Chapter 101 Threat
Cen An'an waited so long the flowers withered, until finally, the door creaked open.
Cen An'an's chubby little hand supported her chin, then slid down with a "plop," instantly waking her up.
He scrambled to his feet from the small stool that Liu Fu had brought him.
Yes, she had been waiting for too long and couldn't stand it anymore. She didn't want to go to the recliner in the yard and insisted on waiting at the door. Liu Fu couldn't bear to watch any longer. He listened to the sounds inside the house and, after confirming that everything should be alright, he got An An a small stool.
So he watched the energetic little cub, his eyes squinting as he waited.
Thankfully, the door is finally open.
Before looking at Cen An, Cen Yan, dressed neatly, gave Liu Fu a wink. Liu Fu understood and slipped inside.
Cen Yan stepped out of the main house, picked up the little one, and before being accused, asked first, "Is An'an's toothbrush done?"
"Okay, Daddy~"
Cen An'an reached out and took the initiative to cling to Cen Yan's neck, her whole body feeling soft and yielding.
It felt different from when Zhuang Dongqing hugged him, but both times it filled him with joy.
"Did you practice diligently?"
“Yes, Father, look! Ah—”
The little brat opened his mouth wide, letting Cen Yan examine him.
This was Zhuang Dongqing's original idea. Sometimes he would wash his hands and touch it slightly. There was no other way; there were no plaque detection agents in this era, but they weren't commonly used either. Cen Yan had asked about this trick and learned it.
Cen Yan had already washed his hands, but this time he only glanced at them before praising An An.
Zhuang Dongqing heard Cen Yan praising the child in the bathroom, mixed with the little brat's happy response of being fooled, and suddenly laughed.
"What's wrong? Is the water temperature off?"
Hot water was ready, and with Zhuang Dongqing's wound healing, she could finally take a comfortable bath, and she had been taking frequent baths these past few days.
Zhuang Dongqing shook her head and asked only, "How do you feel about our life now?"
"That's great! I've even become a manager, something I never dared to dream of before."
The idea that Luk Fook wanted to go into business has quietly changed, and they now take Liu Qi as their new role model.
He is also good at arithmetic and can graduate in another year. By then, he will be old enough to return to his fiefdom. If he is interested, there will be many opportunities for him to gain experience.
Zhuang Dongqing smiled and said, "Yes, I also think life is very good now."
People who love.
There are people who love him.
There was also a calf as strong as a calf.
They still haven't changed their parasitic lifestyle.
This is what an ideal life is all about.
Zhuang Dongqing's smile widened as she listened to Cen Yan and Cen An'an's casual conversation coming from outside.
That's great.
I hope nothing changes.
*
When Eunuch Feng boarded the ship bound for Hangzhou on imperial orders, Cen Yan received news that Emperor Shengwu had taken the newly refined elixir. After taking it, his health improved greatly, and his spirits were strong. He even extended the duration of the last two court assemblies and offered many suggestions.
Two days after he received the news, Li Zhuo and Li Yang also found out.
Looking at her still haggard reflection in the mirror, Li Yang felt a pang of regret. "If it weren't for the delay, it would have been perfect if Eunuch Feng had come two days earlier."
A retainer standing nearby said, "Your Highness is mistaken."
"But I think that it would be best if Eunuch Feng came now."
“You are still recovering from a serious illness, but not to the point of being unable to get out of bed. It’s not that you’re being too deliberate. This natural emaciation and sickly appearance is more authentic. What do you think?”
Li Yang thought for a moment and nodded, "I was too hasty. I still need your guidance in everything."
"Your Highness is too modest. As long as you have this intention, I will naturally do my best."
Li Yang smiled.
But the person in the mirror began to feel unfamiliar.
However, it was all worth it.
You have to be willing to give up something to gain something.
How can you gain something if you're unwilling to let go?
Li Zhuo, however, did not possess Li Yang's composure.
The situation during this period was almost driving him crazy.
In addition, he had many informants, and the news he brought back was even more fatal to him.
"Why did the fourth prince come down? Does Father already know? Damn it, what exactly did Cen Yan report?!"
"Did Father inform the Fourth Prince about this? Did the Fourth Prince figure it out? Or did Father send him to investigate? After all, his maternal grandfather was a military general, so he naturally already has the morale of the military camp in the capital. He wouldn't do such things outside..."
He suddenly stopped.
A highly unrealistic guess suddenly flashed through Li Zhuo's mind.
But it was so smooth and terrifying that he was momentarily stunned.
"Would Cen Yan frame me for these private soldiers?"
His voice was extremely soft, and when he spoke it, it startled his staff.
Li Zhuo punched his palm, "Eighth Brother's foundation in the capital is still shallow, and Sixth Brother has been away for two years and is unaware of the latest situation in the capital. His control is not high. If Fourth Brother comes to investigate, will he try to frame me?!"
Staff member: "!"
At first glance, it was terrifying, but after thinking it over, the advisor relaxed again. "Third Prince, rest assured. You have never had much contact with the Jiangnan officialdom. Even if they wanted to frame you, they would need evidence."
Li Zhuo: "But I have a large business in Beijing, so it's not unreasonable to link my business with this."
Staff member: "..."
No, the more I think about how I framed myself, the clearer my thoughts become.
Li Zhuo: "Hangzhou is full of merchants. If we instigate a few families to frame me, it might not be impossible..."
Before his staff could even process what was happening, Li Zhuo was already starting to get anxious about it.
Staff member: "..."
Knowing that Li Zhuo was suspicious and that he was convinced of something, the staff wisely kept quiet.
