Chapter 212: I Can Only Find a Powerful Wife Clan for Myself

"A Yan, follow what's in your heart and boldly go for it!"

Yuwen Hu took in Chen Yan's expression, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, and laughed, "The same as always: if any trouble arises, this king will cover for you…"

It's good for one's own child to be proactive.

As an elder, one naturally must support and back them up!

Moreover, Yuwen Hu also trusts A Yan's judgment and ability…

Grand Minister father's words are still so heart‑warming… Chen Yan heard this, felt a surge of gratitude, and clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you, Grand Minister!"

He paused, as if recalling something, and asked, "You just said the grand wedding involves more than just those two families…"

"I wonder who else?"

The bride or groom is unclear, but anyone mentioned by the Grand Minister father cannot be an ordinary family, Chen Yan is certain.

"A Yan, who else could it be?"

Yuwen Hu raised an eyebrow, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked at Chen Yan with deep meaning, retorting.

His words were full of amusement.

Off to the side, Yuwen Ze surveyed his father, and a bold guess slipped out, "Father, with that look and expression, could it be A Xiong?!"

"You've arranged a marriage for A Xiong?!"

Somewhat caught off guard, some surprise, but mostly curiosity!

And it's unknown which family's maiden has such good fortune to marry the outstanding A Xiong…

"Strictly speaking, it wasn't a marriage arranged by the father, but A Xiong found her himself!"

Yuwen Hu pursed his lips in a light laugh, twirled the Jade Ring, and spoke.

His words were full of intrigue.

"Grand Minister, does this mean you agree?" Chen Yan's eyes brightened, and he asked.

Hearing this exchange, Yuwen Ze first glanced at his father, then at A Xiong, and was completely bewildered.

He had no idea what cryptic riddle these two were playing…

"The legitimate daughter of the Hedong Pei Clan as your primary wife would indeed be an excellent choice!"

Yuwen Hu lifted the tea bowl on the nearby table, took a shallow sip, and praised, "Your eye for talent is quite good!"

In fact, Yuwen Hu had known all along about Chen Yan's trip to Pei Fu.

And this marriage, just as Chen Yan left Chang'an for Jingzhou to suppress bandits, Pei Nayán came to him to request…

Add the Fine Salt matter, and anyone not foolish can see that the two sides have reached some tacit understanding.

The Hedong Pei Clan's legitimate daughter has lineage and background, being one of the Six Surnames of Guanzhong, a prestigious noble family.

Her father, brothers, uncles, and cousins are all distinguished.

Pei Suiwan herself is no ornament; she is extremely talented and could be an excellent supportive wife.

The key is that she also has a crush on him…

By securing such an all‑around excellent maiden as A Yan's primary wife, Yuwen Hu can also give A Tang an answer!

"The Hedong Pei Clan's legitimate daughter?"

"Pei Suiwan?"

"Chang'an's top talented woman?"

Yuwen Ze, upon hearing Chen Yan's marriage prospect, smiled brightly and sighed, "A Xiong is so fortunate!"

She is truly both talented and beautiful!

The dream lover of countless Chang'an aristocratic youths!

Moreover, even the slow‑witted Yuwen Ze knows Miss Pei has long harbored affection for A Xiong…

Chen Yan gave a calm smile and said, "My grandfather passed away early, and I have no support from the Chen Family…"

"I can only find a powerful wife clan for myself!"

Chen Yan actually doesn't understand why the original owner favored Wen Nianshu, that bitch, and the Wen Family, a third‑rate clan offering him no help.

He still adheres to that saying:

You will eventually understand that career outweighs love; you will also understand that love is rarer than a career, but in the end you will realize that the right person stands within your future!

With Pei Suiwan and the Hedong Pei Clan, every step Chen Yan climbs will be firmer.

"Yuwen Ze, learn more from your brother A Xiong!"

Yuwen Hu, hearing this, nodded satisfactorily, looked at Yuwen Ze, and said.

Any only son of our family with such mind, awareness, and initiative, knowing what he wants, needs no extra worry!

Fortunately, such an outstanding child is also ours, a treasure left to him by A Tang…

"I will faithfully follow my father's teachings," Yuwen Ze replied respectfully.

Only his thoughts drifted, and he didn't know which family's maiden his father would set for him…

Chen Yan narrowed his eyes, as if realizing something, and tentatively asked, "Grand Minister, you also arranged my marriage date at the same time because of the alliance between the two families, right?"

He said, given Grand Minister father's temperament, how could he ignore Dugu Zhao's move and sit idle?

"Exactly!"

Yuwen Hu smiled knowingly and said, "Among the younger generation, only your prestige can outweigh them!"

