Chapter 94: Princess Gao Yang, Unexpected

As the birthday banquet officially began, the venue instantly became lively.

Li Shimin and his wife, together with many imperial relatives and nobles, chatted happily.

Chen Yan felt extremely bored, cradling Xiao Sizi as he gently moved to lean against a small column entwined with flowers.

Xiao Sizi lowered his head pitifully and said, "Brother, the headgear is so heavy, could you please take it off for me~"

Chen Yan glanced left and right, saw no one watching his side, and silently made a shushing gesture.

Xiao Sizi nodded repeatedly, raised his little hand to cover his mouth, and stared at him with wide, expectant eyes.

Chen Yan quickly removed all the ornaments from Sizi's head, slipped them into his sleeve, and then pretended nothing was amiss while eating with Xiao Sizi.

Li Chunfeng, standing nearby, pretended not to see and continued doing what he was doing.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes above the banquet kept watching this side.

When Li Lizhi saw that Chen Yan truly took off the ornaments from Sizi's head, the corner of her mouth curled and laughter spread in her eyes.

Gao Yang noticed the scene and calmly said, "Imperial sister, Sizi is being well cared for by 'Chen Lang', you don't need to keep watching over there."

"If imperial sister is truly worried about Sizi, I, your younger sister, can ask Father Emperor to have 'Chen Lang' bring Sizi back, so you won't keep glancing over there during Her Majesty's birthday banquet."

"Those who know the situation understand that imperial sister is concerned for Sizi; those who don't know might wonder what imperial sister is looking at."

On the surface she was reminding Li Lizhi not to worry about Sizi, but in fact she was warning Li Lizhi not to overstep.

Li Lizhi had no good solution to this.

Her current position was too awkward; her name was not proper, her words were not smooth, and flaunting verbal skill was meaningless.

Moreover, Li Lizhi had other plans today, waiting for someone to arrive, so she was too lazy to engage Gao Yang and replied, "Thank you, Sister Gao Yang, for the reminder; I understand."

After speaking, she sat upright without averting her gaze, as if she truly took Gao Yang's words to heart.

That was somewhat surprising to Gao Yang.

Just a few days earlier, Li Lizhi had argued with her twice; how could she be so easygoing today?

Could Li Lizhi be mindful of the occasion?

Gao Yang subconsciously felt something was off, yet couldn't pinpoint what.

But she had never been a person who liked to be passive; since she couldn't guess what Li Lizhi was thinking.

She decided to take the initiative.

With that in mind, Gao Yang immediately stood, bowed to Li Shimin and his wife, and said, "Father Emperor, Her Majesty, I have a small request; may I ask you both to grant it?"

Li Shimin smiled, "Today is your mother's birthday; Zhao Tang, feel free to state any request. If it is not truly excessive, I will certainly grant it."

Zhao Tang is Gao Yang's given name, full name Li Zhaotang.

'Zhao' is like the rising sun, 'Tang' like blossoming spring trees; together they signify brilliant talent and abundant life.

I recently had some misunderstandings with the Marquis of Weinan that have not been clarified; because I am betrothed to the Marquis of Weinan, it is improper to meet, so I have postponed it for a long time.

I wish to take advantage of Her Majesty's birthday today to explain things clearly with the Marquis of Weinan.

Therefore, I request that Father Emperor and Her Majesty allow me to sit with the Marquis of Weinan to clear up the misunderstanding.

As soon as her words fell, the guests' gazes instantly turned strange.

Who among the attendees does not hold a high position and have access to information?

Aside from matters Li Shimin has concealed, they know more or less about the affairs between the Marquis of Weinan Chen Yan and Gao Yang.

In their view, the two are almost like water and fire, unable to coexist.

Now, Gao Yang is asking to sit with Chen Yan at the birthday banquet to explain what misunderstanding?

If you say there's nothing to it, we'd die before believing it!

Li Shimin frowned slightly, initially intending to refuse Gao Yang, but after noticing Li Lizhi's displeased expression, he changed his mind, nodded, and said, "Although your request is somewhat improper, today we are a family banquet, and there are not that many rules."

Moreover, you are about to marry Zi An, and a misunderstanding between the two would indeed be undesirable, so I will grant it this time.

These words were spoken not only to Gao Yang but also to everyone else.

He meant to tell others that he had approved the matter, so they should not bring it up later.

The guests, not being foolish, naturally caught Li Shimin's meaning and pretended not to have heard.

After thanking Li Shimin, Gao Yang smiled at Li Lizhi, "Imperial sister, I will watch over Sizi together with 'Chen Lang'; you need not worry."

Li Lizhi let out a silent sigh; Gao Yang was still the same Gao Yang.

She always acts so unexpectedly.

"Sister Gao Yang, go ahead; I hope you can quickly clear the misunderstanding with the Marquis of Weinan," she said calmly.

Gao Yang gave a slight nod, walked straight down from the middle of the banquet, showing no concern for the glances of those around her.

Li Chunfeng, feeling self‑conscious, shifted aside to make room for Gao Yang.

Watching Princess Gao Yang approach, Chen Yan's mind went blank in exasperation.

When she sat down, Chen Yan's lips twitched and said, "Gao Yang, what mischief are you planning this time?"

"Today is Her Majesty's birthday banquet; don't cause trouble!"

Princess Gao Yang muttered discontentedly, "Is my image in your mind that terrible?"

"I haven't said a word; how could you assume I'll cause trouble?"

"Then what impression could I possibly have of you?" Chen Yan rubbed his forehead, "Think back to the few times we met; tell me yourself, what impression could I have of you?"

Gao Yang: "......"

She truly began to recall in her mind the events from when they first met to the later encounters.

She found that, aside from the day they escorted Sizi with Li Shimin and his wife to the Marquis of Weinan's residence, and the incident at the restaurant, the two had not been particularly pleasant.

Strictly speaking, the restaurant incident was because Chen Yan used the Death-exemption Gold Medal to frighten her.

Otherwise, she might have erupted when she opened the door and saw Chen Yan chatting with Li Lizhi, who was holding Sizi.

Gao Yang could not find a rebuttal, only saying, "I wasn't looking for trouble; believe it or not."

"So what are you here for?" Chen Yan said wordlessly, "You just said there's a misunderstanding that needs to be clarified with me. Then tell me, what misunderstanding do we have?"

"If I can't say it, I'll accuse you of deceiving the ruler."

Gao Yang:???

"Listen, listen, is this even human language?"

"No matter what I say, I'm still your fiancée, right?"

"So I come over to find you, haven't even said two sentences, and you want to accuse me of deceiving the ruler?"

"You might as well have Father Emperor wipe out my nine families, okay?"

"Die, Chen Yan!"

"Stinky Chen Yan!"

"Turtle bastard Chen Yan!"

Gao Yang stared at Chen Yan with a lingering gaze, cursing him silently in his heart, yet he truly dared not say another word.

From not far away, Li Chunfeng saw the scene, reached up to smooth his beard, murmuring, "I, a humble monk, would say your eight‑character destiny is a heavenly match, a fated marriage, right?"

"You will surely thank this humble monk in the future."

"......."