Chapter 214: After She Dies, Father Will Find You a Noble Lady for a Marriage Alliance…

"What?"

"Do you think father is being partial?"

Yuwen Hu, upon hearing this, gently turned the Jade Ring, his tone suddenly changed, and he calmly retorted, "You let your older brother marry a Pei Clan legitimate daughter, and now it's a Du Gu clan girl for you?"

Even though Yuwen Ze was straining to hide it, on his son's face and in his gaze, Yuwen Ze still perceived the disappointment in his heart.

After all, Du Gu Mi Luo's talent, learning, and looks might not be inferior to Pei Suiwan's, but her status…

"I wouldn't dare!"

Yuwen Ze, instantly from his heart, said, "My child is foolish, you must follow father's arrangement…"

In fact, he felt neither resentment nor jealous imbalance…

He just couldn't understand.

He didn't understand why marrying a Wei clan girl, a Du clan girl, a Liu clan girl, or a Xue clan girl would be fine, but it had to be a Du Gu clan girl…

Yuwen Ze looked at the tangled, confused Yuwen Ze, his mouth couldn't stop curving, and he laughed, "Silly child, just marry her, have good food and drink, put her there, and no one forces you to treat her as an equal…"

He paused, then continued, "Your older brother will take care of everything for you!"

The exchanged glances were full of deep meaning.

As if saying, one is your own father, the other is your older brother; could they still harm you?

"......."

"?!"

Yuwen Ze, hearing this, was startled, the confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by astonishment, and he tentatively asked, "Father, you and older brother aren't planning that idea, are you?!"

Yuwen Ze was just not quick enough in those aspects, but he wasn't stupid…

Father had already hinted at that, how could he not understand?

Eat and drink well, put her there…

No need to treat her as an equal…

Your older brother will handle…

Ten out of nine times, they'd tamper with the Du Gu clan's food or supplies, subtly Poison her!

"Why not?"

Yuwen Hu picked up the scroll on the couch, half‑smiling, and said, "After she passes away, father will help you choose a good lady from a noble family for a Marriage Alliance…"

He paused, then continued, "It means you'll have to endure being a widower!"

When A Yan suggested letting A Ze marry Du Gu Mi Luo, Yuwen Hu hesitated for a moment, then understood the child's scheme…

His foresight was extremely far‑reaching; it wasn't simply to disgust Dugu Zhao.

Rather, he had already seen that after overthrowing the two Grand Pillars of State, letting A Ze, with both royal family blood and the dual identity of a Du Gu clan son‑in‑law, would fully inherit the Du Gu clan's political legacy!

As for Du Gu Mi Luo, once she loses her utilitarian value, she has no purpose of existence.

A Yan will cause her to have a silent "accident", vacating that position…

And the widower?

In the vast Chang'an, there are plenty of girls who wish to become the Crown Prince's consort!

"Child, don't feel aggrieved!"

Having sorted everything out and understanding father and older brother's intentions, Yuwen Ze said resolutely, "Everything will follow father and older brother's arrangement!"

Yuwen Hu flicked his sleeve lightly, nodded with satisfaction, and praised, "Now that's my good son…"

Outside the residence.

In front of the gate, nine‑foot stone lions crouched on a white marble pedestal, their sharp claws gripping intricate auspicious cloud patterns; their manes curled like waves, eyes blazing as if to crush passing cloud shadows.

The Zhuqi Daimen bore a bronze beast‑head ring; the door panels were criss‑crossed with gilt copper nails that, under lantern light, seemed to flow like liquid gold.

Above the door hung a Zhuqi plaque engraved with five phoenixes facing the sun; nine golden cloud‑dragon motifs wound down the eaves and ridge, and bronze wind chimes at the corners swayed gently in the evening breeze.

"Young Master, your residence is truly sizable!"

Hongye stopped at the gate, his gaze sweeping from left to right, and sighed.

This level of wealth far surpasses any great household in Anding…

Not only is the area vast, the location is especially prime.

Even though Hongye has never been to Chang'an, he knows that residences beside the Huangcheng are measured in gold per inch of land!

"Are you still worried I can't support you?" Chen Yan said with a calm smile, teasing.

"It's just me being overly cautious!" Hongye replied cooperatively, bowing slightly and smiling.

Chen Yan's gaze fell on the gilt plaque hanging on the lintel, where the three bold white characters "Supervising Master Residence" stood, the brushstrokes sharp.

"Supervising Master Residence…"

Chen Yan muttered, sighing, "The speed at which they replace the plaque is truly fast!"

It was clearly changed early on…

Most likely, when the old Supervising Master left the Capital, the Grand Overseer sent people to replace it.

The group didn't linger at the gate, they proceeded straight into the residence.

"Young Master!"

"Young Master!"

Just as they entered the front courtyard, a small teal figure darted forward, leapt into Chen Yan's arms, and said, "You finally returned!"

"I missed Qingyu!"

Speaking so, the small face rested against Chen Yan's chest, hot tears rolling down, dampening his clothes.

His expression was full of joy.

These past months, Qingyu had been extremely worried…

Because we are a thousand miles apart, we can only rely on the Vermilion Bird Guard's scheduled messages to learn of the Young Master's safety.

The moment she embraced the Young Master, the anxiety in her heart finally settled.

"Good, good, don't cry!"

