Chapter 299: Auntie Yumian, I will give you two choices!

"Chen Tongyuan is dead; it is only right and proper that I inherit everything he left behind..."

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, walked forward, lifted her chin with his fingertips, forcing her to look up at him, and said word by word: "And that includes the widow!"

As his words fell.

In Chen Yan's mind, he couldn't help but recall some classic plots of island nation movies...

Xiaotao was so scared she was trembling all over; she wanted to step forward but didn't dare, and could only bite her lip tightly.

"Duke, think twice!"

"You have to consider your reputation!"

Zhuang Yumian's lips were trembling, tears swirling in her eye sockets: "If the matter of forcibly occupying a concubine mother spreads out, how will the commoners of Chang'an discuss you!"

This was the only self-rescue method Zhuang Yumian could think of...

Placing all her hope on whether this newly appointed Wei Duke cared about his reputation and feathers.

"Auntie, are you threatening me?"

"Hahahaha!"

Chen Yan was amused; his fingertips suddenly slowed their movement, turning to gently stroke Zhuang Yumian's cheek.

The touch was delicate and warm, carrying the slight dampness of her having just cried; his fingertips, carrying thin calluses, brushed across her skin where the tear stains hadn't dried, actually producing a strange rubbing sensation.

Zhuang Yumian shuddered abruptly as if scalded; she wanted to dodge, but was firmly pressed on the shoulder by his other hand, unable to move.

His gaze landed on her trembling eyelashes, then slid to her tightly pursed lips; the force of his fingertips was very light, even carrying a bit of almost teasing probing.

But the possessiveness in the depths of his eyes was like substance, pressing heavily on her heart.

Chen Yan paused, then laughed loudly: "The entire Duke Mansion is under the control of my Mingjing Si Embroidered Attire Envoys..."

"What could possibly leak out?"

Reputation—of course he, Chen, cared about it!

Therefore, he had deployed layers upon layers of Embroidered Attire Envoys in this former Duke Mansion.

Let alone wind, if a sparrow flew out, these Embroidered Attire Envoys should all resign in disgrace and go home to hold their children.

"You... I..."

Zhuang Yumian's mind was blank, her voice trembling, unable to stop stuttering.

"Enough!"

Chen Yan interrupted, released Zhuang Yumian, pulled over a stool, sat down, and laughed: "I am not a person who likes to force others..."

"Auntie Yumian, I will give you two choices!"

Saying this, he slowly held up two fingers.

"What choices?"

Zhuang Yumian's voice was as thin as a mosquito, carrying a heavy nasal tone, the tail of her voice rising slightly, as if she were begging, and as if she were crying.

She could only helplessly bite her lower lip, biting that bit of pitiful self-esteem until it was dripping with blood.

"Either do something that satisfies me..."

Chen Yan sized up the woman with great interest, sneered: "Or go and be buried with Chen Tongyuan!"

"Choose, I will definitely respect your choice!"

Saying this, he lifted his chin slightly.

What satisfying things were, it went without saying.

Anyway, either you are a chaste and heroic woman, so go and be buried to die...

Or you follow the father's path, people of the same path.

"Chen Yan, you are shameless!"

Zhuang Yumian's long eyelashes were stuck together by tears, trembling and drooping like startled butterfly wings, and she scolded.

"Three, two..."

Chen Yan didn't indulge her; he started counting down on his own.

If she didn't want to make a choice, then he would choose the second one for her.

"Do I still have a choice?"

Zhuang Yumian was crying like rain.

She was completely in the appearance of crying like rain.

"I like smart women who know the current situation!"

Chen Yan hugged his chest with both hands, a satisfied arc curling at the corners of his mouth, and laughed.

Questioning Little Gao Wang, understanding Little Gao Wang, becoming Little Gao Wang.

The only pity was that Zhuang Yumian wasn't called Big Cart.

"Xiaotao, go and prepare hot water!" She seemed to have resigned herself, closed her eyes, and ordered, "Bathe and change clothes!"

Chen Yan laughed lightly, picked her up horizontally, and strode toward the canopy bed.

The shark-silk curtains were waved open by him casually; amidst the chaotic ringing of silver bells, he placed her on the couch covered with white fox fur...

Two hours later.

Pushing the door and coming out, the night breeze rushed toward him with the scent of osmanthus, blowing away some of the greasy air inside the curtains.

Xiaotao, who was guarding the corridor, saw him come out, her face turning pale with fright; she buried her head even lower, not even daring to raise her peripheral vision.

So smooth!... Chen Yan didn't look at her, only tidied the hem of his robe blown by the night breeze, and called: "Zhu Yi, come over!"

His fingertips seemed to still retain the temperature of the delicate skin he had touched just now.

That touch made a very faint smile curl at the corners of his lips, as shallow as the wind skimming the lake surface.

This was a double enjoyment of body and soul.

"Young Master, it's not appropriate to take her back, is it?"

Zhu Yi, who had been guarding outside the door, stepped forward upon hearing this, swept a glance into the room, and said in a deep voice: "It's not easy to explain to the Madam..."

