Chapter 106: The Best Prey Usually Appears in the Hunter

Seeing the two focus their gaze on her, the Crown Princess smiled helplessly.

"Husband, you're right; Sister Li Lizhi did indeed say that."

In fact, the Crown Princess's thoughts align with Li Chengqian's.

As Crown Princess, Li Chengqian has many concubines as well; she doesn't think there's anything wrong with the two women marrying an outstanding man.

Women all admire the strong, even when that woman is a princess.

It's like Princess Gao Yang stubbornly guarding Chen Yan, while Li Lizhi tries every means to marry Chen Yan.

Ultimately, both of them consider Chen Yan a trustworthy husband‑to‑be.

Li Chengqian, hearing this, looked at Chen Yan and said, "So, Zi An brother, I didn't lie to you, did I?"

Chen Yan twitched the corner of his mouth, speechless, and said, "Cheng Qian brother, why are you, a perfectly fine Crown Prince, not acting as such, becoming a matchmaker?"

"One or the other both hope I marry Li Lizhi, but can your Father Emperor agree?"

"Do you perhaps still want me to go into Dali Temple Prison again?"

Li Chengqian's eyes brightened, "Zi An brother, no need to worry; I can't say whether Father Emperor agrees, but my grandfather definitely does."

"You know, my Father Emperor and grandfather only eased their relationship a couple of days ago; at this critical moment, Father Emperor certainly won't oppose the Changle marriage because of grandfather."

"If Father Emperor truly disagrees, I'll go ask Mother Empress, guaranteeing that you lovers will become a couple."

In the end, Li Chengqian's gaze became extremely resolute.

Regarding becoming Chen Yan's big brother‑in‑law, he's serious, not joking at all.

His words also left Chen Yan speechless on the spot.

After a while, he slowly spoke, "When did I ever say I liked Li Lizhi?"

"How did we get to 'lovers become a couple'?"

Li Chengqian:?

A huge question mark floated in his mind, leaving him momentarily stunned.

How to put it, when Li Lizhi approached him yesterday, she had almost confessed.

Aside from some things hard to voice, Li Lizhi basically told him everything she needed to.

Li Chengqian only learned yesterday that Li Lizhi had long had her eyes on Chen Yan.

No wonder at the banquet, when I said let her marry Chen Yan, she showed no resistance.

Upon learning this, Li Chengqian became extremely excited.

In his view, as long as Li Lizhi favors Chen Yan, the problem is much easier to solve.

Regarding his becoming Chen Yan's big brother‑in‑law, the only ones blocking him are Princess Gao Yang and Father Emperor.

If he can persuade those two, his goal can be achieved.

As for whether Chen Yan likes Li Lizhi, to be honest, he really hasn't considered it.

According to his understanding, since Chen Yan loves looking at beautiful women, there's no reason he wouldn't like Li Lizhi.

After all, Li Lizhi has both beauty and virtue.

Moreover, she can even boldly pursue, and any normal man would be unable to resist feeling moved, right?

Li Chengqian thinks Chen Yan, aside from having strong self‑control, definitely falls within the realm of a normal man.

So, he never imagined Li Lizhi could be experiencing one‑sided love.

Li Chengqian couldn't help rubbing his forehead, "Zi An brother, you… are you really a normal man?"

Hearing this, Chen Yan instantly became displeased, "What words? What do you call that?"

"How could I not be a normal man?"

"I usually like looking at beautiful women, that's just appreciation, you understand?"

"Do you think I'm some lustful demon, that when I see a pretty woman I must like her?"

Li Chengqian fell silent again.

The reasoning is not wrong.

But the problem is, can Li Lizhi, being in a one‑sided love, reach this point?

She exchanged barbs with Gao Yang, at Empress Changsun's banquet summoned Li Yuan to stand as a backing, and in the end even asked this elder brother for help…

Li Chengqian no longer knows what to say.

If the two like each other, then he could understand Li Lizhi's actions.

The problem is, she has no feeling for you.

Sis, you're really being clingy?

After a while, Li Chengqian's lips moved, "Then Zi An brother, what do you plan to do?"

Chen Yan smiled without replying, not answering the question.

Li Chengqian was about to press further, when the Crown Princess beside seemed to notice something and discreetly pulled him aside.

"Husband, since the Marquis of Weinan is unwilling to speak, why should we force it?"

"This is ultimately the Marquis of Weinan's private matter with the two sisters; we should just touch on it and stop."

Chen Yan sighed, "Cheng Qian brother, you have a good wife."

"As the saying goes, without a virtuous wife managing the household, how can a husband achieve success?"

"You must treat the Crown Princess well from now on."

Li Chengqian was bewildered for a moment, not understanding why they were still talking about Chen Yan and Li Lizhi.

How did it suddenly turn back to him?

However… Chen Yan's words, he couldn't help but take them in.

Thinking of since their marriage, Crown Princess Su has been busy before and after, laboring and bearing grievances to handle all sorts of trivial matters for him.

He often missed meals because of his busy official duties, and Crown Princess Su always thoughtfully brought them to him, never once changing.

The Empress Changsun's birthday banquet was also when the Crown Princess went home to beg her father to bring out the treasured Night‑Shining Pearl.

Thinking back on his long‑standing attitude toward the Crown Princess, Li Chengqian couldn't help feeling deeply guilty.

"Zi Anxiong is right, I… I will treat Consort Su properly from now on."

Su, hearing this promise, felt her eyes slightly redden, cast a grateful glance at Chen Yan, and then gently clasped Li Chengqian's hand.

Just as they were about to say something, Chen Yan suddenly spoke, "Hey! Don't do all that nonsense in front of me."

"If you want to say something, do it—go back to your Eastern Palace; I don't want to see this."

Li Chengqian: "......"

Crown Princess: "......"

Not to mention, these two are quite obedient.

After an awkward moment, they chatted with Chen Yan for a while, and then they actually left.

Perhaps the couple came today merely to thank him and, in passing, discuss Li Lizhi's matter.

Now that the matter is settled, and Li Chengqian is indeed quite busy, their departure is perfectly normal.

After seeing them out of the Weinan Bo Fu, Chen Yan returned to the main hall and continued sipping the unfinished tea.

As for his plans…

Come on, a feudal dynasty isn't all bad.

As the legitimate eldest princess, Li Lizhi being able to do this for him, saying she feels nothing in her heart is simply impossible.

Imagine a woman who has always been learned, sensible, and considerate, who for you would abandon the education she received, tear apart her relationship with her sister, risk her parents' disapproval, and even call upon her own grandfather to support her.

More importantly, she even dares to take the poisonous gossip about hemorrhoids, staying calm when facing Gao Yang's targeting, never losing ground.

Yet she would lower her head and stay silent because of a single word from you.

A woman like this, if missed—

—among the myriad of people, will be hard to encounter again.

Moreover, Chen Yan has long said that not liking someone now doesn't mean he won't like them later.

The finest hunters often appear in the form of prey.

Having promised Xiao Sizi that he would later discipline her two older sisters, Chen Yan naturally would not break his word.

He only needs to wait until he can catch them all in one final net!

"......"