Chen Yan lifted his hand, gently wiping the little girl's tears, and soothed, "Young Master, haven't I come back?"

Immediately, he pinched the little girl's cheek again, teasing, "We haven't seen each other for months, and our little Qingyu has become quite plump!"

Don't mention it, really don't mention it; not only the little face, even Lei has gotten much bigger.....

"Where is it?"

Qingyu lightly bit her lip, coquettishly retorting, "I miss the Young Master; I can't think of tea or food all day!"

But as soon as the words fell, a voice from behind immediately followed, breaking the moment:

"I have no idea which tea‑ and food‑indifferent person can eat two bowls of rice in one sitting, eating more deliciously than anyone!"

"Mingyue!"

Given their familiarity, Qingyu recognized who it was as soon as she heard, turned back, glared, pouted and explained, "I was afraid my health would collapse, and the Young Master would be sad when he returned!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Dantai Mingyue slightly raised her elegant brows and replied perfunctorily.

"Mingyue, come over!"

"Let your family's Young Master hug you!"

Chen Yan set Qingyu down and opened his arms toward Dantai Mingyue.

He truly missed this cold‑faced, warm‑hearted bedside maid of the household.....

"Hmm."

Even though it was in front of so many people, Dantai Mingyue felt a bit embarrassed, but still let out a shout, shyly stepped forward, and embraced Chen Yan.

She gave him her body and soul, so how could she not miss him?

But out of shyness, after a brief hug, she quickly let go.....

"A Xiong Yan, you finally returned!"

Beside them, Yun Xi looked at Chen Yan, eyes sparkling, and waved excitedly.

"Miss Yun, long time no see!" Chen Yan smiled at the corner of his mouth and greeted, "During this time in Chang'an, have you gotten used to living there?"

"Mm mm mm!" Yun Xi clenched her small hand around her satchel, nodded repeatedly, and replied.

"He hasn't even married yet, and there are so many women in the mansion....."

Hongye observed Chen Yan conversing with each woman, taking it all in, pursed her lips and murmured softly, "Will he still be impressive after marriage?"

She previously thought Chen Yan was quite upright, but never expected the world to be as black as crows, all full of flirtatious rascals.....

Zhu Yi, upon hearing, smelled a sour whiff and playfully asked, "Miss Hongye, are you jealous?"

"No!"

Hongye glared, gritted her teeth and denied.

Zhu Yi smiled without words, and shrugged at a woman whose words didn't match her heart.

"Let's not stand here any longer...."

Dantai Mingyue looked at the crowd standing in the courtyard, smiled at Chen Yan, and said, "The hall has prepared dinner; sit, eat, and chat as you wish?"

"Right!"

Qingyu immediately picked up the thread, agreeing, "Dantai Mingyue knows the Young Master returned to Chang'an today, and early this morning has been urging the kitchen to prepare the Young Master's favorite dishes!"

Exposed, Dantai Mingyue's face flushed crimson: "Qingyu!"

Qingyu stuck out her little tongue, and led Chen Yan inside.

In the gilded warm pot, snow‑white camel hump meat swirled in chicken broth, accompanied by mushrooms and tender bamboo shoots cut into Dice shapes, the steam carrying a rich, fresh aroma to the face.

On the crystal‑clear glass plate, the "Golden Minced Jade Sliced" raw fish fillet, as thin as cicada wings, was spread, garnished with fine golden garlic bits and emerald green scallion threads, drizzled with a secret sour plum sauce, giving a tangy‑sweet freshness.

On the grill, sizzling fat droplets crackled; the outer‑crisp, inner‑tender mutton ribs, coated with Western Regions spices, were roasted to an amber hue, and a light slash of knife and fork separated bone from meat.

In the ice‑patterned celadon bowl, the "Seared Shrimp" glistened crystal‑clear, the shrimp bodies curled into peony shapes, coated with an amber sauce made from osmanthus honey and plum jam, offering a chewy, sweet bite.

The sweet soup "Apricot Custard"—almond paste simmered into a thick, velvety consistency, sprinkled with rose petals and pine nuts, its fragrant sweetness unfolded layer by layer on the tongue, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

Chen Yan sat at the head seat, raised his hand and said, "Let me introduce you: this is Dantai Mingyue, and this is Qingyu....."

"They both are the mansion's Stewards!"

"This is Miss Yun Xi, a Divine Doctor Disciple!"

"This is Wen Run, a guard of my mansion!"

"And this is Hongye, daughter of the late Jingzhou Chief Historian, a martial arts master!"

"This is Liu Mu Zhi, a Jingzhou Great Talent, who will become a Staff Officer of our mansion!"

After Chen Yan finished the introductions, Yun Xi was the first to enthusiastically engage in small talk.

"Qingyu, later you will arrange rooms for them...."

Chen Yan glanced at the garments on Hongye and Liu Mu Zhi, as if recalling something, and continued, "Tomorrow take more brocade silk from the storeroom and handle all their seasonal clothes from spring to winter!"

"Yes, Young Master...." Qingyu replied obediently.

Chen Yan looked at the two again and instructed, "In the future, when staying at the mansion, for any need, just find Qingyu!"

But Qingyu's gaze quietly lingered on Hongye's face, muttering to herself, "Miss Hongye is so strikingly beautiful; could it be that the Young Master is attracted to her..."