Chapter 143: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, the He Dong Pei Clan

Speaking with a smart person is truly effortless... Pei Xun's gaze sharpened, and he gave a definitive answer: "Exactly."

He paused, then continued: "You are now free of any betrothal; would you be willing to become my son-in-law?"

In the eyes of this Tian Guan Fu Nayán and head of the Pei Clan, such a heaven-sent talent was not someone Wen Nianshu could be worthy of.

Moreover, there were many great aristocratic clans currently coveting this young man; one had to strike first to gain the advantage.

"I could ask for nothing more!"

Chen Yan did not hesitate at all. He sat up straight and blurted out: "I leave it entirely to you, Uncle Pei!"

Using his own marriage to exchange for a stable and reliable political ally—there was no deal more cost-effective than this!

Furthermore, according to Chen Yan's original plan, he was going to marry a woman from the Six Surnames of Guanzhong to form an alliance with a great clan.

As for who he married, he did not care...

After all, so-called love simply did not exist; his own future and the support of his wife's clan were what mattered!

There was a saying Chen Yan always held as a golden rule: The right person will stand within your future.

"Good."

Pei Xun watched Chen Yan's reaction, his mood greatly improved, and he said: "I have only one legitimate daughter, Suiwan, under my knees, and she can be considered talented and beautiful..."

"You two are also old acquaintances!"

Although the young man before him described himself as very pitiful, like a lonely soul...

He was, after all, still the legitimate grandson of the Old Pillar of State Chen Hu, the future Duke of Wei, and behind him stood the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Marshal...

The Pei Clan had many illegitimate daughters, but marrying one would be no different from an insult.

Only his own legitimate daughter, Suiwan, could be worthy of him and demonstrate the Pei Clan's regard!

That girl is not one to cause trouble... Chen Yan's mind conjured Pei Suiwan's face, and he couldn't help but nod, cupping his hands: "This nephew will follow your arrangements, but I wonder if Miss Suiwan is willing?"

Chen Yan was not familiar with the other young ladies of the Pei Clan.

But this Pei Suiwan, he had met a few times; her appearance and figure were both above Chen Yan's aesthetic standards, and she was the type he liked...

Having the First Scholar of Chang'an as the mistress of the Chen residence was also a good choice; with her personality, she should be able to coexist peacefully with the women in the residence.

Could that girl be unwilling? Once she knows the marriage partner is you, she will probably be overjoyed... Pei Xilou listened and was amused, laughing inwardly.

Others might not know, but could he, her own brother, not know?

The man his little sister had been thinking of day and night was this Great Zhou Poet Immortal...

She had long since secretly pledged her heart.

Otherwise, as a dignified legitimate daughter of the Pei Clan, why would she speak up for a man she didn't know at the poetry gathering?

"Marriage is a major event; it is decided by the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers. Is it up to her to decide?" Pei Xun heard this, picked up his teacup to sip the hot tea, and said with resounding force.

Don't look at this Pei Clan head as being so articulate, appearing just like a dictatorial feudal patriarch; in reality, he was just being stubborn.

It was precisely because he knew his beloved daughter was pining for him that, regardless of which aspect he considered, he wanted to do his utmost to facilitate this marriage.

"Then this nephew will go to the Grand Chancellor in a few days to request a marriage decree..." Chen Yan nodded and said.

That old thing Chen Tongyuan certainly wouldn't want to, nor could he manage, his marriage...

It still had to be decided by the Grand Chancellor, who was like a teacher and a father.

"A Yan, you just focus on your official duties..." Pei Xun pressed his hand and said, "Leave these trivial matters to me to worry about for you!"

These matters still required a suitable opportunity.

The urgent priority at the moment was still the official business in their hands, as well as the salt industry about to be launched...

"Yes," Chen Yan replied.

Pei Xun glanced out the ventilated window, seeing the setting sun and the twilight, and said: "It is getting late..."

"A Yan, stay in the residence and have a simple meal together!"

Chen Yan had no reason to refuse this proposal to draw closer to the Pei Clan.

He could also feel that from the moment he agreed to the marriage alliance, this Tian Guan Fu Nayán truly began to view him as a son-in-law...

After three rounds of wine.

Chen Yan led Zhu Yi and the others away in a leisurely manner.

Pei Residence.

Study.

