Chapter 377: A Secret Letter

When the calendar entered the New Year, Chen Yan welcomed a rare leisure...

Besides bringing New Year gifts and visiting the residences of elders such as Da Zhongzai, the Grand Marshal, Yu Lao Zhuguo, and father‑in‑law Lao Tai Shan, he remained at home, never stepping out.

The reception of visiting guests was handled by Liu Mu Zhi and Mingyue...

Each day he would read a book, sip tea, and then tease the women of the household.

The seventh day of the first lunar month.

Lead‑colored clouds hung over the fields, and fine snow fell like cotton.

They rustled as they fell into the courtyard of the Master's residence.

Red plums adorned the branches, their deep crimson snow‑like essence reflecting the bright jade‑white dust, making the scene even more fresh and elegant than a typical spring day.

Yuwen Ze gathered his fox‑fur Great Cloak, stepped over the snow‑laden corridor, leaving footprints of varying depth on the Blue Bricks, and just as he entered the warm study, a familiar voice called, "A Ze, come sit quickly..."

Chen Yan stood by the window, admiring the snowy view outside, his dark Brothel attire accentuating his upright posture, his fingertips holding a blue‑ceramic tea lotus; seeing him come in, he raised his hand and said, "Try the 'Mist‑Green' my brother just acquired—"

"I got it yesterday from a southern merchant; it's said to be made from mountain mist‑dew buds harvested before Qingming, a rarity to see!"

"A Xiong, you don't know, these days have truly worn me down to half‑dead!" Yuwen Ze sighed, shed his cloak, casually handed it to the nearby Lu Cangfeng, and walked a few steps to the desk.

He paused, then couldn't help complaining, "I have to visit all the elders on behalf of my father…"

"…and also tally the New Year gifts!"

His words were full of helplessness.

These grievances had no one to confide in, so he could only pour them out to his own brother.

On the desk, a purple‑clay tea furnace boiled, its steam swirling around a bamboo tea whisk.

Chen Yan had already poured a cup of amber‑colored tea, its rim frothing with fine white foam; the tea aroma mingled with the fresh scent of plum‑snow outside, drifting into his nose, and he laughed, "You're the only son of Da Zhongzai, so you naturally have to work harder!"

In truth, Chen Yan could understand Da Zhongzai's intentions…

It's time to get his face known, to appear before senior ministers and elders in the court, to make connections, and pave the way for A Ze's official career!

After all, a good father treats his children equally…

Yuwen Ze lifted his tea cup, blew the rising steam, took a shallow sip, said nothing, but nodded in agreement.

He naturally understood his father's earnest intentions, so he merely complained to his brother verbally, yet still obeyed the orders.

Chen Yan smiled lightly, went to the desk, knelt and sat cross‑legged, then gestured toward the ebony chessboard, "Shall the two of us play a game?"

"Sure!"

Yuwen Ze's eyes lit up at the words, he set his cup on the desk, reached for the box of ebony black pieces, and said, "My chess skill is lacking, so I'll take the black pieces first…"

Only by coming to A Xiong's residence can one steal leisure from busyness and be oneself.

Yuwen Ze even planned to linger after dinner, then dawdle his way back home…

"As you wish," Chen Yan said with a gentle smile, indulgently.

Without hesitation, Yuwen Ze pinched a piece between his fingertips, "Snap!" it landed on the star position at the upper‑right corner of the board, a clean move, "You're still so relaxed, A Xiong!"

"During this hectic holiday, we can still drink tea and play chess every day…"

"No need to worry about big or small matters!"

Between the lines lay an unmistakable envy.

Even though he's so busy his feet never touch the ground, he's heard of A Xiong's 'lying flat' lifestyle…

"Can't help it…"

Chen Yan picked up a white jade piece, twirled it lightly on his fingertip, placed it on the diagonal opposite the black, his gaze sweeping the board then out to the falling snow, "Who gave my brother such a virtuous spouse?"

His words were full of Versailles‑style bragging.

Since emerging from the Tianlao Death Prison, this whole year has been a nonstop grind, even the Herd of Cattle that pride themselves on the 996 work ethic need rest…

In the residence, Suiwan and Mingyue manage affairs, so he need not worry, while the Mingjing Department has Song Fei and You Xian taking turns on duty, keeping things running smoothly.

Thus, Chen Yan took advantage of the holiday to give himself a few days off…

Of course he didn't forget the 'proper business' of trying to make a baby.

"Truly enviable to everyone else!"

Yuwen Ze heard that and couldn't help shaking his head; his fingertip paused, and when he placed the next piece, he pressed harder, the clack of piece against board ringing sharply.

He claimed jealousy yet wasn't that jealous…

His own brother has a good wife, and he too will soon have one.

Chen Yan's white piece hovered in the air for a moment, then slowly dropped beside the black, cutting off the opponent's path; he surveyed Yuwen Ze's expression up and down and laughed, "You look tired, kid, yet you're still so cheerful…"

"When a person meets a happy event, the spirit feels refreshed!"

