Chapter 304: Xu Lianyue

Chang'an City, West Market.

This place is extraordinarily bustling, unlike the East Market which is specially meant to serve officials and nobles; the West Market is not only larger in scale, but also more bustling than the East Market by more than one level.

More importantly, the West Market is where common folk usually gather, and various foreign small merchants also often exist here.

In the noisy market, life's atmosphere fills everywhere.

However, at this moment the vegetable market is much quieter than usual; everyone's gaze occasionally falls on that distant figure in a snow‑white long dress, as if a fairy fallen from the heavens.

Clearly she is carrying a vegetable basket that clashes with her appearance, yet she bears not a trace of the market's mundane air.

"Miss Xu, two cash for these will do."

The old man placed the vegetables the girl had picked into her basket, hesitating as he spoke.

Xu Lianyue shook her head, took out three cash and put them down, saying, "Uncle, charge whatever it should be; earning money isn't easy for you, so don't worry about anything."

Having said that, she stood up and left directly.

Wherever Xu Lianyue went, the surroundings grew much quieter, and some people cast her strange looks.

But Xu Lianyue had long grown accustomed to it; she ignored what others thought of her and slowly departed.

At that moment, a woman visiting Chang'an for the first time asked her companion doubtfully, "Cui'e, why just now did you not let me speak? Is it because of that young lady?"

Wang Cui'e quickly gestured for her to lower her voice, then pulled her away from the crowd, saying, "This is your first time in Chang'an; you don't understand. Let me tell you: don't be fooled by how that young lady looks like a heavenly fairy—she is actually a jinx."

"Not only did she cause the death of her own parents and elders, but her husband died less than half a month after their wedding, and not long after that her mother‑in‑law also passed away."

"This…" Xiao dama still found it hard to believe, saying, "Really? I thought that lady seemed fine just now."

"You still don't believe me?" Wang Cui'e clapped her hands and lowered her voice:

"What I just told you isn't even the most mysterious part; do you know what the most mysterious thing is?"

Xiao dama: "What is it?"

"You also saw how beautiful that woman is; she lost her husband and lives alone—don't you think scoundrels would be tempted to act on her?"

"Let me tell you," Wang Cui'e said, extending a palm, "At first many ruffians wanted to take advantage of her, even sneaking to her house in the dead of night."

"Guess what happened?"

Xiao dama widened her eyes: "What happened?"

"Heh heh, the outcome was grim!" Wang Cui'e waved her hand in disgust, "Almost none survived; those who did were left crippled, wishing they were dead."

"The ruffians who sneaked into her house at night were even worse—they died right on her garden wall; it's said they died horribly, discovered with blood pouring from their seven orifices, vomiting white foam, their faces grim like evil spirits."

"Hiss!" Xiao dama sucked in a breath of cold air.

"So mysterious?"

"What do you think? From now on, keep your distance when you see her—bad luck."

"Mm, I'll remember."

"……"

Xu Lianyue carried her vegetable basket and calmly returned to her doorstep.

Her family wasn't wealthy, but her late husband had left her a quiet little courtyard.

The courtyard isn't large, with only two bedrooms, yet it is the sole place she can call home in this world.

"Miss Lianyue."

Xu Lianyue was about to open the door when a gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Turning her head in puzzlement, she saw a woman so beautiful words could not describe her, wearing unfamiliar noble attire, accompanied by a maid, standing not far away and smiling at her.

"You are......"

Facing this person, Xu Lianyue, who usually prided herself on her looks, couldn't help feeling inferior; moreover, one glance told her the other's status was extraordinary, so she instinctively used an honorific.

Li Lizhi approached with her maid, not relying on her status to act superior, but spoke gently: "I am Li Lizhi. Have you heard of me, miss?"

Xu Lianyue hesitated a moment, then shook her head honestly.

Seeing this, Li Lizhi was somewhat surprised; she could tell Xu Lianyue was not lying but truly did not know her.

"It's normal that Miss Lianyue hasn't heard of me, but I often hear Chen Lang speak of you, saying you were his childhood playmate and that he has always regarded you as a sister."

Xu Lianyue's face paled for an instant: "Are you Princess Gao Yang?"

"No, that's not right—I have seen Princess Gao Yang."

At first, hearing Li Lizhi's words, Xu Lianyue's heart fluttered a little, but she soon steadied herself.

"Miss, you are not telling the truth."

"He would never mention me in front of others."

"Why?" Li Lizhi pressed.

Xu Lianyue said nothing more, opened the door, and politely said, "Miss, you came specially to see me; you must have something to say. My home is humble, but I have a cup of coarse tea."

"If you don't mind, please come in."

Li Lizhi stared at her for two breaths, then gave a slight nod.

"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Lianyue."

Inside, after Xu Lianyue had Li Lizhi sit down, she went into the room and took out a packet of tea from the bottom of the cabinet.

She gently stroked the tea in her hand, let out a soft sigh, then opened it.

Soon a cup of hot tea was set before Li Lizhi.

Xu Lianyue slowly sat down opposite her.

Li Lizhi first glanced at the familiar clear tea before her, then at the furniture she sat on, and said, "These must all have been sent by Chen Lang, right?"

"Exactly!" Xu Lianyue replied candidly, "These are all things he sent over; if you like them, Miss, you can have them."

"No need for that—I'm not a bandit." Li Lizhi laughed helplessly.

"Besides, if I were to move even the furniture you normally use, Chen Lang would likely blame me when he finds out."

Xu Lianyue hearing the address "Young Master Chen", her heart was a tangle of emotions.

In the Tang dynasty, addressing men as "young master" was quite normal; regardless of gender or familiarity, this form of address could be used.

But Li Lizhi used the address "Young Master Chen".

A single character difference, the meaning is worlds apart.

"Miss, I don't know why you have come today......?"

Xu Lianyue couldn't wait any longer and asked directly.

"You don't need to be so hostile toward me; I'm not Gao Yang, I'm not that overbearing."

Li Lizhi said softly: "Besides having a few questions I hope you can answer, the most important reason I came today is to deliver an invitation to you."

"'An invitation?' Xu Lianyue stared blankly at the person before her, her mind filling with speculation."

She trembled as she spoke: "What invitation?"

"'Naturally, it's the invitation to my wedding with Young Master Chen.' Li Lizhi said with deep meaning: 'In a few days, the Father Emperor will issue an edict granting me and Young Master Chen a marriage.'"

"'We will be married on November 28th; by then, I hope Miss Lianyue can attend.'"

"'Young Master Chen will surely be delighted to see you.'"

"........."