Chapter 374: New Year's Eve

Pei Xun lifted the wine cup before him and took a shallow sip.

When he set the cup down, the bottom struck the table with a light clink.

His eyelids half lowered, his fingertips repeatedly rubbed the rim, and a faint smile curled at his lips.

The smile did not reach his eyes, but instead carried an indefinable meaning.

He spoke slowly, his voice tinged with a slight sigh, and finally shook his head lightly, looking at Chen Yan and said, "It seems the Grand Tomb Minister still doesn't trust our Duke of Liang!"

This seemed like ordinary banter, but in fact it was a deeply meaningful precaution.....

After all, Hou Mo Chen Yi was forced to pick a side; before that he was just a fence‑sitter.

No superior would be willing to employ him heavily.....

And without doubt, the vacant Grand Minister of Works position was naturally to be given to Yu Tinggui!

This was also a reward for the Elder Grand Pillar of State, helping his son inherit smoothly.

Chen Yan picked up a pair of emerald‑green vegetables; droplets still clung to the leaves, crisp and refreshing, and said with a half‑smile, "However, the Grand Tomb Minister still wants to grant Hou Mo Chen Yi the title of Junior Tutor!"

He paused, then added, "And after some time, send his legitimate eldest son out as an Inspector of a province......"

That day, the Grand Tomb Minister's father, the Grand Marshal, and Chen Yan discussed a strategy concerning this young Grand Pillar of State.

Marginalize the individual himself, while promoting his offspring!

In this way, even if Hou Mo Chen Yi felt discontent, he would merely swallow it for the sake of the clan.

After gradually removing him from the power core, the eight Grand Pillars of State appointed by Taizu were almost emptied, leaving no one able to threaten the Yuwen Clan's realm......

The Grand Tomb Minister's father's power and position were unusually stable.

"That's thorough!"

Having floated in officialdom for so many years, Pei Xun immediately understood the intention, nodded, and thought it entirely appropriate.

Indeed, this was the mildest, least turbulent way to consolidate power.....

He hesitated, as if recalling something, and asked, "That Gao Bing, Lord Gao, who achieved such great merit, whose position did he inherit?"

"Exactly, he took over the Counselor seat you vacated, Father‑in‑law!" Chen Yan's mouth twitched upward as he smiled and said.

After hearing this, Pei Xun lightly tapped the table with his fingertip, slowly bowed his head, lifted the hot soup his daughter had served, and took a sip.

Turning his gaze to the steamed sea bass on the table, he added a hint of contemplation, "Gao Bing is a bit profit‑driven, but capable; he suits the role of Counselor!"

The Gao Bing father and son abandoned two Grand Pillars of State; their conduct indeed had flaws.....

In terms of ability, however, there is no denying it, especially Gao Jiong, who can be called a raw talent.

And the Grand Preceptor's performance that day in the Tai Chi Hall completely blocked any chance of their rebellion.....

They could only devote themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Grand Preceptor!

Placing Gao Bing in the Tian Guan Fu, under close watch, also made surveillance easier.....

Chen Yan grasped the wine cup, his fingertips lightly rubbing the icy wall, the liquid rippling with fine waves.

He lifted his eyes to Pei Xun, a composed smile at his lips, the rim of his cup tilting slightly as he raised it toward the other, "Some military posts have also become vacant....."

Candlelight reflected in his eyes, deepening them, "My son‑in‑law also recommends Uncle Two to succeed Yang Qin's position and become Grand General!"

And Marquis of Pingyang Tao Zhui took over Yan Zhi Tui's seat.....

Pei Xun stared at Chen Yan, lightly tapping toward him, a flash of surprise in his eyes that soon turned into deep emotion.

He slowly shook his head, yet his mouth involuntarily lifted, his voice tinged with emotion, "You child really are....."

"I, the old man, thank A Ce on your behalf!"

Having said that, he lifted the wine cup before him, raised his wrist slightly, and gently clinked it against Chen Yan's cup.

With a crisp "ding", the two jade cups struck, the wine rippling into fine patterns.

"Rather than let outsiders take it, let our own people have it!" Chen Yan smiled calmly and said.

Don't be fooled by Chen's seemingly breezy words; he is also devoted to the Pei Clan...

In truth, it is also something done out of necessity.

He has dealt with the second generation of the Chen Family cleanly; Old Master's offspring are few, the illegitimate younger brother is still a child and lacks seniority.

