Chapter 21: with translation of chapter title

Intentional!

He is absolutely doing it on purpose!

In the minds of Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian, this thought almost sprang up simultaneously.

As soon as the Grand Chancellor's seemingly solicitous inquiry was made, the courtyard fell into a deathly silence....

So quiet that one could hear the wind blowing through the treetops.

After a long while, Zhao Qian gripped the arm of the chair, after weighing countless pros and cons, his eyes turned cold, and he gritted his teeth, saying: "Absolutely cannot be lenient!"

"And we certainly cannot open this breach!"

Having drifted through the world of fame and profit for decades, Zhao Qian, even if his temper is violent, clearly knows that at this moment he must sever ties with Da Xi Jue and draw a clear line....

This is the sole optimal solution.

Otherwise, it will become a blade that attacks oneself.

"Still, the old Zhuguo General understands the greater good, admirable!"

Yuwen Hu smiled faintly, clasped his hands, and sighed.

He paused, then continued: "I also think this way, so I have already ordered Chen Yan to exterminate his entire clan, confiscate his property, and eliminate this disloyal, unjust, inhumane, unfilial wretch!"

Having said that, he lightly turned the jade ring.

That's exactly what he wanted—Zhao Qian's words!

Moreover, it is certain that this old Zhuguo General, who often creates obstacles in the court, even if unwilling and mindful of the past, will inevitably abandon the carriage to save the commander....

"Yuwen Hu this fellow is indeed swift and decisive, and truly ruthless!"

Dugu Zhao narrowed his eyes, said nothing, silently observed all this, and thought to himself: "After this arrest, it seems he summoned me and Zhao Qian here, likely intending to use this to shock the tiger by shaking the mountain...."

They are both thousand-year-old foxes; Dugu Zhao saw through Yuwen Hu's surface thoughts at a glance.

What a fine scheme!

First, with the speed of thunder before one can cover one's ears, he settled everything, forcing them to submit; then he used Da Xi Jue's head and the miserable state of Chu Xiaofeng and others to intimidate them....

No wonder that old fellow Yuwen Xin, on his deathbed, chose Yuwen Hu to assist in governance and inherit the family business!

"Everything is up to the Grand Chancellor!"

Zhao Qian's face was dark enough to wring water from, yet he kept his composure: "For those who dare to rebel and cause chaos, we cannot show mercy...."

Speaking, he glanced peripherally at Da Xi Jue's head and the extremely miserable state of Chu Xiaofeng and others.

He kept all of today's events firmly in mind.

"According to my humble opinion, we should also make an announcement to the court and the populace to warn the officials!"

After arriving at the Tian Guan Fu, Yuwen Heng, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke after observing Zhao Qian's expression.

"What A Heng says is absolutely correct!"

Yuwen Hu exchanged a glance with him, took up the conversation, and laughed: "Then it will be hard work for Old Zhuguo General Zhao to oversee the execution, and display the heads of these four traitorous ministers to the world...."

"What a splendid open plot and poisonous scheme!"

Dugu Zhao stared at the two brothers singing in harmony, curled the corner of his mouth, and muttered to himself: "Whether Zhao Qian accepts or not, his prestige will suffer...."

If Zhao Qian accepts, personally overseeing the execution of the officers, what will his close confidants and core troops think?

Will they waver, or develop second thoughts?

If he refuses, Yuwen Hu will surely make a big fuss over their relationship....

No matter which way he chooses, it's a trap—truly a sinister open plot!

"Obey the Grand Chancellor's order!"

After careful consideration, Zhao Qian finally chose to accept.

He certainly knew both cups of poisoned wine were toxic, but he could only choose to drink the one with milder poison.

Today's matter will certainly not be settled....

Yuwen Hu lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and said casually: "Old Zhuguo General, Chen Yan cleaned up your gate for you and preserved your old reputation—shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

"That's natural." Zhao Qian clenched his fists and spoke in a low voice.

"Big brother, this move is high!"

"Put Chen Yan out front, so that Old Zhao the peasant dare not openly move against him...."

"On the surface we still have to thank that kid profusely!"

Yuwen Heng heard this, the corners of his mouth slightly rose, his eyes lit up, and he inwardly chuckled.

Chen Yan moved against Zhao Qian's people; even if acting on the Grand Chancellor's order, retaliation could be expected.

But then he was deliberately put forward like this, forcing the old peasant to grit his teeth and accept.

This is far worse than making him eat and drink ten catties in the outhouse—it's even more disgusting....

"If the Grand Chancellor has no other business, we two old men will take our leave first!"

