Chapter 134: Blessing from Changsun Wugu

The next day, Chen Yan dressed neatly, took Xiao Sizi, and rode a carriage to the Imperial Palace.

However, this time he did not go to Cheng Tian Men as usual, but went to the Black Warrior Gate.

Yesterday, when Li Lizhi left, she told him to wait outside the Black Warrior Gate, and Li Shimin and Empress Changsun would come out from here.

Upon hearing about the Black Warrior Gate, Chen Yan understood.

This time, Li Shimin leaving the palace did not want people to know.

Because the Black Warrior Gate is usually guarded by the Forbidden Army, and it is near the Imperial Garden, with few people, it is most suitable for secret travel.

Most importantly, Li Shimin has extremely high control over the Black Warrior Gate; the Forbidden Army troops assigned to guard it have been carefully selected.

When Chen Yan arrived here, those Forbidden Army troops seemed to have anticipated this; they merely lifted the carriage curtain to check, then paid no further attention to him.

And Li Shimin and his wife had not yet arrived; Chen Yan was not in a hurry, and waited slowly.

Anyway, the auction starts at the si hour (9 to 11 o'clock); it's still early now.

Li Shimin is probably still attending the morning court.

Just as he was leaning in the carriage, preparing to sleep a little more, the carriage curtain was suddenly lifted.

Chen Yan opened his eyes with a bewildered expression, and saw Empress Changsun smile at him, then bend down and walk in.

"Imperial......"

He was just about to rise when Empress Changsun waved her hand, indicating he should sit, saying, "After I became pregnant, His Majesty rarely lets me handle palace affairs; though the days are leisurely, they are also boring."

"Therefore, today, while His Majesty is still at morning court, I came to find you first."

After saying that, Empress Changsun's eyes held a smile, and she then lightly pointed her chin toward the carriage entrance.

Chen Yan turned his head, only then realizing she was not alone; Li Lizhi followed behind her.

Soon after, the three sat in the carriage, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat quiet.

Chen Yan opened his mouth several times trying to find a topic to chat, but not knowing what to say, he could only remain silent.

Li Lizhi, however, looked uneasy, her fingers constantly fidgeting with her collar, appearing somewhat flustered.

Only Empress Changsun, after looking at her precious daughter and then at Chen Yan, immediately showed a hint of a satisfied smile.

Although Chen Yan has no notable family background aside from those Dukes closely related to him, and lacks major backing, Empress Changsun believes that with his abilities, he himself will become the greatest support in the future.

Most importantly, this person is greatly favored by her own daughter.

As the saying goes, a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law naturally becomes more satisfied the more she looks; she immediately said, "Zi An, His Majesty is not here, so I will speak frankly."

Chen Yan hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, please speak; I am listening."

Empress Changsun frowned slightly, "From now on, in private, let's not use subject and ruler; after all, we are one family."

Having said that, she did not give Chen Yan a chance to speak, directly saying, "Regarding your relationship with Lizhi, since it has developed to this point, you...... what plans do you have?"

Chen Yan blinked slightly; he had expected Empress Changsun to be direct, but did not expect her to be this direct.

Asking him on the spot what his plans are is still okay?

He pondered for a moment, secretly glanced at Li Lizhi, saw her giving him a look, and immediately understood.

The idea of idly coming early to sit is surely false; taking advantage of Li Shimin's absence to probe his thoughts is the real purpose.

He immediately replied, "Your Majesty, since you asked this way, I will not hide it from you; I plan to, at the end of today's auction, see if I can ask His Majesty to marry Lizhi to me."

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun's brows rose slightly, and she felt somewhat surprised.

This kid, he's even more direct than she is.

But this is also good; it saves further talk.

"If that's the case, then go ahead and speak boldly; I will help you."

"I hope you will support each other and grow old together."

These words basically settled the matter.

While urging Chen Yan to speak boldly, she immediately blessed them to support each other and grow old together, indicating that Li Shimin absolutely does not object to this.

Otherwise, how could Empress Changsun possibly say such a blessing?

Li Lizhi felt delighted in her heart and eagerly said, "Thank you, Mother."

Chen Yan also expressed his thanks.

Empress Changsun helplessly said, "Silly child, what is there to thank Mother for?"

"However, although I have agreed to your matter, Zi An, I still need to remind you of one thing."

"Be sure not to let down Gao Yang!"

When she said this, Empress Changsun displayed the dignity of an empress in front of Chen Yan for the first time, her expression calm, her whole body exuding an irresistible aura.

Li Lizhi is indeed her birth daughter, but Gao Yang is also someone she has watched grow up.

She certainly does not want Gao Yang to suffer injustice after marrying into the Li family because of Li Lizhi.

That is why she gave this reminder.

However, Chen Yan did not agree as she had imagined; instead, he tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, what is the definition of 'letting down'?"

"As you know, Gao Yang's temperament differs from ordinary people; how can I be considered not letting her down?"

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun was momentarily at a loss for words.

Unlike Li Lizhi, she still needs Chen Yan to speak in order to discern Gao Yang's attitude change.

When she first discovered this, Empress Changsun also found it quite surprising, then gradually understood why Li Chunfeng said Chen Yan and Gao Yang are a heaven‑ordained match.

Probably only someone like Chen Yan, whose forefathers achieved great merit, with several Dukes holding high positions behind him, and who has few living relatives, would dare to whip Gao Yang with a horsewhip upon their first meeting after the imperial marriage grant.

Moreover, this kid, even upon entering the palace, is not timid; he strikes when he ought to.

Crucially, after the beating, Gao Yang still spoke well of him.

Empress Changsun instantly felt a headache; she really couldn't say much about this, so she could only speak tactfully:

"As for how you and Gao Yang...... interact, I do not care and will not inquire; I only hope that at times you treat Gao Yang and Lizhi with equal kindness."

Do you understand?

Then I understand. Chen Yan said: "Her Majesty, please rest assured, I, Chen Yan, am not the kind of person who abandons what I start; as long as Gao Yang is my wife for even a day, I will never let her down."

That's good.

Empress Changsun nodded slightly, then naturally changed the subject and began chatting and laughing with the two of them.

In a moment, the atmosphere inside the carriage became relaxed.

As they chatted, Empress Changsun suddenly thought of something.

After cousins were classified as close relatives and included in the prohibited marriage range, Chang Sun Wujì and his father stopped having designs on Li Lizhi.

Instead, they wanted Chang Sun Chong to marry a princess who was not a direct descendant of Empress Changsun.

To be honest, there are indeed several marriageable princesses in the Imperial Family, but Empress Changsun, after thinking it over, feels dissatisfied.

Chen Yan always has plenty of clever ideas; why not ask him?