Chapter 74: Li Lizhi: Ah, I have no fate with my cousin

Since chatting with Chen Yan last night, Li Lizhi is in a great mood.

Her recent sorrow has vanished without a trace.

Li Lizhi sits before the dressing mirror, having maid Xiao Chan comb her hair while she ponders the upcoming arrangements.

First, she must dispel Father Emperor and Mother Empress's idea of marrying her to Chong.

It should be simple; if Chen Yan hasn't deceived her, she only needs to send people to investigate among the common folk which of her cousins have married and what the results are.

Once she has the results, Father Emperor and Mother Empress could not possibly, in order to solidify ties with the Changsun family, push her into a fire pit, could they?

"What should we do?"

Li Lizhi's delicate brows knit slightly.

She is only a princess; moving a few palace maids and eunuchs is no problem, but to mobilize the Imperial Guard around her, she must obtain Father Emperor's consent.

And to obtain faster, more accurate results, the people around her are certainly insufficient.

"It seems I must tell Father Emperor directly," Li Lizhi thought to herself.

Given Father Emperor and Mother Empress's trust in Chen Yan, they will surely take it seriously.

According to the current hour, the early meal from the Marquis of Weinan's residence should have just arrived, and Father Emperor has probably concluded the morning court.

It's a perfect time to speak to Father Emperor while having the early meal.

After deciding, Li Lizhi sees her makeup already done, stands and says, "Let's go, Xiao Chan, follow me to Lizheng Hall."

"Yes, Princess!"

Xiao Chan replies and follows Li Lizhi to Lizheng Hall.

Soon, the lady and her servant arrive at Lizheng Hall.

Just as Li Lizhi expected, Li Shimin had finished the morning court, had not yet gone to Two-Emblem Hall to handle affairs, and instead came to Lizheng Hall to dine with Mother Empress.

Li Lizhi bows and says, "Your servant Lizhi respectfully wishes Father Emperor health and peace, Mother Empress abundant blessings and golden safety."

Li Shimin waves casually, "No need for formalities, come sit quickly."

Empress Changsun looks at this increasingly poised daughter, recalls something her brother mentioned, pats the stool beside her, "Lizhi, come, sit beside Mother Empress."

"Your servant obeys the decree!" Li Lizhi hears this and slowly rises to sit beside Empress Changsun.

When she sits, the lady-in-waiting responsible for meals behind Empress Changsun, Jingxiang, places two food boxes on the table and takes out the provisions sent from the Marquis of Weinan's residence.

Because in Lizheng Hall, the three of them eat without much ceremony.

During idle chat, Empress Changsun glances at her daughter and says warmly, "Lizhi has grown up; in the blink of an eye she has reached marriageable age."

"Next month, your sister Gao Yang will marry Zi An; your father once mentioned your marriage to mother... Lizhi, do you have someone you fancy?"

At this moment, Li Shimin's gaze beside her also turns to his daughter.

He naturally understands Empress Changsun's purpose in bringing up the matter.

Regarding their daughter's marriage, the two both intend to marry her to Chong.

But their thoughts are conflicted: on one hand they do not wish to force an edict sending their daughter away as a sacrifice to solidify ties with the Changsun family, on the other hand they desire a happy marriage for her.

Yet once she becomes a sacrifice for solidifying the relationship, how could she be happy?

Thus the two devised a plan, not rushing to issue an edict, but intending to have Chong and Li Lizhi interact more.

If, during their interactions, they develop romantic feelings, then naturally all will be delighted.

Yesterday, Li Shimin subtly reminded Wuji that Chen Yan's tavern is opening, and Li Lizhi will also attend.

Given Wuji's mind, he will surely have Chong go to congratulate.

Empress Changsun's move is merely to probe from the side.

Li Lizhi naturally understands Empress Changsun's meaning, but she no longer resists the topic as before, even smiling:

"Since childhood Lizhi has lived in the inner palace; aside from a few imperial brothers and younger brothers, the same‑age men she has most contact with are the Marquis of Weinan and cousin Chong."

"Mother, who does your servant fancy?"

Empress Changsun and Li Shimin feel a surge of joy.

Li Lizhi's words carry hidden meaning, but the two did not discern it.

Because Li Lizhi said the same‑age men she contacts most are the Marquis of Weinan and Chong.

If Chen Yan had not made a marriage pact with Gao Yang, the couple would likely have no doubt that Li Lizhi would favor Chen Yan even more.

After all, Chen Yan surpasses Chong in looks, talent, and intellect by a wide margin.

It's no wonder Li Lizhi would set her eyes on such a man.

Yet Chen Yan has already made a marriage pact with Gao Yang, and they will wed next month.

Li Lizhi, educated and sensible since childhood, knows clearly that Chen Yan and Gao Yang are betrothed, and thus will not develop any other thoughts toward Chen Yan.

Since Chen Yan is ruled out, Li Lizhi's words are easy to understand.

Only Chong remains.

Li Shimin muses, "Chong is indeed a good child. Not only is his bearing impressive, but he also possesses a wealth of strategies, much like your uncle's style in those days."

"If you are inclined toward him, that would be a wonderful matter."

Empress Changsun, hearing this, gently pats her daughter's hand and says, "Your cousin has grown up with you since childhood; your temperaments are familiar."

"These years your cousin has studied at the Imperial Academy; even Chief Sacrificial Officer has praised his wisdom, saying he has the bearing of a minister."

Li Lizhi's mouth kept a smile; after hearing this she nods and agrees, "Father and Mother speak truly; cousin is indeed excellent, not only a handsome talent but also gentle and courteous to others."

"When the tavern opened yesterday, cousin also personally delivered gifts to congratulate."

Li Shimin and his wife exchange a glance; before they can rejoice, Li Lizhi suddenly changes tone, hesitantly saying, "Unfortunately..."

At this point, Li Lizhi pretends to be melancholy and shakes her head.

Li Shimin quickly asks, "What is unfortunate?"

Li Lizhi marrying Chong is something he and the Empress had considered from the start.

He did not wish for any accident to occur.

Empress Changsun spoke gently: "Li Lizhi, this is in Mother's Lizheng Hall; you can speak directly, no need to hide."

Li Lizhi sighed, "Father and Mother are unaware; yesterday when the Marquis of Weinan returned, I wanted to express my gratitude to him in person."

"On the way out of the palace, I recalled that yesterday when the tavern opened, my Changsun cousin personally came to congratulate; I feel the Marquis of Weinan and my Changsun cousin have a good relationship."

"I then casually asked him, how would it be for me to marry the Changsun cousin?"

Li Lizhi let out a long sigh, "Who would have thought the Marquis of Weinan said I absolutely cannot marry the Changsun cousin; otherwise, it would surely bring harm to myself and to the Changsun family!"

"This......"

Li Shimin and Empress Changsun were now too preoccupied to eat.

Li Lizhi still underestimated the trust that Li Shimin and his wife had in Chen Yan.

After she moved out from Chen Yan, Li Shimin and his wife instinctively did not suspect.

But rather they were thinking, why did Chen Yan say that if she married Changsun Chong, it would definitely bring harm to herself and to the Changsun family?

If it were said to harm Li Lizhi, they could still understand.

If Li Lizhi does not like Changsun Chong, marrying him would naturally not bring happiness, thus it would be harmful.

How could one even begin to speak of harming the Changsun family?

"......"