Chapter 237: The Reason for Liking Green Plums

You want Chen Yan to go to the place where the flood disaster erupted?

What kind of joke is that?

According to what Chen Yan just said, there's a probability that a plague could break out there.

If Chen Yan were to meet his end, would she still be alive?

"I will convey what you said to the Father Emperor, but don't even think about going to the flood disaster site," Li Lizhi said resolutely.

She is afraid.

Chen Yan is a physician.

They say physicians have benevolent hearts; if a plague truly breaks out there and Chen Yan gets hot‑headed and runs over, what would she do?

Therefore, she cannot accept Chen Yan going over there under any circumstances.

"Fine then," Chen Yan said hoarsely, "I never said I must go, I was just suggesting a method."

"In fact, if we can prevent properly, clean all the places washed away by the flood, disinfect with lime, and tell the people to be more careful, the chance of a plague breaking out is low."

Hearing this, Li Lizhi's expression softened slightly, and she reminded him again: "I don't care about those things; you must agree with me that, no matter the situation over there, you cannot go!"

"Did you hear that!"

Looking at Li Lizhi's seemingly firm yet almost pleading eyes, how could Chen Yan refuse?

He quickly assured: "Rest assured, I promise you, no matter what over there, I won't go."

With that, Li Lizhi finally relaxed, watching Chen Yan and could only smile.

He truly didn't lie; he never even thought about going.

Because not only Li Lizhi, but also his close companions, as well as Gao Yang, Cheng Yaojin, and even Li Shimin would not consent to him going.

Then Chen Yan changed the subject: "Did you come today just to ask me this?"

"When are you going back?"

"Do you just want to drive me away?" Li Lizhi gave him a cold glance.

"I have no such intention," Chen Yan protested, "I was just thinking, if you're not in a hurry to return, I could accompany you for a walk; you must be bored staying in the palace all day, right?"

Li Lizhi thought for a moment and said, "The Father Emperor said I could go out to play for a day; I just need to return to the palace before curfew."

"But this cannot be delayed; I plan to leave soon, the sooner I return and inform the Father Emperor, the better."

"Anyway, we have plenty of time together from now on, don't we?"

At that point, Li Lizhi smiled, her gaze full of yearning, yet deep inside lay a hint of bitterness.

Li Lizhi had another reason she hadn't mentioned: she knew Gao Yang currently despised her.

The longer she stays here, even letting Chen Yan take her out, Gao Yang would probably throw a tantrum again.

By then, Chen Yan would likely have a headache.

Li Lizhi doesn't want that.

One thing Chen Yan said was correct: although she came today for official business, for her personally—

Chen Yan's initial compliment already left her fully satisfied.

And how could Chen Yan not see through Li Lizhi's thoughts?

Since their relationship grew closer, Li Lizhi could no longer hide her thoughts in front of him.

"Lizhi......"

He couldn't help but grasp Li Lizhi's delicate hand, his voice gentle.

Li Lizhi's heart fluttered; she quickly looked up, saw no one around, and whispered, "What are you doing?"

"What if someone sees us?"

"Everyone's gone, who would see?" Chen Yan replied nonchalantly, his gaze toward Li Lizhi growing hotter.

It must be said that in appearance, Li Lizhi could be considered a peerless beauty; though she wore no makeup, she was like morning dew reflecting sunrise clouds, exceptionally pure.

Just standing there, she resembled a lotus proudly blooming in a sea of flowers, untouched by dust, making one reluctant to defile her.

Even by Chen Yan's accustomed post‑modern standards and his critical eye, Li Lizhi truly lives up to her name.

Li Lizhi couldn't stand Chen Yan's scorching gaze; her long lashes trembled as she shyly said, "You... could you stop looking at me like that?"

"Fine, I won't look," Chen Yan smiled, flexed his arm, and before Li Lizhi could react, pulled her into his embrace, sitting her on his lap.

"Ah!"

She let out a startled cry, and in her panic her hands pressed against his chest, the sound of a heartbeat deafening, also not...

"You, what are you doing?"

Chen Yan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "If you don't let me look, then a hug should be okay, right?"

"Shameless!" Li Lizhi spat lightly, yet did not resist, instead wrapping her arms around Chen Yan's waist, closing her eyes, leaning in his embrace, listening to his heartbeat, feeling immensely satisfied.

"Shameless, shameless!" Chen Yan's mouth twitched, "You, just like Gao Yang, both love calling me shameless."

"But you both especially like me being shameless, don't you?"

"Otherwise..." Chen Yan rested his chin against Li Lizhi's head, his tone laced with a smile, "Why don't you resist?"

Li Lizhi fell silent.

She isn't sure about Gao Yang, but she herself does like him quite a bit.

For example, at the last auction, Chen Yan, in front of the Father Emperor and Mother Empress......

Sss~

Can't think about it!

Li Lizhi hurriedly tried to push those thoughts out of her mind, but that familiar thrill suddenly resurfaced.

At that moment, a thought suddenly surged in her heart.

If Gao Yang were watching from outside the window......

Thinking about it, an indescribable sense of shame surged in her heart, and Li Lizhi felt as if she could find a hole and crawl into it on the spot.

How could she have such evil thoughts?

It's just too…embarrassing.

Must not think about it, absolutely must not think about it!

Yet, while her mind was storming, she suddenly felt a pair of warm, large hands wandering over her body, and that strange tingling numbness was almost driving her crazy.

Li Lizhi's cheeks flushed bright red, she bit her lip hard, "Don't…don't do this, okay?"

"Wait…wait until we get married…"

She didn't finish the sentence, but everyone understood what she meant.

However, she said it that way yet showed not the slightest intention to stop Chen Yan.

Chen Yan pursed his lips and said softly, "Lizhi, do you know why so many men are forever attached to their childhood sweethearts?"

"Childhood sweet…heart?" Li Lizhi suddenly became alert.

If she remembered correctly, Mother Empress once mentioned in casual chat that Chen Yan had a girl he grew up with, a childhood sweetheart.

The key is that the girl's appearance was exceptionally outstanding.

But it seemed she had already married; Chen Yan only sent someone each month with some gifts, checked in a bit, and never showed any particular concern.

So Li Lizhi didn't take it seriously.

Now Chen Yan brings it up—could he still be thinking of that childhood sweetheart?

"Why?"

Li Lizhi thought for a while, still couldn't find an answer, so she asked.

Chen Yan chuckled lowly, meaningfully said, "Because…men mostly like that feeling of playing together since childhood."

"......"