Chapter 346: See You Again, Li Tai

Lizhi, do you know what your sister's strengths are?

Chen Yan turned his head and asked.

Li Lizhi blinked, not understanding why he was still asking her; after a moment's thought, she tentatively said, "Pretty?"

"Ah, that's right!" Chen Yan clapped his hands, gently tugging at Gao Yang's arm, "Look, just this face—those who don't know would think she's a heavenly maiden."

"Her figure before having children is even more peerless in the world—she has whatever one could want; such an absolute beauty is the dream of countless men."

Li Lizhi nodded blankly, while Gao Yang, upon hearing this, not only didn't feel happy but raised her vigilance to the max.

Given her understanding of Chen Yan, this guy is definitely not the type to suffer a loss.

Just a moment ago we were arguing, and the next moment he's praising her.

This is absolutely impossible!

"What exactly do you want to say?" Gao Yang shifted her butt sideways while eyeing him warily.

Chen Yan ignored Gao Yang and continued to Li Lizhi, "Look, such a peerless beauty, yet her mouth is poisonous to death—describing her with 'even a dog's mouth can't spit out ivory' couldn't be more fitting."

"Tell me, what is this called?"

"What is it called?" Li Lizhi asked instinctively.

"A mute bride!" Chen Yan clapped his hands, "Think about it—if you could poison Gao Yang into muteness, letting her sit quietly there, wouldn't she become the perfect bride in the world?"

Gao Yang: "......"

Li Lizhi clung tightly to Chen Yan's arm, pressing her forehead against his shoulder, biting her lips to avoid losing composure in this situation.

If this were at home, she would surely be laughing until she couldn't catch her breath.

What a mute bride.

... She couldn't help but inwardly agree—what's going on?

Chen Yan sighed, "No matter how much time has passed, I still miss the day I married Zhao Tang."

"When entering the bridal chamber, due to Princess Gao Yang's status, no one dared to disturb the nuptials. When I gently pushed the door open, the room was filled with bright red candles; Zhao Tang, contrary to her usual self, sat quietly on the edge of the bed. Wearing a wedding robe, hair adorned with a phoenix crown, three thousand strands of black hair cascaded down."

"At that moment, she was indescribably beautiful!"

"But the next moment......"

"She spoke!"

"Ah...... ah damn it!"

Chen Yan felt a sharp pain surge from his waist, couldn't help but cry out; by the time he reacted, it was already too late.

Many guests present were instantly drawn to the three people in the corner.

Upon seeing it was the Chen Yan family, most people averted their gazes, saying nothing.

On the contrary, some people watched with interest.

One of them stood up, taking his wife and son, and slowly walked over here.

"Wrong, wrong!"

Seeing someone approach, Chen Yan hurriedly begged for mercy and admitted fault.

Gao Yang, after all, was reasonable; she snorted coldly and let him off.

"Let's go home and settle the score properly."

Chen Yan, temporarily unable to attend to her, rose and bowed, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince of Yue, Princess."

"Elder brother, sister-in-law!"

Li Lizhi also rose; meanwhile, Gao Yang, being pregnant, didn't get up and was too lazy to even utter a sound.

Anyway, her relationship with the Prince of Yue isn't good either.

Li Tai also didn't care about Gao Yang's attitude; he first nodded smilingly at Li Lizhi, then said to Chen Yan, "Brother-in-law, long time no see—today you've brought the Prince of Yue quite a few surprises."

Chen Yan understood he was referring to the white tiger and the imperial seal, and replied politely, "Your Highness Prince of Yue, you flatter me—just good luck."

"This can't be explained by luck alone." Li Tai gave a noncommittal response; regardless of whether Chen Yan's explanation today is true, the point remains: the white tiger and the imperial seal are definitely real, and no one can deny that, right?

Chen Yan brought the white tiger and the heirloom jade seal—this is an undeniable fact.

"Shall we go over there to talk?"

Li Tai pointed outside.

Chen Yan smiled, "This is the second time, right? It's somewhat familiar."

Li Tai didn't take up that topic, but instead said to the woman beside him, "You go chat with Changle and Gao Yang; I'll go out for a walk with the Marquis of Weinan."

"Okay!" The Princess of Yue nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Chen Yan gave Li Lizhi and Gao Yang a reassuring glance, then left with the Prince of Yue.

Coincidentally, not far outside lay the Imperial Garden, which, even in the cold winter, had been arranged to be pleasing to the eye.

Indeed, it was suitable for a stroll.

"That day, the words you spoke, Your Highness, I've pondered over for a long time."

Li Tai spoke lightly, "There's something I want to say; you probably won't believe it, but for some reason I feel compelled to tell you."

"Do you want to hear it?"

Chen Yan: "I'm all ears."

Li Tai fell silent for two breaths, "At first... I don't think I ever considered competing; I vaguely recall that back then I most enjoyed academics, being very interested in the landscapes, rivers and canals, local customs and products, ancient relics, and stories of people from all regions."

"Although I still maintain these hobbies now, I no longer have that original feeling."

Without letting Chen Yan speak, Li Tai continued, "Later, due to various reasons, I unknowingly found myself opposed to the Crown Prince."

"But not long ago, the Mother Empress said something, and only then did I recall that my relationship with the Crown Prince used to be very good......"

"Forget it, let's not talk about that."

Li Tai shook his head and sighed, "They say the royal family is heartless—I've truly felt that."

Chen Yan did not continue his words, but turned to another matter, "I recall that around mid‑year, His Majesty, taking advantage of heaven, earth, and people, carried out a massive purge of various forces within the court."

"Your Prince of Yue faction was also among them."

"That day, I happened to return to the palace; we had met once before. At that time, you were pleading on behalf of your brother‑in‑law, which angered His Majesty and Her Majesty, and you were later locked up for a while."

Chen Yan turned his head, smiled, and asked, "I want to know, before you went to plead for your brother‑in‑law, were you aware that it would anger His Majesty and Her Majesty?"

Li Tai opened his mouth, but said nothing.

"You actually were aware," Chen Yan said. "Right?"

"He's different!" Li Tai said in a deep voice. "He is my wife's brother, and he doesn't even bear the Li surname; naturally I must protect him."

"What does that explain?"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow and said, "This already explains many issues; at least it proves you are not a heartless person. Even though you knew pleading might have little result and would anger the sovereign, you still went."

After finishing, he shifted his tone again, "I have another matter I'd like to ask you."

"I've heard bits and pieces about you and Gao Yang; you once had a very unpleasant dispute."

"I want to know, do you really dislike her?"

"Dislike?" Li Tai thought for a moment and answered honestly, "Not really; after all she's my own sister. How could trivial, insignificant matters lead to dislike?"

"But according to Gao Yang's temperament… she probably dislikes me."

"Then you're mistaken," Chen Yan laughed. "She, you see, holds a grudge, feels the original anger was never fully released, and is waiting for a day to take a little revenge on you."

"Aside from that, Gao Yang does not truly dislike you."

"Relatives… this thing can snap a bone yet still keep the tendons attached."

"......"