Chapter 73: The exchanged cup is also a wedding wine

Not far from Cheng Tian Men, Li Lizhi stood there dazed.

Chen Yan, meanwhile, stood beside her looking utterly powerless.

Occasionally, patrolling guards passed by, saw the two of them, sensibly pretended not to see them, and detoured elsewhere.

At that moment, Chen Yan's heart felt like ten thousand grass-mud horses repeatedly galloping.

What a joke?

How could the illustrious Princess Changle possibly take a liking to him?

That shouldn't be!

If Li Shimin knew that I not only violently beat Gao Yang but also provoked another of his obedient daughters,

would he not go crazy?

Chen Yan thought of Li Shimin's affection for Li Lizhi and his own earlier words, and suddenly felt a headache.

The password.

What kind of sin have I brought upon myself?

Chen Yan, on the verge of tears, said, "Princess, actually I was just talking nonsense earlier."

"I've never liked anyone, I don't understand love, just take it as a joke, definitely don't take it seriously."

He now only hopes for a chance to make amends; otherwise, if Li Lizhi truly likes him and follows what he said,

he would truly not know how to explain it to Li Shimin.

Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi came to her senses, quietly took a deep breath, pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "No, I think what Marquis of Weinan said makes perfect sense!"

"I will relay your words to that friend of mine; I believe she will be very happy thereafter!"

Chen Yan: "......"

What he didn't know was that Li Lizhi not only took his words to heart, but also believed them sincerely.

What is her identity, Li Lizhi?

The eldest daughter of the holy emperor and empress, the full‑sister of the crown prince, and the future grand princess.

Her appearance is stunningly unmatched; looking across the entire Tang Dynasty, who could rival her?

As long as she can find a way to marry Chen Yan, even if another woman is also a princess, what does it matter?

In terms of looks, I surpass Gao Yang!

As for temperament, who in the world doesn't know that Princess Changle is gentle, virtuous, clever, and filial?

Although Chen Yan seems not to like me.

But it's fine, just as Chen Yan said, feelings can be cultivated day by day!

Moreover, judging from the current situation, Chen Yan is merely forced to accept the marriage with Gao Yang; there is no feeling between them, and they even dislike each other.

Since Chen Yan can even accept Gao Yang, there's no reason he shouldn't accept her.

Li Lizhi recalled a sentence Chen Yan had said, and her heart was already set with determination!

【Rather than spend the rest of her life married to someone she doesn't love, it's better to seize the chance, marry the one she loves, and live without regrets!】

"......"

"Princess......" Chen Yan probed carefully, "May I ask, the gentleman your friend likes...... wouldn't he happen to be surnamed Chen?"

Li Lizhi blinked slightly, knowing Chen Yan probably guessed something.

She fully understood that Chen Yan currently does not like her, so she must temporarily conceal her intentions.

Between them, there are still many difficulties to overcome!

Li Lizhi teased without a trace, "Marquis of Weinan, you wouldn't think my friend fancies you, would you?"

"Earlier you were self‑disparaging, saying you were a dissolute playboy who frequents decadent places."

"How can you be so self‑absorbed now?"

Chen Yan carefully observed Li Lizhi's expression, trying to see any sign of deceit.

But Li Lizhi remained completely frank, showing no sign of lying at all.

However, he could not dispel his suspicions based on just a single sentence.

"Princess, you're joking; I am indeed a dissolute playboy who haunts decadent places, but I consider myself somewhat handsome, capable of attracting some women's favor."

Chen Yan looked at Li Lizhi's eyes and asked, "May I know the surname and name of the gentleman your friend likes, and where he is employed?"

"I can go meet him, and also help you matchmake for your friend!"

Li Lizhi kept a calm exterior, "Marquis of Weinan, you need not probe; I can tell you plainly that person is definitely not you."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Fine, then you say Tang people don't deceive Tang people!"

Li Lizhi: "......"

She held her breath, gritted her teeth, and said, "Tang people do not deceive Tang people."

Chen Yan's face broke into a smile again, "Princess, please don't blame me; I usually indulge in wild imaginings and suffer from paranoia."

"Although I believe the Princess's noble person would not deceive a lowly county marquis like me, out of caution I want to confirm several more times."

"If I have offended the Princess, please forgive me considering I am still a child."

"Oh, right!" Chen Yan said, with a meaningful tone, "The old master who once taught me medicine told me."

"This person, you must never lie."

"Otherwise, you will develop hidden sores (hemorrhoids)."

Li Lizhi: "......"

Damn it, will cause hemorrhoids.

What a vicious curse.

Unfortunately, Li Lizhi couldn't say more.

Having said that, she could only accept.

She steeled herself and said: "Please rest assured, Marquis of Weinan. I have been strictly taught by the Mother Empress since childhood; I will not lie."

After she finished speaking, she paused, then changed the subject: "Before the Father Emperor and Mother Empress issued the edict for our marriage, they had the Grand Historian calculate your and Gao Yang's eight characters. Coincidentally, I was nearby at the time and happened to see the Marquis of Weinan's eight characters."

"If I remember correctly, you're a month older than me!"

"Calling yourself a child in front of me— is that appropriate?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Chen Yan showed no embarrassment on his face, "I'm originally a child over two hundred months old."

"If the Princess doesn't believe me, she can just calculate it."

Li Lizhi didn't want to continue arguing with him, fearing that the more she argued, the more she'd expose herself. She immediately said: "All right, Marquis of Weinan. Cheng Tian Men is just ahead; I'll see you to there."

"When my friend gets married, I'll definitely invite you to the wedding feast."

Hearing that, Chen Yan's smile brightened.

Since they said they'd invite him to the wedding feast later, it must have been his earlier overthinking.

That makes sense— Li Lizhi, the Eldest Princess, how could she possibly like a man who frequents brothels and even hit her sister?

She's not blind.

Chen Yan dispelled his last doubt, bade Li Lizhi farewell, and left with his beloved medicine box.

Watching his departing back, Li Lizhi was about to return when she remembered the sachet she herself had sewn hadn't been sent out.

After a moment of regret, she temporarily gave up the idea of sending the sachet.

To avoid arousing Chen Yan's suspicion again.

After one last glance at the figure disappearing into Cheng Tian Men, Li Lizhi pursed her lips, let out a soft hum, and muttered: "Do you think scaring me will make me slip up?"

"I grew up in the rear palace!"

Recalling Chen Yan's words, Li Lizhi burst out laughing, 'pfft'.

What's wrong with the Princess?

What's wrong with her precious person?

Hasn't anyone told you not to believe what beautiful women say?

The exchanged cup... is also wedding wine!

"..."