NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: A powerful family, so terrifying!
“They want it too!” Zhang Jieyu playfully said to Li Yuan.
Zhang Jieyu’s professional skills, whether day or night, leave no room for complaints, and Li Yuan is unwilling to reject.
“Okay, one person!” Li Yuan conceded.
Zhang Jieyu nodded in satisfaction, supporting Li Yuan as they prepared to discuss life in the bedroom.
…
Li Lizhi, who secured the Yujiagou land, walked with a bounce in her step. Yushu also noticed the Princess’s delight.
“Your Highness, slow down, the floor is slippery!”
“I know! Yushu, let’s go!” Li Lizhi couldn’t wait to share the good news with Xiao Ran.
Half of the money from Yujiagou was hers. Li Lizhi had already envisioned the future. While not one to seek pleasure, having money would allow her to assist Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin. If there’s enough, it could also replenish the treasury. Back at the Princess Mansion, Li Lizhi headed straight to the bedroom.
Closing the door and bypassing the screen, she exclaimed, “Xiao Ran, I’m back!”
Xiao Ran, busy at the desk, quickly got up, “Changle!”
Seeing Li Lizhi’s excitement, Xiao Ran remarked, “Judging by your appearance, you must have secured the Yujiagou land!”
“Humph! With my skills, it’s no problem,” Li Lizhi proudly responded.
Li Lizhi had planned to use her other piece of land if needed.
“Come, Your Highness, have a seat! You’ve worked hard,” Xiao Ran said with a smile.
Li Lizhi sat in the living room and said, “Father and mother want to meet you. Are you willing?”
“For now, let’s not meet. I don’t fit in at the moment and could be easily suspected,” Xiao Ran explained. “I’ll meet them when I have enough confidence.”
“Alright, let’s postpone it then.”
“How did it go? Smoothly?” Xiao Ran asked.
“Almost… Father rewarded the Yujiagou land to the Chen family. If it had been later, I would have had to approach the Chen family.”
“Why reward the Chen family?”
“Father borrowed supplies from the noble families, and the Chen family not only lent a lot but also gave a significant donation. Since Father doesn’t want to repay, he rewarded them with a piece of land…”
“Can you still play like this?” Li Lizhi nodded.
Xiao Ran thought, “This old man isn’t very fair!”
People borrowed and gave away a lot and didn’t want to repay.
“In my impression, aristocratic families are usually tightfisted. This Chen family is quite different!”
“You’re overthinking! The Chen family has a purpose.”
“What purpose?”
“The Chen family has been declining. They want to improve relations with the royal family. My elder brother’s leg was broken, and they feel responsible. Although the emperor didn’t punish, the Chen family worries about future consequences.”
Li Chengqian’s injured leg would likely lead to distorted behavior in the future.
“That’s interesting! Tell me more.”
“The Chen family is considered unlucky. The eldest son, Chen Zhengtai, was with my brother on a hunting trip when my brother fell and got injured.”
“That could be a coincidence. Chen Zhengtai probably didn’t intend for that.”
“Chen Zhengtai’s father, the current head of the Chen family, used to support my uncle and was part of the former princeling party.”
Surprised, Xiao Ran realized the family’s past allegiance to Li Jiancheng, the former prince.
“The current emperor is benevolent. There shouldn’t be an issue. Wei Zheng is also from the Prince’s Mansion, right?”
Li Lizhi continued, “During the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the Chen family supported Dou Jiande, not the emperor.”
Xiao Ran was perplexed, “That’s quite a history.”
“It’s not over yet! Before that, Chen Zhengtai’s grandfather supported the Northern Zhou Royal Family.”
Supporting different factions in the past haunt the Chen family.
“Chen’s background is quite intimidating! Standing on the wrong side three times and still surviving – that’s impressive!”
“Aristocratic families can be terrifying!”
Li Lizhi agreed, “Since the Xuanwu Gate Incident, other families have avoided the Chen family.”
Xiao Ran thought, “I wouldn’t dare to associate with them either.”
Jokingly, he asked, “Does the Chen family strongly support your brother Li Chengqian?”
“Yes!” Li Lizhi nodded, “How did you know?”
“Just a guess.”
“Despite rumors, the Chen family steadfastly supports my elder brother.”
Xiao Ran was speechless – it seemed the Chen family faced an inevitable downfall!