Chapter 353: Going to the Eastern Palace

Chen Yan was angry for a moment, and after that he ran to take a bath.

When he left, Xiang Lan sneaked into the room, saw Princess Gao Yang with a calm expression, clutching the teaching material Chen Yan had compiled for Xiao Qingyue, and read it with great interest.

"Princess... are you and Lord Bo all right?"

Xiang Lan asked cautiously; indeed, Chen Yan had looked quite angry just now, his voice loud enough to be heard outside.

She was a bit worried.

"What could be the matter?" Princess Gao Yang said without lifting her head, "Do you think Chen Yan doesn't know Xu Lianyue's abilities?"

"If it weren't for being considerate of me, would you believe he would have already asked Xu Lianyue to help?"

"Is that so?" Xiang Lan was puzzled.

Just now she had heard him clearly: Chen Yan said there are countless pitiful people in the world, and Xu Lianyue is among the older few.

To say something like that proves that Chen Yan doesn't really care about Xu Lianyue, right?

Why does it sound as if Chen Yan cares a lot about Xu Lianyue when Princess Gao Yang says it?

After so many years with Xiang Lan, Princess Gao Yang knew exactly what she was wondering about and calmly explained, "Many of Chen Yan's plans are linked to his trades, so he is very careful about who he uses to manage them."

"If someone is not trustworthy, he would never use them."

"So far, aside from Xiao Shunzi, only Du Gou can intervene in trade matters."

"Fang Yizhi is currently only dealing with Xianlya affairs."

"But having only two people is still far too few; it's already getting a bit overwhelming, and besides, Du Gou and Xiao Shunzi were never suited for trade. Chen Yan started cultivating people for this area long ago."

"Those four wealthy merchants are alternatives, but they clearly haven't fully earned Chen Yan's trust yet."

"At this point, I put Xu Lianyue forward, which actually turned out to be just the help he needed."

Xiang Lan grew more confused as she listened and asked, "Princess, since Lord Bo is so delighted, why did he just now get angry at you?"

Princess Gao Yang finally turned her head, but her eyes were full of hatred, like iron that refuses to become steel.

She used to think Xiang Lan was fine; why is she getting dumber now?

"Regardless of whether the outcome benefits Chen Yan, the main point is that I intervened in this matter; can you understand?"

"The problem is that I made a decision without his consent; if he shows no reaction, and I intervene again in the future, or if Li Lizhi copies me, what should we do?"

"Some things can't be done just because the intention is good."

"Oh~" Xiang Lan nodded thoughtfully, a hint of admiration appearing on her face.

She felt completely different from Princess Gao Yang.

She always thought her own princess was getting smarter and smarter; she was once so foolish that she couldn't find north, yet now she can see through problems so thoroughly.

Then she raised another question, "Then why don't you take this opportunity to insert a few more people?"

"Adding another Xu Lianyue wouldn't just slightly ease the pressure?"

"Tsk!" Princess Gao Yang rubbed the bridge of her forehead, clearly in pain.

How can a person be so stupid?

And this fool is the little maid who grew up with me, like a sister!

Princess Gao Yang sighed lightly, suddenly beginning to understand Chen Yan's feelings from before.

She was too lazy to explain, and casually said, "Anyway, you only need to know that Xu Lianyue won't betray Chen Yan, and Chen Yan himself is also clear on that, so you can use her with confidence."

"Oh, alright!"

Xiang Lan forced a laugh.

"By the way, Princess, tomorrow the Crown Prince will invite Lord Bo to the Eastern Palace; don't forget to remind Lord Bo."

"Mm, I've noted it."

Next day, after Chen Yan got up, he leisurely ate breakfast with Princess Gao Yang and Li Lizhi.

Then he took Li Lizhi and some gifts to the Eastern Palace.

He hadn't been to the Eastern Palace for quite a while, and upon arriving today he found many more people there; it also shows that Li Chengqian's days have improved a lot compared to before.

Yichun Palace, located in the garden area at the rear of the Eastern Palace, features pavilions, towers, and scenic mountains and waters, and is Li Chengqian's usual leisure spot.

Chen Yan and Li Lizhi also met Li Chengqian and his wife here.

Their relationship left little room for small talk; Li Lizhi went off to chat with the Crown Princess, while Li Chengqian and Chen Yan sat opposite each other, the former personally pouring a cup of tea for Chen Yan.

"Brother Cheng Qian, why have you summoned me today?" Chen Yan asked.

Facing Chen Yan, Li Chengqian had no reservations and said plainly, "After returning from Mother Empress's side last time, I have reflected deeply for a long time, and increasingly feel that Zi Anxiong's words are reasonable."

"I recently... have indeed done many reckless things."

Speaking of that, a bitter smile appeared at the corner of Li Chengqian's mouth, along with some lingering fear.

Because when he returned and mentioned Empress Changsun and Chen Yan to the Crown Princess, she told him that Empress Changsun and Chen Yan seemed to be talking about him courting many women, but actually they were subtly reminding him not to become arrogant.

"Don't let Li Shimin's ideas change you, making you think you're better and become complacent."

At that moment, Li Chengqian finally realized.

"Brother Cheng Qian, don't mind me meddling; as long as you always remember your own position, everything will have me and Her Imperial Highness the Empress to help you."

Li Chengqian felt warm, smiled and nodded, "I know you have your difficulties; if possible, you certainly wouldn't want to tell me such things, I understand."

"From today onward, I will always remember that I am the Crown Prince, and only the Crown Prince!"

"That's right," Chen Yan said, seeing Li Chengqian understood his meaning, feeling pleased.

He then, in a joking tone, said, "Of course, you also need to understand that this year you'll become a father; from now on, after handling state affairs, you should pay more attention to your child and the Crown Princess."

Li Chengqian was taken aback, pondered carefully, and said without words, "Brother Zi An, there are no outsiders here; you needn't beat around the bush."

"I know it in my heart."

"Is that so?" Chen Yan said softly, "Then how do I recall that you used to look down on the Crown Princess?"

You two have been married for three years before the Crown Princess finally got pregnant, and you still claim you knew it in your heart.

Li Chengqian instantly became embarrassed, "In the past… you also knew what kind of situation I was in back then; at that time I wasn't just uninterested in the Crown Princess, I wasn't interested in any other women either."

"Oh?" Chen Yan smiled, "Then why do I remember that when you went with us to Pingkang Lane before, your eyes were the widest."

Li Chengqian: "......"

"Zi Anxiong, there's no need to bring up the past, right?"

He said plaintively, "Don't blame me; you also didn't hold back back then."

"If you insist on bringing it up, then I'll have to have a good talk with Li Zhi and Gao Yang."

Chen Yan cleared his throat, avoided the topic, and said, "Anyway, just remember that the Crown Princess was personally chosen for you by your Mother Empress and Father Emperor."

"Also, this year's Money Shop……"

"......"