Chapter 243: Benevolence and Filial Piety

Duke of Wei's mansion.

Shufang.

"Qi Qian, what did you say?!"

"Is this news true?!"

After hearing his subordinate's report, Chen Tongyuan's expression changed abruptly, turning ashen, and he could no longer sit; he sprang up, demanding confirmation.

His face was written with shock....

"Old Master, this news is absolutely certain!"

"It has already spread throughout Chang'an....."

Qi Qian bowed his head, nodded, and gave a definite answer.

He paused, then continued: "The people of Chang'an are praising Governor Chen's benevolence and filial piety, praising those six generals' loyalty..."

Obviously, the reported news concerns Wang Zheng and six others together with Chen Yan at the Governor's residence worshipping the Old Master.

Qi Qian felt that for this news to spread so widely and stir such public opinion, there was likely a hand behind it, fanning the flames.....

"Benevolence and filial piety?"

"Can Chen Yan be linked to those two words?"

Chen Tongyuan, amused, curled his mouth and couldn't help cursing: "A bunch of short-sighted, brainless peasants!"

The one whose hands are most stained with his own kin's blood, yet disrespects his father, being called benevolent and filial?

What a colossal farce!

"Old Master, now is not the time to discuss this....." Qi Qian, seeing the situation, cautiously reminded.

Having said that, his peripheral glance surveyed Chen Tongyuan's expression.

He wondered whether his master had become delirious, now unable to grasp the point.....

After all, the worship had already occurred and could not be changed; what needed to be considered now was a countermeasure.

"It's over...."

"It's over...."

"Everything is over!"

Chen Tongyuan suddenly slumped in his chair, eyes vacant, his spirit seemingly severely wounded.

Chen Gubai, who had just entered and witnessed the scene, looked bewildered and asked: "Father, what is over?"

Chen Tongyuan gave no response.

Helpless, Chen Gubai turned to Qi Qian and asked again: "What has happened?"

He didn't understand what terrible news could strike his father to this extent.....

"Perhaps the Third Young Master still doesn't know, but today the six Old Troops of the old Pillar of the State gathered at the Governor's residence and jointly worshipped the old Pillar of the State!" Qi Qian phrased it briefly, combining the points, and replied swiftly.

"Worship grandfather?"

"So what?"

Chen Gubai furrowed his brows, increasingly puzzled: "Why has my father become like this?"

Worship is just worship.....

Isn't the Spirit Tablet already in Chen Yan's hands?

What is there to make a fuss about?

Chen Tongyuan, whose gaze had been unfocused, snapped back to attention upon hearing this, raised his hand toward his hopeless son, and scolded: "With that brain, what can you use to contend with Chen Yan!"

"He still dares to set a trap to scheme against him?"

At that moment, Chen Tongyuan deeply realized Chen Gubai's incurable stupidity!

Even worse than himself.....

Even as a complete fool and mediocre, Chen Tongyuan could at least see the stakes, right?

What kind of son did Meng Wan Yi actually give birth to!

"Father, did the child say something wrong?"

Chen Gubai, confused, felt especially aggrieved and asked: "Why are you scolding me?"

Qi Qian could no longer stand by and said: "Third Young Master, if it were one or two of the Pillar of the State's former troops, it might be explained as worship....."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning serious, and continued: "But six gathering together means taking sides!"

"What did you say?!"

"So all of grandfather's former troops have turned to Chen Yan?!"

"Then isn't he like a tiger gaining wings?!"

Chen Gubai's eyes instantly roiled with a storm, his dark pupils constricting sharply, as if struck by a bolt of thunder, and he stepped back half a pace, his jade pendant hitting the antique shelf behind him with a crisp cracking sound.

He finally became aware, realizing the seriousness of the problem.....

The six uncles' alignment will only make the already powerful Chen Yan even stronger.

"It doesn't stop there....."

Chen Tongyuan shook his head, sighed, and bitterly laughed: "The moment Wang Zheng and the others chose Chen Yan, the entire Duke of Wei's mansion lost all value!"

Having said that, he seemed to age ten years in an instant.

"Father, what... what does this mean?" Chen Gubai asked.

A bad omen began to surge wildly in his heart....

"Old Pillar of the State Zhao Qian is willing to protect us because he intends to win over the former troops of your grandfather..." Chen Tongyuan lightly stroked his forehead, his words full of helplessness.

Even if he were a complete fool and mediocre, how could Chen Tongyuan not see Zhao Qian's intention?

Using Chen Hu's legitimate son, the current Duke of Wei, to lure the Pillar of the State's former troops into his own camp.....

