Chapter 256: Letting Go

Li Lizhi stood dumbfounded in place, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

Was it because she considered the Father Emperor and Mother Empress being present that she returned a smile, or did Chen Yan truly persuade Gao Yang, letting the other gradually try to accept herself, thus giving her a good attitude?

Li Lizhi really couldn't figure it out.

She hoped it was the latter, because then she would still have a chance to make amends slowly.

Though it sounds hypocritical, that is indeed what she thought.

All along, Li Lizhi felt guilty toward Gao Yang, so after achieving her goal, she yielded wherever she could.

Knowing Gao Yang didn't want to see her, Li Lizhi courteously tried not to appear before them.

Each time she went to Weinan County to see Chen Yan, she only sat for a while and then left immediately.

Yet Li Lizhi became increasingly unable to discern Gao Yang's view of her.

This sudden smile truly caught her off guard.

Gao Yang stared at the person before them, at that face seemingly crafted by heaven, flawless, like a celestial maiden, and smiled lightly, "Sister, what's wrong?"

"Is something uncomfortable?"

"No, nothing." Li Lizhi snapped back, finding Gao Yang's attitude increasingly odd, forcing a laugh, "It's just that after Sister Gao Yang became pregnant, she seems to have changed a lot."

"Is that so? Maybe it's because she's about to become a mother." Gao Yang replied softly.

Seeing Li Lizhi's expression shift from initial bewilderment to guilt, nervousness, hesitation, and a hint of joy, Gao Yang suddenly clarified many things.

Perhaps her previous worries were truly useless.

Chen Yan wouldn't reject her.

And Li Lizhi, who feels guilty toward her, will never compete with her for too much.

Perhaps, just as the other said, Li Lizhi only wants to occupy a spot, even if it's a tiny one.

At this moment, Gao Yang was completely at peace.

"Mother Empress, I, your son, haven't seen Sister Changle for a long time and would like to chat with her," Gao Yang began slowly.

Except for the two children, almost everyone frowned at that moment.

Everyone knew full well the matter concerning Chen Yan, Gao Yang, and Li Lizhi.

When Li Lizhi and Gao Yang were speaking earlier, everyone simultaneously focused here.

They feared Gao Yang and Li Lizhi would quarrel.

Unexpectedly, the two not only didn't argue, but seemed much more relaxed.

"Zhao Tang, you..." Empress Changsun's words got stuck, unable to be spoken.

"Don't worry, Mother Empress, I only wish to chat with my sister," Gao Yang, fully aware of their thoughts, explained.

"Go ahead!" At that moment, Li Shimin suddenly spoke.

"You two sisters really haven't met in ages; a chat wouldn't hurt."

"Thinking back, you two sisters, whose personalities were worlds apart, got along remarkably well, playing together all day."

"But after growing up, once Gao Yang married, the distance grew, which really shouldn't have happened."

Once Li Shimin spoke, no one said anything else, and Empress Changsun fell silent.

Chen Yan could only suppress his worries.

"Thank you, Father Emperor," Gao Yang gave a slight bow, affectionately took Li Lizhi's hand, and walked a little farther away.

The crowd occasionally glanced, noticing the two seemed to be chatting happily, both breaking into smiles.

The atmosphere was very harmonious, as if returning to the old days.

"Er Lang..." Empress Changsun gave Li Shimin a questioning look.

Li Shimin sighed, "It's been so long; the Court should have stabilized, and we can't keep postponing that boy's matter forever."

"The only remaining difficulty now is Gao Yang's hurdle; both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh, and I likewise don't want Gao Yang to suffer injustice."

"If Gao Yang can figure it out herself, that would be best."

Empress Changsun nodded, understanding Li Shimin's plan.

"You brat, come here!" Li Shimin called to Chen Yan, feeling quite irritated.

I damn have to help this kid marry another precious daughter.

This is damn crazy.

Chen Yan hopped over, "Your Majesty, what orders?"

"You..." Li Shimin looked at his demeanor, unable to utter harsh words, and said, "Never mind, consider it a debt from my past life; have a seat."

"How could that be?" Chen Yan cheerfully sat beneath Li Shimin, "If you ask me, you saved me in a past life; I'm here to repay you."

"... What a mouth you have!" Li Shimin laughed scolded, "No wonder you can coax away my two daughters."

"Excuse me, excuse me." Chen Yan chuckled.

Li Shimin: "..."

Damn your mother's laugh!

I'm done.

"Eh..." Suddenly, Chen Yan sensed Li Shimin's complexion was a bit off...

He was about to speak when Li Shimin said first, "I heard your library is nearing completion; are you really ready to sell books?"

"You must understand, this is the foundation of the clan."

Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have a plan; I've contemplated this for a long time, which is why I decided to open a library.

Initially, I won't set the book prices low, only slightly cheaper than market books, so the clan won't immediately suspect I possess technology far beyond theirs.

And the library isn't meant solely for selling books; my idea is to store books in the library so that scholars everywhere can spend a minimal amount to read them inside the library.

This counts as a kind of borrowing, mutually beneficial for both sides.

"And I am, after all, your son‑in‑law, and with Du Gou's involvement, the aristocratic families won't doubt the source of my books; even if this method might be suspected of fostering low‑born youths, it won't drive the aristocratic families to act rashly."

"Again, as I said, I am, after all, your son‑in‑law, the Imperial son‑in‑law of Gao Yang; as long as I'm not forced to a certain extent, the aristocratic families won't take action against me."

Li Shimin and his wife, after hearing, had golden light in their eyes; both were clever people. Chen Yan briefly explained the library's operation and immediately realized its advantages.

Why is it so hard for low‑born youths to get ahead?

The fundamental reason is poverty!

They can't afford books, can't afford ink, and still have to work hard to live; even if they have the Imperial Examination, how can they compare with the aristocratic class?

And Chen Yan's library can solve this problem well.

"Is this why you built the library so large?" Empress Changsun shook her head and laughed, recalling a past incident.

When they first went to Weinan County, the locals even thought Chen Yan was building a palace; one can imagine the library's size.

"So, how do you charge for borrowing books in your library, and what are the rates?" Empress Changsun asked again.

"One to two wen per time period, perhaps." Chen Yan thought: "In any case it will never exceed two wen, because building the library isn't essentially for profit; as long as I can slowly recoup the costs, that's enough."

Attracting people to Weinan County, and reputation, are the most important.

"......"