Chapter 353: Chen Yan, Resurrected from Death

Who!

Zhao Qian suddenly stiffened, his eyes widening sharply, the white hair at his temples trembling slightly with fury, and he shouted toward the source of the voice: "What scoundrel dares to hide in the shadows and eavesdrop!"

In this State Duke Mansion, there's been someone spying all along?!

A chill ran up Yang Qin's spine, surged up, instantly soaking the back of his clothes, far colder than the icy Xuedi outside by several degrees.

This is Dugu Lao Zhuguo's mansion!

It's the Duke of Chu's residence; calling it the safest place wouldn't be wrong…

But that voice just now was clearly listening at the door for a long time, even getting the word "coup" exactly right!

Doesn't that mean that from the moment they began scheming, someone like a poisonous snake has been lurking in the shadows, watching every word, every move?

Hahaha!

The chilling silence that made spines tingle just passed through the inner chamber, and outside the door a burst of hearty laughter erupted, like rolling thunder over the Xuedi, shaking the candle flame into another frantic flicker.

Creak— with a sound, the door that everyone had been staring at swung open inward.

A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, howled in, the candle flame shrank half a height, and the shadows on the wall were torn into even more snarling shapes.

Chen Yan leaned sideways against the doorframe, his Xuanse Brothel outerwear covering a snow‑white fox fur, the fluffy fox hair at the collar dusted with unmelted snowflakes that fluttered down with his steps.

He seemed completely unfazed by the bizarre atmosphere inside, swaggering in.

Can't even recognize my voice?

Chen Yan chuckled lightly again, lifted his hand to remove the fox fur from his shoulder, tossed it backward, and Zhu Yi quickly reached out to catch it.

As he spoke, he brushed the non‑existent dust from the hem of his robe, his gaze leisurely sweeping over the iron‑blue faced Zhao Qian, the teasing in his eyes almost spilling over: "How sad!"

Before the words finished, a dozen embroidered‑clad messengers streamed in, their Xuanse Jinshen outer garments over dark red cloaks, daggers at their waists glinting coldly in the candlelight.

C… Chen Yan?!

You actually didn't die?!

How are you still alive?!

That young, handsome face suddenly burst into view, and Zhao Qian felt the blood in his body instantly drained.

The angry veins that had just bulged vanished, leaving only a trembling voice and a slightly quivering jaw.

He stared fixedly at Chen Yan's half‑smiling face, forgetting even to regulate his breathing.

I kept thinking why that voice sounded so familiar…

It really is Chen Yan?!

Yan Zhi Tui's widened eyes had pupils clenched as if by an invisible hand, shrinking to needle points, astonished.

No wonder earlier it felt the eavesdropper's voice was incredibly familiar…

Who would have thought it was really him, Chen Yan?!

He hesitated, as if recalling something, and murmured in confused shock: "Wasn't it said that he was poisoned to death, already beyond cure?"

Yan Zhi Tui clearly remembered that the last time at the Weiguo Gong Fu, Dugu Lao Zhuguo pounded his chest, solemnly declaring…

"In his condition, there are no signs of any poisoning…"

"He doesn't even look like someone just recovering from a serious illness!"

Yang Qin's knuckles clenched into fists inside his sleeves, the bones between turning bluish‑white from the strain, his gaze like torches scanning Chen Yan's face inch by inch—

The Xuanse Brothel made his neck appear even paler, his cheeks flushed with a healthy light pink, clearly a sign of vigorous qi.

That teasing remark just now sounded as clear as ice striking a jade cup.

The trailing tone even carried a lazy after‑note, the breath strong enough to make the window paper tremble.

He was radiant, with a rosy complexion and abundant vigor!

Where is this a person riddled with Poison?

Hm?

Chen Yan watched with interest, the group's members either rigid or trembling, his smile deepening as he playfully said: "Gentlemen, you all look so shocked and disappointed, don't you?"

He leaned slightly, tapped his own chest with his fingertip, the teasing in his eyes almost spilling over: "We're old acquaintances, fellow officials of the same court; can't we just wait for my superior to give the go‑ahead?"

There's no way; I've been looking forward for a long time to the looks they give when they see me…

Truly didn't disappoint!

Grand Minister Chen is safe and sound; I am pleased for you…

Zhao Qian inhaled deeply, forced his shock to settle, and said with a forced smile.