Now even the final value is gone.

All that remains are the Duke of Wei's title and rank, which are utterly superfluous!

Chen Gubai heard that, widened his eyes, inhaled a cold gasp, and said in terror, "Then aren't we completely the lamb on Chen Yan's chopping board awaiting slaughter!"

"They can take and give as they please over our lives!"

Even though Chen Gubai is still foolish, he clearly recognized the situation he was in....

Abandoned child.

Useless abandoned child.

"Why!"

"Why!"

"Why even Liang Guan chose Chen Yan!"

Chen Tongyuan gritted his teeth, slammed a heavy fist onto the wooden table before him, and roared hysterically.

In his voice were resentment, indignation, and defiance.....

After venting, a flash of Dark Hawk passed through Chen Tongyuan's eyes.

He intends to make a final life‑or‑death gamble!

Pei Fu.

The night before the grand wedding.

In front of the bronze mirror, a gilt candlestick burned two pairs of red candles, making the rhombus‑shaped mirror shine transparently.

Pei Suiwan sat upright before the carved dressing table, while the maids gently gathered her jet‑black hair and sideburns.

The leading aunt who held the comb, wielding an ivory comb, smoothed the hair into a waterfall‑like flow, first taking one‑third of the hair on the crown to coil into a cloud bun, then fixing it with a ruby‑gold and jade‑inlaid dangling hairpin; the remaining strands were braided into two plaits hanging at the shoulders, the ends tied with a delicate coral bead string.

The dressing table was filled with exquisite makeup tools; the mother‑of‑pearl‑inlaid powder case held fine lead powder, which the maid lightly dabbed with a sheep‑hair brush, spreading it evenly from forehead to jaw, making the skin glow like solidified cream.

Then she outlined the eyebrows with indigo, drawing the currently fashionable "distant‑mountain brows," the peaks lightly lifted like distant mountains tinged with blue.

When painting the eyes, she first brushed a faint vermilion onto the eyelids, then delicately traced black eyeliner along the base of the lashes, and finally placed a tiny pearl at the outer corner, adding extra charm.

Just after applying lip gloss, Pei Suiwan seemed to recall something and ordered, "Rong'er, have someone recount the dowry again....."

"There must be no omissions!"

"Yes, miss!" the personal maid Rong'er, attending nearby, replied repeatedly, then sent someone to recount.

After the makeup was finished, the matriarch in charge brought a gilt mirror adorned with phoenix‑bird patterns.

In the mirror, Pei Suiwan's cloud‑like sideburns rose high, a delicate gold‑foil flower pin adhered to her forehead, and her cheeks were brushed with rouge at an angle.

When her vermilion lips part slightly, they seem to tremble like flower petals; her lotus‑colored ru‑skirt accentuates her slender figure, presenting the shy elegance of a bride‑to‑be.

"Suiwan, you look truly beautiful in the red wedding dress!" her close confidante Du Shuying couldn't help praising.

"Indeed, elder cousin, your beauty is beyond description....." Pei Fenghe also nodded in agreement, "Surely it could drive that Chief Chen mad!"

"You two stop teasing me..." Pei Suiwan lightly pressed her red lips, a hint of shyness, and scolded.

"How so?"

Du Shuying gently stroked Pei Suiwan's shoulder and laughed, "To marry Chief Chen, and also receive Your Majesty's marriage decree, others haven't even had time to be envious!"

"Shuying, didn't your father also select a husband for you among the Chang'an aristocratic youths?"

Pei Suiwan lightly patted her hand, smiled gently, and softly said, "I heard that the visiting matchmakers have almost trampled the threshold of your household....."

Du Shuying showed a hint of melancholy, let out a long sigh, and said, "There are many, but none can compare to Chief Chen....."

"Whether in poetic talent, appearance, or ability and official rank....."

Du Shuying's claim of not envying Pei Suiwan was false.

Every aspect of Chen Yan meets her standards for a dream lover.

In comparison, those aristocratic young masters who came to propose are nothing but misshapen melons and cracked dates?

"Elder cousin, I heard your husband has many women in the household...."

Pei Fenghe, thoughtful, suddenly said, "Each time he returns from campaign, he brings back several, plus many singers and dancers gifted by the Grand Chancellor..."

"He also often goes to the Qinglou Goulan places......"

"So what?"

When I marry over there, I become the head lady of the household and must have the capacity to accommodate others!

A qualified wife should not create chaos for her husband, but be a virtuous aide, handling the household affairs so he has no concerns!