Chapter 233: Chen Gubai Presents a Scheme to Chen Tongyuan, Trying to Control Chen Yan

Weiguo Gongfu.

Shufang.

The sandalwood screen isolates the external clamor, while incense curls up from the Bo Mountain furnace, intertwining with the scent of ink to create an antiquated, elegant aura.

All four walls are filled with ebony bookcases inlaid with mother‑of‑pearl, stacked with bound ancient volumes; between the yellowed scrolls occasionally peek a few silver ginkgo leaves from the inserted pages.

On the sourwood desk sits an inkstone holding wet ink, and a purple‑hair brush rests slightly tilted on a dragon‑patterned brush holder.

"Chen Gubai, in a little while, I plan to arrange a minor official post for you..."

"You're not a child any more; you should enter officialdom!"

Chen Tongyuan sat upright on a sandalwood chair, gently caressing the Blue Porcelain Teacup on the desk, looked toward Chen Gubai opposite him, and said.

The most hoped‑for old‑guard is gone, the days are still long, life must move forward, and now we must properly nurture the legitimate third son.

Chen Tongyuan plans to pursue the path of Grand Minister of Justice, preferably by entering the Qiu Official Office, since it is easy to get promoted and can enjoy the patronage of the venerable Zhao Lao, Pillar of the State.....

"Yes, child, I will follow father's arrangements in everything!"

Chen Gubai nodded, responding with extreme obedience.

Yet his eyes held a color of restrained excitement.

Since the second brother's death, finally there can be a minor official post.....

Seeing Chen Yan flaunt his power all day, he envies him to death!

Chen Gubai firmly believes that, given a sufficient stage to display his talent, he will certainly not be outdone by that damned elder brother!

"Hmm...."

Chen Tongyuan answered absent‑mindedly, his brows furrowed like carved Gouhe, a cloud of unresolved gloom gathering between them.

His fingers still repeatedly stroked the Blue Porcelain Teacup; the knuckles grew pale yet he remained oblivious.

The cold tea within the cup trembled slightly, leaving a dark water trace along the rim.

"Father, your frowning—what difficulty troubles you?"

Chen Gubai, adept at reading tone and expression, took in his father's condition fully, and in a considerate tone, tentatively asked: "May I tell you, child, and see if I can help resolve your worries....."

Chen Tongyuan, upon hearing this, exhaled a puff of turbid breath; the cloud of worry above his brows remained, and in a deep voice he said: "Chen Yan's rebellious son's wedding is approaching, and the Master's residence is preparing it with great fervor....."

"Our Weiguo Gongfu hasn't even received a single invitation or any notice!"

Having said that, his right hand clenched tightly into a fist, the knuckles creaking.

His words were full of displeasure.

Prominent high officials and nobles in Chang'an have already received invitations.

Only the Weiguo Gongfu, and his father, were omitted.....

Whether it was oversight or intentional!

"You are the elder brother's biological father, the child is the elder brother's legitimate younger brother, our Weiguo Gongfu is the elder brother's household; how could he possibly forget?" Chen Gubai said soothingly.

"Hmph!"

Chen Tongyuan snorted heavily through his nose, pursed his lips and said: "That scoundrel is now cold‑hearted, daring and reckless, and Yuwen Hu condones him; what can't he accomplish?"

Whether he wishes to admit it or not, Chen Yan now truly holds high rank and power.....

Even his official position already surpasses that of his own father.

Moreover, no matter how Chen Tongyuan looks at it, he believes the scoundrel acted deliberately.....

To make Weiguo Gongfu the laughingstock of all Chang'an!

"Father, please do not lose your temper!"

After soothing him with a sentence, Chen Gubai seemed to recall something, his eyes darting mischievously, and with a meaning‑laden smile said: "Let's think carefully—if you don't go, when the elder brother marries the Pei Clan's daughter, who will officiate?"

"Wouldn't that be a breach of propriety before the distinguished nobles of Chang'an......"

The words between the lines are all insinuations.

When a son's grand wedding proceeds without his father attending, aside from other matters, the face‑saving is impossible.....

"Exactly!"

Chen Tongyuan seemed to be enlightened, suddenly realizing, and coldly said: "At that time, Chen Yan will plead to his father......"

Having said that, the previously furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, the clouds of worry completely dispersed.

Dealing with the now drastically changed temperament of Chen Yan is as hard as scaling a mountain.....

But with a soft spot in hand, isn't it easy to flaunt?

A light, effortless grasp!

"Exactly!"

Chen Gubai nodded heavily, a wicked grin curling at the corner of his mouth, reminding: "Father, opportunities like this are rare; before the elder brother shows sufficient sincerity, you must not easily let go....."

