Chapter 118: Li Lizhi's Aggrieved Heart

Li Yuan said nothing, but he also did not refute Chen Yan.

All these years, since he has been still resentful about what happened back then, he has naturally thought it over carefully.

He had already figured out the first point Chen Yan made.

Not to mention others, even Chen Yan's two uncles died while following Li Shimin in his campaign to conquer the world.

It was one thing that Chen Yan's father did not receive a corresponding rank, but he also had to be called a reckless brute who only knows how to brandish spears and sticks by the people of the Eastern Palace.

Who would be willing to have that placed on them?

Li Yuan: "What about the second?"

Chen Yan replied: "Second, the Crown Prince during the Wude era was merely a beneficiary; he himself had no real ability at all, relying solely on his status as the legitimate eldest son."

As the heir to the great authority, the Retired Emperor might as well consider it from his perspective: would he tolerate a brother who could at any moment threaten his position?

Would he feel a sense of danger? Has he ever thought of eliminating this extraordinarily dazzling brother?

Please consider His Majesty's original situation again: after struggling and shedding blood to secure the realm, it's bad enough that the one destined to inherit the throne is not himself, but moreover he and his brothers are constantly targeted.

The longer time drags on, the more perilous his situation becomes.

Retired Emperor, you must understand that His Majesty was not alone then; he had a wife, children, and a group of loyal subordinates, who themselves also had families.

If something happened to him, what about his wife and children? What about those loyal brothers?

Can he live up to the endless loyalty of the crowd, to those who gave their lives on the battlefield?

If he hadn't been forced to that point, who would willingly take such a massive risk to do that?

Li Yuan's lips twitched as if to retort, but he found himself utterly unable to.

Is what Chen Yan said correct?

Both right and wrong!

The situation back then was so complex; how could a few words possibly clarify it?

Nevertheless, his inaction was certainly the main cause of the brothers' mutual destruction.

For a moment, neither of them spoke again.

Behind them, Li Yuan's personal eunuch Li Fushun led Li Lizhi over slowly.

"Retired Emperor… Princess Changle has arrived."

Sensing the atmosphere was off, Li Fushun tried his best to lower his voice.

"Imperial sister?"

In Li Yuan's arms, the already bored Xiao Sizi heard this and immediately wriggled out of his embrace.

The moment he saw Li Lizhi, the little fellow's eyes sparkled.

"Imperial sister, I miss you so much~"

Looking down at the little Sizi hugging her thigh, Li Lizhi's gaze softened, and she patted his head: "Imperial sister also misses Sizi a lot."

"These days, has Sizi been obedient over at Marquis of Weinan?"

Chen Yan turned his head, glanced at Li Lizhi, and his expression grew odd.

His luck probably isn't that good, right?

He just arrived, and Li Lizhi followed right behind?

Li Yuan gently set down his fishing rod, stood up slowly, and said, "Alright, you youngsters keep chatting; I am a bit weary, so I shall depart first."

As he spoke, he lifted his foot to leave, but suddenly remembered something and reached out to grab the food box beside Chen Yan.

Then, with Li Fushun's assistance, he left.

He had already smelled the aroma of food from the box; with Li Lizhi arriving, Chen Yan probably wouldn't eat it.

Then it could be given to him at a discount.

"Lizhi respectfully sees off the Grand Emperor."

When Li Yuan passed by, Li Lizhi said cheerfully.

How could she come right after him?

Of course, it's because Li Yuan gave her a heads‑up.

"You little girl…"

Li Yuan helplessly shook his head and walked straight on.

Li Lizhi turned back to look at Chen Yan, only to find him staring at her oddly.

"Princess… truly a good move."

Even now, he still doesn't understand: pretending to visit Li Yuan is a lie, but Li Lizhi truly wants to see him.

Li Lizhi cleared her throat, "Marquis of Weinan, don't misunderstand; I just happened to come today to visit the Grand Emperor."

"I didn't expect you to be here too; what a coincidence, ha."

Chen Yan was amused, "Indeed it's fate; the Retired Emperor once said we were a talented man and a beautiful woman, a pair born for each other."

"What else could this be but destiny?"

At that remark, Li Lizhi's face flushed crimson instantly.

Regarding the events of the birthday banquet, anyone with a clear mind can see why Li Yuan said those words.

Chen Yan's action was clearly teasing her.

Li Lizhi exhaled, silently cheering herself on inside.

"Come on, Li Lizhi, since it's already come to this, with Chen Yan right in front of you, you mustn't be timid."

"Otherwise, wouldn't that betray the Grand Emperor's intentions?"

She endured her inner embarrassment, took Xiao Sizi by the hand, and walked to sit beside Chen Yan.

"Marquis of Weinan, it's been several days; how have you been?"

Chen Yan sighs and says, "I'm doing fine, but there's something that keeps nagging at me; whenever I think of it, I can't help but worry."

"Oh?" Li Lizhi asks curiously, "What is the Marquis of Weinan worried about?"

"Worried that Her Highness the Princess will develop hidden hemorrhoids!"

Li Lizhi: "......"

She remembered how she had once said confidently, "Tang people don't cheat Tang people," and that if she cheated she'd get hidden hemorrhoids.

She almost felt like using her toe to carve out a Princess's residence again for herself, then bury her head in it.

Dead‑awkward.

Chen Yan adds, "Princess, do you know how that friend of yours is doing?"

"I've already prepared the congratulatory gifts, just waiting for the invitation to the wedding banquet."

"Stop it, stop it!" Li Lizhi hurriedly puts her hand over his mouth.

If he kept talking, she thought she'd probably just jump straight into the lake in front of her.

"I'd be too ashamed to face anyone."

Chen Yan blinked, feeling a faint fragrance at his nose; his eyes glanced down a bit, taking on a teasing look.

Li Lizhi seemed to realize her action was out of line, hurried to withdraw her hand, but suddenly found her hand being held by an even larger hand.

She widened her eyes, looking at the youth before her in disbelief, a rosy hue racing up her wrist.

It quickly climbed the snow‑white neck, then to the face that, no matter how one looked at it, couldn't help but draw admiration.

"You… what are you doing?" Li Lizhi lowered her head, her heart in turmoil, her voice barely audible.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, "I still want to ask the Princess."

"What do you want to do?"

Li Lizhi glanced at the hand being held, took a deep breath, mustered courage and said, "What I want to do, don't you know?"

"Then, based on what the Princess sees, what should I do?"

Upon hearing that, the courage she had just mustered vanished without a trace; she hung her head, plaintively saying, "You… just follow your true feelings; I won't force you…"

"......"