Chapter 349: Gap

The New Year period is always busy and lively; these few days, just the banquets Chen Yan attended countless, and each day was spent visiting relatives and friends.

On the fifth day, Chen Yan decided to visit Qin Qiong, so he left early with Li Lizhi and Qing'er, carrying gifts.

Because Gao Yang was pregnant, she was not brought along.

However, shortly after he left, a white figure suddenly emerged from the corner, stared at the departing backs of Chen Yan and his party, then looked up at the signboard of the Weinan Bo Fu.

Xu Lianyue clenched her fist, mustered courage, and walked over.

"Miss, do you have business?"

The gatekeeper, upon seeing Xu Lianyue, said politely.

"I am acquainted with the Marquis of Weinan; I have come to see Princess Gao Yang. Could you please inform her?"

Seeing Xu Lianyue's outstanding appearance, the gatekeeper dared not delay and hurried inside to report.

Soon after, the gatekeeper returned, bringing Xu Lianyue inside.

In the main hall, Xiang Lan meticulously poured tea for the two; Gao Yang lifted the cup, gently blew on it, and took a small sip.

"You arrived a bit late; the time I mentioned has passed. Why have you specially come to see me today?"

"It's about the previous matter!" Xu Lianyue pressed her lips together. "I accepted your condition, but you must place me in a sufficiently high position, at least so I can often encounter him!"

"Oh?" Gao Yang's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Have you thought it through?"

Xu Lianyue nodded. "My Xu family was once a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan; being the only daughter, my father taught me the ways of trade from childhood, helping him manage business affairs. I can do it well."

Gao Yang's eyes turned strange and said, "I didn't ask you that; what I want to ask is whether you agreed to become a palace maid."

……Xu Lianyue was suddenly stuck; even now, she still hasn't figured out what exactly a palace maid is for.

She had privately inquired with some people, but everyone consistently answered that a palace maid serves the male master when the lady is unavailable.

But the problem is, last time Gao Yang made it very clear that she herself never had such an opportunity.

So, what does Gao Yang actually intend?

Xu Lianyue couldn't help recalling the roles of concubines and maidservants, shivered instinctively, and hurriedly said, "I can agree, but you cannot give me to someone else."

Gao Yang:?

Upon hearing Xu Lianyue's words, she didn't turn around for a moment.

Who would give you to someone else?

After all, you're Chen Yan's childhood sweetheart; would I be foolish to do such a thing?

After pondering for a long time, Gao Yang finally reacted, quite puzzled, and said, "Do you not even understand what a palace maid's real purpose is?"

Xu Lianyue was taken aback, "Isn't it to serve the male master when the lady is unavailable?"

"Hehe......" Gao Yang sneered, "It seems I overestimated you; perhaps you never needed to deal with such matters before."

A simple sentence, yet like a knife, it shattered the last remnants of Xu Lianyue's self‑esteem.

Her face turned pale; she could not find a rebuttal, only lowered her head slightly.

Gao Yang saw this and said nothing; to her, this woman was not worth pity at all.

In Chen Yan's words, it's like holding a trump card but playing it alone, only to have someone seize the chance and take it away in one go.

"Xiang Lan, explain to Miss Xu."

"Yes, Princess!"

Xiang Lan replied, walked behind Xu Lianyue, and slowly began to explain the role of a palace maid to her.

In short, a palace maid helps the lady solidify her position in the male master's heart.

Women inevitably age; youth will fade, an unavoidable fact.

Once they grow old and lose their luster, they may no longer be valued by the male master, who may turn to younger girls.

And in this world, there will never be a shortage of eighteen‑year‑old girls.

Therefore, many ladies of certain status in the Tang Dynasty, to prevent their own standing from being threatened, will proactively cultivate some young beautiful women, and when the time is right, personally present them to the male master.

Then, through these bought women, they reinforce their own position in various ways.

Among them, flattering the lady subtly to draw the male master's attention to her is the simplest method.

In fact, this tactic is used even by Empress Changsun.

Empress Changsun's unshakable position stems not only from Li Shimin's affection but also because most of the harem's consorts have been bought by her.

Although Gao Yang has gradually become clear about her standing in Chen Yan's heart, she also understands that Li Lizhi can never surpass her.

But she isn't afraid of ten thousand, only of that one possibility.

Preparing in advance, making a move early, is better than scrambling at the last minute when trouble arises.

Moreover, Xu Lianyue is already rather special to Chen Yan; bringing her into his fold not only cuts off any possibility between them, but also can help him in many ways later.

And all Gao Yang needs to do is issue a few casual orders; why wouldn't she enjoy it?

……

Xu Lianyue listened to Xiang Lan's explanation, her fingers unconsciously clenched, and she involuntarily swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

At that moment, she truly realized the huge gap between herself and these princesses, not only in status but also in scheming, far beyond her own.

She had never even heard of such matters before.

But thinking carefully, she felt it wasn't that strange.

After all, the nature of the harem has long been explained by history.

For a princess raised in the harem, is there any simplicity?

However......

Xu Lianyue recalled her own plan, which seemed not to conflict with Princess Gao Yang's.

On the contrary, she could use Gao Yang's hand to achieve her own goal.

With that thought, Xu Lianyue's mind cleared, and she immediately said, "Fine, I agree to you!"

"But I also have a request: when I grow old, help me a bit when I revive the Xu family merchant guild."

"This time she did not retreat, locking gazes with Gao Yang with a determined look to show her resolve."

"Using frequent meetings with Chen Yan as a condition is untenable; she must express her needs so that Gao Yang can feel more at ease."

"As expected."

"Upon hearing her request, Gao Yang not only did not get angry, but instead revealed a hint of a smile."

"No problem, this is just a small matter."

""Xiang Lan!" Gao Yang turned his head, "Take her to Xiao Shunzi, tell Xiao Shunzi that from now on handling the wax and contacts with the four major merchants will be entirely her responsibility.""

""By the way, purchase a property for her in Weinan County, and let her go there tomorrow.""

"Xiang Lan silently agreed, taking Xu Lianyue away."

"Actually she wanted to say that such matters should require Lord Bo to make the decision, after all, all transactions in Weinan County involve the Government; even if we want to intervene, we at least need Lord Bo's consent, right?"

"But Chen Yan is not at home now, and she also couldn't, in front of outsiders, contradict the Princess and lose face."

"So she could only agree."

"........."