Chapter 674: Trial

Chen Yan and Li Tai didn't hurry to go back and keep lying down; they sat in the cool pavilion and chatted idly.

Because they knew that today's visitors definitely included more than just Du Gou.

The truly important figures hadn't arrived yet.

Sure enough, shortly after Du Gou left, Li Chengqian rushed over, and as soon as he saw the two, he slapped his hands together and said, "Hey, what are you two up to?"

"Others don't know, but do I not know?"

"It's true that Father Emperor is poisoned, but the problem is this thing can't be cured at all; Father Emperor has endured it for so long, and with your nurturing, his condition has clearly improved a lot."

"Why does he have to convalesce for a while and make me the regent......"

"Isn't that a good thing?" Chen Yan interrupted Li Chengqian, and the latter was taken aback.

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, cleared his throat, and walked over to sit down.

"Zi Anxiong...... the way you put it, how can that be a good thing? I'm worried about Father Emperor."

Chen Yan and Li Tai immediately laughed.

Could they possibly not understand Li Chengqian?

Don't be fooled by his fierce demeanor when he arrived; he might be secretly delighted.

After all, this isn't just a day or two of regency, but a full one or two months, during which he can reap many benefits.

Moreover, Li Chengqian knows that Li Shimin is perfectly fine; if he didn't have to put on a show, his mouth would be about to slip at the Court.

Now that they're face to face, staying calm already means they've done enough mental preparation.

Chen Yan said with a half‑smile, "Crown Prince, if you're truly worried about His Majesty, why not go with us to treat the illness? After all you've been poisoned before, and that poison can't be cured; why not use this time to recuperate properly."

"As for the Tang Dynasty...... let the other princes handle the regency."

Li Chengqian said sternly, "Zi Anxiong, I have to say a couple of words to you."

"You left, Father Emperor also left, and the nation suddenly lost its backbone—Father Emperor and you, the pillar of the sky. If anything goes wrong and causes turmoil, what then?"

"The more times like this come, the less I can leave!"

"Anyway, I am the Crown Prince of this Tang Dynasty; the Tang Dynasty needs me, Father Emperor needs me, I must not shirk my duty."

"As for the toxins in my body......" Li Chengqian said confidently, "How can my personal condition compare to the state of the Tang Dynasty?"

Chen Yan sneered, "Pretend, keep pretending!"

"I bet, if it weren't for Qing'er being nearby, you'd already be laughing like a pig now!"

Li Tai gave no comment: "Not that loud."

Li Chengqian: "......."

Qing'er hesitated, "Crown Prince, Prince of Wei, Young Master, shall I, the maid, go down first?"

She felt the upcoming matters were dangerous, beyond what she could hear.

Chen Yan nodded slightly, "Alright, you go first and look after Xiao Sui An."

Qing'er hurriedly bowed and stepped back.

After she left, the three present stared at each other, but none spoke.

Chen Yan and Li Tai gazed at Li Chengqian silently.

The latter remained silent for a long while, his mouth twitching involuntarily.

Finally, Li Chengqian couldn't hold it any longer, broke his composure in a second, and burst into giggles.

"Hahaha, Zi Anxiong, Qingque, can you stop looking at me like that?"

"That's a bit rude!"

Chen Yan and Li Tai both let out a light snort.

We've known each other for so many years.

No one should pretend with anyone.

"Um...... cough cough." Li Chengqian awkwardly coughed twice, "In short, I don't care what you're planning, I won't interfere; do whatever you want."

"I'll ask you one question."

"What you and Father Emperor intend to do has nothing to do with me, right?"

Chen Yan knew what he was worried about and explained, "Just govern the country yourself; you don't need to worry about the rest."

"Actually there's nothing much to hide from you; it's just that Father Emperor wants to go out incognito."

"Just a bit too far for incognito."

Li Chengqian fell silent immediately.

After a long while, he asked, "How far?"

"Huainan."

Li Chengqian: "......"

That's indeed far enough.

They're basically going from the north all the way to the south.

"You guys really have big hearts." Li Chengqian retorted.

Chen Yan shrugged, "Can't help it, it's all Father Emperor's idea. I don't want to go, but he wants to take my two wives and our only child away; what can I do?"

"Enough, let's drop this."

"Brother Cheng Qian." Chen Yan leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, "After we leave, don't just seek safety; be bolder, promote those who deserve it. As long as it's not excessive, His Majesty will turn a blind eye."

"Also, I mulled over last night, your Father Emperor chose this timing a bit too cleverly."

"The implementation of the tariffs is imminent; I had already told His Majesty it would be proposed within these two days."

"But suddenly he told me he has to leave."

"As for the campaign against Tuyuhun, need not mention; it's probably set to depart early next month, and when they get there, heavy snow will be falling."

All these items, one by one, have fallen on your head.

If your Father Emperor were willing to wait a month, none of this would fall on your head, but he refuses to wait.

Chen Yan said meaningfully: "Taste it, savor it!"

Li Tai heard this, smiled faintly, didn't interject, and drank his tea by himself.

Li Chengqian heard this, first frowned, then relaxed, surprised and uncertain: "You mean... Father Emperor deliberately left all these for me?"

"Then it depends on how you think." Chen Yan poured him a cup of hot tea and said: "First, you must understand the deeper meaning behind these two matters and the difficulties you need to face."

"I ask you, who first proposed the tariff?"

"Of course it's you." Li Chengqian said without hesitation.

"Who am I?"

"You? Of course it's Chen... you're the Minister of Revenue!"

Chen Yan saw him understand and continued: "Then if I, as the Minister of Revenue, the biggest supporter of the tariff, were to leave."

"Even His Majesty, the one who can decide with a single word, has left, and coincidentally at this time, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling and others remain silent?"

In an instant, Li Chengqian fully understood Chen Yan's meaning, muttering: "If you were to leave, and Du Ruhui and the other chancellors all remain neutral on this, then the tariff's implementation would inevitably become more difficult..."

"I understand, including the expedition to Tuyuhun as well."

"This is a...... test that combines reward and punishment......?"

"........"