Chapter 450: My Heart and Eyes Are Filled With the Desire to Kill Yuwen Yong

Chen Yan's laughter gradually faded, but his chest still rose and fell slightly from the sudden enlightenment moments ago, and the turmoil in his eyes could not be hidden.

He leaned forward and grasped Pei Suiwan's hand again, the pads of his fingers damp with a thin sweat from excitement, and his tone was brimming with uncontainable urgency: "A way to solve the lingering confusion in my heart!"

Then he lifted his hand to smooth the woman's wind‑tousled side‑hair, and his gesture returned to its earlier gentleness: "Suiwan, you rest in the room first; I'll be right back!"

Having said that, he lightly patted the back of her hand.

He then turned and hurriedly ran toward the doorway....

Pei Suiwan watched Chen Yan's hurried retreat, slowly came to herself, rubbed her lower abdomen, let a helpless yet warm smile spread on her lips, and softly replied toward the doorway: "Fine."

She paused, then said gently: "Husband, run more slowly, don't fall…"

The courtyard was silent, with only the wind chimes hanging in the corridor occasionally tinkling in the breeze.

Yun Xi had just stepped out of the inner chamber, her black hair still damp with moisture, and the plain soft‑silk bath robe draped over her shoulders made her skin appear even more luminous.

She lifted her hand to gently smooth the collar, her nose twitched slightly, and she delicately inhaled the lingering fragrance between the sleeves—

A sweet orchid scent wrapped a faint hint of jasmine, neither strong nor overpowering, yet it refreshed the heart.

Yun Xi's mouth curved into a satisfied smile, her fingertips lightly twirled the embroidered vine pattern on the collar, and she murmured softly: "This newly mixed sachet is truly nice…"

She isn't just fragrant right now.

If only she could lean against A Yan's chest and nuzzle a bit…

She paused, recalling Xiao Zhiqing, who was still recuperating, and a gentle warmth lit her eyes: "When Sister Zhiqing finishes her confinement, I'll let her try it too!"

At that moment, light footsteps sounded from the corridor; a maid carrying a copper basin hurried in, saw Yun Xi standing by the window, stopped quickly, and said: "Miss Yun, the Duke has arrived!"

"May I ask if you have a moment to see him now?"

She paused, recalling Chen Yan's urgent demeanor earlier, and added: "From the Duke's expression, it seems there's some urgent matter…"

Having said that, she lowered her hands and stood aside.

"A Yan, brother, has arrived?"

Yun Xi startled, her eyes instantly brightened, her smile deepened, and she murmured instinctively: "Didn't he go to Jin Wang Fu for a banquet?"

As the words left her mouth, she glanced down at her loose plain bath robe, her black hair still dripping water, quickly smoothed the collar, and with a slight flush said: "You go answer first; once I adjust my clothes I'll go…"

Having said that, she gestured hurriedly to the maid, turned and briskly walked toward the inner chamber, her steps lighter than usual.

In the courtyard.

"RMB fluttering across the sky…"

"…falling into my wallet…"

"…counting up to a hundred million…"

"…no need to endure work any longer…"

"…the boss hears the news…"

"…and will lower his head to me…"

"I'll ignore him and go to the mall to find a girl!"

Chen Yan leaned back on a stone bench, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the stone table, his leg swinging in a good mood, and he hummed a tune of spring mud.

Beside him, Hongye, dressed in a red robe, stood tall and straight, listening for a moment with a slight frown, her eyes filled with bewilderment.

The hummed melody was neither a military battle song nor a popular folk tune, but a broken, fluctuating line of notes.

She truly could not decipher this chaotic melody; what on earth was it?

"A Yan, brother!"

A crisp voice came, carrying a hint of lighthearted laughter.

Yun Xi had changed into a water‑green ruqun, her black hair styled into simple double‑loop buns, adorned with a pearl hairpin.

As she jogged over, her skirt swayed lightly with each step, like spring willows dancing on a branch.

Hearing her, Chen Yan instantly rose, his smile deepening, and took two steps toward her: "Miss Yun!"

Yun Xi ran to his front before stopping, her breath a little unsteady, cheeks flushed pink, fingertips gently tugging the skirt, eyes showing a hint of youthful shyness, and she asked softly: "A Yan, brother, what brings you to my courtyard at this late hour?"

For some reason, Yun Xi found herself thinking, it would be nice if a man and a woman were alone together in a room…

Then they could... get intimate.

Chen Yan, unaware of what the little girl was thinking, smiled calmly and asked directly: "Miss Yun, can you refine alchemy?"

