Chapter 33: Radiant Beauty Veils Past and Present, Lotus Shames the Jade Face

Although Cheng Chumo and the other two are said to be a bit unrefined, Yu Chi Bao Lin is even more carefree.

But if you think they're foolish, you're being naive.

As the legitimate eldest son of the founding meritorious officials, destined to inherit the Duke's title, some matters have long been taught to him by his elders.

Therefore, even though the three felt the half share was a bit small, they offered no comment.

But Li Chengqian, who had remained silent until now, grew impatient: "Zi Anxiong, didn't I say yesterday that I wouldn't interfere in your business?"

"If you're short of money, I can lend you some, and you can repay me after you make a profit; no need to give me a twenty‑percent share."

Chen Yan felt a bit helpless.

Li Chengqian is truly childish now; could he really think that I gave him a twenty‑percent share out of brotherly affection?

Chen Yan knows very well that in this feudal dynasty where a person's life is as insignificant as grass, to bring his abundant modern knowledge to benefit the people, he must cling to a powerful patron.

And in Zhenguan Tang, what patron could be thicker than Li Shimin and his wife?

On the surface, it appears he gave Li Lizhi a forty‑percent share.

In reality, everyone knows that the forty percent actually goes to Li Shimin behind Li Lizhi.

Regardless of era—modern or ancient—

any lasting stable relationship can only be maintained through mutual exchange of profit and value; children talk about feelings, adults only discuss exchange.

As for why Chen Yan, after clearly giving Li Shimin forty percent, still gives Li Chengqian an additional twenty‑percent share,

first, he is confident that Empress Changsun will survive, and as long as she lives, Li Chengqian's position as Crown Prince cannot be challenged.

Second, since Li Chengqian's Crown Prince seat is unshakable, with his own support, he will certainly not rebel in the future. A twenty‑percent share is enough to win Li Chengqian's favor early, give him substantial help, and ensure his own future remains safe.

Third, he doesn't want to hold too much profit, because in the future they would realize how astonishing that twenty‑percent figure actually is.

Holding too much profit isn't that beneficial to him; twenty‑five percent is a very suitable split.

The Crown Princess sat quietly in her chair, listening silently to their conversation.

She was actually puzzled: the Marquis of Weinan was only running a restaurant business, so why would Li Lizhi go so far as to contribute a prime‑location restaurant plus a thousand guan of money to partner with the Marquis?

Moreover, the three legitimate sons of the Duke's household each contributed a hundred guan, yet they only received a half share of the profit.

One should know that a hundred guan is no small sum.

Spending that money could even buy a high‑end residence in Chang'an.

The Crown Princess found this truly baffling, but being a person who knows her limits, she never interjected a word from start to finish.

Even when the Eastern Palace was not affluent and Li Chengqian said he would lend money to Chen Yan, she still did not speak up to stop it, maintaining a proper smile.

"Brother Cheng Qian, since you can produce money, why are you unwilling to partner with me to open a restaurant? Do you think this deal will lose money and thus refuse to partner?"

Chen Yan pretended to be angry and said.

Li Chengqian was slightly startled by the words, shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Zi Anxiong, you know, I didn't mean that."

"I've had your hot pot and wine before; there's absolutely no chance of losing money!"

"Since there's none, then it's settled."

Chen Yan immediately made a final decision, giving Li Chengqian no chance to object, then turned to Li Lizhi: "I wonder if Princess Changle has any objections to this?"

Li Lizhi quickly shook her head: "I have no particular opinion; I'll just follow the Marquis of Weinan's arrangement."

Jokingly, what opinion could she possibly have?

Before coming, Aye had said she would strive for a thirty‑percent profit; if that failed, twenty percent would do.

Now Chen Yan immediately offered her forty percent profit, so of course she had no objections.

Li Lizhi was deeply moved; after all these years, she finally had something she could do for Aye.

No longer, as before, merely causing trouble for Aye.

"What about Cheng Chumo, Bao Lin, and Qin Huai Dao?" Chen Yan's gaze shifted to the three brothers.

All three shook their heads, indicating they had no particular opinion.

Today's developments were a bit beyond their expectations; the three had originally planned to privately take money and open a restaurant with Chen Yan.

But now, with Li Chengqian and Princess Changle appearing, they directly abandoned their original plan and prepared to return and inform their elders of the matter.

Li Chengqian, seeing the conversation reach this point, realized that continuing to refuse would seem ungrateful, and a warm feeling rose in his heart.

"Zi Anxiong, I..."

"Alright," Chen Yan said with a smile. "If you want to say something pretentious, there's no need to speak; sending people back to fetch the money promptly is the real business."

Li Chengqian let out a dumbfounded laugh, "Fine, then I'll go with Zi Anxiong's."

Having said that, he turned his gaze to Crown Princess Su, who understood, stood up, gave the crowd an apologetic smile, and then walked out.

"Chen brother, then we'll go back to fetch the money first; if there's anything else you need, just let us know in advance," Qin Huai Dao said as he stood, gently.

Chen Yan thought for a moment, "Alright then, each of you bring two maids over, and I'll train them a bit. Oh, and they should be somewhat pretty."

Cheng Chumo squeezed his eyes and said, "Zi Anxiong really hasn't changed, still the same tune we're used to."

Chen Yan glared at the remark, "Stop daydreaming; I'm doing this for the betterment of our restaurant business."

"Besides, we're conducting a legitimate trade, not some chaotic nonsense."

The three brothers wore expressions that said, "We get it, no need to explain."

Chen Yan was too lazy to explain further; anyway, when the restaurant opens, they'll understand.

The three took note of Chen Yan's request and then each took their leave.

At this moment, Princess Changle Li Lizhi slowly rose and politely said, "Marquis of Weinan, since we've already reached an agreement, I won't trouble you further and will return now."

At that moment, Li Lizhi could hardly wait to go back and tell Aye the good news, and then bring all the restaurant's deed, land title, and the thousand guan of money to Chen Yan.

Without fully finalizing everything, Li Lizhi could never feel at ease, fearing Chen Yan might renege.

After all, they currently only have a verbal agreement, and reneging is not impossible.

Chen Yan gave Li Lizhi a meaningful look, "Princess, are you really in such a hurry to leave?"

"Didn't you say you came to see Xiao Sizi? But from beginning to end, I haven't seen you say a single word to Xiao Sizi."

"Just so, just so~" Sizi puffed her cheeks, pouted her lips, a little unhappy expression.

"Elder sister is naughty, won't even talk to little sis~"

Faced with Chen Yan's meaningful gaze and her sister's words, Li Lizhi's ears suddenly flushed.

She wasn't stupid either; she understood that Chen Yan probably guessed her purpose for this trip wasn't to visit Xiao Sizi, which is why he teased her like that.

Li Lizhi couldn't help but feel annoyed with herself—how could she be so preoccupied with thoughts of the restaurant that she forgot Xiao Sizi?

Otherwise, how could it have become so awkward?

A blush crept silently from her snow‑white neck, gradually suffusing that face which could be called perfect.

Like peach and plum blossoms in March reflecting the morning dew, she was beautiful beyond compare.

Chen Yan stared for a moment, then clicked his tongue and sighed, "Lovely beauty eclipses past and present; lotus flowers blush at jade cheeks."

As his words faded, Li Chengqian froze.

The newly returned Crown Princess Consort Su froze.

Li Lizhi's stunning face instantly turned crimson all over, "You...... you......"

She stood there helplessly, wanting to say something but not knowing how to begin.

Finally, she stamped her foot, blushing as she fled the Bo Mansion.

"......"