Chapter 121: The Crown Princess's Complaint

After returning from Da'an Palace, Chen Yan ordered the making of several exquisite glass items.

This thing sounds simple, and indeed it is simple; saying it's hard, it truly is quite hard.

Because the pieces are relatively large, and Chen Yan demands no flawed bubbles, the shaping must also be vivid and lifelike.

So it's still quite hard.

However, thanks to the previous experience of making a glass phoenix, it can definitely be done.

Unconsciously, five days have already passed.

Under the craftsmen's nonstop day‑and‑night firing, three glass pieces have already met his requirements.

After Chen Yan saw the three glass pieces, Qing'er told someone to carefully collect and store them, then asked in puzzlement: "Young master, you're making so much glass, are you planning to give them as gifts?"

It's no wonder she asked that, because Chen Yan never said why he was making so much glass, he just told people to make them.

In Qing'er's mind, although they have mastered the method of making glass, glass is still a coveted treasure outside.

Besides giving as gifts, who would sell them?

Chen Yan didn't answer Qing'er's question; instead he asked: "Qing'er, how much do you think a glass like this could sell for?"

"Sell?" Qing'er widened her eyes and exclaimed: "Young master, are you really planning to sell it?"

"Why not?" Chen Yan said: "Others don't know, do you still not know?"

"This thing is just sand fired into a thing, basically worthless, so what's the problem with selling it?"

"But...... but......"

Qing'er was momentarily at a loss for words; just as she was about to speak, Chen Yan lightly said: "Alright, no more buts, just answer my question."

"Fine." Qing'er could see he had made up his mind; whatever she said was useless.

After thinking, she replied: "Young master, I once heard that an unknown gentleman bought a glass cup from a Persian, spending over ten thousand strings."

"Most importantly, that glass cup was no bigger than the palm of a hand and was purely transparent."

"The glass we produce is not only large, but also exquisitely detailed, and modeled after a legendary divine beast."

"So… it should fetch fifty to sixty thousand strings, right?"

By the end, Qing'er's voice grew weak, as if she felt her ideas were fanciful.

However, after Chen Yan heard her words, his eyes widened, "Fifty to sixty thousand strings?"

"Then I'd rather smash it!"

"The glass holy beast I painstakingly crafted should be worth at least a few hundred thousand strings! How could it possibly be only fifty to sixty thousand strings!"

Qing'er: "......"

What a "painstaking effort" indeed.

She really couldn't understand; aside from occasionally glancing and praising the shaping craftsmen, weren't all the other trivial matters what she kept an eye on?

What kind of painstaking effort did Chen Yan put in?

Was it painstaking effort in eating, or in drinking?

Noticing Qing'er's resentful gaze, Chen Yan cleared his throat, "Alright, you dead girl doesn't understand glass, asking you is pointless."

After speaking, he thought for a moment and murmured: "But your words have lowered my expectations; if people truly refuse to pay a high price, it would indeed be hard to deal with."

"It seems we still have to create competition…"

Chen Yan is a man of action; after deciding, he rose from his chair at once, "Qing'er, prepare the carriage for me; I'm going to the palace!"

"......"

Eastern Palace, Hall of Reverent Teaching.

Crown Princess Su ordered the palace maids to bring the meals, and walked up to Li Chengqian, who was still handling state affairs.

"Husband, it's already past noon; there's no rush to handle state affairs now, let's eat first."

Such words, Crown Princess Su never dared to say before.

However, since that day she left the Weinan Bo Fu, her feelings for Li Chengqian warmed rapidly, no longer constantly worrying about angering him.

For this, she is truly grateful to Chen Yan.

If not for those few words of his, she didn't know how long it would have taken to reach this point with Li Chengqian.

"Is it already past noon?" Li Chengqian was startled, shook his head, and put down the memorial he was holding.

Smiling, he said to Su: "Sorry to trouble you again; truly, the troublesome matters from all regions are many, and handling them for a moment makes me forget the time."

"It doesn't matter; these are all duties I should do." Su felt very satisfied, personally took the meals from the maid's hand and placed them before Li Chengqian.

While the latter ate, she gently massaged him.

While massaging, she also found a topic, "Husband, yesterday Li Lizhi came to see me; I wanted to bring her to meet you, but you were busy, so Li Lizhi and I didn't disturb you."

"Li Lizhi..." mentioning Li Lizhi, Li Chengqian felt a headache, "Did she ever say she needed my help?"

Su recalled Li Lizhi's demeanor yesterday, a smile spreading in her eyes: "Husband, Li Lizhi probably didn't come to ask you for help."

"You may not know, husband; just in the past few days, Li Lizhi has almost changed her appearance, a faint smile constantly at the corner of her mouth, and she has become incredibly relaxed."

"From what I see, Li Lizhi… probably got what she wanted."

"Hmm?" Li Chengqian was momentarily confused, then understood what Su meant by "got what she wanted."

His eyes lit up, he grabbed Su's hand, excitedly asked: "Do you mean… Li Lizhi and Zi An brother…?"

"I think so." Su lightly nodded, "Yesterday, I also slightly asked her about how she and the Marquis of Weinan were doing."

"You, husband, don't know; when I mentioned the Marquis of Weinan, Li Lizhi already showed a little girl's demeanor."

"Good!" Li Chengqian slapped his hand on the table, delighted: "I said that Zi An brother that day was being secretive, turns out the two already have a sign."

"No need for me to help at all."

He stroked his chin and said: "I just said it, given Zi An brother's habit of often liking beautiful women, how could he refuse Li Lizhi?"

Speaking of this, the Crown Princess twitched her mouth, feeling a bit resentful inside, "Then… do you also like looking?"

"... Ugh!" Li Chengqian's expression instantly became awkward.

Previously, the reason he could sneak out to fool around with Chen Yan and the others was entirely thanks to the Crown Princess covering for him.

Put yourself in his shoes—if your husband runs out to visit brothels and you can't stop him, then it's fine, yet you still have to help cover for him.

This is somewhat excessive.

Before, their relationship was bad, so the Crown Princess could only endure it; now that their feelings have warmed, she naturally can't help but bring it up.

Li Chengqian felt he owed the Crown Princess much, and hastily explained: "Consort Su, don't misunderstand; I mostly just go out and play with Elder Zi Anxiong and the others to relax a bit."

"I haven't done anything excessive, just like Elder Zi Anxiong."

Madam Su smiled and didn't mind it.

Just as she was about to say something, a eunuch walked in with small steps and respectfully reported: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Marquis of Weinan is outside requesting an audience."

"......"