Chapter 313: Green Plums Can't Compete with a Heavenly Descent

After hearing Yuan Tiangang's words, Chen Yan still felt uneasy and brought up again the matter of having Yuan Tiangang take some people along.

But Yuan Tiangang insisted on going alone, so Chen Yan had no choice but to agree, repeatedly reminding the other to act carefully, as life is most important.

Yuan Tiangang smiled and nodded, then left.

Watching his departing back, Chen Yan helplessly shook his head.

Upon entering, he saw Qing'er looking extremely proud, directing the maid to hang the auspicious red cloth.

"Qing'er, what are you…"

Chen Yan said, stunned.

"Young Master!"

Seeing him return, Qing'er's eyes lit up, and she scampered over, her little expression a bit proud.

"I'm setting up the grand wedding scene for you. Last time Madam Cheng taught me a lot, so Young Master, rest assured—I guarantee to arrange everything perfectly."

As she spoke, Qing'er excitedly pulled Chen Yan, describing all her ideas—how many lanterns, where to hang them, what needs to be prepared, which parts of the house could be used.

She babbled on and on for most of the time.

It was clear the little girl was still very happy.

However, Chen Yan's gaze at her grew increasingly odd.

He couldn't help interrupting the nonstop Qing'er, gently asking, "Qing'er, do you think there's a chance that our home is in Chang'an?"

?

Qing'er's smile froze on her face; she blinked bewilderedly, instantly grasping what Chen Yan meant.

"Young Master… I, I…"

Her face flushed instantly, she lowered her head, looking at a loss.

Chen Yan chuckled, "Alright, I know you want to help me, but first ask someone to put those things away. After a while, we'll be heading back to Chang'an."

His grand wedding with Li Lizhi naturally means returning to Chang'an, after all his main residence, Bo Mansion, is in Chang'an.

How could the wedding be held in Weinan County?

"Puff~"

Nearby, Xiang Lan, who happened to pass by, burst out laughing.

She and Qing'er each serve as a maid for Chen Yan and for Gao Yang respectively; with the same status and daily contact, they've become like sisters.

Thinking back to when they first entered Bo Mansion, she was always curious about the many new things, while Qing'er, having followed Chen Yan longer, often spoke with an experienced tone, telling her not to be overly surprised.

When had she ever shown this kind of demeanor?

"Y‑you… you you you!"

Qing'er, like a cat whose fur had puffed up, said, "Why are you laughing?"

"Believe it or not, shall I beat you?!"

Xiang Lan said nothing, only looking at her with an inexplicable expression.

Mainly because Chen Yan was present; otherwise she would have definitely retorted.

Chen Yan ignored the two, found Sizi and Qing Yue, the two little maids, and continued teaching them.

Around lunchtime, Xiang Lan suddenly came over and called him, saying Gao Yang had something for him.

Chen Yan, full of questions, returned to the room and saw Gao Yang sitting on a stool, a hostile look in his eyes, with a letter placed on the table before him.

"What's this?"

He felt an ominous premonition, but pretended to be calm as he walked over, intending to hug her.

But unexpectedly, Gao Yang, in a bad mood, gave him a hammer blow.

Then she tossed the letter onto him, saying, "Take a look. Princess didn't expect that you actually have a thing with that Xu Lianyue girl. If Changle hadn't told Princess, I would still be kept in the dark by you."

She got angry at the mention; previously she had heard Cheng Chu Mo and others talk about Xu Lianyue, but Chen Yan's attitude was normal, nothing wrong, so she hadn't thought much of it.

She didn't expect that Chen Yan's past relationship with Xu Lianyue was so unusual, and that the woman still harbored lingering feelings for him.

Gao Yang was really furious.

She felt she was almost robbed of her home again.

"Changle?"

Chen Yan, puzzled, opened the letter, and after reading it, understood the whole cause and effect.

In short, Li Lizhi had gone to see Xu Lianyue, and then discussed the matter with Gao Yang.

Gao Yang was a bit angry, then.

Chen Yan laughed, "What's wrong? You want to argue with me again?"

"You…" Gao Yang, angry, "Is it me who wants to argue with you?"

"Don't you see what nonsense you're doing, pampering people, giving this and that? Do you know that she still has lingering feelings for you!"

"Can you blame me?" Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, "There are plenty of women in Chang'an who like me. If you're angry with me today because of Xu Lianyue, then you can stay angry every day."

"Besides, who knows how many men in the Tang Dynasty like you and Li Lizhi? What am I even saying?"

Gao Yang was shocked by Chen Yan's shameless remark.

"Is that the same thing?"

"Changle and I don't know those people, how could we lump them together?"

"But you two… you grew up together!"

By the time she said the last sentence, Gao Yang's anger was written all over her face.

"Alright!"

Chen Yan, not wanting to upset her, softened his tone, "I have no extra feelings for Xu Lianyue; we're just ordinary friends, so don't overthink it."

"Moreover, if you think about it carefully, you'll know that a relationship between me and her is impossible."

Even if I were willing, your Father Emperor, Mother Empress, Cheng Bo Bo, and everyone I get along with would not agree.

Gao Yang was taken aback, "Why?"

Chen Yan's mouth twitched as he explained: "First of all, it's a matter of matching social status—our statuses are not equal to begin with. She is the daughter of a merchant, the lowest social rank, even lower than ordinary peasants' children, and she's already married. Do you think the people around me would allow me to marry such a woman?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang immediately realized he had asked a stupid question.

In fact, matching social status is important not just to Xu Lianyue, but to everyone.

Moreover, as Chen Yan's status rises and more people follow him, sometimes many things are no longer for him to decide arbitrarily.

Just like their princess, or the crown prince, or even Li Shimin.

Don't they also have times when they have no choice?

Leaving aside how Chen Yan feels about Xu Lianyue, just speaking of their statuses, they really are not allowed to be together.

Having figured this out, Gao Yang calmed down, stuck out his neck, and asked: "And what about you?"

"Changle said Xu Lianyue is extremely beautiful, you don't have any thoughts about her?"

Chen Yan: "Do I look like the kind of person who can't walk the Dao when seeing a beautiful woman?"

Gao Yang gave him a serious look: "You're not, but still, Xu Lianyue is different—you grew up together from childhood, your feelings definitely aren't shallow."

"Coincidentally, you're still the kind of person who doesn't care about status."

"I really can't help doubting you!"

Chen Yan was speechless: "I've said it, I and she are really just ordinary friends; I have no other thoughts about her, I'm just taking care of her purely because of our friendship."

"Besides, haven't you heard that saying?"

Gao Yang: "What saying?"

"Childhood sweethearts can't beat a sudden heavenly gift—aren't you my heavenly gift?"

"........."