Li Zhuo continued his deduction as expected, "The new pills have been taken. This round doesn't necessarily need to be very precise; the main thing is to be fast, under Father's..."
The staff member looked down silently at the tips of his shoes.
When they arrived at the Prince of Dingxi's residence and received the news, the scene was completely different.
Cen Yan: "Have you already eaten?"
Liu Qi nodded.
Cen Yan added, "Doesn't His Majesty have any doubts at all?"
I had mixed feelings when I asked the question.
Liu Qi glanced at Cen Yan, then lowered his head and said, "Yes, it is to seek the way to immortality."
Cen Yan smiled.
It's hard to say whether they found it absurd or thought it was exactly as expected, laughing because they had guessed Emperor Shengwu's thoughts correctly.
"Immortality..."
"May you ascend to eternal bliss..."
Even if immortality truly existed, Cen Yan didn't believe an emperor could achieve it. Immortals cultivate their minds, but earthly emperors are the eye of the storm in the world, and their every move can affect far too many people.
"This is not something that people with strong desires can pursue."
Cen Yan said softly.
In fact, Cen Yan had been raised by Emperor Shengwu along with the Crown Prince since he entered the capital. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was raised and educated by Emperor Shengwu.
Liu Qi knew that Cen Yan had complicated feelings towards Emperor Shengwu, so he didn't say anything more at this moment. He found an excuse to leave and left Cen Yan alone.
Zhuang Dongqing found out later because Cen Yan had something to ask him.
"This state can't last, can it?"
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Cen Yan didn't look at him, but as if she was certain he knew, she asked, "So, at which number will it be bad?"
Zhuang Dongqing carefully asked, "Do you know that in the world of cultivation, there's a concept called body tempering?"
Cen Yan smiled and said, "I have read some miscellaneous books, Qingqing."
That means you know.
Zhuang Dongqing: "If there are no unforeseen circumstances, it should be time to increase the dosage."
"The body tempering process involves removing impurities. At that time, His Majesty will..."
Cen Yan understood. "To speed up the process, increase the dosage? Take more?" After saying that, he shook his head. "The 'elixir' isn't something you can just buy anywhere. It should be to shorten the time it takes to take the medicine."
Zhuang Dongqing sincerely thought, "...You're so smart."
It felt as if I wasn't the one who had read the original work.
Cen Yan laughed, "You flatter me."
He even used humble words.
After laughing, Cen Yan added, "The Fourth Prince will also come in a while to assist with the investigation."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Send him?"
The third and sixth princes are both here. If another one comes, will it be a meeting of princes?
Cen Yan: "He is the most suitable candidate. If there were other options, His Majesty would not have chosen him."
"so."
Cen Yan didn't continue, and Zhuang Dongqing didn't ask any questions. After a moment of silence, Zhuang Dongqing asked, "Can we have shrimp for lunch? I've stopped taking my medication."
Meeting Zhuang Dongqing's expectant gaze, Cen Yan revealed a genuine smile.
*
After traveling for more than ten days on Fenggong Highway, we arrived in Hangzhou.
The reception was attended by Li Zhuo, Li Yang, Cen Yan, and Suzhou officials who were on official business, making it a grand affair.
The ceremony was quite grand, and Eunuch Feng wore a smile throughout the day.
Everything else was fine, but regarding the bandits, he demanded that we go to their hideout the next day to investigate. He also revealed that the Fourth Prince was in the rear and was on his way to Hangzhou.
The three people present already knew.
The three people were all incredibly surprised, as if they had just found out.
Eunuch Feng settled into the residence arranged by Cen Yan.
I met Cen An once.
Eunuch Feng brought Cen An'an a gift, mentioned that Emperor Shengwu also wanted to see Cen An'an, and talked with Cen An'an for a while, occasionally mentioning the capital, describing it as something unparalleled in heaven and earth.
Cen Yan sensed something was amiss, his expression darkened for a moment, then, as if remembering something, he relaxed his gaze.
After saying goodbye to Eunuch Feng, Cen Yan patted the little boy's head and asked him, "An'an, do you think the fiefdom is better, or the capital that you mentioned?"
The little brat thought for a moment, listing the pros and cons. Soon, the flower cakes, Grandma, and the little pony won out in his mind, and he didn't give the answer that would infuriate Cen Yan.
Cen Yan then felt a little better.
Upon returning to the manor, after handing An'an over to his grandmother, Cen Yan spent some time with Zhuang Dongqing in private before revealing, "His Majesty wishes to keep An'an."
"ah?"
Zhuang Dongqing was caught off guard and surprised.
Cen Yan: "Judging from what Eunuch Feng said, that should be the meaning."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Before he could say anything, Cen Yan added, "It doesn't matter, but..."
Zhuang Dongqing understood what he meant, thought about it for a moment, and ultimately said nothing.
Later that evening, Liu Qi brought another piece of news that silenced Cen Yan.
"The Third Prince wishes to see His Majesty."
Cen Yan: "Didn't I say I wouldn't see you?"
Liu Qi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
“Speak,” Cen Yan said.
Liu Qi then hesitated before saying, "What he meant was that he had some questions for Master, and hoped that Master would do him the honor. If Master is unwilling..."
"Um?"
"Don't blame him for letting something slip in front of Eunuch Feng, like... like, Young Master Zhuang..."
Silence spread.
After a long silence, Cen Yan chuckled softly.
Liu Qi knew that Li Zhuo had precisely stepped into his master's forbidden zone this time.
Sure enough, Cen Yan said slowly and deliberately, "Okay, then see you."
"However, I will decide the time and place."
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