen Yan's implication, nodded, "Alright, then I'll just do what's within my duties."

"By the way," Chai Shao brought up something, "Don't say I didn't warn you; the last time I went to visit the Retired Emperor, I ran into Princess Jinyang crying and lodging a complaint to His Majesty, saying His Majesty wants to beat you to death."

"That little girl cried so sadly, her speech was halting, she looked pitiful, which moved the Retired Emperor's heart, and he took her straight into the palace."

At this point, Chai Shao lowered his voice, "You kid, sometimes don't be so ruthless; at first His Majesty probably only wanted to lock you up for two days, and now you're pulling this stunt… don't you think you're asking for trouble?"

"If you don't let His Majesty have it easy, can His Majesty make it easy for you?"

"Why have you been wise all your life, yet on this petty matter you act so foolishly?"

Hearing that, Chen Yan was instantly stunned.

He hurriedly grabbed Chai Shao's hand and asked, "No, General Chai, is there some misunderstanding here?"

"What does it mean that Princess Jinyang went to the Retired Emperor to complain that His Majesty wants to kill me?"

"You don't know?" Chai Shao exclaimed, "But I heard the Little Princess of Jinyang say at the time that you were about to die, that you should grow up well, and that later Prince Wei would stand in for you to marry her off; she said it with such heartfelt sincerity, utterly pitiful."

"Isn't that what you said?"

"What the hell am I saying!" Chen Yan panicked instantly.

Originally I had no big issues; I was just coming in to stay two days, then my title would be stripped, and everything would be fine.

How nice would that be?

What the hell is going on?

Why does he, out of the blue, have to die, and even tell Sizi that later the Wei King will take his place and marry her?

When did I ever say such a thing?

Isn't this just nonsense?

It was a perfectly fine affair, but if Li Yuan brings Sizi over to Li Shimin and makes a fuss, they'll get a hard time.

Just as Chai Shao said, can I be any better off?

"Anyway, I've already told you my part, I don't know the rest, I'm done with it."

Chai Shao clarified the matter, and after finishing his words, he stood up, patted his butt, and left.

"... Hey! Hey! Explain clearly, what's the deal? I never said those things, and I definitely didn't send Sizi to find the Retired Emperor... Ouch, me..."

"Damn it!"

"Who the hell is secretly framing me?"

"..."