Chapter 124: Gao Yang: Oh No, My House Was Stolen

"Sister Gao Yang, a few days ago when I went to look for the emperor, I happened to meet the Marquis of Weinan and Xiao Sizi."

"The Marquis of Weinan takes good care of Xiao Sizi, and Xiao Sizi is growing so fast that his old clothes are already a bit ill‑fitting."

"Do you think I should make more clothes for Xiao Sizi?"

Li Lizhi's expression remained unchanged, as if she were truly asking for her opinion.

And Sister Gao Yang only had one thought in her mind.

Crap!

My damn house got robbed!

She still thought Li Lizhi had honestly stayed in the palace these days, but didn't expect that she had already met Chen Yan.

And it was at the unexpected Da An Palace!

If you say there's no problem here, Sister Gao Yang would never believe it.

Since Chen Yan was with Xiao Sizi, he must have gone to visit the emperor, and the emperor was clearly on Li Lizhi's side.

It's likely that when Chen Yan went with Xiao Sizi, the emperor sent a secret message to Li Lizhi.

Thus they happened to meet at Da An Palace.

Having thought this through, Sister Gao Yang's smile slowly faded, her chest rising and falling, clearly quite angry.

Fine!

Really fine!

She thought Li Lizhi had given up and was trying to smooth things with her.

But she didn't expect Li Lizhi was actually showing off!

Sister Gao Yang suppressed her anger, her tone icy: "No need, I may not have studied embroidery as diligently as the imperial sister, but making two outfits for Xiao Sizi is still fine."

"Anyway, I still have ten days before I'm married off, so I won't trouble the imperial sister further!"

"How can that be?" Li Lizhi said seriously, "Sister Gao Yang is Sister Gao Yang, and I am me."

"As Sizi's sister, I have the duty to make a few clothes for Sizi."

"Moreover… I discussed this with the Marquis of Weinan that day, and he agreed."

"To thank me, he even gave me a gift."

Saying that, she took from her bosom a high‑quality Hetian tiger‑pattern jade pendant and flashed it before Sister Gao Yang.

"Look, this is the Marquis of Weinan who 'specifically' gave it to me."

She emphasized the word "specifically".

When Sister Gao Yang saw the pendant, she instantly widened her eyes, full of disbelief: "Impossible, how could he give this to you!!"

She recognized the jade pendant in Li Lizhi's hand; it was personally given by Empress Changsun to Chen Yan.

Every time they met, she almost always saw Chen Yan wearing that pendant, never without it.

Jade is highly valued in this era, a manifestation of a gentleman's virtue.

For example, great families like the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes would treasure a fine jade pendant immensely, even treating it as a family heirloom.

At the same time, a jade pendant can serve as a token of affection.

Often, mutually affectionate couples exchange jade to express their feelings.

Now, the pendant that Chen Yan has carried since childhood appears in Li Lizhi's hand.

Sister Gao Yang thinks she might not have had her house stolen.

But rather her whole family has been uprooted!

Li Lizhi tucked away the pendant, "Of course this is because the Marquis of Weinan gave it to me in gratitude."

"After all, as a man, the Marquis of Weinan isn't suitable for making clothes for Xiao Sizi, so he had to ask me."

That, of course, is a lie.

In fact, this tiger‑pattern jade pendant was bestowed by Empress Changsun, and after Chen Yan has worn it so long, it already carries affection.

How could anyone be willing to give it away?

The pendant was merely borrowed by Li Lizhi to specifically irritate Sister Gao Yang.

As for why she did it, it's because Sister Gao Yang is stubborn.

If you talk to her properly, she'll definitely push further and hold Chen Yan tighter.

Better to state it plainly; after Sister Gao Yang calms down, she'll be mentally prepared.

Then her goal is achieved.

"I don't believe it!" Sister Gao Yang glared at Li Lizhi, "How could he give the pendant to you?"

"It must be that you got it from someone else!"

Li Lizhi immediately replied, "Sister Gao Yang, are you trying to deceive yourself?"

"How many of these tiger‑pattern jade pendants exist in the world?"

"As far as I know, since Mother became Empress until now, only three have been bestowed."

"Those were given to the sons of meritorious generals, who usually keep them carefully."

"Besides the Marquis of Weinan giving me this pendant, do you think the other two would let me hold such a pendant?"

"That's impossible!" Sister Gao Yang still denied, "Since you know this pendant was given by Mother, you should understand that Chen Yan would never give it away."

The Empress‑bestowed pendant represents heavenly favor, and unauthorized transfer is seen as contempt for imperial authority, at worst it could lead to impeachment for great disrespect.

Chen Yan is not ignorant of protocol.

Li Lizhi smiled lightly, "Of course I understand, but Sister Gao Yang perhaps forgot… there is a special case: a pendant bestowed by Mother can be given away."

Sister Gao Yang was startled, thought carefully for a moment, then suddenly thought of a possibility.

Indeed, in principle, the Empress‑bestowed pendant cannot be transferred to others.

Unless it is for one's own son, then one only needs to file a report with the Imperial Clan Court, and it can be passed down as a family heirloom.

But this does not count as giving to an outsider, so it cannot be considered a special circumstance.

There is another possibility: marrying into the imperial family and transferring the princess obtained through the marriage alliance as a betrothal gift......

Hehe......

Gao Yang chuckled softly twice, then burst out laughing loudly.

As she laughed, tears began to flow.

Why, why do you insist on competing with me?

There are so many good men in the Tang Dynasty, why do you insist on competing with me?

You clearly know that I am engaged to him, you also know that I later do not reject him, even have feelings for him, but what about you?

How did you do this?!

What have I done to wrong you?!

Say it!!

Her last words were almost shouted out by Gao Yang.

Despite a thousand precautions, she ultimately could not guard against it.

At this moment, she finally understood why Li Lizhi sincerely congratulated her.

As it turns out!

As it turns out, she has already achieved her goal!

Li Lizhi gazed calmly at Gao Yang, but her heart was a tangle of mixed feelings.

This matter, no matter from which angle, is entirely her fault.

She admits it!

Before coming to find Gao Yang, she had already made all psychological preparations.

Including but not limited to being scolded angrily by Gao Yang, even being whipped, she would accept.

But she, will absolutely not give up.

"Sorry, Gao Yang younger sister, I know I am selfish; now that things have come to this, whatever I say, you probably won't forgive me."

"I just want to ask you: if the one engaged to Chen Yan were me, after seeing his good qualities, would you be able to restrain yourself and not be moved?"

She paused, then took the jade pendant from her bosom again and placed it on Gao Yang's wedding attire.

"I am not trying to show off; I just want to tell you that, aside from not giving up Chen Yan, I can retreat on everything else."

"Sorry, Gao Yang......"

Having said that, Li Lizhi stood up, gave Gao Yang a deep look, and then slowly left.

"Bastard!"

"You're all bastards!!!"

Gao Yang's anger could no longer be suppressed; she clenched her silver teeth tightly, grabbed the jade pendant on her wedding attire, and was about to smash it to the ground.

However, she finally calmed down and did not actually smash the jade pendant.

"Hmph, you want to get him? It won't be that easy!"

"......"