Zhao Qian had no mind to stay longer; he rose, gave a perfunctory salute, and flicked his sleeves as he left.

A chill emanated from his whole body.

Only a cold, gloomy gaze remained.

"Farewell!" Dugu Zhao also rose and departed.

After the two left, Yuwen Heng sidled up to Yuwen Hu, asking with interest: "Big brother, do you think these two old Zhuguo Generals will swallow this anger and be willing to let it go?"

"No."

Yuwen Hu gazed at the direction they had gone and uttered two words decisively.

If they could swallow their anger silently, they would not be Zhuguo Generals who fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the chaotic end of the Yan era.

Today, due to unfavorable circumstances, they temporarily endured, but someday they will surely seize an opportunity to take revenge on him to resolve today's grudge.

"Now the conflict is laid out on the table, the contradiction has already intensified—should we make early preparations?"

Yuwen Heng collected his smile, straightened his expression, and said: "To avoid...."

In his words, full of solemnity.

The conflict between the Yuwen Clan and the old pillar of state will eventually erupt; it's just a matter of time....

But these people, after all, have deep influence; he has already had the thought of striking first to gain the upper hand.

Hahaha!

Before Yuwen Heng's words were finished, he heard Yuwen Hu's playful laugh: "I am just forcing them, compelling them to take the next step...."

"As long as they take that step, killing them will be justified!"

In his words, full of lethal intent.

Either you rebel, fighting to the death...

Or you watch yourself being Warm Water Boils the Frog, watching oneself being weakened!

Any normal person with spirit, when forced into a desperate situation, will know what choice to make....

What the Grand Chancellor wants is to use righteous pretext to dispose of these two pillars of state, thereby grasping military and political power.

Let the Great Zhou court, from top to bottom, have only his voice!

Inner city.

"We've arrived!"

Chen Yan led Dantai Mingyue, stopping before an extremely luxurious residence, smiling: "From now on, this will be your new home...."

Dantai Mingyue looked around, finally her gaze fell on the plaque reading 'Chen Fu', her eyes full of doubt, she asked: "Where did you get so much silver, on the edge of Huangcheng, to acquire such a grand residence?"

Before, the Deposed Emperor's rebellion case caused an uproar; how could she not have heard of it?

Chen Yan, the son of his father's brother who reported and got imprisoned, the Chen family's discarded child, is even more a topic of after-dinner gossip among Chang'an's elite noblewomen.

As a result, now he has not only become the Mingjing Mirror Keeper, but also possesses a mansion far surpassing Daxi Fu....

The Duke of Wei's mansion couldn't possibly provide him with that much silver; then how could this man, who is a year younger than himself, have so much silver?

Dantai Mingyue's curiosity about him deepened a bit....

"Bestowed by the Grand Chancellor."

Chen Yan shrugged, pushed the door open, and walked inside.

"He really values you out of the ordinary...."

Dantai Mingyue followed beside him, hearing this, she pursed her lips and said with deep meaning.

In past events at the Daxi Fu, never before had one heard that this powerful minister treated anyone so well....

"Young Master, you're back!"

Just as he stepped into the main courtyard, he saw a green figure dart out and leap into Chen Yan's embrace.

"I told you, no need to wait, you can rest first...."

Chen Yan embraced the sleepless Qingyu, smiling.

"Young Master, when you're not here, I can't sleep...."

Qingyu lifted her head, pouting, acting coquettishly.

He paused, then noticed Dantai Mingyue not far away, "Huh?"

"Who is this young lady....?"

What came into view was an unfamiliar yet extremely striking face.

Chen Yan pulled Dantai Mingyue over and said: "Let me introduce her; she is called Dantai Mingyue, the new bed-warming maid I have taken on...."

He also rubbed Qingyu's little head, continuing: "Mingyue, this is little Qingyu!"

Dantai Mingyue nodded, giving Qingyu a faint smile.

On the way back, she had already heard Chen Yan introduce Qingyu....

Never expected to see the real person, she is such a cute little loli.

She's really not bad.... Qingyu muttered to herself, as if thinking of something, she looked at Chen Yan and asked: "Young Master, you wouldn't be acting on lust, would you?"

At that moment, Qingyu felt a strong sense of crisis.

Although their looks are comparable, Dantai Mingyue's legs are much longer than hers....

Especially with that phrase, "bed-warming maid"!

I won't lose favor, will I?

"Smart, you really guessed right!" Chen Yan curled the corner of his mouth in a smile and snapped his fingers.

"Then you can do it to me!"

Qingyu's sense of crisis instantly exploded, and she fiercely puffed up her huge advantage over Dantai Mingyue.