He lifted his hand clumsily, brushed the white hair at his temples; the strands he touched were colder than the snow outside the window.

He paused, then changed tone, questioning: "But you, in the dead of night, without any summons or tribute, intruding into my residence, what is your intention?"

Zhao Qian knew clearly that the resurrected Chen Yan, suddenly showing up, could only mean ill intent.

Hence he chose to strike first.

Grand Minister of Justice, why do you ask knowing the answer already?

Chen Yan's shoulders sank slightly, he shrugged casually, a faint smile curling at his lips, his tone as relaxed as casual chatter.

He paused again, then continued: "I, as the Grand Minister, am acting on the orders of the Grand Overseer, coming to capture you all, the rebels plotting treason!"

"Just caught a criminal and got the reward!"

He said, nonchalantly nudging Zhao Qian, pursed his lips, and pointed at the fragments on the ground.

Only two possibilities exist for someone to come at midnight…

Either to steal someone.

Or to capture someone!

Obviously, Chen Yan and the embroidered‑clad messengers of the Mirror Agency are undoubtedly the latter…

But the former isn't impossible to handle as well.

"Spit blood at people!"

"Nonsense!"

"Made up out of thin air!"

Zhao Qian thrust his hand up abruptly, his fingers like eagle claws pointing straight at Xiao Che, and even the folds of his cuff were stretched taut.

The blood vessels in those eyes flared, the forced smile he had just held shattered, leaving only a rage and panic exposed by the piercing accusation, his voice trembling from rapid breathing yet each word laced with clenched‑tooth ferocity: "Chief Chen Yan, if you cannot produce evidence, don't blame me for bringing you up at tomorrow's court for a crime of framing!"

"Evidence?"

"An investigation would bring it, wouldn't it?"

Chen Yan gave a calm smile, nonchalantly teasing: "Once you enter the Mingjing Office, everything gets signed and sealed…."

He paused, then added considerately: "Moreover, in this vast Chang'an, who doesn't know that you old Pillar of State harbors malicious intent, schemes treasonously, and deliberately stirs trouble?"

"Without an investigation, where does the evidence come from?"

"Still planning to bring him up at court?"

"First see tomorrow's sun before we talk…."

"Moreover, our old Pillar of State Zhao, who has a hidden agenda?"

"Who doesn't know?"

"Even if they seized him without evidence, the noble families and common folk of Chang'an would only praise Chief Chen for cutting out treachery and evil, removing harm for the people!"

"You!"

Zhao Qian's hand, still pointing at Chen Yan, froze mid‑air, the bluish‑white of his knuckles not yet fading.

The wrinkles at the corner of his eyes suddenly rose, yet the smile never reached his eyes.

Instead, it seemed to squeeze out from his teeth, carrying an unspeakable mockery and fury.

He sneered: "Those rogue verses of the bald donkey by Hui Neng, and the one‑eyed stone statue in the Wei River, were penned by you, Chief Chen, weren't they?"

Earlier it was only suspicion, because there was no concrete evidence, unable to confirm….

"But now it's certain!"

"It must be that skinny Chen kid, the one with the Chen surname, secretly causing trouble!"

"He dug a pit for him and then pushed him to fall in…."

"The purpose was to ruin his own reputation, shaping an image of a treacherous villain in the eyes of the world!"

"Not only that!"

Chen Yan heard that, gave a calm smile, shook his head unhurriedly, and said: "That day the old Pillar of State killed Hui Neng in public; among the crowd at the execution ground, many were also puppets arranged by this chief…."

"Did you really think ordinary commoners could erupt with such commotion?"

"No organization, no command, no guidance—just a scattering of sand!"

"Thus, I, Chen, in order to drag the old Pillar of State Zhao into the abyssal hell, truly expended great effort!"

"Not only did I script the plot, I also selected key actors and individually crafted their lines…."

"You really are a scheming little brat…."

Zhao Qian stared dead‑still at Chen Yan's indifferent face, his yellowed teeth clenched hard.

His jawline was stretched like a bowstring about to snap, the muscles beside his cheek twitched sharply, flashing an abnormal pallor.

Every word was wrapped in hatred laced with Poison!

"Whether you're human or ghost, this marquis will cut you down first!"

