Chapter 84: Ice and Fire, Dual Heavens

Chen Yan sensed that something was off and blinked at Xiao Sizi.

The little fellow was very clever, slipping from Li Lizhi's arms, and with its short little legs darted quickly into Chen Yan's embrace.

After finding a comfortable spot and sitting down, she and Chen Yan, big and small, opened their two pairs of eyes and quietly began eating the melon.

Li Lizhi saw Sizi go to Chen Yan's side, withdrew her gaze, took a sip of tea, and said, "Sister Gao Yang, your words are mistaken."

"Did you forget? Father Emperor is a tea lover; although I have never left Chang'an and do not know the vastness of the world, I have heard from Father Emperor about many famous teas of the world."

"Even though I have never seen or tasted those famous teas, I think that no matter how renowned or coveted they are, they still cannot compare to the cup in my hand......"

She said firmly, "This tea is the best of the age; to err about it would be a regret."

Gao Yang recalled the line "The sash widens, yet I do not regret, for her I become gaunt," and found herself involuntarily agreeing with Li Lizhi's words.

Indeed, this tea is the best in the world, and so am I!

Of course, agreement is one thing, but she would never show it.

"Sister's words are too arbitrary; forgive me for finding it hard to agree," Gao Yang said. "Just as Sister said, you have never left Chang'an City and only learned of some famous teas from Father Emperor's mouth; how can you so rashly declare this tea the pinnacle of the age?"

"Perhaps, in some corner of the Tang Dynasty, an even better tea is hidden."

Gao Yang paused, pursed her lips and smiled, "Just like this tea, haven't we sisters never heard of it before?"

"I'm not afraid of Sister's mockery; when I first heard of this tea, people said its surface was clear and its fragrance abundant, but the inside was terribly murky, so I refused to drink it."

"Later, after I drank it once and was scalded, I realized how good this tea is and how perfectly it matches my taste."

Gao Yang's eyes curved, "Sister, you should go out more, seek the cup of good tea that belongs to you, instead of staring at the cup in the younger sister's hand."

"What do you think?"

Li Lizhi remained firm: "Sister Gao Yang need not say more; whether there is a better tea in the world, we both know it in our hearts."

"I'm not an unreasonable person; since you got this cup first, as the later one, I'm willing to step back—let's each have half of the tea, how about that?"

Gao Yang's gaze turned cold, "That's not acceptable; the tea is already in my hand, and I will never hand it over, not even half!"

"Then can you guard it?" Li Lizhi's expression unchanged, "This tea's aroma is rich, even more so than flower fragrance."

"Once the scent spreads, it will likely attract many different butterflies; can Sister Gao Yang alone... drive them away?"

Gao Yang's expression grew grim at the words.

Li Lizhi's words reminded her.

Chen Yan was so outstanding, even at his first display of talent, that it provoked Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, to tear off her façade and contend with her.

She remembered Li Shimin saying that after their marriage, he would arrange for Chen Yan to become an official in the court.

By then, could they still be like now, without drawing any attention at all?

The answer was negative.

Li Lizhi seized the moment: "Rather than let outside butterflies tarnish this tea, why not we both drink it together, and thereafter we can still be sisters."

"When bored we can admire flowers, chat, isn't that nice?"

Tsk tsk tsk!

Chen Yan, one arm cradling Sizi, the other hand on his chin, marveled at the two women's prowess while wondering when he himself would turn into a fragrant snack.

The two princesses were fighting over him... this cup of tea.

That truly turned language into a blossom.

Every sentence revolved around tea, yet every sentence was unrelated to tea.

At this moment, he finally realized that Li Lizhi must have lied last night.

She is blind.

She pretended so convincingly, and I ended up believing her nonsense.

Chen Yan guessed that if not for Gao Yang's words, Li Lizhi would most likely continue to hide her thoughts.

And she could hide them very well.

Indeed, those who leave their names in history, regardless of good or bad reputation, are not simple figures.

Honestly, Gao Yang and Li Lizhi are extremes: one famed for gentle grace, the other notorious for brute arrogance.

Both of them taking a liking to him truly surprised him.

Hmm......

How to put it.

There's an indescribable thrill, a feeling of ice and fire, dual heavens...

A bizarre idea flashed through Chen Yan's mind, and he quickly shook his head.

Seeing the two seem to have called a truce, she opened her mouth, "You both......"

"Then I won't trouble Sister any further!"

She was halfway through speaking when Gao Yang cut her off.

She seemed a bit irritated, her tone gradually cooling, "My tea I will of course guard, and if any butterfly outside dares to lay a claim on my tea."

"Give me one, and I'll crush it!"

"Give me a pair, and I'll crush the pair!!"

The final words, almost squeezed out of Gao Yang's teeth, displayed her unparalleled determination.

Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi showed no emotion, gradually becoming calm.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Before Li Lizhi could speak, applause suddenly erupted around them.

The two turned their heads and saw Chen Yan's face beaming with a radiant smile, "Princess Gao Yang, you truly have great presence… you've opened my eyes."

Speaking, he glanced at Li Lizhi, "Right now, isn't there a butterfly in front of you reaching for your tea?"

"You crush one for me to see, will you?"

Gao Yang didn't dare to speak again.

She actually wanted to speak; she meant the butterflies outside, and Li Lizhi is her elder sister, so she doesn't count as being outside.

However, she had never seen Chen Yan with such an expression and tone, so she didn't dare to speak.

Chen Yan then said to Li Lizhi: "This… um, this miss who comes from an unknown country, the old gentleman who taught me medicine once taught me a unique skill."

"It specializes in treating hidden hemorrhoids; as long as you slightly move the knife and cut out the hidden hemorrhoid, you won't have to endure the pain it brings."

Chen Yan smiled and said, "I think the miss will probably need it someday; then just feel free to come find me."

"Rest assured, my hand is steady; I guarantee a quick cut through the tangled mess."

Li Lizhi's cheeks turned crimson upon hearing it, and she wished she could bury her head in her own skirt.

At this moment, it was understandable why Gao Yang had said Chen Yan's tongue was poisonous earlier.

After being subjected to his sarcastic remarks, she couldn't even properly retort, leaving only a heart full of shame and embarrassment.

Gao Yang and Li Lizhi both fell silent, and the room became quiet for a moment.

The atmosphere lingered briefly, then Chen Yan suddenly shouted, "Qing'er!"

"Hey, Young Master, Qing'er is here!" Qing'er pushed the door open and walked in, glanced around, and timidly asked, "Young Master, is there something?"

Chen Yan said, "Ask Zhang Yi to prepare a few more dishes; the two guests may be having a meal at our place."

"N... no need, I, I'll leave right now." Li Lizhi hurriedly stood up, bowed to Chen Yan, and, as if fleeing, passed over Qing'er and walked out.

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow at Gao Yang, made a scratching gesture, and Gao Yang, like a quail, left as well.

"Brother, sister set a clever trap~" Sizi said seriously with a small face, "Sister is not being a good duck~"

"Brother, wake them at seven, beat their pp, make them behave!"

Chen Yan also wore a serious expression, nodded, "Alright, brother will definitely discipline them from now on."

"Beat their pp, make them obedient."

"......"