Chapter 23: Princess Chang Le, Li Lizhi

"You get out of here, you brat, I really thought you came to care about me."

Chen Yan forcefully shook off Cheng Chumo's hand, waved his sleeve irritably, and turned toward his own room.

Cheng Chumo, unwilling to give up, hurriedly caught up: "Zi An brother, I'm not lying to you. In your words, those girls are each perfect. If I had money, I would definitely have taken you there."

Chen Yan glanced at him, "So, do you have money?"

That sentence left Cheng Chumo speechless.

Does he have money?

He certainly doesn't.

Otherwise, would he still be worrying about it all night for nothing?

He could have gone to Pingkang Lane and gotten drunk already.

Chen Yan said helplessly, "It's not that I won't go with you; today I really can't."

"To be honest, I went to the palace today; later the Emperor and Empress are expected to come to my house."

"I'm busy preparing for that, I have no time to go with you to see any girls."

"...... Huh?" Cheng Chumo was slightly stunned, his eyes flickered, his mind couldn't quite follow.

"Zi An brother… you just said, who is coming to your house?"

Chen Yan found it somewhat funny and replied, "The Emperor and the Empress."

Upon hearing that, Cheng Chumo immediately turned and bolted back.

As if Weinan Bo Fu were some terrifying place where being late would have dire consequences.

Chen Yan said lazily, "Ah, I was actually thinking you have no money, so I could take you to do a little side business to earn some."

"Since you're leaving, then that's that."

As soon as the words finished, Cheng Chumo smoothly turned, strode back to him, flashing a big white grin: "Zi An brother, I knew you were kind‑hearted; you never forget a good thing for a brother."

"By the way, what little side business did you just mention?"

"Shall we discuss it in detail?"

Chen Yan forced a smile and said, "What, Cheng Chumo, weren't you leaving? Why are you back?"

"How could that be?" Cheng Chumo patted his chest and said, "I just remembered Zhao Guanjia asked me to bring five maidservants for you, just to show them to you."

"I have no intention of leaving."

Chen Yan chuckled, ignored Cheng Chumo, and ordered Qing'er, "You go, do as I say."

"Also, go check the five maidservants Cheng Chumo brought, and have everything arranged."

"Got it, Young Master." Qing'er replied, then glared fiercely at Cheng Chumo before leaving.

She had heard that Cheng Chumo wanted to take Chen Yan to Pingkang Lane again.

The old Chen Yan never went to such places, but after becoming acquainted with Cheng Chumo, he grew fond of wandering into pleasure districts.

Thus, she believes Chen Yan's change is all because Cheng Chumo corrupted him!

Naturally, she shows Cheng Chumo no good face.

"Hey, Zi An brother, look at her…"

"Enough, enough, you still don't know her? Who made you corrupt me?"

Cheng Chumo pointed at the departing Qing'er, his gaze somewhat resentful, about to say something when Chen Yan stopped him.

"Do you still want to do business?"

"Let's put the business aside for now," Cheng Chumo snapped, "Let's first discuss who corrupted whom."

"Tell me, who originally came knocking saying they wanted to check out Pingkang Lane?"

"One visit wasn't enough, had to go again, and then it became endless."

"Oh, now I'm the one who corrupted you?"

"We brothers go together to see girls!! You even…"

Hearing the latter part, Chen Yan hurriedly covered Cheng Chumo's mouth, "Alright, alright, I corrupted you, you corrupted me…"

"Let's not talk about it, can we just stop?"

Cheng Chumo also realized some words shouldn't be spoken and quickly shut his mouth.

While they were chatting, they had already reached the front of the house.

Chen Yan waved his hand, "Fine, go back and contact the brothers, come to my house tomorrow to discuss; if we act, we act together."

He paused, then said seriously, "But first the ugly truth: doing business requires capital; if you have no money, don't say the brother won't take you along."

Cheng Chumo, hearing that, recalled the odd treasures in Chen Yan's house, gritted his teeth, "Don't worry, it's just money, right?"

"We brothers have nothing else, just plenty of money!"

Chen Yan could only smile, "Alright, go contact the brothers quickly so everyone can prepare."

Cheng Chumo said earnestly, "Then it's settled, we must not backtrack."

"When does what I, Chen Yan, say ever not count? Rest assured, I won't backtrack."

"Alright, I'm going right now!"

Cheng Chumo said that, turned away buoyantly, his steps a few strides lighter than usual.

Watching his departing back, Chen Yan shook his head and laughed, then called a maid to fill a bathtub with water for him.

Chen Yan lay in the tub, enjoying a soak, and sighed as he recalled the day's events.

"From now on, I guess we won't be able to settle down."

"Mother, where are we going?"

In the carriage, Xiao Sizi leaned against Empress Changsun's lap, blinking big eyes with a face full of curiosity.

At this moment, Xiao Sizi's spirit Qi had clearly improved a lot, no longer looking sickly as before.

Empress Changsun said softly, "Xiao Sizi, do you still remember your brother‑in‑law?"

"We are going to visit brother‑in‑law's home as guests."

Empress Changsun did not dare to say directly that she would send Xiao Sizi to live at Chen Yan's house, fearing Xiao Sizi could not immediately accept leaving her parents.

Xiao Sizi thought for a moment, eyes brightening, "I'll bring duck, sister, sister is fine now, give the little one some not‑bitter medicine, the little one's illness will be cured!"

Because Chen Yan exuded an aura that made her feel close, and because Chen Yan's treatment did not make her drink those bitter Chinese medicines.

Therefore, Xiao Sizi's impression of Chen Yan was very deep, and Empress Changsun recalled it as soon as she mentioned him.

"Sizi, you're really clever; from now on, shall brother‑in‑law treat your illness, okay?"

Hearing this, Xiao Sizi excitedly nodded repeatedly, "Good, good, the little one wants the same as sister, give me a few illnesses."

A trace of tenderness flashed in Empress Changsun's eyes, knowing her daughter had suffered much before.

She only hopes that in Chen Yan's place, she can live happily for a while.

At this moment, another stunning girl sitting in the carriage said anxiously, "Mother, are we really going to do this?"

"I'm afraid…"

The girl was Li Lizhi, Princess Changle, daughter of Li Shimin and Empress Changsun.

When Xiao Sizi fell ill, she was still learning embroidery with the palace's embroiderer, so she did not receive the news immediately.

After learning of it, she heard Ah Ye and Mother say that Sizi should be sent to the Weinan Bo Fu.

Li Lizhi fully understood Ah Ye and Mother's decision, because she herself also suffered from a Qi illness, though not as severe as Empress Changsun and Xiao Sizi.

Rationally, she approved the current approach.

Emotionally, however, she found it somewhat hard to accept.

"......"