Chapter 372: Bestowing the Imperial Edict

The evening twilight spread early over the alleys and walls of Chang'an city.

Outside the Zhuqi Daimen of Pei Fu, two sheep‑horn palace lanterns were hung.

A warm yellow glow filtered through the intricate carvings, casting mottled shadows on the stone steps covered with a thin layer of snow.

Passing through the side gallery, the main hall was already suffused with warmth.

A thick carpet covered the floor, muffling footsteps; in the corner, a gilt charcoal basin burned silver‑bone charcoal, its flames quietly licking the coals, bathing the hall's furnishings in a gentle warm light.

At the center, a rosewood Eight Immortals table was laden with a profusion of dishes, their steam rising, shimmering under the glow of the glazed lanterns with an enticing sheen.

Amber‑colored fermented crab roe was served in a white porcelain bowl, beside it neatly arranged roasted lamb, its surface golden and crisp, sizzling with oil, sprinkled with cumin and sesame that mingled with the meat aroma and spread in the warm air.

In a celadon plate, a steamed sea bass lay among emerald scallions, its eyes bright, a few slices of ham tucked under its belly, the broth clear with a thin film of chicken fat floating on top.

"Greetings, esteemed father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law!"

"Father, Mother!"

Stepping into the hall, Chen Yan and Pei Suiwan bowed together before the seated Pei Xun and Cui Yuanrong.

Pei Xun quickly raised his hand, a benevolent smile spreading across his face: "No need for formalities!"

Cui Yuanrong wore a crimson padded jacket, a red‑gold and jade‑inlaid hairpin at her temple; though her eyebrows and eyes usually carried a smile, now they were furrowed, fine lines at the corners brimming with worry as she surveyed Chen Yan and sighed, "It's such a relief that my son‑in‑law is unharmed!"

She said, raising her hand to gently pat her chest, her voice tinged with unmistakable fear: "I was terrified you might die for mother!"

Cui Yuanrong had been extremely anxious these past days.

She truly feared that her daughter, newly married and just having found an ideal husband, would become widowed...

Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm.

"You've caused mother‑in‑law to worry!"

Chen Yan looked at the fine lines at Cui Yuanrong's eyes, twisted by worry, and bowed slightly, saying, "This feigned death was truly a matter of necessity..."

"To deceive the rebels, this is the only recourse!"

There was no other way; to make the two veteran Pillars of State believe, those close to us must first be convinced...

Bear a temporary worry to eliminate a permanent calamity!

Pei Suiwan clenched the fingers at her cuff a little tighter, her pearl‑embellished hairpin swaying gently at her temple, reflecting a trace of remorse in her eyes: "In fact, my daughter was aware of everything throughout..."

"It is my daughter's fault for making mother worry so!"

Between the lines lay an unspeakable sense of self‑reproach.

For her husband's grand scheme, when they came to visit, she even kept it hidden from her own father and mother.

"No problem, no problem!"

Cui Yuanrong lightly patted Pei Suiwan's hand and smiled, "As long as the person is safe, that's all that matters!"

"Your husband is the great hero of this anti‑rebellion effort!"

Saying that, she cast a sidelong glance at Chen Yan standing beside her daughter.

As a mother‑in‑law, the more she looks at this son‑in‑law, the more she likes him...

Not only capable and talented, his reputation in Chang'an shines like the midday sun.

And he is also an eighteen‑year‑old Cavalry Grand General!

She fears that soon he will be promoted to Pillar of State...

The youngest Pillar of State in history!

Pei Xun quickly raised his hand, patting the armrest of the rosewood chair beside him, and with a mildly chiding smile shouted, "Alright, let's sit and talk about whatever!"

He tapped the tabletop with his fingertip, the steam from the dishes gradually subsiding, and said, "The wine and dishes are getting cold!"

Chen Yan gave a slight nod, took Pei Suiwan's hand, and sat down.

Pei Xun personally placed a piece of steamed sea bass into each of Chen Yan's and Pei Suiwan's bowls, saying, "This fish was just caught from the Hou River, very fresh, try it quickly."

