Chapter 387: Li Lizhi's Changes

Since the Prince of Yue moved into the house, Li Lizhi and Gao Yang are quite happy, after all the Crown Princess of Yue is here, providing another person to talk to.

Sizi and Xiao Qingyue are also quite pleased, gaining Chengyang Little Princess as a playmate.

As for the Prince of Yue, need not say more.

If one had to name someone who is unhappy, it would probably be Chen Yan.

He now not only has Li Tai, Li Tai's son Li Xin, and Princess Chengyang as students, but also the original Xiao Qingyue and Sizi, so he suddenly has to teach five people.

Therefore, Chen Yan must spend the morning teaching them, occasionally being pulled by the Prince of Yue to answer various questions; the afternoon is spent laboring over the county's development, and at night he is besieged by the infatuated Li Lizhi, truly living a life of a beast of burden.

In just half a month, Chen Yan could no longer bear it, pondering whether to hide at Du Gou's house for two days, when Xiao Shunzi brought a letter from Li Chengqian.

"The Crown Princess is about to give birth?"

Chen Yan set the letter down, stroked his chin and thought.

Counting the time, it's already February this year; the Crown Princess should indeed be giving birth, and in two more months it will be Gao Yang's turn......

Thinking of this, Chen Yan became slightly absent‑minded.

At this moment, Chen Yan had just finished teaching all his students in the morning, which is also one of his few periods of rest.

Usually at this time Li Lizhi would bring him tea and give a massage to relieve fatigue.

Today, of course, was no exception.

She placed the tea on the table; seeing Chen Yan still daydreaming and not noticing her arrival, Li Lizhi couldn't help but worry.

"Husband, what's wrong with you?"

"...... ah?" Chen Yan snapped back to consciousness, seeing Li Lizhi looking at him worriedly; instead of feeling moved, he felt a vague pain in his waist.

Honestly, he felt he had triggered some strange attribute of Li Lizhi; she appears gentle on the surface, but is actually harder to deal with than Gao Yang.

It was fine while living in the Eastern Palace, but since returning things have spiraled out of control, and what makes Chen Yan want to curse his mother even more is Li Lizhi's nightly hints for him to go to Gao Yang's room.

Moreover... no matter how fierce the assault, Li Lizhi can withstand it; he is already exhausted.

"It's... nothing!"

Chen Yan's expression was slightly uneasy; he quickly changed the subject, saying, "The Crown Prince sent a letter informing me that the Crown Princess is about to give birth, and I was just wondering whether to send a congratulatory gift."

"I see......" Li Lizhi showed a smile; she had thought her husband was being drained, so it's good that he isn't.

She thought for a moment and said, "But there's no hurry to send a gift yet; after all we don't know whether it's a boy or a girl, so it's better to give an appropriate present after the child is born."

Lizhi smiled, Chen Yan's scalp tingled, and he hurriedly said, "That's only in two days, so I wanted to think ahead."

"Alright." Li Lizhi said little else, hinting, "It's almost lunchtime; I've prepared the dishes you love, remember to finish them~"

Chen Yan's eye twitched; the trailing "oh" almost broke his composure, making him want to bolt.

Needn't say, he knew Li Lizhi was referring to some tonics.

"No need, I'm not very hungry," he forced a smile, "You all eat, I'll deal with Du Gou and the others in the afternoon for a meal."

Li Lizhi squinted, the corner of her mouth lifting, "Husband, are you really not eating?"

"You've been busy lately, looking much more haggard; I spent a fortune gathering fine ingredients from everywhere, especially to replenish your health."

"You're still young; your body is paramount, otherwise overexertion—what will become of us two sisters later?"

Chen Yan: "......"

What to do?

Cold dish!

"Who the hell can stand you? Even Gao Yang can't keep up with half of you."

Before Chen Yan could find a way to refuse, Li Lizhi said with a smiling face, "Of course, if you don't want to eat it's fine, but you must give me the treatment I deserve."

"After all I'm the legitimate princess; I can't keep living in the side chambers forever, can I?"

"Certainly, I don't want to make it difficult for you, and Gao Yang and I are already sisters, so I don't mind."

With that said, Chen Yan's smile gradually faded as he stared at the stunning woman before him, weighing his words, "Gao Yang will give birth in two months; since her pregnancy she's endured much hardship, and lately her mood has been irritable, needing a quiet environment."

He paused, then in a joking tone continued, "If you care more about the master bedroom or side bedroom, don't we have another residence?"

"That not only follows protocol, but also wouldn't wrong you."

Li Lizhi was stunned, staring blankly at Chen Yan, unable to utter a word.

Their family indeed has many residences, but besides the current Xianlingfu, there is the Weinan Bo Fu in Chang'an City, as well as the princess mansions of Gao Yang and Li Lizhi.

However, the Weinan Bo Fu is under renovation and cannot be lived in.

Gao Yang's princess mansion is even less possible.

Thus only her own princess mansion remains as an answer.

Chen Yan... wants to drive her away?

"The Crown Princess is about to give birth; though we don't know if it's a boy or a girl, it's a royal matter. Weinan County has entered a rapid development phase, and the plans previously shelved for special reasons will be implemented soon. I'm quite busy lately, so I probably won't have time to visit and congratulate."

Chen Yan handed Li Lizhi the letter from Li Chengqian, saying, "My relationship with the Crown Prince is close, not that it's not good, and since you, as the legitimate princess, are the Crown Prince's maternal sister, it would be appropriate for you to make the visit. How about you go in my stead?"

"I......" Li Lizhi wanted to refuse, but had no real reason to.

Logically and emotionally, it is indeed appropriate for her to go.

Chen Yan truly is busy; Gao Yang, pregnant, cannot travel easily, and she is the only one at home with nothing to do—if she doesn't go, who will?

"Go, and while you're at it, go see your Mother Empress," Chen Yan said softly.

Li Lizhi caught Chen Yan's hint, silently nodded in agreement, then turned and left.

Watching her departing silhouette, Chen Yan's gaze remained unchanged, as calm as a deep pool.

Regarding the two sisters, Chen Yan has always been tolerant; he can try to accommodate their odd quirks, provided it doesn't affect others.

In the Eastern Palace he was laying groundwork for future cohabitation, and also to mildly provoke Gao Yang; a once or twice is fine, and it can make her more receptive after she calms down.

But Li Lizhi is clearly addicted, and her personality has changed drastically lately; both her actions and speech differ from before.

Continuing this way is certainly untenable; indulging her unconditionally will only let the situation worsen.

"......"