Chapter 93: Li Shimin: Get Lost, Calf

Chen Yan immediately shifted his hips aside, gave Li Chunfeng a strange up‑and‑down glance, and said seriously, "Grand Historian, you may not know this."

"Although I, Chen Yan, don't like Princess Gao Yang, I'm a normal person; my favorite pastime is strolling through brothels."

"If… you have some special hobby, I can ask His Majesty to find you others with the same taste."

"You'd better not look for me!"

Li Chunfeng was slightly stunned, replayed Chen Yan's words a few times, then widened his eyes in anger and said, "Young master, I am also a normal person; I don't have that… that kind of fetish."

"The reason I want to peek into your room is that last time I discovered a genuine treasure there; I only want to see that treasure, so don't misunderstand, young master."

Chen Yan's expression still held doubt, "Really?"

Li Chunfeng gritted his teeth, "It's truly true—cannot be truer!"

"Damn!" Chen Yan laughed awkwardly, "Then you should have been clear from the start. Though the Weinan Bo Fu isn't as large as those Duke mansions, it's not small either."

"You don't want to see anything else or arrange anything, yet you insist on entering my room. Tell me, can I not be mistaken?"

Li Chunfeng: "......."

He no longer wanted to deal with Chen Yan.

He made up his mind: after the longevity banquet ends, he'll go to the Weinan Bo Fu to see that treasure, and from then on try to meet Chen Yan as little as possible.

Otherwise, sooner or later he'll be driven mad with anger.

Meanwhile, Li Chengqian enjoyed the crowd's praise while Li Shimin and his wife admired the glass phoenix.

After a long while, the excitement stirred by the glass phoenix finally subsided a bit, and then it was Li Tai's turn to present a gift.

Li Tai's so‑called treasure from Linyi was indeed rare: a fire bead with a strong reflective effect that, under sunlight, glowed like fire and looked very beautiful.

Chen Yan gave it a casual glance and lost interest.

To be honest, such an item is indeed a precious treasure in this era, but compared with the glass phoenix he prepared for Li Chengqian, it still falls short.

Li Shimin perhaps felt he had neglected Li Chengqian earlier, or was too drawn to the glass phoenix; when he saw the fire bead, he merely gave Li Tai a light compliment and paid little attention.

Though Li Tai was unwilling, he had no better recourse and retreated expressionlessly into a group of princes.

Next came the other princes, princesses, and Imperial Family relatives presenting gifts.

After everyone had presented, finally it was Chen Yan's turn.

Li Shimin sat on the main seat, looked at the respectfully bowing Chen Yan and the blue‑green porcelain inkstone and brush wash brought by Wushe, his face darkening.

He didn't think the gift itself was problematic; after all, given Chen Yan's status, offering a Yue kiln blue‑green porcelain symbolizing 'literary virtue' was reasonable.

However, thinking of Li Lizhi confronting Gao Yang before him and Empress Changsun, Li Shimin couldn't help feeling uneasy.

He swallowed, then said in a deep voice, "Are you here?"

Chen Yan chuckled, "Ah, Your Majesty, I have arrived."

"It's been many days; Your Majesty and Her Majesty look even better now."

Li Shimin didn't want to hear his flattery, snorted coldly, "Since you're here, get lost, calf."

"I'm annoyed just seeing you."

Chen Yan: "......"

"Fine, I'll leave at once, Your Majesty, don't let it harm your health."

Having said that, he cheerfully bowed to the imperial couple and then stepped back.

Since the incident with Li Lizhi and Gao Yang, Chen Yan had mentally prepared for Li Shimin's attitude.

Hitting someone's daughter and then trampling the cabbage that person dearly loves—no wonder they're annoyed when they see you.

At times like this, don't even approach them.

Chen Yan guessed that if today weren't Empress Changsun's longevity banquet, Li Shimin would probably take off his shoes and chase him to beat him.

"......"

Li Shimin watched his retreating back, opened his mouth, and grew even angrier.

"Damn it, you think you can just run away?"

"When did you become so obedient?"

Empress Changsun, sitting beside him, could no longer hold back, smiled lightly, "Your Majesty, don't you still misunderstand Zi An?"

"That kid is very clever; what's the point of being angry with him?"

Li Shimin glanced at the head‑down Li Lizhi, felt extremely depressed, waved his hand and ordered the banquet to begin.

Only, no one noticed that Li Chengqian was utterly moved when he saw the congratulatory gift Chen Yan sent.

Zi Anxiong could have delivered the glass phoenix himself, yet he asked Wushe to send it in his name, letting him hog the limelight and suppress Prince of Yue Li Tai.

However, Zi Anxiong himself only sent a plain Yue kiln blue‑green porcelain, which attracted no attention.

How could he not be moved?

Li Chengqian glanced sideways at Princess Gao Yang, recalled Chen Yan's marriage pact with Gao Yang, and lowered his head in thought.

In the past, he wasn't very familiar with his sister Gao Yang, neither liked nor disliked her.

But he had heard that Gao Yang's temperament was rather spoiled.

Initially, when Li Chengqian learned of Chen Yan and Gao Yang's marriage pact, he was mostly happy.

Gao Yang was his sister regardless; even though they shared a father but not a mother, the relationship remained.

Chen Yan marrying Gao Yang meant he became his brother‑in‑law, making the two families closer.

Yet now Li Chengqian suddenly felt that letting Chen Yan marry Gao Yang was somewhat unfair to him.

Who is Chen Yan?

Talented, righteous as the heavens, praised endlessly even by Li Shimin and his wife.

Such a person marrying a non‑legitimate, spoiled princess—how could that not be a grievance?

Li Chengqian also heard that Chen Yan and Gao Yang's relationship was poor; they had fought several times.

Can I find a way to convince Father Emperor to cancel Chen Yan and Gao Yang's marriage contract…?

After a moment of thought, Li Chengqian frowned and thought, "Brother Zi An's marriage contract with Gao Yang's younger sister is already fixed; no one can change it."

But… Brother Zi An treats me this way, I cannot just stand by.

While he was pondering how to help Chen Yan, he suddenly remembered Li Lizhi, who had just spoken up for him, a flash of sharp light crossed his eyes, and he felt uplifted.

Right!

Gao Yang is indeed arrogant; after the two marry, things probably won't go well.

But Li Lizhi is gentle and virtuous, and even more beautiful than Gao Yang.

Although he can't help Chen Yan cancel the marriage contract, he can let Chen Yan marry a good wife.

Most importantly, Li Lizhi is his full sister from the same mother.

If Chen Yan can marry Li Lizhi, wouldn't their relationship become even closer?

Whoa! I'm really a damn genius!

Li Chengqian internally shouted a catchphrase Chen Yan often uses, and his eyes grew increasingly excited.

……