Chapter 123: Gao Yang: Did Li Lizhi Give Up?

"Your Highness Princess, your wedding date with the Marquis of Weinan is approaching; this is the wedding dress sent by the Empress."

"I heard that the Empress herself had a maid of honor sew it for you!"

Xiang Lan held a slightly oversized wooden tray, on which rested an elaborate teal‑colored feathered robe.

In the Tang dynasty, commoner women's wedding attire was the "hairpin and ornament ceremonial dress," whereas a royal princess's wedding dress was more elaborate in color, pattern, and material, needing to reflect the "red for the groom, green for the bride" tradition.

It is not the later‑traditional red wedding dress.

On the soft couch, Gao Yang idly tended to her nails, and upon hearing Xiang Lan's words, gave a faint glance and said, "Bring it over first; let me have a look."

"Mm."

Xiang Lan nodded, placed the Empress Changsun's wedding dress before Princess Gao Yang, then cheerfully said, "Your Highness Princess, the Empress is truly kind to you."

"There are so many princesses in the harem, but few receive treatment like yours."

She was referring, of course, to the fact that Empress Changsun herself had sewn the wedding dress.

Gao Yang's fingers lightly brushed the dress; after a moment of silence, she felt genuinely moved.

Although Empress Changsun was not her birth mother, from childhood to now, she had indeed never been mistreated by her.

It could be said that she was treated as a biological daughter.

Even when the legitimate princess Li Lizhi showed she wanted to compete with her for a husband, Empress Changsun still favored her.

Thinking of Li Lizhi, Gao Yang couldn't help a flash of irritation and said, "How is the matter I asked you to watch over?"

"She hasn't gone to meet Chen Yan recently, has she?"

Xiang Lan quickly shook her head and said, "No, Princess, His/Her Highness of Changle has been in the palace lately, only going to Da'an Palace once five days ago."

There was actually another sentence she dared not say.

Rumor had it that the Marquis of Weinan was also at Da'an Palace that day.

But Xiang Lan had become shrewd; she would never tell Princess Gao Yang such information before the grand wedding.

In any case, it's just rumor, its truth unknown, so it's better not to speak of it.

To avoid causing Gao Yang and the Marquis of Weinan to argue again.

Xiang Lan's only hope now is that nothing happens within these ten days, and then Princess Gao Yang can marry smoothly.

Princess Gao Yang was somewhat surprised, "Are you sure Li Lizhi has been staying in the palace lately, and hasn't gone out except to Da'an Palace?"

"Yes, Princess," Xiang Lan's heart tightened, and she lowered her head, saying, "I heard His/Her Highness of Changle often follows the maid of honor to learn embroidery, occasionally visits the Shangshi Bureau, and besides that, went to the Eastern Palace just yesterday."

"Eastern Palace?" Gao Yang squinted slightly, let out a cold snort, "First Da'an Palace, now the Eastern Palace; it seems she hasn't given up."

"Really think that with the Grand Emperor and the Crown Prince backing her, she can get away with it?"

Xiang Lan dared not reply, and stood with her head down.

Gao Yang didn't expect a response from her either.

In fact, although she was dissatisfied with Li Lizhi, she had no particular objections to Li Shimin and his wife, nor to Chen Yan.

After all, Li Shimin and his wife were both on her side, and aside from initially writing Li Lizhi a flattering poem, Chen Yan had done nothing excessive.

Though her temperament was somewhat arrogant and domineering, she was not foolish.

It was clear that at that time Li Lizhi's desire was one‑sided, and Chen Yan had not known about it in advance.

Upon learning that Li Lizhi had been staying in the palace these past days, Gao Yang felt much relieved.

Her wedding date with Chen Yan was this month, but only ten days away.

She only needed to keep an eye on Li Lizhi during these ten days, preventing any contact with Chen Yan, so that once she married, Li Lizhi would have no further chance.

Thinking this, Gao Yang flashed a smug smile, "I told you to be careful, lest you draw water with a bamboo basket— all in vain."

"Now I see what else you have to try to take from me!"

"Sister Gao Yang, what were you just talking about stealing?" Li Lizhi entered, followed by two palace maids, smiling as she came in.

Seeing her, Gao Yang was somewhat surprised, gave the two maids a cold glance, and said, "Empress sister, you barging in like this seems improper, doesn't it?"

Those two maids were her attendants; ordinarily, when a guest arrived, they should report first.

Yet now she hadn't received any notice, and Li Lizhi had walked in boldly.

The two maids had no words to explain; His/Her Highness of Changle insisted on entering, leaving them no chance to report.

How dare they block?

Li Lizhi smiled, briefly fixed her gaze on Xiang Lan, who instantly understood what it meant.

Xiang Lan hesitantly turned to Gao Yang, saw her give a slight nod, and then, as if granted a pardon, led the two maids out.

Li Lizhi walked to the soft couch, sat down, reached out to touch Gao Yang's wedding dress, and said, "Sister Gao Yang, I recall your wedding date with the Marquis of Weinan is this month, right?"

"Time flies, in the blink of an eye, I never imagined you'd be getting married now."

"Here, I first offer you my congratulations."

Gao Yang was even more surprised.

"Is this really what Li Lizhi should be saying?"

"Congratulating her?"

"Jealousy, envy, hatred, perhaps?"

Thinking this, Gao Yang carefully observed Li Lizhi's expression, noting that her smile was appropriate and her brows showed no sign of dejection, as if she truly meant to congratulate her.

It leaves Gao Yang utterly clueless.

"Is this… correct?"

"Earlier, weren't you still determined to go all out to snatch Chen Yan?"

"Didn't you summon the Grand Emperor and the Crown Prince?"

"Even in front of Chen Yan, is your attitude still unwavering?"

"What kind of trouble is this now?"

Gao Yang was bewildered.

Li Lizhi asked concernedly, "Sister Gao Yang, what's wrong with you?"

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"Could it be that something in your body feels unwell?"

Gao Yang still said nothing, looked at Li Lizhi before her, and thought of one possibility.

Could it be… she gave up?

The more she thought, the more Gao Yang felt it was so.

Because from the information she had gathered, Chen Yan had never given Li Lizhi any response; that day at the Marquis of Weinan's mansion, Chen Yan even seemed to have a yin‑yang attitude toward Li Lizhi.

Moreover, Li Lizhi had not gone out during this period, and her wedding date was approaching.

Perhaps… Li Lizhi understood she couldn't win, so she gave up.

Thinking of this, Gao Yang's mood brightened, "Thank you, imperial sister, for your concern. I was just thinking about something, just daydreaming."

"I heard imperial sister usually follows the palace's embroidery maid today as usual; why does she have time to come to me today?"

Li Lizhi said, "Sister, you may not know, but that embroidery maid told me that learning embroidery requires a step‑by‑step approach; one cannot rush."

"So I thought I wouldn't go today, giving myself a day's rest."

"Besides, it's been a long time since I've seen you, so I thought I'd come to find you for a chat."

Listening, Gao Yang's smile grew wider.

It seemed Li Lizhi truly gave up and was already thinking of easing relations with her.

Sigh~

After all, they are blood sisters; the past affection remains, and since Li Lizhi has already bowed and softened, she need not make the relationship so strained.

Just as she was about to speak, the next sentence Li Lizhi uttered froze her smile on her face.