The two characters for sincerity are enunciated with great weight.

The implication is obvious.

Such a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance must of course be extorted well......

Chen Tongyuan lifted his head, his eyes full of ruthless resolve, and gritted his teeth: "Rest assured, father will certainly make that rebellious son, Chen Yan, bleed heavily......"

All the humiliations previously inflicted, and the gold and silver that were extorted, Chen Tongyuan will definitely reclaim with profit.....

He will make that rebellious son regret his folly!

Just as the father‑son duo were reveling, they had not been pleased long before a mocking click sounded from outside the door:

"Tsk!"

"The Duke of Wei truly misses the Master!"

"Just don't know how you two plan to make the Master bleed!"

Immediately thereafter, the Shufang's main door was kicked open.

More than ten men entered, Chen Yan walked at the front, Zhu Yi and Hongye followed tightly on both sides, and You Xian and the other embroidered‑cloth envoys were at the rear.

"Chen... Chen Yan?!"

Chen Tongyuan's smile froze instantly as he stared at the person he was about to scheme against, who suddenly appeared before his eyes; startled, he leapt up as if shot from a spring, his face full of astonishment.

How is it that as soon as I mentioned him, he came straight over???

I inexplicably felt a déjà vu of being caught committing adultery in bed.

He paused, as if recalling something, and asked, "You came in, why is there not even a report?!"

"The Duke of Wei's mansion is where the overseer has lived for over ten years..."

Chen Yan stepped forward, pulled out a rosewood chair, sat down by himself, and smiled lightly, "What report does the overseer need when he returns?"

Even though he said so, in reality this State Duke Mansion had already been infiltrated like a sieve...

And the household servants who refused to cooperate were forcefully subdued by the embroidered‑cloth envoys.

Of course, it was as if entering an uninhabited realm!

"Chen Yan, what do you intend to do this time you return?" Chen Tongyuan inhaled deeply, stared straight at Chen Yan, and asked in a deep voice.

Don't be fooled by how vigorously we plotted earlier, still hurling accusations like "rebellious son"...

But when the real person suddenly appeared before us without any warning, the fear that had built up caused an immediate loss of momentum.

Even so, my subconscious still worried, not knowing how much he heard...

"Come 'seek' the Duke of Wei!"

"'Seek' the Duke of Wei to attend the overseer's grand wedding!"

Chen Yan gave a calm smile, crossed his legs, a half‑smile that was teasing.

One particular word was enunciated with such intonation and emphasis that it stood out.

He truly heard everything! No one knows how long he stood outside... Chen Tongyuan, hearing this, muttered a doubtful question, "Did you really come for this?"

The way he looked at this rebellious son in front of him made it seem he wasn't the type to beg anyone...

Especially now that he is honored as the overseer, heading the Bright Mirror Department.

"Of course!"

Chen Yan snapped his fingers and said resolutely.

Immediately, he raised his hand, pointed at Chen Gubai, and laughed, "Didn't Gubai already say, if the Duke of Wei doesn't come, who will the overseer's high hall worship?"

Chen Gubai, hearing this, seemed to receive a shot of courage as if given by Liang Jingru, stepped to Chen Yan's side, and reminded, "Brother, since you are asking others, you must show the attitude of asking..."

Saying so, he gave a look toward his own father.

Signaling him to quickly act tough.

They had already delivered themselves to the door themselves...

"Snap!"

However, before Chen Gubai could finish, a crisp Big Ear Seed sound mercilessly cut him off.

"Ah!" The unprepared Chen Gubai clutched his face and cried out miserably.

He hesitated, then instinctively rebuked, "Brother, is this how you beg?"

"Snap!"

"Ah!"

Chen Yan, with a reverse hand, delivered another crisp, resonant Big Ear Seed.

"Gubai!" Chen Tongyuan finally reacted, shouting.

"Just teasing you all, you don't really think I'm serious, right?"

Chen Yan laughed, flexed his wrist, sat back on the rosewood chair, placed his leg on the table, and with a half‑smile said, "Do you think you can manipulate the overseer with this?"

"Childish!"

Zhu Yi and Hongye, who had witnessed the whole scene, exchanged a glance, their mouths unable to stop smiling.

Threatening with something that doesn't matter at all?

Or threatening their Young Master?

Your brain must be flooded!

"Chen Yan!"

"What exactly have you come back for!"

Chen Tongyuan pulled Chen Gubai close, shielded him behind, glared at Chen Yan, and asked sharply.

"It's nothing, don't be so nervous..."

Chen Yan shrugged, leisurely swung his leg, and casually said, "It's just that the Duke of Wei's mansion should send a betrothal gift!"