Among those of the same surname and clan, there are almost no usable pieces at this stage.....

Chen Yan finally understood why the nouveau‑rich of the new era love having children so much, especially world's richest man Ma Sheng, who insists on building a children's army......

The importance of the clan is self‑evident!

Once the vacancy appears, he must also work diligently, lest he follow Liu Ji Nu's old path......

After three rounds of wine, the father‑in‑law and son‑in‑law drank to their fill, and the banquet finally dispersed.

New Year's Eve.

The chill had already seeped into the fabric of Chang'an city

Supervisory Residence.

The newly pasted peach wood charms on both sides of the gate shone bright vermilion; the ink strokes were penned by Liu Mu Zhi himself, vigorous and sharp.

Wen Run took down the old year's lanterns and replaced them with new crimson palace lanterns; the tassels adorned with shattered gold flakes glimmered in the thin daylight, and a breeze made them "ding‑ling" sound.

In the corridor, a few young servants were jointly moving a massive silver‑sprout willow, its branches festooned with white velvet balls like a layer of fine snow, to be placed in the main hall opposite the already‑arranged preserved plums.

The back‑yard kitchen was even livelier; iron pots clanged against copper ladles, steam rose through the window cracks, gradually melting the ice flowers on the lintel.

Under the corridor outside the study.

Qingyu stood on tiptoe, directing several young servants to hang the newly‑made red lanterns.

She wore a lake‑blue cotton dress, over it a short rabbit‑fur jacket, the collar and cuffs embroidered with delicate intertwining‑branch patterns, making her small face appear even more luminous.

"Make sure the red lanterns over there are hung neatly!" Qingyu raised her voice, pointing to the east side of the column, "You two, go hang those!"

One servant stepped onto a wooden ladder to raise the lantern, another steadied the ladder's foot; the white vapor they exhaled mixed with the red silk of the lantern, condensing into a light mist in the cold air.

She then pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiped her reddened nose tip, but kept her eyes fixed on the lantern's position until it was properly and steadily placed, then clapped her hands in satisfaction.

In the Shufang, sandalwood incense smoke drifted slowly in the morning light.

Chen Yan held the Wolf-hair Brush Pen, hovering above the gold‑red slip, and the ink formed a full round dot at the tip.

He turned his wrist lightly, and the four characters "All Things Renewed" landed on the paper, the brush tip firm and sharp, bearing a hint of high‑rank authority.

When he set the pen down, the ink stains on the page still glimmered with watery light.

He stepped back half a pace, examined the spring couplets hanging on the desk, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cord wound around the pen shaft, then let out a soft sigh.

Turning, he sat on the cushioned round chair, lifted the tea already warmed on the stove, and the steam hazed his brows and eyes.

From outside the window came Qingyu's voice directing the hanging lanterns, mingled with faint laughter in the distance, making the Shufang even quieter.

Chen Yan stared at the unfaded ice flowers on the window lattice, the tea cup warming through his palm, and murmured softly, "It's already New Year's Eve…."

"I didn't expect it's been almost a year since I arrived here!"

Last year's scenes still flickered before his eyes, as if only a few cups of tea had passed, and a year had already come to an end.

In the hustle and bustle, he hadn't even time to count, and a whole spring and autumn had already passed.

And he was no longer alone: he had Da Zhong Zai as father, A Ze as a younger brother, Qingyu and Zhu Yi as family, and had taken a wife and started a home…

Much happier than before!

Just as he was daydreaming, a light "knock‑knock" sounded on the door panel, neither too soft nor too hard, measured.

Qingyu lifted the cotton curtain and entered, still tinged with the hallway's chill, smiling, "Young Master, Zhiqing asks you to come over!"

"Zhiqing?"

Chen Yan pulled his thoughts back, murmured, stood up, "Alright, let's go!"

The warmth in the room was stronger than elsewhere.

On the rosewood shelf burned silver‑bone charcoal, the flames licking the coals, casting the water lily pot on the shelf in an even more elegant light—

Its jade‑like leaves unfurled, the tips bearing several white blossoms, yellow stamens exhaling a faint fragrance, contrasting with the red plum in the celadon vase on the desk; one plain, one vivid, together suffusing the whole room with a fresh, moist aura.

Xiao Zhiqing leaned diagonally on the cushioned beauty couch, wrapped in a moon‑white silk‑like cloak, the collar rolled with a ring of snow‑white fox fur.

