Chapter 138: Chen Yan: I'm Doing This All for the Tang Dynasty

You, your twisted reasoning is always the same.

Li Shimin extended a finger and lightly tapped Chen Yan, feeling very pleased.

He didn't care whether the noble family today faced disaster or fortune; either way, he was sure to make the money today.

As he spoke, a commotion suddenly arose among the audience.

From the shadows beneath the lights, a beautiful woman with bright eyes and white teeth emerged with a smile.

The moment she appeared, she instantly captured everyone's attention.

Because her attire was extremely strange for people of this era, yet it unconsciously drew everyone's gaze.

A blue‑and‑white qipao clung tightly to her, perfectly outlining her curvaceous figure.

She wore light makeup, and her warm lips were tinted with pale red lipstick, making her even more alluring.

"What a beautiful woman! She might even rival the top courtesans of Pingkang Hall, but why is her clothing so unusual? I've never seen anything like it before."

"That's true. Over the years I've traveled for trade, seen many foreign women and beautiful garments, yet I've never seen this kind of clothing. Though odd, it's very beautiful and suits women well."

"Hey, why are you all fussing over the clothes? Let me tell you, the auction today is the real focus. I just looked around; everyone here has a distinguished status, especially those on the second floor—normally untouchable figures. This auction is no ordinary affair."

With those words, many wealthy merchants and minor nobles below fell into thought.

Being invited by Chen Yan meant they were certainly not insignificant; they were people of experience.

Seeing the woman on stage for the first time might cause a brief surprise, but attention quickly shifted back to the auction.

Just as that person said earlier, everyone realized today's auction was extraordinary.

Then again, if one lacked any background, how could they brazenly present a treasure comparable to the glass phoenix displayed at Empress Changsun's birthday banquet?

In the best‑viewed room on the third floor, Empress Changsun examined the woman's attire below, first with surprise, then with regret.

"What a pity. If Li Lizhi wore such clothing, it would showcase a dignified, elegant aura. Though this woman is not unattractive, she belongs to the coquettish type and is not suited for this attire."

Li Shimin agreed, "Guanyin Maid makes a reasonable point; although the garment looks odd, it doesn't resemble the clothing of a small foreign nation. At first glance, I think it suits Central Plains women well."

"Zi An, this woman must be the one you brought; do you know where this clothing came from?"

As soon as his question left his mouth, Empress Changsun and Li Lizhi's gazes fixed on Chen Yan.

The former was simply curious about where the qipao originated.

As for Li Lizhi, she kept pondering Empress Changsun's earlier words; she didn't like this kind of clothing.

Because, although the garment looks beautiful, it's somewhat revealing; wearing it would expose her to others' eyes, wouldn't it?

Li Lizhi found it hard to accept.

Chen Yan scratched his head awkwardly, "To be honest, His Majesty, this garment... was made by me."

"You made it?"

The three of them suddenly widened their eyes, their faces full of disbelief.

Li Shimin's expression turned subtle, and he hesitated before speaking, "Zi An... you are at least a descendant of a military officer; even if you don't wield a sword and have taken the scholar's path, you should still hold a pen."

"Making clothes is not something you should comment on..."

Empress Changsun raised an eyebrow, "If you wish to make clothing in the future, you can have the officials' servants do it, or entrust Gao Yang and Li Lizhi with it."

"You, a respectable seven‑foot man, actually go make clothing—women's clothing at that—and how am I supposed to explain this to your late mother?"

"How would you tell your father and two uncles?"

This time Empress Changsun was truly angry.

Perhaps later generations find this incomprehensible, but this is the reality of this era.

An ordinary man—let alone making women's clothes; even if he cooked a meal, outsiders would mock him.

Moreover, Chen Yan is a descendant of a meritorious official and is about to become a Tang Dynasty Imperial son‑in‑law.

With such a status, how could he do such things?

Chen Yan helplessly explained, "His Majesty, Her Majesty, you have misunderstood. I only proposed the idea and drew the design for the workers below; I was not the one who actually made the garment."

"Besides, don't you think a woman's temperament instantly improves when she wears such clothing?"

"My intention was to see whether people would accept this garment; if they do, it could become another profitable avenue in the future."

"The Tang Dynasty is truly impoverished; I can only try my best to find ways to increase revenue."

"Otherwise, when will the Tang people be able to live prosperously, and when will the Zhenguan era become a celebrated golden age?"

"His Majesty, Her Majesty, I am doing all this for the Tang Dynasty."

Empress Changsun's complexion suddenly changed upon hearing this, and she sighed, "Alas, this indeed wronged you."

"However, you should do this kind of thing less in the future; if you truly cannot, you may come to the palace to seek me."

"The palace has so many beautiful maidens; they will surely meet your needs."

What else could Chen Yan say?

He could only agree.

However, Li Shimin said nothing, merely giving Chen Yan a deep look.

He always felt the youngster's motives weren't that simple, yet he couldn't pinpoint what was off.

Thus he never spoke.

At that moment, Chen Yan suddenly sensed a scorching gaze upon him; turning his head, he saw Li Lizhi looking at him with a softness that seemed ready to melt.

Fearing his intentions were being read, Chen Yan quickly changed the subject, "His Majesty, Her Majesty, let's first watch the auction; we can discuss the clothing later."

"Hmm, that works as well."

"......"

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the inaugural auction of Tingxue Hall. I am the auctioneer for this event—Youlan."

Youlan stood before the auction podium, chuckled lightly while scanning the crowd, and raised her hands slightly, "Your invitation letters already detail this auction; I trust everyone has read them.

"Nevertheless, I will briefly introduce our rules again."

When the auction begins, we will present the treasures one by one and give everyone a detailed introduction to their origins.

Everyone present may bid after I finish my introduction; the highest bidder wins.

Saying this, she picked up a small wooden mallet, "Every time someone bids, I will strike the hammer; if after my three strikes no one else bids, then the auctioned treasure will belong to the bidder."

You only need to pay when the auction ends, and you can take the treasure away.

You Lan finished speaking, blinked her eyes, and revealed a charming smile.

"I believe you all can't wait any longer, and I don't want to waste your time."

"Next, I announce that this auction begins."

"Please welcome the first auction item, the Black Tortoise Book Carrying Pavilion!"

"......"