Chapter 119: Li Lizhi: Gao Yang, Leave It to Me!

From beginning to end, Li Lizhi never thought of using imperial authority to force Chen Yan.

At the original birthday banquet, she could have begged Li Yuan to act more forcefully, instead of just hinting and merely expressing a supportive attitude.

If Li Yuan were hard‑line, even Li Shimin, who had been trying to ease relations with him for years, would be helpless.

But Li Lizhi did not beg Li Yuan to do so.

She does like Chen Yan, that's true, but that doesn't mean she lost her reason.

Li Lizhi wants to marry the person she likes, and also hopes that the person she likes can likewise like her.

Otherwise, even if she married him by imperial power, it would only cause Chen Yan to develop disgust toward her.

She sees that point very clearly.

Of course, she's not brainless in doing things; just like that day at the Weinan Bo Fu when Gao Yang would not even under torture reveal what happened, because she feared that Chen Yan would learn of Li Lizhi's deeds and feel a different emotion.

The reason Li Lizhi went to such lengths to invite Li Yuan was precisely to let Chen Yan see her determination and understand her feelings, right?

After that birthday banquet, she was actually quite uneasy; she didn't know how Chen Yan would think.

Would he feel moved, or would he think she was annoying?

She had considered all of these.

Yet she still doesn't regret; no matter what Chen Yan thinks, she has done what she must.

The rest can only be left to the heavens.

Today, after receiving Li Yuan's message at Da An Palace, she intends to confirm Chen Yan's attitude.

Whatever the outcome, she will accept it.

Watching the lady before him who occasionally lifted her eyes to glance at him, and when she saw he was staring, quickly withdrew her gaze, Chen Yan's expression gradually softened.

"You should understand that my marriage contract with Gao Yang cannot be changed; in half a month, I will marry her."

"Can you... accept that?"

Li Lizhi was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly said, "Yes, I can, of course I can!"

She continued, "You probably don't know, Gao Yang and I grew up in the inner palace. Ah Ye and Ah Niang were often busy, so when we were little most of the time we were cared for by wet nurses and maids."

"Gao Yang and I are close in age, so we often played together, and after we grew up we frequently chatted to pass the time."

"She and I have always been sisters; marrying you together and remaining sisters isn't a problem at all."

"As long as..."

At this point Li Lizhi hesitated, then whispered, "As long as you have me in your heart..."

She outwardly claimed she and Gao Yang were sisters, but the hidden meaning was to tell Chen Yan that she grew up in the inner palace.

The situation of the inner palace needs no further explanation.

Chen Yan caught the implication, smiled lightly, and reached out to smooth the blue hair hanging at her ear.

Teasingly he said, "How come I never noticed you were so bold before?"

"Aren't you afraid that His Majesty and the Empress will be angry?"

"Afraid!" Li Lizhi seemed a little embarrassed, "But when I think of that night I escorted you out of the palace and what you told me, I am no longer afraid."

"Didn't you say..."

"Don't let your life leave any regrets!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Lizhi's words successfully made him recall what she had said that night, leaving him a bit embarrassed.

So it was, after all, he who had coaxed Li Lizhi into this situation?

The password, it's a bit hard to bind.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, weighed his words and said, "His Majesty seems to disapprove of you marrying me, after all the Tang Dynasty has no precedent of two princesses marrying one Imperial son‑in‑law."

"What do you plan to do?"

Hearing this, Li Lizhi felt a surge of joy.

Since Chen Yan proactively took her hand, she guessed that Chen Yan might have accepted her.

But there was still some uncertainty.

And now Chen Yan's words undeniably indicated his willingness to marry her.

Li Lizhi broke into a radiant smile: "It's fine, I can first ask Mother; if Mother also agrees, she will surely help us."

"If Mother refuses to help, and Ah Ye also disagrees, then I'll have to ask Grand Emperor to step in."

"Ah Ye and Mother would never refuse Grand Emperor on such a matter."

Chen Yan clicked his tongue, "You're impressive, actually managing to ask the Retired Emperor for help multiple times."

"But... you don't need to worry about Ah Ye; he probably now tacitly approves of the two of us."

"...... Eh?" Li Lizhi blinked, subconsciously asking, "Why?"

"Why?" Chen Yan said cheerfully, "Because I can help him make money, you know."

"What does it matter if he marries another daughter to me?"

"Anyway, he has many daughters."

Li Lizhi: "......"

She ignored Chen Yan's joke, thought briefly, and thought of a possibility: "Have you met Ah Ye before?"

"Met him, just this morning," Chen Yan nodded slightly, "I can't tell you the details, but I promised to help him earn a huge sum in a short time, and later solve a big trouble for him."

"Then he tacitly lets me call him Yue Yue Father Father."

Li Lizhi had been listening seriously, and when she heard his last sentence she couldn't hold back, and burst out laughing with a snort.

She wasn't just laughing at that 'Yue Yue Father Father' line; she also laughed because Chen Yan hadn't let her struggle alone.

This made her realize that, even though Chen Yan had said nothing and shown nothing before, he was putting in actual effort just like her.

She hadn't misjudged him.

"Since Father Emperor has already tacitly accepted our relationship, do we just need to settle Gao Yang?"

Li Lizhi exclaimed in delight.

Hearing this, Chen Yan's gaze instantly turned subtle.

The matter had already developed to this point; in fact, they didn't need to worry about Gao Yang's attitude.

Li Yuan supported it, Li Shimin tacitly agreed—what could Princess Gao Yang do?

Just like when she was first married off to Chen Yan, she simply couldn't resist and had only to accept.

But Li Lizhi had grown up with Gao Yang since childhood and knew her temperament all too well.

Her possessiveness was extremely strong; anything she held onto, she would never let go.

If, despite her firm opposition, they went ahead and married without her.

Then Gao Yang would surely go mad.

If she went mad, everyone would probably have a rough time.

Li Lizhi's worry was exactly this.

Chen Yan glanced at her and said with a smile, "I thought you were pretty formidable when you were at odds with Gao Yang before; why not let you handle her?"

"You don't need to completely change her attitude; just make her less resistant and mentally prepared."

"The rest, after we get married, I'll take care of—how does that sound?"

Li Lizhi nodded and said, "Of course—you're currently engaged to her, so meeting would naturally be awkward."

"After I go back, I'll talk more with Gao Yang; you don't need to worry."

"......"