Yun Xi, head bowed and tugging her skirt, was lost in thoughts of his late‑night visit, didn't catch the latter half, but instinctively looked up, eyes flashing, and replied brightly: "I'm willing…"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the question was about "refining alchemy," her cheeks reddening further, and she quickly gestured to correct herself, lowering her voice: "I only know a little bit!"

"I wonder which kind of pill you need, A Yan?"

Chen Yan, his mind and eyes filled with the desire to kill Yuwen Yong, paid no attention to Yun Xi's oddity, stepped half a pace forward, lowered his voice further, and with a solemn urgency said: "The kind with cinnabar, mercury, realgar, zengqing, black lead in excess, yet undetectable when ingested…"

"But after consumption, it makes one feel energetic and refreshed!"

He paused, his gaze darkening slightly, and added: "And it won't become poisonous for four or five years…"

Pei Suiwan's remark truly woke the dreamer.

From the Pre‑Qin to the Ming‑Qing eras, there has been a tradition of taking alchemical pills…

Moreover, in their eyes, this is perfectly normal behavior!

Thus, Chen could exploit this, causing Yuwen Yong's body to exceed heavy‑metal limits, leading to various chronic poisonings…

After all, why did Emperor Wu of Zhou die young, earning a reputation of a life cut short?

Wasn't it also because he over‑indulged in drugs? (His first failed campaign against Qi was a sign of lead poisoning.)

Those who desperately seek immortality often meet short lives!

Yun Xi blinked, a curve forming at the corner of her mouth, confidence flashing in her eyes: "That's not difficult…"

She said, lifted her hand to tidy the stray hairs by her temples, and laughed: "I can first concoct a formula that boosts energy, then mix those ingredients together to forge a pill!"

That kind of formula would be simply superb…

Moreover, Brother A Yan's residence never lacks precious medicinal herbs.

Then suppress those poisons, and finally let them erupt all at once.....

The number of years is easily controlled.

"That's good!"

Chen Yan nodded, his tone full of sincere praise: "Miss Yun truly is my left and right arm, helping me greatly!"

I must say, with this little girl around, he saved himself an unknown number of troubles.....

Brother A Yan said I am his left and right arm............. Yun Xi's cheeks flushed from the praise, her eyes shining as if filled with starlight, then she smiled sweetly, dimples shallow at the corners of her mouth, and softly said, "As long as I can help Brother A Yan, that's enough....."

Immediately, she stepped half a pace forward, her gaze earnest, and asked softly, "Brother A Yan, when will you need it?"

"Within half a month!"

Chen Yan heard this, his fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the stone table; after a brief thought he looked up and replied, "Basically from now on, a furnace must be refined each month...."

Yun Xi listened, without the slightest hesitation, and immediately nodded, "Fine!"

Chen Yan chatted with her a few more words, reminded her to be careful when refining pills, then turned and left the courtyard.

The night wind lifted his robe's hem, the earlier lightness faded a bit, replaced by a hint of contemplation.

He stopped at the courtyard gate and instructed the ever-ready Hongye beside him, "Go fetch Wen Run to the Shufang!"

Hongye nodded, "Yes."

Having said so, he turned and hurried away.

Soon, Wen Run arrived swiftly; upon seeing Chen Yan he immediately bowed and said respectfully, "I do not know why the Lord summoned Shuyi, what orders do you have?"

Chen Yan stood by the window with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the dark night; moonlight fell on his shoulders, adding a chill. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "You should be familiar with the three teachings and nine streams of Chang'an, right?"

"Yes."

Wen Run remained bowed in place, and after hearing the question replied respectfully, "Shuyi has a few connections....."

"Go find me three eloquent ones....."

Chen Yan thought briefly, pressed his lips into a light smile, and ordered, "Their appearance, after donning Dao robes, should look like celestial beings, otherworldly sages!"

"Yes."

Wen Run responded at once, "Shuyi will deliver the people to the Lord tomorrow....."

Chen Yan raised his hand and waved, his tone casual, "Go!"

Wen Run bowed and said respectfully, "Shuyi takes leave!"

Having said that, he slipped out of the Shufang quietly, gently closing the door.

Chen Yan lifted his gaze to the night sky, to the bright moon; his fingertips traced slowly across the window lattice, a cold, sinister smile curling his mouth, his eyes flashing a barely perceptible malice as he murmured, "Yuwen Yong, hehe!"

The laugh was extremely faint, yet carried a full chill.

As long as the story is well written and the character design solid, there's no fear the little emperor won't fall for it.....

When the time comes, his natural death will be seamless, and no one will trace it back to Chen.

Yuwen Yong's lifespan diminishes day by day, only then can he feel at ease.....