Chapter 36: The Person Who Received the Grand Minister's Personal Recommendation

Who is attending the Grand Minister's mansion's meeting?

One could even receive the Grand Minister's personal recommendation....

Chen Yan heard the words, his eyes drooping, he muttered to himself, fell into thought, and suddenly revealed a strange expression: 'Could it be...?!'

A bold guess rose in his mind.

Yuwen Hu summoned the manor's steward, whispered a few sentences, and the steward hurried off.

Soon after.

A splendidly dressed, handsome young man who bore a five‑six resemblance to the Grand Minister entered the study and said, 'Father… Father, what do you wish of me?'

Yuwen Ze gazed at his father, trembling with fear.

He felt a bone‑deep fear, as if a mouse had seen a cat.

Stand up straight!

Yuwen Hu lost his former amiable look, his face hardened, his expression grave, and he barked: 'A true man must keep his spine straight!'

Don't whine like a woman!

Saying this, he raised his hand and struck Yuwen Ze's waist.

Utterly severe.

Yes... yes!

Yuwen Ze restrained his fear, his voice slightly shaking, and answered repeatedly.

Yuwen Hu remained displeased but said nothing more, turned to Chen Yan, his expression easing, and said: 'A Yan, let me introduce you—this is my only son, Yuwen Ze!'

Indeed it was him—the Grand Minister's own son. Chen Yan confirmed his guess, a smile tugging at his lips, faced Yuwen Ze, bowed with clasped fists and said, 'Greetings, Master Ze!'

With such a father, Chen Yan claiming he feels no envy would be lying.

Although the Grand Minister treated Yuwen Ze with near‑harsh severity, and Yuwen Ze felt a bone‑deep fear, he could still see profound paternal love in the Grand Minister.

Who wouldn't want their own child to excel?

It formed a world of difference from Chen Tongyuan.

As Chen Yan was about to bow, Yuwen Hu reached out to support him, saying, 'A Yan, you need not be so formal....'

He paused, then added: 'He is a few years younger than you; just call him A Ze.'

Yuwen Ze and Chen Yan are both seventeen, only a few months apart; he is the sole son Yuwen Hu had at age twenty‑seven.

I suppose this means I've earned the Grand Minister's trust and entered his inner circle? No, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger—one must not get carried away.... Chen Yan's eyes brightened, then he quickly checked his excitement and replied respectfully, 'Yes!'

The boy emperor is only fifteen, lacks personal rule and real authority; the Grand Minister is the de facto emperor and also the patriarch of the Yuwen clan.

Recommending his sole son carries meaning; Chen Yan fully grasps its significance.

But just as he was about to get carried away, his past experience and reason held him back, and he deeply understood he needed to steady his stance.

Yuwen Hu looked at Yuwen Ze, pointed at Chen Yan, and said, 'This is A Yan, the Zhuque Mirror Keeper of the Mingjing Office....'

He paused, then instructed: 'From now on, you must treat him as your elder brother!'

Is he the Chen Yan who has recently risen to prominence and is deeply favored by his father? He indeed resembles that person.... Yuwen Ze sized up Chen Yan, feeling a mix of emotions, nodded and said, 'I understand, child!'

He then bowed to Chen Yan and said respectfully, 'Greetings, elder brother!'

'Master Ze… A Ze, you need not do this; I cannot accept it!'

Chen Yan was quick‑eyed and quick‑handed, using both palms to support Yuwen Ze and halt his motion, and a rare flash of panic appeared.

The Grand Minister's only biological son acknowledging him as brother—this turn of events caught Chen Yan off guard.

You can bear it!

Yuwen Hu pulled Chen Yan aside, had Yuwen Ze kneel, and said, 'A Yan, my son is dull‑witted and unlearned; you must help him more in the future.'

Saying this, he raised his hand and patted Chen Yan's shoulder.

It is full of hope.

Chen Yan startled, his mind racing, and blurted: 'Your servant observes that A Ze possesses outstanding talent, the dragon‑diving phoenix‑gathering bearing, and gentle refinement....'

He far surpasses the heirs painstakingly cultivated by the great clans of Chang'an!

At a glance it's clear he's your bloodline, Grand Minister!

I don't know if these words are heartfelt, but they are impeccable.

While praising Yuwen Ze, he also flattered the Grand Minister.

Is this about me?

Yuwen Ze heard this, pressed his lips, and thought to himself.

Having lived this long, he had never been praised like this before.

Especially before his usually strict father.

Chen Yan, elder brother, truly is a good person!

Just stop flattering him....

Yuwen Hu shook his head, looked at the astute Chen Yan, sighed, and said helplessly, 'What is A Ze like? As his father, I couldn't possibly not know.'

As the saying goes, none knows a son better than his father; after teaching him for so many years, how could he not know Yuwen Ze's abilities?

Outstanding talent? Dragon‑diving phoenix‑gathering? Gentle refinement?

Yuwen Hu listening felt his face flush on his behalf.

At best he could be deemed upright in conduct, able to heed his words—a fortunate thing amid misfortune.

I merely speak the truth, without a single false word!

Chen Yan spoke solemnly and righteously: 'You must not, out of modesty, belittle A Ze....'

Enough, enough!

Yuwen Hu raised his hand to interrupt him, spoke solemnly: 'You two brothers should interact more and deepen your bond.'

These high-sounding words, Yuwen Hu didn't want to hear, and had no interest in hearing.

All he wants is for these two children to get along, to be as close as brothers.

Especially, Chen Yan should regard Yuwen Ze as a younger brother.

"Yes."

The two had no hesitation and replied in unison.

In one's eyes, it was hard to conceal the excitement and joy; finally someone could protect him.

The other had already begun to calculate how to draw closer in their relationship....

After all, maintaining a good relationship with the Grand Minister's only child will ultimately be beneficial and harmless for one's future.

"A Yan, you've also expended much effort and thought for some time; lately you have nothing pressing, so rest well for a while!"

Yuwen Hu sat back in his original seat, as if he had thought of something, and spoke.

"Serving the Grand Minister, I dare not speak of hardship!" Chen Yan replied with a beaming face, in a formulaic manner.

Grant you seven days of rest!

Yuwen Hu waved his hand, "Go on!"

His eyes were full of depth.

Letting Chen Yan rest is a pretense; the real purpose is to let him avoid the limelight and pull him out of the eye of the storm.

After all, the tree that stands out in the forest will inevitably be destroyed by the wind.

Yuwen Hu certainly does not want the person he values to die young....

"Your servant requests retirement!"

Chen Yan performed a respectful salute, then quickly turned and left.

As he brushed past Yuwen Ze, he silently said via lip language: "In two days I'll take you to a fun place...."

Yuwen Ze understood, but was somewhat puzzled; before he could think it over, he heard his father ask: "A Ze, do you know why today is for what?"

"Hmm...."

Yuwen Ze gathered his thoughts, gave it some consideration, and said: "It is to let the child have more brothers, so that in the future they can support each other...."

While speaking, he kept observing his father's expression, fearful of misspeaking a single word.

He appeared extremely cautious.

"Father, do I make you this fearful?"

Yuwen Hu took in this scene fully, sighed, and said: "Let's just consider it as such...."

With Chen Yan present, even if one day he is gone, there will still be someone who can protect this foolish son completely, keeping his life safe....