"Father‑in‑law, where is Second Uncle?"

Chen Yan looked around; only his younger brother Pei Zhan was present, but he saw no sign of Pei Xilou, and asked with a smile.

Pei Xun, hearing this, waved his hand casually and said, "It's near year‑end, official duties are hectic, and he's been staying at the office for quite some time..."

"No need to worry about him!"

In truth, Pei Xilou's busyness is thanks to his own son‑in‑law's favor.

All aspects of the Salt Industry are subject to inspection...

Nevertheless, being busy is fine; it gives the youngster more experience.

Chen Yan lifted his wine cup, his palm supporting the warm base, and smiled at Pei Xun, "Father‑in‑law, your junior son‑in‑law offers you a toast!"

"Very well."

Pei Xun laughed, raised his cup in response, their arms intertwined, the rims clinking with a crisp sound, and each tipped back to drink it down.

The wine slid down his throat, a faint sourness of green plum and a rich warmth flowing through his chest.

Chen Yan set the empty cup back on the table, but Pei Xun did not immediately set his down, instead rubbing the rim with his fingertip, his gaze lingering on his son‑in‑law's face, and in a slightly deeper tone said, "A Yan, the New Year's Eve is near; you oversee the Mingjing Department, you must not be careless!"

His words carried a certain solemnity.

This festive day of family reunion is also the time most prone to trouble, and one must not allow anyone to exploit a loophole...

One must guard against small moves from the east.

"Thank you for the reminder, Father‑in‑law, I understand!" Chen Yan straightened his posture, clasped his hands and said.

Pei Xun picked up a piece of fermented duck tongue, chewed slowly, took another sip of wine, and leisurely said, "I heard you petitioned the Grand Tomb Steward to approve the expansion of the Mingjing Department?"

"Hmm."

Chen Yan, while adding sea bass to Pei Suiwan's bowl, looked up and said, "The Mingjing Department of the Four Guards is gradually running short of staff..."

"It's hard to cope with the increasingly growing troubles from all sides!"

"Expansion is imperative!"

In fact, Chen Yan had long entertained thoughts of expansion, which is why it had been put on hold until now......

It was because it startled Dugu Zhao and Zhao Qian, arousing their vigilance and unnecessary trouble.

Now is the right moment.

When forging the Mingjing Office into a sharper sword, it also augments one's authority—hundreds of benefits and not a single harm!

"You see far ahead; your vision far surpasses that of ordinary people....."

Pei Xi nodded approvingly, set down his chopsticks, and lightly tapped the table edge with his fingertip: "Now that Great Zhou's internal troubles have been pacified, we should turn to external threats!"

"One must know oneself and know the enemy....."

The two characters for "external threat" are enunciated with great emphasis.

That can only refer to the Gao Clan of the Qi State to the east!

One must prepare in advance, making early preparations.....

"We must still plant the nails early into Yecheng and Jinyang....." Chen Yan smiled calmly, his eyes deep and tranquil, and said evenly.

The chess pieces may be unnecessary, but they cannot be absent.

Gathering intelligence in ordinary times is also beneficial.....

Moreover, after such a long lull, a great war between Great Zhou and Qi State is bound to erupt sooner or later!

The Grand Tomb Steward, however, harbors a yearning for military merit.....

After all, founding a dynasty has never been achieved without merit.

For Chen Yan, this is also an excellent opportunity to earn military achievements.....

(Yecheng is the capital of the Qi State, and Jinyang is its military capital.)

"We should indeed prepare in advance....."

Pei Xun listened, slowly nodded, a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth, and said, "It's enough that you have it figured out in your mind!"

One's own son‑in‑law need not worry too much.

"Take a look at this!"

Saying so, he fumbled in his bosom for a moment and produced a neatly folded piece of hemp paper.

The edges of the page were slightly worn, and when unfolded one could faintly see a few lines of ink, the stains dimming ever so slightly.

