Chapter 85: Going to the Birthday Banquet

Since Princess Gao Yang and Li Lizhi left that day, Chen Yan has been quiet for a stretch of days.

Every day he played with Xiao Sizi and Xiao Qingyue, occasionally taking them out for a stroll.

During this period, Li Lizhi sent him a letter informing him that the investigation into close-kin marriages had concluded.

Li Shimin was furious with the Empress, and the next day he announced at court an edict banning close-kin marriages.

It was said that at that time two clueless officials jumped out to oppose it, and Li Shimin had them beheaded that same day.

Days passed, and in the blink of an eye it was the day of Empress Changsun's birthday banquet.

Under Qing'er's service, Chen Yan reluctantly changed into formal official attire.

There was no choice; Empress Changsun held a lofty status, and her birthday banquet was a major imperial ceremony.

The birthday banquet was not merely a family gathering; it was also a political occasion to display imperial dignity and win over officials, so he had to pay attention to his attire.

If too casual, it could be seen as disrespectful, even an affront to the imperial family's dignity.

Stepping out the door, Chen Yan saw three carriages stopped at the gate.

Beside the lead carriage, Xiao Sizi was sulkily squatting, her face full of displeasure, with her two maids, Biyun and Dongxue, following her.

Seeing him come out, Sizi's eyes lit up; she tugged at her bright yellow traditional dress, stood up, ran over, and clung to his leg, pleading: "Brother, your clothes are too tight, it's uncomfortable~"

"Nana~" Sizi tugged at the jeweled hairpin on her head, the small gold lock around her neck, and the colored silk cord on her wrist.

"Brother, this is too heavy; it's making my head ache~"

Biyun and Dongxue hurried over to salute, "Lord Bo."

Chen Yan couldn't help but rub his forehead, waving his hands at the two maids as he lifted Sizi to comfort her: "All right, brother knows you've been working hard."

"But today is your mother's birthday banquet; you need to go give her blessings, so can you bear it a little longer?"

"Once your mother's banquet ends, we'll toss them all away right away!"

"Hmm~" Sizi reluctantly agreed, then clenched her tiny fists and waved them: "When brother gets plump, I'll smash them to pieces~"

As a princess born of Empress Changsun's legitimate line, although Sizi is young, when she attends the birthday banquet she must still pay attention to her attire and accessories, lest she disgrace the imperial status.

Chen Yan sometimes truly finds these damn rules annoying; you say you're tormenting adults, that's already enough.

You even torment a two-year-old little girl.

What's hanging on that little head is either gold or pearls and gems—how could it not be heavy?

Chen Yan whispered in her ear: "Just hold on a bit longer; when we sit down to eat, brother will take you somewhere hidden, and we'll take these things off."

Before, he had also attended Empress Changsun's birthday banquets, but each time he chose to be a wallflower, hiding in a corner to eat and drink silently.

He had experience.

Hearing this, Sizi's eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.

Having made up her mind, after giving her mother blessings she would run off to find her brother.

At that moment, Qing'er walked out of the manor and said, "Young master, the things you wanted are ready; they're placed in the rear carriage."

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, "Alright, I got it; you may go back."

Qing'er would not accompany him.

After all, her status is merely a maid beside Chen Yan; if she went, she could at most wait outside, unable to enter the banquet.

It would be better to stay at home.

"It's getting late, Biyun, Dongxue, let's go." With those words, Chen Yan carried Sizi toward the first carriage.

Sizi's two maids took their seats in the second carriage.

The convoy slowly set off, heading for the Imperial Palace.

Along the way, Sizi blinked her eyes and asked, "Brother, later do we have to greet Mother with a bow~"

She had heard from Dongxue and Biyun that when attending Empress Changsun's birthday celebration, one must speak some words of blessing.

The two maids worried that Sizi couldn't remember a long passage, so after much deliberation they came up with a relatively suitable phrase.

Unfortunately, they still overestimated a two-year-old child.

Although they thought those words were already quite short, for Sizi they were still beyond her memory capacity.

After the morning's distractions with clothing and hair ornaments, Sizi had completely forgotten what the two maids had said.

Chen Yan pondered briefly, then said: "When the time comes, tell your mother, 'May you be happy every day and never grow old'; I guarantee she'll be delighted to hear it."

Sizi widened her eyes slightly, mentally recited it once, and felt the phrase was even simpler and easier to remember.

"This is good, this is good, brother will say this~"

"Hmm, Sizi, you must remember it well." Chen Yan smiled.

In fact, no matter what Sizi says, as long as she avoids taboo words, Empress Changsun will be pleased.

Because during this time Chen Yan has fattened up the formerly thin Sizi a bit, her complexion looks rosy and healthy.

Moreover, Empress Changsun has been in good spirits lately due to her pregnancy; seeing Sizi like this, how could she not be happy?

Not long after, the carriage stopped, and the driver respectfully called out, "Lord Bo, we've reached Vermilion Bird Gate."

"Good, I know." Chen Yan responded, carrying Sizi down from the carriage.

Looking up, he saw carriages scattered here and there, with some drivers and attendants waiting nearby.

Seeing this, Chen Yan frowned, feeling something was off.

Logically, for such a major event as Empress Changsun's birthday, there ought to be many well-wishers, so why are there so few carriages?

Last year at this time, the carriages were so numerous they couldn't even all fit outside Vermilion Bird Gate.

This year, how come there are only so few?

As he pondered, Biyun and Dongxue had somehow already dismounted and were silently following behind him.

Wushe, accompanied by two eunuchs, emerged silently from within Vermilion Bird Gate and approached him, saying, "Marquis of Weinan, please bring the young lord/lady with you to see me."

Seeing Wushe, Chen Yan was quite surprised, "Grand Eunuch Wushe, how did you come here?"

Don't let Wushe's usual timid appearance fool you; no matter what he says, he is Li Shimin's personal attendant eunuch.

At times, he can even slightly influence Li Shimin's thoughts and decisions.

Last time Empress Changsun fainted, it's understandable that Wushe personally went to find him.

How come he's doing the job of greeting people today?

Wushe guessed what he was thinking and explained: "Last year's drought, Her Majesty wasn't advocating frugality? Therefore, this year's birthday banquet did not invite too many people for a grand affair; most of those who came are royal relatives and nobles, so His Majesty ordered me to wait here."

"I see." Chen Yan suddenly realized, and immediately pointed to the third carriage he had brought.

"Attendant Wushe, my carriage can't enter; it's loaded with the birthday gift I prepared for Her Majesty, please trouble you to help bring it in."

Wushe replied: "That's certainly no problem, but...... according to the rules, I must still conduct an inspection......"

Saying this, he hastily added, "Marquis of Weinan, don't misunderstand; no matter who enters the palace to present birthday gifts today, I must still conduct an inspection."

"......"