Chapter 372: Memories

"What's the most important thing?"

Gao Yang, who was listening closely, couldn't help but ask.

Empress Changsun laughed at the words, gave her a mocking glance, and the latter's mouth twitched.

Gao Yang immediately knew that Mother Empress had deliberately said Li Lizhi had good eyes.

Even with her thick skin, she almost broke under Empress Changsun's mocking gaze at this moment.

Of course, Empress Changsun couldn't possibly argue with Gao Yang; if she hadn't found Gao Yang so smug and ignored Li Lizhi's feelings, she wouldn't have bothered to intervene.

After all, if Li Lizhi had ill thoughts, how would the two sisters get along thereafter?

"Mother Empress, please tell us quickly."

Li Lizhi urged.

"Alright." Empress Changsun nodded, said leisurely, "The special attitude toward Zi An is something that built up over time; you can think carefully about Zi An's birth."

"I remember back then, the three Chen brothers were unrivaled in bravery, yet they came from humble origins, lost their parents early, supported each other, grew up stumbling along, and when turmoil broke out, the three all enlisted. Though they earned a considerable reputation, on the battlefield swords show no mercy; any day could claim their lives."

"And Zi An's birth became the sole heir of the Chen family; at that time, basically everyone dote on him, and Zi An was showered with affection from childhood."

"If it were another child, they'd probably have been spoiled, but rare is that Zi An wasn't; besides playing with a few friends, he dutifully studied at home, cared for his ailing mother, and was so sensible it tugged at hearts."

At this point, Empress Changsun paused, "Come to think of it, the reason Zi An studied instead of joining the army, and why his mother fell gravely ill, is because his mother suffered an accident while pregnant, leaving Zi An with poor health in childhood and his mother with a lingering illness."

"Oh~" Li Lizhi said thoughtfully, "Lord hadn't mentioned it before; I thought Mother Empress's condition was because the Grandfather passed away."

"There is also that reason," Empress Changsun replied, "In short, young Zi An was a child who was spoiled with love yet very sensible."

"Until his mother passed away, I had already asked this palace to look after Zi An, and my concern for him increased."

"What made me truly like this child was the great drought the year before last."

"The people below reported to me that Zi An had spent a large sum of money buying grain and medicinal herbs; I was curious, so I left the palace to take a look."

Empress Changsun looked around at everyone: "What do you think happened?"

"He was distributing grain while also treating refugees!" Gao Yang replied immediately.

She knew a bit about this matter.

"Indeed!" Empress Changsun's gaze softened, "But he differs from other disaster‑relief people; he's not after fame, nor profit, just simply wants to do his part."

"Others hand out porridge, eager to plaster their family banner on their foreheads to announce to the world their good deeds; Zi An, however, set up a modest porridge stall, silently helping the people."

"When the people asked who he was, wanting to thank him, he just smiled without replying, and with his maid he weaved among the refugees, handing out porridge, taking pulses, treating illnesses."

"To this day I cannot forget that scene!" Empress Changsun's voice carried reminiscence and sighs, "A young gentleman in brocade, accompanied by a beautiful maid, who did not disdain the filth on the common folk nor their stench, devoted himself to treating them, wiping sweat with his sleeve when hot, sitting on the dusty ground when tired, discussing with the people how large the butts of Chang'an City's maidens were, telling jokes that made faces flush."

"At that time I thought, what a good child; any family's daughter who could marry him would surely enjoy happiness."

"So you married Gao Yang off then?" the Crown Princess laughed.

Empress Changsun replied calmly, "Actually, at first I hadn't intended to meddle in Zi An's marriage, because doesn't he already have a playmate he grew up with?"

"Who would have thought that later the girl named Xu Lianyue wouldn't adapt and married a sickly fellow who wouldn't live long."

"Honestly, if I had known this earlier, the choice for the marriage contract…"

At this point, Empress Changsun suddenly stopped, instinctively glanced at Gao Yang, and did not continue.

Gao Yang understood and proactively raised, "The marriage contract's candidate should be the elder sister, right?"

"Because at that time you and your uncle had already verbally settled the elder sister's marriage."

Huh?

Li Lizhi was stunned.

So there was this other matter?

The Crown Princess and Princess of Yue glanced at each other, sensing the atmosphere was off, and fell silent.

Empress Changsun said apologetically, "That's true, but I think the chances are slim; it's just an idea. Unless something unexpected happens, your Father Emperor wouldn't consent to Lizhi marrying Zi An at that time."

"I see!" Gao Yang suddenly understood.

Now that I think about it, Li Lizhi, as the legitimate eldest daughter, is a political asset; Gao Yang being able to marry Chen Yan is already the result of Empress Changsun and Cheng Yaojin's joint efforts.

When Chen Yan hadn't shown much talent, Li Shimin would basically never agree to Li Lizhi marrying him.

Even if the one proposing this idea was Empress Changsun as his birth mother.

"Gao Yang..."

Li Lizhi hadn't expected to bring up such a matter; knowing Gao Yang's temperament, she felt a bit worried.

Gao Yang, however, didn't think much of it; after all, they were now all marrying Chen Yan together, so these things were irrelevant.

No need to get angry about it.

The Crown Princess hurriedly stepped forward to change the subject, "Mother Empress, did you originally think the Marquis of Weinan was of good character, and thus secretly helped, allowing the Crown Prince to get in touch with the Marquis of Weinan?"

Empress Changsun was startled, her expression instantly turning odd.

"The answer to that question, actually, is no!"

She originally noted that Cheng Qian and the Crown Princess had been married for so long without a son or daughter; she would subtly suggest to Cheng Qian whether he was unhappy with the Crown Princess and needed to take another consort, and Li Chengqian would be evasive.

As time went on, wouldn't Empress Changsun get impatient?

At that time she even suspected that Li Chengqian no longer liked women.

Coincidentally, Chen Yan and his three companions from the brothel troupe appeared, and Empress Changsun took the opportunity to discreetly cover it up, hoping to get Li Chengqian to follow Chen Yan and his group to see more women, lest Li Chengqian develop some undesirable habits.

It had nothing to do with Chen Yan's character.

Some time passed, and it was already late.

Chen Yan, Li Chengqian and their party returned to the Eastern Palace; both had drunk a lot, and upon arriving they each washed up and prepared to rest.

After finishing their ablutions, Li Lizhi and Gao Yang stared at a large bed in the room, silent.

Instinctively they turned back, and saw Chen Yan grinning with a set of big white teeth standing behind them.

Hehe~