My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Li Lizhi did not look at Chen Mo again.

She lowered her head, but her ears turned slightly red uncontrollably.

The warmth emanating from the coat not only warmed her slightly chilly body, but also felt like a tiny spark falling on the frozen lake of her heart, stirring up a subtle yet undeniable ripple.

Chen Mo looked at her with her head down, revealing a rare girlish charm, and the corners of his mouth curved up imperceptibly. He then turned around and continued walking forward with his hands in his pockets.

The streets at night are not as bustling as during the day, but there is still a constant flow of traffic and neon lights that illuminate the night sky in a hazy orange-red hue.

Li Lizhi followed behind Chen Mo, her eyes scanning the surroundings, but in the end, they would always stop in one place.

"Look over there, those with bright red and blue signs, that's a 24-hour convenience store, you can buy food and drinks anytime."

"That steaming thing is a barbecue stall. The smell... is a bit strong, but it's really satisfying to eat."

"Oh, by the way, there's a milk tea stall over there. You girls should like it; it's sweet."

Li Lizhi followed silently, listening and watching.

The dazzling lights, the hurried or leisurely pedestrians, the various food aromas wafting in the air...

All of this was completely different from the night view of Chang'an that she knew so well.

Here, it seems no one cares that she is a princess of the Tang Dynasty, and no one will bind her with responsibilities or marriage contracts.

That inexplicable feeling from before surged back into my heart.

Chen Mo stopped in front of a stall selling roasted chestnuts, bought a bag of hot chestnuts, and handed it to her.

"Try it, this should suit your taste, it's sweet and soft."

Holding the bag of piping hot chestnuts, feeling the warmth from her palms, Li Lizhi lowered her head, gently peeled one open, and put it in her mouth.

It was indeed very sweet, with a caramelized aroma and the natural sweetness of chestnuts.

She chewed slowly without speaking, but her tightly pursed lips softened slightly in the shadows where no one noticed.

She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, feeling her body grow warmer and warmer.

Perhaps her father was right; she had responsibilities she had to bear.

But at least for now, on this unfamiliar street in the future, I'm holding a bag of sweet chestnuts, listening to the person next to me rambling on about all sorts of novelties.

She could temporarily forget those heavy burdens and just be... the simple Li Lizhi for a while.

Chen Mo smiled as he watched her eat chestnuts in small bites, her profile softened by the neon lights. He then led her to a pedestrian overpass, where they watched the endless stream of vehicles below.

"Bad mood?"

Chen Mo leaned against the railing and suddenly spoke.

He turned to look at Li Lizhi, his gaze deep.

"Are you thinking about Changsun Chong?"

Li Lizhi was startled and subconsciously gripped the edge of the coat draped over her shoulders.

She neither admitted nor denied it, but simply turned her gaze back to the endless stream of cars under the bridge, and after a long while, she responded very softly.

"……Um."

The response was almost swallowed up by the night wind and the sound of traffic, carrying endless grievances and a resigned weariness.

Chen Mo's gaze also fell on the torrent of car lights in the distance.

"Look at these cars below, how fast they're going, all heading in different directions, but they all have to stay in their own lanes and obey the rules here. Running a red light will result in a fine at best, and at worst... a fatal accident."

He paused, turned his head, and looked at Li Lizhi again.

"You were born on that most prestigious, yet least controllable 'lane.' A marriage contract is probably one of the traffic rules you have to follow."

Li Lizhi's shoulders trembled slightly.

She understood what Chen Mo meant.

She was a princess; her marriage was never a choice of personal affection, but rather a move on a political chessboard.

"I know……"

Li Lizhi's voice was hoarse, with a hint of sob in it.

"That is my responsibility. Having enjoyed the privileges of a princess, I should also bear the duties of a princess. I shouldn't... I shouldn't have any other thoughts."

Chen Mo was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked.

"And what about yourself? Putting aside your status as a princess, putting aside your responsibilities and obligations, Li Lizhi, do you want to marry that Changsun Chong?"

Li Lizhi fell silent.

Does she... want to?

She thought of Changsun Chong, her cousin, who was gentle and well-educated, a perfect candidate for the position of imperial consort.

But... that's all. There was no excitement, no anticipation, just like completing a task that was destined to be done.

Chen Mo understood as he looked at her struggling violently.

He looked again at the endless stream of car lights flowing under the bridge.

"Rules are rigid, but paths are flexible."

"Sometimes, next to what appears to be the only driveway, there might be a temporary parking area, or... an undiscovered side road."

Li Lizhi suddenly looked up at him, her eyes filled with shock and a hint of unbelievable hope.

What did he mean by that?

"It might not matter if it were someone else, but you and Changsun Chong are destined to be apart!"

"If Manager Chen is trying to comfort me, then..."

No!

Chen Mo smiled slightly at her.

"Modern research has proven that most children born to blood-related couples are born with birth defects!"

Li Lizhi: !!!

"Manager Chen, you mean...?"

Chen Mo didn't explain, he just stretched and resumed his lazy demeanor.

"Let's go, the wind is getting stronger. If we get back too late, it won't be good if Si Zi wakes up."

……

Meanwhile, the hospital

"What? Father, you're going to marry Gao Yang off to Manager Chen?"

Li Chengqian stared blankly at Li Shimin before him.

Li Shimin was somewhat displeased with his appearance.

"What kind of behavior is this, yelling and shouting like that!"

"Look at yourself! Do you have any airs of a prince?"

Li Chengqian pursed his lips and said nothing more, but his expression became increasingly strange.

"Father, are you really going to marry Gao Yang to Manager Chen?"

"What's wrong? Is it not okay?"

Li Shimin snorted coldly.

"Although Gao Yang was not born to your mother, she has been by her side since childhood, is exceptionally beautiful, and is deeply favored by me!"

"What's wrong with her?"

Li Chengqian swallowed hard, looking at Li Shimin's expression, he was a little hesitant to tell him what Gao Yang had done next.

He was afraid that if he said it, Li Shimin would really get so angry that something bad would happen on the spot!

Wait a moment……

It seems pretty good...

Cough cough!

Li Chengqian coughed and cautiously reminded him.

"Father...you know Gao Yang's temperament best. She has been spoiled since childhood and cannot stand the slightest restraint or grievance. As for Manager Chen...you have also met him. He seems easygoing, but he is actually very proud at heart and has a very firm opinion. He is definitely not the kind of person who would easily bow down or flatter."

He paused.

"You've forced these two together... I'm afraid... it's not a good match at all, but rather like throwing a spark into a powder keg."

"In that case, instead of forming a bond of gratitude, it might turn into enmity!"

However, Li Shimin glared at Li Chengqian with displeasure.

"Hmph! Gao Yang is still your sister! How can you talk about her like that? As for her personality... she's young, so it's normal for her to be a little spoiled. She'll naturally become more sensible after she gets married!"

Li Chengqian's lips twitched violently.

Correct!

sensible!

She's definitely become more sensible after getting married!

Having read so many Tang Dynasty novels, he basically wanted to stay as far away from Gao Yang as possible whenever the topic came up.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian pondered for a moment, then turned to Li Shimin.

"Then why not let Lizhi and Manager Chen be together?"