Chapter 687: Gao Yang: You Really Think I Don't Know What You Are?

Li Lizhi turned her head with puzzlement and looked over.

In fact, as the person involved, she had no idea what had happened; because of her seat, she only showed a profile and didn't glance at Shen Liang at all.

So she didn't know what had happened.

Chen Yan said helplessly, "I'm not that stingy; it's just these second‑generation rich merchants… how to put it, sometimes they're really brain‑dead, so I have to be a bit cautious."

"When you're out, many things require caution, and I, who always hates trouble, if scaring them works that's fine; if not, I'll have to ask you to let… Master Li investigate."

Li Shimin raised an eyebrow and said, "You don't want to think about it now?"

"Earlier you easily revealed Shen Wanjun's background, proving you had some interest in him."

"Given your temperament, paying attention to a merchant means either the person truly is a great benefactor as rumors claim, or a black‑hearted trader wearing a hypocritical mask."

"You've always despised such people."

Chen Yan gave an awkward smile and didn't elaborate further.

Li Shimin understood immediately.

The Shen father and son eventually caught Chen Yan's attention; perhaps before Chen Yan was too lazy to pay them heed and let them slip by.

Now they happened to run into the muzzle; although Shen Liang still had some sense, he ultimately collided.

Though not enough to make Chen Yan ask Li Chunfeng to employ the Bad Men to investigate, it was sufficient for Chen Yan to probe the background himself and then tidy things up.

To this, Li Shimin only gave a meaning‑laden smile and said nothing.

It's just a merchant, not worth their attention at all.

What they care about is the continuously falling grain prices.

Empress Changsun said softly, "Zi An, I recall you said that keeping grain prices at a moderate level is best; too high or too low is undesirable."

"The Huazhou region has always been suitable for grain production, an important food‑producing area for the Tang Dynasty, yet now even the largest local grain merchant is abandoning grain trade."

"That's not good news."

"Do you believe it?" Chen Yan retorted.

Empress Changsun was startled for a moment, then realized what Chen Yan was referring to.

Li Lizhi said calmly, "Mother, these merchants travel far and wide, are well‑informed, and each is extremely shrewd; how could they abandon grain, the staple they've relied on since antiquity?"

"Perhaps Shen Wanjun is just spreading false rumors."

Empress Changsun let out a gentle sigh.

She didn't know much about these matters; if it's true, then Shen Wanjun might indeed be no good.

After eating and drinking their fill, everyone went up to the third floor to rest in the room that Qing'er and the others had already tidied.

What happened during today's meal was, to them, merely a tiny, insignificant interlude.

However, before resting, Chen Yan privately summoned Xue Li.

"Sir, do you have any orders?"

Chen Yan took out a token and handed it to him: "Take this to the local Money Shop, inform the person in charge of the Huazhou Money Shop; I don't care how they do it, just investigate the Shen family's background as quickly as possible."

"Yes, sir."

Xue Li respectfully took the token, and after Chen Yan signaled, left Zui Xian Lou.

"Hey, didn't you say you're not that stingy?"

At some point, Gao Yang leaned against the doorway, his expression half‑smile, half‑frown, staring at him.

Chen Yan clicked his tongue, sighed, "Gao Yang, I know your tastes are unusual; in daily life I've tried my best to satisfy you."

"But now we're out, those two are staying next door; if they make too much noise, it'll definitely be heard."

"You have no shame, and I still want it."

"So don't provoke me here; it's useless, you know that."

Gao Yang's smile stiffened, angered, "You bastard, what are you talking about? What do you mean I have no shame? You have shame?"

"You just don't like it?"

"How amusing, you make it sound like it's a hardship for you; I see you're actually quite fond of it, aren't you?"

"We've been married so many years, do you really think I don't know what you are?"

Chen Yan gave no answer, shrugged, "Who would know?"

"Know what?" Gao Yang, furious, "I don't have that notion; stop spouting nonsense here!"

"Between the two of us, you're clearly the most shameless, yet you have the nerve to talk about me!"

"Hmph!"

After that, she rolled her eyes, didn't want to deal with Chen Yan, and went back to her room.

Chen Yan gave a faint smile, said nothing, and went in to rest.

Meanwhile, after leaving Zui Xian Lou, Xue Li hurried to the Money Shop in Huazhou.

At that moment, the Money Shop had already closed down.

He used some tactics, learned the residence of the Huazhou Money Shop's person in charge, and when he arrived, was blocked by two young servants.

Xue Li coldly produced his waist badge: "Go, summon Lin Yiming to come see me!"

Besides the token from Chen Yan, Xue Li also held an official rank; though not high, it was enough to intimidate the two servants.

As expected, after a moment's hesitation, the servant respectfully said, "Sir, please come inside first; I'll go notify Officer Lin."

Xue Li tucked away the badge and stepped into Lin's residence.

Soon, Lin Yiming, having received the message, rushed over.

Upon seeing Xue Li, he was stunned for a moment, then respectfully said, "Subordinate Lin Yiming, pleased to meet Colonel Xue."

"Do you know me?" Xue Li asked, a bit surprised.

Lin Yiming didn't dare to delay, explaining, "Before I served as Huazhou Officer, I trained in Chang'an; at that time, I once saw Colonel Xue from a distance beside the Grand Secretary."

"Fine." Xue Li didn't pay much attention, took out the order Chen Yan had given: "Since that's the case, you should know what this is."

"The higher command has issued an order: no matter what methods or means you use, investigate Shen Wan Jun's entire background at the fastest speed, and see whether he truly, as rumors say, is a benevolent philanthropist!"

Shen Wan Jun?

Upon hearing the name, Lin Yiming was clearly stunned.

Xue Li focused and said, "What? Do you have a problem?"

"Colonel, you misunderstand," Lin Yiming hurriedly replied, "For a Money Shop manager, regardless of the region, once you take charge of the Money Shop, you must have sufficient knowledge of the local populace, the Government, the specific local conditions, and which merchants are present, as well as the merchants' backgrounds."

"Not to conceal from Colonel, I have been covertly investigating Shen Wan Jun for many days, but it seems to have alerted him, causing him to recently abandon the grain trade."

"But I have already uncovered a lot, and can present it at any time."