Isn't Dugu Zhao trying to use the marriage alliance for propaganda?

Then strike Dui Dui Hu, weakening his influence!

Yang Gong, that kid, could he have A Yan's reputation?

The people of Chang'an and Great Zhou will thereafter talk enthusiastically about the union of the Chen and Pei families!

"But it's by Grand Minister's order!" Chen Yan nodded.

In this world, even one's own father and brother can harm him, but only the Grand Overseer would not.....

"To marry a Pei Clan legitimate daughter, a mere Mirror Keeper's status is insufficient....."

Yuwen Hu lightly stroked the Jade Ring, gazed at Chen Yan, and laughed, "You have again achieved such great merits in Jingzhou; it's time your position shifts as well!"

"Coincidentally, the position of Chief of the Mirror Department has become vacant in A Mo's outer town, so you shall take it over!"

This time, the merits this child earned are far from ordinary.....

Not only did he successfully suppress the bandits, but also shattered Ming Shaoxia's plot.

He also won against superior numbers, crushing three thousand Turkic cavalry, boosting Great Zhou's military prestige, and even captured a Turkic special envoy alive, subsequently reaching a cooperation with them.

With such great achievements and prestige, sitting on the seat of Chief of the Mirror Department leaves no one able to raise any objection, and it also matches the status of a Pei Clan legitimate daughter!

"Thank you for the Grand Overseer's trust and nurturing!" Chen Yan hesitated not, knelt on the ground, and loudly expressed his gratitude.

Although this reassignment was already expected, his emotions still surged a bit.....

Having the entire Mirror Department in one's grasp means greater authority, enabling one to accomplish more.....

Yuwen Hu rose, walked to the desk piled with documents, drew out a pre‑prepared imperial decree, and laughed, "A Yan, since you have already come, I, the Grand Overseer, will now present the prepared rewards....."

"They are all yours!"

Chen Yan and Yuwen Ze looked up almost simultaneously, turned their gazes sideways together, and held their breath, focusing.

Yuwen Hu's mouth twitched slightly upward, his eyes full of pride, and said, "Promoted to Champion General, with an additional fief of 1,200 households!"

"Award: ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of brocade, and one hundred each of singers and dancing maidens!"

A series of rewards were read out at a measured pace.

In fact, given A Yan's merits this time, he could have been granted the rank of Former General, even West‑Conquering General, but Yuwen Hu ultimately held back and settled on Champion General.

Because this child is still too young, every step must be taken steadily and firmly.....

After a few more years of honing, it will not be too late!

"Thank you, Grand Overseer!"

Chen Yan raised both hands to receive them, and thanked.

Having served by that great leader for so many years, how could he not feel the Grand Overseer's sincere protective care?

"A Yan, if your merit rank is raised once more, you can be granted a commandery....." Yuwen Hu helped Chen Yan to his feet, earnestly advising.

"I understand, sir!" Chen Yan nodded heavily.

Establishing a commandery means one may set up offices and personally appoint staff and officials, forming one's own system and team.

This is, at present, the power Chen Yan has long dreamed of.....

Seeing this, Yuwen Ze, after a prolonged inner struggle, asked cautiously, "Father, A Xiong has received so many rewards, what about this child?"

"For such modest achievements, you still want more rewards?" Yuwen Hu's complexion changed sharply, and he said gravely.

"I dare not!" Yuwen Ze was startled, lowered his head, and said tremblingly.

"Hahaha!"

But the harsh scolding he imagined never came; instead, a burst of hearty laughter rang out: "Look, you got scared!"

"Is father not the kind who does not distinguish between reward and punishment?"

"Yuwen Ze, promoted to Auxiliary State General, awarded one thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade!"

Having said that, Yuwen Hu raised his hand and gently patted Yuwen Ze's shoulder.

A father's eyes see his own son's progress...

Only his courage is still too small.

"Thank you, father!" Yuwen Ze showed a hint of joy and said.

The spiritual value of this reward to Yuwen Ze far exceeds its material worth......

He finally received his father's approval.

"Your progress is still insufficient; in the future you must train more alongside A Xiong!" Yuwen Hu advised.

"I will remember, child!" Yuwen Ze forced his excitement down, his whole body trembling as he spoke.

Chen Yan, thoughtful, deliberated for a long time before speaking, "Grand Overseer, I wish to ask a question......"

Yuwen Hu: "Ask!"

Chen Yan, choosing his words carefully, observed the Grand Overseer's expression, and asked, "If Yuwen Ze were to marry Dugu Zhao's daughter, with Du Gu Mi Luo as his wife, would that be permissible?"