Chapter 133: Gentle Killing

"But......"

Li Lizhi still wanted to try again.

In her view, since they had already pierced that layer of window paper, they would inevitably become husband and wife in the future.

What is there to divide between husband and wife?

Who would say otherwise?

Li Lizhi also understood Chen Yan's meaning; it was nothing more than saying that she had previously asked the Retired Emperor Li Yuan to say a few words about their talent and beauty at Empress Changsun's banquet.

Numerous guests weren't stupid either; they could more or less guess something.

If she again took the initiative to tell Li Shimin she wanted to marry Chen Yan, she would likely face some criticism.

But Li Lizhi simply didn't care about that.

Anyway, even though she clearly knew Chen Yan was Gao Yang's fiancé, she still asked Li Yuan to say that, and suffering criticism in private was already inevitable.

Was there still a need to care about this one more time?

Li Lizhi simply thought that if she went to Father and brought this up, Father would be more likely to agree.

However, as soon as her words left her mouth, she encountered Chen Yan's unequivocal refusal: "No more buts; this matter is settled as is."

"During this time, do what you should do, spend more time with your younger siblings; when you eventually marry over, you will ultimately become a married woman, and even if you live nearby, the chance to meet won't be too many."

"As for other matters, don't worry about them; the same goes for the Gao Yang side."

Li Lizhi blinked slightly, her heart warm, and she softly hummed in acknowledgment.

"All right, I'll listen to you."

At this moment, Xiao Sizi raised her head, blinked her big eyes, and said: "Older sister, are you also going to marry Older brother?"

Being asked so bluntly by a child, and with Xiao Sizi also using the word 'also,' the already thin-skinned Li Lizhi lowered her head in an instant, not knowing how to answer.

On the contrary, Chen Yan laughed heartily and said: "That's right, Xiao Sizi, your older sister Lychee also marries Older brother."

"Are you happy or not?"

Xiao Sizi tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said: "If Older sister marries Older brother, can she then come live at our house?"

"Yes, once your older sister marries me, she will always live at home."

"Then I'll be happy." Xiao Sizi tugged at Li Lizhi's skirt, giggling, and said: "That way I can see Older sister every day."

Li Lizhi rubbed her little head and gave a light laugh.

Afterward, she then stated her purpose.

"By the way, Father had me bring you a few things; I don't know what they are, they're placed in the carriage outside—have someone fetch them."

"Your Majesty...... sent you to deliver them?"

Chen Yan's expression turned strange, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

He naturally knew what Li Lizhi was sending.

It was nothing more than the treasure he had just obtained from Li Shimin.

Because the time was too short, when Li Lizhi came he hadn't even thought about that aspect.

He simply thought Li Lizhi had come purely to meet and chat with him.

He never expected that she was actually coming to deliver Li Shimin's collection.

This was quite interesting.

Just as he had left, Li Shimin then had Li Lizhi send the things over.

Leaving aside that the time interval was too short, inconsistent with Li Shimin's character.

Just speaking of the choice of person to send the collection, it's wrong.

Li Shimin could have Li Junxian come deliver it, could have Wushe come deliver it, or could just call anyone to deliver it.

Why, of all people, was it Li Lizhi?

Li Shimin clearly knew that his relationship with Li Lizhi was ambiguous, basically only missing the imperial marriage edict process; why, at this juncture, did he call Li Lizhi over?

Hmm...... Li Shimin probably isn't hinting at anything, is he?

Seeing Chen Yan dazed for a long while, Li Lizhi couldn't help but wave her hand in front of him and ask, "What are you thinking about?"

"Father sent me to deliver them—is there a problem?"

"Also, do you know what those things are?"

"I asked Father; he seemed not very happy, didn't tell me, and even instructed me not to open them."

Chen Yan came to his senses and said cheerfully: "Your Majesty is certainly not happy, because this is his collection."

"For tomorrow's auction, Your Majesty has really gone all out."

Li Lizhi first had a sudden realization, then gave him a white-eye look.

"Father usually treats those things as treasures, wiping them clean when he has time; how could they possibly be taken out to sell?"

"And going all out! This must be your idea, right?"

"I came up with the idea, and Your Majesty himself agreed." Chen Yan laughed: "Anyway, one willing to strike, one willing to endure—I proposed the idea, and since Your Majesty agreed, those things will certainly be sold tomorrow."

Li Lizhi said: "Selling them is fine too; last year during the great drought, when Father and Mother were worried all day about money, I had already suggested selling those things."

"After all, those things are ultimately dead objects; aside from looking good on display, they serve no other purpose."

"It's a pity that back then Father didn't agree, but this time you've managed to convince him."

Chen Yan smiled without speaking, and didn't explain anything.

In Li Shimin's view, the aristocratic clans had already reached the point where they had to be eliminated, but only because their weight in the hearts of scholars across the realm was too great to allow harsh measures.

Now that he finally had a chance to make the clans suffer loss while also benefiting the common people of the world, Li Shimin would definitely bring out those treasures, no matter how much he cherished them.

"Fine, then I won't ask further."

Li Lizhi understood the priorities, and instead said: "Since those are Father's collection, you should now have people bring them inside, to avoid any problems from leaving them outside."

I also can't stay long, so I'll go back first.

While speaking, she noticed Chen Yan's collar was a bit messy, so she walked over and tidied it up for him a little.

Chen Yan lowered his head slightly, carefully looked at the woman in front of him, and suddenly felt his luck was really good.

The two wives he was about to marry, one gentle as water, the other fiery in temperament.

As the saying goes, if she could keep Gao Yang in check, she really wasn't bad; at least after marriage there wouldn't be a lack of fun.

Even bickering is a kind of happiness.

As for Li Lizhi in front of him......

In the world, there is no man who can refuse a woman who thinks of you in everything, helps you manage household affairs big and small, and is willing to endure hardship and resentment.

But for men, sensuality and a pretty face are fleeting; they may captivate a man for a time, but ultimately they won't last.

The ultimate way to captivate men is forever the two words 'gentleness'.

Why did Li Shimin favor Empress Changsun alone?

Why did Zhu Yuanzhang leave the three characters 'Emperor's grief and weeping' after Empress Ma's death?

Were they really that beautiful?

Perhaps they were once beautiful, but in the end their youth faded; no matter how well they maintained themselves, they could never compare to the young concubines favored in the harem.

But why, even until their deaths, were Empress Changsun and Empress Ma still the most favored?

Why does the Thirty-Six Stratagems include a beauty stratagem?

As the saying goes, heroes find it hard to pass the beauty's gate; when you truly meet the woman who always stays home to soothe the children, keeps meals warm, manages your clothing when you go out, and reminds you to come back early...

Only then will you understand why, as long as Empress Changsun lives, Li Chengqian's position as crown prince remains as stable as Mount Tai.

Only then will you understand why, when Empress Ma died, Zhu Yuanzhang was so grief-stricken, and the officials cried even more bitterly than he did.

"......"