It looked like a prescription.

"Father‑in‑law, what kind of prescription is this?" Chen Yan glanced at it, puzzled, and asked.

"Your mother‑in‑law consulted a wandering physician and obtained this unconventional remedy....." Pei Xun placed the medicine on the table, pushed it toward Chen Yan, and said with a smile.

It was time for the procreation phase again.......... Chen Yan gave a slight nod, did not refuse—after all, it was the elders' wishes—folded the prescription neatly and accepted it, swearing with a smile, "Father‑in‑law, rest assured, by this time next year you two will be holding a plump grandson!"

As he spoke, his right hand slipped under the table and gently pinched Pei Suiwan's fingertip.

In truth, it wasn't that the two were physically incapable; rather, Chen Yan had been deliberately practicing contraception these days, letting Yun Xi tend to Pei Suiwan's health.

"Father, mother....."

Pei Suiwan's cheek flushed instantly, his hand holding the ladle paused briefly, a few drops of soup splashed onto the rim of the plate, and he hurriedly lowered his eyelashes, the long lashes trembling like startled butterfly wings.

His pretty face took on a shy crimson, even the roots of his ears turned red.

"How long have you two been married, and still no movement!"

Cui Yuanrong pursed his lips in a light smile and reminded, "Suiwan, make more effort in everyday life....."

"Got it!" Pei Suiwan replied lightly, his voice as faint as a mosquito, with a hint of embarrassment.

Just then, a light, swift footstep echoed down the corridor; the steward, wrapped in a thick cotton robe, hurried in and bowed to Pei Xun, saying, "Master, an imperial messenger has arrived....."

"An imperial messenger?"

Pei Xun heard the words, murmured them again, and immediately rose, "Go greet them quickly!"

After donning a purple sable cloak, he and Chen Yan and the others briskly crossed the arcade into the courtyard.

A cold wind rolled in with snowflakes, the palace lanterns in the corridor swayed gently, and the halo of light flickered on the snowfield.

The messenger standing at the outer hall's doorway saw people emerge, instantly plastering a broad smile on his face, the wrinkles at his eyes crumpling together.

He deftly lifted his robe hem, bowed deeply to Pei Xun and Chen Yan, and his voice carried a calculated flattery:

"Greetings, Lord Pei!"

"Greetings, Duke of Wei!"

These are all rising power brokers, especially the younger one; improper etiquette is unacceptable.

Chen Yan nodded in acknowledgement.

"No need for excessive courtesy, just announce the decree!" Pei Xun smiled and said.

The messenger retrieved a bright‑yellow imperial edict from his embroidered box; when unfolded, the dragon pattern on the scroll glowed solemnly in the candlelight: "Lord Pei, receive the edict—"

Pei Xun dared not delay, straightened his collar at once, knelt on both knees before the edict, his back upright, and said gravely, "I, Pei Xun, respectfully receive the imperial command."

The messenger's voice suddenly sharpened, retaining its usual sharpness yet adding authority: "The Great Zhou Emperor commands: It is heard that the way to govern a realm begins with appointing the worthy; the foundation of a stable nation must rely on capable aides. You, Pei Clan, have long harbored loyalty and diligence, and have consistently shown industrious ability."

"Having served through successive reigns with unwavering respect, you have aided internal administration to flourish and secured the borders to be tranquil. Your wisdom suffices to govern, your virtue to set an example, and your achievements are outstanding, praised by both court and populace."

"Now the rise and fall of the nation depends on its pillars."

"Henceforth you are appointed Grand Minister of Education, overseeing state rites, implementing the Five Classics, guiding the myriad people, proclaiming virtuous transformation, harmonizing all nations, and must not betray my trust!"

"Moreover, considering your remarkable service and commendable loyalty and bravery, you are further bestowed the title Senior Pillar of State, granted special honor to highlight your merit. May you accept this appointment, strengthen your original resolve, uphold righteousness, serve the realm, and help me secure peace throughout the world. I trust this!"