"What are you thinking about!"

Chen Yan curled his lips, rolled his eyes, and ordered: "Order people to send Zhuang Yumian, as well as Chen Tongyuan's concubines and bedmates who haven't given birth, all to the temple!"

"Let them practice with their hair!"

Directly copying Li Zhi's homework.

If he likes any of them in the future, he can just bring them back...

"Yes." Zhu Yi breathed a sigh of relief and replied.

The tenth day of the tenth month.

Mingjing Si.

Supervisor Main Hall.

The floor tiles were black jade exuding cold air, and the walls were hung with layered secret compartments, vaguely revealing the edges of files.

The air was filled with the heavy, depressed scent of pine smoke ink mixed with old paper, and even the candle flames burned exceptionally quietly.

"Supervisor, the Old Pillar of State Dugu has already been waiting for nearly two hours..."

You Xian stepped forward with a bow, his toes touching the ground without a sound, and lowered his head.

"Has time passed so quickly?"

Chen Yan stood leaning over the desk, the hem of his official robe trailing on the ground, almost merging with the black jade floor tiles, "It's already been two hours..."

He held a wolf-hair brush between his fingers, the tip dipped in cinnabar, carefully outlining the lines on the map.

That was not a map of mountains and rivers, but a network diagram of personnel relationships in Chang'an.

Chen Yan knew Dugu Zhao's intention, and he was deliberately leaving him hanging...

"The Old Pillar of State has already sent people to inquire many times..." You Xian asked for instructions, "Are you going to see him?"

"Then let's go!" Chen Yan saw that the timing was about right, stopped his brush and ink, and ordered.

Reception Hall.

The bluestone floor shone with cold light, the four walls were empty, only hung with a plaque with the two characters "Su Zheng," the brush strokes sharp as a knife, revealing a chill that kept strangers away.

In the center of the hall was a rough wooden table, matched with four hard ebony chairs; the green porcelain tea set on the table looked ordinary, but it was still considered clean.

Dugu Zhao sat on the chair, his spine straight, his black long beard motionless on his chest; he asked the accompanying advisor beside him: "Boluo, how long have we been here?"

"Two hours exactly..." Xiboluo calculated roughly and replied quickly.

This kid Chen Yan, his airs are truly big!... Staying here from noon until sunset, Dugu Zhao couldn't help but curse in his heart, but on the surface, he replied indifferently: "Mm."

The Embroidered Attire Envoy serving on the side stepped forward again to heat the water, smiling broadly: "Old Pillar of State, our Supervisor is busy with official business, busy catching Qi thieves in Chang'an City, please bear with us!"

"Old Pillar of State, this official is late, please forgive me!"

When the sun's shadow swept across the bluestone floor, the side door of the reception hall finally opened with a "creak."

Chen Yan was dressed in dark casual clothes, his cuffs embroidered with dark silver cloud patterns, walking into the room with a light pace, his face carrying an appropriate apology, as if he had truly just rushed over after handling an urgent matter.

He stood still at a distance of three paces from Dugu Zhao, bowing slightly; his movements were standard yet permeated with detachment. "I have truly been busy with official business; please forgive my neglect!"

Immediately, he looked at the Embroidered Attire Envoy holding hot water on the side and scolded: "How are you doing things!"

"Old Pillar of State Dugu has arrived, why didn't you report it immediately?"

"It is this subordinate's dereliction of duty!" The Embroidered Attire Envoy was extremely cooperative, his attitude of admitting mistakes very active.

Hypocritical kid, even singing a duet... Dugu Zhao witnessed this scene, sneering repeatedly in his heart, picked up the teacup with heated water, took a sip, and said slowly: "No matter!"

"This old man hasn't waited long!"

"No need to blame this envoy!"

"It is fortunate that Old Pillar of State Dugu pleaded for you!" Chen Yan kept a straight face and snorted lightly, "Otherwise, this official would definitely have to fine you half a year's salary..."

"Many thanks, Old Pillar of State!" The Embroidered Attire Envoy didn't have any hesitation and immediately bowed to Dugu Zhao to thank him.

After a performance, Chen Yan walked to the main seat and sat down, asking with a smile: "I still don't know what the Old Pillar of State Dugu has come to the Mingjing Si for?"

Kid who knows the answer but asks anyway, pretending to be really like it... Dugu Zhao, who had something to ask for, cursed in his heart, but didn't expose him, and cooperated: "This old man has come for my son!"

"I hope Supervisor Chen will raise your hand high!"

Chen Yan heard this, and the bit of polite smile on his face faded; he raised his hand to stroke the cloud patterns on his cuffs, his fingertips rubbing lightly against the dark silver embroidery threads, "So it is for Young Master Dugu and the others!"

He paused, then pretended to be in a dilemma: "Old Pillar of State, this matter is not easy to handle..."

"Your noble son and those few colluded with Qi thieves to harm the pillars of the country!"

"This official can tolerate them, but the Great Zhou law cannot tolerate them!"

He said it righteously and with sound reasons.

"Pillars of the country?"