Her fingertip twirled a jade Go piece, tapping lightly on the board, and when her gaze fell on Yun Xi opposite, a gentle smile lit her eyes.

Yun Xi cradled a gold‑painted lacquer tray in her arms, which held several freshly baked pastries:

Lotus‑flower cake glowed pink‑white, candied plum pastries were coated with sparkling sugar glaze, and there were a few perfectly square chestnut cakes, steaming with white vapor.

"Sister Zhiqing, this pastry is delicious!" Yun Xi nudged the tray toward the small table beside the couch, rose onto tiptoes, picked up a piece of chestnut cake and handed it over, eyes sparkling, "You try it quickly!"

"Alright."

Xiao Zhiqing smiled, took it, her fingertip feeling the pastry's warmth, and took a gentle bite.

The rich chestnut mingled with the sweet osmanthus honey spread on her tongue, her brows slightly lifted, and she nodded toward Yun Xi.

Just then, the door curtain was gently lifted, bringing in a crisp chill, and Chen Yan's voice, smiling, rang out: "Your pastries smell wonderful!"

He brushed the Brothel, scattering the fine snow foam, his gaze sweeping over the small table by the couch, landing on the steaming pastry, and deliberately raised his tone: "Give me a piece too…."

"A Yan is here?"

Yun Xi, turned away, heard the familiar voice, her eyes lit up, the lotus‑flower cake in her mouth not yet swallowed, she sprang up, laughing, "Come try the new clothes Zhiqing made for you!"

"Zhiqing's hands are so skillful!"

Her words were full of praise.

After all, this new garment on her, and several in the room, were all made by Xiao Zhiqing.

"Idling at the manor is still idling…."

Xiao Zhiqing rose slowly, glanced at Chen Yan, and with a hint of proud coyness said, "I made them for everyone, and tossed a few for you as well!"

As she spoke, she waved casually, signaling the maid to fetch them.

The maid returned shortly, bearing a gold‑painted lacquer box; when the lid was lifted, the stacked garments revealed their edges—

There was a stone‑blue straight robe, its collar rolled with a ring of silver fox fur, obviously warm and thick; also a moon‑white lan shirt, sleeves embroidered with dark‑gold winding branch patterns, simple yet exquisite…

Xiao Zhiqing picked one up, walked behind Chen Yan, gently shook the robe, and the silver threads at the cuffs glittered with tiny sparks over the charcoal fire.

"Zhiqing, you've become even more curvaceous at the front and back…."

Chen Yan was raising his arm to stretch the new robe's cuffs, when he suddenly turned sideways, his gaze landing on Xiao Zhiqing's hand adjusting his collar.

As she bent down to smooth the hem, he lifted his hand and lightly tapped her plump rear curve, the gesture carrying a teasing, slightly lewd tone: "I guess hanging around that little glutton all day makes you even rounder!"

Since that time, Chen Yan never neglected any woman; each woman by his side took turns on night shifts….

"Little Glutton?"

Yun Xi, holding a piece of chestnut cake to her mouth, heard this and blinked her watery big eyes, asking, "A Yan, the little glutton you mentioned can't be me, can it?"

"Try your clothes properly, no random touching!"

Xiao Zhiqing's body stiffened, she snapped upright, her ears flushing red, and glared at him reproachfully.

"Tsk!"

Chen Yan smacked his lips, reached to clasp her waist, his fingertips gently stroking the fabric, leaning close to her ear, his tone teasing: "Some people aren't like this at night…."

"They all grab my hand proactively to…."

He fell silent at that point.

He recalled the miner years.

"Yun Xi, you're still here!"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Xiao Zhiqing's cheeks flushed from his words; she reached out to push him, but without real force, the reproach in her eyes already turned into a shy, flushed pink.

"What's wrong with me?"

Yun Xi, puzzled, asked, "Sister Zhiqing, what secret conversation are you and A Yan having?"

"You said, Zhiqing, you want to have a child and have you become…?" Chen Yan began to speak.

"Dehua?"

Yun Xi murmured the unheard‑of word repeatedly, puzzled, and asked, "Brother A Yan, what is Dehua?"

Xiao Zhiqing keenly seized the point, lifted her hand and gave Chen Yan's arm a gentle twist, deliberately pulling a stern face, her tone laced with a hint of coquettish scolding: "Who wants to give you a child…."

But before she could finish, she suddenly furrowed her brows, her complexion paling slightly, and instinctively raised her hand to press her chest: "Ugh… vomit!"