"Xilou, what is your opinion of this Great Zhou Poet Immortal who is full of strategy and quick-witted?" Pei Xun stood behind the main seat, his hands supporting the back of the chair, looking at his beloved son Pei Xilou, and asked.

And on the desk lay that detailed flow chart for refining fine salt.

"He is definitely not a creature of the pond!"

Pei Xilou, whose face was slightly flushed from drinking, had an exceptionally clear mind, his eyes bright, and he made his own judgment.

He paused, then continued: "The Mirror Master of the Mingjing Si is only his starting point, definitely not his end..."

"Given time, plus support, his future will be limitless!"

Pei Xilou's evaluation of Chen Yan was not that he was a piece of unpolished jade, but gold-inlaid jade...

What he lacked was only the foundation and support of a clan, and the Pei Clan happened to be able to fill this gap and shortcoming for him.

Now the hidden dragon is in the abyss; give that boy enough time, and sooner or later he will soar into the heavens...

And the Pei Clan will also share in the glory, soaring together with him.

"Hmm."

Pei Xun nodded in agreement, his gaze profound, and he said in a low voice: "Even someone like your eldest brother holds the same view..."

"With my Pei Clan obtaining such a talent, why worry that we cannot flourish?"

As the head of the clan, his greatest wish was to see the clan flourish in his own hands...

With such a son and such a son-in-law, rising to a higher level was only a matter of time!

"Little sister has long been enamored with him..." Pei Xilou seemed to think of something, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, and he laughed, "Finally, she has achieved her wish!"

Seeing his sister able to marry the man she loved as she wished, he, as a brother, also felt deeply gratified...

There was no better match than this!

A flash of playfulness and teasing crossed Pei Xun's eyes, and he laughed heartily: "However, those old fellows are all pining for this boy..."

"If they knew he had been pocketed by my Pei Clan, they would probably be so angry they would beat their chests and stamp their feet!"

"Hahahaha!"

Outside the Chen residence.

"If I were rich and capable in my youth"

"Then I certainly wouldn't feel inferior"

"Those banknotes"

"If I didn't spend them all, I'd have regrets in my life"

"If I had a pile of money in my youth"

"I wouldn't suffer because of the bride price"

"At the wedding, my father-in-law and mother-in-law would also have to toast me a few times"

Chen Yan rested his hand on Zhu Yi's shoulder, slightly tipsy, constantly singing the ditty.

Zhu Yi listened to this ditty he didn't quite understand, looked Chen Yan up and down, and asked: "Young Master, your mood seems very good?"

For some reason, in this state, the more he looked, the more he felt the Young Master was like someone who had made a fortune...

"That goes without saying!"

Chen Yan snapped his fingers, grinned, and laughed: "This trip to the Pei residence not only achieved the established goal but also over-fulfilled the mission..."

"Tomorrow I'll take you to Chunman Lou to have some fun!"

Since the Nayán Pei invited him alone and even kept him for a meal, it was clear they had talked very happily... Zhu Yi didn't know what unspeakable goals they had specifically achieved, but he could be certain that his Young Master had definitely reaped quite a few benefits.

"Young Master, you're finally back!"

As soon as he walked into the gate of the Chen residence, Qingyu darted out, her expression a mix of joy and worry.

"Qingyu, come here and give your Young Master a hug!"

Chen Yan opened his arms, about to embrace the round little girl, and laughed: "Prepare a few small dishes later, call Mingyue, Zhiqing, and Miss Yun together, and let's have a good drink!"

When a person encounters happy events, their spirit is refreshed; Chen Yan was no exception.

Having planned for so long and achieved his wish, it was time to celebrate properly.

Qingyu in his arms stood on tiptoe, leaned into Chen Yan's left ear, and whispered: "Young Master, the Duke of Wei is here..."

"Who did you say is here?"

Chen Yan was startled, his brows slightly furrowed, "Chen Tongyuan?"

"Yes."

"It is the Duke of Wei..."

Qingyu replied obediently.

She had been guarding outside the door precisely waiting for her Young Master to return to deal with this person...

"A rare guest!"

"This old turtle Chen Tongyuan, he would actually come to our residence?"

"What is he here for?"

Chen Yan was amused, his drunkenness immediately fading quite a bit, and he asked with great interest.

Qingyu bit her lip lightly, and after phrasing her words, slowly said: "Chen Cijiu is dead!" ===== CHAPTER 144 =====