The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Your Majesty is too kind. I simply enjoy reading more books." Chen Huai'an appeared modest, but inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief.

This argument is somewhat untenable, but at least it has some basis in reason, and it seems that Li Shimin believed it.

After all, you can't exactly tell the other person that you've read history books, can you?

It would be best to get away with it.

Li Shimin remained noncommittal: "These officials, both civil and military, have all read it before, haven't they?"

"They've read so many books, yet not one of them mentioned work relief to me, nor did they discover this weather pattern."

"You don't need to be modest anymore."

Chen Huai'an didn't reply.

Li Shimin then asked a question: "Actually, there's a question I've been wanting to ask you. Now that it's just the two of us here, can you answer me truthfully?"

Chen Huai'an blinked, noticing the change in Li Shimin's self-address, and nodded: "Of course, Your Majesty, please ask."

"Back then, you must have had a way to make Li Jiancheng believe you, right? No... no, you definitely had a way to make Li Jiancheng believe you, and you even had a way to help Li Jiancheng defeat me, but you didn't do it." Li Shimin stared intently at Chen Huai'an in front of him.

"Could you please tell me why this is?"

"Why me?"

Upon hearing this question, Chen Huai'an remained silent for a long time, unsure of how to respond.

Li Shimin was not in a hurry and waited patiently.

After a long silence, Chen Huai'an whispered, "Because of the Zhenguan era!"

"The Zhenguan era?"

"Yes, Zhenguan era," Chen Huai'an said earnestly, "What the Tang Dynasty needs is a Zhenguan era!"

Li Shimin didn't immediately understand Chen Huai'an's meaning, but after he did, he burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, Zhenguan, good, good, good, good, good because of Zhenguan!"

"Your answers always surprise me!" Li Shimin remarked.

The Tang Dynasty needed the Zhenguan era, which undoubtedly means that only Li Shimin could establish and implement the Zhenguan era.

To be honest, Li Shimin felt somewhat guilty towards Li Jiancheng, which is why he asked such a question.

Now, he has let go of some of his worries.

Since the Tang Dynasty needed the Zhenguan era, then he should perform well in the Zhenguan era to wash away his sins!

Of course, this does not include Li Yuanji!

Chen Huai'an didn't reply, but took his leave: "Your Majesty, since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. It's important to get the Ministry of Revenue to gather enough grain as soon as possible; the disaster victims can't wait."

"Hmm." Li Shimin nodded slightly. "Go ahead, I need to get back to work."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and said speechlessly, "Before you leave, remember to visit Chengqian."

"He looks forward to your visit every day; he's practically turned into a statue waiting for you."

Chen Huai'an was startled, then slapped his forehead, only then remembering that Li Chengqian was also there.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."

Chen Huai'an didn't dare to delay, so he quickly got up, bowed, and left.

Li Shimin chuckled to himself, watching his departing figure, and muttered to himself, "Brother, you clearly had the foresight to recognize talent, yet you stubbornly refused to listen to others' advice."

"Now that I've ended up like this, it's actually a good thing for me."

"......"

Chen Huai'an stopped by Hongwen Hall on his way, but instead of going in right away, he looked around and eventually found Li Chengqian in a schoolroom.

He didn't go inside; he stood outside and looked through the window.

They found Li Chengqian sitting quietly in the classroom, engrossed in reading.

It must be said that Li Chengqian is indeed well-behaved, sensible, and intelligent now.

"Sir, you've arrived?"

Just as Chen Huai'an was peeking, a voice suddenly rang out beside him, startling him. He immediately flew into a rage: "Who isn't...?"

But when he turned and saw who it was, he immediately swallowed back the words he was about to say and put on a smiling face: "Which...unworldly prince has arrived? It's Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Your subject greets you."

Empress Zhangsun: "..."

"...Mr. Chen reacted quickly, but I don't fit the description of being detached from worldly affairs." Empress Zhangsun found it amusing.

Behind her, Li Lizhi poked her head out and said, "Mother, the teacher was probably thinking of saying who was being rude."

Chen Huai'an: "..."

Empress Zhangsun: "..."

"Uh... Your Highness, I absolutely did not mean that. Princess, you have misunderstood." Chen Huai'an said awkwardly, and secretly glared at Li Lizhi.

Unexpectedly, the little guy seemed to have found a backer, daring to glare back and even make faces at him.

Empress Zhangsun patted Li Lizhi's head and said with a smile, "The child is ignorant, please don't be offended, sir."

After she finished speaking, she brought up something else: "Did you come to see Chengqian, sir?"

"He has been waiting for you for a long time."

Chen Huai'an was even more embarrassed: "I am ashamed. I have been too busy lately and have not fulfilled my duties. It is my fault."

Regardless of the circumstances, he still held the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and for so long, he rarely even came to visit, let alone teach him.

Ultimately, it was a dereliction of duty.

"What wrong have you done, sir?" Li Chengqian, who was inside, came out after hearing the commotion. His face was full of seriousness. "I have heard that you are doing good things that benefit the country and the people."

"If my teaching has delayed disaster relief efforts, then it is my fault."

"Hmm?" Chen Huai'an was somewhat surprised, and said with a smile, "Since you know what has happened recently, I won't explain any further."

"For now, Wei Zheng will teach you. I'll teach you when I have time, okay?"

"Sir..." Li Chengqian glanced at his mother, mustered his courage, and said, "I...I want to follow you."

"Follow me?" Chen Huai'an asked in surprise. "Why do you want to follow me?"

Li Chengqian straightened his back and said solemnly, "I have heard that the drought in Guanzhong is severe, and some people have to sell their children to survive."

"I want to go with you, sir, and see for myself what the real disaster is like."

Chen Huai'an's smile faded slightly. He didn't respond immediately, but instead turned to look at Empress Zhangsun beside him.

The Crown Prince wanted to leave the palace to inspect the disaster situation, which was no small matter, so of course he had to ask Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin for their opinions.

Empress Zhangsun remained calm, neither objecting nor immediately agreeing. She simply said gently, "This child once mentioned to me that he always listens to reports in the palace, and he finds them alarming, but he doesn't know what kind of lives the common people live."

"As the crown prince, he should know the hardships of the common people, but I'm afraid he might cause trouble for you, sir."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It's not like I'm causing any trouble." Chen Huai'an pondered for a moment, then looked back at Li Chengqian. "It's a good thing that the Crown Prince is concerned about the people."

"As long as Your Highness and His Majesty agree, I naturally have no objections."

"..."