Chapter 105: Li Chengqian

Two days have passed since Empress Changsun's birthday, and Chen Yan has spent another two tranquil days at home.

During that time, apart from Li Chunfeng occasionally stopping by to ask him a few questions, virtually no one disturbed him.

He was so pleased that he lounged at home for two days.

As for the guards, he has already sent someone to arrange them; there's no rush.

This afternoon, just as Chen Yan was shouldering a medicine chest, preparing to visit Du Ruhui, two unexpected guests arrived.

"Brother Zi An, how have you been?"

Li Chengqian, accompanied by Crown Princess Su and two maidservants carrying gifts, greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Chen Yan saw Li Chengqian, his face darkening, and said, "How dare you say that?"

"After I went to such great lengths to craft a glass phoenix for you as a congratulatory gift, you still openly supported my marriage to Li Lizhi at the banquet."

"Do you know that your Father Emperor's look at me then was as if he could have devoured me on the spot?"

"I've been ruined because of you, yet you ask me how I've been."

Li Chengqian chuckled, "Brother Zi An, aren't I also doing this for your own good?"

"How can Gao Yang's importance compare with Changle's?"

"If you marry Changle, it brings you only benefits, no drawbacks."

He cleared his throat and continued, "Moreover, Changle is naturally beautiful, her looks unrivaled in the Tang Dynasty; aren't you usually fond of beautiful women?"

"Now you have the chance to marry the most beautiful Princess Changle of the Tang, why are you still unwilling?"

Chen Yan twitched his mouth, unwilling to entertain Li Chengqian's twisted logic, led the couple into the main hall to sit, and then summoned Qing'er to serve tea.

"Speak up, you busy man—why do you suddenly have time to come see me today?"

As he spoke, his gaze briefly lingered on the Crown Princess: "You even brought the Crown Princess along?"

According to Chen Yan, Li Chengqian and the Crown Princess were not on good terms.

Their marriage was solely the result of a parental arrangement.

Li Shimin and his wife thought Su's appearance was excellent and her character suitable, so they chose her as Crown Princess.

Su's father believed that since the Crown Prince would inherit the great empire, his daughter marrying him would make her the mother of a nation.

So they married in that way.

Regrettably, although the Crown Princess was indeed fine, Li Chengqian was not particularly fond of her; in the original history he would have rather liked men than her.

It can be said that Su's fate was truly bitter.

The last time, due to Li Shimin's order, Li Chengqian brought the Crown Princess here, which Chen Yan could understand.

Why today, on a sudden visit, would Li Chengqian bring the Crown Princess along?

Could it be that something recent happened, unknown to him, causing a change between them?

The Crown Princess Su, being clever, sensed Chen Yan's doubt and proactively explained, "Marquis of Weinan, please don't mind; this time I personally asked my husband to bring me here."

"First, yesterday Li Lizhi's younger sister gave me a copy of the restaurant's ledger, and I only then realized how astonishing the 20% profit Marquis of Weinan had originally given us."

"Second, my husband said that the glass phoenix from last time was prepared by the Marquis of Weinan, and my husband and I truly have no way to repay, so we specifically brought a Night-Shining Pearl to convey our goodwill."

She added quickly, "Although this Night-Shining Pearl cannot compare to that glass phoenix, it is the most precious item my husband and I can currently offer; later I will have my father pay more attention to rare treasures to thank the Marquis of Weinan for his help."

The Crown Princess gestured for a maid to open the gift box in her hand, revealing a round Night-Shining Pearl that emitted a faint green glow.

Chen Yan lifted his eyes to glance at the Night-Shining Pearl, and his mood inexplicably improved a lot, "No need; given the relationship between me and Brother Cheng Qian, a glass phoenix is merely a trifle, it means nothing."

"Your intention I have received; keep the Night-Shining Pearl, it serves me no purpose."

【7】 "This… " Crown Princess Su hesitated, looking at Li Chengqian beside her.

"This......" Crown Princess Su Shi hesitantly looked toward Li Chengqian beside her.

What she just said wasn't mere politeness, but a sincere gratitude toward Chen Yan, and the Night-Shining Pearl was truly meant to be given.

But Chen Yan refused, and as a woman she found it hard to make the decision, so she could only hope Li Chengqian would step forward and say a few words.

"Brother Zi An, since you've said so, given the relationship between us, a glass phoenix is already nothing, let alone a Night-Shining Pearl."

Li Chengqian sincerely said, "I know that with Brother Zi An's abilities, you might not value a Night-Shining Pearl much, but this is still a token of my goodwill; if you refuse, how could I be at ease?"

At that point, Chen Yan thought for a moment and accepted the Night-Shining Pearl.

To be honest, he felt quite gratified.

He had to admit that when Li Chengqian wasn't being crooked, he was indeed a very decent person with upright values.

Although a Night-Shining Pearl signifies little, as people say, it at least represents a small gesture of goodwill.

They didn't just accept the gift with a perfunctory thank you and then promise grand rewards.

Instead, they took time out of their busy schedules, personally visited, and brought their most precious treasure.

"Fine, since you've said that, if I don't accept, wouldn't I be repaying Brother Cheng Qian's goodwill?" Chen Yan waved his hand, summoned Qing'er, and took the Night-Shining Pearl downstairs.

Li Chengqian saw this, a smile appearing on his face, and he felt relieved inside.

He was truly afraid that Chen Yan would refuse the Night-Shining Pearl; otherwise, he would feel uneasy.

After all, in his eyes that glass phoenix was far too precious.

Immediately after, he hesitated briefly and asked, "Brother Zi An, I have a question I'd like to ask you; could you answer it for me?"

Chen Yan's gaze turned odd as he asked, "Is what you want to ask a personal matter?"

Li Chengqian replied awkwardly, "To be frank, Brother Zi An, what I want to ask is indeed a personal matter."

He went on, "Brother Zi An, after you left that day, I spoke with Changle for a while."

"I asked her whether she would be willing to marry you; Changle did not show resistance, but seemed to have some reservations."

"Then I told her to go back and think it over; I thought Changle might need some time to answer, but unexpectedly she came to me yesterday, saying she was willing to marry you."

Chen Yan's eyes grew increasingly strange.

That day, he had thought Li Lizhi and Li Chengqian had already discussed it, which is why he openly supported it when Li Yuan matched him with Li Lizhi.

But hearing Li Chengqian's current implication, the situation doesn't seem to be that way, does it?

Could it be that Li Lizhi initially did not join forces with Li Chengqian?

Did he misunderstand Li Lizhi?

Seeing Chen Yan remain silent, Li Chengqian seemed afraid he wouldn't believe him, and hurriedly said, "Zi Anxiong, everything I said is true; if you don't believe me, you can ask the Crown Princess."

"She was there at the time."

"......"