Chapter 32: Li Lizhi Also Wants to Invest?

Among the Meritorious Nobles of Chang'an City.

Whether they are high officials in the court or the second‑generation nobles, they are actually divided into several circles.

For example, the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes form one circle, and the founding heroes like Cheng Yaojin, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wujie form another.

Below that, there are still many smaller circles.

For instance, a circle of civil‑official descendants led by Changsun Chong.

And another small circle of military‑general descendants such as Chen Yan, Cheng Chumo, Yu Chi Bao Lin, and Qin Huaidao.

Because their fathers were close, they see each other often, and naturally the relationships are good.

After Yu Chi Bao Lin sat down, she blurted out, "Old Chen, that kid Cheng Chumo told me yesterday that you're going to make us money; that's true, isn't it?"

Hearing that, Li Lizhi's eyes lit up instantly, and she promptly perked up to listen.

Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao stared at Chen Yan with a hint of expectation.

Unlike Li Chengqian, who rarely leaves the palace and only sneaks out to play outside, never having visited Chen Yan's home, so he doesn't know how many good things there are there.

They know it very clearly.

Without mincing words, they said that if Chen Yan were willing to take those items out to sell, he could easily make a fortune.

They had urged him many times before to sell them, but each time he brushed them off.

When Cheng Chumo told them yesterday that Chen Yan would make money with them, they were so excited they barely slept the whole night.

So early this morning they all showed up.

"Hmm, the story is indeed true," Chen Yan nodded, then called out to the outside, "Someone, bring tea."

Yu Chi Bao Lin hurried, "Old Chen, drinking tea? Making money is what matters!"

"Just tell me how much you want to invest, and I'll go home right away to get money from my clueless father."

Everyone: "......"

Chen Yan said irritably, "We're all gathered, and you're still fussing over a cup of tea? We'll discuss the money later."

Yu Chi Bao Lin, frantic, scratched her ear and cheek, but Chen Yan spoke up, and he didn't have much to say either, just sat there.

The others were not in a hurry; everyone knew Chen Yan was now the head of the household, and proper etiquette could not be omitted.

At that moment, Qing'er brought two maidservants who carried the tea in, poured a cup for each person, and then the two maids slowly withdrew.

Qing'er stood quietly behind Chen Yan.

Li Lizhi looked at the tea before her, surprised, "Huh, how did you get this kind of tea here?"

She remembered this tea was very precious; even Aye rarely drank it, and she herself had only tasted it once.

Li Chengqian and Madam Su were equally puzzled; evidently, they both recognized the tea.

Chen Yan gave a faint smile, "I actually made this tea myself, so of course I have it."

"You made it?" Li Lizhi was even more shocked.

So far, she had discovered that Chen Yan not only excels in medicine, but his invented hot‑pot and wine were praised endlessly by Aye, and his poetic talent was beyond words—truly "stunning and unparalleled."

Now he even told her that this precious tea was also his creation.

Chen Yan… what else can he not do?

At this point, Li Lizhi's curiosity about Chen Yan had become intense.

"Alright, enough idle talk; let's discuss the money first," Chen Yan thought for a moment, surveyed everyone and said:

"Here's my idea: we all pool our money, acquire a well‑located restaurant, and start with a hot‑pot and beverage business."

"Everyone has eaten hot‑pot and drunk wine, so it's clearly a sure‑fire, no‑loss trade. Of course, we'll do it the best—whether it's the flavor, the interior décor, or the service, everything must be top‑notch."

"Later, once our reputation spreads, we'll open branches and gradually introduce other… "

In fact, both Cheng Chumo and Li Shimin thought Chen Yan was wealthy enough not to lack funds for a restaurant.

But only he knew he was on the brink of poverty.

Last year, a severe drought struck; he couldn't bear it, so he spent eighty percent of his family's wealth on grain to aid a group of disaster victims.

Coupled with continual extravagance, the household actually had little money left.

Thus, he gave up idling and thought of recruiting partners for a business.

"......"

