Chapter 98: Worried That Li Lizhi Might Steal the Family

A hint of delight flashed in Li Lizhi's eyes.

She summoned Li Yuan, and her primary purpose was to say this sentence.

She said that she and Chen Yan were a good match, while also stating that matters concerning the young should be left to the young to resolve.

Undoubtedly, this both expressed her stance and hinted that she hoped Li Shimin and his party would not interfere.

That was already an excellent outcome for her.

How could Li Shimin and his wife fail to understand Li Yuan's meaning?

But they had no recourse, so while sighing that a grown woman cannot be kept, they nodded in agreement with Li Yuan.

Chen Yan and Xiao Sizi returned to their seats; just as they sat down, Li Chunfeng hurried over, chuckling, "Young master, you're right—this spectacle is truly entertaining."

"It truly opened this humble monk's eyes."

Chen Yan forced a grin, saying, "Isn't it all thanks to the Grand Historian's blessing?"

"If the Grand Historian hadn't calculated the eight‑character destiny for me and Gao Yang, we might not have gotten to see today's spectacle at all."

Li Chunfeng paid no heed to the complaint in his words and said, "Young master, back then I had no choice; His Majesty ordered me to calculate the eight‑character destiny for you and Princess Gao Yang, and I could not refuse."

"Then won't you say that my destiny with Gao Yang is mismatched, a ten‑generation ill‑fated bond?" Chen Yan retorted irritably.

Li Chunfeng dared not reply, for he sensed a chill; continuing might prove dangerous.

Gao Yang's cold voice rang out, "Chen Yan, what do you mean?"

"Does this princess think you're that unworthy?"

"Shall I go to His Majesty right now and ask him to let you marry Li Lizhi directly?"

"At first, I thought you were beneath me," Chen Yan replied earnestly.

Gao Yang heard that and almost choked, biting her silver teeth, "What about now?"

"Now?" Chen Yan replied offhand, "It's still fine; if you don't act, it's actually quite good."

Hearing this, Gao Yang's anger eased a little.

She didn't think Chen Yan's view was wrong, after all she had once looked down on him as well.

The two were evenly matched, neither could claim superiority over the other.

As for Li Lizhi…

Gao Yang now feels a surge of anger whenever she mentions that name.

She truly didn't expect Li Lizhi to be so ruthless, to the point of inciting Li Yuan and the Crown Prince, catching her completely off guard.

No wonder Li Lizhi had suddenly been so easy to talk to before; when she was provoked by her own words, she barely reacted.

By now, Gao Yang has almost figured out Li Lizhi's purpose.

Li Yuan's remark, "Let the young handle the young's affairs themselves," would undoubtedly make Li Lizhi even more reckless.

In the coming period, she must keep a close eye on Chen Yan.

Lest Li Lizhi steals the family!

Li Yuan waved his hand, stood up on his own, "Alright, today's guests have arrived, those who needed to see have seen, I shall return now."

"You all continue."

Li Shimin hurriedly pleaded, "Father Emperor, won't you stay a while longer? Today is a family banquet, and we haven't sat together for a proper meal in ages."

Empress Changsun likewise urged, "Indeed, Father Emperor, your coming and going is no trouble; perhaps you could stay and chat more with His Majesty and the relatives."

"Usually everyone is busy; opportunities to gather are few."

Li Yuan refused, "Enough, my mind is made up; you need not persuade further."

Seeing Li Yuan's firm stance, Li Shimin and his wife ceased urging, and together helped him to his feet, preparing to see him off.

At that moment, Li Yuan's steps faltered, he hesitated, then decided to give Li Lizhi a small bit of assistance.

"I have heard that the Chen family youngster loves to tinker with interesting things; if you truly wish, let him occasionally enter the palace to chat with me in the future."

Li Shimin naturally would not refuse such a modest request and readily agreed.

The couple saw Li Yuan off, not hurrying back; they stood there, momentarily speechless.

After a while, Li Shimin's gaze grew complex, "Guanyin Maid, do you think Father Emperor has acknowledged me?"

Empress Changsun nodded slightly, "I believe Father Emperor has likely acknowledged His Majesty, but… Father Emperor may still harbor grievances toward His Majesty…"

Such words, perhaps only Empress Changsun would dare utter in the whole Tang Dynasty, because anyone familiar with the inner affairs could guess the rest of her unfinished sentence.

She merely meant that Li Shimin had placed Li Yuan under house arrest.

Previously, Li Yuan's words were expressing his own discontent.

Li Shimin fell silent for a moment, murmuring, "I had no choice before......"

Everyone knows exactly how he obtained the throne.

One could say he forcibly pushed Li Yuan off the throne.

At that time he had not yet fully controlled the Court's power; Li Yuan, resentful at being forced down, might seek to reclaim the throne.

Thus he could only temporarily place Li Yuan under house arrest to prevent such a scenario.

Empress Changsun understood him, speaking softly, "Er Lang, the past is the past, the present is the present."

"The Court has now stabilized, and all officials are under your control; Er Lang, what more is there to worry about?"

"So that was the old days," Li Shimin exhaled, feeling as if a massive stone had crashed down in his heart.

He felt considerably lighter.

Empress Changsun said, "Then let's obey Father Emperor; from now on, let Zi An enter the palace more often to keep Father Emperor company and also to check his health."

Mentioning this, Li Shimin instantly became angry, "Guanyin Maid, you don't understand—Father Emperor doesn't want that rogue youngster Chen Yan to accompany him for conversation; Father Emperor clearly wants to create an opportunity for Li Lizhi and Chen Yan to meet!"

"I just don't get it—what's good about Chen Yan, that Li Lizhi would go so far for him!"

When he said that, Empress Changsun finally realized.

Right!

Chen Yan only met Li Yuan once today; Li Yuan knowing that he has so many affairs is one thing.

How could they specifically name Chen Yan and demand that he enter the palace to talk with them?

If it's for Li Lizhi, then it makes sense.

Li Yuan can support Li Lizhi without reason, so giving this little help is no big deal.

Unfortunately, even though it's clear, it seems to have no effect.

Empress Changsun finds it somewhat amusing: "What does Er Lang plan to do?"

Father Emperor publicly declared that Li Lizhi and Chen Yan are a good match, and said that matters of the young should be left to the young. Does Er Lang still intend to defy Father Emperor and forcibly meddle in the affairs between Lizhi and Zi An?

"I..."

Li Shimin's lips twitched, realizing he truly cannot intervene further, and, in a fit of anger, said, "It's all that brat's fault; if it weren't for them, how would Lizhi have become like this?"

"She used to be so obedient and well‑behaved, never giving me any trouble,"

"Now look at her, as if possessed, her whole heart devoted to that stinky brat."

"No, I simply cannot swallow this grievance!"

"I must find a chance to give them a good beating!"

Empress Changsun: "......"

"......"