Chapter 8: Gao Yang: Who Do I Think I Am?!

"Princess, Princess!"

Outside the rear palace, a maid lifted her hem and hurried through the corridor, stepping into the hall.

Inside the hall, a young woman reclined on a soft couch, idly twirling a golden hairpin on the table.

Her brows and eyes were picture‑perfect, yet carried a hint of languor and pride; she lifted her gaze slightly at the sound—

"What happened again? Why the panic?" Her voice was clear and crisp, but tinged with impatience.

Xiang Lan hurriedly said, "Princess, the Marquis of Weinan has been released from Dali Temple Prison; I heard His Majesty issued an edict to summon him, and he is now in Lizheng Hall."

Upon hearing the three words "Marquis of Weinan," Princess Gao Yang, who was on the soft couch, sat up straight, her face flushed with anger, "How could he possibly be released so quickly?"

"Why does Father Emperor want to summon him again? Is it still in Lizheng Hall!"

"I... I don't know," Xiang Lan lowered her head as Princess Gao Yang grew angry, "I only heard nearby palace maids and eunuchs say the Marquis of Weinan looks in good spirits and is wearing court robes."

"Moreover... moreover, His Majesty seemed to summon the Marquis of Weinan together with the Empress, and even turned away the palace maids and Wushe the eunuch."

Hearing that Chen Yan seemed unharmed and was still wearing court robes to meet His Majesty and the Empress, Princess Gao Yang gritted her teeth.

Three days ago, when she learned that Chen Yan had been seized and taken to Dali Temple Prison, Princess Gao Yang felt an indescribable thrill.

She also knew Father Emperor would never kill Chen Yan, but would at least make him suffer, perhaps imprisoning him for ten days or half a month.

But she did not expect that Chen Yan was released after only three days and was summoned by both Father Emperor and Mother Empress.

Could it be that Chen Yan's incident of whipping her is simply being brushed aside?

Princess Gao Yang rose from the couch in anger, "Let's go to Lizheng Hall; today I must have Father Emperor and Mother Empress severely punish that despicable Chen Yan!"

She had grown up without ever being whipped by Father Emperor or Mother Empress.

She could never swallow that grievance.

Xiang Lan's expression turned sour, "Princess, I heard Wushe the eunuch is stationed outside Lizheng Hall, forbidding anyone from approaching. I think His Majesty and the Empress may be discussing important matters with the Marquis of Weinan; perhaps we should wait until he leaves before we go?"

"On what authority does this princess have to wait for him to leave? This is the Imperial Palace, it is my home."

"I want to see Father Emperor and Mother Empress; why must I wait for him to depart?"

"Come, let's go there right now!"

Saying so, Princess Gao Yang flung her sleeves wide and hurried toward the hall's exit.

Xiang Lan wore a worried face, but had no choice but to follow Princess Gao Yang.

To be honest, Xiang Lan really didn't want Princess Gao Yang to clash with the Marquis of Weinan.

Because she was the princess's personal maid, when the princess marries next month, she will be part of the dowry to the Marquis's residence.

And she is merely a servant; Chen Yan is the master.

If Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang clash, how could we servants ever have a good life?

Just like three days ago at the Marquis's residence, when Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang fought, she was hesitating whether to help, but was directly scratched by Chen Yan's maid Qing'er.

When she later moves in, she fears not only the Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan will look down on her, but even the servants of the Marquis's residence may treat her poorly.

A happy life would be impossible.

"......"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chen Yan had already handed the salt‑making technique to Li Shimin, and left Lizheng Hall carrying an iron Imperial Token engraved with golden characters.

Wushe the eunuch walked a step ahead, leading the way for him.

Chen Yan toyed with the Death‑exemption Gold Medal, a faint smile on his lips.

In fact, the reason he sought a Death‑exemption Gold Medal instead of other honors was that Princess Gao Yang was only one of the reasons.

Awards and wealth are all illusory.

A higher title isn't always better; sometimes the greater the rank, the more attention it draws.

Then countless eyes will stare at you; even a minor mistake can be seized by those who claim to be upright officials, who will make a big fuss over it.

A county marquis is already sufficient for him, let alone that he is about to become Li Er's son‑in‑law; his status is already high enough, so he doesn't need those empty titles.

Obtaining a Death‑exemption Gold Medal not only brought him closer to Li Er, but also put Li Er in his debt, ultimately giving Li Er the impression of a ruler who worries about his people.

This move, you could say, was a blood‑profit.

Chen Yan was in good spirits and said casually, "Wushe the eunuch, I shouldn't have to return to Dali Temple Prison now, right?"

Wushe chuckled wryly, "The Marquis of Weinan is joking; after you leave the palace, just go home, no need to return to Dali Temple Prison."

"That's fine," Chen Yan smiled, sighing, "Ah, having been locked up for three days, the girls of Pingkang Lane must be missing me."

Wushe was speechless inside.

The Marquis of Weinan truly had a big heart, already thinking of the girls of Pingkang Lane right after leaving Dali Temple Prison.

If Princess Gao Yang found out, there would surely be more trouble.

Thinking of this, Wushe glanced left and right, saw no one, and whispered, "Marquis of Weinan, you are to marry Princess Gao Yang next month; perhaps you should avoid those pleasure establishments?"

"Otherwise, if it spreads, it would sound bad......."

Before Wushe could finish, Chen Yan cut in, "What would be so unsavory?"

"I know what the eunuch is worried about; it's just that Princess Gao Yang, that little schemer, might cause trouble, right?"

Chen Yan, unfazed, said, "Let her come; if I were afraid of her, I wouldn't be named Chen!"

Wushe let out a soft sigh, about to speak, when two women suddenly emerged around the corner ahead.

Upon seeing the two, Wushe thought inwardly, "This is bad."

Both parties halted simultaneously, stunned.

Because the newcomers were none other than Princess Gao Yang and her maid Xiang Lan.

The four stared at each other, none daring to speak first.

At that moment, Xiang Lan nearly regretted it to death.

Had she known she'd meet the Marquis of Weinan here, she would have told the princess later about his entering the palace.

Perhaps, by the time the Princess comes looking, the Marquis of Weinan will already have left the Imperial Palace.

Chen Yan takes a deep breath, and the previously decent mood disappears entirely, leaving him feeling extremely unlucky.

How could I still run into this little brat after leaving the palace?

Across from him, Princess Gao Yang, upon seeing Chen Yan, is not disheveled; her spirit and appearance are quite good, and the anger in her heart rises rapidly.

A pair of vermilion phoenix eyes stare intently at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan doesn't know why, but seeing Princess Gao Yang stare at him, his temper snaps, and he shouts loudly, "What are you looking at?!"

Princess Gao Yang is taken aback, and, in her fury, she laughs.

She should know that this is not Chen Yan's Bo Mansion, but the Imperial Palace—her home.

She didn't expect Chen Yan to still be so brazen in the Imperial Palace.

Princess Gao Yang certainly wouldn't be cowardly; she immediately shouts loudly, "What does this Princess think of you?!"

"You look again and see what happens?!"

"If you want to try, just try!!"

"......"