Chapter 679: Chen Yan: You Still Put on Airs with Me?

Because Li Shimin chose this route, it must pass through Weinan County.

When the convoy passed through Weinan County, Chen Yan felt no surprise; he even lifted the carriage curtain, intending to see the place where he once worked.

However, the direction the convoy was heading seemed increasingly wrong.

Chen Yan wondered, "This doesn't seem to be the road to the relay station; rather, it looks like the road into the county seat, right?"

Gao Yang looked up, nodded, and said, "It's definitely the road into the city—you've traveled it so many times before, don't you recognize it?"

"Not exactly unrecognizable," Chen Yan replied, puzzled, "But didn't your father emperor say to travel by land, not by water?"

"What's the point of going into Weinan County now? Could he have changed his mind and decided to travel via the Wei River?"

Gao Yang pouted, "How would I know?"

"Anyway, you all set the route—what's the use of asking me?"

"Just move aside, you're nothing." Chen Yan was speechless; indeed, you couldn't expect this old woman to say anything pleasant.

The convoy continued onward and soon entered Weinan County.

At this time, Weinan County already had the appearance of an industrial town; the pedestrian flow on both sides of the streets was noticeably much less than when Chen Yan first came to Weinan County.

However, once it was time to rest, the flow of people would suddenly surge.

As usual, Weinan County had a dock; with vehicles coming and going every day, their convoy, though larger, merely gave the locals an extra glance.

The carriage drove on, after advancing a stretch of time, it stopped at a place that surprised Chen Yan.

In front of the secluded lane west of the West Market, this place used to be a notorious slum where many vagrants and people living in hardship resided.

Remembering when Chen Yan first came here, the residents of the nearby streets lived in dilapidated houses, the ground was pitted, every face bore deep exhaustion, and each person was weaker than the last.

Nowadays it looks markedly improved; houses have been repaired, at a glance each household lines up neatly along the streets, there's more order, and the ground has long been paved with blue bricks.

The former slum now looks somewhat like where ordinary commoners live in Chang'an City.

Seeing this, Chen Yan felt a bit dazed and sighed, "Unnoticed, almost three years have passed."

"It seems Li Yifu and his lot haven't forgotten my instructions; they've consistently carried out the bottom‑up strategy."

Li Lizhi's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she gazed at the outside scene, she gave a faint smile: "My lord, let's get down first; what Father Emperor wants to see seems to be right here."

"Perfect, we can also count this as revisiting our old stomping grounds."

Chen Yan nodded, held his daughter and stepped down from the carriage; after Li Lizhi and Gao Yang alighted, he led them forward.

Coincidentally, Li Shimin stepped down at that moment, and Chen Yan was about to greet him: "Your—"

Before he could finish, two more people stepped out of Li Shimin's carriage, causing him to widen his eyes instantly.

"Zi An, you look quite surprised."

Empress Changsun led Xiao Sizi, smiling gently as she looked at him.

Chen Yan felt numb, stunned for a good while, unable to believe: "How did you come here?"

"Can't I come?" Empress Changsun replied with a smile.

"It's not that you can't come...... it's just......" Chen Yan was at a loss for words, glancing at Li Shimin and then at Empress Changsun, really not knowing what to say.

So you're all bringing the whole family into battle, huh?

Li Shimin waved his hand: "All right, don't be so surprised—I... I need to recuperate; what's wrong with having Guanyin Maid accompany me?"

"Isn't that unreasonable?"

Chen Yan wore a dark face: "Reasonable, very reasonable."

"Enough, cut the chatter—this isn't a formal setting, remember not to use titles, lest you expose my identity." Li Shimin looked at his expression, and his mood inexplicably eased.

"Then what should I call you?"

"Whatever you like."

Chen Yan said expressionlessly, "How about Li Er?"

Li Shimin:???

Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi, among others, twitched the corners of their mouths in unison.

You brat, you really dare to say that!

"Damn it, I'll lend you ten guts!"

Li Shimin immediately glared over.

Li Er has shown up.

As for peers, it's fine—after all, this really wasn't a misaddress.

But you're a junior, and moreover a son‑in‑law—can you really call Li Er that?

Chen Yan gave a dry cough: "Father‑in‑law, please don't be angry, just joking, just joking."

"Not funny at all!" Li Shimin snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and walked toward the street ahead.

He couldn't be bothered to argue with Chen Yan; otherwise, he might not even be able to pull it off, let alone win.

"Come on, what are you standing there for?"

"Eh, here I come."

Chen Yan couldn't fathom what Li Shimin wanted to do; he was about to follow and see, when Empress Changsun suddenly said, "Wait a moment, let me hold Xiao Sui An."

"Mmm~"

Xiao Sui An seemed to understand, tilted his head to glance at Empress Changsun, and suddenly laughed.

This delighted Empress Changsun immensely; she happily took Xiao Sui An from his arms.

Chen Yan had thought things would end here, but unexpectedly his hand was suddenly grabbed.

He instinctively looked up and met Xiao Sizi's eyes full of resentment.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you say I'm doing?"

How would I know what you want to do?

Nonsense, you scumbag tricked me to death; you made a bet with Mother, no doubt, but clearly you won, yet you tricked me!

Sizi shouted angrily, her little mouth pouting, tears already welling up in her eyes.

Chen Yan laughed embarrassedly, pulling her along as he walked forward: "All right, all right, don't talk about these unimportant things; I didn't bring you out to play, did I?"

Pfft, you clearly tricked me, and you said you'd come pick me up in two months, but after two months you've been hiding from me everywhere, you big liar!

Who's the big liar? I've been busy, I just forgot...... hey hey hey, don't cry, or I'll hit you.

Sizi, who had been ready to make a fuss and get Chen Yan to agree to some of her demands, heard this and her big eyes instantly filled with astonishment.

I'm crying, shouldn't you be comforting me?

What does hitting me mean?

Is there someone like you?

All right, all right, I'll take you to eat something delicious later, don't be mad." Chen Yan casually patted the head of the puffed-up little Sizi, saying cheerfully.

Who wants to eat something delicious!

Sizi waved her small hand to slap away the big hand on her head, crossed her arms, lifted her little chin, and said: "I'm telling you, I'm very unhappy right now!"

When I'm unhappy, the consequences are serious!

I advise you to hurry up and comfort me, or else... you'll regret it!

Chen Yan laughed: "What's up? Do you want to beat me to death with your little bun head, or kick me to death with your short legs?"

Just forget it, you're still being all high and mighty with me; wait forty years then talk.

"......"