"Alright, alright!" Cheng Chumo immediately said, "We don't understand these matters; you tell us what to do, and we'll do it."

"Exactly!" Yu Chi Bao Lin hammered the decision, "Old Chen, just give the word and we'll follow you."

Qin Huaidao nodded slightly, "Brother Chen, just arrange the matters as you see fit."

"Alright, if that's the case, let's first pool… "

"Um......"

Chen Yan was about to speak, but Li Lizhi suddenly cut him off.

Everyone turned their heads, looking at her in confusion.

Li Lizhi was a little nervous and somewhat embarrassed.

She had originally received Aye's order to come and steer the conversation toward opening a restaurant, then use the chance to discuss partnership.

For that, she had spent the whole night drafting her speech yesterday.

She didn't expect that today the Marquis of Weinan's mansion would be so crowded, and that she wouldn't even need to guide the topic, catching her completely off guard.

However, they were about to seal the deal, and Li Lizhi couldn't stay silent, so she immediately said, "Um… may I also invest a bit?"

When she spoke, the others gave no response.

Even Yu Chi Bao Lin sat quietly.

Chen Yan's heart stirred, his gaze oddly strange, "How much will you invest?"

Li Lizhi hesitated, then cautiously said, "A restaurant in the center of the East Market on Zhuque Street?"

"Huh?"

Chen Yan was stunned, thinking how fitting for a princess—she directly invested in a restaurant, and it was the most bustling East Market.

However, what he didn't expect was that while he was dazed, Li Lizhi thought Chen Yan was dissatisfied and immediately raised the stakes, "Add… add another 1,000 guan?"

Chen Yan: "......"

Before Li Lizhi set out, Li Shimin, fearing Chen Yan might refuse, had solemnly instructed her that if one restaurant wasn't enough, she could add more money.

So, seeing that Chen Yan gave no reply, Li Lizhi immediately added money.

"Princess… how generous!"

Chen Yan held his tongue for a while, and finally could only manage this single sentence.

A thousand guan plus a restaurant is already enough to close the circle; why would anyone else even invest a mao?

There's not even a mao left to invest.

Yet, despite saying that, Chen Yan already understood in his heart.

Li Lizhi's visit today was probably not to see Xiao Sizi; she likely intended from the start to form a partnership.

Otherwise, why would she be so thoroughly prepared?

It's all about restaurants and money again.

She never asked about Xiao Sizi at all, from beginning to end.

"So, has the Marquis of Weinan agreed?"

Seeing that Chen Yan did not refuse, Li Lizhi's voice added a hint of excitement.

She really wanted to help Aye so much.

Chen Yan smiled, "The princess is already so sincere; how could I possibly refuse?"

As he spoke, he looked around, "Since that's the case, I'll provide the hotpot recipe and the brewing method, and handle the subsequent staff training, taking 25% of the profit. Brother Cheng Qian contributes 300 guan, along with the restaurant staff and interior décor, taking 20% of the profit."

"Cheng Chumo, Bao Lin, and Huai Dao each contribute 100 guan and each take 5% of the profit."

"As for Princess Changle..."

Li Lizhi sat up straight the moment she heard that.

Chen Yan chuckled lightly, "Just 40% of the profit—what do you think?"

The assembled listeners' eyes flickered after hearing it, each harboring different thoughts.

The three Cheng Chumo brothers understood that Chen Yan's arrangement was probably not as simple as it appeared.

If it were just a leisure outing, they truly had no money.

But once they went home and said they wanted to partner with Chen Yan in business, they could also muster 1,000 guan.

As for the restaurant, which family doesn't have a few buildings?

There's simply no need for Li Lizhi to invest money or buildings.

And now, Chen Yan not only agreed to Li Lizhi's investment, but also gave her the highest share.

The three brothers instantly sensed something off.

After all, even the Crown Prince only gets 20%; how could Li Lizhi, a princess—even a favored one—justifiably take 40% of the profit from among them?

Perhaps… Li Lizhi isn't representing herself…

"......"