Chapter 97: Li Chengqian: I Raise Both Hands in Approval of This Matter

At this very moment, Chen Yan finally understood.

Li Lizhi summoned Li Yuan, and her motive was probably not that simple; it was very likely aimed at him.

Regarding this, Chen Yan had no recourse.

At first he thought Li Yuan's sudden arrival was just to sit in a corner and watch the fun.

He didn't expect to become the entertainment himself.

Having no choice, Chen Yan could only cast a pleading glance at Li Shimin.

The latter scowled, glared at him fiercely, turned his head slightly aside, and showed no intention of offering any help.

Chen Yan was helpless; could Li Shimin possibly not be helpless as well?

At first he thought Li Lizhi had invited Li Yuan to smooth over his relationship with Li Yuan.

He didn't expect that his own little cabbage was still for this brat.

He was fuming inside.

Seeing that Li Shimin had no intention of helping, Chen Yan turned his gaze toward Empress Changsun.

She gave a faint smile at the sight, then looked away.

Obviously, she also had no intention of intervening.

In fact, this matter could be easily resolved; all that was needed was for someone to step forward and state that Chen Yan had an engagement with Princess Gao Yang.

But their relationship with Li Yuan had only just begun to improve, and the couple were unwilling to embarrass Li Yuan at this critical moment.

After all, Li Yuan had previously expressed a wish for Li Lizhi to marry Crown Prince Chong, but it fell through because of the prohibition on close‑kin marriage.

Now, the old man again proposed that Chen Yan and Li Lizhi made a talented man–beautiful woman match, but you tell others that Chen Yan has an engagement with Gao Yang.

Both matchmaking attempts failed; where do you preserve the Grand Emperor's face?

Not only Li Shimin and his wife, but most of the others watched each other's eyes and hearts, with expressions as if they hadn't heard a word.

Seeing no one speak up, Li Yuan said, "Why is nobody talking?"

"Is there something wrong with my proposal?"

He looked at Chen Yan and said, "Chen kid, what do you think?"

"Um… " Chen Yan took a deep breath, forced himself to speak, "The Grand Emperor may not know, your servant …"

"Grandfather, Sun Minister actually thinks this matter is feasible!"

Before Chen Yan could finish speaking, a voice suddenly cut him off.

Amid the surprised and bewildered gazes of everyone, Li Chengqian slowly rose and said, "Grandfather may not know, but Sun Minister has known the Marquis of Weinan for a long time and is well acquainted with his talent and character."

"If Li Lizhi could marry the Marquis of Weinan, it would surely be a rare and excellent match."

"Sun Minister raises both hands in approval of this matter."

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Yuan: "......"

Li Shimin and his wife: "......"

Li Chengqian's speech left everyone completely stunned.

"What? Is this your business? You just raise both hands to agree?"

Even Li Yuan hadn't expected Li Chengqian to suddenly step forward in support.

Honestly, hadn't he known before that close‑kin marriage was unfeasible?

Didn't he know that Chen Yan had an engagement with Gao Yang?

He certainly did.

But the reason he said that was first to express his displeasure to Li Shimin, and second, having observed Li Shimin's diligent work these past years and acknowledging his competence, he recognized his status, which served as a stepping stone for the two.

Third, of course, it was to fulfill Li Lizhi's request.

First, use this incident to bring up Li Lizhi's marriage, then employ Xiao Sizi to have Chen Yan step forward and state his stance.

When he said those words, Li Yuan had already thought it through.

As long as Chen Yan, or anyone else, stepped forward saying Chen Yan had an engagement, he could continue the narrative.

But he didn't expect Li Chengqian to suddenly step forward in support.

What, you've known each other for a long time; how could you not know they have an engagement?

"......."

Chen Yan wore a look of disbelief, and a question slowly surfaced in his mind.

"This damn Li Lizhi, not only persuaded Li Yuan, but also incited Li Chengqian to help."

"Do you have to be this ruthless?"

On the other side, Li Shimin's eyes seemed about to burst into flames as he glared viciously at Chen Yan.

"Well done, Chen Yan, well done, Chen Zian, very good!"

"Let my obedient daughter bring out the Grand Emperor, and you still have the Crown Prince step forward in support."

"How should I put it, the Crown Prince is so poor that even I have to wear the same pair of socks, where did he get that crystal phoenix?"

"So it was you, kid, who arranged all this."

"To marry my daughter, you really went all out!"

At this moment, things became interesting.

Chen Yan thought Li Chengqian was persuaded by Li Lizhi, while Li Shimin believed Li Chengqian was persuaded by Chen Yan.

Little did they know, no one had swayed Li Chengqian; he simply wanted to be Chen Yan's elder brother‑in‑law.

As events unfolded to this point, Princess Gao Yang at the back finally could no longer sit still.

She feared that if she still didn't step forward, the one marrying Chen Yan next month might not be Princess Gao Yang but Princess Changle.

She stepped forward, a trace of grievance on her face: "Your Imperial Grandfather, this matter is probably improper."

Li Yuan exhaled, kindly saying, "I remember you; you are little Zhao Tang, right?"

"In the blink of an eye, you've grown so tall, and you're already of marrying age."

"Tell me, what do you think is wrong with the Grandfather's suggestion just now?"

Gao Yang pleaded pitifully, "Your Imperial Grandfather, a few days ago Father Emperor and Mother Empress already betrothed the granddaughter to the Marquis of Weinan."

"Next month, the granddaughter will marry the Marquis of Weinan; if you now betroth the imperial sister to the Marquis of Weinan, what will become of the granddaughter?"

"Hm?" Li Yuan's expression was startled, "The Chen family youngster already has an engagement with you; is that true?"

Gao Yang nodded repeatedly, "The granddaughter dares not deceive Your Imperial Grandfather; the engagement between the granddaughter and the Marquis of Weinan is known throughout Chang'an, it cannot be fabricated."

"If you do not believe it, you may ask Father Emperor."

Li Yuan turned his head and asked, "Er Lang, is what Zhao Tang said true or false?"

Li Shimin saw everyone's attention shift back to him, so he stepped forward and said, "It is true, Father Emperor; Zhao Tang has already fixed an engagement with Zi An."

"The matter between Zi An and the beauty, I fear ……"

Li Yuan suddenly cut him off: "Then why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Look at the present situation; I have caused many jokes, making the Chen family youngster, the beauty, and Zhao Tang all so embarrassed."

"Alas, truly a misstep."

Li Shimin: "......"

He was a bit confused about whether Li Yuan truly knew about the engagement between Chen Yan and Gao Yang, so he didn't dare to reply.

He didn't want, after finally easing his relationship with Li Yuan, for a trivial matter to revert everything back to the way it was.

Anyway, no matter how Li Yuan spoke, he was still his father; even if people knew about the engagement between Chen Yan and Gao Yang, since he had already said so.

Then Li Shimin, being the son, just had to listen.

Li Yuan gave Chen Yan another glance, shook his head and said, "Alas, what a pity; I truly think you and the beauty, a talented man and beautiful woman, look perfectly matched when standing together."

After speaking, he let out a long sigh, "Enough, children have their own blessings; matters of you young people, you should resolve yourselves."

"......"