Chapter 289: Killing the heart, starting from the cause of Chen Cijiu's death

Chen Tongyuan was stunned. The expected rage didn't come from the opposite side, and there wasn't even a ripple of emotion in those words, and he asked in surprise: "You actually didn't get angry at all?"

"After learning the cause of Xie Jintang, that cheap woman's death, aren't you angry!"

He originally thought Chen Yan would reprimand, would roar, even if it were just a cold sneer.

But no. The evil obstacle opposite just stood there quietly.....

Calmly to the point of being terrifying!

Even, in this situation, he sharply saw through his attempt to anger him.

The calculation was likely to have failed.....

"Chen Tongyuan is deliberately stimulating the young master!"

"Wanting to force the young master to kill his father with his own hands!"

Zhu Yi, who had been full of anger a moment ago, suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck, and reacted belatedly.

That bastard Chen Tongyuan, throwing out the Madam's cause of death, was calculating and setting a trap, making them lose their minds with anger, thereby committing a huge mistake.....

If it were him, he would have really fallen for it.....

Fortunately, the young master saw through it.....

Chen Yan's voice was very steady, even carrying a bit of imperceptible laughter, "Chen Tongyuan, aren't you just trying to use your own life as a price to drag me to die together?"

His laughter rose again, clearer than just now, but like a snake spitting out its tongue, sticky: "Won't let you succeed!"

"And won't let you die so easily!"

The last few words fell to the ground, like an ice cone smashing into Chen Tongyuan's heart.

This counter-calculation before death was high, and it could be considered truly high.

As long as he, Chen Mouren, was stimulated to the point of being unable to contain his anger, hair standing on end, eyes blinded by maternal hatred, and couldn't help but do it himself, bearing the name of killing his father.....

Even if he won, he lost. A double loss for both was the ending this Wei Duke wanted to see!

Chen Tongyuan suddenly arched his back, like a trapped beast hit in a painful spot. The iron chains were pulled until they "clanged" wildly, the iron shackles digging deep into his flesh, blood beads seeping out, yet he was completely unaware.

His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at the young figure opposite. The blood that had been frozen by the chill now surged to the top of his head. His reason was like a rope burned by anger, collapsing completely: "Chen Yan, you evil obstacle, why didn't you get angry!"

"Why weren't you blinded by anger!" His voice suddenly raised, hoarse to the point of splitting, "Why have you become so shrewd and calm to this point now!"

The eyes that had hidden a bit of calculation just now were left with only out-of-control madness.

Chen Tongyuan didn't understand, Chen Tongyuan couldn't understand!

Why did Chen Yan, this evil obstacle, become so powerful after entering the Heavenly Prison Death Prison once, with his mind, means, and determination all improved without dead ends!

Compared to the mediocre, weak, and obedient him in the past, he was simply like two different people!

"Hahahaha!"

Chen Yan carried the ceramic jar containing wine, laughed heartily, and said playfully: "Chen Tongyuan, your story is finished, next it's my turn to tell one......"

"Story?"

"What are you going to tell?"

Chen Tongyuan heard this, and a layer of dense cold sweat crawled up his back.

Something is wrong, something is too wrong.

He had already been thrown into the Heavenly Prison Death Prison, not taking the opportunity to torture him to vent his hatred, but wanting to tell some story. Something abnormal must have a demon!

Ripples of unease spread in his heart.

"Then let's start from the true cause of Chen Cijiu's death!"

Chen Yan's figure leaned forward slightly, the faint light of the torch falling on the corners of his mouth.

That smile didn't reach his eyes, only a very faint arc hooked at the corners of his lips, carrying three parts playfulness and seven parts composure of controlling everything.

Just like a child playing with an ant.

"Cijiu's.... true cause of death?"

Chen Tongyuan repeated in a murmur, his brows immediately tightly furrowed, suddenly widening his eyes,

"Could it be that Cijiu didn't die from 'Snow-Top Aconite'?!"

Chen Tongyuan suddenly realized something.

Listening to the tone and wording of this wicked obstacle, there was something fishy here, and it was likely a major problem!

"Of course..."

Chen Yan's voice dragged on, as if he were whetting an appetite, "... not!"

He paused and continued: "'Snow-Top Aconite' is such a precious poison; how could someone like Chen Pingchu get his hands on it?"

Having said that, he chuckled.

It was full of mockery.

He didn't even use his brain to think—what kind of person is Chen Pingchu that he could obtain such a supreme-grade poison?

The old, weak, women, and children following him were all dressed in plain white, clutching paper money. Every three steps, they would kneel in unison, their foreheads hitting the bluestone road heavily, emitting dull sounds.

He still remembered this wicked obstacle speaking so eloquently and convincingly that day...

Moreover, that powder was as long and fine as snow, extremely delicate!

It fit the characteristics of 'Snow-Top Aconite'.

"It was just fine salt..." Chen Yan shrugged, saying nonchalantly, "Anyway, no matter what was searched out, it would have been 'Snow-Top Aconite'!"

