Chapter 122: Progress is going very smoothly, my dear brother-in-law

Ah, Brother Cheng Qian, it's been a few days—you're living comfortably.

Chen Yan stepped into the hall and saw the Crown Princess and Li Chengqian being affectionate, so he immediately teased them.

"Brother Zi An, don't laugh at me," Li Chengqian said with a wry smile. "Just now Consort Su was still complaining to me."

Chen Yan was taken aback, feeling somewhat glad for Lady Su.

This unfortunate woman has finally waited for Li Chengqian's change; otherwise, given her previous situation, she wouldn't dare complain about anything.

Chen Yan asked curiously, "I wonder what the Crown Princess and Brother Cheng Qian are complaining about..."

"Eh!" Li Chengqian hurriedly coughed, giving him a meaningful look, and said, "Brother Zi An, let's not mention this anymore; tell me why you have time to come see me today."

Damn it, who would jump into a pit themselves?

What's there to complain about? Just complaining that I went out with you to visit brothels.

But the more Li Chengqian acted this way, the more curious Chen Yan became, looking at Lady Su and saying, "Crown Princess, if it's convenient, could you tell me what you were complaining about with Brother Cheng Qian just now?"

"I'm really very curious."

Lady Su said with a meaningful smile, "Marquis of Weinan, you really want to know?"

"Of course I do—otherwise, why would I ask?"

Lady Su smiled and said, "It's nothing, just mentioning how my former husband had me provide cover while he went out."

"I recall this idea was still the Marquis of Weinan's, right?"

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Chengqian: "......"

Those two sentences embarrassed the two grown men immensely.

Let alone the fact that, back then, Chen Yan had indeed coaxed Li Chengqian into letting the Crown Princess provide cover so he could go visit brothels.

Putting it that way, it's somewhat improper.

Li Chengqian let out a heavy sigh in his heart and gave Chen Yan an annoyed glance.

You clearly stopped me, so why do you still insist on asking?

Is it all right now?

Has your curiosity been satisfied?

Chen Yan's expression was unnatural; he felt he had indeed let down the Crown Princess in this regard, so he quickly changed the subject: "Cough... well, Brother Cheng Qian, actually I came to see you today because I have a matter I hope you can help with."

"I wonder if you have time now."

"Yes, yes." Li Chengqian nodded repeatedly, just wanting to get past this topic.

"Brother Zi An, just say what you need."

The Crown Princess, Lady Su, found it amusing and didn't say anything else.

In fact, she didn't really mind Li Chengqian seeing other women; she merely resented a little that back then Li Chengqian would rather go to brothels than give her another glance, and even had her provide cover.

Besides, Li Chengqian has already explained it, and now their relationship is very good, so these things naturally don't matter anymore.

The reason she brought it up was mostly just to liven up the atmosphere.

Lady Su always felt that with Chen Yan present, their conversation would become very casual.

It really was just like the interaction between an ordinary couple and friends.

There was no ruler, no consort, no subject.

It made people feel very relaxed.

"That's right." Chen Yan organized his words and said, "I don't know if His Majesty has mentioned to you the matter of making money from the aristocratic families."

"I've made a batch of glassware, plus some other treasures, and I plan to hold an auction; I need a good venue."

"Brother Cheng Qian, do you have a relatively spacious loft that can accommodate many people?"

"Furthermore, I'd like to ask Brother Cheng Qian to help me invite some people to attend the auction, to make it larger."

"Making money from the aristocratic families?" Li Chengqian's eyes grew solemn as he said, "Brother Zi An, are you referring to the flood relief matter?"

As the Crown Prince and Chen Yan's good friend, Li Shimin did not hide this from him.

He even asked for his opinion, so he knows Chen Yan and Li Shimin's plan.

"Not bad, it seems Brother Cheng Qian understands, so I don't need to explain further."

Chen Yan nodded, "I've already made three glass pieces; the other matters also need advance preparation."

Next, he laid out his requirements concretely.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "If you need a place like a restaurant, the Eastern Palace does have one, but it probably won't meet your requirements."

"However, I vaguely recall that Grandfather seems to have such a place in Chang'an City; I can help you get it."

"As for inviting some people..."

Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother Zi An, you probably want me to invite the aristocrats and those officials backed by families, right?"

"That's right." Chen Yan said, "This probably isn't a problem for you, is it?"

"Of course there's no problem; it's just a small matter."

Li Chengqian readily agreed, "Brother Zi An, just let me know when you need it."

"If you're in a hurry, I can go find Grandfather right now."

When it comes to important matters, he's always been conscientious.

He understood that Chen Yan's auction was of great importance and could not be taken lightly.

"The sooner, the better."

Chen Yan said helplessly, "These days, His Majesty keeps sending people to ask me when I plan to start; the sooner I get the money, the faster I can prepare the flood control measures."

"If I don't hurry up, I'm afraid His Majesty will come to see me in person."

Afterward, he discussed the specific ideas and arrangements with Li Chengqian.

He immediately stood up and said, "If that's the case, then Zi Anxiong had better come with me to see grandfather, so we can settle the matter directly."

"How?"

"... Uh!" Chen Yan forced a laugh and said, "Never mind, you just go, and then have someone tell me where the auction is being prepared."

"I'm not going."

A few days ago he had just hooked up with Li Shimin's daughter, and after holding her for a while in the Grand Peace Palace, he didn't believe Li Shimin would not have received the news.

Chen Yan now wouldn't dare to go see Li Shimin.

Isn't that just walking into a trap?

Li Chengqian seemed to have guessed something, exchanged a glance with Crown Princess Lady Su, his eyes flickering as he said, "Zi Anxiong, you and Lizhi..."

"How's it going?"

Chen Yan feigned confusion and said, "What do you mean, how is it?"

"Cheng Qian Brother, you know full well that my relationship with His/Her Highness of Chang Le is just ordinary; it's merely a business partnership."

Li Chengqian scoffed, "What are you pretending to be stupid for with me?"

"To be honest, Lizhi came to see me yesterday, and she already told me everything."

"You still won't admit it!"

"Come on, tell me honestly, how far have you and Lizhi progressed?"

That's obviously a lie; naturally they wanted to trick Chen Yan to confirm their guess.

Chen Yan pursed his lips, but he didn't suspect anything.

Earlier, Li Chengqian had clearly been on Li Lizhi's side.

Now he and Li Lizhi have gone a step further; they have basically confirmed their relationship, so it's not strange for Li Lizhi to have told Li Chengqian.

Having come to this point, Chen Yan immediately stopped hiding and grinned, "Things are going very smoothly, my dear brother-in-law."

"......"