Chapter 86: Li Yuwan

In fact, given Grandfather Wushe's status, there is no need to explain much to that county marquis who holds no official rank.

But if others don't know, can Grandfather Wushe be unaware?

The gentleman before me not only has a marriage contract with Princess Gao Yang, but Princess Changle also caused a scene with him before Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

At the same time, he is on good terms with the Crown Prince, and Li Shimin trusts him immensely.

Someone like that cannot be offended.

"Damn, Grandfather Wushe spoke too harshly; I've been here before, I know the rules."

Chen Yan finished speaking, glanced around, leaned close to Wushe's ear and whispered, "But… I would like to ask you about something, if it's not inconvenient?"

"Well… " Wushe dared not agree lightly; if Chen Yan asked a taboo question, he couldn't answer.

Chen Yan understood his worry and said, "Grandfather, rest assured, I'm not trying to inquire about His Majesty or Her Majesty."

"I just want to ask you whether the Crown Prince has already set out to attend the birthday banquet?"

Wushe's expression relaxed, a smile appearing, "Marquis of Weinan, you may not know, this year Her Majesty's birthday banquet is being held at East Inner Garden; the Crown Prince likely left already."

"East Inner Garden?" Chen Yan understood Wushe's meaning.

East Inner Garden is the garden east of Tai Chi Palace, its scenery is very beautiful, perfect for an open‑air banquet in spring or summer.

If it weren't a grand affair, it wouldn't be surprising for the birthday banquet to be held elsewhere.

The Eastern Palace and East Inner Garden are separated only by a palace wall.

Leaving from the main hall of the Eastern Palace, it takes less than a quarter hour to reach East Inner Garden.

Since it's so close, Marquis Cheng Qian likely already took the Crown Princess to the banquet venue.

Chen Yan's eyes flickered, and he continued, "Then could Grandfather Wushe do me a favor, counting as a favor the Crown Prince owes you?"

"Hmm… eh?" Wushe was startled, suddenly feeling something was off.

Recalling the words he had just heard, Wushe twitched the corner of his mouth.

"What a convenient way to say the Crown Prince owes you a favor."

"Does the Crown Prince even know about this favor?"

"Besides, he's already the Crown Prince; does he still need to owe a eunuch a favor?"

Wushe seemed somewhat helpless, "Marquis of Weinan, feel free to give me any order; if I can accomplish it, I will never refuse."

"Good, Grandfather truly is a straightforward person!"

Chen Yan first handed Sizi over to Biyun and Dongxue for care, then pulled Wushe to a spot far from the crowd.

He didn't know what he said, but Wushe's expression became very frantic.

Chen Yan whispered a few more words into Wushe's ear; after hesitating for a while, Wushe finally agreed.

"......"

At this moment in East Inner Garden, brocade mats covered the ground, many screens were placed around, and slender columns entwined with flowers were erected, hanging with peonies and auspicious cloud ornaments.

Two rows of tables were arranged from the positions of Li Shimin and Empress Changsun at the front, and female officials of the Food Bureau directed palace maids to set out the prepared dishes and pastries.

Because it was still early, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun had not yet appeared, and many invited guests whispered among themselves.

Chen Yan looked around and found that Wushe was correct: the attendees of the birthday banquet were essentially imperial relatives.

For example, Changsun Wuji and his son, Changsun Shunde, and Changsun Chang from the Changsun family.

Also imperial clan members such as Li Xiaogong and others.

Many of the people Chen Yan actually didn't know, nor cared to meet, and as he was about to find a corner to hide Xiao Sizi, a female official slowly approached.

"Marquis of Weinan, when Her Majesty the Empress arrives later, Little Princess of Jinyang needs to go ahead to congratulate the Crown Prince and Princess Changle and others."

"Therefore, I need to take the young prince away first."

"I?" Chen Yan looked at the female official oddly, said little, comforted Xiao Sizi a few times, then let her take Sizi away.

He had seen that female official a few times beside Empress Changsun; given her rank, she should address him as 'subject' when speaking to him.

Calling herself 'I' (as a concubine) is already very humble.

He always felt that today, entering the palace, some people's attitudes toward him were overly courteous.

Chen Yan thought for a moment, seemed to guess something, curled his lip, and walked on his own toward the lowest table at the banquet, the least conspicuous one.

Anyway, his status here is the lowest, so sitting at the back is fine; he had always come this way before.

However, shortly after Chen Yan sat down, he felt a gaze fall upon him.

Looking toward the source of the feeling, he saw on the table beside him a cute five‑ or six‑year‑old girl in a lotus‑pink traditional dress, her big eyes widened, curiously studying him.

Next to the little girl stood a noblewoman wearing a dark teal brocade jacket adorned with pheasant feathers and a collar embroidered with cloud‑phoenix motifs.

"Little miss, what are you looking at?" Chen Yan said cheerfully.

The girl seemed surprised that Chen Yan spoke to her, paused, and replied softly, "Young master, who are you? Why were you holding my cousin Sizi just now?"

"Cousin?" Chen Yan was surprised in his heart, and said, "I suppose I'm Sizi's doctor… she fell ill and has been convalescing at my house recently."

After that, he joked, "Before asking someone else's name and identity, shouldn't you first state your own name?"

The noblewoman beside the girl fixed her gaze, smiled, and said, "So it is the Marquis of Weinan. Children are ignorant; please forgive the Marquis for the child's rudeness."

"I am the Princess Consort of the Prince of Jiangxia, and this is my daughter, named Li Yuwan."

Li Yuwan nodded, sweetly saying, "Yes, Mother is right; I am called Li Yuwan."

"Young master, you should tell me your name now."

Princess Consort of the Prince of Jiangxia, Li Yuwan.......?

Chen Yan was slightly startled, his gaze involuntarily shifting to Li Yuwan.

There is only one Prince of Jiangxia, and that is Li Daozong, Li Shimin's cousin.

How to put it, his focus is not on Li Daozong, nor on the Princess Consort of the Prince of Jiangxia.

His attention is entirely on Li Yuwan.

Perhaps many people in later generations have heard of Princess Changle, Princess Gao Yang, Princess Jinyang and other famous princesses to varying degrees.

Because they are either the legitimate daughters of Empress Changsun, gentle and intelligent in temperament, yet their fate is unjust, leading to early deaths, which is lamentable.

Princess Gao Yang is more notorious, so I will not elaborate further here.

Yet even if the three princesses above are extremely famous and widely praised.

If we talk about historical standing, even if you double the sum of the three of them, they probably still cannot compare to the little girl before us.

She is a person whose fate is full of hardships, yet she constantly strives to improve herself.

Peace goddess, Princess Wencheng!

「...... 」