Yan Zhi Tui let out a fierce low growl, as if the tense atmosphere forced him to the brink.

He drew his waist‑worn sword with his other hand; the blade scraped the scabbard, emitting a harsh screech, the cold light slashing straight toward Chen Yan's face—

He calculated that the opponent was now staring at the elder brother, hoping to strike in that moment of distraction.

"Marquis Yan, if you intend to take this chief's life, you must be able to grip the sword!"

Chen Yan, seeing this, gave a nonchalant glance, a scornful smile curling at his mouth.

He stood his ground, neither flinching nor dodging.

Zhu Yi also stood expressionless, not even showing any intention to draw his sword for protection…

Yan Zhi Tui, a veteran commander in the army, surged forward like an arrow released, the wind from his blade causing the candle flame to flicker violently.

But as he took his third step, his knee suddenly gave way, as if all tendons and bones were removed.

His legs instantly lost sensation, a strange sour‑softness spreading from his thighs to his waist and abdomen.

The long sword in his hand clanged "clang" onto the ground, his body toppling forward heavily, his forehead striking the Blue Bricks with a muffled thud.

He struggled to rise, but his limbs were as soft as a lump of cotton.

Not to mention standing up; even curling his fingers was laborious.

Chen Yan glanced down at the collapsed Yan Zhi Tui, stepped forward a few paces, kicked his limp arm, his tone laced with even more mockery: "Do you know how this chief eliminated Da Xi Jue without shedding blood?"

Yan Zhi Tui tried to lift his head, but his neck was too weak to support it, his forehead pressed to the ground, leaving a glaring red mark: "Isn't it just using those low‑grade tricks of the misty smoke…."

"To think you'd even mention such despicably low methods?"

"Exactly!"

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, affirming decisively.

He paused, then shifted his tone: "But this time there was no misty smoke…."

"Then why is this marquis completely weak?" Yan Zhi Tui was startled, puzzled.

"Because Poison was in the wine you just drank!"

Chen Yan glanced at the limp, bewildered Yan Zhi Tui on the ground, his smile still at the corner of his mouth, then lifted his foot lightly, the boot sole grinding over the shattered wine‑cup shards: "Colorless, tasteless, softening tendons and bones; if you don't exert force, it's hard to detect…."

"Crack" a light sound rang, the already fragmented shards were ground finer, sharp edges sinking into the Blue Bricks' cracks, mingling with wet wine stains, flashing a cold glint in the candlelight.

Chen (the man) rolled his foot twice, as if toying with an interesting object; the dark‑colored boot sole picked up some fine ceramic shards, yet he paid no mind.

Chen Yan, you truly are consistently utterly shameless!

Yan Zhi Tui strained to twist his neck, trying to turn his face toward Xiao Che, though his gaze was already blurred by anger and helplessness, and his mouth spat out a string of muddled yet sharp curses.

Thanks for the compliment!

Chen Yan gave a calm smile, nodded slightly, feeling no shame but honor instead.

As the saying goes, one fresh move can conquer the heavens.

Flashy tricks are not only meaningless, they also easily go awry...

Thus we must use this repeatedly verified, simple and efficient method!

The Personal Guard in the Old Husband's Residence has already been cleared out by you, right?

Zhao Qian cast a sidelong glance at the doorway, as if realizing something, looked at Chen Yan, and asked in a deep voice.

For so long, the Personal Guard and Private Soldiers inside the residence outside have shown no movement, yet Chen Yan could still break in unimpeded.

Then there is only one possibility...

Of course.

Chen Yan clasped his hands to his chest, raised an eyebrow slightly, and affirmed.

Zhao Qian narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing in his murky pupils, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes tightening from this sudden clarity, and said in a deep voice: "You managed to silently poison this wine; I fear there is a traitor inside this residence..."

If it were merely a bewildering mist, it could still be explained as the embroidered‑cloak envoy appearing and disappearing like a phantom...

But this soft‑tendon poison, directly added to the wine they just drank, suggests the problem lies within the residence!

Moreover, the traitor's rank is not low...

"No wonder the Elder Pillar of State has eyes like torches,"

Chen Yan wholeheartedly agreed, lightly clapped his hands: "Come in!"

"Let your Old Master have a good look at who you are!"