"Tsk!"

Having said that, he clicked his tongue lightly.

'Snow-Top Aconite' is just a name used to bluff people.

Whatever you use to frame someone, it all becomes 'Snow-Top Aconite'!

The right of interpretation lies in the hands of this man, Chen.

"You... you were obviously framing Pingchu on purpose!"

Chen Tongyuan finally reacted, his eyes full of shock as he stared at Chen Yan, unable to believe it.

"That goes without saying!"

Chen Yan nodded, admitting it decisively.

He paused, then said with a half-smile: "Otherwise, who would take the responsibility for Chen Cijiu being poisoned to death?"

What was Chen Pingchu's role?

To be the scapegoat!

He avenged his former self and took the fall for all the blame—killing two birds with one stone!

It could be considered making use of a piece of trash.

"Pingchu... Pingchu!"

A shrill roar suddenly exploded from Chen Tongyuan's throat, sounding even more desperate than his angry curses just moments ago.

He stumbled back a few steps and fell heavily onto the cold stone floor.

The iron chains dragged on his wrists, making a "clattering" sound of sorrow, as if accompanying his heartbreak.

"It is Father who has failed you!"

Chen Tongyuan pounded his chest violently, every punch delivered with the ferocity of someone trying to shatter their own bones, "I mistakenly believed the slanders of a villain!"

"My son!"

The chill of the Death Prison seemed to drill into the marrow of his bones.

Yet he could not feel the cold.

He only felt as if a piece had been gouged out of his heart.

It was hollow and aching.

And it was he, the father, who had personally delivered Pingchu into the hands of that wicked obstacle, having been played completely.

He dared not imagine how desperate and painful Pingchu's final moments in the Mingjing Si must have been...

"Chen Tongyuan, is howling there of any use now?"

Chen Yan smiled indifferently and spoke slowly, dragging out the final syllables, every word like a knife: "Chen Pingchu said it back then—that this Chief was framing him—and it was all the truth..."

"It's just that you didn't believe it at all!"

What kind of big-tailed benevolent father are you pretending to be here?

If you had believed a single word of Chen Pingchu's, he wouldn't have died...

Regretting it now?

"You!"

Chen Tongyuan felt as if his heart were being cut by a knife and asked sternly: "Then how exactly did Cijiu die!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan curled his lips into an arc and explained: "Ancient records state that persimmons and pears must not be eaten with crab!"

"It also records that rabbit meat must not be eaten with mustard greens, or it causes a malignant disease!"

"And coincidentally, my good second brother ate all of these things together!"

A food incompatibility as perfect as it could possibly be.

"How could it be like this?!"

Chen Tongyuan couldn't believe his ears. As if thinking of something, he suddenly raised his head and asked: "If it wasn't Pingchu, then who did it!"

"Chen Yan, you must know!"

His words were full of certainty.

Chen Tongyuan could be extremely certain it wasn't him, and since he had stated the true cause of death...

Then this wicked obstacle must know exactly who the murderer was!

"As expected of the Duke of Wei, hitting the nail on the head!"

Chen Yan pursed his lips and chuckled, saying playfully: "I found out everything that day..."

"Speak quickly!" Chen Tongyuan urged impatiently, "Who is it!"

Chen Yan, however, was not in a hurry at all. A flash of cunning crossed his eyes as he smiled: "Actually, there is one thing I didn't lie to you about..."

"The murderer really is among your sons!"

"And it's not that idiot Chen Gubai!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed directly at Chen Gubai, who was gagged so tightly he couldn't make a sound.

"Then who could it be?"

Chen Tongyuan racked his brains but couldn't identify the culprit, roaring: "Tell me quickly!"

"What's the rush? Meals must be eaten one bite at a time..."

"Next, let's tell the next story!"

"Chen Tongyuan, do you want to know why the private soldiers of the Duke's Mansion went to Zhuque Avenue, claiming to be acting under your orders to suppress the commoners seeking justice, thereby completely igniting public anger?"

Chen Yan's state was the exact opposite of his; he was unhurried and quite enjoyed this parent-child moment.

After all, revealing the mystery too early would be no fun.

"I'm afraid this is also the handiwork of you, this wicked obstacle!" Chen Tongyuan snorted coldly, gritting his teeth.

He paused and continued: "But Chen Xiangqi and the others are my direct line; they couldn't possibly be mobilized by you..."

The private soldiers in the mansion were not of one mind.

Except for Chen Xiangqi and some other private soldiers who had completely defected to Chen Tongyuan, the rest remained loyal to the Old Master.

They hadn't changed because of his succession to the title...

Chen Yan chuckled, the arc of his lips extremely faint, and said meaningfully: "Because someone took a handwritten letter I forged in your handwriting and mobilized Chen Xiangqi and those direct subordinates of yours!"

——

PS: Both chapters are combined into one big update. Please give a free little gift, hi? (。??? 。)?