Yuwen Ze exhaled a cloud of stale breath, his face content, a grin spreading uncontrollably, "That overbearing Du Gu clan's sudden death finally settled a worry of mine!"

With no poisonous snakes lurking beside the couch, how could one not be in a great mood?

Chen Yan chuckled, placed a piece that blocked Yuwen Ze's line, and suggested, "Since you don't seem keen to return home, how about later we both go to Chunman Lou for a drink?"

He said this while propping his face with a hand, his peripheral glance drifting to the window.

It's been a long time since he last saw Jiang Li…

He wondered whether her elementary school credentials were genuine…

When Yuwen Ze heard the words "Chunman Lou," the corners of his eyes lifted instantly, his hand holding the cup paused slightly, and his tone brightened, "That sounds great!"

He set the cup down, his fingertip instinctively twirled a white piece that lay on the desk edge, his fingertip repeatedly rubbing the piece's cool, smooth surface, turning it rapidly, his eyes shining like fallen starlight, "Invite Li Tan and the others as well; I'll be the host!"

That's where the dream began!

Then rope in Li Tan, Yu Yan, Hou Mo Chen Xiao, You Xian, and Song Fei for an impromptu…

"Li Tan is probably hanging…"

Chen Yan toyed with the white jade piece in his hand, blinked, and smiled mischievously.

"What's wrong with him?" Yuwen Ze was startled, asking curiously.

Chen Yan lightly pressed his fingertip against the edge of the chessboard, let out a sudden low laugh, and when he raised his eyes again, a hint of mockery glimmered in his pupils, even his eyebrows tinged with a sly smile, and he said leisurely, "The Duke of Zhao has been pulling him these past few days, preparing for the grand marriage with the Xue family....."

"It'll be hard to find leisure in the midst of busyness!"

The anticipation in his tone couldn't be concealed.

Yuwen Ze, holding the black piece in his hand, suddenly paused, then with a "snap" slapped the chess piece onto the board, looked up and laughed, his shoulders trembling lightly, and said, "When we find a moment, we must go see his fun......"

"Hahaha!"

The legitimate daughter of the Xue family doesn't have a very good temper.....

And Li Tan has a reckless personality.

This is the kind of lively scene worth watching!

Before the laughter faded, a soft voice came from outside the Shufang, Pei Suiwan's voice wrapped in the chill after the snow yet warm, saying, "What's so funny to make you laugh like that?"

As the words fell, the carved wooden door was gently pushed open.

Pei Suiwan wore a pomegranate‑red woven gold brocade jacket, its collar and cuffs lined with white fox fur, a crimson‑gold jeweled hairpin in her hair, and as she entered she brushed the snowflakes off her shoulder, saying, "Husband, Du Shuying has arrived....."

"She said she wants to ask you about some matters concerning A Ze!"

Beside her, Du Shuying wore a moon‑white silk jacket, a silver mouse‑skin cloak over it, and held a heater in her hand, saying, "Chief Chen, you must be generous and grant....."

But before she could finish, Du Shuying noticed the man sitting opposite Chen Yan, froze, and exclaimed in surprise, "He.... how is he also here?!"

It wasn't someone else; it was precisely the person she had come to question Chief Chen about!

"Du Miss, what would you like to ask...."

"Just ask directly!"

Yuwen Ze turned his head toward Du Shuying, a teasing curve forming at the corner of his mouth, and said with a smile.

After a pause, he added considerately, "I will speak all I know and leave nothing unsaid!"

Having said that, he looked on with interest at his soon‑to‑be bride, who would be married shortly.....

He never imagined that stealing a moment at A Xiong's residence would lead to such a situation.

How truly interesting!

"I… I have seen the Crown Prince!"

Du Shuying regained her composure, her voice trembling slightly, and bowed to Yuwen Ze.

"No need for formalities!"

Yuwen Ze, seeing this, waved his hand lightly, raised an eyebrow, and smiled, "After Miss Du marries into the Prince's mansion, you will certainly not suffer any grievance....."

"You have A Xiong and his wife backing you up!"

"You can rest assured!"

Du Shuying's pretty face flushed crimson in an instant, and she said softly, "I still have some matters, so I shall take my leave first....."

Having said that, she grabbed Pei Suiwan and ran out.

"Shuying, don't leave so quickly!"

Being pulled outward, Pei Suiwan took in her good sister's shyness and couldn't help teasing, "Aren't you usually quite bold?"

"This Miss Du is rather interesting!" Chen Yan said, gazing at the two women's backs, sighing.

"I do look forward to the days after the grand marriage....."

Yuwen Ze nodded in agreement, as if recalling something, tapped his forehead lightly, and said, "Ah right, I almost forgot the main matter!"

"A Xiong, I have a Secret Letter here!"

Having said that, he restrained his smile, and took a neatly folded Secret Letter from a hidden pouch in his chest.

The letter paper was deep teal.

"Secret Letter?" Chen Yan rubbed his tea cup, puzzled, "What Secret Letter?"

Yuwen Ze's eyes grew a bit solemn, "It came from the palace; my father asked me to give it to you, A Xiong....."