Chapter 99: Li Chengqian Exposes Chen Yan's Secret

As the birthday banquet for Empress Changsun, the mother of the nation, it wasn't held on a grand scale, but it still wasn't as simple as just a single meal.

After the feast ended, there were still many troublesome matters.

For example, right now Li Shimin and his wife are taking a group of imperial relatives to stroll around the Eastern Inner Garden, enjoying the scenery.

Having reached this point, someone of Chen Yan's relatively low status can already leave.

Otherwise Li Shimin and his wife couldn't take so many people for a stroll.

In previous years, when Chen Yan attended, he would leave at this time.

This year, because of the recent special incident, Chen Yan is even more eager to make a run for it.

He fears that if he stays here any longer, something else might happen.

"Grand Historian, I'm taking Xiao Sizi with me; will you come along?"

Li Chunfeng had been eager to go to the Weinan Bo Fu, and upon hearing he could go now, how could he refuse?

He immediately nodded, "Alright, since the young master says to leave, I will naturally follow you."

The two slipped to the back of the crowd, taking advantage of the lack of attention to gradually slip away.

Meanwhile, Li Lizhi, unaware that Chen Yan and Li Chunfeng had left, quietly moved toward Li Chengqian and the Crown Princess.

Although she couldn't understand why Li Chengqian suddenly stepped forward to support her marriage, she felt it was a good thing for her.

With Li Yuan's backing, Li Shimin and his wife probably wouldn't interfere in her affairs with Chen Yan and Princess Gao Yang, but they also wouldn't help her.

To achieve her goal, Li Lizhi undoubtedly needs more allies.

Previously, Li Chengqian, who firmly supported her marriage to Chen Yan, was certainly the best choice.

First, Li Chengqian's status is high enough; he is the Crown Prince.

Although on the surface Li Shimin seems not to favor the Crown Prince.

But only Li Lizhi, who is often by Li Shimin's side, knows how much Li Shimin truly values Li Chengqian.

Given Li Chengqian's position, his words carry weight.

Most importantly, Li Chengqian's relationship with Chen Yan is close, even to the level of calling each other brothers.

With his help, the chance of securing Chen Yan increases greatly.

So Li Lizhi is now trying to approach Li Chengqian to see what he really thinks.

What Li Lizhi doesn't know is that while she approaches Li Chengqian, he is also approaching her.

As for what Li Chengqian is scheming, there's no need to elaborate.

It is simply to test Li Lizhi's attitude, to see if he can speak well of Chen Yan before her, helping his good brother marry his most beautiful sister.

In a sense, the two are mutually pursuing each other.

Before long, the Crown Princess, following Li Chengqian, paired up with Li Lizhi.

Li Lizhi tentatively asked first, "Crown Prince brother, why did you just now step forward to support my marriage to the Marquis of Weinan?"

"Your Majesty doesn't know; don't you already know that the Marquis of Weinan has a marriage contract with Princess Gao Yang?"

Li Chengqian glanced left and right cautiously, then whispered to the Crown Princess beside him, "Watch the others for me; I need to say a few words to my imperial sister."

The Crown Princess lightly nodded in agreement.

Li Chengqian pondered briefly, then said to Li Lizhi, "Imperial sister… do you think Zi Anxiong is unsuitable?"

Li Lizhi is probing, and he is no different.

Li Chengqian is usually swamped and rarely has time to pay attention to Chen Yan and his two sisters.

Moreover, Li Shimin deliberately suppressed the incident where Li Lizhi previously clashed with Princess Gao Yang, so he has no idea that Li Lizhi has long had her eyes on Chen Yan.

Li Lizhi can't read Li Chengqian's mind, but since he openly supported her marriage to Chen Yan before, she believes he wasn't joking.

So she spoke more bluntly, "The Marquis of Weinan is fine, but Crown Prince brother isn't unaware; he…"

Li Lizhi pretended to hesitate, then raised her eyes and said, "He has already sealed a marriage contract with Gao Yang; how could I marry him?"

Li Chengqian heard this and felt a surge of delight, sensing drama, and continued, "If Zi Anxiong had no marriage contract with Gao Yang, would you, imperial sister, be willing to marry Zi Anxiong?"

Li Lizhi heard this and became even more confused about Li Chengqian's intentions.

Could he be planning to help Chen Yan break off the marriage?

Li Lizhi hesitated, "Crown Prince brother, the marriage contract between the Marquis of Weinan and Princess Gao Yang is already set in stone; that cannot be changed."

Li Chengqian replied, "Imperial sister, you need not worry; I am fully aware that Zi Anxiong's marriage contract with Gao Yang is fixed and cannot be altered."

"I want to ask you, would you be willing to marry Zi Anxiong?"

Li Lizhi's eyes flashed, "If I say I'm willing, what does Crown Prince brother intend to do?"

"If you are willing, then I will find a way to marry you to Zi Anxiong."

"Why? You… seem to really want me to marry the Marquis of Weinan?"

Li Chengqian said seriously, "Is that even a question?"

"You and Zi Anxiong co‑run a tavern, so you must know him well. Tell me, across the world, among countless talented youths, how many can compare to him?"

"You have grown up, and eventually you will have to marry. As the eldest legitimate princess, you will likely become… ahem, I won't say, imperial sister should understand."

Li Lizhi fell silent, offering no reply.

Li Chengqian continued, "Zi Anxiong is currently in a state where a gentleman hides his talent, waiting for the right moment; if he doesn't soar, that's fine, but when he does, he'll soar to the heavens. Rather than marry someone else, you might as well marry Zi Anxiong."

"Your Majesty truly didn't miss the point; the two of you standing together are really a perfect match. I think you can consider it seriously."

Li Lizhi's expression turned strange.

The development seemed a bit beyond her expectations.

She originally intended to ask Li Chengqian to help matchmake her with Chen Yan, but didn't expect Li Chengqian to be even more eager.

That expression seemed as if he wished she would marry right now.

Li Chengqian, seeing Li Lizhi remain silent, assumed she was worrying about Chen Yan and Gao Yang's marriage, or Chen Yan's unsavory reputation, and hurriedly said:

To be honest, Brother Zi An, though his reputation isn't great and he often visits brothels, is still a virgin, pure and innocent up to now.

Li Lizhi: "......"

Crown Princess: "......"

Li Lizhi twitched the corner of her mouth, "I know this, Crown Prince, no need to mention it further."

Li Chengqian added, "Then are you worried about Brother Zi An's marriage to Gao Yang?"

He frowned, as if muttering to himself, "This matter is indeed hard to resolve; trying to break off the marriage is certainly impossible."

"If you're willing, you could actually marry Brother Zi An together with Gao Yang."

"I heard Brother Zi An and Gao Yang get along poorly; plus your status is higher, Gao Yang definitely can't compete with you."

"You really don't need to worry so much about Gao Yang."

Li Lizhi wanted to puff her cheeks to help Zi An, expressing her frustration.

Chen Yan and Gao Yang have a bad relationship?

Who did you hear that from?

Their relationship is so good that they can walk hand‑in‑hand at the Weinan Bo Fu.

"......"